So long to canvas.The Army's "retiring" canvas (cotton duck) tents, tarps and vehicle covers. Since the Revolutionary War, soldiers have depended on canvas to shelter them and their gear. But now the Army's replacing it with 21st century vinyl-coated polyester. What does that mean for those of you still holding canvas? For one thing, it means you won't find canvas replacement parts in the Army supply system: no canvas tent sections to replace damaged ones, no sheets of canvas for patching tears. For another thing, it means direct support will no longer repair canvas. You are now responsible for maintaining it. Canvas PM Until you get polyester replacements, make your canvas tents, tarps and vehicle covers last by practicing good PM. That includes cleaning, drying, storing, sewing and patching. Here are a few sources to keep you covered: * FM 10-16, General Fabric Repair http://atiam.train.army.mil/portal/atia/adlsc /view/pubic/296904-1/fm/10-16/toc.htm * PS 555 (Feb 99), pages 52-54, general tent PM https://www.logsa.army.mil/pub/psissues/PS-555.pdf * PS 521 (Apr 96), pages 52-53, PM for cover on mobile kitchen trailer https://www.logsa.army.mil/WEB-PAGE/1996/521/521-52-53.pdf * PS 609 (Aug 03), page 53, tent repair tape and tentage tent·age n. A group or supply of tents. repair kit https://www.logsa.army.mil/pub/psissues/609/609-53.pdf You'll find these PS stories and more on the PS Magazine web site at https://www.logsa.army.mil/psmag/psonline.cfm Disregard any information in these stories about waterproofing preservative preservative Any of numerous chemical additives used to prevent or slow food spoilage caused by chemical changes (e.g., oxidation, mold growth) and maintain a fresh appearance and consistency. Antimycotics (e.g. , NSN NSN National Stock Number NSN Nokia Siemens Networks NSN National Storytelling Network NSN NATO Stock Number NSN New Substances Notification (CEPA) NSN National Student Number (NZ) NSN Never Say Never 8030-00-281-2346. It's a terminal item, and the Army has no substitute for it. The tentage repair kit, NSN 8430-00-262-5767. is essential for field repairs. Just remember, the canvas sheets that originally came with the kit are no longer available. The kit now comes with polyester sheets. In the past, soldiers used chemical biocide biocide (bī`əsīd'), synonym for pesticide. to remove mildew mildew, name for certain fungi and protists, for the diseases they cause in various crops, and for the discoloration (and sometimes the weakening and disintegration) they cause in such materials as leather, fabrics, and paper. from canvas. Not any more. The Army forbids its use because it's considered harmful considered harmful - Edsger W. Dijkstra's note in the March 1968 "Communications of the ACM", "Goto Statement Considered Harmful", fired the first salvo in the structured programming wars. to the environment. One final suggestion about canvas PM: Don't discard entire tents, tarps and vehicle covers just because parts of them are worn and torn. Cannibalize can·ni·bal·ize v. can·ni·bal·ized, can·ni·bal·iz·ing, can·ni·bal·iz·es v.tr. 1. To remove serviceable parts from (damaged airplanes, for example) for use in the repair of other equipment of the same them. Keep a supply of canvas scraps for patches. Turn It In When canvas becomes too worn out for your unit to repair, turn it in through normal supply channels. Learn more about turn-in policies by reading AR 710-2, Inventory Management Supply Policy Below the Wholesale Level, and AR 750-1, Army Materiel ma·te·ri·el or ma·té·ri·el n. The equipment, apparatus, and supplies of a military force or other organization. See Synonyms at equipment. Maintenance Policy. Unit maintenance can dispose of Class IX items, such as vehicle covers. Class II items, such as tents, are a different matter. Turn those in to the Supply Support Activity or the installation Directorate of Logistics. |
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