Alternately referred to as a “very useful piece of equipment,” a “beloved piece of field gear,” and “the greatest military invention ever fielded,” this begs several questions: Why does the woobie inspire such high praise from so many service members, both active and former? The poncho liner consists of two layers of quilted nylon encasing a polyester batting.
It also has tie-cords at the corners and sides so it can be tied through matching grommets on rain ponchos. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Irregular U.S. military forces assigned to patrol the Western Plains were issued ponchos. It was cold! Even when soaking wet, the poncho liner wrapped around a soldier would trap body heat. What is so special about the woobie? Because they are sold online, they now come in a variety of fabrics, prints, and colors, as well as prices and quality. Anyways, back to the blankets...Our Dad's "Woobie Blanket" was a plain army green color and it was always our favorite to sit on the couch with. We used to argue and fight over our Dad's old army blanket. Pet hair doesn't stick to them and if you want a blanket to sit on in the grass or sand, the grass and sand doesn't stick to them either! Until the USMC produced their own Digital Woodland Pattern, most poncho liners were produced with the same pattern on both sides. There are examples of improved models, which included high-tech 3M fillers (Thinsulate and the like), border and head zippers (there is no hole for one's head on standard issue poncho liners), and a variety of colors and patterns. Anyways, back to the blankets...Our Dad's "Woobie Blanket". The addition of the drawcord hood allowed soldiers more protection from the elements. November 11, 2019. Woobies can also trap a person’s body heat, even when soaking wet. Soon, other troops deployed to Vietnam quickly adopted the liners, which provided a comfortable amount of warmth during cool tropical nights, and quick drying and easy storage during the day. They gained the nickname "woobie" later; that term is conjectured to have derived from the name for a child's security blanket in the 1983 movie Mr. Army Poncho Liner Woobie Ripstop Blanket Tactical Military Camo 62" x 82" 8375. In the years after the end of the Civil War, the poncho ceased to be issued as standard equipment. Made of light and quick-dry materials that could packed into small spaces, these liners replaced the standard-issue Army wool blanket, which was completely unsuited for use in the wet, tropical Vietnamese climate. The classic “woobie” poncho liner is designed to combine with your poncho (sold separately) to create a warm, comfortable, and waterproof sleeping bag. Armor up for the worst. From this time on, ponchos became a standard piece of U.S. military field equipment. Ponchos were first used by the military during this period in American history. These liners are usually issued to troops who are deployed in the field, and are used to help them keep warm in cooler climates. These were made of a material called “gutta-percha muslin,” or muslin coated with India rubber, which rendered it waterproof. They are light weight, they dry fast when they are wet, trap your body heat when you are cold and even feel a little cool when you are warm but just want a throw over you. My friend absolutely loved the hoodie and the sizing was perfect! My sister and I grew up in Northern Minnesota so close to Canada that the Canadians would come join our sports teams sometimes or go to our school. There were tie-cords on the corners and side that could be tied through matching grommets on rain ponchos. Pentagon Issues Shocking Poncho Liner Recall; Well-Loved “Woobie” Now Banned by Hugh Jashol. $42.99. The combination of the two provide a dry night's sleep protecting a person from the morning dew or drizzling wet weather environments and keeping them warm at night. From their humble beginnings in the jungles of Vietnam, to their status as “the greatest military invention ever fielded,” it’s probably safe to say that these “simple poncho liners” will continue to be enjoyed by troops, veterans, and civilians for the foreseeable future. Although it is unclear how this item originated, it was first fielded around 1962 to special forces troops in Vietnam. Mom, in which Michael Keaton’s character, Jack Butler, referred to his son Kenny’s security blanket as a “woobie.”. Troops deployed in the field can use them as blankets, tent dividers, and field expedient shelters or sleeping bags. It is attached to the poncho by means of integral lengths of material which are looped through the poncho's eyelets. Brigade Quartermaster, Inc. used to sell a zipper modification kit, which essentially codified and standardized commonly made modifications. A search for the term “woobie” returns some interesting results. The first ones were Olive Drab on both sides and the earliest models featured squared corners. It can also be used as an outdoor blanket, or just a rugged piece of comfort to take on your next outdoor adventure. How the term “woobie” came to be applied to the poncho liner remains a mystery. My Dad was in the Vietnam war and the blanket was old! My husband is a Navy/GWOT veteran, our other sister and brother in law were in the Guard and Army. A poncho liner, also known as a woobie,[1] is a piece of field gear originating in the United States military that can be attached to a standard issue poncho to provide additional warmth, as well as being usable as a blanket, sleeping bag or protective cover. WASHINGTON D.C. – In a dramatic revelation that is sure to rock active duty military and veteran communities all over the world, the Pentagon quietly released guidance directing Central Issue Facilities across all U.S. military activities to recall the “poncho liner”. Their light weight and small size make them highly appreciated by troops who must carry 100-pound rucksacks and Modular Sleep Systems. This is our Dad, he died at the age of 55 in 1999. Today, deployed service members and veterans alike hold the woobie in high regard. They don't pill, lose fuzz, clump or get stuck to you!
Ponchos were now made of rubberized canvas. The owner of the company helped me with sizing and personally delivered it to my office. If you’re looking for the perfect gift for your military friends, you need to get them one of these hoodies! Military Style Poncho Liner Blanket - Woobie (Army Digital Camo ACU) 4.7 out of 5 stars 191.
Acme Approved Waterproof Military Grade Poncho Liner Blanket Woobie Raincoat Cover Camping with Drawstring Carry Bag Outdoor Activities for Men and Women 4.8 out of 5 stars 373. There are claims that it started as the phrase, “Because you would be cold without it,” and “would be,” evolved into woobie, or that it was called a “willbie,” from the phrase, “It will be what keeps you from freezing.”, It has also been speculated that the term may have come from the 1983 movie Mr. Veterans have reported using their service-issued woobies in a variety of ways: as baby blankets, hammock blankets, smoking jackets, dog beds, hoodies, coats, and robes. Made of light and quick-dry materials that could packed into small spaces, these liners replaced the standard-issue Army wool blanket, which was completely unsuited for use in the wet, tropical Vietnamese climate. Opinions among the troops generally hold the poncho liner in high regard, as a very useful piece of equipment, light and packable yet reasonably warm. Military Benefits Information for US Military, Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, Military Spouses and Military Family. We have the highest respect our military members and love our country! The following is a very brief timeline of the introduction of ponchos as standard field equipment: Around 1962, new poncho liners were introduced, and special forces troops in Vietnam were the first to use them. Military Style Poncho Liner Blanket – Woobie (Army Digital Camo ACU) $ 35.35. Others results are articles that wax downright sentimental about them. Disclaimer: This is a private website that is NOT affiliated with the U.S. government, U.S. Armed Forces or Department of Veteran Affairs. Most recently, there have been models produced and issued in the Army's Universal Combat Pattern, the USAF's Environmental Camouflage Pattern, and Multicam/Scorpion II/etc. U.S. government agencies have not reviewed this information. We have many family members that are in the armed forces. If you would like to find more information about benefits offered by Veteran Affairs, visit the official site for veterans benefits at Veterans Affairs. During World War II, Ponchos were widely used by U.S. troops in the field. The center seam was abandoned in the early 1970s because fabric could be produced in bolts that were wide enough that this sewing pattern was now obsolete. The Military Poncho Liner is a blanket used to provide warmth in milder climates. The intent was to field an item which was lighter and faster drying than the standard-issue Army Wool Blanket, which had essentially been rendered obsolete in the wet and tropical environment of Vietnam. This stood for Engineer Research and Development Laboratories and the acronym became the common name for the pattern, which was enlarged somewhat in the 1980s to become the Woodland Pattern used on the BDU uniform and late 1980s poncho liners.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). SKU: 846738324 Category: Clothing. I purchased a Woobie Hoodie for a friend a couple of weeks ago. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. This model required the standard "center seam" because the fabric wasn't wide enough to produce the entire width.