How to Build A Foxhole

Overhead cover is another important aspect of foxhole building. When I was in the army, our overhead cover had to be strong enough, sturdy enough to support our 1st Sgt’s big butt while he jumped up and down on it.

What I did was I would build up the dirt in the front and in the rear center. We used to be told we need 18 inches of overhead cover… so when we had the dirt sufficiently built up, we found the biggest, fattest log we could and laid it right across the center. Then, we retrieved smaller ones to lay from the center, out to the sides which were also built up with dirt. After this was complete, I’d place another layer of logs atop my foxhole, but this time laid them perpendicular to the last row. Often, accomplishing this construction called for problem solving abilities. For instance, if the dirt kept caving in we would build small retainer walls with some stakes and a stack of branches.

It is very important that you have 18 inches of clearance so that you are able to aim down your fields of fire. This 18 inches clearance is from the ceiling of your fighting position, to the ground where your elbows will rest while aiming.