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U.S. soldier hand signals

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J. Burg

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Dec 27, 2009, 1:50:39 AM12/27/09
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Hello,
Does anyone know of a site that could explain the hand signals used by
U.S. soldiers during combat?
Also,were these signals part of basic training or just something
developed in battle?

Thanks for any info,
Jim

-Kevin R.

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Dec 27, 2009, 1:13:46 PM12/27/09
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Try FM 22-5, Chapter 11 :)

- Kevin R.

Musicman59

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Dec 27, 2009, 2:53:44 PM12/27/09
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a light hearted reply for some smiles..... if one does not have have
a field manual, I am sure they are online somewhere. but until then,
here is what I googled...

Craig

http://www.imagepoop.com/image/702/Combat-Hand-Signals.html

Don Phillipson

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Dec 27, 2009, 3:23:43 PM12/27/09
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"J. Burg" <worldsf...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:19436-4B3...@storefull-3112.bay.webtv.net...

> Does anyone know of a site that could explain the hand signals used by
> U.S. soldiers during combat?
> Also,were these signals part of basic training or just something

> developed in battle.

The basic set of signals was uniformly taught to all US troops
during infantry battle training. (The British army had a similar
set of hand signals so it seems likely attention was given
during WW2 to making them uniform for all Allied infantry.)

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

a425couple

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Dec 28, 2009, 10:23:42 AM12/28/09
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"J. Burg" <worldsf...@webtv.net> wrote in...
> were (hand) signals part of basic training or just something
> developed in battle?

They are taught in initial training, and practiced plenty
in field exercises (from Fire Team, Squad, up through Regt.)
Classes alone do not do it. To become a good 'combat team'
everyone needs plenty of practice in 'reading' and signalling.
If I recall correctly, it probably not in "boot camp", but
in the next training (like AIT / Advanced Infantry Training).

> Does anyone know of a site that could explain the hand signals used by
> U.S. soldiers during combat?

I thought this would be real easy yesterday morning.
(but turns out finding a good on 'on-line' a bit tricky).

My couple "Guidebook for Marines" has it in the chapter
on "Formations and Signals" (one chapter is #12, one #23).
(meanwhile of note, you can buy a used copy on line now for
$.88, plus then the normal $3.99 shipping).
(But, I can not find a version of that "on-line").

Ah-ha! try: FM 21-60!
http://www.openskies.net/files/fm21_60.pdf

Or for easier to see, & a more modern one, try:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/5-10/appa.pdf
and click on "Hand and Arm Signals"

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