Everybody Burns Poop
I bet you never saw this on MASH. I was floored when my sister first told me this story. It just never occurred to me to think that most military camps probably don't have the time to build septic tanks. The waste of thousands of troops has to go somewhere though.
There were other details I didn't have time to add, but I promised Jamie that I would mention them here.
She says that the official Army term for this is "Shit Burning Detail". Also, when it's your turn, it's important that you find somebody else's gloves to use and that you quietly return them once you're done. On a related note, I would make finding a great hiding spot for my gloves a priority.
It typically takes between 4 to 5 hours to burn a full drum and you have to start early in the morning to stay out of the heat. There is not a lot of smoke generated since it's mostly burning off ... *urp* ... urine.
The soldiers do not get official shit stirrers, but instead scrounge around for long bits of scrap metal to use. That feels important but I'm not sure why.
"Here, do the worst job we can think of. Oh, and go find your own equipment. Try not to die."
It's poetic that the first ad Google put up on the left for me is for the Army.
Yes, funny how Google works. I got ads for Shakira concert tickets and solicitations from politicians. Must be picking up on the words "shit stirrers".
I mostly seem to get coffee related ads. I think I've had no more than two blog entries mentioning Starbucks, and no mention of caffeine anywhere in the code, but it doesn't seem to matter.
My significant other had to stir poop while he was in the marines, and he said "The smell is what got you". I guess you are lucky if the smell of the poop stirring is the only thing that get to you while you are stationed there.
It's the glove thing that gets me. The army doesn't even supply special shit-stirring gloves? You have to use someone else's? Seriously, I think I'd sleep with mine attached to me the night before Shit Burning Day.
Jamie also mentioned that it was her turn about once every other month, meaning that she did this six or seven times.
I watched this first thing this morning. In the process, it occurred to me that I had an early meeting today at work in my classroom. Last week I supplied snacks and espresso and latte. While watching your cartoon I realized I should have sent out a note stating "if you want latte, bring milk". This quickly became a little jingle in my head, but after a little more practice, and without notice, it changed to "if you want to have a latte, bring poop." You really do damage to damaged brains like mine, Will. Keep up the good work.
Firstly -- see Jarhead for a graphic depiction of the pleasantness that is shit burning detail. Secondly -- I spent a joyful 30 or so minutes making my wife watch all the animations posted here last night. Her summation: I've known some artistic people before, but none that express it in this creative bizarro way. Will is really weird.
New cartoons come out every other Thursday. I occasionally discuss publishing cartoons online and ways to make money with your cartoons. If any of that floats your boat I recommend subscribing to the RSS feed or follow my Twitter updates. Rock on.
Popular Posts
Popular Cartoons
Friends