It actually isn't falling "asleep", but entering that halfway point where you are just about to lose consciousness. I did this all the time during my service years, and still take advantage of it for quick "naps" in my older age.
As a lover of cast iron, I can vouch for a good cast iron dutch oven. I have a couple of large cast iron pans, and while the dutch oven I have is a base of cast iron, it is enameled, so it is easy to clean. Heavy as all heck, but it is worth it.
I know we want to think that way these days, but it was only about a century ago that children did some pretty dangerous work that we would consider adult only. Many were considered adult by that age and were required to take on adult duties and jobs.