What happened to face paint?

SSG V. Michelle Woods — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 13:58:18 -0500

Not intending for this to be an extensive discussion, but Im just wondering what happened to face paint in the Army? I've never had the chance to wear it and I've never seen anyone in person wearing it. <div><br></div><div>Do people still use it for concealment and during training? </div><div><br></div><div>**Thanks MAJ Parker for sharing the Maybelline photo. It's my cover photo on Facebook :)</div>

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Feb 1 at 2014 2:19 PM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 14:19:52 -0500

Went the way of so many other things over the last 10 years. Expect it back in training as the METT-T changes.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2014 2:34 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 14:34:04 -0500

What do you mean nobody does face paint anymore? This is me as the Hulk for a Halloween Run here in Theater..... You know we have gotten too garrison in a deployed environment when this happens, LMAO!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2014 3:29 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 15:29:54 -0500

Back in my early years as an 11B between 2005 and 2008, we still used it. Not sure if my old unit is still using it or not, but I mean, it wasn't THAT long ago.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Feb 1 at 2014 3:32 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 15:32:13 -0500

Face paint was intended to help camouflage you so the enemy has less chance to detect you.  Face paint doesn't do you much good in the desert when you can see for miles....or if you are jumping out of a huge, loud MRAP or IFV.   

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2014 4:23 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 16:23:03 -0500

you're not really missing anything interesting, puttin some baby oil on your face before you put it on, or not. then smearing it all over your face, neck, ears etc, sweating with it, and then trying to wipe it off and out of your gear,, smh, i do not miss that crizap at all.<br>

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Feb 1 at 2014 5:12 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 17:12:08 -0500

I think it stopped when the Army went to a uniform that didn't blend into anything any more. What's the point of concealing a face when nothing else blends in to the environment?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2014 5:13 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 17:13:44 -0500

I haven't wore camo paint since Korea (2005), seems like one day we all had to wear it, then the next day we weren't anymore. I don't miss it, my face would get tore up trying to get it all off

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Feb 1 at 2014 5:49 PM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 17:49:50 -0500

I still own camo sticks. I still remember how to use them. I am ready for BDUs to come back.

Stranger things have happened in our Army...haven't they? ;)

Response by CSM Chris McKeown made Feb 1 at 2014 7:32 PM

CSM Chris McKeown — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 19:32:45 -0500

SSG Woods,<br><br>Hit some of the SF guys up for some camo sticks and ask them to show you how to apply it, they still use it and I'm sure will love to show you how to apply it properly. Also hit them up for a set of Multi-Cams and you will be all set for some real hide and seek. <br><br>If you want to get hard core on concealment seek out the sniper teams there at Ft Bragg, if you can find them. lol<br><br>Having the knowledge of concealing yourself is a good thing to have. I make my troops do it at least once a year in a field environment. <br>

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2014 11:21 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 23:21:38 -0500

Computer vomit doesn't look good in a face paint form.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2014 12:29 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Feb 2014 00:29:01 -0500

I couldn't imagine trying to duplicate the UCP on your face....HA! Blob, Dot, Dot, Blob, Squiggly Shape, Blob, Dot.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2014 3:00 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Feb 2014 15:00:27 -0500

Still using face paint at Ranger School, both instructors and students, albet, the acu face paint which doesn't really make your face blend in to anything except concrete. The whole justification for it was "getting the students into a more tactical mindset, yet RI's will pack out students trash at change over, among many other peeves of mine. Yet my time serving a recce LRS TL we used all types of camo to suit our surroundings if it made sense to put it on. Seen the full spectrum of good and bad ideas when it comes to the Army, be smart about it and use it if you feel it will give you a certain tactical advantage. Just my 2c.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2014 3:09 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Feb 2014 15:09:13 -0500

Ohhhhhh I remember those days! Yes baby oil helped make it easier to take off. I remember many raw faces after you tried to take it off. I remember the standard because "tiger stripes" weren't allowed. Eventually most units allowed you to apply as needed as long as the design wasn't too crazy. Definitely helped camouflage a person in a woodland environment.

Fast forward to today and we don't use it anymore due to our current operating environment but who knows when that will change again. I can see it coming back but who knows maybe it is a dead and gone old tradition.

Response by SSG Laureano Pabon made Feb 2 at 2014 4:19 PM

SSG Laureano Pabon — Sun, 02 Feb 2014 16:19:44 -0500

cloth does not shine, but some parts of the face and hands do, because of the oil the body produces. When light (moon light at night or sun in the morning) shines, these parts; it tends to shine more then other parts of the face. Cheeks, nose, and jaw need to be cam with a color that prevents these parts from shining excessively.

If you just paint your face for the sake of cam, then you didn't know much or nothing about survival. BASIC Training 1976. Cam was taught to us, and each member did help each other to cover these parts. We never painted with tiger stripes and we never painted our face for the sake of painting to see who did a better job. We used the buddy system whom them self knew and were able to apply.

Two images show 1 cam and the other 2 using the buddy system.

While this may never be used, it is good to keep it for your memory in case the next war occurs in a jungle or some location that is liken to Korea.

Remember not every face is the same, so not every one should appear the same, if they do something is very wrong!

This is FYI only

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2014 4:38 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Feb 2014 16:38:27 -0500

This is a fieldcraft skill that was lost, along with many others, over the last decade. Infantry units are already bringing it back into training, but there is a fieldcraft mindset that has been lost amongst our leaders after a decade of operating in COIN environment from FOBs in dessert or urban terrain. It's time we brought it back, because the only certain about our next conflict is that it's location/operating environment/timing is uncertain.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2014 11:12 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Feb 2014 23:12:01 -0500

I don't know, it used to be a requirement every time you went to the field. SGM's would raise hell if they saw any clean skin but not much point until we dispense with the ACU, you won't blend in anywhere but the moon unless you paint that too.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2014 12:43 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 12:43:13 -0500

Well face painting went away when we started adopting new gear; ie Velcro on our body armor. I remember going to the jungle in HI as a Pvt and had to have all of my gear silenced, black tapped, and face paint on every part of skin that was exposed. We were quiet, and moved through the jungle undetected. However, when we adopted Flak Jackets with Velcro, we through away our tactical sense of silence. Coupled with the fact that we have vehicles everywhere, everyone believe that a resupply is around the corner and they don't need to conserve as much. As a young Marine on my second deployment, I was in Kunar Province Afghanistan. The terrain was rough and we ran out of water. Due to the fact that there weren't any roads where we were, helicopters couldn't fly at that altitude, and the planes would resupply is as it was snowing, we did what we had to do by melting snow for water. I was taught this by my squad leader "you can survive three weeks without food, 3 days without water, and 3 minutes without ammo in a firefight; pack accordingly." I use this same mentality with my Soldiers now. I think we have lost our tactical sense.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2014 3:33 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 15:33:42 -0500

The problem with camo is that like so much else in the Army it was a "If it's good for one, it's good for all!" approach. Depending on the terrain and WHAT you're doing, camo's a good idea. But we did stupid things like making Abrams crews camo up, because that face under the hatch might give away the umpteen ton tank with the turbine engines. Very simply, the determination to camo up should be an operational decision made by squad leaders and platoon sergeants. Instead it became a decision of uniformity by field grade officers and the type of sergeants major who're more concerned with parades than practicality. And baby oil is for neophytes. Those in the know use green-bottle DEET in its banned carcinogenic oily concentration, usually found behind the counter of less than reputable surplus stores. That stuff will melt a camo stick regardless of temperature. Just don't get any around your lips or your mouth goes numb.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2014 7:24 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 19:24:28 -0500

true story. we wore it for one mission in Afghanistan during a recent deployment, (our mission was over watching and providing security for a separate engineer mission) and our platoon leader was reprimanded that we were setting a "hostile stance" during our patrols by wearing face paint. we were unapproachable by the Afghan people due to the "war paint."

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2014 8:01 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 20:01:47 -0500

My unit just made it mandatory to have face paint on whenever in full battle rattle. Yes I understand it doesn't blend at all with our current uniform pattern, but who says we will have the same uniform during the next war we fight? As a Scout, we have been slowly moving away from COIN training of the past 10 years and going back to conventional warfare. A simple task such as how to properly wear face paint is one small step in that direction. As an Army we need to be prepared to go into any environment against any enemy. At first there was a lot of groaning about it, but the more it was looked into we as NCOs saw the training value for our unit. So even though it doesn't properly blend with our current uniform, it is a task that has far more training value than just being hidden.

Response by Maj Walter Kilar made Feb 3 at 2014 11:02 PM

Maj Walter Kilar — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 23:02:46 -0500

I wear face paint every day while sitting at my desk. I usually paint it blue, so that it blends in with my computer's Blue Screen of Death. When I am in a meeting, I paint eyeballs on my eyelids, so I can catch up on some sleep while the Colonel is talking. On the golf course I always paint my face brown, since I spend all my time deployed to the sand traps. Maybe this is just an Air Force thing.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2014 2:50 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 02:50:05 -0500

My cat hates makeup. She is at Guantanamo Bay. lol

Response by CSM Michael Poll made Mar 15 at 2014 12:36 PM

CSM Michael Poll — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 12:36:18 -0400

The current operations do not warrent facepait, however, this is something we need to keep in our toolkit as we never know where the next combat environmet will be.  We may be in the woodland or jungle again.  good point not to forget the old training that we all grew up with, it will be needed again!

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2014 10:07 AM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Mar 2014 10:07:15 -0400

I suppose this is an option:

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 2 at 2014 1:08 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 13:08:59 -0400

I wear it all the time on Halloween!

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Jun 2 at 2014 1:16 PM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 13:16:53 -0400

We use it for some training in my unit. Over the past decade, I haven't seen it used as much since ACUs don't blend in well with face camo paint.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 2 at 2014 4:25 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 16:25:14 -0400

My daughter does it all the time. She really likes the kitty cat or butterfly...oh for concealment, not so much, but I would still recommend the kitty cat.

Response by MSG(P) Michael Warrick made Jun 2 at 2014 7:20 PM

MSG(P) Michael Warrick — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 19:20:08 -0400

Camo sticks are still available through the MILSTRIP system to order.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2014 7:31 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 19:31:45 -0400

SSG Woods:

The last time I used face paint was in 2006. Clothing sales, General Jackson's, several other stores sell it in what pretty much looks like a green Maybelline compact - even had a mirror in it, and it had anywhere from three to six different colors depending on which one you wanted. Any Soldier who valued his/her face (knowing they were going to the field) would go buy one rather than use the army sticks - which were ok in hot weather but SUCKED in anything below 72º F. Sometime in 2004 or maybe a little later, the Army decided to reformulate the sticks and they were a lot softer - they probably still are.

The biggest problem with the camo paint (other than it being hard as a brick), was that it was hard to get supply to order anything other than green and loam. There are a total of six camouflage colors: white, black, green, loam (sort of a dark green), tan (sand) and brown. Usually, the sticks come with white/black, green/loam. I believe there are brown/tan sticks, but can't swear to it.

Also, both applications of camouflage above are incorrect.

To properly apply it, dark areas (eyes, under the nose, neck, inside the ears) that are shaded, should have lighter shades of color, and light areas that are highlighted (outside of the ears, tip of nose, mouth, cheeks) should typically have darker shades. A distinct pattern (such as leaves, tiger stripes, etc.) should be avoided, and care should be taken to ensure that the ears, back of the neck, and forehead are covered and regularly touched up with the stuff.

Also, (and this is based on research that I read up on about 10 years ago) white/gray and tan should not be used in woodland/desert environments, tan should typically not be used in snowy environments, and green/loam should typically not be used in desert environments. The major color for the environment it is used in should be the majority of paint on the face (so, snow = white with some black/dark spots; desert = tan with some black/brown; jungle/woods = green and brown mostly, with some loam and black; and last - urban = gray (mixing white & black together) with some black)

With the way we conduct war having changed to mostly drones, missiles, and vehicles, camouflage has pretty much gone away, but infantry, and other foot/ground type MOSs still have a need for it.

The unit I told you I was with in Iraq also used it, but only for certain types of operations.

Oh, and the easiest way to get it off is to use baby-wipes.

V/R

Marc

Response by SGT Brandon Jones made Jun 2 at 2014 7:45 PM

SGT Brandon Jones — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 19:45:56 -0400

I just remember cramming it on my face & hands, as fast as I could, doing it the way they wanted it during E.I.B. GOOD-TIMES

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2014 10:50 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 22:50:59 -0400

If you close your eyes and mouth, peek a boo, I can't see you!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2014 10:51 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 22:51:20 -0400

Face paint is a field craft that has it's uses. While in Ranger we had to use it. I can see why you would if you were in a small unit moving around enemy area. When I was a scout we used it when we performing missions.

I would say it is not meant for everyone. If you are rolling up in HUMMVs with face paint you are just being that guy. In Iraq you were never really trying to blend in. We were fighting in the city. We were focusing on urban warfare.

The whole idea of stealth is used in error. I am sorry to burst anyones bubble but I have yet to here of anyone or any team being compromised due to their Velcro on their pocket. It was usually something else. I recall taking to a soldier and he was complaining about the enemy being alerted by velcro. I just looked at him dumbfounded and stated that we ride in Bradleys, you can hear those a mile away. They he realized the error of his ways.

I also recall it being a EIB task. I believe it will make a return in time but not as we focus on desert and urban warfare.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2014 11:24 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 23:24:06 -0400

I want face paint! It's good for more than sporting events.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 3 at 2014 1:35 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 01:35:43 -0400

Looks a bit colorful but I like it. Now it wouldn't work for me since I was playing in or very close to the water. The only place that might have been useful was in Diego Garcia, there is some thick jungle in that little bitty island.

Response by SSG Keith Evans made Jun 3 at 2014 10:44 PM

SSG Keith Evans — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 22:44:29 -0400

IMHO, using camo sticks and learning to conceal ourselves in the environment was one of the most fun parts of training!

Response by CPL Paul Burke made Jun 4 at 2014 4:27 AM

CPL Paul Burke — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 04:27:57 -0400

ive been out for so long i didnt even know they dont use it anymore, i remember everyone had their own individual design they used pretty cool i used to look pretty mean with it, could also tell who as who with the patterns sometimes

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 1 at 2014 9:39 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 21:39:49 -0400

Does anyone here remember the "camo line" at Fort Campbell? Cross this point and camo was mandatory. Every weapons qualification range, any "back-40" areas, etc. Everyone kept camo sticks in their POV!

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 1 at 2014 9:50 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 21:50:35 -0400

Your's truly in 1990 Germany after chasing LRRPS for a week.

Response by SSG(P) Auston Terry made Sep 1 at 2014 10:01 PM

SSG(P) Auston Terry — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 22:01:45 -0400

I remember that I hated seeing camo sticks, 18tth ABC had a camo requirement for training that I'm not even sure they followed at Bragg but we sure did at Hunter AAF, we camoed up for foot marches; even if that was all we were doing. Putting it on wasn't even the worst part, having green ears for a week was, and when I started shaving my head that just made it worse...
I don't miss camo, but field craft is an important skill. I grew up hunting the various small and furries in Montana and I still camo up for bow season, less because I have to and more because it makes my wife think I'm doing more than drinking beer in the woods with a bow.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2014 11:33 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 23:33:02 -0400

I've used it for hooah purposes in field training.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2014 7:58 AM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 07:58:16 -0400

The units I've trained with in the National Guard and the Active Army both still wear and require face paint when conducting FTX's. Soldiers need to understand and know how to effectively camouflage themselves and their equipment. Your uniform is not an excuse to not camouflage. Your uniform alone is not a solution, you need to acclimate it to the environment around you and that is something you can only learn in the field.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2014 2:46 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 14:46:48 -0400

I have no idea. I guess since it's probably not a lot of use in urban warfare, it has fallen by the wayside.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2017 11:49 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 11:49:00 -0400

Desert campaigns and face paint don't mix.