M-1965 Hammock Set Up Instructions

The M-1965 is a military issue hammock used in the field. Developed during World War II, jungle hammocks kept soldiers off the ground and out of reach of ground-dwelling insects. Soldiers tie ropes at the head and foot of the hammock to jungle trees and suspend the hammock above the ground. A canvas canopy protects the sleeper from dew and rain. During Vietnam, the 1965 hammock replaced the heavy canvas fabric with lighter nylon.

Instructions

    • 1

      Unroll the hammock, canopy and straps.

    • 2

      Wrap one strap around a tree. The strap has a loop sewn into each end. Thread the rope from one side of the hammock through both loops on the strap. The loops may not touch, but as the hammock rope pulls the ends together, the strap tightens around the tree.

    • 3

      Tie the hammock rope. Lay the rope tail over the rope between the tree and hammock. Wrap the tail around the rope, then thread it down between the strap and the tree. Pull the tail back up and lay it over the rope between the tree and hammock again. The entire circuit makes a figure eight. Repeat three more times for a total of four wraps. Wrap the tail around the rope one more time, leaving some slack. Make a loop in the tail and push it through the slack. Pull the loop to tighten the slack.

    • 4

      Wrap the second strap around a tree 8 feet to 10 feet from the first. Thread the rope from the other end of the hammock through the strap loops and repeat Step 3 to tie off the rope.

    • 5

      Spread out the canopy and lay it over the hammock. Two corners have loops and two corners have ropes. The corners match diagonally so that two corners attach to the hammock ropes while two other corners tie to brush.

    • 6

      Hook the canopy loops to the sliding canopy hooks on the ropes of the hammock.

    • 7

      Pull the ropes on the canopy to either side of the hammock. Wrap the rope around a tree or brush and pull the tail back toward the hammock. Wrap the tail three times around the rope and secure with a loop. Winding the tail around the rope allows you to slide the knot up and down the rope to adjust the canopy. Repeat with the other side.

    • 8

      Pull the side cords of the hammock. Tie the side cords to the side canopy ropes to hold the side of the hammock open.