How well does camouflage work?

Answer 1

As a former commando I can tell you that proper camouflage with appropriate training is extremely effective. There have been instances during exercises that similarly trained officers and soldiers would pass by me and even stepped on me a couple of times without noticing me.

Of course proper camouflage is nothing like what you see in the movies. You must be painted with appropriate to the environment paint sticks from head to nails and may even consider incorporating environmental natural fauna to help you with it. There are also nets where you can attach leaves and branches or even special camo canvasses (but I always prefer natural environment stuff). Furthermore your weapon and anything you carry must also be fully camouflaged usually with camo canvasses

Furthermore proper camouflage must incorporate several colours that are related to the environment colours, for example you would not use dark green colours in a yellowish environment and vice versa. Also the way you paint yourself must not be regular stripes but lines and curves that will break the shape of your figure under any light otherwise you will be spotted by your figure.

A common mistake that beginners make is their heavy use of black and dark colours especially in the night. Yes in the night it is a good idea to use slightly darker colours than you would use during the day but not way too much because once a flashlight is directed to you, your figure will be distinct from the background.

So yes proper camouflage requires training, good instinct and good environment surveillance as well as correct movement or not movement to be effective. But yes it is very effective and if you are a soldier it may save you and your team from being spotted.

To summarize good camouflage requires the following:

- Fully paint exposed skin, nails and eyelids

- Camo clothing suitable for the environment

- Use different colours and shapes to blend in and break figure.

- Use of environmental elements is also recommended especially if you are going to be stationary (if you are moving about it might make you noisy and keep in mind that noise travels faster and further during the night due to higher relative humidity and lack of noise)

- Move only when not being watched, and if you are being watched remain perfectly still no matter how awkward and uncomfortable you may feel.

- Always try to spot mini environments that you would blend in more efficiently.

- Do not wear anything that makes noise or is flashy such as watches, yes even black casios, the screen flashes from indirect lighting)

- Do not smoke ( a cigarette light while puffing can be seen many kilometers away).

If you are interested in stealthy movement try not moving through open plains or on mountain baselines and especially not on top-lines. Slow and smooth is the way to go as rush movements will give away your position. Also beware of any tracks you may leave, though sometimes leaving tracks is inevitable (ex. wheat or tall grass fields) try making them as irregular as possible and never in straight lines.

And remember darkness and nature are your friends.

Unless of course you are referring to natural camouflage of plants or animals... Usually their camouflage is effective against their main preditors. For example zebra's are easily seen and distinguished with human eyes but if you are a lion or another big cat isolating one zebra from the rest of the pack is near impossible.