The 1967 U.S. Army training film, Individual Camouflage (TF 5-3881), produced by the Army Pictorial Center, is a training video used to teach the factors of recognition and basic techniques of camouflaging for hiding, blending, and moving with near invisibility. The film begins by identifying the six “Factors of Recognition” (02:07): movement, position, shape, shadow, texture, and color. Camouflage allows for the manipulation of these factors to create near invisibility. One key device used for camouflage is dispersion (05:48), or the breaking up of patterns. The film discusses the importance of using natural terrain for concealment whenever possible, staying low to the ground and avoiding disturbing the terrain. With this knowledge, a soldier can plan a route based on the best cover and move across open areas undetected (07:53). While completely hiding is useful (09:30), blending is the most useful technique with camouflage, regardless of the environment or terrain. Adding camouflage to uniforms and helmets (10:00) is critical, and the film provides directions on how to create a helmet cover from scratch when an army-issued cover isn’t available (11:00). Properly applied paint sticks camouflage the hands and face (12:45) by toning down features of the face and blending color. Equipment should also be camouflaged (15:36) with tape, paint, or other materials; disciplined precautions, such as keeping a metal mess kit from reflecting sunlight, is another way to ensure a soldier’s invisibility. The final preparation, according to the film, is the informed and constant awareness of the need for camouflage, factoring in both ground and aerial enemy perspectives (aerial photography is used to identify tracks on the ground or where trees or foliage has been cut down). The training film notes that the same rules for daytime camouflage apply during nighttime as well, then it concludes with a quick recap of the factors and techniques that must be understood to successfully use camouflage.
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