Hot racking

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Hot racking (also known as hot bunking) it is the sanctioned practice within the U.S. Navy and other military organizations of assigning more than one crew member to a bed or "rack" to reduce berthing (sleeping) space. The practice dates back to the sixteenth century, and today is particularly applied aboard submarines, where maximization of space is especially important. Generally, the lowest ranking members of the crew are required to hot rack.

Depending upon the watch system, two or even three people may end up sharing the same bunk. The term comes from the slang use of the term "rack" for a bed or bunk. With more than one crew member assigned to a rack, it is possible that a crew member returning from a duty shift will lie down on a rack immediately after it is vacated by another crew member about to start a shift. The rack is therefore said to be "hot". That is, warm from the vacating crew member.