I just found this site and it has already become on of my favorites. For the most part everyone really seems to now what they're talking about and I have already learned a lot about basic survival and gear. I don't have any particular questions right now, but I'm certain they will arise in the future. If anyone has questions concerning the gear issued to the armed forces or more specifically, the marines I have opinions on almost all the issued gear. As an infantryman it all gets used well. I was reading a few posts back when someone mentioned that the gum found in MRE's was a laxative. While that may have been true regarding older meals, I can safely say that the gum MRE's issued to be is *not* a laxative