Hand Signals

Why do we use hand signals? So we can move quietly in the field and don't need to shout at each other to be heard. This section shows you the different hand signals to use and for a run down on what the commands mean you can either click the link provided or go to the formations page afterwards

An important fact to note is that generally only the scout i.e. first man can send a signal back to the squad. this is as if anyone else starts a singnal the people in front of them won't see it and it'll all go wrong.

One of the most importan things to remember when using hand signals is that they have to be passed on to everyone in the squad. It's no use if the leader says 'break track' and half their squad don't get the message and just walk on by.

So, to pass on a signal there are a 2 things you should remember:

1. Make your signals clear and exagerate them to make sure they are seen at night.

2. Ensure that the person you were signalling got the message and make sure they confirm that they saw it, otherwise some cadets may not realise what's going on.

To get the squad to stop raise your right arm up and keep your palm flat (if you make a fist it means something different all together!)

Okay, so not the best name for this command but use this toget the squad to get down and into cover, say for example if there's a car coming and you want to avoid getting seen.

Used to call all members of the squad to the leader so that new commands can be issued as quiety as possible.

Useful if you want to stop for a little while and do one of three things:

1. If the IC needs to talk to the Scout/ 2IC to exhange information and pass on new orders.

2. If you need to stop so you can check your location but don't want to be left vulnerable to attack.

3. If you have captured a particular object and need to defend it or if you are waiting at an RV.

When you're on exersize you don't always want to walk in a straight line; when you cross a field you might chose to spread into an extended line and when you follow a path you will normally go staggered. Below are listed all the commands related to a change in the squad's positions.

Here's the commands that don't fit in anywhere else but that might well come in handy.

There are going to be times whern you want to speak to an NCO and rather than whisper down the line that the scout wants to speak to Corpral X you can use a simple signal to pass back the message

If you want to call an NCO simply place as many fingures as they have stripes against your arm e.g. for a corpral you'd place 2 fingures on your arm, sergeant 3 etc.

this command is used to set a new RV point so that if for some reason the squad gets split up everyone knows where to go and you can get back to the mission as quickly as possible rather than wasting hours looking for everyone.