ARM AND HAND SIGNALS
You must know and be able to use these basic arm and hand signals. (FM 21-60-2, Arm and Hand Signals)

ATTENTION Extend arm sideways, slightly above horizontal, palm outwards; wave arm to and from the head several times.

I DO NOT UNDERSTAND Face source of the signal you do not understand. Raise both arms sideways to horizontal. Bend both arms at elbows and place both hands across your face, palms outward.

I UNDERSTAND or I ACKNOWLEDGE Hold right hand in fist at neck height, with thumb extended.

DISREGARD or AS YOU WERE Face individual being signaled; raise both arms and cross them overhead.

I AM READY, or ARE YOU READY? Extend arms toward person being signaled; then raise your arms slightly above the horizontal, palm outward.

PREPARE TO MOVE OUT Simulate cranking of engines by rotating fist in a circle at waist level.

ADVANCE or MOVE OUT Face direction of movement, extend arm to the rear, swing arm overhead and forward in the desired direction of movement.

HALT or STOP Raise hand upward to full extent of arm, palm outward.

FOLLOW ME Face desired direction of movement; hold arm extended to rear; then swing it overhead and forward in a sweeping movement until it is horizontal, palm down.

OPEN UP marching column into a LINE ABREAST Point hands together over head, swing hands slowly down to a horizontal position.

INCREASE SPEED or DOUBLE TIME or RUSH Raise hand to shoulder, fist closed; thrust fist upward to full extent of arm and back down rapidly.

CLOSE UP a line abreast into a COLUMN of march Hands held open and horizontal to left and right, raise them slowly together to position overhead.

ASSEMBLE or RALLY Raise the arm vertically overhead, palm to the front, and wave the arm in a large circle.

CROWD CONTROL FORMATIONS
These hand and arm signals may be used to change the shape of troop formations in cases such as crowd control.

Form a LINE ABREAST Disperse the formation into a single rank by squads

Form a WEDGE formation Disperse the formation into a wedge forward by squads

Form a VEE formation Disperse the formation into a vee to the rear by squads

Form an ECHELON LEFT Disperse the formation into a single rank by squads, with the leftmost man forward

HOME

Contact the webmaster:
Major Dave Gowan
IT Sec HQ SCSG
dgowan@tfn.net

ATTENTION	Extend arm sideways, slightly above horizontal, palm outwards; wave arm to and from the head several times.
I DO NOT UNDERSTAND	Face source of the signal you do not understand. Raise both arms sideways to horizontal. Bend both arms at elbows and place both hands across your face, palms outward.
I UNDERSTAND or I ACKNOWLEDGE	Hold right hand in fist at neck height, with thumb extended.
DISREGARD or AS YOU WERE	Face individual being signaled; raise both arms and cross them overhead.
I AM READY, or ARE YOU READY?	Extend arms toward person being signaled; then raise your arms slightly above the horizontal, palm outward.
PREPARE TO MOVE OUT	Simulate cranking of engines by rotating fist in a circle at waist level.
ADVANCE or MOVE OUT	Face direction of movement, extend arm to the rear, swing arm overhead and forward in the desired direction of movement.
HALT or STOP	Raise hand upward to full extent of arm, palm outward.
FOLLOW ME	Face desired direction of movement; hold arm extended to rear; then swing it overhead and forward in a sweeping movement until it is horizontal, palm down.
OPEN UP marching column into a LINE ABREAST	Point hands together over head, swing hands slowly down to a horizontal position.
INCREASE SPEED or DOUBLE TIME or RUSH	Raise hand to shoulder, fist closed; thrust fist upward to full extent of arm and back down rapidly.
CLOSE UP a line abreast into a COLUMN of march	Hands held open and horizontal to left and right, raise them slowly together to position overhead.
ASSEMBLE or RALLY	Raise the arm vertically overhead, palm to the front, and wave the arm in a large circle.

Form a LINE ABREAST		Disperse the formation into a single rank by squads
Form a WEDGE formation		Disperse the formation into a wedge forward by squads
Form a VEE formation		Disperse the formation into a vee to the rear by squads
Form an ECHELON LEFT		Disperse the formation into a single rank by squads, with the leftmost man forward