Spiritual Minded Military Minnesota Army Reserve: How Do You Prevent Chafing in the Military—The Friction Control Protocol

 

You are at Camp Ripley. Humidity is high. The ruck is heavy. The miles are long. You feel the burn. Not the good burn. The chafed burn.

The insides of your thighs are raw. Your underarms are burning! You have hot spots on your feet that will turn into blisters by lunch. There are still 12 miles to go.

Running a small clothes hanger is a minor annoyance. Chafing is a killer for missions. If a soldier cannot walk, then he cannot fight. If a soldier is distracted when he has burning skin, he is not looking at the tree line.

The winter in Minnesota is cold and harsh. During the summer, it is humid. The spring is wet. Fall is always a little bit unpredictable. Your skin is in constant battle with you all year round!

Chafing occurs when there is moisture and friction. The friction control protocol is your countermeasure.

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WHAT ACTUALLY CAUSES CHAFING IN THE FIELD

Chafing is no big deal. Chafing is physics.

Your skin comes into contact with another object. That something rubs back. The rubbing action damages the skin in the form of micro-tears. The micro-tears become raw and burning skin when sweated and moistened.

There are three reasons why chafing occurs in the military!

• First, skin-on-skin friction. The thighs rub against each other. Your armpit area touches your chest. Your thighs and legs rub against one another in your groin. The more you move, the worse it is.
• Second, gear-on-skin friction. Your ruck straps rub your shoulders. Chest armor rubs your chest. Your belt is touching your tummy. The gear will not be moving. Protection of the skin needs to be taken.
• Third, clothing-on-skin friction. Cotton absorbs sweat. Cotton gets sandpaper properties when wet. Dry seams get smooth; wet seams get knives.

The Friction Control Protocol takes care of all three.

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THE FRICTION CONTROL PROTOCOL

The protocol is divided into four parts. Fabric. Lubrication. Hygiene. Foot care.

1. Fabric (What You Wear)

Cotton kills. Not only during the winter. The summer cotton is fatally toxic to skin cells. Cotton holds moisture. Moisture increases friction. Friction creates chafing.

Wear synthetics, moisture-wicking, under your skin. Polyester. Nylon. Spandex blends. These materials help to draw sweat off your body. Do not retain moisture on the skin.

Don't wear a cotton undershirt. Your underwear should not be made from cotton. Cotton socks are not allowed.

Check for seams that are flat. Raised seams are elevated friction points. Flat seams are not wasteful.

Your Spiritual Minded Military shirt is more than a statement. The fabric is specifically designed for the field. Wear under your OCPs.

2. Lubrication (What You Apply)

Without a barrier, friction cannot occur. You need a skin lubricant.

Use anti-chafing products on any areas that may rub against each other before you begin to move. Inner thighs. Armpits. Groin. Under the ruck straps, anywhere two bodies and/or any gear touch.

Petroleum jelly works. Body Glide works. Salty Britches works. It is not as important what the product is as how it is used. Make sure to apply in advance. Reapply when traveling long distances.

Never wait until you feel the burn! It's too late to be chuffed if you are already compromised. The mission is to prevent.

3. Hygiene (What You Clean)

Sweat is not neutral when it dries. Dried sweat is abrasive. You rub your feet against the salt crystals every time you step on them.

Clean your skin when you have the chance. Baby wipes work. A water bath will work. Showering at the end of the day is an effective method.

After thoroughly drying the skin, apply a lubricant. It is better to have no lubricant than to have moisture under the lubricant.

Dry off wet clothing upon return to the mission. Fabrics are heavier when wet. Rough is wet fabric. Moisture is the enemy's friend.

4. Foot Care (What Keeps You Moving)

Your feet make up your main weapon system. Jammed weapons are feet that are chafed.

Use two pairs of socks. A thin liner sock that is attached to your skin. A heavy outer sock is put over it. These socks rub together, not against your skin.

Change socks for long movements. Abrasive socks are wet socks. Dry socks are happy feet.

Lubricate your feet before getting into your boots. Heels. Toes. Balls of your feet. Knowing where hot spots will develop, you'll plan for blisters.

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WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE ALREADY CHAFED

You did not follow the protocol. You thought you would be fine. You were not fine. Now you are raw. Now you are burning. Now you still have miles to go.

First, clean the area. Gentle soap and water. Pat dry. Do not rub.

Second, apply a barrier. Petroleum jelly. Antibiotic ointment. A dedicated chafing balm. The barrier protects the raw skin from further friction.

Third, change your clothing. If a seam is rubbing, cover the seam with tape. If your shorts are too short, find a longer pair. If your socks are wet, change them.

Fourth, take a break if you can. Chafing does not heal while you are moving. Chafing gets worse while you are moving. A twenty-minute break can save you days of recovery.

Fifth, know when to stop. Chafed skin that is bleeding is an open wound. Open wounds get infected. Infected wounds end careers. Do not be a hero. Be a survivor.

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit?" — 1 Corinthians 6:19

Conclusion

Minnesota Army Reserve, you asked, "How do you prevent chafing in the military?"

The answer is the friction control protocol. Fabric. Lubrication. Hygiene. Foot care.

Synthetic, moisture-wicking fabrics against your skin. Anti-chafing lubricant on every friction point. Clean, dry skin before you apply. Two socks and lubricant for your feet.

The enemy does not need to shoot you. The enemy just needs to slow you down. Chafing slows you down. Chafing takes your mind off the mission. Chafing makes you combat ineffective.

The friction control protocol keeps you in the fight.

Secure the Armor at SpiritualMindedApparel.com

This is the Spiritual Minded Military Friction Control Protocol for the Minnesota Army Reserve. Chafing is preventable. The protocol is how. Fall in.

The Remnant does not transition. The Remnant re-enlists.

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