Is there somewhere that has an ilustrated "how to" on using the USGI poncho?

I know it can be used as a
1)poncho (duh...)
2) sleeping bag cover
3) makeshift tent/ shelter
4) tarp

What else am I missing?

Also, when using it as a tent, how does one make the head opening water tight enough to prevent leaks?

Yeah, I never served, but not by choice. A medical condition unfortunately kept me out of the Marine Corps. So as a result, I never learned all this stuff.

stretcher

Small boat for your equipment when fording large streams/rivers.

You're not alone I was in the Navy so when I wanted to get SHTF gear and emergency preparedness things I had to teach myself ,with the help of guys here and other boards.
On the poncho I think you covered alot ,how about water collection from rain water?

off the top of my head....

1 rainwear
2 shelter
3 flotation device for your gear
4 sleeping bag
5 body bag
6 ground sheet
7 camo blind
8 wind block for playing Risk/cards
9 shade



Cinch the drawstring in the "head hole" as tight as you can and make sure it is not hanging inside your shelter. It isn't perfectly leakproof, but its better than nothing.

"Items that do many things, don't do any one thing really well"-echo6


echo6

Any illustrations or pictures?

Reminds me of an incident at Fort Polk back in 1970...

We were on firing line 7A doing live fire exercises.  We all had our ponchos rolled up real tight and held together with a couple of elastic pants blousers and attached to the rear of our web gear.

We could see a bad storm coming from down range.  The rain was like a single sheet and it was rolling right at us from the 200 yard line.

The DIs hollered us to Attention and put their ponchos on.  They kept hollering, "Wait ! Not yet!"  Finally when the rain was about 10 yards from us they yelled, "Okay! Now!"

Needless to say, we were drenched by the time we got them unrolled and put on.

The good news was that it entertained the Drill Sergeants for a short while.

And if you've ever used a poncho in high heat and humidity, it is just about as dry outside of one as it is inside of one when it rains.

Thanks for the little stroll down memory lane.

Are we talking about the same flimsy material green poncho POS? That thing gets wet and keeps the wearer wet all damn day or night. Probably the worst piece of TA50 I was ever issued by my Uncle....

Tent? Yes, just dont touch it... Wear it? No Thanks, I can get wet all by myself.

Try the [url=http://www.benning.army.mil/rtb/ranger/HDBOOK/TABLEOFCONTENTS.htm]Ranger Handbook[/url].

9-4 explains a poncho raft.
11-8 has the shelter.


CHRIS

1. A Good 600 yard target.
2. Something to place your Rifle(s) on while shooting from the prone position.
3. Something to help collect the brass on the ground.
4. A Background for pictures of your favorite firearm(s).

This guy has a pretty neat tent setup.
[url]http://www.alpharubicon.com/prepinfo/ponchotent.htm[/url]

Interesting concept. I might have to try it.