Military Bathroom - An Army aviation battalion built a Gucci toilet – not pictured – at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington. (Composition via AP/Canva)

A group of officers at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., gained notoriety last week after their hangar bathroom was shared by the US. Army WTF moments.

Military Bathroom

Military Bathroom

The 2-158th Assault Helicopter Battalion's latrine lacks many of the comforts that soldiers know and love in most Army bathrooms—the familiar faded glow of flickering fluorescent lights; rusty and broken soap dispensers; suspicious puddles; and colorful ceiling tiles that inspire questions you don't want answers to.

Change To Policy Allows Transgender Soldiers To Serve Openly

Instead, it's exactly what a wet, mean, frozen infantryman trapped in the field in the Yakima training area imagines these damned pilots have: a brightly lit "Alaskan Lodge" lounge with paintings on the walls, assorted soaps and air freshener. air. . There's putt-putt green, a gray backsplash, and classic rock emanating from a CD clock radio.

A Canada goose looks over what may be the Army's most popular general-purpose latrine at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., April 19, 2022. (Army/Captain Kyle Abraham)

Army Times tracked down and caught up with Petty Officer 2 of the Combat Aviation Brigade, who led the operation. The soldier is a former infantry petty officer who once worked for an international chain of luxury hotels - "if it's not the Four Seasons, it's this other company".

"We used to regularly use a bathroom with a granite countertop with a single stall that had linen towels and running water, you know, all those kinds of things that you take for granted working in a place like this," he said. "And then I got into [the infantry]."

Alcatraz Bathroom Installation By Ai Weiwei

Currently, the Warrant Officer, a Black Hawk pilot, asked during his phone interview that the Army Times omit his name so that a news article about his unit's candle baths would not be the top Google result for the name or. I reluctantly agreed.

As they approach the door, potential users of Delta Company's 2-158th Attack Helicopter Battalion hangar latrines are greeted with inviting green lighting. (Army/Captain Kyle Abraham)

"I don't want to be known as the bathroom guy for the rest of my career," he confessed. "But the whole idea of ​​trying to make this place a little better every day - and maybe the next guys will like it after my group leaves here - was actually a really cool thing."

Military Bathroom

"If you did that in an infantry company, someone would find a way to break everything in there," he explained.

Army Camouflage Shower Curtain Kids Boys Army Camo Shower Curtain With Hooks Teens Men Military Green Brown Black Bath Curtain Girls Modern Colorful Decor Waterproof Fabric Bathroom Decor 72x84 Inch

However, PR Brigadier Captain Kyle Abraham doesn't get that kind of anonymity and will have to deal with it forever in the history of Google. He described the latrine as what can happen "when soldiers are proud of the unit and where they work".

The project began last fall when the battalion's crowd of pilots realized they were being spoiled by occasional visits to top-notch facilities at other airports in the region.

The wolf painting on the latrine of the 2-158th Assault Helicopter Battalion keeps a watchful eye on the facility. Legend has it that he mutilated an expert who left a used paper towel on the floor. (Army/Captain Kyle Abraham)

"They have people flying in and out of there in private jets," the officer explained. "And then you have all these dirty servicemen coming in and out drinking all their coffee and eating their snacks."

Toilet Barracks Hi Res Stock Photography And Images

A realization and two rules set the project in motion, he said, "We should have good stuff too... [but] everything that goes in the bathroom – it has to be free."

The second rule? "It must be elegant," said the pilot. He said he rejected some items that didn't "fit the vibe we were trying to create."

"Somebody wanted to put a wicker chair in there and that was absolutely impossible," he explained. "It looked like cheap patio furniture, and we wouldn't have that there."

Military Bathroom

Over time, the freebies on Facebook Marketplace and other sites coalesced into a cohesive theme - the "Alaska Hunting Lodge" as the Warrant Officer described it.

Our Prime Beef Is Well Done > Ellsworth Air Force Base > Article Display

"He did exactly what you would think a sergeant would do," explained the pilot. "He turned the [fluorescent] lights back on and immediately, in a couple of minutes, the next guy that comes along will automatically turn the lights off."

This toilet, maintained by downstream officers of the 2-158th Attack Helicopter Battalion at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., has become an odd point of pride for the 16th Brigade Combat Aviation. (Army/Captain Kyle Abraham)

That battle continued for about a month, he said. But every time he has come in "in the last three or four months ... everything is as it should be - music on, lights off, lamps on and everything is quiet," he added.

Meanwhile, the battalion has officially appointed one of its standard-setting pilots as the unit's "service executive," who is responsible for establishing the cleanup task list -- which is dominated by the unit's noncommissioned officers.

Condo Bathroom Refresh

The hangar that houses the latrine is one of the brigade's newest installations, explained Abraham, so it usually hosts permanent meetings, special events and distinguished visitors.

The famous latrine of the 2-158th Assault Helicopter Battalion is located in a hangar at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., which is home to some of Delta Company's helicopters, pictured here on April 19, 2022. (Army/Captain Kyle Abraham )

The officer pointed out that "anyone, from the youngest soldier in the rank to the commander [of I Corps], can use the restroom – it's not an exclusive room for non-commissioned officers or anything like that".

Military Bathroom

He added that some of the general officers at the post have been visiting and his brigade commander is doing a "great review" of the unit.

S Military Hospital Bathroom

Asked what the next upgrade is, the pilot said the unit is trying to build a CD collection for the clock radio and a small shelf to organize them.

"So anyone who wants to donate a CD — maybe an old Kenny G CD or something — that's fine," he said. The Army Times has not yet located a representative for Kenny G to facilitate contact.

Asked if he had any moral qualms about starting a possible arms race in the bathroom, the pilot noted that he hasn't "lost any sleep over it".

"There would be worse arms races out there," he said. "At the very least, it will only have a positive effect on the aviation community."

Public Toilets In Military Soviet Bunker. Korosten. Ukraine Stock Photo

Editor's Note: The author of this story, Davis Winkie, originally intended to say "shit" in the title. It was rejected by his publishers, but he wants everyone to know that he accepted the new title under protest.

Davis Winkie is a senior reporter covering the military, specializing in reporting on accountability, personnel issues and military justice. He joined the Military Times in 2020. Davis studied history at Vanderbilt University and UNC-Chapel Hill, writing a master's thesis on how the Cold War-era Department of Defense influenced World War II Hollywood films.

How Area 51 Became a Hotbed of Conspiracy Theories Conspiracies about aliens in Area 51 began more than 75 years ago.

Military Bathroom

Best Military Movies To Watch In 20232023 is shaping up to be a good year for military movies.

Air Force Video

Marine Father's "Periodic Table of Military Slang" decodes snarled speech. Those who have spent time with the military will know at least some of the table's entries; few are likely to recognize them all.

What if "The Muppets" went to war? Now we know Sgt. Caco shows up to work.

8 Crayon Flavors They Really Want to Eat

Montford Point Marine, 108, honored for his service. Cosmas D. Eaglelin Sr. was recognized for his years of dedicated service in three military conflicts.

Army Camouflage Shower Curtain Boys Kids Army Camo Bath Curtain Teens Men Military Shower Curtain With Hooks Grey Black White Room Decor Colorful Decor Waterproof Fabric Bathroom Decor 72x78 Inch

Top Islamic State leader killed in US military operation in Somalia. No American troops or civilians were injured in the operation.

In the murder trial, the Marine Raiders defense is looking at other causes of death. Defense attorneys worked to cast doubt on the prosecution's theory that former Green Beret Rick Rodriguez died from a head injury.

Enrollment in VA health care increased after the passage of the PACT Act last year. Department leaders say they are confident the increases will not lead to longer wait times for appointments.

Military Bathroom

Military enlist, verizon military, military attorney, military mortgage, military colleges, military degrees, military tuition, military term for bathroom, education military, military word for bathroom, military university, military bathroom decor