Are soldiers authorized to utilize hammocks? If we are, what would the regulation covering it be?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 03:51:15 -0400

Does anyone know if soldiers are authorized to utilize hammocks? If we are, what would the regulation covering it be?

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 31 at 2020 5:42 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 05:42:37 -0400

I assume you mean diringvField Training exercises, if so i do no itbbeleieve there is a regulation to support or deny, it is more about the tactical prowessbof your organization. If they believe there is a tactical disadvantage they can of course have you live in provides resources whatever they may be. In all my years I never saw a unit say no as long as the Soldeie was able to hang the hammock without using military equipment to do so. On the other hand I have never seen authorization for a frame.

If you are talking in Soldier quarters the answer would be an emphatic no.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2020 5:48 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 05:48:14 -0400

Why? Why are you asking this question?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2020 9:14 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 09:14:45 -0400

This will be on your unit and tactical situation. Dont get your hopes up.

Response by SFC Michael D. made Mar 31 at 2020 9:48 AM

SFC Michael D. — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 09:48:31 -0400

This may sound stupid but are you talking about a hammock that you lay in between two trees? Old Soldier here. That's the only hammock I know of.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Mar 31 at 2020 9:50 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 09:50:14 -0400

This is the most PFC question I’ve read in a while.

Ultimately Command discretion and situation will dictate. Personally I’ve seen it happen from time to time and I’ve also seen it get shot down from time to time. Situation dictates but just be sure to check the temperature of the water before jumping in if you understand what I’m saying. Don’t just set up a hammock and think you won’t draw some attention.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2020 9:50 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 09:50:18 -0400

How and why is this an issue?

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Mar 31 at 2020 12:46 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 12:46:19 -0400

The mention of hammocks I recall is in the old survival manual and the military mountaineering manual. Use in the field would be at the commanders discretion, I can see it now... crap dangling from the trees throughout the perimeter and getting clotheslined while hauling butt to respond to an assault.

Response by SSG George Holtje made Mar 31 at 2020 8:29 PM

SSG George Holtje — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 20:29:52 -0400

Doesn’t that lead to back problems in the long term?

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Apr 1 at 2020 12:26 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 00:26:28 -0400

AR385-10 states that soldiers must sleep in a designated and marked sleep area, protected by natural barriers if at all possible. Nor are you allowed to sleep in vehicles.

AR40-11 Preventative Medicine has requirements for noise, environment, and physical separation (5ft or head to toe). Regulation assumes you are sleeping on the ground, beds (Appendix D) or cots. Para 3-5 Individual Soldier measures: "(5) Place sleeping bags or cots head-to-toe if there is less than 5 feet of space between them."

My primary concerns from a composite risk management standpoint would be:
- having the soldier tie it off between vehicles and either be hit in low visibility or dragged to death by a tactical vehicle leaving in a hurry without a walk around.
- having a soldier in a perimeter sleeping two feet off the ground falling out and being injured or a team mate walking into the damn thing in low visibility.
- soldier slogging around an assembly area or unit perimeter at night trying to find a spot for the hammock getting lost, hurt, or separated if the unit has to "jump" on short notice.
- in combat conditions, being above ground like that is a liability. Hate to write a letter home because a guy got hung up like a dolphin in a tuna net trying to react to NBC, direct fire or indirect fire.
- Good luck in places like Kansas, Colorado, or NTC finding two trees to tie It off to.

This is really a unit SOP, unit chain of command thing. Did every NCO in your unit get abducted by aliens? Why don't you ask them? If you got told no, it's no. Pick another hill to die on.

Response by SGT Robert Pryor made Apr 1 at 2020 1:15 AM

SGT Robert Pryor — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 01:15:26 -0400

Damn, we used hammocks 100% of the time when on patrol in Viet Nam. I never in my wildest dreams imagined it could or would ever be a question. Are you trolling this forum, SGT Private RallyPoint Member?

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Apr 1 at 2020 4:10 PM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 16:10:12 -0400

I used a hammock slung in the back of KC-135 during all my travels too and from bases during Vietnam.

Response by 1SG Charles Hunter made Apr 3 at 2020 11:15 AM

1SG Charles Hunter — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 11:15:55 -0400

Okay, I'll jump on the bandwagon of confusion. Where (under what circumstances) do you wish to use a hammock?