CAMOUFLAGE & CONCEALMENT U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

CAMOUFLAGE Camouflage is one of the most basic weapons of warfare yet its use can mean the success or failure of even the most complex mission. More importantly, to the sniper team its proper use can mean the difference between life and death. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

TLO ACTION: Apply camouflage and concealment techniques. CONDITIONS: In a classroom, given a student handout, and FM 23-10. STANDARD: Apply camouflage to remain undetected under direct observation during all stalk exercises and achieve 70% or higher on graded exams. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

INTRODUCTION Safety Considerations Risk Management Level Environmental Considerations Evaluation U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

INTRODUCTION Proper camouflage methods must be used because the sniper team cannot afford to be detected during movement or in its firing position. Although the goal of the sniper is to successfully engage the target, the proper use of camouflage will prevent that same sniper from becoming a target himself. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

ELO A ACTION: Analyze camouflage methods and patterns. CONDITIONS: In a classroom, given a student handout, and FM 23-10. STANDARD: Analyze camouflage methods and patterns in order to achieve 70% or higher on all written exams. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

COVER Anything that protects an individual from enemy weapons fire. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

CAMOUFLAGE The method or result of concealing personnel or equipment from an enemy by making them appear to be part of their natural surroundings. -American Heritage Dictionary U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

METHODS OF CAMOUFLAGE Hiding Blending Deceiving U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

HIDING Used to conceal the body from observation by lying behind an object or thick vegetation. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

BLENDING Used to match the personal camouflage with the surrounding area to a point where the sniper cannot be seen. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

DECEIVING Any act to mislead the enemy. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

TYPES OF CAMOUFLAGE NATURAL- Vegetation or materials that are native to the area. ARTIFICAL- Materials or substances that are produced for the purpose of coloring or covering something in order to conceal it. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

NATURAL VEGITATION -The most effective type of camouflage. -In environments other than Urban, the use of Natural Vegetation will assist the sniper to blend into terrain and remain undetected. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

NATURAL VEGITATION U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

NATURAL VEGITATION U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

ARTIFICAL CAMOUFLAGE Camouflage Pattern Types Striping Blotching Combination Digital U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

STRIPING Used when in heavily wooded areas and when leafy vegetation is scarce. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

BLOTCHING Used when in an area that is thick with leafy vegetation. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

COMBINATION Used when moving through changing terrain and it is normally the best all-around pattern. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

DIGITAL The color scheme of the ACU requires more natural camouflage in order to blend in with surroundings. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

DIGITAL -The MARPAT requires less natural camouflage to blend in with the surroundings. -The same is true for the Desert MARPAT. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

DIGITAL -As you can see, this soldier needs more natural camouflage to effectively blend in with the environment. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

DIGITAL -Although still visible, obviously the color scheme is more adept to a woodland environment. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

EQUIPMENT THAT MUST BE CAMOUFLAGED Rifles Optics Rucksacks Tripod Misc. Equipment U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

CAMOUFLAGED EQUIPMENT U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

CAMOUFLAGED EQUIPMENT U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

CAMOUFLAGED EQUIPMENT U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

FIELD-EXPEDIENT CAMOUFLAGE Charcoal Mud Walnut stain-(Boil walnuts to produce brown dye) Natural vegetation Oil and grease should not be used due to strong odor and their flammable characteristics. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

ELO B ACTION: Identify the types of target indicators and the techniques to reduce them. CONDITIONS: In a classroom, given a student handout, and FM 23-10. STANDARD: Identify target indicators and the techniques to reduce them by achieving 70% or higher on all graded exams. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

TARGET INDICATORS - Anything a sniper does or fails to do that could result in detection. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

TARGET INDICATORS Sound Movement Disturbance of wildlife Odor Improper camouflage U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

SOUND Caused by movement, equipment rattling, or talking. Small noises may be dismissed as natural, but talking will not. Most noticeable during hours of darkness. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

MOVEMENT The human eye is attracted to movement. Quick or jerky movements will be detected faster than slow movement. Most noticeable during hours of daylight. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

DISTURBANCE OF WILDLIFE Birds suddenly flying away Sudden stop of animal noise Animals being frightened U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

ODOR Cooking Smoking Soaps and lotions Insect repellants U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

IMPROPER CAMOUFLAGE Shine Outline Contrast with the background Muzzle Flash Dark spots U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

SHINE U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

OUTLINE U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

OUTLINE U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

CONTRAST U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

CONTRAST U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

CONTRAST U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

CONTRAST U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

MUZZLE FLASH -The flash from a weapon and the disturbance of vegetation, “Tossed Salad”, will give away a sniper’s location. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

DARK SPOTS A common mistake a sniper will make. Not accounting for the dark hole created by the scope or the neck. Shadow caused by the sun located behind the sniper. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

REDUCTION OF TARGET INDICATORS Avoid unnecessary movement. Use all available concealment. Stay low to observe. Avoid shiny reflections. Avoid sky lining. Alter familiar outlines. Proper standoff from front blind. Observe noise discipline. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

ELO C ACTION: Identify the proper camouflage techniques used in the four geographical areas. CONDITIONS: In a classroom, given a student handout, and FM 23-10. STANDARD: Identify the proper camouflage of the four geographical areas by achieving 70% or higher on written exams. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

THE DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS Snow areas Desert areas Jungle area Urban areas U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

SNOW AREAS Blending is more effective than texture camouflage. Use white cover-alls or a combination or over-white bottoms and brown or green top depending on the amount of snow in the trees. Keep in mind that a complete white out of your appearance may not be the proper camouflage. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

SNOW AREAS U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

SNOW AREAS U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

SNOW AREAS U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

DESERT AREAS With little vegetation use a blending of tans and browns. Use the terrain and any available vegetation to your advantage. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

DESERT AREAS U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

DESERT AREAS U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

DESERT AREAS U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

DESERT AREAS U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

JUNGLE AREAS Use: Textured camouflage. Contrasting colors. Natural vegetation. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

JUNGLE AREAS U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

JUNGLE AREAS U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

URBAN AREAS Use blended colors of mostly shades of grey. Textured camouflage is not as important in this area. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

URBAN AREAS U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

URBAN AREAS RIGHT ANGLES U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

URBAN AREAS U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

TLO ACTION: Apply camouflage and concealment techniques. CONDITIONS: In a classroom, given a student handout, and FM 23-10. STANDARD: Apply camouflage to remain undetected under direct observation during all stalk exercises and achieve 70% or higher on graded exams. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

SUMMARY Camouflage and the use of cover and concealment are important areas that insure the survival of the sniper team on the modern battlefield. Camouflage and concealment allow the sniper team to remain undetected, while cover protects the snipers from the immediate threat of enemy fires in the event of compromise. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

QUESTIONS Q. Name the target indicators. A. Sound, Movement, Improper camouflage, Disturbance of wildlife, and Odor. Q. Identify the methods of camouflage. A. Hiding, blending, and deceiving. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

QUESTIONS (CONT.) Q. Identify the types of camouflage. A. Natural and Artificial. Q. What are the four camouflage patterns? A. Striping, Blotching, Combination, and Digital. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

QUESTIONS (CONT.) Q. Define cover. A. Protection from enemy fire. Q. In urban areas, what colors should be used? A. Shades of grey. U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL

CAMO & CONCEALMENT U.S. ARMY SNIPER SCHOOL