~The FReeper Canteen Presents~ Road Trip: U. S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center, Massachusetts 
Natick Soldier Systems Center is a military research complex and installation in Natick, Massachusetts charged by the U.S. Department of Defense with the research and development (including fielding and sustainment) of food, clothing, shelters, airdrop systems, and other servicemember support items for the U.S. military. The installation includes facilities from all the military services, not just the Army, and is so configured to allow cross-service cooperation and collaboration both within the facility and with the many academic, industrial and governmental institutions in the Greater Boston Area. 
The SSC includes facilities designed to research and test both materials (textiles, combat rations), advanced technologies and human performance (human research volunteers) under simulated environmental extremes (altitude, heat, cold, wind, etc.). The requirement for improved combat rations has led to groundbreaking developments in the field of food irradiation and freeze-drying techniques. Improved body armor, new military parachuting technology, and enhanced military garments designed for a variety of environments are all ongoing efforts. 
The SSC hosts several tenant units and facilities at its Natick installation:
The United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (CCDC SC),[2] formerly known as United States Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC), or as the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Center (NSC), or as The Natick Army Labs, an element of the United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC), formerly U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command (RDECOM) at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.
The United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), a subordinate lab of the U. S. Army Medical Research and Material Command (USAMRMC), headquartered at Fort Detrick, MD, USA.
The United States Army Integrated Logistics and Support Center (ILSC)
The United States Coast Guard Clothing Design and Technical Office (CDTO)
The United States Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility
The Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier
The United States Army Product Manager Force Sustainment Systems (PM FSS)
The United States Army RDECOM Acquisition Center - Natick, the Natick Contracting Division of RDECOM AC, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
The Doriot Climatic Chamber Complex
Combat Rations Production and Packaging Facility
3-D Anthropometrics Laboratory
Camouflage Evaluation Facility
Rain Court
Hydro-Environmental Chamber
Shade Room
Fiber Plant
Thermal and Flame Laboratory
Military Operations in Urban Environment (MOUT) Lab/Facility
Natick Labs has developed or is developing the following items or systems:
The MRE (Meal, Ready-to-Eat)
Irradiated food
The "instant chapel"
Bulletproof clothing
MOLLE Loadcarriage Equipment
Land Warrior
Future Soldier
Future Force Warrior
Collective Protection Shelters
Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops
Interceptor Body Armor
Quarpel, a water-repellent, water and stain resistant textile treatment
Learn More About Natick Soldier Systems Center HERE!!
FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT~Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allies military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before.
Please remember: The Canteen is a place to honor and entertain our troops. The Canteen is family friendly. Let's have fun! We pray for your continued strength, to be strong in the face of adversity. We pray for your safety, that you will return to your families and friends soon. We pray that your hope, courage, and dignity remain unbroken, so that you may show others the way. God Bless You All ~ Today, Tomorrow and Always |
