As a United States Service Member, you could be stationed anywhere around the globe when duty calls. Some locations with humid rainforests and insects bigger than your fist, some with frozen tundra that never see temperatures above zero. In these situations, your gear and your wits can be the difference between life and death. Read on to discover the three basic needs to survive in the wilderness and some military survival gear that’ll help you do it.
Water
Humans can only survive about three days without water — making the substance crucial to survival. If you’re left in the wilderness without water, here are some helpful suggestions:
- Find a stream, lake, or pond – this may sound obvious, but it can be challenging. Be on the lookout for finches or bees — both of these creatures are signs that a body of water is somewhere close.
- Collect rainwater – when collecting rainwater, the aim is to increase the amount of surface area you’re covering during a rainfall. To do this, we recommend using a tarp to act as a funnel.
- Collect dew – For this technique, simply tread through a field of grass during daybreak with a towel tied around your ankles. Later, wring out the towel and enjoy a refreshing drink of dew!
No matter how you collect water, it’s essential to have a secure container to efficiently hold, transport, and protect the water you’ve gathered. We recommend using the Rothco 5 Gallon Collapsible Water Carrier. This container is made of clear polyethylene so you can quickly view your water levels and observe any contamination issues.
Food
Our bodies must consume nutrients to produce energy and sustain life. If you find yourself in a location with an abundance of biodiversity, it’s possible to eat wild animals or forage on the nearby vegetation. 
Unfortunately, catching wild animals can be extremely difficult and you should never eat plants unless you’re entirely certain they’re edible. For these reasons, we advise being prepared with a packable type of nutrients, like the Rothco Sure Pak Complete MRE With Heater Box Of 12. It includes everything you need for twelve nutritious meals as well as a flameless ration heater — so you can enjoy a warm meal even if you haven’t gotten the chance to make a fire.
Shelter
It’s vital to have some sort of shelter to provide protection against the elements. The type of shelter you choose will depend entirely on your situation, but it’s generally best to choose a location that’s dry, flat, and far from any hazards. You may have to get creative based on your geographic location when building your shelter, but it can include branches, leaves, rocks, or even snow and dirt. To avoid having to build a shelter from scratch, we would suggest bringing the Snugpak: Ionosphere 1 Person Tent 92850. It’s lightweight and has a waterproof polyurethane cover to keep you dry and protected in heavy rain.
Final Remarks
Now that you know the survival basics, we bet you’re ready to load up on outdoor and survival products. Check out all the available military wilderness survival gear on our website.
