GP Medium GP Medium Tent Tent

InstructionsInstructions

U.S. Military General U.S. Military General Purpose Medium Tent Purpose Medium Tent

Objectives

We are learning to put up our GP Medium tents so we can better understand what we are doing.

Also, we are “training” for this billet.

What that means is that we need an understanding of WHY we train…so we

can do the BEST possible job

and be READY for it.

MeasurementsMeasurementsMeasures 32 feet long Measures 32 feet long

and 16 feet wide. and 16 feet wide.

Wall height is 5' 6" Wall height is 5' 6"

with a center height of with a center height of 10'. Total of 523 10'. Total of 523

square feet. square feet.

Before we begin…Before we begin…

It is important It is important

to know to know

WHAT JOBWHAT JOB

you have you have

in putting up in putting up

the tent.the tent.

Some helpful information:Some helpful information:

Total weight of canvas only: 269 Total weight of canvas only: 269 pounds. pounds.

Constructed from water resistant and Constructed from water resistant and fire resistant 12.29 ounce cotton fire resistant 12.29 ounce cotton duck canvas or heavy duty Vinyl. duck canvas or heavy duty Vinyl.

Tents can be erected by four people in Tents can be erected by four people in about an hour. about an hour.

By Col. Lou BursonBy Col. Lou BursonExecutive Support Staff OfficerExecutive Support Staff Officer

A GP medium tent is 16X32 ft A GP medium tent is 16X32 ft in size, designed to sleep 12 in size, designed to sleep 12 people. While in Vietnam, I people. While in Vietnam, I lived in a GP medium tent lived in a GP medium tent with 22 other guys for nine with 22 other guys for nine months. We were a platoon months. We were a platoon of 40 to 60 people assigned of 40 to 60 people assigned away from our Company. The away from our Company. The only life support we received only life support we received was one noon meal per day, was one noon meal per day, sometimes. Three tents were sometimes. Three tents were used for living quarters; one used for living quarters; one for the 4 NCO's and two for for the 4 NCO's and two for the other 40 to 50 soldiersthe other 40 to 50 soldiers

STEP 1 - Squaring The Tent.STEP 1 - Squaring The Tent.Two opposing corner diagonal measurements Two opposing corner diagonal measurements

will assure a true rectangular footprint.will assure a true rectangular footprint.

Step 2 - Tensioning guy line this in order will more Step 2 - Tensioning guy line this in order will more evenly distribute the loads most evenly. A properly evenly distribute the loads most evenly. A properly tensioned tent will have less sagging and reduce tensioned tent will have less sagging and reduce

bagging in the rain.bagging in the rain.

Step 3 - Proper angle of the guy line will Step 3 - Proper angle of the guy line will maximize the structural integrity in adverse maximize the structural integrity in adverse

weather conditions.weather conditions.

Securing to the ground.Securing to the ground.

The “New” designThe “New” design

Introducing the New State of the Art Design in Introducing the New State of the Art Design in

Tactical TentageTactical Tentage

Modular General Purpose Tent System (MGPTS) Modular General Purpose Tent System (MGPTS)

Wish we Wish we had this!had this!

It could be worse…It could be worse…

The The Soldier Crew TentSoldier Crew Tent (SCT) was originally (SCT) was originally

developed to provide   developed to provide   environmental environmental

protection for the protection for the billeting of combat billeting of combat vehicle crews.   vehicle crews.  

The BOTTOM LINE IS…The BOTTOM LINE IS…

When we put up the GP Mediums,When we put up the GP Mediums,

YOUR JOBYOUR JOB

will be the samewill be the same

ON EACH TENT.ON EACH TENT.

That way we can avoid confusion.That way we can avoid confusion.

Tent-CareTent-Care

Aquino sews up the holes.Aquino sews up the holes.

Umbrella DutyUmbrella Duty

Poles in the RIGHT boxes!Poles in the RIGHT boxes!

Load-up.

Keep the truck neat and Keep the truck neat and cleanclean

Lay it all out.Lay it all out.

NOT what you want to do…NOT what you want to do…RIDGE POLES FIRST.RIDGE POLES FIRST.

Much betterMuch better

The “Racks”The “Racks”

Outdoor ClassroomOutdoor Classroom

A Captive AudienceA Captive Audience

Fold up when you’re done.Fold up when you’re done.

Tethers together.Tethers together.

Roll it up and tie it tight.Roll it up and tie it tight.

Back into the truck.Back into the truck.

The EndThe End

Resourceshttp://www.imsplus.com/ims66b.htmlhttp://www.dod.state.ga.us/hqang/boarstale/pages/june2001boars.htmlhttp://ct.dscp.dla.mil/ctinfo/basecamp/setup/setup.html

Lesson compiled by ENS Summerlin for educational purposes ONLY.http://www.spaceportbattalion.org/