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Army Jungle Hammock

During World War II, soldiers encountered jungle conditions in many of the battle zones. Early in the war, the Quatermaster Corps were asked to develop a jungle hammock to enable troops to sleep off the ground, avoiding dampness and insects. There was also the requirement that the hammock should be light and of minimum bulk.

The resistance and flexibility of the hammock is needed in situations where no other product endures. It must resist extreme environment conditions such as heavy rain that lasts several days and no matter how strong rain is and how many days it lasts an army jungle hammock must remain as dry inside as if there was a sunny day outside.

Computer equipment, maps, matches, armament, etc., must be kept dry and safe in a sure place. Everything inside the hammock must be safe from water and the hammock will assure a safe storage place also.

The army jungle hammock has combined in its design the functions of a bed, mosquito and sandfly netting and a waterproof tent fly. This whole unit can be set up and stowed away rapidly. It provides a comfortable, insect-proof, tented bed wherever trees grew to support it and it also can be used as an individual tent in treeless areas.

Different functions and characteristics of an army jungle hammock are:

-Light weight fabric construction with a double bottom that keeps mosquitoes from biting the sleeper's back and provide a dead air space for warmth in the chill of the late tropical night.

-Enclosed zipper-opening insect netting, joining the hammock to a rain-proof canopy, stretched over four-foot sticks cut on the site.

-Zipper with a quick release feature for a hasty exit.

-Snap straps under the hammock for supporting a rifle, keeping it dry and handy.

-Boots and clothing can be hung on the hammock ropes.

-Repair kit supplied with each unit.

-Label attached to the hammock with set up instructions.

Among the advantages of using an army jungle hammock is the protection against mosquitoes. Diseases such as malaria are transmitted by mosquitoes, so its always best to stay isolated. One of the main advantages is that its suspended in the air and no animals, snakes or crawlers can disturb anybody inside. It must have excellent balance because if it tips even once it should be discarded.

Sleeping on a hammock is more comfortable than sleeping on the floor and this helps soldiers preserve strength for emergency times. Many army people cannot achieve what they set their minds to because they are too tired due to sleeping on hard surfaces like the floor for several nights, which can be exhausting.

The army jungle hammock's basic design was a success in the field. In the Vietnam era an updated version was fielded with new nylon material. The M-1965 is the current military version of the jungle hammock.