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After my instructions from Guide Fenlong regarding the Camouflauge field lecture was completed, I got to writing my report. The field lecture taught me that Camouflage is far more than simply hiding among trees or wearing colors that blend with the wilderness. A Ranger must understand BOTH the advantages of the terrain and the weaknesses of those who may be searching for them. I learned to think of physical Camouflage in TWO FORMS: macrophysical and microphysical. Macrophysical Camouflage concerns concealing myself, another person, or a larger object within the surrounding terrain, while microphysical Camouflage concerns smaller objects and finding creative ways to keep them from being noticed. In either case, the three major peripherals remain SIGHT, SOUND and MOVEMENT!! Sight is the most immediate concern; if I can be seen easily, the concealment has already failed. Choosing clothing and positions that complement the deeper tones and natural patterns of the wilderness can help me become less noticeable, while STUDYING THE TERRAIN allows me to find natural niches where I can disappear more effectively. SOUND and MOVEMENT are equally important, and I learned that a good hiding place is not always the place with the most cover. Thick undergrowth may conceal me from sight, but it can also create noise and restrict my ability to move when I need to relocate. A snapping branch or rustling shrub can reveal what the eye cannot find. MOVEMENT therefore must be deliberate, slow, and carefully considered rather than quick or jerky. I should observe the environment before choosing where to position myself and consider not only how well I can hide there, but how quietly I can enter, leave, or change positions. I also learned that Camouflage EXTENDS THE TOOLS of a Ranger! Trapping relies heavily upon concealment, because an animal or an adversary cannot avoid what it does not notice. (I'm looking forward to my Trapping instruction!) An improperly concealed trap may still catch the careless, but properly camouflaging a trap allows the terrain itself to hide the danger. Most importantly, I learned that Camouflage is a STYLE OF LIVING rather than a simple trick used when I wish to disappear. A Ranger should REMAIN AWARE of the natural world, noticing the small changes in sight, sound, and movement while taking care not to disturb the environment unnecessarily. Whether concealing myself beneath the shadows, keeping an important object from notice, or disguising a trap within the surrounding terrain, the purpose remains the same: USE WHAT THE WILDERNESS PROVIDES instead of fighting against it. The words that "a true master of Camouflage is not hidden when desired, but rather seen when desired", now carry greater meaning to me! Mastery is not simply being unseen, it is understanding the environment well enough to decide when I should be noticed, when I should disappear, and how the land itself can become part of my strategy. | |