USMC Hand & Arm Signals Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What must happen prior to using special signals?

They must be written down

They must be memorized

They must be rehearsed (correct)

They must be approved by a leader

What is the purpose of standard hand and arm signals?

To provide a standard way of communication within a unit.

How do you signal to decrease speed?

Extend the arm out horizontally sideward, palm to front, and wave arm down several times.

What is the signal for 'enemy in sight'?

Hold the rifle horizontally with the stock in the shoulder, pointing towards the enemy. Signup and view all the answers

How do you indicate range?

Extend a closed fist towards the leader, exposing one finger for each 100 meters. Signup and view all the answers

What does the cease fire signal look like?

Raise the hand in front of the forehead, palm to front, and swing up and down several times. Signup and view all the answers

How do you signal to assemble?

Raise the hand vertically, fingers extended, and wave in large horizontal circles. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to commence firing?

Extend the arm in front, palm down, moving it through a wide horizontal arc. Signup and view all the answers

How do you signal to form a column?

Raise either arm to a vertical position and drop it to the rear in circles. Signup and view all the answers

What does the signal 'Are you ready?' entail?

Extend arm toward the person with a raised hand, finger extended, then raise it slightly above horizontal. Signup and view all the answers

What does the shift signal indicate?

Raise the hand on the side toward the new direction and swing the arm to point in that direction. Signup and view all the answers

What does the echelon signal look like?

Extend one arm 45 degrees below horizontal, palms to the front. Signup and view all the answers

How do you signal skirmishers?

Raise both arms laterally until horizontal with hands extended. Signup and view all the answers

How do you signal for a wedge formation?

Extend both arms downward and to the side at a 45-degree angle. Signup and view all the answers

What does the fire team signal look like?

The right arm should be placed diagonally across the chest. Signup and view all the answers

What does the squad signal entail?

Extend the arm and hand toward the squad leader, moving the hand up and down. Signup and view all the answers

What is the platoon hand signal?

Extend both arms forward, making large vertical circles with hands. Signup and view all the answers

How do you signal to close up?

Start with arms extended horizontally and bring hands together in front. Signup and view all the answers

How do you signal to open up?

Start with arms extended in front, palms together, then to the horizontal position, palms forward. Signup and view all the answers

What does the disperse signal indicate?

Extend either arm vertically and wave in the direction of movement. Signup and view all the answers

How do you signal for leaders to join?

Extend arm toward the leaders and beckon with the finger. Signup and view all the answers

What does the signal 'I do not understand' look like?

Raise both arms sideward at hip level, palms up, and shrug shoulders. Signup and view all the answers

How do you signal to move forward?

Extend the arm horizontally to the rear, then swing overhead and forward. Signup and view all the answers

What does the halt signal entail?

Carry the hand to the shoulder, then thrust it upward vertically. Signup and view all the answers

How do you signal to freeze?

Make the signal for a halt and make a fist. Signup and view all the answers

What does the down/take cover signal look like?

Extend arm sideward at 45 degrees above horizontal and lower it. Signup and view all the answers

How do you indicate increased speed or double time?

Thrust the fist upward rapidly from the shoulder. Signup and view all the answers

What does the mount signal look like?

Extend hand downward and raise arm sideward at 45 degrees. Signup and view all the answers

How do you signal to disregard a previous command?

Face the unit and raise both arms, crossing them over the head. Signup and view all the answers

What does the flank signal entail?

Extend both arms in the direction of desired movement. Signup and view all the answers

How do you perform a hasty ambush signal?

Raise fist to shoulder level and thrust in the desired direction. Signup and view all the answers

What does the rally point signal involve?

Touch the belt buckle and point to the ground. Signup and view all the answers

What does the objective rally point hand signal look like?

Touch the belt buckle, point to the ground, and make a circular motion. Signup and view all the answers

How is the pace count signaled?

Tap the heel of the boot repeatedly with an open hand. Signup and view all the answers

What does the head count signal entail?

Tap the back of the helmet repeatedly with an open hand. Signup and view all the answers

What does the danger area signal look like?

Draw the right hand across the neck in a throat-cutting motion. Signup and view all the answers

What does the vee signal involve?

Extend arms at an angle of 45 degrees forming the letter 'V'. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Special Signals

Special signals include non-standard methods of communication in the Marine Corps, such as smoke or flares.
All special signals must be rehearsed and understood by unit members prior to use.

Standard Hand and Arm Signals

Provide a standardized communication method for units, especially when rehearsal of special signals is not feasible.

Common Hand Signals

Decrease Speed: Extend arm horizontally, palm forward, wave downwards several times.
Enemy in Sight: Hold rifle horizontally, stock in shoulder, muzzle pointing toward the enemy.
Range: Extend fist towards the intended recipient; open fist to show one finger per 100 meters.
Cease Fire: Raise hand in front of forehead, palm forward, swing hand up and down several times.
Assemble: Raise hand vertically, wave in large horizontal circles.
Commence Firing: Extend arm hip-high and move it in a wide horizontal arc; modify the signal's speed for faster or slower firing.

Movement and Formation Signals

Form Column: Raise arm vertically and move it in circles parallel to the body.
Shift: Raise hand on the side of the new direction, swing across the body to indicate direction.
Echelon: Extend one arm at a 45-degree angle; direction indicated by the lower arm's position.
Skirmishers: Raise both arms laterally, hands extended, with 'scissor' motion.
Wedge: Extend both arms downward and outward at a 45-degree angle.

Team and Unit Commands

Fire Team: Place right arm diagonally across the chest.
Squad: Extend arm to squad leader, moving hand up and down.
Platoon Hand Signal: Extend both arms forward, palms down, making large vertical circles.
Close Up: Arms extended horizontally, palms forward, then bring hands together.
Open Up: Start with arms in front, palms together, then move to horizontal position.

Special Commands

Disperse: Extend arm overhead, wave in all directions with palm faced out.
Leaders Join Me: Extend arm toward leaders, beckoning with a finger.
I Do Not Understand: Raise both arms at hip level, palms up, shrug shoulders.
Forward: Extend arm horizontally to the rear, move overhead in direction of march.
Halt: Carry hand to shoulder, thrust it upward to indicate stop.

Signals for Action and Safety

Freeze: Make halt signal and form a fist.
Down/Take Cover: Extend arm sideways at a 45-degree angle above horizontal and lower it.
Increased Speed & Double Time: Thrust closed fist upward from shoulder repetitively.
Mount: Extend hand down at side, raising it to an angle of 45 degrees.
Disregard Previous Command: Raise and cross both arms over the head.

Directional Signals

Flank (Right or Left): Extend both arms in the direction of desired movement.
Hasty Ambush: Raise fist at shoulder level, thrust it toward the desired direction; signifies immediate response.
Rally Point: Touch belt buckle, point to the ground.
Objective Rally Point: Touch belt buckle, point to the ground, make circular motion for final preparations before an objective.

Counting Signals

Pace Count: Tap boot heel repeatedly with an open hand.
Head Count: Tap the back of the helmet with an open hand.

Danger Signals

Danger Area: Draw the right hand across the neck in a throat-cutting motion.
Vee: Extend arms at 45 degrees above horizontal, forming a "V" shape.

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Description

Test your knowledge of USMC hand and arm signals with this quiz. Learn about special signals and their proper uses within a unit. Rehearsal and understanding of these signals are crucial for effective communication in the field.