Photo By Senior Chief Petty Officer Ryan Wilber | Petty Officer 1st Class Nicole Shavers, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction...... read more read more
CAMP SHELBY, Miss. -- Every seabee has a story to tell about how many days they have gone without a shower, worn the same uniform or had a hot meal while on a Field Training Exercise, but the “Fearless” of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74 will break no records this year. On Oct. 16, after eight days in the field, the shower tent was up and running and the galley served hot meals.
A single seabee or even company could not offer the boost in morale or refreshed spirit that a FTX shower inevitably brings about. Assistance was given from nearly every company in the battalion to make this amenity available to the troops. The project took just less than two days to complete.
“We need electricians, builders, utilitesmen, equipment operators and manual labor to dig,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Darrell Craddock. “We actually had a pretty good time putting in the floor. Everybody was happy getting the showers ready and everything. Getting showers up is a real morale booster.”
The set-up of a shower tent with a leach field is one of many graded projects constructed during a FTX. It does not, however, always stay up for use after the grading is finished.
“The chain of command was very supportive about getting troops through the shower to enjoy it as much as we can before we have to take it down in case we have to move, which is a typical FTX scenario,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Joe Dunka.
For sanitation reasons the galley is unable to serve hot meals unless there is a shower available for galley personnel to wash with soap before cooking and serving. Once the tent was operational they wasted no time getting through and to the cooking.
For dinner, tacos made from Unitized Group Rations, with meat and corn boiled in Tray Ration Heaters were served hot from the pan, along with all the accompaniments.
“Hot meals are definitely something different for the troops. I know they like it not having to do their own meal. It’s fun just having people come through the line and seeing something different. Sometimes variety is good,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Aaron Everett.
Although the shower tent was only up and running for two days before being taken down due to FTX requirements, it served a big purpose for the seabees training and being evaluated in the heat, sun and dust of Camp Shelby. It could be said that it was an unofficial mid-FTX party.
One Seabee said it all when asked how he felt about getting a shower, and the men and women who made it possible.
“It felt so good. To have a shower was the best day here on FTX. I feel brand new. I feel great about Bravo Company. They did a job well done. If I were the commander I would give them a [Navy Achievement Medal], said Seaman Jonathan Samson.
| Date Taken: | 10.16.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.26.2010 17:17 |
| Story ID: | 58870 |
| Location: | CAMP SHELBY, MISSISSIPPI, US |
| Web Views: | 266 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
This work, A FTX Shower and Hot Meal, Always Good for Morale, by SCPO Ryan Wilber, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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