While over in Germany back in the 70's, our squadron once a year deployed out in the field for joint war exercises, along with other Air Force and Army units, plus our NATO Allies. Code named Operation Reforger. Well back in '76 our Air Force squadron packed up and headed out for a couple weeks in the field. I had been on the previous one before, so I a good idea what to expect. After setting up our personal tents and such, we also had to set up a mock bathroom nearby enclosed in a smaller tent. Nothing fancy but simply a toilet with no plumbing, no running water, a small table, paper products and such. Don't ask me why but I guess it was required. Anybody who walked by it either snickered, made jokes or laughed at it...pretty sure I did too. They even posted a sign outside, "Do Not Use-Display Only". Well a couple days later, someone from my squadron (later on I found out who), went into that tent, closed the flap and took a big nasty dump in that fake toilet. I am sure he was pretty surprised when he pushed down on the handle and nothing happened..like duh...no plumbing dude!. I am sure he thought he could quickly exit without being seen but he was wrong. Well shortly later, some high ranking NATO types were making an inspection of our encampment. They suddenly stopped at this mock bathroom, with that official sign outside "Do Not Use-Display Only". So one general decided to open up the tent flap and peak inside for himself. Boy that was a big mistake. This was hot August and that nasty smell seemed to carry for yards. The general was taken back by it all and tried to hold his nose. He muttered something about taking field displays too far, as his entourage quickly left and never returned again...true story.
Sorry, but I don't understand the story. Is the point that when your unit it never built real latrines? What were airmen supposed to do? take a shovel recce?
They had contractors bring in those 'honey buckets' for us to use..no need to dig latrines anymore. This display bathroom was simply what it was...a show for the brass but don't ask me why.
.....the ''ridiculousness/''idiocy/hilarity/etc of it is part of the point, yes? ...... probably part of the exercise had a list of to do things/jobs to be done....where does this go? when? on the list was the head......not that it had to be ''dug''/etc, but just so it's on the list