Military Service

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  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,424MI6 Agent
    edited February 2018
    Having the platoon on skiis pulled by a BV-206 was nice. I remember one day the CO said: "The BV will pull the platoon in a tight 8- figure. When you can do it without anyone falling down, you can go back to base!"

    main-qimg-d5ddcfc680ea47aecacc0d7f07d023fa-c

    These soldiers (Royal Marines?) are using face masks and goggles :v. We never had them, but the technique is shown:

    sapper-joseph-norway-01.jpg?w=1200
  • danjaq_0ffdanjaq_0ff The SwampsPosts: 7,283MI6 Agent
    Love the Norgi shirt and jumper, but tell me, do they still make the Norgi hooded shirt ?
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,424MI6 Agent
    I see the "Norgi" word used by the British quite often, but not here. My guess is many things "Norge" (Norway) is pronounced that way. The last sound is pronounced like the E in "best".
    The shirt and jumper are superb. I'm not sure what you mean by the holder shirt. Do you have a photo?
  • danjaq_0ffdanjaq_0ff The SwampsPosts: 7,283MI6 Agent
    edited February 2018
    Number24 wrote:
    I see the "Norgi" word used by the British quite often, but not here. My guess is many things "Norge" (Norway) is pronounced that way. The last sound is pronounced like the E in "best".
    The shirt and jumper are superb. I'm not sure what you mean by the holder shirt. Do you have a photo?

    That is what our military calls that shirt, maybe because it's Norwegian it is shortened down to Norgi ?

    the thing Im referring to is made out of the same cotton loop material, but is an over the head design with a hood and kangaroo pocket at the front. Sorry, I couldn't find a pic, but I owned one in 1994 and not seen one since.
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,424MI6 Agent
    It doesn't sound like anything I ever saw in the military, but I might be wrong. My English vocabulary regarding clothes and fabrics isn't the best. A picture would speak louder than a thousand words.
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,424MI6 Agent
    I Googled "The Defence" + "hooded jumper" in Norwegian and I think I found what you ment. I never saw a soldier on duty wear that jumper. It looks like members of a unit can order it with the unit name and the year they served written on the back. I remember my company ordered NATO jumper together. I doubt it's issued by the military, but it might be for sports duty.
  • danjaq_0ffdanjaq_0ff The SwampsPosts: 7,283MI6 Agent
    Number24 wrote:
    It doesn't sound like anything I ever saw in the military, but I might be wrong. My English vocabulary regarding clothes and fabrics isn't the best. A picture would speak louder than a thousand words.

    it looked a little something like this, but made out of the same fabric as the shirt you pictured
    m_Zyol0_YNz_Q7wut7tl_Pt_Ytw_Q.jpg
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,424MI6 Agent
    Yes, that's sounds like the item I found. I'm sure there are T-shirts, jumpers etc. in other countries too that aren't military issue, but often have unit names and symbols printer on them. Off duty soldiers and people who support the armed forces buy and wear them. I'm pretty sure that's what it is.
  • danjaq_0ffdanjaq_0ff The SwampsPosts: 7,283MI6 Agent
    Sure, but not any that are made out of that looped cotton, mostly they are a fluffy finish inside
  • BondJasonBond006BondJasonBond006 SwitzerlandPosts: 870MI6 Agent
    Number24 wrote:
    These soldiers (Royal Marines?) are using face masks and goggles :v. We never had them, but the technique is shown:

    sapper-joseph-norway-01.jpg?w=1200


    Oh I love this picture, brings back so many memories. We use the masks as well, it's essential in the alpine region to have those.

    Found a pic I can share as my buddy on the right can't be identified :P

    full.jpg
    Dalton Rulez™
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,424MI6 Agent
    Really? I think only soldiers who drive snowmobiles use those masks in the Arctic region.
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,424MI6 Agent
    danjaq_0ff wrote:
    Sure, but not any that are made out of that looped cotton, mostly they are a fluffy finish inside

    It's not impossible the military issues them for sports duty, but I doubt it. It wasn't used when I served in 91-92 and a friend who served in 94-95 didn't either.
  • danjaq_0ffdanjaq_0ff The SwampsPosts: 7,283MI6 Agent
    Number24 wrote:
    danjaq_0ff wrote:
    Sure, but not any that are made out of that looped cotton, mostly they are a fluffy finish inside

    It's not impossible the military issues them for sports duty, but I doubt it. It wasn't used when I served in 91-92 and a friend who served in 94-95 didn't either.

    it may not have been on issue, but it had the same label in as the shirts do.
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,424MI6 Agent
    Our military use civilian contractors to make their clothes, just like in any other country. The company likely also produces the hooded shirt too. What is the name on the label?
  • BondJasonBond006BondJasonBond006 SwitzerlandPosts: 870MI6 Agent
    @Number24

    I wish we had snowmobiles :)

    Masks are standard issue really with the alpine troops. One year ago I was doing a co-op with them as high as 10.000 feet up the alps.


    We have those shirts too by the way, they are called "Gnägi". They have been replaced though a couple of years ago by a more functional high end kind of shirt, still look the same more or less though.
    full.jpg

    The Gnägi is probably the most worn shirt of all time in Switzerland, as they are also very popular for wearing in civilian life, and of course every soldier (male civilian) has a dozen of them.
    Dalton Rulez™
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,424MI6 Agent
    You don't have snowmobiles? I guess you mean your unit and not the entire army. In out army it's pretty common in the jeger units. I know the compared ble unit to yours had one patrol using snowmobiles in 94-95, possibly for testing.
    While our mountains aren't that high, it's cold enough. Soldiers sometimes use (often knitted) balaclavas to protect their faces from the cold, but I haven't seen goggles unless they'll on vehicles.
    The shirt looks very much like ours. Foreign soldiers (especially Royal Marines) on NATO excersises in Norway often get hold of our field shirts, so Norwegian field shirts are pretty well know in the alliance.
  • danjaq_0ffdanjaq_0ff The SwampsPosts: 7,283MI6 Agent
    The British Military have there own made now too, i think since the late 90's early 2000's. Nothing beats the originals though :)
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,424MI6 Agent
    I think the British winter equipment is considered to be pretty good now, but that just an impression. US Marines training in Norway the past year have found that the American equipment is pretty bad or outdated. Skiis that fall off the boots, clothes that aren't warm enough etc. I think the US military are updating based on their comments. One marine said: "I wouldn't give this stuff to my worst enemy." Russian press had a field day about this.
    I guess the US has focused mainly on deserts lately.
  • BondJasonBond006BondJasonBond006 SwitzerlandPosts: 870MI6 Agent
    Well, Trump was in Davos which is in the alpine region and it had A TON OF SNOW.

    Maybe, this has given him ideas....so maybe the US Army will get proper winter equipment now for their upcoming invasion of Switzerland.
    Dalton Rulez™
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,424MI6 Agent
    So THAT'S the reason Switzerland puts so much time and effort into military readiness :))
  • 00730073 COPPosts: 1,067MI6 Agent
    Number24 wrote:
    One would expect the Norwegian army to issue good skiis, but they don't. We call them NATO-plank. soldiers are the only people to wear wooden skiis in Norway, and the only advantages their sturdieness and the fact that you can wear them on standard field boots:

    img_4754.jpg


    8980595_8c1610dd9c_b.jpg

    Oh Yes! These look just alike "the Army Sweat-Planks" issued by the Finnish army. The stated advantage is the length and width make it easier to ski in deep snow with no ready made trails.

    I remember one recon exercise we had in the academy, where we carried all the sh.. aahh, stuff we needed to set up a base in our backs to the wilderness. In addition to my personal gear (food and all for 7 nights stay at the "resort") I had an 8 man tent and ammo for the squad. At one particularly nasty climb my ski detached it self from my boot and made a run for it down hill. My right leg sunk immediately to the hip into the snow. One leg, on ski, on the surface, another balls deep in the snow, some 80-100lbs. gear in my back, and an "extra horn" rapidly growing from my forehead.... By then we'd covered some 30kms and we had another 30kms to go before we would stop and set up camp. I really, really hated snow and winter back then. :)) :)) :))
    "I mean, she almost kills bond...with her ass."
    -Mr Arlington Beech
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,424MI6 Agent
    I remember a 4-5 day ski march in ...... March, I think. One day we saw the sun for the first time in months. We clapped and cheered. One of the really good memories from my national service. :)


    Do you remember the sledge?

    hvbs-sekklofting.jpg

    1_stk._FJELLPULKEN_+_1_stk._VAREPULK.jpg
  • BondJasonBond006BondJasonBond006 SwitzerlandPosts: 870MI6 Agent
    We have the same caps :)
    open them at the top and your ears are covered, wonderfully warm.
    Dalton Rulez™
  • danjaq_0ffdanjaq_0ff The SwampsPosts: 7,283MI6 Agent
    Have you got any pictures of you wearing that hat Jason ? we would love to see them :D
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,424MI6 Agent
    This must seem very foreign to Joshua :))
  • 00730073 COPPosts: 1,067MI6 Agent
    Number24 wrote:
    Do you remember the sledge?

    hvbs-sekklofting.jpg

    1_stk._FJELLPULKEN_+_1_stk._VAREPULK.jpg

    Oh Yes! Known as "ahkio" in Finnish. I once spent a one whole freezing day playing a casualty strapped to a sledge being dragged around by my squad. We played a "sissi" -unit that ambushed a marching column and then made a run for it, our instructor made me the casualty propably because 1) I was the largest of the squad and 2) I had the SAW + ammo, so that placed more burden on the guys. at -20c to -25c that day, it was far from comfortable... We were chased by ski patrols, snow mobiles and dog handlers, after we were done with it and back at the barracks, "we" decided that I would buy the guys a round of beers the next night out! :)) :)) :))
    "I mean, she almost kills bond...with her ass."
    -Mr Arlington Beech
  • JoshuaJoshua Posts: 1,138MI6 Agent
    Hello. I have not been visiting ajb because I have not had a PC computer since my one broke. I have not much time and have not really read the postings since I was away but as for clothing and equipment because it was on many time very hot always in my country in the bush we often did not take lots of kit. Our webbing was British and this was I think used already before my army got this. It was certainly used when I was issued with it. We all had to make it better because on many times the pouches would fall off when we ran!
    We had sleeping bags but not really use them. We had a mat which rolled up to put on the ground and to lay on and just a blanket for to cover up. This was enough to keep warm in the night time. We would also dig a little hole so that the hip bone would fit into the ground to be more comfortable. When the rains came we only used a thing (I do not know the word in English) which was over the head with no arms to cover against the rain and this also could be used as a ground cover against the rain when we were sleeping.
    Water to drink was very important and we would carry extra canteens and some times even a big container on a mopani pole if we were going to stay some where without water for days.
    I think I also said that I did not wear boots often when I was in the bush. This was against orders. I took the boots but carried them on the pack.
  • Bond44Bond44 Vauxhall CrossPosts: 1,581MI6 Agent
    Joshua wrote:
    Hello. I have not been visiting ajb because I have not had a PC computer since my one broke. I have not much time and have not really read the postings since I was away but as for clothing and equipment because it was on many time very hot always in my country in the bush we often did not take lots of kit. Our webbing was British and this was I think used already before my army got this. It was certainly used when I was issued with it. We all had to make it better because on many times the pouches would fall off when we ran!
    We had sleeping bags but not really use them. We had a mat which rolled up to put on the ground and to lay on and just a blanket for to cover up. This was enough to keep warm in the night time. We would also dig a little hole so that the hip bone would fit into the ground to be more comfortable. When the rains came we only used a thing (I do not know the word in English) which was over the head with no arms to cover against the rain and this also could be used as a ground cover against the rain when we were sleeping.
    Water to drink was very important and we would carry extra canteens and some times even a big container on a mopani pole if we were going to stay some where without water for days.
    I think I also said that I did not wear boots often when I was in the bush. This was against orders. I took the boots but carried them on the pack.
    Joshua, the webbing was probably our 58 Patt webbing if it was green (did the belt have a single row of holes in the middle on both end for a hook to clip in to adjust the length?). Often it became flimsy with age (many used plastic ties to secure pouches in place). if not might have been the old WW2 37 Patt in Khaki or later 44 Patt (green with a row of holes on the bottom of the belt). The waterproof cover if it was British was a ‘Poncho’ a few of us were reminiscing about some posts back (you could tie up the hood and string it up between trees as a shelter)

    Most of our old kit was sold on to other nations same as our combat kit. Sometimes it was used against us later like our old SLR’s, GPMG’s and 25 pounder arty pieces used by the Argentines on the Malvinas. I know 29 Cdo captured a arty piece that someone recognised and then traced the serial number as being ne of their own some 20 years earlier! So they shipped it back as a war trophy and stuck it outside the Mess so no one could use it against them again!

    I guess in warmer climes keeping warm in a sleeping back is rarity as for wearing Boots (or not) fair play us westerners would probably bulk at that, but if it’s what you are used to then respect to you sir that’s nails. It just demonstrates what the human body is really capable of (last time I moan about itchy shirts!).

    Full credit to you and this goes to show how you can be as technical a force as many East and Western Forces (in terms of high tech kit) but actually it’s the person holding it and their robustness that really matters when the chips are down.

    Cheers :007)
    My name is Bond, Basildon Bond - I have letters after my name!
  • JoshuaJoshua Posts: 1,138MI6 Agent
    Yes. The belt was this way. It was not liked by many soldiers I think until it was made so that the pouches did not fall off!
    Poncho I must remember this word. The uniforms for my army and the poncho also was made in my country. The poncho could be tied different ways to make shelter. In the rains when we were in the bush even though the rains would be very heavy the hood would not be worn. The hood made noise and we could not hear properly. This was because we always had to be on the alert for the wild animal who would attack. Even on exersise we would carry live ammunition loaded in case we were attacked and one man always would be on look out for the predator and ready to shoot.
    It was not strange for me to not wear boots. I was from the bush and never wore boots because I always liked to have no boots. This was against regulations and I would have been in trouble if the officer had found this. My feet were as hard as the boot on the underneath any way so it was of no difference except to not make me unconfortable by wearing boots. I still do not wear boots any time that I am able to. I help to keep the garden of some of the elders people tidy in the community as the helper. We do this for free to help the elders people. They see me not in boots in the garden and think it is very strange. One person asked if I could not afford shoes and said they would by some as a gift! I explained to them that I can walk more comfortable in bare feet.
  • JoshuaJoshua Posts: 1,138MI6 Agent
    I also say this. I saw Casino Royale. It shows the African soldiers and they are militias or very untidy. It is true that many African countries armies are like this but also many have to be of the very high standard of keeping their uniform and equipment and weapons very clean and training and discipline is good.
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