Dry Feet

I watch my grandchildren revelling in the thrill of splashing through puddles. At that age, being wet appears to be more fun than being dry. I note as we get older that doesn’t seem to apply.

Now I try to imagine spending time in a trench, night, and day, on the front line. The trench provides protection from the incoming fragments of red-hot metal that want to end one’s day. But it doesn’t protect the inhabitants from the water and gutters that form under foot.

Keeping one’s feet dry and healthy is one of the key elements of basic military training, a fundamental that can bring punishment to raw recruits who underinvest in the care that is needed.

So how challenging is it to do that on the front line and in the trenches?

Vadym discussed this with a Captain in the Ukrainian army. He explained that with the right footwear it is possible. With the wrong footwear it is not possible. Wearing non waterproof shoes is a nonstarter and wearing wellingtons for a few hours can work but having them on for days is far from ideal; imagine trying to run in them which is fundamental in the heat of battle.

So, we have been asked if we can supply the right boots to a squad of 25 men on the front line. We have been given their individual shoe sizes and sourced them locally in Ukraine. As we reflected further on this challenge, we have decided to include two pairs of new socks for each man, one to change into that will be clean and dry whilst the other is dried out.

To complete these dry feet kits, we have been asked to include a pack of body wipes for each soldier as well; to clean the feet and freshen up the body. A hot shower just isn’t an option.

The pilot project is underway, and we look forward to the feedback.