Modern History of Military Canteens
Marines refill canteens using canteen cup and jerry cans delivered by an M416 trailer, Operation URGENT FURY, Grenada, 25 Oct 1983.
In the U.S. military, the modern era of individual water canteens began with the decision by the Infantry Equipment Board to adopt the aluminum one quart canteen, along with a matching cup and canvas carrier. The M1910 design evolved through WW I and WW II, including a change to stainless steel, different caps and variations in the cup and carrier, but the basic design elements were constant:
- Canteen body, one quart capacity, with a curved "kidney shape" cross-section
- Screw-on Cap attached to the canteen body by chain, lanyard or strap
- Insulated cover that attaches to belt or pack
- Metal cup with folding handle that nests with the canteen body, used to prepare coffee, drink mix, soup or other rations
The second wave of design evolution led to the 1962 adoption of the M1961 olive drab polyethylene plastic canteen. Although the plastic canteen was almost identical in size to the metal ones, a new nylon carrier was issued to be compatible with the ALICE load carrying system then coming into use. With minor variations, the one quart plastic military canteen remained in use into the 21st century.
The wars in the hot, dry areas of Southwest Asia (OIF/OEF) and advances in medical understanding of hydration led to new approaches that antiquated the individual canteen. The CamelBak, bottled water, and enhanced logistics for water supply have revolutionized the process and equipment used to supply Soldiers and Marines with the water necessary to keep them in top condifion under all circumstances.
U.S. Military Canteens
Part of every soldier's basic equipment is his canteen. Since World War I, with the M-1910 standard, the basic U.S. Army canteen, also used by the other armed services, has been 1 quart (.95 liter) in volume. Other canteens in 2 quart or larger volumes have been issued, but the almost universal canteen remained the 1 quart size. The design of the canteen cover, also standardized as the M-1910, also remained nearly constant for many decades.
More information on specific models of canteens and related individual equipment used by the U.S. military is on these Olive-Drab.com pages:
- One Quart Military Canteens
- One Quart Canteen -- Aluminum (1910-1963)
- One Quart Canteen -- Stainless Steel (1942-1963)
- One Quart Canteen -- Porcelain/Enamel (1942 only)
- One Quart Canteen -- Plastic (WW II, 1962 - 21st Century)
- One Quart Canteen -- Arctic Canteen
- One Quart Canteen -- Cup and Heating Stand
- One Quart Canteen -- Carriers/Covers:
- One Quart Canteen -- Carriers, Cotton
- One Quart Canteen -- Carriers, Nylon
- One Quart Canteen -- Carriers, MOLLE
- One Quart Canteen -- Carriers, USMC
- Two Quart Canteens
- Five Quart Collapsible Canteen
- CamelBak and Other Canteen Replacements
- Related topics:
- Use of Canteen with Gas Mask
- Military Hydration Requirements (See medical)
- Canteen Water Purification
- Water, Drinking, Emergency
- Five Gallon Jerry Cans for Water
- Water Transport Trailers
General Precautions Regarding Military Canteens
Some rules developed from experience will help avoid problems with your canteen:
- Always use the water from canteens in or on your rucksack before using water in the canteens on your belt. This will ensure a supply of water should you ditch or lose your rucksack.
- Use your canteen for clean water only. Pouring drink mix into a canteen full of water is prohibited according to doctrine. Use the canteen cup or another drinking container for mixing.
- If using water from a source that has not been approved for drinking, treat the water with water purification tablets before drinking any.
- In below freezing temperatures, water in plastic canteens will become ice very quickly. Keep the canteen inside your clothing to avoid freezing. Place the canteen upside down so water will still be available even if a layer of ice forms. Do not fill canteen over 2/3 full.
- Keep the canteen insulation wet in summer to help cool by evaporation, and dry in winter to help prevent freezing.
Find More Information on the Web
There are many fine websites that have additional information on this topic, too many to list here and too many to keep up with as they come and go. Use this Google web search form to get an up to date report of what's out there.
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