text: Base Camp and Base Cluster Security and Defense
  BASE CAMP PRINCIPLES
  E-14. The base camp commander and staff use the base camp principles as a guide for analytical thinking.
  These principles are not a set of rigid rules, nor do they apply in every situation (see ATP 3-37.10 for
  additional information on base camp master planning principles). They should be applied with creativity,
  insight, and boldness. These principles are—
  * Survivability. A primary purpose of base camps is providing a protected location from which to
  project and sustain combat power. Base camps depend on the application of effective protection
  strategies, generally achieved by developing a comprehensive protection plan consistent with the
  principles of protection discussed in ADP 3-37.
  * Scalability. Scalability is the ability to tolerate population fluctuations and incorporate changes
  in the base camp mission, level of services, or force protection level without the need for
  redesign.
  * Sustainability. Sustainability is the ability to maintain the necessary level and duration of
  sustainment/logistics support to achieve military objectives. This means that base camps must
  achieve and maintain effectiveness within the means of available resources (materials, labor,
  energy, and funds) without placing any unnecessary strain on existing sustainment systems.
  * Standardization. The standardization of base camp policies, Service standards, guidance, system
  solutions, standard designs, and construction provides consistent expectations for commanders
  and drives the repetitive use of proven best practices and tactics, techniques, and procedures. It
  helps achieve a higher degree of sustainability, reliability, and efficiency.
  BASE CAMP ACTIVITIES
  E-15. Base camp activities are interrelated and interdependent; each activity provides an action that mutually
  supports the others. The foundation of all activities is master planning. The base camp activities are—
  * Master planning. Master planning is an integrated strategy for the design, construction, and
  maintenance of required facilities and infrastructure that integrates base camp improvements for
  protection, quality of life for residents, and efficiencies and effectiveness.
  * Operations and maintenance. This activity includes all of the tasks needed for constructing,
  maintaining, operating, and repairing base camp facilities and infrastructure.
  * Protection. Base camp protection includes the consideration of all of the protection tasks within
  the protection warfighting function articulated in ADP 3-37 (see appendix A for more information
  on protection).
  * Sustainment. Sustainment activities provide support in two major areas: sustainment/logistics and
  field services.
  SITE SELECTION AND LAYOUT
  E-16. Numerous competing demands and considerations influence a base camp site selection and layout,
  such as tactical and operational objectives, mission concerns, military constraints, environmental factors,
  division or corps directives, and commander guidance. A site selection and layout assessment assists in
  identifying the potential benefits, vulnerabilities, and protection requirements associated with a base camp.
  E-17. In all situations, a site selection and layout assessment aids in estimating base camp characteristics and
  the suitability of the site to meet protection requirements. It is important to recognize that some problems are
  inherent, such as high ground and snipers overlooking the entire base camp interior, or a location where
  floods occur while other problems can be mitigated. Knowledge regarding base camp protection measures
  improves throughout the process, from initial selection and layout to design and establishment of the base
  camp. Protection considerations deliberately integrated from inception into the site selection, layout, design,
  and establishment process greatly reduces the resource requirements (materials, time, and labor) needed to
  protect personnel and assets.