Soldier On! 2026

[Tuisto]

An all-night rain took down 99% of the snow Tuesday.  Nothing but muddy, semi-frozen slush.  I took a walk yesterday.  There were a few slick spots where I had to tread lightly.  I like seeing the 111s.  One of these days I will get one.  Probably when Azamov starts their airborne porker delivery system.  I thought about driving to the store today, but I might do it tomorrow instead.  Best wishes.  G

 

Gary, I think I remember you saying you prefer to buy yours in-person. Do you have a dedicated store nearby? Pretty much everywhere I've lived there's been a shop, but not where I live now.

[WECSOG]

Day 6

    And, we're back with the results from our two panels on Name Those Tracks.  As always, I'm your host Bart Farkle, here with our lovely Track Girl Shelley.  Take a bow, Shelley. 
     Our celebrity panelists had a wide range of views on the tracks.  We had one guess for a 'heterodyne'.  Here is one for 'Carolina giant skunk which was generally thought to be extinct.'  Yeah.  That guess is a stinker.  One celebrity guest said 'maybe a cat or something.' 
      Our panel consisting of audience members all voted 'raccoon'.  Scoutmaster Bob came up with the initial response, and I think everyone else just agreed with him.  Now to turn to our Name Those Tracks expert, long time trapper and backwoodsman.  Name Those Tracks one and only Skinner Fred Argenbright.  Skinner Fred.  Fred, tell us what we are seeing with these tracks.
      Well, hits a raccoon alright, but it was only walkin on hits hind feet like.   I think the critter was doin that cuz it was totin the pocket knife in the pitcher with the two front paws.  Critter dropped it and left it in the snow there.  Knife looks like one of them you-all do-all fureign made jobs.  Kind with can openers and gimlets and such.  Cheap things are usually red.  Somebody might have painted this one before the critter found it. 
       Thanks you Skinner Fred and thanks to all of our fine viewers who enjoy our show.  That's all the time we have for this week.  Viewers are welcome to send in their mystery tracks along with a 3 by 5 card with their home address so you can receive your free Home Version Name Those Tracks board game.  Until next week, keep on tracking.  Goodbye everybody.
 
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[WECSOG]

D+5

I bought a new blue flame propane heater a few days ago, and it was delivered today. It was advertised as a floor mount, but what arrived is a wall mount.  I used the blade of my 111 Soldier to open the package. Then I used the Phillips to remove a couple of screws holding the front panel, so as to take a peek inside and see how I can make some feet for it. As it turns out, Lowes (who I bought it from) also sells several different feet for such heaters, but none of them are advertised to fit this specific heater. Also, they are all $25-$30 for something that should be included. I'll figure something out. Gotta keep my troops warm somehow!

[IMR4198]

Gary, I think I remember you saying you prefer to buy yours in-person. Do you have a dedicated store nearby? Pretty much everywhere I've lived there's been a shop, but not where I live now.

       There is a Super Walmart about a mile from my house.  That is the closest place to buy anything.  In spite of the W-Mart location, it is very rural here.  Nothing I could walk to and no way to have anything delivered.  There used to be clothing stores and several big box retailers, but everything has died except W-Mart.  It is a tourist town, so there are many restaurants and fast-food places.  I never go to them.  Best wishes.  G
 

[Tuisto]

       There is a Super Walmart about a mile from my house.  That is the closest place to buy anything.  In spite of the W-Mart location, it is very rural here.  Nothing I could walk to and no way to have anything delivered.  There used to be clothing stores and several big box retailers, but everything has died except W-Mart.  It is a tourist town, so there are many restaurants and fast-food places.  I never go to them.  Best wishes.  G
 

Ah yes, the good old Walmart Effect. Here's a (very posed) photo of me thinning out one of my axe handles that my wife took. It did not look like this when I was actually doing it. I don't know why this company sells their axes with such thick handles...It's honestly like a baseball bat with an axe bit on the end.

[BPRoberts]

D+5

Swapped the mostly cosmetic Megaman for a more functional dangle-clip. Never tried one before, we'll see if it's as life changing as some people make it sound.

[gustophersmob]

Day 6:

Today’s work carry

[Farmer X]

I grabbed a spare split ring out of my box and put on this little Megaman keychain.

I kinda like Megaman. And suspension clips are okay for some things.

Keeping the bass theme going

Had to run some errands, so cut some treats for Fisher’s Jump’n’jack

I'm sure Fisher is happy you carry an SAK!

Until next week, keep on tracking.

I used the saw to cut a branch to hang another bird feeder.

One of my favorite SAK tools! It took me way too long to appreciate it.

Gotta keep my troops warm somehow!

So true! My present living arrangement (boiler and baseboards) is so much better than what I had at this last year (an old furnace that was overworked by the many drafts in the house).

Day 6

I cut some paracord for the Combo Edge Challenge. The longer piece was turned into a sliding-knot bracelet.

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[Farmer X]

Sub-Mission No. 1

Equipment Report

For Sub-Mission No. 1, choose a piece of military equipment that is not a knife or multi-tool and write a short (two or three paragraphs is a good target length) about it. Your section leader is interested to see what you come up with!

Note that Sub-Mission No. 2 will be posted a few days in advance of Day 30 (Day +29) and will be food-related.

[Tuisto]

Here's a bonus shot of Banzai with the Soldier.

[Sos24]

Sub-Mission No. 1

Equipment Report

For Sub-Mission No. 1, choose a piece of military equipment that is not a knife or multi-tool and write a short (two or three paragraphs is a good target length) about it. Your section leader is interested to see what you come up with!

Note that Sub-Mission No. 2 will be posted a few days in advance of Day 30 (Day +29) and will be food-related.

Interesting one.  I got an idea what I will do.  I may have missed it but when is sub-mission 1 suppose to be posted.

I'm sure Fisher is happy you carry an SAK!

He does like that I carry SAK, but today wasn’t as happy as he would have been if I had SAK scissors.  Two gumballs from a Sweet Gum Tree got caught in his groin hair while walking.  Usually a quick snip with SAK scissors but took a little longer and not as comfortable removing by hand only.  Didn’t trust him to stay still with knife blade.

[Sos24]

Day 6
Cut open a treat

[Antti Lammi]

Supporting this challenge today with 108mm GAK

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[Barry Rowland]

Day 6: Cut open a packet of instant motivation 

[IMR4198]

Day 7 plus mini mission 1

My Dad was in the first division US Army.  He went through basic at Camp Croft which was near Spartanburg, South Carolina.  Welcome to the army.  Twenty-one dollars a month.  Hadn't finished high school.  Barely turned 18.
     He shipped out to Europe on a converted tanker named S.S. Bienville.  That is the second ship with that name.  His outfit was with the occupation forces.   
     After a stint at a POW camp, he was assigned to repatriation of DPs.  Displaced Persons.  He rode along in a box car with straw on the floor to see that nobody preyed on the returning people who were already just surviving.  He was a little on edge at first.  Finally one person told him to just relax.  Nobody was going to bother him.  He transported people back to wherever the trains ran in Poland.  In Warsaw, the Russians stopped the train, unhooked the cars and took away the engine.  That was how he got to spend Christmas.  Unheated box car on a side track in snowy Warsaw. 
     The object is a garrison cap.  Wool.  There was no time schedule for the challenge, so I kicked it off today.  Combined it with my regular post.  Best wishes.  G
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[Barry Rowland]

Sounds like your Dad and mine were in around the same time Gary.  My Dad was Navy from 1944-47, but didn't get too far inland.  He did see a lot of places.

[Barry Rowland]

Some bonus pics and an explanation for the numbers on my RAF Hunter.

The numbers on a Victorinox RAF (Royal Air Force) Hunter knife, specifically identifying it as an official military issue, generally refer to the NATO Stock Number (NSN), which is used by military logistics to identify, order, and track specific equipment.
Based on known examples of these knives, here is what those numbers mean:
RAF Issue Markings (e.g., 27C/7018504)
27C: Indicates the category of equipment, specifically for aircrew use.
7018504: This is the specific identifier for the knife within that category.
Full NSN (5110-99-701-8504): When combined with the NATO country code (99 for the UK), it identifies the item as a Knife, Pocket.
Other Markings on the Knife
GQ: Refers to the supplier, often GQ Parachutes (later part of Martin-Baker), who provided the knives to the Ministry of Defence.
MRI: Associated with the supplier/distributor.

[WECSOG]

D+6
Mini Mission 1

The M1941 GI Pocket stove, aka Coleman 520, was a pressurized (via built in hand pump), single burner compact gasoline stove that Ernie Pyle ranked as second only to the jeep in importance to the war effort. It produced approximately 5000 BTU and could run for 3 hours on a 1-pint fill of leaded or unleaded gasoline. Over a million were produced during the war.

After WWII, Coleman produced a civilian version called the 530, and have continued to produce stoves using the same basic design and architecture, to this day. The current version is called the 533.
I have a 400a, which is slightly smaller but the same design as the 500 series. That's it in the pic. I bought it new in the late '80s and have used it a lot in the intervening years. I've even used it to melt lead for casting bullets. 

[Barry Rowland]

Okay, in keeping with the British military theme, here's a handy field stove that dates back to at least the Second World War.  It's a simple piece of machined sheet metal that sits on a can of Sterno and is supported by a flange.

[gustophersmob]

I didn’t pay attention to the thread; are these side quests required to get the soldier badge? Or just for fun?

[IMR4198]

   I watched a video of an individual making a hobo stove.  Took a big can and punched and vented and tin snipped and bent.  Then he popped in a can of off-brand sterno for fuel.  I thought it was going to be a twig stove or something.  Like a hobo is going to carry sterno around.  I am going to have to build a twig stove some day.  Best wishes.  G
 

[Barry Rowland]

No sir, just some variety.

I didn’t pay attention to the thread; are these side quests required to get the soldier badge? Or just for fun?

[Barry Rowland]

 

   I watched a video of an individual making a hobo stove.  Took a big can and punched and vented and tin snipped and bent.  Then he popped in a can of off-brand sterno for fuel.  I thought it was going to be a twig stove or something.  Like a hobo is going to carry sterno around.  I am going to have to build a twig stove some day.  Best wishes.  G
 

[IMR4198]

I didn’t pay attention to the thread; are these side quests required to get the soldier badge? Or just for fun?

I'm not running this challenge.  The actual requirements are pretty much spelled out in the awards section.  Side quests as you call them are mostly funsies.  Maybe as much fun as the challenges themselves, I think.  Best wishes.  G
 

[gustophersmob]

No sir, just some variety.

I'm not running this challenge.  The actual requirements are pretty much spelled out in the awards section.  Side quests as you call them are mostly funsies.  Maybe as much fun as the challenges themselves, I think.  Best wishes.  G
 

Thanks guys 

[Farmer X]

Here's a bonus shot of Banzai with the Soldier.

I may have missed it but when is sub-mission 1 suppose to be posted.

Apologies for the omission! Sub-Mission 1 should be completed no later than Day 15 (Day +14). Future sub-challenges will be on every 15th day (30, 45, 60, 75, and possibly 90). And the subject of Sub-Mission 1 need not be something you own.

My Dad was in the first division US Army.

The M1941 GI Pocket stove...

Are these side quests required to get the soldier badge? Or just for fun?

Purely for fun.

Day 7

The USCK was on mail duty. A good bit of today's mail went into the shredder.

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[Tuisto]

Okay, so after much thought I think the best item that I have that could be construed a military(-adjacent) item is the Zippo. I know American troops used to carry these things quite faithfully, so hopefully it will work as an item for this sub-challenge. I used to smoke so I used to carry around a Zippo on the daily, as even though it ran out of fuel and was heavier than a Bic, it was just cool. The coolness factor outweighed its cons. i named it Zippolomew Diaz and would carry it everywhere, every day. Since I quat smoking, I no longer really have a use for carrying it on the daily, but it seems like Zippo anticipated things like that and made this really cool insert that has a few screwdriver bits that one can carry instead of a lighter insert. So now, sometimes, Zippolomew Diaz still gets carried around. I like the one with the runes (since I know and have taught at a graduate level Old Norse), but I think these days there are some implications that go along with that kind of stuff, unfortunately. Zippos have always been fascinating to me, and it's another tool like the Soldier that has looked almost exactly the same since its inception and is still carried and is still extremely useful. I hope this works for the sub-challenge!

Okay, I'm editing this to add (so it's a better paragraph write-up of the item): It seems that Zippo lighters became closely associated with the US military beginning in WWII, as the company shifted production largely to supplying American troops with durable windproof lighters valued for their reliability in harsh conditions. Word of mouth spread, and their popularity grew during the Korean and, particularly, Vietnam Wars where soldiers would personalise their Zippos with unit insignias or dark humour, turning their lighters into both practical tools and personal artefacts that reflected wartime experience. Because Zippos used replaceable flints and fuel (and could be repaired effectively indefinitely) they developed a reputation for dependability and became enduring symbols of military culture even appearing in combat 'rituals', field improvisations, and later historical memory and collecting communities.

[Barry Rowland]

I love that "I run with Zombies" Zippo!  Running is my other addiction...I mean hobby 

[Sos24]

D+6
Mini Mission 1

The M1941 GI Pocket stove, aka Coleman 520, was a pressurized (via built in hand pump), single burner compact gasoline stove that Ernie Pyle ranked as second only to the jeep in importance to the war effort. It produced approximately 5000 BTU and could run for 3 hours on a 1-pint fill of leaded or unleaded gasoline. Over a million were produced during the war.

After WWII, Coleman produced a civilian version called the 530, and have continued to produce stoves using the same basic design and architecture, to this day. The current version is called the 533.
I have a 400a, which is slightly smaller but the same design as the 500 series. That's it in the pic. I bought it new in the late '80s and have used it a lot in the intervening years. I've even used it to melt lead for casting bullets.

Awesome write-up and piece of equipment.  I too have a 400 series Coleman stove that looks very similar to that stove.  To think a design used in WWII was very popular with hikers and backpackers in the 1980s and 1990s.

Mine uses white gas and still works really well despite being left unused for 10+ years with gas in it in my parents garage. 

[Sos24]

Okay, in keeping with the British military theme, here's a handy field stove that dates back to at least the Second World War.  It's a simple piece of machined sheet metal that sits on a can of Sterno and is supported by a flange.

Frequently simpler is better

Some bonus pics and an explanation for the numbers on my RAF Hunter.

The numbers on a Victorinox RAF (Royal Air Force) Hunter knife, specifically identifying it as an official military issue, generally refer to the NATO Stock Number (NSN), which is used by military logistics to identify, order, and track specific equipment.
Based on known examples of these knives, here is what those numbers mean:
RAF Issue Markings (e.g., 27C/7018504)
27C: Indicates the category of equipment, specifically for aircrew use.
7018504: This is the specific identifier for the knife within that category.
Full NSN (5110-99-701-8504): When combined with the NATO country code (99 for the UK), it identifies the item as a Knife, Pocket.
Other Markings on the Knife
GQ: Refers to the supplier, often GQ Parachutes (later part of Martin-Baker), who provided the knives to the Ministry of Defence.
MRI: Associated with the supplier/distributor.

Thanks for the information