Chris Mathis
Author Archives: Chris Mathis
Chris Mathis
Dummy Cord It: How to Tie Down Gear You Don’t Want to Lose!
DEFINITION: The term dummy cord refers to tying gear to something to prevent it from getting lost. In the Army tie down procedures are usually found in the Standard operating Procedures (SOP) and it is regularly checked by your supervisor (during PCC/PCIs) before any mission. Optics dummy cord to the weapon itself, along with your […]
Continue readingTips for Sleeping Outside without a Tent
One thing I have had lots of experience with over the years in the Army is sleeping outside without a tent. Most of the time tents are too cumbersome, or we don’t have an efficient way to transport them. Another disadvantage of sleeping in a tent, is how it reduces situational awareness. If someone attacks […]
Continue readingWhich is Better MRE Menu A vs B
Meals Ready to Eat or MREs have been produced since 1981 by the US Department of Defense. Over the course of decades the military continues to refine menus and add entrees with various tastes, in an attempt to not only keep the American Warfighter fueled and healthy but to increase the amount of the MRE […]
Continue readingHow to Pack a Rucksack Army Strong
How do I pack a ruck sack in the Army? This is a question that gets asked by all infantrymen at some point in their career. Some of it is learned the hard way, or if you are fortunate a senior NCO will share some of his experience with you. Over the next few minutes, […]
Continue readingHow to Stay Awake at Night: 29 Tips I Learned in the Army
How to stay awake at night? Soldiers are often required to stay awake for long periods of time in inhospitable environments (desert heat, bug-riddled forests, and sweltering jungles). When you are exhausted staying awake and staying focused is one of the hardest things to maintain. I have pulled my fair share of late nights either […]
Continue readingHow to Make Coffee in the Field
Coffee in the field makes everything better. One of the best morale boosters in the Army is a hot cup of coffee first thing in the morning (or at least after stand-to). The extra weight of coffee brewing gear can seem like a lot. But, if you have access to transportation where you can get […]
Continue readingHow to Stay Warm Outside in Cold Weather
In this post I will share with you some tips and techniques I have used to stay warm in the field. One thing every veteran knows is that training or combat doesn’t stop just because it is cold. I have been to some cold locations (Fort Drum, New York, South Korea, and Afghanistan) during my […]
Continue readingWhat is Pogey Bait in the Army: Snacks for the Field
What is “Pogey Bait”? Pogey Bait is any type of non-issued food snack or candy used in the field to supplement meals, give a quick boost of energy, or to use as a bartering tool. Some say the term comes from things you could bribe supply guys with to get something you wanted or needed […]
Continue reading6 Concealment Tactics from an Army Scout
Are you looking to buy some new camo for your next hunt? A prepper trying to determine how to stay hidden for recon patrols and hide your fighting positions? A Soldier wanting to learn some new concealment tactics for that upcoming field exercise? Or an airsoft maverick wanting to one up your next opponent? This […]
Continue readingField Hygiene Tips: Keeping clean with less
One of the less glamorous topics, but definitely an important one is Army field sanitation, or how to stay healthy while in austere environments. You can grab anyone off the street, give them a gun, and a uniform and they can pose as a Soldier, but there is an art to surviving in the field […]
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