The striking or disassembling of the kitchen tent is too technical to be explained in this manual. However, you will find these striking procedures in the Marine Corps Combat Feeding Workbook, P-MCBLC 1179 (Rev. 12-91). Also, the assistance of a service member having such experience would be helpful. Once disassembled, the tent must be properly folded and stored.

Folding the Tent

Once the poles have been disassembled and pins and lines removed, you can fold the tent. Close and secure doors and stovepipe openings. Then open the corner slide fasteners.

Spread the tent out flat with the outside up. Then, coil the guy lines and place them on the tent roof. Fold the end walls and the side walls over the cave line on the tent hood. Sweep the dirt from the tent after each fold Next, fold the ends of the tent toward the center, making 6-foot folds. Finally, fold the two remaining 6-foot folds from each end of the tent together.

Storing Instructions

Most tents are mildew resistant. This does not mean that they are not subject to mildew. Under warm and damp conditions, espcially in tropical jungle areas, mildew can ruin tents. This may occur in a few days if proper care is not taken. To prevent mildew, the following precautions should be taken:

* Never fold or roll a wet tent. Be especially sure the seams and edges of the tent are dry and clean.

0 Before storing, dry the tent by hanging it up off the ground in bright sunlight. If necessary, you can dry a tent indoors.  This is done by hanging it in a well-ventilated place, high enough to suspend the tent off the floor.

0 Do not drag the tent along the ground while transporting or allow it to come in contact with the ground while in storage.

Be careful in handling pins and poles to see that they are not broken or otherwise damaged. When transporting or storing, keep pins and poles separate from the tent. Clean and dry all pins and poles before storing.

Inspect all lines before storing. The stability and safety of the tent may depend on the condition of the various lines used. Deterioration in the lines is of two kinds: physical and chemical. Surface wear or internal friction between fibers causes physical damage. Exposure to weather conditions and acids causes chemical damage. To prevent damage to tent lines, observe the following rules:

0 Keep lines clean. If lines become dirty, wash them in clean water and dry thoroughly.

* Dry lines properly after exposure to dampness. Lines are best dried when hung loosely between two trees or other objects so they do not come in contact with the ground

* Store lines properly in a dry, unheated building or room with free air circulation. Place lines in loose coils off the floor on wooden gratings or hang them on wooden pegs.  Never store lines in a small confined space without air circulation.

FIELD KITCHEN EQUIPMENT Normally, you will have either a gasoline field range outfit or a small detachment cooking outfit, plus immersion-type heaters for cans and tank trailers. These will make it possible for you to cook and maintain sanitary standards almost as well as you can in a galley aboard ship.