Tricking the eye with camouflage

Canadian soldier in his camouflage uniform with children in Afghanistan.
Photo: Department of National Defence

Hi everyone, I’m Ellie. Being an elephant, I am so big that people can usually find me quite easily. But when I was exploring the museum exhibit about Canada’s mission in Afghanistan, I learned something about how NOT to be seen.

Canadian Armed Forces members served in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014. It was very dangerous and sadly about 158 of them lost their lives there. There was a uniform in a big display case that had been worn by one of our soldiers who served in that far-off country in Southwest Asia. It had a tan, grey and brown pattern that I thought was interesting. But I wondered why they looked like that...

The exhibit plaque explained that this is called “camouflage.” It was a way for our service members to better blend into the dry, dusty landscape that often didn’t have many trees or other greenery. That way, if the enemy was looking for them, they’d be harder to see.

I have heard Veterans of the Afghanistan mission talk about how challenging it was to serve there. Being in such a difficult environment was very stressful—the daily risks and sometimes watching their friends get hurt was tough. Canadians wore their uniforms with pride and seeing this exhibit helped me picture what our service members did in Afghanistan. I thank them for helping others.