astros_v_c_o_AKP (S-63-22051)

“The nine new astronaut trainees attend desert survival training school at Stead AFB, Reno, Nevada. The four day course included instructions on how to live off the land, shelter making, and how to utilize survival kit equipment. Emphasis was placed on the means and methods for living off the natural resources of the land.”

 

Note the crossed machetes thrust into the ground in front of the ‘tribe’.

 

Check out the punk-ass slacker with the goofy expression, standing, second from the right...probably a civilian. And he’s the only one not wearing the individually-fashioned field expedient head-gear. He at least looks to be in the act of putting it on.

Regardless, I'm sure he either washed out or was voted “off the island” by the rest of the tribe.

Oh...wait...never mind. 😉

And, that's about as wild, crazy, irreverent & undisciplined as I've ever seen John Young in any photo.

Finally, Borman appears to be “palming” Lovell’s head like a basketball.

An all-around delightful photograph.

 

From 'MASHABLE:

1960-1967: NASA survival training

"You can survive space, but the desert?"

by Alex Q. Arbuckle

 

At:

mashable.com/2016/12/11/nasa-survival-training/#r7M_gC.4lsq3

 

"Astronauts pose during desert training at Stead Air Force Base in Nevada. Front row: Frank Borman; James A. Lovell; John W. Young; Charles Conrad; James A. McDivitt and Edward H. White. Back row: Ray Zedehar (Astronaut Training Officer); Thomas P. Stafford; Donald K. Slayton; Neil A. Armstrong and Elliot M. See."

 

Also:

 

history.nasa.gov/SP-350/ch-8-8.html

 

And:

 

commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Next_Nine_Desert_Survival...

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Done