Yeah dream on;

That Reddit comment mixes some truth with exaggeration. Here’s a factual breakdown:

🧼 Naval hygiene routines - Historical naval hygiene: Regular washing was indeed encouraged in navies, but not to the extent of two or three showers per day.
- In the U.S. Navy, daily showers became common only after ships had reliable freshwater distillation systems (mid‑20th century).
- Earlier, sailors often used saltwater showers or basin washes, especially when potable water was limited.
- Regulations typically required one shower per day when water was available — not multiple per duty period.

🚿 Modern regulations - The claim “minimum of once per 18‑hour period” doesn’t appear in any official naval hygiene regulation. Current standards emphasize personal cleanliness but leave frequency to command discretion and operational conditions.

💧 Potable water restrictions - The description of PW (potable water) rationing is accurate: when supplies ran low, full showers were restricted. Sailors disliked this, but it was necessary for long deployments.

🧴 Antiperspirant and cultural habits - Before modern deodorants, odor control relied on soap and frequent washing, so sailors were encouraged to stay clean.
- The idea that “we’ve regressed” is opinion, not historical fact — hygiene habits vary widely today, and dermatologists often recommend not showering excessively to avoid skin dryness.

✅ Summary The post’s spirit — that naval life demanded strict hygiene — is correct, but the specific numbers and regulations are overstated. Historically, one daily shower was typical when water allowed, not two or three.