Officers' Field Bag, or Musette Bag. The officers' field bag is the
container in which he carries personal items of equipment to provide for his
necessities and comforts while on the march, away from the base camp or bivouac,
and in the absence of his bedding roll. It is a necessary and convenient article.
The officer will wish to have with him facilities with which to eat, a minimum
of articles with which to wash and shave, some articles of clothing for replacement,
and other small conveniences. On field service never let yourself become
separated from your musette bag! The truck with bedding rolls may not come
forward, or it may go astray; but if you have the essentials with you some of
the discomforts are avoidable
Many officers overload this bag. It then becomes a burden. But it is better
to overload it somewhat than to leave out essentials. No list could be prepared
which would suit all users. It would be difficult, however, to omit any of the
articles listed as follows: Meat can, knife, fork and spoon, (the canteen cup
is carried elsewhere.) Tooth brush and powder (not cream.) A comb. Your favorite
shaving equipment; some prefer a jar of brushless cream instead of the soap
stick. A cake of soap and a good quality small towel. Extra socks. Small can
of foot powder. Two extra handkerchiefs. A light weight wool sweater to wear
under the shirt. A good flashlight with adequate battery capacity and an extra
bulb. A small roll of toilet paper. A bar of unsweetened or slightly sweetened
chocolate may bridge a gap between meals. Many officers roll the raincoat tightly
and insert in it the field bag. Some officers include the very light weight,
oil-silk, golf-style rain jacket or windbreaker for wear under the shirt or
other outer garment. Add to this your own particular choice of "chigger-bite"
and mosquito remedies and you will have most of the real essentials. After the
first long march and cold, rainy night in which the baggage does not come forward
the necessities will separate themselves from the non-essentials.
