JEST

The Navy's Jungle Environment
Survival Training Program
makes stuffed bat seem a
gourmet delicacy . . .

THE NAVY'S Jungle Environment Survival Training (JEST) school, at Naval Air Station Cubi Point, the Philippines, is managed and operated by the Fleet Aviation Specialized Operational Training Group, Pacific. It is a joint services school, available to members of all U.S. armed forces. In addition to the highly trained staff of Navy instructors, the school is staffed with a small compliment of Negritos, people native to the Philippine jungles. During World War II, Negritos were highly feared by the Japanese who occupied the islands. Undoubtedly, their custom of leaving heads of their enemies impaled on stakes marking the borders of their territories contributed significantly to their reputation as fierce, dangerous warriors.

Marines- I attended JEST school with a group of Marines attached to the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Kitty Hawk. Marines are assigned on board many Navy vessels in order to provide internal security, and to defend the ship from attack by boarding parties. They also sometimes serve in gun crews The Kitty Hawk Marines' trip to JEST school basically was a refresher because some of the survival skills are taught in boot camp, and in subsequent infantry training. However, these Marines had little

opportunity to improve upon these survival skills while serving at sea aboard a Navy vessel. We formed up in the Marine berthing compartment aboard the Kitty Hawk at approximately 0530 hours. We'd had already been issued our equipment, standard web gear, including cartridge belt and suspenders, two canteens, first aid kit, and poncho. Everyone was required to carry a large fixed-blade knife with sheath. The assortment among us ranged from Gerber Mk Il's to current-issue machetes. Most numerous were Philippine bolo knives made by Negritos from vehicle leaf springs. These bolos proved to be a worthwhile investment. Not only are they sturdy, well-made work knives that hold a keen edge, the handles are made of carabou (water buffalo) horn, shavings from which, when applied to a cut, stops bleeding almost immediately. We spent the next 20 to 25 minutes making final adjustments to our gear, and mentally preparing ourselves for the up?coming ordeal. At 0600, we boarded a bus that would transport us to a fate that, at this point, remained undecided.

No Food - At about 0630 hours, we rolled into the JEST compound, greeted by a large red sun, rising slowly in the east, along with a few barking dogs, and a cadre

of camo-clad Negritos. We were told to relax, and that the Navy instructors would arrive soon to get things started. We were offered coffee, soda, and a chance to pur?chase or own bolo knives from the Negritos. We were told to consume, or, otherwise dispose of, any food we may have brought with us. We were advised that, from, here on out, the only thing we would be allowed to eat was what we could catch for ourselves. My stomach growled a bit as I shared my last morsel of beef jerky with one of the compound's resident dogs. At 0700 hours, the Navy instructors arrived, and we gathered in a large class?room. A Parachute Rigger First Class gave us an indoctrination briefing, presented a slide program that had been photographed as a previous class went through the train?ing, and discussed the many varied forms of wildlife that we could expect to encounter in the jungle?bees and mosquitos, pythons and cobras, wild boars, bats, monkeys, and numerous lizards, as well as rats and other rodents. We were told that all are edible, but the stuffed bat on display in the lecture hall looked particularly unappetizing.

Negrito Guides - At about 0930 hours, we were separated into groups of 10, and each group was assigned to a Negrito guide. My group's guide, named Mel, gave