I was doing some cleaning the other day and came across my duffel bag full of old uniforms and protective clothing, mosquito nets, TA-50, canteens and web-gear etc. And I still have my issued gloves with wool knitted liners for cold weather country.

I remember that those gloves sucked!!!! We'd be marching in 10 degrees on the those cold early mornings after formation, our "Cold Weather" gear on, and those dang gloves sucked!!! The shell was leather, with knitted wool liners, the cold wind would rip right through em, my fingers would hurt, then go numb, by the time we'd get to where we were going, they were blue. The coats were no better! You'd think they'd out fit the field soldier with anything that at least blocks the wind from going through the seams!!!!

Anyone else have a similar experience with GI Issue!!!

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Homes For Our Troops and Wounded Warriors Project

Oh yeah, what about them caps with the pull down ear covers! What!!! I can't hear ya, but my ears are still freezing!

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Homes For Our Troops and Wounded Warriors Project

Still, wear my Navy Pea coat and have my Dress Blues (13 button) (can't fit into the Blues any more)

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

Is the Pea Coat the same as a trench coat Lew??

I still have my trench coat, another worthless piece of crud, but it looked cool with our Class "A's"

Lewis Kauffman said:

Still, wear my Navy Pea coat and have my Dress Blues (13 button) (can't fit into the Blues any more)

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Homes For Our Troops and Wounded Warriors Project

Two words..... Jungle boots.  You know, the ones we got in SEA that rotted out wayyyy too quick.

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Ron Dudelston
Site Administrator

Above and Beyond WoodWorks

Pea Coat is shorter and heavier. Made of wool- like the dress blues. 

John Morris said:

Is the Pea Coat the same as a trench coat Lew??

I still have my trench coat, another worthless piece of crud, but it looked cool with our Class "A's"

Lewis Kauffman said:

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Homes For Our Troops and Wounded Warriors Project

Don't know about now, but the AF had some pretty good arctic gear when I was in. 

In Fairbanks and Thule Greenland we wore heavy wool socks over regular socks then a white felt booty over that and finally rubber soled water proof canvas knee high boots. I'd put on a pair of jeans over long johns, then the fatigue pants and padded nylon leggings with suspenders. Knit shirt over a tee shirt, then the fatigue shirt and a leather flight jacket. Over that was a great hooded parka. Before you put on the parka, you'd put on your nylon (?) gloves inside the leather work gloves and finally elbow length mittens with padded leather palms. Then stick the arms through the parka. For head gear I wore a wool cap with ear flaps over a wool ski mask. The hood on the parka had cinch strings and they were always tight.

I was a mechanic but, working on anything was almost impossible. And, taking a leak was a 30 minute job! 

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Gene
'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton