Top 10 Life Changing Military Hacks
#10: How to Beat Jet Lag
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We’ve been using the “Die Hard” method (i.e. making fists with our toes barefoot on carpet), but this alternative admittedly seems a bit more scientific. A 2002 military study found that soldiers who adhered to a specific diet four days before flying were less likely to experience jet lag. It’s called the Argonne diet and it requires you to eat lots of proteins and carbs on day 1 and light food on day 2; then repeat days 1 and 2 on days 3 and 4 respectively. It might sound like a lot of work, but you’ll be happy you tried it when you arrive abroad feeling like yourself, instead of like a zombie.
#9: Use Duct Tape to Prevent Blisters
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Soldiers are often required to carry extremely heavy loads across great distances, sometimes for hours at a time. In order to ensure that they don’t get crippling blisters on their hands, feet and other body parts… they use duct tape. Consider it a pre-emptive strike against one of the smallest yet most annoying things that can happen to you when you’re hiking, camping or doing some other form of endurance activity. This military hack may be self-explanatory, but it will definitely come in handy the next time you’re planning on breaking in a new pair of boots. Trust us.
#8: Take a Navy Shower to Save Energy & Money
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A long, hot shower can be a great weapon in your war against stress. However, if your goal is to lower your monthly water bill and/or save time then you’re better off learning to take a navy shower. This method of washing requires you to soak your body with water and then turn off the shower. Next, lather yourself up with soap and then, once you’ve washed all those hard to reach places, turn the water back on. Rinse off the suds and you’re good to go! And if you really want to conserve water, start peeing in the shower. It may be gross, but it’ll save time and water!
#7: Use the Phonetic Alphabet & Military Time
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Have you ever called customer service only to have them refer to you as Chad over and over again when you said your name was Brad? Next time that happens, use the phonetic alphabet to correct them. It was invented to eliminate confusion over the sounds of letters when communicating via phone or walky-talky. When you see military guys saying Alpha, Bravo, Charlie they’re clarifying that they mean ABC. Another fun little hack you can use is military time; which eschews the typical 12-hour clock for one that has 24 hours. It starts at “zero hundred” and goes to 2300, that way there’s no crossover and you no longer have to say AM or PM.
#6: Learn to Spot a Tail
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Have you ever felt like somebody was following you? It can happen when you’re walking down the street late at night or simply cruising in your car. Instead of nervously glancing into your rearview mirror every two seconds, use this military hack and we guarantee you’ll find out if you have a tail or not. All you have to do is turn right four times in a row. By driving or walking in a circle, you can tell if somebody is following you. If they’re still there after the fourth turn, it’s no coincidence; drive to a police station or call a friend or family member. Better safe than sorry!
#5: Use Socks to Keep Water Cold
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Nobody likes drinking warm water on a hot day. Thankfully, this military hack is here to remedy that problem. All you need is a piece of string, a sock and some shade. Hang the sock from the string in a shaded area and place your water bottle inside. Next, soak the sock with water and let it sit. As the sock begins to dry and the water evaporates, the water bottle on the inside will start to get colder. How much colder? Well, according to Lance Cpl. Cory Bennett, who gave an interview to the New York Times in 2009, “the bottle inside cools by as much as thirty degrees.”
#4: Use Powdered Sugar to Treat Wounds
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In a combat situation, thinking on the fly can mean the difference between life and death. While our everyday lives typically don’t include stakes of this magnitude, it never hurts to be prepared. So, the next time you or one of your friends cuts themselves, grab some powdered sugar and slap it on. This will help prevent infection, as bacteria are unable to survive in sugar. If you can’t find any powdered sugar, check for maxi pads. They’re designed to soak up blood and as such, can be used in a pinch to stem blood flow from a wound.
#3: Keep Your Shirt Tight with a Military Tuck
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The girls may go crazy for a sharp dressed man, but they’re likely to look elsewhere when presented with a guy who doesn’t know how to tuck in their dress shirt properly. Enter: the military tuck. This method will ensure that your shirt never billows up into an unsightly mess when you’re in a business meeting or giving a speech at your best friend’s wedding. The trick is to pinch each side seam of your shirt prior to tucking it into your pants, fold it backwards, and then tuck it in. If you tuck it tightly and properly, you’ll be able to stand for hours without worrying about it billowing up on you.
#2: Use Military Energy Gum to Stay Frosty
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In the military, men and women are often required to stay awake for long periods of time. To help them stay alert, they often chew specially designed, caffeine-infused gum. Each piece of Military Energy Gum is loaded with 100mg of caffeine and chewing it will ensure that you receive the boost you need five times faster than a cup of joe or a caffeine pill. Used by Navy Seals, Army Rangers, and Special Forces, Military Energy Gum is both an effective way to stay frosty and a badass accessory that your friends will be begging to try.
#1: Pack Efficiently by Rolling Your T-Shirts
This military hack will help you pack more effectively and efficiently. Find a flat surface and lay your t-shirt on it. Next, fold the bottom of the shirt from the inside out so that it overlaps by about 2-4 inches. Smooth it out so that there are no bumps or wrinkles. Now, fold half the shirt over the center, tuck in the sleeve and then do the same with the other side. Next, roll from the collar down as tightly as you can. Finally, wrap the bottom part of the shirt around it and voila, you’ve got a tightly rolled shirt that won’t come undone and will save you a ton of space!
