Is the Poncho Liner (Woobie) the greatest issue item ever? Or is it more than that?

2015-02-07T11:02:05-05:00

What is your favorite piece of TA-50? Personally, mine is the woobie. It has kept me warm many nights after some (enter explicative here) lost something on the DZ. How do you feel about the woobie? How do you feel that many don't even get it issued? How do you feel about those who do not know about the woobie?

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2015 11:25 AM

2015-02-07T11:25:09-05:00

We didn't even get a poncho...much less a liner. :(

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 7 at 2015 11:56 AM

2015-02-07T11:56:08-05:00

Woobie?!? Please, please tell me this is not common vernacular.

I know the Marines call some items bizarre names..... but I blame the Navy for most of that.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2015 12:02 PM

2015-02-07T12:02:51-05:00

I definitely think it is the best article ever issued SFC Private RallyPoint Member. Although I do believe all ARMY Soldiers get it issued to them.

I have several and use it daily. Especially that I am now stationed in Alaska.

For those who do not know what it is then they are missing out.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Feb 7 at 2015 12:03 PM

2015-02-07T12:03:41-05:00

When I was in the first time, we were issued the OD green wet weather tops. I took the field jacket liner and had it sewn into the wet weather top and the seams waterproofed. It was the warmest Army clothing I have ever had. I also love my woobie...

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Feb 7 at 2015 12:12 PM

2015-02-07T12:12:58-05:00

I used mine to keep the light out of my eyes during downtime at Ft. Polk :)

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2015 1:19 PM

2015-02-07T13:19:56-05:00

I'd have to agree with you on the woobie, ahem, poncho liner. It's definitely one of the best pieces of personal equipment in my kit. I was first issued a woodland camouflage liner at Fort Campbell but a few years later bought one of my own. Over the years, I have acquired the different colors including DCU and ACU colored woobies.

For those who don't get them issued, you can always go purchase one. There's nothing wrong with that especially since you can keep it instead of returning it to the CIF. For those who don't KNOW about the woobie, well, I feel bad for them. They are definitely missing out.

SSG Daniel Deiler, SPC Danny Eldridge, MSG Brad Sand, SFC Private RallyPoint Member, MAJ Carl Ballinger, SSG Jason Neumann, SGT Richard H., SSG V. Michelle Woods, SSG Robert Burns, 1SG David Niles, SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL, SSG Joaquin Goicoechea, SSG Gerhard S., 1LT Scott Doyle, 1LT Shawn McCarthy, SFC Gary Fox, SPC Jeff Daley, PhD, SGT Tony Saucier, SPC Chris Lanaman, SSG Laureano Pabon, SGM Private RallyPoint Member, CW5 Private RallyPoint Member, SFC Mark Merino, MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca, LTC Private RallyPoint Member, SPC Randy Torgerson, 1SG Michael Blount, LTC Paul Labrador, SFC Private RallyPoint Member, SGT Jonathan Willard, SGT Jinger Jarrett, 1LT John Martin, SFC Brian Lehnhardt, SFC Private RallyPoint Member, SSG John Bacon, SSG Jim Handy, SGT Private RallyPoint Member, SSG P, B, CPL Charles Brown, SFC Private RallyPoint Member, SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA, 1SG Private RallyPoint Member, MAJ Private RallyPoint Member, LTC Private RallyPoint Member.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2015 1:22 PM

2015-02-07T13:22:58-05:00

Yes, (mic drop and walk away)

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2015 1:28 PM

2015-02-07T13:28:29-05:00

I love my woobie. It is something that is near and dear to any soldier that goes out to the field. I still travel with one everywhere I go. You never know when things might get real and you have to pull out the woobie.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Feb 7 at 2015 1:31 PM

2015-02-07T13:31:34-05:00

The person who advertises a woobie lined coffin for veterans will make a fortune!

Response by SSG John Bacon made Feb 7 at 2015 2:33 PM

2015-02-07T14:33:27-05:00

The Woobie and the Smoking Jacket. A combination of comfort on the coldest of nights.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2015 2:34 PM

2015-02-07T14:34:23-05:00

I never go to the field or TDC without it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2015 2:36 PM

2015-02-07T14:36:54-05:00

Woobie!!!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2015 2:49 PM

2015-02-07T14:49:28-05:00

It's the singularly the greatest piece of OCIE (TA50) ever issued. I will (and have ) taken the statement of charges several times over the years for my woobie

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2015 3:11 PM

2015-02-07T15:11:06-05:00

Yes, the PONCHO LINER - aka Woobie aka Wollbie is the BEST piece of TA-50 I was ever issued. It is the one piece of gear that would always keep you warm - even on the coldest nights. I remember being on mission and pulling an overwatch waiting for a contact to show up with another team member while the rest of the team sat several hundred meters away in a warm truck. Just us. 3 AM. 22° F. Grabbed my wollbie out of my ruck, me and my team mate sat back to back (for security), and wrapped that sucker around us and waited for two hours - but we were warm!

Response by CPL Brendan Hayes made Feb 7 at 2015 3:16 PM

2015-02-07T15:16:27-05:00

My woobie and field jacket liner were the two most valuable pieces of TA-50 ever. When I ETSed I bought new ones to turn in at CIF. I had to keep mine. Both were necessities for pulling OP/LP. I still have and use both of them regularly, and I've been out since '03.

Response by SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA made Feb 7 at 2015 3:34 PM

2015-02-07T15:34:57-05:00

It was the cover, blanket, table cloth, seat cushion, wipe away, tent half, mattress, hammock, carry sack, transport device, shower curtain, sun blocker, hole filler, Field Jacket liner, and just about anything else you can imagine...it rivals the 100 MPH Tape!

Response by SSG John M. made Feb 7 at 2015 3:45 PM

2015-02-07T15:45:04-05:00

Woobie hands down

Response by SSG Sean Garcia made Feb 7 at 2015 3:47 PM

2015-02-07T15:47:24-05:00

Woobie hands down!

Response by SSG John M. made Feb 7 at 2015 3:47 PM

2015-02-07T15:47:40-05:00

Woobie hands down, All they have to do is wrap me in my woobie and wrap a PT belt around me and I'm 10 feet tall and Bullet Proof

Response by SFC Royce Williams made Feb 7 at 2015 3:53 PM

2015-02-07T15:53:06-05:00

I have four woobies and two smoking jackets one of which is Rok Army issue. I still use them to this day and haven't been in the field since 2009

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 7 at 2015 7:59 PM

2015-02-07T19:59:23-05:00

Yes and no one touches my woobie I mean poncho liner.

Response by SGT(P) Harry Clyde Jr. made Feb 7 at 2015 8:10 PM

2015-02-07T20:10:48-05:00

The woobie definitely the woobie. I still have my first issued one 25 years on. Got a corner burned during desert storm. It covers my bicycle now. Also used it during sheild/storm before the burning as a makeshift tent over my cot.
I use my other woodland one for camping, backpacking and festivals. Be lost without it.
Also love the field jacket liner. Same material as the woobie. Put that together with the gortex or wet weather tops warmth on some cold days and nights. Still have one of those too. Use it from time to time on those rare midwest Georgia cold fronts.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2015 8:41 PM

2015-02-07T20:41:20-05:00

It ranks right up there with my ACH and rifle.

Response by SSG John M. made Feb 7 at 2015 9:31 PM

2015-02-07T21:31:42-05:00

Woobie followed closely by Type 3 nylon

Response by SFC Douglas Davis made Feb 8 at 2015 12:00 AM

2015-02-08T00:00:49-05:00

My son and daughter call about every two years asking me to trudge down to Ft. Carson so they can a have a new one. My wife and I keep 2 in each car as part of our winter driving kit.

Response by SPC Jilian Jones-Wesco made Feb 8 at 2015 12:30 AM

2015-02-08T00:30:01-05:00

I love my woobie!!! ...been with me on 2 tours to Afghanistan was my tissue when I cried, was my shower curtain during one field exercise and was and has been my favorite blanket deployed or not..I may look crazy on a flight in civies but I'm warm and comfy, so I don't care...lol That and my aviator flame retardant jacket...

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2015 5:34 AM

2015-02-08T05:34:08-05:00

The woobie is definitely nice and has outlasted a lot of other snivel gear i.e. smoking jacket, pile cap. I have been in for a long time and I think the neck gaiter and the new windbreaker are giving the woobie a good run for its money.

Response by 1SG Eric Rice made Feb 8 at 2015 6:24 AM

2015-02-08T06:24:13-05:00

Greatest issue item ever....check this out. Might shine a little light on the subject. There may be an emotional attachment for some.

http://youtu.be/bIFEmlhDqdA

Woobie - More Than A "Blanket"

A video meme about how awesome a Woobie is. Website: http://www.art15clothing.com Mat Best FB: http://www.facebook.com/mbest11x ART15 FB: http://www.facebook...

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Feb 8 at 2015 10:18 AM

2015-02-08T10:18:54-05:00

Aside from the steel pot, which had so many different uses, the poncho liner is fantastic. First one I had was OD, then up graded to cammo so no one could find me when I'm sleeping. Got my own and don't know how many times it's kept me warm. It rates right along with my P-38.

Response by SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA made Feb 8 at 2015 11:11 AM

2015-02-08T11:11:50-05:00

If you are on facebook, this is Woobie specific!!!
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v= [login to see] 52316&set=vr [login to see] 52316&type=2&theater

The Power of the Pancho Liner - Mat Best MBest11x | Facebook

If you've served in the Military, no matter what generation, you know that anything is possible with 550 cord, 100 mile an hour tape, and a woobie. When...

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Feb 8 at 2015 11:42 AM

2015-02-08T11:42:50-05:00

Yes. I would love to find one now

Response by SSG(P) Matthew Bisbee made Feb 8 at 2015 2:44 PM

2015-02-08T14:44:24-05:00

Add packing pad to the list of the poncho liner's many uses. When I was at NTC on an OPFOR augmentation mission as an 11H section sergeant, I wrapped the TOW's traversing unit in my poncho liner and put it in my Large Alice Pack. It helped keep the knobs from poking holes through my ruck and then kept me warm when we stopped.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2015 4:02 PM

2015-02-08T16:02:30-05:00

The first place I saw the term woobie was here on RallyPoint. Never heard it before. I think the poncho liner is the best piece of TA-50 ever issued, and more! Many nights in the field on training exercises, I would cuddle up in my "woobie" and poncho (no tent, etc.) and I was fine with that. It's a great piece of equipment. I still use mine (one I bought) as a retiree.

As for people who do not know about the woobie ... I feel sorry for them because they are missing out on one of the great pleasures in life.

Response by PO3 John Jeter made Feb 8 at 2015 9:55 PM

2015-02-08T21:55:56-05:00

Not completely sure we're talking about the same thing, but here goes...... I was stationed aboard an amphib in the mid to late 70's and while we were deployed on Westpac we usually shared quarters with SEAL team members since our Fire Control Technicians were reassigned. At one point the Seal CPO came in raising hell because someone had cut his poncho liner in half and he was going to PT everyone until he found out who did it! Of course his guys had substituted a half piece for his real one which was safely stored in our armory. While he worked the team on the helo deck aft, we snuck into the "Goat Locker" guest room and replaced this treasure. The Chief worked the guys until dark (no real problem for SEALS *grin*) before returning to find his intact icon. His grumpy response was that the guys deserved to be punished for messing with him. This changed the whole nature of the incident from "practical joke" to "payback". I'm not sure exactly how it was done, but they managed to drop the Chiefs bunk about 3 feet to the deck at 0230 hours with a loud 'BANG'. As a gesture of apology and surrender, the Chief appeared at quarters the next morning wearing a 'cape' made from that half piece of poncho liner with the word "GOOFY" in bright yellow letters on it. He also arranged for a steak and egg breakfast for his entire team. I never heard it called a "woobie", but they certainly placed a high value on it. I had almost forgotten about that incident until I saw this item.... Now I'm grinning that evil grin that make the wife nervous......

Response by COL Charles Williams made Feb 8 at 2015 11:27 PM

2015-02-08T23:27:47-05:00

Woobies and the Canteen Cup are high up there. Arctic Mittens were pretty cool too.

Response by SSG Christopher Parrish made Feb 9 at 2015 9:11 AM

2015-02-09T09:11:09-05:00

I used mine just this past weekend at drill, certainly made sleeping on a cot and not next to my wife easier to do.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Feb 9 at 2015 9:17 AM

2015-02-09T09:17:14-05:00

I honestly think it is the best thing since sliced bread. I have used it in the field, in the barracks, at home, hunting, and on trips once I got out. Yes I bought two and had them sewn together.

At one time on a 25 mile road march at Ft. Campbell it started raining about 2 am. Everything was soaked and we where all cold. When we stopped to rest for a few minutes pulled out my woobie and it was soaked. still kept me warm in through the rain. They are awesome.

But here is a question. Why are they called a "poncho Liner"? They don't have a slit to put the head through to wear with the poncho even though the strings are located to where you can tie it through the holes at the edges of the poncho?

I have also seen this happen. Ask someone for there poncho liner and they don't know what you are talking about. Call it a "woobie" they can grab it right off the bat!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2015 9:24 AM

2015-02-09T09:24:49-05:00

So woobie me too.

Do know why it is called "Wou Be"? Because Would Be F'd without it, hence WouBe pronounced Woobie.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Feb 9 at 2015 11:26 AM

2015-02-09T11:26:27-05:00

Third best after the rifle and canteens. Travel light, freeze at night.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2015 12:16 PM

2015-02-09T12:16:48-05:00

The "SMOKING JACKET" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Way better that gortex jacket, or any other "cold weather" item the Army issues to us

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2015 12:29 PM

2015-02-09T12:29:27-05:00

I have owned many, and my kids keep taking them as their own. I'll buy more. Nothing better. Symbolically, should always be the first item issued at CIF...

Response by SGT James Rosier made Feb 9 at 2015 12:47 PM

2015-02-09T12:47:36-05:00

As great as my woobie is, I'm going to have to say my field jacket liner is my one true love. No matter what coat I wear, it's always underneath, keeping me cozy.

Response by LtCol David Gran made Feb 9 at 2015 12:49 PM

2015-02-09T12:49:30-05:00

I retired 10 years ago. I slept with my poncho liner last night. It does take a close second to duct tape though. :-)

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2015 2:20 PM

2015-02-09T14:20:47-05:00

I would also add the old brown wool sweater and the pile cap. Those along with the Woobie are the best pieces of equipment I was ever issued.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2015 2:46 PM

2015-02-09T14:46:02-05:00

I don't know the sleeping bag jacket and wind breaker are pretty awesome.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2015 2:47 PM

2015-02-09T14:47:21-05:00

I have seven!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2015 3:35 PM

2015-02-09T15:35:15-05:00

The one that CIF not going to chrage you for when you don't have it and is allready upsolit.

Response by SPC Neil Hood made Feb 9 at 2015 10:06 PM

2015-02-09T22:06:51-05:00

I would have to say my laundry bag, that thing went through a lot.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Feb 10 at 2015 1:04 AM

2015-02-10T01:04:40-05:00

As much as I relied on my poncho liner way back in the days when they came in OD green, I would nominate 2 other items as viable challengers to for the title of "best ever" issue item:
1) The classic, heavy (itchy) wool Army blanket, OD green in color. I still have 2 originals from the '80s and keep one in each car. The more recent ones seem to be a bit thinner and less warm, but still highly useful.

2) My OD green wool boot socks with cushion soles. Those were by far the most comfortable and durable socks I ever wore. I have a couple of pairs which are still serviceable (not even counting the ones soldiering on as polishing rags) after more than a quarter-century (although the elastic around the top has lost its elasticity), and to say that they outlast everything else I've tried would be an understatement.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2015 5:29 AM

2015-02-10T05:29:03-05:00

Yes. I think I have 4 or 5 of them.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2015 9:28 AM

2015-02-10T09:28:46-05:00

The Woobie is by far the best piece of equipment the Army ever issued me. I still have the two original BDU ones that I was issued when I first arrived at my unit 8 years ago and I refuse to switch over to my ACU one or return it. I have actually written along the seams in sharpie every overseas location that its been with for either training or deployment and to me at least its more of a comfort item at this point than actual kit...doesn't hurt that its incredibly light, relatively compact and super warm either.

Response by LTC Scott O'Neil made Feb 10 at 2015 11:12 AM

2015-02-10T11:12:26-05:00

I have to agree, I got my first poncho liner back in 1985, it went on all my deployments, during my 26 year career and I still have it and use it today when I settle in on the couch to watch a good movie.
The Best Camo woobie in the world

Response by COL Quentin C. made Feb 18 at 2015 10:36 PM

2015-02-18T22:36:24-05:00

The woobie and poncho! Nothing like wrapping up with them on those cold night field exercises!

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Feb 19 at 2015 8:26 AM

2015-02-19T08:26:53-05:00

LOL .. I thought I was the only person who had a personal relationship with my poncho liner... :-)

I established my "relationship" with my poncho liner in Ranger School and have considered it my most useful piece of TA-50 over the next almost 30 years.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Feb 19 at 2015 8:54 AM

2015-02-19T08:54:41-05:00

WAY back in the day, I was issued a Woobie. LOVED IT. I bought a second one, took that and the old rain jacket over to the base tailor and had a GRAF Jacket made (they cut up a woobie and custom sew it into the rain jacket, making pocket slots actually pockets, and inside pockets and everything!). That was back in the 1980's. The Woobie has accompanied me on multiple missions, both on and off duty. I have used it as a beach blanket, sleeping bag, blanket, sun block/light block, pillow, and more. I have had at least 2 different color patterns and still have at least 2 and possibly 3 somewhere around the house!

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2015 2:08 AM

2015-02-21T02:08:42-05:00

We used woobies instead of wool blankets at Basic at Fort Benning. Needless to say I bought one at the PX and still use it.

Response by LCpl Paul Lowe made Feb 25 at 2015 9:21 PM

2015-02-25T21:21:31-05:00

Definitely more

Response by COL Charles Williams made Feb 25 at 2015 11:39 PM

2015-02-25T23:39:37-05:00

Either the Poncho Liner, or the Canteen Cup; the latter is probably gone the way of the P38.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2015 12:25 PM

2015-05-01T12:25:41-04:00

My 3 year old got a one time usage of the woobie when I dug it out of storage and decided to take it home and have it cleaned. He asked if he could keep it and I told him no, forgetting to mention that I wanted to clean it. Shortly thereafter, he brings in 3 stuffed animals and some helicopters to try and trade for the woobie.

Even kids know the value of the woobie. It is the greatest piece of gear ever invented, period.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made May 10 at 2015 1:18 AM

2015-05-10T01:18:24-04:00

Bought my own. Greatest thing ever made available for sleeping in the field, well outside of Korea that is.

Response by PFC Alex Rivers made May 11 at 2015 12:40 AM

2015-05-11T00:40:38-04:00

Woobies are a great substitute for sleeping bags (if you don't have one).
But out of all the TA-50 gear, the promask is hands down my favorite.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 5:08 PM

2015-05-11T17:08:18-04:00

Portable woobie (field jacket liner) is the only competition for the woobie! Give me those two pieces of equipment and you can keep all the worthless poly pros, ninja suits and waffles.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Jun 21 at 2015 11:03 AM

2015-06-21T11:03:14-04:00

No civilian can truly understand the relationship between a soldier and his woobie.

It's like a 'blankie,' for soldiers.

Response by PFC Aaron Knapp made Nov 10 at 2015 5:02 AM

2015-11-10T05:02:18-05:00

I had a MSG and his wife would cut a sew Woobies into jacket liners with sleeves. Measured and fit to order. Mine long since wore out and I can't find anyone doing this any more. She started making them to fit wet weather jackets then Gortex jackets. I'm considering buying one and asking my local seamstress to try and make one for my Gortex. This were god awful warm and I want one! Looked like a field jacket liner with a hood but made from Woobies...id kill to get another!

Response by SFC Fred Muller made Apr 18 at 2016 9:50 PM

2016-04-18T21:50:22-04:00

Poncho liner is the best. Never left home without it. We weren't allowed to carry sleeping bags. Light fighter, masters of the night 7th ID (L)

Response by SGT Eric A. made May 27 at 2016 10:12 PM

2016-05-27T22:12:59-04:00

I traded mine to NATO troop buddies while deployed to Bosnia, bought more, traded more! Don't have one now!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2017 1:10 PM

2017-01-10T13:10:44-05:00

My woobie is never far away, always there always ready!!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2021 11:26 PM

2021-08-25T23:26:31-04:00

Heard the reason it's called a woobie is because without it "you woobie cold"