Hand and Arm Signals

HAND AND ARM SIGNALS
1. Given 10 hand and arm signals from a list of 39, identify hand and arm signals by identifying 80 percent
of the signals correctly.
a. These basic hand and arm signals are standard, and will fit most situations.
(1) Decrease Speed. Extend the arm horizontally to the side,

palm to the front, and wave arm downward several times, keeping the
arm straight. Arm does not move above the horizontal.
(2) Change Direction Or Column (Right or Left). Raise the

hand that is on the side toward the new direction across the body, palm to the front; and then swing the
arm in a horizontal arc, extending arm and hand to point in the new direction.
(3) Enemy in Sight. Hold the rifle horizontally, with

the stock in the shoulder, the muzzle pointing in the direction
of the enemy. Aim in on the enemy target and be ready to
engage him if he detects your presence.
(4) Range. Extend the arm fully toward the leader or men
for whom the signal is intended with fist closed. Open the fist
exposing one finger for each 100 meters of range.
(5) Commence Firing. Extend the arm in front of the

body, hip high, palm down, and move it through a wide
horizontal arc several times.
(6) Fire Slower. Execute slower than Commence

Firing. For fully-automatic weapons, a change to the next
lower rate of fire is required.
SLOW
(7) Fire Faster. Execute faster than Commence Firing. For

fully-automatic weapons, a change to the next higher rate of fire is
required.
RAPID
(8) Cease Firing. Raise the hand in front of the forehead, palm to the
front, and swing the hand and forearm up and down several times in front of
the face.
(9) Assemble. Raise the hand vertically to the full extent of

the arm, fingers extended and joined, palm to the front, and wave in
large horizontal circles with the arm and hand.
(10)Form Column. Raise either arm to the vertical position. Drop

the arm to the rear, describing complete circles in a vertical plane parallel
to the body. The signal may be used to indicate either a troop or vehicular
column.
(11)Are You Ready? Extend the arm toward the leader for whom
the signal is intended, hand raised, fingers extended and joined, then
raise the arm slightly above horizontal, palm facing outward.
(12)Attention. Extend the arm sideways, slightly above
horizontal, palm to the front; wave toward and over the head several
times.
(13)Shift. Point to individuals or units concerned; beat on chest simultaneously with both fists;
then point to location you desire them to move to (picture on the next page).
(14)Echelon Right (Left). The leader may give this signal

either facing towards or away from the unit. Extend one arm 45
degrees below the horizontal, palms to the front. The lower arm
indicates the direction of echelon.
(15)Skirmishers (Fire Team), Line Formation
(Squad). Raise both arms lateral until
horizontal, arms and hands extended, palms
down. If it is necessary to indicate a
direction, move in the desired direction
at the same time. When signaling for
fire team skirmishers, indicate skirmishers
right or left by moving the appropriate
hand up and down. The appropriate does
not depend on the direction the signaler
is facing. Moving the left hand up and
down will always indicate skirmishers
left; skirmishers right, the right hand.
(16)Wedge. Extend both arms downward and to the side at an

angle of 45 degrees below the horizontal, palms to the front.
(17)Vee. Extend arms at an angle of 45 degrees above

the horizontal forming the letter V with arms and torso.
(18)Fire Team. The right arm should be placed diagonally across the chest.
(19)Squad. Extend the hand and arm toward the squad leader,
palm of the hand down; distinctly move the hand up and down several
times from the wrist, holding the arm steady.
(20)Platoon. Extend both arms

forward, palms of the hands down, toward the
leader(s) or unit(s) for whom the signal is
intended and describe large vertical circles
with hands.
(21)Close Up. Start signal with both

arms extended to the side, palms forward, and
bring palms together in front of the body
momentarily. When repetition of this signal is
necessary, the arms are returned to the starting
position by movement along the front of the
body.
(22)Open Up, Extend. Start signal with arms extended
in front of the body, palms together, and bring arms to the
horizontal position at the sides, palms forward. When repetition
of this signal is necessary, the arms are returned along the front
of the body to the starting position and the signal is repeated
until understood.
(23)Disperse. Extend
either arm vertically overhead:
wave the hand and arm to the
front, left, right, and rear, the palm
toward the direction of each
movement.
(24)Leaders Join Me. Extend arm toward the leaders and

beckon leaders with finger as shown.
(25)I Do Not Understand. Face toward source of

signal; raise both arms to the side to the horizontal at hip
level, bend both arms at elbows, palms up, and shrug
shoulders in the manner of the universal I Don't Know.
(26)Forward, Advance, to the Right (Left), To the Rear (Used when
starting from the halt). Face and move in the desired direction of march; at the
same time extend the arm horizontally to the rear; then swing if overhead and
forward in the direction of movement until it is horizontal, palm down.
(27)Halt. Carry the hand to the shoulder, palm to the front;

then thrust the hand upward vertically and hold it in that position until
the signal is understood.
(28)Freeze. Make the signal for Halt and make a fist with the hand.
(29) Down, Take Cover. Extend arm to the side at

an angle of 45 degrees above horizontal, palm down, and
lower it to side. Both arms may be used in giving this
signal. Repeat until understood.
(30)On Your Feet. With the hand extended downward at
the side with the palm out, raise arm to the side and upward to an
angle of 45 degrees above the horizontal. Repeat until understood.
(31)Disregard Previous Command. Face the unit or individual

being signaled, then raise both arms and cross them over the head,
palms to the front.
(32)Right (Left) Flank (Individuals Turn Simultaneously). Extend

both arms in direction of desired movement.
(33)Increase Speed, Double Time. Carry the hand

to the shoulder, fist closed; rapidly thrust the fist upward
vertically to the full extent of the arm and back to the
shoulder several times. This signal is also used to increase
gait or speed.
(34)Hasty Ambush Right (Left). Raise fist to shoulder level and
thrust it several times in the desired direction.
(35)Rally Point.
Touch the belt buckle with
one hand and then point to
the ground.
(36)Objective Rally Point. Touch the belt

buckle with one hand, point to the ground, and
make a circular motion with the hand.
(37)Danger Area. Draw the right hand, palm

down, across the neck in a throat-cutting motion from
left to right.
(38)Head Count. Tap the top of the helmet with an open
hand.
(39)Pace Count. Reach down with either hand and tap

the heel of the boot as you bend your knee.
b. REFERENCES:
(1) FM 21-60 Visual Signals, pages 2-1 through 2-24
(2) FMFM 6-5 Marine Rifle Squad, pages 3-35 through 3-47

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HAND AND ARM SIGNALS

(1) Decrease Speed. Extend the arm horizontally to the side,

(2) Change Direction Or Column (Right or Left). Raise the

(3) Enemy in Sight. Hold the rifle horizontally, with

(5) Commence Firing. Extend the arm in front of the

(6) Fire Slower. Execute slower than Commence

(7) Fire Faster. Execute faster than Commence Firing. For

(9) Assemble. Raise the hand vertically to the full extent of

(10)Form Column. Raise either arm to the vertical position. Drop

(14)Echelon Right (Left). The leader may give this signal

(16)Wedge. Extend both arms downward and to the side at an

(17)Vee. Extend arms at an angle of 45 degrees above

(20)Platoon. Extend both arms

(21)Close Up. Start signal with both

(24)Leaders Join Me. Extend arm toward the leaders and

(25)I Do Not Understand. Face toward source of

(27)Halt. Carry the hand to the shoulder, palm to the front;

(29) Down, Take Cover. Extend arm to the side at

(31)Disregard Previous Command. Face the unit or individual

(32)Right (Left) Flank (Individuals Turn Simultaneously). Extend

(33)Increase Speed, Double Time. Carry the hand

(36)Objective Rally Point. Touch the belt

(37)Danger Area. Draw the right hand, palm

(39)Pace Count. Reach down with either hand and tap

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