If you live in Genesee county and are interested in joining, e-mail Milsurp at milsurpmm810@yahoo.com
A Lesson in Camo Selection
By Milsurp
If you live in Genesee county and are interested in joining, e-mail Milsurp at milsurpmm810@yahoo.com
A Lesson in Camo Selection
By Milsurp
I'm no expert but I do have some experience with winter warfare training and over the years I've developed some thoughts on the matter of winter camouflage.
First of all we have to realize that the human eye is attracted to bright objects and movement. When we wear our white winter camo we become a bright moving object.
In my service in Norway, Korea and at the Mountain warfare training center and recently at Snow Dawg 2007 at camp Stasa I was struck by how quickly I could spot a person wearing their white camo as they moved tactically through the woods, even on an open field or road with a white background. Persons wearing olive green or woodland uniforms just blended much better.
In lower southern Michigan we have primarily a deciduous forest and secondary growth. This type of woods takes on a muted brown or gray appearance in the dead of winter. In more northern areas a great many evergreens are present so those colors are added in as well. I think we can take lessons from the prey animals that have evolved in these types of forests. Look at the whitetail deer. It takes on a very low contrast, muted gray that blends in incredibly well with almost any type of winter cover. It's underbelly is much lighter reducing shadow. Even in other animals this 'two tone' effect can be seen. This helps to fool the eye which wants to separate darks, which look far way, and lights which look closer, it helps to break up the image. I have adopted this two tone effect as part of my personal camouflage philosophy.
From my observations in either type of forest , it appears that there is about a 50% mix of darks from tree trunks and brush and a 50% mix of white from the snow on the ground or on tree branches. Even looking across an open field this mix is present to a degree. Of course a person (in white) moving through the woods or even standing still has most of his body above the ground where he or she contrasts against the darker growth.
At Camp Stasa I watched people close up, deep inside the woods, standing still, kneeling, walking towards me and away from me, single and in groups. In every case those in white caught my attention first and easiest. Some white uniforms where whiter and brighter than the snow! I sat at the end of the road near the fire and watched three Militiamen coming back on their walk, two were in white, one in "greens". The two in white were plain to see the other blended quite well and I probably wouldn't have noticed him as early if not for the other two. I had a similar experience in Norway. I noticed a white dot bopping up and down in the shadows of a pine forest. It was a soldier wearing his issue white knit cap and his woodland cammies. Once I looked closer I also saw the rest of his patrol all in woodland whom I hadn't even noticed...except for his drawing my attention to them. There was 5 feet of snow on the ground at the time. Instead of offering more concealment it raised them up against the lower branches.
Depending upon the general character of the terrain and flora you are operating in, wearing darker camo even in a predominantly snowy environment may work quite well. If you see 'them' and freeze in place before 'they' see you, you my easily be mistaken for bushes or small trees.
As a result I have come to some conclusions. Something like a gray / dull brown mix parka top may be a better choice than white in most circumstances. The camo that Black Jack wore for Snow Dawg 2007 blended quite well once he had taken a few steps into the woods. I also believe that white camo is overused and have come up with my own pet theories about when one should and should not wear it.
DO wear white camo if (snow is on the ground):
DON'T wear white camo if:
Mixing white bottoms with darker tops may be an acceptable use, again the eye will want to separate the darks and lights but further investigation using still photos and video footage is needed.
The main thing is to think about what will work best for you wherever you are when you are there. In the military a uniform was worn often for reasons which had little to do with the local tactical situation, you have the option to decide for yourself.
-Milsurp
1-You will be close to the ground and NOT moving, such as in a fighting hole, serving as an O.P./L.P.
2-You will be crawling on snow. Sniper stalk, sentry removal etc.
3-In white out conditions.
4-When you are making a frontal attack, you know the enemy will see you anyway and white camo against a white background may make you a harder target to aim at.
1-You are moving tactically (on your feet) through woods, brush, urban areas etc.
2-You will be against any contrasting background even if it is fairly far off.