Monday, January 10, 2005

Field expedient

In the Army, when you have something that is field expedient, it means you are making do with a substitute. For example, a field expedient shower might be a five gallon water can on its side on a vehicle, with the cap opened partly so water trickles out. It works, but it's not the real thing. You're out in the field away from your normal stuff, thus, field expedient.

Today in the washroom, I saw a guy use a field expedient towel. He washed his face and hair in the sink, then went to where he had his uniform shirt hanging, and used his shirt for a towel. He shaved, rinsed off and again used his shirt to dry his hands and face. Afterward, he put on the shirt and walked out. The back of it was wet from the bottom up to the shoulder blades.

Looked to me like this is this guy's typical pattern. After he washed his face and hair, he didn't look around and express consternation. "Jeez, I forgot my towel!" He just went right for the shirt like that was his plan all along. I wonder how many days in a row he wears his towel.

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