This section of the chapter presents you with the knowledge required to unpack and setup a field kitchen tent. You also will become familiar with the procedures used for packing and storing tents once field mess operations are complete.

The general-purpose medium (GPM) tent i. = is designed for field kitchen use. This tent is rectangular and pole supported. It consists of cave poles, door pies, center upright poles, a ridge pole, and a liner. The general specifications are as follows:

Figure 11-7.-General-purpose medium tent.

UNPACKING THE TENT

You are now somewhat familiar with the GPM field kitchen tent specifications and parts. We will now discuss the preparation for pitching the tent. Preliminary Procedures

You should frost make sure the selected area for the tent is on level ground and is free of projecting roots and rocks. When conditions permit, pitch the tent away from natural elevations such as hills or tall equipment that might obstruct a draft through the tent stack Remove the tent from its cover and spread it on the ground in a rectangular position with the sides extended. Tent Components and Inspection

On the window flap located at one end of the tent will be a flap stop that reads Care and Maintenance. This panel contains an inventory list and erecting instructions. Use this to make certain all items are present and in serviceable condition.

It is very important that you inspect and inventory the parts both before erecting and after disassembling the tent.  Tent disassembly is discussed later. The component and maintenance checks consist of the following:

Tent body. Inspect for abrasions, mildew, holes, poor condition of previous repairs, broken stitching, evidence of leaks, and low fabric tensile strength.

Tent lines. Check the tent lines for frayed or raveled ends and for broken strands.

Tent poles. Check poles for cracks, splinters, and damaged metal parts.

Tent pins. Check pins for breaks and cracks. There are twenty-eight 24-inch pins and forty-eight 16-inch pins.

Tent hardware.  Check hardware for rust, looseness, damage, and missing hardware.

Tent cover. Examine cover for rips, mildew, broken stitching, frayed tie lines, and loose or missing grommets.

Slide fasteners. Inspect for damage and freedom of movement. Lubricate when slide fastener is hard to move up or down.