SniperCentral

[AK]

Greasestick is facial camouflage, the "cancer in a can" or "tubes of warpaint" in green/brown/black and other colours, depending on manufacturer. It is not commonly seen in use in contemporary operations as a result of the nature of deployments. Specialists such as reconnaissance and other ISTR personnel, to include snipers when they are deployed away from larger mainforce units continue to use it, I'm sure, but it's not commonly pictured.

Given the ambient temperatures there, I imagine one would just sweat it off and have to reapply every ten minutes in any case, so I can understand why it isn't used more commonly.

What I'd like to do here is collect some tips and discuss use of this camouflage. When required, I'll often apply it to hands and wrists in the event that my gloves ride down or my cuffs ride up, face, ears and neck, being sure to get the back of the neck as well.

The methodology I follow is derived from Mark Spicer's book "Sniper", blended with techniques gleaned from graduates of the CF recce course. I note the dominant colour in the area in which I'll be stalking/patrolling and apply a thin base coat of this colour to all exposed skin. In the autumn this is typically brown, in the summer this is sometimes green, depending on how much water the area's gotten.

From here I note the predominant direction of foliage growth and apply darker browns or greens as appropriate to match. Darker tones go on lighter parts of the face, for me the nose, chin, cheekbones and jaw especially. I typically remove my gloves, roll my sleeves halfway back to the elbow, and remove my hat to apply this camouflage evenly: there have been a number of times that I've been crawling and an evergreen branch has pushed my hat back on my head a few centimeters. I'm sure some of you have seen "Heartbreak Ridge". Note Clint Eastwood's character near the end when he removes his boonie hat and how the upper part of his head is uncamouflaged. We are looking to avoid that: continue the camouflage up into your hairline.

I do not recommend merging the camouflage beyond your hairline, as I find that to be rather uncomfortable. Experiences and preferences will vary. If your hair is short enough it shouldn't be an issue. Note that you will sweat and this will help blur the lines. What you need to be aware of is the risk of the camouflage running off with your sweat rather than it blurring together. If you're using the issue stuff (CF, US, UK) it shouldn't blend together too badly with sweat. Effects with other products may vary.

There is a technique of adding false depth which I have found to be useful. Try laying in a light colour on an area that is not bright, as is standard, but consider adding some white cream underneath a black or brown. Done correctly it should simulate (and match) light breaking through foliage: handy in the forest. It also helps offset the "whites of the eyes" issue, but this is a problem often overstated; usually your eyes will be red-rimmed from lack of sleep, half closed because of the sun's glare and exhaustion, and generally nowheres near as visible as these guys like to pretend they are. This reminds me: do try to apply some greasestick to your eyelids, it's a good idea to get them with the thin coat. Under close observation, you blinking will be visible if it involves two light-coloured spots appearing erratically.

Any thoughts, additional techniques, comments?

[The Koz]

In cold weather it helps to apply heat (lighter) to cem stick
_________________
Roger
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Where was the oversight committee on that !

[AK]

I'm so glad you told me. That explains why it hurt so much when I jabbed myself in the face with an OD green icicle.

[kraigwy]

[DaddyX]

[Orkan]

[natdscott]

[bjdm151]

The best thing I ever found to take this stuff off was the anti pimple type face wipes (Noxema?).

[AK]

bjdm151; your experience meshes with mine. The highest strength "Oxy" pads seem to work best, even through beard.

[bjdm151]

OXY, thats what i was looking for! But the longer the stuf stays on the more pads you have to use. And its not like oxy pads make your face feel good, so they must work! Has anyone tried turpentine?

[AK]

Wouldn't recommend it. Used it once to get paint off, flayed my skin pretty well with it. Not exactly conducive to good shooting if your face is so sore it hurts to get cheek weld.

[GWHLP]

yeah definately heat it up if using the sticks.. those will take skin off. I prefer the 3 or 5 color camo compacts.
The wife's makeup remover works very well to take it off. Dont use her good face towels though or you'll be in for a battle.
_________________
USMC 91-99
0311/8541
"The deadliest weapon in the world is a marine and his rifle"
Gen. John "Black Jack" Pershing. US Army

[Ghost]

Don't use the sticks. Use the creams. They stay as creams and don't give you cancer. I know at least in Canada we no longer issue the sticks are we expose our guys to enough hazards already...

Re-apply as you need it and only as you need it. Breaking up outlines as you said are key. Also don't rely solely on paint to do this. When able, button up your shirt higher to cover the neck area. Or use a scarf of other material to break up skin and silhouette. Often looking at it backwards is easier. Why are things seen? Answer those questions and do the opposite. Always sing (in your head) "one of these things is not like the other" when obtaining a vantage point/concealment, or when applying your paint.

It is still thick and will still clog your pours and make your face feel crappy. Wet Baby wipes work well to get it off.

Excuse the pics, I had to scan them from 2004, when a digital camera was to expensive to take into the field and a disposable was king.



First pic. You can notice my nose is too light, as with my chin and mouth area. It was fairly hot and I likely wiped my face or ate. Re-apply cam as needed.

Features like a big noses need to be darker, and areas of the face that are darker from shadows like near the eyes need to be lighter. General rule, if it sticks out, make it darker, if it is dark, make it lighter. Key is neutral look that is blended.



Looking at the two pics above. I am in the same spot, first is prone and second is obviously kneeling. No skin is showing. Kneeling would be death, and the silhouette shows a clear person.... What I am getting at is position is also very important.

Always fun to show old pics