Soldier On! 2026

[Barry Rowland]

I'll take a slide lock over a liner lock every day of the week and twice on Sundays! 

[Farmer X]

When I'm not quite so pressed for time, I'll see if the 108mm would qualify. Based on Barry's response, the answer seems to be yes. Going for the 30-day Soldier badge is perfectly acceptable.

[gustophersmob]

Trying to decide if I do this and if so for 30 or 90 days.

If I do 30, then I can do the cadet challenge.

But I’m in the middle of a classic challenge and usually after 30 days I’m ready to be done posting pictures for a while…

Since my edc is a pioneer, for this I’d switch up for my one remaining actual soldier model, an ‘07 from victorinox.

[BPRoberts]

When I'm not quite so pressed for time, I'll see if the 108mm would qualify. Based on Barry's response, the answer seems to be yes. Going for the 30-day Soldier badge is perfectly acceptable.

The 108 GAK was in Nix's original challenge, so I'm not sure why we'd drop it. NSN looks to be 5110-12-162-8215, which does come up on some of the NSN search sites (not that they don't have plenty of false positives). I have both the green Bundeswehr and red civilian models and can confirm they're just as alike as a Pioneer and a 93mm Soldier. If our two boxes are: made by Vic and officially issued (or civvie equivalent) it fits the bill.

[Barry Rowland]

I thought about using mine for the challenge again.  It's well used, believe me.  I think it saw some usage in several conflicts  .  They're great knives, with a lot of tool packed in a very slim package. 

[BPRoberts]

One week out bump and unofficial inventory. Based on the thread it looks like:

1.FX-
2. Barry Rowland- 111mm RAF Hunter
3. BPRoberts-
4. WECSOG- 111mm
5. IMR4198- 108mm

Obviously, feel free to change/correct me and carry what you want.

I'm currently leaning towards one of my 93s, probably a red old cross w/ brass liners. I have examples of both of the older models that might make a cameo, but I don't think I want to carry one for a whole quarter. Depending on what Lt. Dan picks, we don't look to be having too much overlap, which is great. I was a little worried it was just going to turn into a Pioneer challenge.

[Barry Rowland]

Times flying!

[IMR4198]

    I did dig out my rattly old 108.  The blades are still nice and tight, but the scales are just hanging together.  One side is split, and both sides have been glued together and glued on the liners.  Several times. 
    I found it okay.  Then the OTHER started.  I went to get my cute Kizer fixed blade out of my cabinet.  Couldn't see it.  Hadn't seen the knife for months as a matter of fact.  It always stays in one place.  Always.  The contents of the cabinet got eviscerated.  Still nothing.  I found the box it came in.  Didn't help.  After about an hour, I saw part of it peeking out of some papers.  That calmed down a little.  While I was looking for it, I realized I had lost my nail file.  That was what took the place of my Bijou that I had put away during the Toolbox Challenge.  It was gone.  I said to myself that it would turn up, or not, and I would just go get my Bijou.  It was nowhere to be found.  I started searching nooks and crannies with my flashlight.  Nothing.  I looked in my tackle box as a last resort.  There it was.  Then, I realized I had lost my flashlight.  I looked for a while and just went to bed.
    I expected more people to be interested in the Soldier challenge (or challenges).  I will admit that it isn't much of a challenge for me personally.  After all I carried that same 108mm most of the time since I bought it in 1980.  I did carry some other knives in the meantime.  The last few decades before I joined the MTo, I carried it every day.  Yes, I did buy lots more knives in the meantime then let most of them go.  I never needed an excuse to buy another knife.  Best wishes.  Gary
 

[BPRoberts]

Might as well dust that drawer now that it's empty.

I'm also surprised there's not more takers, this one has been on my to do list since I found it.

[Farmer X]

Good to hear everything at Werecoyote Trail was properly accounted for!

1.FX-USCK (Basically a 08)
2. Barry Rowland- 111mm RAF Hunter
3. BPRoberts-
4. WECSOG- 111mm
5. IMR4198- 108mm

Added my carry to the list.

[gustophersmob]

Might as well dust that drawer now that it's empty.

I'm also surprised there's not more takers, this one has been on my to do list since I found it.

I’m considering it, at least for the 30 day badge (in case I want to do the cadet challenge).

Honestly, though, after I do a challenge I’m usually burnt out for awhile (I’m in the January classic challenge now, and my last one before that was in march or last year). So I don’t know if I’ll even feel like doing the soldier or cadet challenges.  We’ll see…

[BPRoberts]

Oh yeah, forgot about the knife that kicked off the challenge. Duh.

Can always go for the 30 and see how you feel, GM.

[gustophersmob]

Oh yeah, forgot about the knife that kicked off the challenge. Duh.

Can always go for the 30 and see how you feel, GM.

 

[WECSOG]

I get it on the Challenge fatigue! Some of us just finished a Challenge in December, are in the Blackout Challenge now and will be going into the Soldier Challenge in a few days. Soldier On is definitely a good name for it!

Hey, I've got an idea: at the end of the 90 day Soldier On Challenge, maybe we could wind down with another Gas Station MRE Challenge! 

[IMR4198]

   I went back and re-read some of the previous Gas Station MRE challenge posts.  I had forgotten how much fun it was.  I do recall that it was hard to get people to sign up for it.   The last one ran for a week in March.  (Actually the challenge only takes two active days.  One pack day and one eating day).  The challenge is really easy.  Just pack a full days eats a week in advance.  Get a badge.
   Would you like to host the event WECSOG?  You were probably like me.  Spend a day fishing with a bottle of Coke and a can of Vienna Sausages in your vest pockets.  Best wishes.  Gary
 
   

[WECSOG]

   I went back and re-read some of the previous Gas Station MRE challenge posts.  I had forgotten how much fun it was.  I do recall that it was hard to get people to sign up for it.   The last one ran for a week in March.  (Actually the challenge only takes two active days.  One pack day and one eating day).  The challenge is really easy.  Just pack a full days eats a week in advance.  Get a badge.
   Would you like to host the event WECSOG?  You were probably like me.  Spend a day fishing with a bottle of Coke and a can of Vienna Sausages in your vest pockets.  Best wishes.  Gary
 
 

Sure Gary, I can host it!  It doesn't have to be immediately after the Soldier Up challenge, although it can be.

[Barry Rowland]

I'd be in on that one.  It was a fun time! 

[IMR4198]

       It's a lot of fun and a nice badge as well.  I'm sure you will do a good job of hosting.  Best wishes.  Gary

[WECSOG]

Actually I just had an idea. Would it be possible to invoke General Order No. 9? As in, have the MRE challenge as a mini challenge during Soldier On, spread over two days of course. Open it to all members, even those not participating in Soldier On. Of course those who are participating would have to use their chosen Soldier knife, while those who are only in it for the MRE Challenge could use whatever they like.

I'm also thinking, start the MRE Challenge at the end of February or beginning of March to entice those who are considering stopping their Soldier On TOD at 30 days to give it another week to think about it.
Would this work?

[Barry Rowland]

It's Dan's call, but I don't see any problem with it.  This would be a Mod call, but the only catch might be applying for the MRE badge while participating in another challenge. 

[IMR4198]

    The Gas Station MRE challenge requires about 7 days.  Pack day +week of storage +unpack/eating day.  Seven would be a minimum.  It wouldn't be possible to have it in two back to back days.  I think it might work well as a mini-challenge, depending on what Dan thinks.  He might not want any minis.  Nobody would get a badge out of it.  Can't get two badges when you do two challenges at the same time (except for the Anniversary Challenge). 
    If you decide to pick a week after the Soldier 90 ends, then I would be in (and Barry too, I imagine).  Barring outside conflicts and schedules.  That is probably the best bet.  Best wishes.  G
 

[WECSOG]

Ok, tentatively the first week of May. That is after the end of Soldier On. 
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,94730.msg2561324.html#msg2561324

[Farmer X]

I could very well work in a food-related mini challenge. That would be a lot of fun. Thanks for the idea!

[WECSOG]

I could very well work in a food-related mini challenge. That would be a lot of fun. Thanks for the idea!

Can't wait to see it! 

[Sos24]

I’ll sign up. 
1.FX-
2. Barry Rowland- 111mm RAF Hunter
3. BPRoberts-
4. WECSOG- 111mm
5. IMR4198- 108mm
6. Sos24 - US Combat Knife

[BPRoberts]

I've really enjoyed the mini-challenges we've been doing lately. Helps break up the 12 "I opened a package" and 13 "I tightened ANOTHER random loose screw" that we get a lot of. Especially on a longer challenge, it'd help to mix things up. Did Nix do any on the first round? I've only vaguely skimmed the old thread.

There are a ton of "one shot" badges for things like using zipties, fire starting, etc. that we could incorporate if we wanted.

[Barry Rowland]

It's been awhile, so I really can't remember BP.  They're a great way to live things up. 

[WECSOG]

I've really enjoyed the mini-challenges we've been doing lately. Helps break up the 12 "I opened a package" and 13 "I tightened ANOTHER random loose screw" that we get a lot of. Especially on a longer challenge, it'd help to mix things up. Did Nix do any on the first round? I've only vaguely skimmed the old thread.

There are a ton of "one shot" badges for things like using zipties, fire starting, etc. that we could incorporate if we wanted.

I really enjoy the mini challenges, too. But I wonder if we can pick up one shot badges while in the midst of a challenge? That never occurred to me. It would be nice if we can.

[IMR4198]

   The 'one shot deals' are listed under the Category: User part of the awards chart.  The requirements generally say, "Start a new thread...."  A new thread for something like the cooking badge would be in one of the Outdoor boards and not in a SAK thread.  There has been a little wiggle room in the "Start a new thread" requirement and a "Participate in a challenge" requirement, but this seems to be stretching things a little to try to get a zip tie or duct tape badge or badges during a SAK challenge. 
   That would tend to open up a challenge for a SAK to someone posting a SAK wrapped in duct tape with a zip tie in the keyring while cooking outdoors after making a fire.  Then a moderator would have to figure out if you got four badges with one post or during one challenge if you want to look at it that way.  It goes against the idea of actually earning a badge instead of just seeing how many you could get for almost no effort.  Best wishes.  G
 

[Barry Rowland]