FM 21-60
FIELD MANUAL
No. 21-60

HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Washington, DC, 30 September 1987

FM 21-60 VISUAL SIGNALS

Chapter  2

CHAPTER 2

Arm-and-Hand Signals for Ground Forces
2-1. General
Signals illustrated with a single arrowhead indicate that the signal is not continuously repeated; however, it may be repeated at intervals until acknowledged or the desired action is executed. Signals illustrated with double arrowheads are repeated continuously until acknowledged or the desired action is taken. Signals are illustrated as normally seen by the viewer. Some signals are illustrated in oblique, right angle, or overhead views for clarity.

2-2. Signals to Control Vehicle Drivers and/or Crews
These are the arm-and-hand and light signals used to guide and blockquoteect vehicles. Flashlights are used at night to blockquoteect vehicles. Blue filters should be used whenever possible in order to preserve the driver's night vision. Chemical lights can also be used and have less effect on the driver's night vision (Figures 2-1 through 2-22).

Figure 2-1 ATTENTION Extend The Arm sideways, slightly above the horizontal; palm to the front; wave the arm to and from the head several times.	Figure 2-2 I AM Ready, or Ready TO MOVE, or ARE YOU READY? Extend the arm toward the person being signaled; then raise the arm slightly above the horizontal, palm outward.	Figure 2-3 MOUNT Two or three movements upward with the open hand, palm uppermost.
Figure 2-4 DISREGARD PREVIOUS COMMAND, or AS YOU WERE Raise both arms and cross wrists above the head, palms to the front.	Figure 2-5 I DO NOT UNDERSTAND Raise both arms sideward to the horizontal; bend both arms at the elbows and place both hands across the face, palms outward.	Figure 2-7 HALT or STOP DAY: Raise hand upward to the full extent of the arm, palm outward. Hold position until signal is understood. NIGHT: Move a light horizontally back-and-forth several times across the path of approaching traffic to stop vehicles. Use the same signal to stop engines. NOTE: For alternate signal to stop vehicles, see Fig. 2-17
Figure 2-6 START ENGINE or PREPARE TO MOVE DAY: Simulate cranking of engines by moving arm, with the fist, in a circular motion at waist level. NIGHT: Move a light to describe a horizontal figure 8 in a vertical plane in front of the body.		Figure 2-8 INCREASE SPEED DAY: Raise the fist to shoulder level; thrust the fist upward to the full extent of the arm and back to shoulder level (rapidly) several times. NIGHT: Move a light vertically several times in front of the body.
Figure 2-9 ADVANCE or MOVE-OUT  Face the blockquoteection of movement; hold the arm extended to the rear; swing the arm overhead and forward in the blockquoteection of movement (hold at the horizontal, pointing in the blockquoteected path), palm down.	Figure 2-10 OPEN UP Extend the arms overhead. palms inward (together), then slowly lower arms to the horizontal position.	Figure 2-11 CLOSE UP  Extend both arms in the horizontal position, palms up, and move the arms upward and inward above the head.
Figure 2-12 RIGHT or LEFT TURN DAY: Extend the arm horizontally to the indicated side, palm towards blockquoteected traffic. NIGHT: Rotate a light to describe a circle 12-18 inches in diameter in the blockquoteection of the turn.	Figure 2-13 SLOW DOWN DAY: Extend the arm horizontally sideward, palm towards blockquoteected traffic; wave the arm slightly downward several times, keeping the arm straight. Do not move arm above the horizontal.  NIGHT: Hold a light at shoulder level; blink it several times toward the vehicle.	Figure 2-14 MOVE FORWARD With elbows against side, hold arms (palms up) diagonally towards the ground. Move the hands and forearms upward toward the chest.
Figure 2-15 MOVE IN REVERSE (For STATIONARY vehicles) Face the vehicle (or unit) being blockquoteected, raise the hands to shoulder level with the palms outward. Move the hands in a slight forward and back pushing motion. AT NIGHT: Hold a light at shoulder level; Blink it several times toward vehicle.	Figure 2-16 CLOSE DISTANCE BETWEEN VEHICLES & STOP Face the vehicles being blockquoteected, extend the forearms to the front, palms inward and separated (width of shoulders). Bring palms together as the vehicles approach each other. The vehicle must stop when palms come together.	Figure 2-17 STOP ENGINES Extend the arm parallel to ground, hand open, palm down, and move the arm across the body in a throat-cutting action.
Figure 2-18 DISMOUNT Extend the arms to the sides, make two or three movements up and down, hands open, palms towards the ground.	Figure 2-19 NEUTRAL STEER (Track Vehicles) Cross the wrists at the throat; point the index finger of either hand in the blockquoteection of steer. Make a fist with the other hand.	Figure 2-20 STOP (Track Vehicles) Clasp the hands together at chin level. NOTE: Alternate signal to stop vehicles: Fig 2-7.
Figure 2-21 BUTTON UP or UNBUTTON For BUTTON UP, place both hands, one on top of the other, palms down, on the top of the helmet. The arms are back and in the same plane as the body.	For UNBUTTON, give BUTTON UP signal, then separate the hands, moving them to each side in a slicing motion; repeat.	Figure 2-22 MESSAGE ACKNOWLEDGED Hold the fist out with the thumb up.

2-3. Signals for Crew-Served Weapons
Members of crew-served weapons must communicate. Often, this is in environments where visual signals are the best means of transmitting information (Figures 2-23 through 2-28).

Figure 2-23 TRAVERSE RIGHT (LEFT), or ELEVATE (DEPRESS) Extend one arm in the blockquoteection of the gunner concerned. Move the hand vigorously in the blockquoteection of the correction (elevate, depress, right, or left). Flex the arm at the wrist and extend one finger for each mil (or for each 100 meters of range) of desired correction. For machine guns, an extended finger indicates 1 mil for tripod guns and 1 meter for bipod guns.	TRAVERSE RIGHT (LEFT), or ELEVATE (DEPRESS)
Figure 2-24 MOVE OVER, or SHIFT FIRE Raise the hand (on the side toward the new blockquoteection) and move it across the body to the opposite shoulder, palm towards the blockquoteected unit; then swing the arm in a horizontal arc, extending the arm and hand to point in the new blockquoteection. For slight changes in blockquoteection, move the hand from the final position to point at the desired blockquoteection of movement.	Figure 2-25 FIRE Drop the arm sharply from the vertical position (usually from the ARE YOU READY signal position, fig 2-2) to the side. When a single weapon (of a group) is to be fired, point, with the arm extended, to that particular weapon, and them drop the arm sharply to the side. The signal is usually used as a fire command for inblockquoteect fire weapons.	Figure 2-26 COMMENCE FIRING Extend the arm in front of the body, palm down, and move it through a wide horizontal arc several times. For machine guns, when giving the signal again, moving the arm faster means to change to the next higher rate of fire. To slow the rate of fire, move the arm slower. Signal is used primarily for blockquoteect fire weapons.
Figure 2-27 CEASE FIRING Raise the hand in front of the forehead, palm out, and swing the hand and forearm up and down several times in front of the face.	Figure 2-28 OUT OF ACTION Strike the fist of one hand several times in rapid succession against the palm of the other hand.

2-4. Signals for Combat Formations and Battle Drills
a. Signals, General (Figures 2-29 through 2-57).

(1) Leaders of dismounted units use arm-and-hand signals to control the movement of individuals, teams, and squads. These signals are used by infantry and also by combat support and combat service support elements organized for infantry missions (Figures 2-29 through 2-45).
(2) Leaders of mounted units use arm-and-hand signals to control individual vehicles and platoon movement. When distances between vehicles increase, flags (wrapped and tied) can be used as an extension of the arm to give the signals. From some vehicles (for example, Bradley, M2), the arm-and-hand signals will be distorted (Figures 2-46 through 2-50).
(3) Signals for drills are illustrated in Figures 2-51 through 2-57.

b. Mechanized Movement Techniques. Signals for movement techniques are used by mechanized units to indicate which manner of traversing terrain will be used by a unit (Figures 2-46 through 2-50).

c. Drills. Drills are a rapid, reflexive response executed by a small unit. These signals are used to initiate drills (Figures 2-51 through 2-57).

Figure 2-29 DISPERSE Extend either arm vertically overhead; then wave the arm and hand horizontally to the front, left, right, and rear, pointing toward the blockquoteection of each movement.	Figure 2-30 ASSEMBLE or RALLY Raise the arm vertically overhead, palm to the front, and wave in large, horizontal circles. NOTE: Signal is normally followed by the signaler pointing to the assembly or rally point.	Figure 2-31 JOIN ME, FOLLOW ME, or COME FORWARD Point toward person or unit; beckon by holding the arm horizontally to the front, palm up, and motioning toward the body.
Figure 2-32 FIX BAYONETS Simulate the movement of the right hand in removing the bayonet from the scabbard and fixing it to the rifle.	Figure 2-33 INCREASE SPEED, DOUBLE TIME, or RUSH Raise the fist to the shoulder; thrust the fist upward to the full extent of the arm and back to shoulder level; do this rapidly several times.	Figure 2-34 QUICK TIME Extend the arm horizontally sideward, palm towards blockquoteected units; wave the arm slightly downward several times, keeping the arm straight. Do not move arm above the horizontal. NOTE: This is the same signal as SLOW DOWN when blockquoteecting vehicles (fig 2-13). The difference in meaning must be understood from the context in which it is used.
Figure 2-35 ENEMY IN SIGHT Hold the rifle in the ready position at shoulder level. Point the rifle in the blockquoteection of the enemy.	Figure 2-36 TAKE COVER Extend the arm at a 45 degree angle from the side, above the horizontal, palm down, and then lower the arm to the side.	Figure 2-37 WEDGE FORMATION Extend the arms downward and to the sides at an angle of 45 degrees below the horizontal, palms to the front.
Figure 2-38 VEE FORMATION Raise the arms and extend them 45 degrees above the horizontal, palms facing forward.	Figure 2-39 LINE FORMATION Extend the parallel to the ground at shoulder height, palms facing down.	Figure 2-40 COIL  Raise one arm, fully extended above the head, and rotate it in a small circle.
Figure 2-41 ECHELON LEFT Extend the right arm and raise it 45 degrees above the shoulder, while extending the left arm 45 degrees below the horizontal and pointing toward the ground.	Figure 2-42 ECHELON RIGHT Extend the left arm and raise it 45 degrees above the shoulder, while extending the right arm 45 degrees below the horizontal and pointing toward the ground.	Figure 2-43 STAGGERED COLUMN Extend the arms so that upper arms are parallel to the ground and the forearms are perpendicular. Raise the arms until fully extended. Repeat.
Figure 2-44 COLUMN Raise and extend the arm overhead. Move it to the right and left. Continue until the formation is executed.	Figure 2-45 HERRINGBONE Extend the arms parallel to the ground. Bend the arms at the elbow until forearms are perpendicular. Repeat.	Figure 2-46 TRAVELING Extend the arm overhead and swing it in a circle from the shoulder.
Figure 2-47 TRAVELING OVERWATCH Extend both arms to the horizontal and raise them up and down.	Figure 2-48 BOUNDING OVERWATCH, COVER MY MOVE Extend one arm to a 45 degree angle above horizontal; bend the arm at the elbow and tap helmet. Repeat.	Figure 2-49 MOVE TO THE LEFT Extend the arm horizontally to the left and raise it up and down to a 45 degree angle above horizontal.
Figure 2-50 MOVE TO THE RIGHT Extend the arm horizontally to the right and raise it up and down to a 45 degree angle above horizontal.	Figure 2-51 CONTACT LEFT Extend the left arm horizontally to the left, and bend at the elbow until forearm is perpendicular. Repeat.	Figure 2-52 CONTACT RIGHT Extend the right arm horizontally to the right, and bend at the elbow until forearm is perpendicular. Repeat.
Figure 2-53 ACTION LEFT Extend both arms horizontally at the shoulder. Raise the right arm until it is overhead. Repeat.	Figure 2-54 ACTION RIGHT Extend both arms horizontally at the shoulder. Raise the left arm until it is overhead. Repeat.	Figure 2-55 ACTION FRONT (RIGHT, LEFT or REAR), FIGHT ON FOOT, or ASSAULT FIRE (DISMOUNTED TROOPS) Raise the fist to shoulder level and thrust it several times in the desired blockquoteection of action.
Figure 2-56 AIR ATTACK Extend both arms to the sides at a 45 degree above horizontal, bend arms at elbow and cross forearms above head. Repeat.	Figure 2-57 NUCLEAR, BIOLOGICAL, CHEMICAL ATTACK Extend both arms and fists to the sides, horizontally, bend arms at elbow until fists touch shoulders. Repeat.

2-5. Patrolling Arm-and-Hand Signals
Patrolling is conducted by many type units. Infantry units patrol in order to conduct combat operations. Other units patrol for reconnaissance and security. Successful patrols require clearly understood communication signals among members of a patrol (Figures 2-58 through 2-63).

Figure 2-58 MAP CHECK Point at the palm of one hand with the index finger of the other hand.	Figure 2-59 PACE COUNT Tap the heel of a boot repeatedly with an open hand.	Figure 2-60 RADIO-TELEPHONE OPERATOR FORWARD Raise the hand to the ear with the thumb and little finger extended, mimicking use of a telephone.
Figure 2-61 HEAD COUNT Tap the back of the helmet repeatedly with an open hand.	Figure 2-62 DANGER AREA Extend the right arm parallel to ground, hand open, palm down, and draw the hand across the neck in a throat-cutting action. NOTE: This movement is the same as fig. 2-17, STOP ENGINES. The difference in meaning is understood from the context in which it is used.	Figure 2-63 FREEZE Raise arm horizontally, bent at the elbow with forearm and fist perpendicular, at head level.

2-6. Signals to Control Convoys
a. Traffic Control. These signals are normally used by authorized officials (civilian and military police, and personnel at traffic control points) to blockquoteect traffic. At night, these signals are given with a flashlight or a lighted wand (Figures 2-64 through 2-68).

b. Convoy Control. In addition to traffic control personnel, convoy commanders can use arm-and-hand signals to convey messages (Figures 2-69 through 2-72).

Figure 2-64 LEFT AND RIGHT TRAFFIC STOP Stand facing traffic with arms raised, palms open, in the same plane as the shoulders.	Figure 2-65 FRONT TRAFFIC STOP Stand facing traffic with arm raised, palm open, towards traffic.	Figure 2-66 REAR TRAFFIC STOP Stand with back to traffic, arm raised, palm open; Rotate the upper body at waist so that palm is towards traffic.
Figure 2-67 TRAFFIC FROM THE RIGHT, GO Stand with the right side facing traffic, left arm extended, palm open. The right arm is parallel to the ground and bent with the palm at shoulder level.	Figure 2-68 TRAFFIC FROM THE LEFT, GO Stand with the left side facing traffic, right arm extended, palm open. The left arm is parallel to the ground and bent with the palm at shoulder level.	Figure 2-69 OPEN UP (EXTEND DISTANCE BETWEEN VEHICLES) Extend the left arm horizontally to the side, palm to the front, then move the arm downward to an angle 45 degrees below horizontal. Repeat several times.
Figure 2-70 CLOSE UP (REDUCE DISTANCE BETWEEN VEHICLES) Extend the left arm horizontally to the side, palm up, then raise arm to the vertical. Repeat several times.	Figure 2-71 PASS AND KEEP GOING Extend the left arm horizontally to the side, palm to the front, and describe large circles to the front by rotating the arm clockwise from the elbow. Repeat several times.	Figure 2-72 MOVE IN REVERSE Face the unit being signaled and raise the hand to shoulder level in front of the body, palm facing traffic; extend the arm forward to its full extent in a pushing motion, keeping the palm to the front. NOTE: This is done when the commander's vehicle has halted.

 
2-7. Signals for Recovery Operations
Although recovery operations normally involve maintenance personnel who know the arm-and-hand signals required, all soldiers should be familiar with some basic signals in order to assist in recovery (Figures 2-73 through 2-80).

Figure 2-73 RAISE THE HOIST WINCH CABLE Extend the arm to the side and bend it upward at the elbow. Extend the index finger from the fist, rotate the hand slowly.	Figure 2-74 LOWER THE HOIST WINCH CABLE Hold the arm downward and out slightly from the side. Extend the index finger from the fist, rotate the hand slightly.	Figure 2-75 RAISE THE BOOM Extend the arm and fist toward the operator, thumb pointing up.
Figure 2-76 LOWER THE BOOM Extend the arm and fist toward the operator, thumb pointing down.	Figure 2-77 IN HAUL THE MAIN WINCH Point at the operator with the index finger. Rotate the arm in a circular motion.	Figure 2-78 PAY OUT THE MAIN WINCH Bend the arm bringing the hand in front of the chest. Move the hand down and away from the body at belt level, circling back to the chest. Repeat until the signal to stop.
Figure 2-79 LOWER THE SPADE Point at the spade with the index finger of the left hand. While pointing with the left hand, extend the right arm and fist toward the operator, thumb pointing down.	Figure 2-80 RAISE THE SPADE Point at the spade with the index finger of the left hand. While pointing with the left hand, extend the right arm and fist toward the operator, thumb pointing up.

 

DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTION: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

*This publication supersedes FM 21-60, 10 December 1984.

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