I remember seeing a P-38 for the first time in my C rations in basic training. I thought that was the coolest thing to have on a keychain. If I still had one i'ld probably eat a lot more canned food. Are those still military issue?
2007-08-02 17:45:11 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
The P-38 can opener came only in the C-rat cases. Since the C-ration has been replaced they are only available in military surplus stores or maybe outdoor supply stores. I still have the first one I snatched up while in basic training, 1970. That and my Parachutist Badge (Silver Wings) are the only things the army gave me that I thought worth keeping. I even tossed my dog tags. My P-38 still works well and has hung on my key chain all these years.
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2007-08-02 18:03:04 · answer #1 · answered by John H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We get them in the Australian Army too. They're called 'FREDs' and the design deviates from the P-38 by featuring a spoon end and a bottle opener. Handy!
However, the era of P-38s and FREDs is coming to a close. With most rations coming ready-to-eat in squashy plastic sachets, the need for can openers is dying. Currently, an Australian Army ration pack typically only contains two small cans. We don't always get them anymore.
The US Marines who sometimes stop by here for joint exercises will trade anything but their daughters for them, so I can assume they're either not issued to them, or not issued enough. Frankly, I don't think it's even possible to issue too many of them.
When the day comes that these noble can openers are a thing of the past, they shall always remain on my keychain and deeply imbedded in my heart.
2007-08-02 21:22:22 · answer #2 · answered by Gotta have more explosions! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-10-01 07:29:56 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have one on my keychain, since 1980.
After 9/11/01 I went to an airport and they almost took it from me.
2007-08-02 18:01:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have one on my key chain that I got out of a box lunch on a MATS flight from Rota, Spain to Norfolk, Virginia in 1963.
You can still buy them. $6.25 for 25 of them. Check this site. It has a lot of information on the P38 and P51.
http://www.georgia-outfitters.com/page52.shtml
2007-08-02 19:03:29 · answer #5 · answered by Tin Can Sailor 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
MRE's are used now and have no cans to open so no P-38's are no longer used
2007-08-02 17:48:02 · answer #6 · answered by tgatecrasher2003 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can still buy those from "Lehman's Hardware" I believe. They are only a couple of dollars. Google them.
2007-08-02 17:50:04 · answer #7 · answered by Chaz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no mre is the issue it comes with a plastic utensils
2007-08-02 17:48:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a negative, the new MRE's are not in cans...
2007-08-02 17:49:02 · answer #9 · answered by Randy H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't think they were ever "issued". just found in rations.
2007-08-02 18:19:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋