Who here used this pan, plate and utensil set while serving?

CPT Jacob Swartout — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 22:30:46 -0400

Some of you may know someone who still uses it for hunting or for hardcore campers who go way off the grid somewhere.

"Pack light and still eat right" they claim.

Would you have this on your packing list?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2014 10:39 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 22:39:19 -0400

I have one of each kits for the four members in my family. They are great for camping. My young girls love them.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Aug 25 at 2014 7:15 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 07:15:36 -0400

I was issued this on my first couple assignments, but it was never used, not even in the field. The reason given was there was no way to ensure that folks would clean them properly. Guess they finally got smart and just quit issuing them!

Response by MSgt Roger Lalik made Aug 25 at 2014 10:55 AM

MSgt Roger Lalik — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 10:55:15 -0400

Oh hell yes... lol....

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2014 1:24 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 13:24:21 -0400

It's the last thing to go in my ruck sack! Why you ask?? Because that is what I use for "normal" dishes in my house!

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 2 at 2014 2:22 PM

SGT Richard H. — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 14:22:23 -0400

CPT Jacob Swartout I was issued that at one or more duty stations. As to whether I ever used it....if I did, I don't remember it.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Sep 2 at 2014 2:26 PM

SGT Bryon Sergent — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 14:26:45 -0400

I was issued this except the knife. was in 88-92 and then 95-2003. Wasn't re-issued when I came back in. Soot i have even used it a couple of times.

Response by LTC Paul Heinlein made Sep 2 at 2014 2:30 PM

LTC Paul Heinlein — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 14:30:13 -0400

I was issued one back in the National Guard in 1988.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Sep 2 at 2014 2:39 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 14:39:13 -0400

I've never used the mess kit set (MRE's and T-rats only for this boy), but I have been issued and used the canteen cup. THAT was an awesome piece of kit that I will always keep in my gear.

Response by CPO Jon Campbell made Sep 2 at 2014 2:40 PM

CPO Jon Campbell — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 14:40:52 -0400

My GI Joe had a set of those, but they were 1/6th scale.

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Sep 2 at 2014 2:43 PM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 14:43:28 -0400

I take a similar kit backpacking, hunting, etc. I will throw it in my "bug out bag" for when I'm not actively using it.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Sep 2 at 2014 2:44 PM

Maj Chris Nelson — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 14:44:11 -0400

This set, the canteen cup, and the fuel tabs that go with the canteen cup stove...used them all!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2014 3:23 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 15:23:09 -0400

I was issued one, but not once did I use it.

Response by 1SG Mark Colomb made Sep 2 at 2014 5:24 PM

1SG Mark Colomb — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 17:24:34 -0400

Not only did I use it, I knew how to clean it by threading the fork, knife, spoon and top plate onto the handle of the bottom and dunking it in three solutions heated by immersion heaters. Wash, Rinse, and Sanitize!

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Sep 2 at 2014 5:40 PM

Cpl Dennis F. — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 17:40:42 -0400

Yep, threaded together and dunked into 3 steaming, boiling GI cans to clean. Not that often as we were usually in the field on C-rats, but back with the grunts mess, oh yeah.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2014 5:51 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 17:51:49 -0400

I still use it when I go camping. Very nice, durable and lightweight.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2014 5:54 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 17:54:36 -0400

All of my Boy Scouts over the last 20 years have used these or similar. It was essential gear and they learned the 3 bucket/basin method for cleaning them up as well.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2014 6:02 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 18:02:45 -0400

Had one in Boy Scouts - all the way to Eagle / Order of the Arrow. Took a similar set with me when on my first contract as a civilian in Iraq (03-10). Once I got in country I put that kit in my bug out bag and literally carried it with me everywhere I went (yep, there too). With the MRE's you pretty much don't need it - but I'd drag it out once in a while, heat up the Meal in the heater package and dine! Basically used it just to remind myself how good I had it.....

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Sep 2 at 2014 6:04 PM

SPC Charles Brown — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 18:04:20 -0400

1979 - 1982 standard TA-50 issue.

Response by SPC David S. made Sep 2 at 2014 7:47 PM

SPC David S. — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 19:47:09 -0400

Only right out of the MRE bag for me sir.

Response by SSG Laureano Pabon made Sep 2 at 2014 9:53 PM

SSG Laureano Pabon — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 21:53:25 -0400

I had them during my time in service as standard TA-50, back when we had C-Rations with a pack of cigarettes and later with out, as well as a P-38.

Response by LTC Hillary Luton made Sep 2 at 2014 10:15 PM

LTC Hillary Luton — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 22:15:32 -0400

OH YEAH! I remember it well. Its been a long time, but I remember it well.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2014 11:08 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 23:08:39 -0400

This was the great

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2014 11:19 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 23:19:56 -0400

I still have a set, and remember how to string them all together to field clean and sanitize.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2014 11:36 PM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 23:36:25 -0400

Issued, yes!!! Used, also a yes!!!

Response by 1SG Chris Brown made Sep 17 at 2014 2:06 PM

1SG Chris Brown — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 14:06:35 -0400

I used it for most of the 90s. I always thought the mess kit cam in handy for a variety of uses. Another is the canteen cup, which we have pretty much eliminated with the camelbaks everyone carries now.