Shemagh. Is it the "new" Boonie Rag?

SGT Tim Soyars — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 00:08:30 -0400

We used the "Boonie Rag" (Cravat or triangle bandage) for a dust mask, washcloth, head gear, weapons cleaning rag, toilet paper (throw it away or burn it!!)
and sometimes, just sometimes, an actual bandage. Oh! and it was free, at least to us... Now everyone is wearing a shemagh. Is it as versatile as the boonies rag, or do you just want to look like Lawrence of f+*king Arabia?

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2016 12:46 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 00:46:39 -0400

It's the new fashion statement of the new Military!!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2016 1:15 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 01:15:44 -0400

The shemagh is extremely versatile and is exactly like the boonie rag (though a little more colorful). While a few people actually use them to to prevent chaffing around the neck from body armor or protect the face from wind, sun, and dust, most military people wear them to look cool and wouldn't dare to use them in any way that might actually soil them. You can quickly identify these people since they look like scarf wearing Eurotrash.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Sep 3 at 2016 1:17 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 01:17:02 -0400

It's for people that want to evade security cameras.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Sep 3 at 2016 8:42 AM

Capt Tom Brown — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 08:42:57 -0400

Ideal for passing through airports anywhere in the US.

Response by SFC George Smith made Sep 3 at 2016 3:04 PM

SFC George Smith — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 15:04:58 -0400

are you talking about a Drive-on Rag... as a medic I could not keep them in The aid-bag... I always had a base load of extras....

Response by Tim Johns made Jun 23 at 2020 8:48 PM

Tim Johns — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 20:48:05 -0400

Noticed the same thing, and came here to ask this in the 2020 for the coronavirus pandemic. I remember us all wearing cravats all over Ft. Hood at AT in the early 90's to keep from breathing in so much dust, so AH HA! seems like a great idea for a face covering for coronavirus. I went Googling around to find reasonably inconspicuous but fashionable cravats, and boom - got a ton of ads for shemagh. I ordered a couple out of curiosity, and it DOES look like it would certainly do a GREAT job with dust if I somehow found myself barrelling down a tank trail again, but just not sure how much I want to make a fashion statement or engage in any kind of cultural appropriation, faux pas, or just awkward conversation by wearing it to the local Safeway.