On 1 April, TACOM Life Cycle Management Command issued the Maintenance Information Message 10-040 “Camouflaging Specific Small Arms” stating that, given command approval, Soldiers are permitted to camouflage M4/M16 weapon systems with paint. The TACOM Instructions provide specific guidance to protect the functionality of the weapon system that in turn protects the Soldier.

In essence, MI 10-040 is the Army’s “Weapons Painting 101” textbook for painting weapon systems. Presented here  is PM Soldier Weapons’ crib notes for those Soldiers who have the green light to dress out their weapons with paint to reduce their visual signature on the battlefield.