Conveys, conveys conveys! Man, thats all I have been doing for the past two weeks. You know this means that I have been ‘in the field’ for three straight weeks. Nothing but training and classes and more training in the HOT, HOT Okinawan sun; and trust me, this island has its unforgiving climate with humidity up the ying yang! It rains at night so anything you left out ot dry gets soaking wet and doesn’t dry until noon, so if you have to put it on before then, prepare for mold and fungus all over your back and arms. I had it last week but this week is good thanks to some Under Armour shirts. Besides those rashes, you’ll have to watch out for the worst one, heat rash. This won’t go away until you cool down and take a shower but while its there on your back, chest, arms, or legs, its a real PAIN. Any movement on the effect area will cause severe pain. I’ve found out by the Docs a few tips to help stop infections and rashes while out in the jungle/desert.

1. Baby Wipes
Baby wipes are you ’showers’ if there isn’t any showers set-up yet. Strip down to the undies and wipe yourself all over with many baby wipes to avoid getting smelly and rashes. The main cause of rashes is sweat + dirt. Wipe it away before you hit the rack and perhaps hit it again after you wake up to keep yourself rash free.

2. Baby Powder
No, not the medicated one, but just the regular white baby powder does wonders for those areas that get a bit more…moist and heated then other areas. Ok, get your mind out the gutters, yea, the pits and the sun-don’t-shine area. Powder it up but not too much, just a light layer and you’ll enjoy the smell of powder agaist the smell of sweat and heat. I usually do this after my baby wipe shower.

3. Fresh, DRY Clothes
Why would you go a whole day with socks, getting them all moist with sweat and water, just to put them on the next day??? NO!!! The QUICKEST way to get rashes and fungi is putting on USED clothes. Change out your drawers, socks, and shirt everyday or else prepare for the worst feeling of putting on a smelly, wet shirt on and getting rashes all over your back and chest. As for your socks, you know your feet are your money makers so keep them dry and clean everyday. If your staying out for 3 days, bring 4 days worth of clothes because you NEVER know.

4. Under Armour ( optional )
Now, you don’t have to go out and spend $15 on an Under Armour undershirt, but I do because I am always out in the middle of no where with heat and sweat and rain and God knows what else. If you camp out alot, I recommended these shirts and underpants because they are jungle tested, and Iraq proven. They have special ones too for each type of weather weather it be cold, heat, or wet. These are the main reason why I don’t get rashes like everyone else who uses the typical cotten shirt.

You know what I just thought about? I go out alot to the field so I should post more field tips. Stuff that I get and other Marines give me too. Like camping chairs. Those are life savers. Alright, I think I’ll post a few more tips later on, but now, its time to take my boots off and let my dogs rest and air out. Shower time! Peace!