This document outlines 39 standardized hand and arm signals used by the United States Marine Corps to silently communicate commands and information over short distances on the battlefield. These signals allow small unit leaders to rapidly transmit instructions to large groups without relying on whistles or voice commands that could be drowned out by noise. Some key signals included decreasing or changing speed, sighting the enemy, ranging distances, firing weapons faster or slower, and assembling or dispersing units.

1. Infantry Common Skills
ICS0903
Hand and Arm Signals
United States Marine Corps
ICS 0903 Slide 107 November 2003

2. HAND AND ARM
SIGNALS
ICS 0903 Slide 207 November 2003

3. 1. WHISTLE
- EXCELLENT FOR SMALL UNIT LEADERS.
- FAST TRANSMITION TO A LARGE GROUP
- PREARRANGED AND UNDERSTOOD
- REDUCED BY BATTLEFIELD NOISES
Three Types of Signals
ICS 0903 Slide 307 November 2003

4. Three Types of Signals
2. SPECIAL SIGNALS
- SPECIAL METHODS AND DEVICES
- FLAG
- PYROTECHNICS
- GROUND-TO-AIR SIGNALS
ICS 0903 Slide 407 November 2003

5. 3. HAND AND ARM SIGNALS
- RAPID TRANSMISSION
- PRE ARRANGED
- SHORT DISTANCE
- SILENT
Three Types of Signals
ICS 0903 Slide 507 November 2003

6. DECREASE SPEED
ICS 0903 Slide 707 November 2003

7. CHANGE DIRECTION OR
COLUMN
ICS 0903 Slide 807 November 2003

8. ENEMY IN SIGHT
ICS 0903 Slide 907 November 2003

9. RANGE
ICS 0903 Slide 1007 November 2003

10. COMMENCE FIRING
FASTER/SLOWER
ICS 0903 Slide 1107 November 2003

11. CEASE FIRING
ICS 0903 Slide 1307 November 2003

12. ASSEMBLE
ICS 0903 Slide 1407 November 2003

13. FORM COLUMN
ICS 0903 Slide 1507 November 2003

14. ARE YOU READY? I AM READY
ICS 0903 Slide 1607 November 2003

15. ATTENTION
ICS 0903 Slide 1707 November 2003

16. SHIFT
ICS 0903 Slide 1907 November 2003

17. ECHELON LEFT (RIGHT)
ICS 0903 Slide 2007 November 2003

18. SKIRMISHERS OR ON LINE
ICS 0903 Slide 2107 November 2003

19. WEDGE
ICS 0903 Slide 2207 November 2003

20. VEE
ICS 0903 Slide 2307 November 2003

21. FIRE TEAM / SQUAD
ICS 0903 Slide 2507 November 2003

22. PLATOON
ICS 0903 Slide 2607 November 2003

23. CLOSE UP / OPEN UP
ICS 0903 Slide 2707 November 2003

24. DISPERSE
ICS 0903 Slide 2807 November 2003

25. LEADERS JOIN ME
ICS 0903 Slide 2907 November 2003

26. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND
ICS 0903 Slide 3007 November 2003

27. FORWARD / ADVANCE
ICS 0903 Slide 3207 November 2003

28. HALT / FREEZE
ICS 0903 Slide 3307 November 2003

29. DISMOUNT, DOWN, TAKE
COVER / MOUNT
ICS 0903 Slide 3407 November 2003

30. DISREGARD PREVIOUS
COMMAND
ICS 0903 Slide 3507 November 2003

31. RIGHT / LEFT FLANK
ICS 0903 Slide 3607 November 2003

32. INCREASE SPEED, DOUBLE
TIME
ICS 0903 Slide 3807 November 2003

33. HASTY AMBUSH RIGHT / LEFT
ICS 0903 Slide 3907 November 2003

34. RALLY POINT
ICS 0903 Slide 4007 November 2003

35. OBJECTIVE RALLY POINT
ICS 0903 Slide 4107 November 2003

36. DANGER AREA
ICS 0903 Slide 4207 November 2003

37. HEAD COUNT
ICS 0903 Slide 4307 November 2003

38. PACE COUNT
ICS 0903 Slide 4407 November 2003

40. Summary
• Purpose of hand and arm signals
• 39 different hand and arm signals

41. Questions
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