Life comes with its own set of challenges, and military experts have devised some clever strategies to overcome them. While War History Online typically covers topics like battles, weaponry, and powerful tanks, today we’re taking a different approach with a list of the top 12 military hacks for solving everyday issues. No need to thank us…
Make your bed every morning
Barracks are famously neat, and learning to make the bed is one of the earliest habits instilled in service members during training.
This military tip isn’t just about having a made bed; it’s about the act itself. Completing this simple task every morning sets the tone for tackling other items on your to-do list. Service members start their day by making their beds as a way to prepare for what lies ahead.
Taking a moment to make your bed is easy and can inspire greater productivity throughout your day.
Vaseline can start fires
Who knew petroleum jelly was flammable?
This all-around moisturizer has been a first aid kit essential since the First World War, and not only can it ease burns and treat cuts, it can also start fires! All you need to do is dip a cotton ball into a pot of Vaseline and light it with a lighter or match. The soggy material will easily catch fire, and it can act as either a fire starter or provide a bit of light and warmth, if necessary.
Powder wounds with sugar
Military personnel often face injuries in the line of duty, and in certain cases, sugar can serve as a useful aid in wound care. Remarkably, sugar possesses natural antibacterial properties!
When applied to a wound, it can temporarily hinder the spread of infection. Although it isn’t a substitute for conventional antibacterial treatments, it can offer some “sweet” relief (pun intended) until standard medical care is available.
Fix threads with fire
Service members are always impeccably put together; loose threads are simply not tolerated on military uniforms. When a thread does come loose, they know not to pull it. Instead, they reach for a lighter and burn it off. The flame not only removes the length of the thread but also prevents it from snagging.
This useful trick works on any clothing, as long as you’re cautious.
Soften your boots in water
Service members need to remain active and agile, always ready to respond at a moment’s notice. Therefore, comfortable footwear is crucial.
For non-military individuals, breaking in new boots can also be challenging. Luckily, the military has a reliable technique to make boots more flexible and comfortable for movement. By soaking the boots in water for roughly an hour, the material softens, reducing the risk of blisters when walking or running.
Duct tape can prevent blisters
If your boots aren’t soft enough after an hour of soaking, you might end up with blisters on your heels. Luckily, service members have a solution for this, too: duct tape!
Surprisingly, the product can serve as a guard or pad to prevent shoes from rubbing against areas where blisters are more prone to occur. By sticking some duct tape there, you can avoid the pain.
How to properly tie boot laces
Properly tying your boot laces is essential for comfort and ensuring a good fit. Even after soaking them or taping your heels with duct tape, you might still feel some stiffness while walking. If that occurs, here’s another simple military tip to try.
When lacing your boots, leave out the eyelets near your ankles. This small tweak provides greater flexibility, allowing the boot to move more naturally as you walk.
A surefire way to keep shirt tucked in
Have you ever gotten dressed for a night out, only to notice your shirt looks messy halfway through the evening? This military tip will ensure you always look sharp.
The trick is to pinch the bottom edges of your shirt, fold them backward, and tuck the shirt into your pants. This way, you can trust your shirt will stay put and won’t puff out.
Maxi Pads can stem blood
Despite what you may think, maxi pads are a great item to have on hand during battle. In an environment where wounds happen easily and frequently, this menstrual product is great at doing exactly what it’s meant to: absorbing blood.
This goes beyond the battlefield, as well. Maxi pads are great to have on hand while camping, in the workplace or even just at home. In case there’s a wound that needs dressing, one taped in place can actually stem blood flow.
Change your diet to beat jet lag
This unexpected military trick involves a surprising factor: our diet! Reports suggest that service members follow the “Argonne diet” starting four days before deployment. This regimen includes protein- and carb-rich meals on the first and third days, with lighter meals on the second and fourth.
Allegedly, it helps you feel great upon reaching your destination, despite the time change!
Use socks to keep water cool
Few things are as unpleasant as drinking warm water on a hot day. Service members often face this issue, especially when deployed in arid climates with high temperatures.
Fortunately, there’s a military trick to keep water cool. Simply soak a sock in water and place a bottle inside it. The damp sock works like a refrigerator, keeping the water in the bottle refreshingly cool.
A cure for athlete’s foot
We don’t necessarily recommend this next military hack, but it is known to work. If you’re suffering from athlete’s foot, peeing in the shower can actually help cure the condition. Urine contains urea, an anti-fungal. By peeing while you’re in the shower, you’re essentially washing your feet in urea, which can reverse the infection.
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Again, we’re not saying we recommend you do this, but if push comes to shove, there’s always peeing in the shower.
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