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Military spends more to air condition tents than NASA’s entire budget

It might be good for morale.

But why does it cost $20 billion? How many goddamned tents are there?*

*Note: Might not actually cost $20 billion. A guy saying it's true does not make it so.
 
Looks like this websites on the slow boat.

My political science teacher told us this in 2008.
 
You know why it costs so much? Becaue they're trying to cool ****ing TENT and TEMP buildings . .. geesh - it's really a stupid idea.

Upgrade materials - get some insulation going on (as they're suggesting to do) - better yet - just do away with the actual tents unless they're necessary and build temp buildings (with better insullation) and it would greatly reduce the dissipation rate. . . and for tents that are produced they should use flexi-bon relfective insulation in the making process at the factory - subvert this entire issue.

Als - they should go solar / wind to power each unit . . . part of the cost is actally electricity. . . and then when the electricity goes out (as it often does) it's just funky.
 
Some things to note: it's not as easy as simply upgrading the tents. The tents have to be portable(which is why you are using tents) and probably quickly. Cooling those tents during summer is key for health reasons. It's not wasteful spending, it's just part of the cost of doing business.
 
A decent chunk of the time, the seemingly stupid things end up making sense after further study.
 
Some things to note: it's not as easy as simply upgrading the tents. The tents have to be portable(which is why you are using tents) and probably quickly. Cooling those tents during summer is key for health reasons. It's not wasteful spending, it's just part of the cost of doing business.

Let's not forget that service members who drive trucks, or operate heavy equipment don't get sufficient rest, they become a safety hazard.
 
Military spends more to air condition tents than NASA’s entire budget | Grist

Hmmm I recall having a discussion in the chat with a few people about the military's wasteful spending and here is just some more proof of it.

There's a reason why the military is one of the biggest backers of alternative fuels. That **** is expensive. Furthermore, getting oil based fuels into certain areas is fairly hazardous. I remember reading cost exceeding $200 to get a single gallon of gas into Afghanistan.
 
Frankly, this a huge vacuum of waste. This is what you get when you give a department unlimited freedom to spend money.
The Pentagon should have cut waste more, and spend money on things that actually show results. Air conditioned tents don't show results on say, the War on Terror.
 
Air conditioned tents don't show results on say, the War on Terror.

Do you not understand the role air conditioned tents play in maintaining troop readiness? Men who are fatigued, dehydrated, and overheated don't fight as well as men who aren't.
 
Why can't the US fight wars in nice climates?

I assume it's because people who live in nice climates are less full of hate. It's all the weather's fault. We should declare war on it.
 
There's a reason why the military is one of the biggest backers of alternative fuels. That **** is expensive. Furthermore, getting oil based fuels into certain areas is fairly hazardous. I remember reading cost exceeding $200 to get a single gallon of gas into Afghanistan.

So, how is it cheaper to get alternative fuels into Afghanistan? :lamo
 
You know why it costs so much? Becaue they're trying to cool ****ing TENT and TEMP buildings . .. geesh - it's really a stupid idea.

Upgrade materials - get some insulation going on (as they're suggesting to do) - better yet - just do away with the actual tents unless they're necessary and build temp buildings (with better insullation) and it would greatly reduce the dissipation rate. . . and for tents that are produced they should use flexi-bon relfective insulation in the making process at the factory - subvert this entire issue.

Als - they should go solar / wind to power each unit . . . part of the cost is actally electricity. . . and then when the electricity goes out (as it often does) it's just funky.

This is a case where spending more on the outset for better materials would cost less in the long run, and probably be better for the soldier as well since their living quarter would be of a higher quality.
 
This is a case where spending more on the outset for better materials would cost less in the long run, and probably be better for the soldier as well since their living quarter would be of a higher quality.

It would cause damage to a unit's mobility. Tents are far more mobile than buildings.
 
apdst is correct(that is painfull to say btw). If they are living in tents, it is for a reason.
 
US Army Uses SPF Foam to Cool Tents | Foam Roofing

In the sweltering Iraqi desert temperatures reach highs of 130 degrees Fahrenheit, and US Army tents don't provide much relief, even with air conditioning. In fact, even with air conditioning, the poorly insulated tents were often still over 100 degrees Fahrenheit inside. These were hardly livable conditions for soldiers.
military-foam-tent.jpg


In 2009 the U.S. Military began applying polyurethane spray foam to 900 air conditioned tents. Honeywell completed the 12.5 million dollar project. TerraStrong polyurethane foam was pumped from 55 gallon drums and applied to the surface of the tents. The foam conforms to the surface of the tents, sealing and insulating from the external elements and rays of the sun, keeping the tents substantially cooler. The rigid polyurethane foam also provides structural support as well.

Joseph Lstiburek, a building scientist and indoor air quality expert, told discovery news: "For the Army, there is no other solution even close to this given speed, flexibility, mobility". "You don't have to ship lots of big pieces of stuff around. Think about it: a big tent insulated on the exterior that acts as a combined water control layer, air control layer, vapor control layer and thermal control layer that is also structural."

foam-tent.jpg


The military expects to associated reduce air conditioning costs by at least 25 to 30%. The project is part of 2009-2015 initiative to improve the efficiency of military facilities and improve the quality of life for both troops and civilians.


EDIT:

Also, how many tents have sensitive computer or communications equipment that must be kept cool? Medical facilities? etc.

It's not always as black and white as some would paint it.
 
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It would cause damage to a unit's mobility. Tents are far more mobile than buildings.

Whovian has a good solution on this page and also provides a good example of the benefits of not limiting one's imagination to the conventional.
 
US Army Uses SPF Foam to Cool Tents | Foam Roofing

In the sweltering Iraqi desert temperatures reach highs of 130 degrees Fahrenheit, and US Army tents don't provide much relief, even with air conditioning. In fact, even with air conditioning, the poorly insulated tents were often still over 100 degrees Fahrenheit inside. These were hardly livable conditions for soldiers.
military-foam-tent.jpg


In 2009 the U.S. Military began applying polyurethane spray foam to 900 air conditioned tents. Honeywell completed the 12.5 million dollar project. TerraStrong polyurethane foam was pumped from 55 gallon drums and applied to the surface of the tents. The foam conforms to the surface of the tents, sealing and insulating from the external elements and rays of the sun, keeping the tents substantially cooler. The rigid polyurethane foam also provides structural support as well.

Joseph Lstiburek, a building scientist and indoor air quality expert, told discovery news: "For the Army, there is no other solution even close to this given speed, flexibility, mobility". "You don't have to ship lots of big pieces of stuff around. Think about it: a big tent insulated on the exterior that acts as a combined water control layer, air control layer, vapor control layer and thermal control layer that is also structural."

foam-tent.jpg


The military expects to associated reduce air conditioning costs by at least 25 to 30%. The project is part of 2009-2015 initiative to improve the efficiency of military facilities and improve the quality of life for both troops and civilians.


EDIT:

Also, how many tents have sensitive computer or communications equipment that must be kept cool? Medical facilities? etc.

It's not always as black and white as some would paint it.

Hoot! There it is!

When I was in the service, the 29E MOS guys had to have air-conditioned vans to perform maintenance on TOW missile systems.

That was the first hint that I got, that made me realize that the infantry was the wrong ****ing MOS. :rofl
 
Whovian has a good solution on this page and also provides a good example of the benefits of not limiting one's imagination to the conventional.

He and I--along with Redress--smacked you with some reality, vice your Libbo view of things.
 
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