I got to Vietnam Dec. 1969, and after about 2 months in the country I got orders to the same course. All pilots went through the course during their tour in Vietnam. They flew us to Cubi Point in a KC-130. The course was 3 days of classes in how to get along if we ever found ourselves down in the jungle. The classes were fun, and of some value. We did not actually stay out in the jungle, just went out one day, the rest of course was in the classroom. This was the first time I ever saw Olongapo.

Jungle training

Thanks!

Was the training you attended for officers only? My dad was enlisted.

It was for all flight crews, officer and enlisted. I remember they showed us how to make soap from tree bark, and all the things you could eat, and the things you should not eat. The instructors were mostly Philippine natives that worked for the Navy and carried big bolo knives. Story goes that these where the people who lived in the jungle and during World War II helped us fight the Japanese.

Survival school in the Philippines

I wish your statement was true, I would have gone if offered, but we, that were there 67/68 and I am sure 65 on through the time period that Allyn was there it was not 'all flight crews'... very few of us went or had the chance to go. Every once in a while two or three might get to go, but it sure wasn't mandatory and it seems to me only pilots were getting to go. Now then back in Flight school and PreFlight it was mandatory that we went to Eglin Air Force Base in the forests and swamps of the outer perimeter for survival training.

Jungle training

This has my attention. So would officers and enlisted have gone through the training together? Would it have been the same duration? Or would it have been different for enlisted personnel?

Jungle Training

In regards to jungle training, Ed Purdy, and myself were sent there after HMM-263 rotated back to Futeama. I believe this was in June of 1966.We were both L/Cpls at that time. I think that was the only reason we were sent. Two FNGs who were pretty much new to the squadron and there were spots that needed to filled.

After arriving we were told to report to the loadmaster to book a return trip. He stated that he could bump us only two times and if that was our wish to let him know right now. We both got bumped twice and enjoyed our spare time in Olongopo.

As for the training it lasted three days. The class was composed of both officers and enlisted and there were probably 10-15 people. We were taken into the field (if memory serves me correctly) twice. Never stayed overnight. As for the trainers we were told that they had served in WW II. I still have my machete (have lost the case that came it was in) that I brought from the instructors and seem to remember that they were made from old car springs.

I had a great time there and had many an offer from the grunts that we ferried around for that machete.

S/F Gary Alls
HMM-263 ’66-‘67

Jungle training

I know this is a strange question but do any of you remember actually eating anything while you were in the field or did you just learn about what you could eat to survive?

Jungle training

Funny you should ask about the cuisine. Rod Brittain and I volunteered for survival school in mid 1968 from our squadron HML-367. We figured we could use a few days in Olongapo City. After we spent some time in a classroom, we were handed off to a Phillipine Negreto guide. The Negreto's are the Phillipines version of Aboriginal culture. We were to spend the afternoon and night traversing the jungle from point A to B as though we were evading capture. Early on the guide showed us how to capture a monkey. He told us it would be supper later in the day when we made camp. The thought was repulsive, untill we hacked our way all afternoon through a very thick jungle and developed quite an appetite. The guide took a six inch thick section of bamboo, shook it to make sure a bamboo viper was not home, cut a slit in the bamboo, cubed the monkey, added water, wrapped in a banana leaf, tide tight with a vine and presto, a pressure cooker. We sure could have used some salt. It is amazing i can remember the night in the jungle in such detail, yet can't remember one minute of the two nights in Olongapo City.

Jungle training

!!!YAY!!!

You solved part of my mystery. Dad told me he ate monkey while he was overseas during a discussion i had with him over strange food he had tried... he told me snake, monkey and a few other things... which I just can't recall (I was young at the time). There are a few other things I would like to discuss/verify about jungle training... He had two or three photos of what I recall (but again I was young) him saying were taken in the Phillippines. Also have a few more questions which I don't want to post regarding something my father went through that i can only draw a comparison to jungle training but I could be wrong.

If any of you think you can help and will let me email you the photos to verify please email me rkenyon82@aol.com.

Thanks so much for your help.

1980's article on the Negrito guides

Stumbled upon this article while trying to make sure i was spelling Negrito correctly. It even has a picture of the bamboo pressure cooker.

http://www.hometowndigitals.com/portfolio/jest/jest.html

JEST at Cubi

Remembering the experience from 1969, I also remember going to the swimming pool at the Cubi and seeing monkeys from across the fence terrorize the pool area for food. Someone should have shot and eaten those bad boys!!

ANGLICO Marine attended

Rkenyon82;22924 wrote: My father has a certificate for Jungle environmental survival training in the Phillippines. The certificate is dated 30 Jul 1970. It was given by the fleet airborn electronics training unit, Pacific U.S. Naval Air Station Cubi Point, Phillippines. I am looking for anyone who attended this training, not necessarily at the same time but who can describe the type of training. And I have some questions about the training from stories my father would tell us.

Thank you,

Rebecca (Usiak) Kenyon
rkenyon82@aol.com

Mark Ward posted the following on the ANGLICO website:

From what I remember JEST Training took place in Subic Bay Philippines. The course took about three days and was tought by the Philippine Marines.

Those guys were tough as nails and could live off the jungle like no one else could. They taught us navagational skills and evasion skills. Shelter building, ect. I understand that training is no longer available. The R&R is what I remember the most. That was back in 1973. Hope this info was what you were looking for.. Ben Wha OUT..

BTW, the particular training referenced was conducted by Philippine Marines.

Vance ................ out

Jungle Survival School

Some of us attended Jungle Survival School at Fort Sherman in Panama.

http://junglefighter.panamanow.net/

Enlisted in Panama

I remember the school. We ate from a long table the first day. Had to eat one of everything. Next day they had names on it all. Bugs,worms, monkey, snake. palm tree heart ETC. Did a river swim and a climb up a waterfall. Then a slide for life back across the river. I do remember they had Army Green Beanies on the shore with rifles because there were Kaman in the waters. We got a net hammok and did do some nights out. Eat from your helmet what ever you could find and boil. Best part was escape and evade with the BB guns and the VC village. Army OPFOR chased us dowm and shot you with the old Daisy Red Riders. Lucky I got caught late the last day so I did not go for interogation. I remember getting an 8x10 sheet with the "Order of the Black Palm" and some jungle warfare expert stuff printed on it. Just remember it was a fun class. But was for flight crew only.
Bob

Hi Rebecca,

I went through JEST school about the same time as your Dad. The instructors awed us by going into the jungle with nothing but a panga knife made from a truck spring and coming out with place settings for eight people, plus a pressure cooker. I bought two and sent oine to my dad, back in the states.

The handles were purported made from iodine trees and had antiseptic qualities if scraped and put on a cut. Good school.

Getting out of Olongiapo, the liberty town outside the gate, alive was also a lesson in survival.

I was a pilot, but if I recall correctly, we had all ranks who were on flight status.

Be well,

Buck Simmons
Scarface 48

JEST school

Buck, Bob, J.D., I went to the survival school at Cubi Pt., mid '69 too. I had been going down several times so they felt I had best go learn how to survive if we went down in the jungle flying single Bird missions. I had been at Cubi for 3 months TAD to the engine shop there before joining 265, and enjoyed living in Alongapo, just about the whole time. I was a Plane Capt. on F-8's in VMF(AW)235 at Danang. We always stayed at the Kit-Kat Club as our main Bar or Club. It was way around the curve, on the west side of the street. One weekend several of us, Marines, and a few Navy Men went on a long trip to a province some distance North from Base. Stayed the whole weekend with a Great Family, and made it back in time for work at the engine shop. It was the Complete Engine Repair Shop there at Cubi. Each week we spent on one section of the J-79 engine overhauling them, and the 54's. Then went back there for the Survival School. Had a very good time for sure each time I was there. Those were the days. As street wise as I thought I was, I fell for the ole 'me buy your watch' deal.They were good at making the roll of money look like it was the agreed amount, but always it wasn't. Semper Fi, and Ready-APP.

John Ace Hunt;27235 wrote: Buck, Bob, J.D., I went to the survival school at Cubi Pt., mid '69 too. I had been going down several times so they felt I had best go learn how to survive if we went down in the jungle flying single Bird missions. I had been at Cubi for 3 months TAD to the engine shop there before joining 265, and enjoyed living in

Olongapo

, just about the whole time. I was a Plane Capt. on F-8's in VMF(AW)235 at Danang. We always stayed at the Kit-Kat Club as our main Bar or Club. It was way around the curve, on the west side of the street. One weekend several of us, Marines, and a few Navy Men went on a long trip to a province some distance North from Base. Stayed the whole weekend with a Great Family, and made it back in time for work at the engine shop. It was the Complete Engine Repair Shop there at Cubi. Each week we spent on one section of the J-79 engine overhauling them, and the 54's. Then went back there for the Survival School. Had a very good time for sure each time I was there. Those were the days. As street wise as I thought I was, I fell for the ole 'me buy your watch' deal.They were good at making the roll of money look like it was the agreed amount, but always it wasn't. Semper Fi, and Ready-APP.

Hello sir, the right spelling for the place is Olongapo

Jungle survival Training in the Philipines 1970

Well mr okanstope, I can not tell the difference between your spelling of Olongapo, and mine. The Base was named Cubi Pt., and the town outside of the Naval base was called Olongapo, City. Whats the deal? This was totally un-called for. Were you stationed there other than going to the jungle school? Did you live out in the town, or have to stay on Base? Bet you stayed on Base. I over all was there for at least 3 1/2 months, lived in town, Olongapo, and had a blast. Did you? Don't call me Sir, as I only had 2 stripes. I was with-in 7 days of being promoted to E-5, but was med-evaced instead. Never caught up with me. From what I understand, I didn't miss a thing. The Birds I crewed, as the Crew Chief, belonged to me. I don't believe I would have let you on any of my Birds. You would have had to be traded with one of my wing- Man packs. The insult went in one ear, and out the other. Have a good one now. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

Re: Jungle training in the Philipines 1970...

I flew A4 Skyhawks, VMA 311, out of Chu Lai in 67-68. Also spent seven months flying the 01 Birddog out of Quang Tri and Khe Sahn. They must have thought I was going to crash as I was sent to survival school in Panama in 67 and the one in the Phillipines in 68. I enjoyed both. I remember the large millions of fruit bats the came out of some caves in the evening. Ate Iguana in Panama and a monkey in the Philipines. Don't recommend either. I still have the knife with the wooden sheath from the philipines. Never had to put my knowledge to the test.

Re: Jungle training in the Philipines 1970...

Peter,
Glad you made it back. It was tough anytime, but it seemed especially so in '68.

Re: Olongapo

You would be amazed if you saw Olongapo today. It is totally rebuilt and there are no Americans there.

I remember it very well. My last tour as a Tech Rep was with the Navy on the Camden. I spent quite a lot of time in the PI, roughly 1 week in 4. I got so used to the town it got boring.

A few memories;

Listening to the Mama-San in one of the bars telling the Ships' Movement Officer when the next carrier was due in. She was right and he was wrong.

The doormen of the hotels were armed with a pair of shot guns.

Seeing a genuine wild west gun fight in the middle of the street, just over the bridge over the Shit River where the money changers were. I was on the bridge which was totally devoid of cover. I took off and tried to get as much space between me and the gunfight. I took the first corner I could find, to get some masonry between me and the bullets. What amazed me was the reaction of all the sailors who were running TOWARDS the fight to see what was happening.

Watching the girls dressed in skin tight white coveralls, diving for coins thrown into the Shit River by the sailors. The description of the was apt. They never missed.

Getting my pocket picked by one of the bar girls who got the notes I had in my back pocket of my chinos. They were so tight I don't know how she got them out but she did.

A kid , probably about 16 (he looked like he was 10) jumped into the jeepney we were riding in and yanked the watch off his wrist of a passenger. The kid jumped off and took off running. We were catching him up when he darted down a narrow lane. We didn't follow him but a cop who happened to be close by, drew his weapon and fired after him, completely disregarding the crowds that were on the street.

My roomie was a WO4 and he was married to a Phillipino lady. He said that every crook and murderer in the PI was in Olongapo, or San Angelo outside Clark AFB. you shouldn't judge the Phillipinos by the riff-raff in Olongapo.

I like the PI and the people.

Re: Jungle training in the Philipines 1970...

JD, I was there as well. I lived in town the second time I was there for several months. Got to love it. The zigie-zigie boys were rough, thats for sure. The first was CER,(Complete Engine Repair), at Cubie Pt, for several months, and a week on extension leave, then a week at the Survival school. We took over the Kit-Kat, and all was well. Sure hated to leave. Semper Fi, and READY-APP. ACE.

Re: Jungle training in the Philipines 1970...

I didn't mention it was '68, and '69 I was there. Things changed after '69. Semper Fi, and READY-APP. ACE