Patrol Lane
P4

CAMOUFLAGE & VISUAL SIGNALING

10 min (camouflage) 10 sec per signal

Conditions: Preparing to establish an ambush position. Enemy presence suspected.

Understanding This Task

Two parts: camouflage application and visual signals. For camouflage, the key principle is dark paint on high/shiny areas and light paint on low/shadow areas — this reverses the natural pattern of light and shadow on the face.

26 visual signals must be demonstrated within 10 seconds each: 11 combat formations, 4 battle drills, 5 patrolling, and 6 driver control.

Common NO-GO Mistakes

  • ALL exposed skin including ears, neck, hands — even very dark skin
  • Reversing paint: dark on HIGH, light on LOW (shadows)
  • Using mud, motor oil, or insect repellent to soften paint sticks
  • Not knowing all 26 visual signals

Task Basis: 052-COM-1361, 071-COM-0608

Video Resources

ESB 2022: Camouflage & Visual Signaling — 1-2 SBCT
Camouflage and visual signaling demonstration
NATO Camouflage Face Paint Tutorial
Step-by-step face paint application with subtitles
Critical Notes
  • ALL exposed skin including ears, neck, and hands — even dark skin.
  • Dark paint on highlights, light on shadows.
  • Do NOT use mud, motor oil, or insect repellent to soften paint sticks.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

0/11 GO
  1. 1

    Employ realistic camouflage resembling background

  2. 2

    Use natural/artificial materials to break up shapes

  3. 3

    Reduce shine — cover or remove reflective items

  4. 4

    Blend colors with surroundings

  5. 5

    Camouflage exposed skin

    • Cover ALL skin with paint sticks (even very dark skin).
    • Dark paint on HIGH/shiny areas: forehead, cheekbones, nose, ears, chin.
    • Light paint on LOW/shadow areas: around eyes, under nose, under chin.
    • Paint back of neck, arms, and hands with irregular pattern.
  6. 6

    Camouflage uniform and helmet

    • Roll sleeves down, fasten all closures.
    • Attach leaves, grass, branches to distort shapes.
  7. 7

    Camouflage personal equipment

    • Cover/remove shiny items. Secure items that rattle.
    • Break up shape of large/bulky equipment.
  8. 8

    Visual signals: Combat Formations (11 signals)

    • Disperse, Assemble/Rally, Join/Follow Me, Increase Speed, Quick Time, Enemy in Sight, Wedge, Vee, Line, Coil, Staggered Column
  9. 9

    Visual signals: Battle Drills (4 signals)

    • Contact Left/Right, Action Left/Right, Air Attack, NBC Attack
  10. 10

    Visual signals: Patrolling (5 signals)

    • Map Check, Pace Count, Head Count, Danger Area, Freeze/Halt
  11. 11

    Visual signals: Control Drivers (6 signals)

    • Start Engine, Halt/Stop, Left/Right Turn, Move Forward, Move in Reverse, Stop Engine

From the Ranger Handbook (TC 3-21.76)

Supplementary context — not tested directly, but builds deeper understanding.

Tactical Principles of Camouflage: The Ranger Handbook treats camouflage as an integral part of every operation, not just a standalone skill. Key references:

  • Patrol base (Ch. 1, para 1-9): The PSG enforces security in the PB, keeps movement and noise to a minimum, supervises and enforces camouflage, and ensures designated personnel remain alert.
  • ORP preparation (Ch. 7, para 7-16): Final preparations at the objective rally point include reapplying camouflage, along with preparing demolitions, EPW bindings, and first aid kits.
  • Limited visibility movement (Ch. 6, para 6-20): Leaders enforce strict noise and light discipline, and units use radio-listening silence and camouflage. Rangers use terrain to avoid detection by enemy surveillance or NVDs, making frequent halts to stop, look, listen, and smell.
  • Ambush positions (Ch. 7, para 7-42h): The 2025 edition has the support element emplace aiming stakes and Claymores and camouflage positions before the ambush is initiated (the 2017 edition gave this to the assault element).
  • Patrol base security plan (Ch. 7, para 7-48): Camouflage, noise, and light disciplines are part of the PB security plan.
  • Hand and arm signals (Ch. 6, para 6-26, figures 6-6 to 6-18): New in 2025: illustrated signals for assemble/rally, join me, enemy in sight, take cover, map check, halt, take a knee, prone, pace count, headcount, danger area, freeze, and numbers.

Standardized hand and arm signals (Ch. 6, para 6-26):

Figure 6-6. Assemble or rally
6-6 Assemble or rally
Figure 6-7. Join me, follow me, or come forward
6-7 Join me, follow me, or come forward
Figure 6-8. Enemy in sight
6-8 Enemy in sight
Figure 6-9. Take cover
6-9 Take cover
Figure 6-10. Map check
6-10 Map check
Figure 6-11. Halt
6-11 Halt
Figure 6-12. Take a knee
6-12 Take a knee
Figure 6-13. Move to the prone
6-13 Move to the prone
Figure 6-14. Pace count
6-14 Pace count
Figure 6-15. Headcount
6-15 Headcount
Figure 6-16. Danger area
6-16 Danger area
Figure 6-17. Freeze
6-17 Freeze
Figure 6-18. Number signals
6-18 Number signals

Figures 6-6, 6-7, 6-8, 6-9, 6-10, 6-11, 6-12, 6-13, 6-14, 6-15, 6-16, 6-17, 6-18: TC 3-21.76, Ranger Handbook, 19 September 2025. Click a figure to enlarge.

Source: TC 3-21.76, Chapters 1, 6, and 7, 19 September 2025

P3: DAGR GPS P5: CBRN Operations