Is land nav training alone effective?

[AspiringWarrior]

Hey guys, I'm pretty green at map/compass/terrain association land nav. I'm extremely proficient with GPS but have minimal experience with low-tech methods. I need to hammer on this weakness.

From my very limited previous training, the basic land nav training format seemed to go something like this: get first grid, plot grid, verify with an instructor, plot azimuth and distance, proceed to grid, get next grid, rinse, repeat. There seemed to be pretty extensive prior set-up work on the course by the instructors before the students showed up.

This brings me to a critical question: is training significantly more effective if *someone else* sets up the course before I run it, or could I set up my own courses and still train just as effectively? How important is it that I have no prior idea where the points are?

I want to be a land nav monster by the time I show up to selection. Is training on my own every weekend the right path towards that outcome (supplemented by out-of-pocket-funded civilian classes when available), or is there a better way?

[Pete]

If you set up your own course you know where all the points are - unless you have the memory of a rock.

No mater how hard you try when you get near one your memory will start spotting familiar terrain.

[Trapper John]

Originally Posted by AspiringWarrior

Hey guys, I'm pretty green at map/compass/terrain association land nav. I'm extremely proficient with GPS but have minimal experience with low-tech methods. I need to hammer on this weakness.

From my very limited previous training, the basic land nav training format seemed to go something like this: get first grid, plot grid, verify with an instructor, plot azimuth and distance, proceed to grid, get next grid, rinse, repeat. There seemed to be pretty extensive prior set-up work on the course by the instructors before the students showed up.

This brings me to a critical question: is training significantly more effective if *someone else* sets up the course before I run it, or could I set up my own courses and still train just as effectively? How important is it that I have no prior idea where the points are?

I want to be a land nav monster by the time I show up to selection. Is training on my own every weekend the right path towards that outcome (supplemented by out-of-pocket-funded civilian classes when available), or is there a better way?

If memory serves there are orienteering clubs in your AO. I would recommend you seek out an experienced partner that is willing to mentor you and participate in club events as much as possible. That shouldn't cost much, it will provide great experience and is fun.

[tom kelly]

FM 21-26 is the Department of The Army Field Manual. Map Reading. Obtain a map for the area you intend to navigate. For example, if you were stationed at FT.BRAGG, NC. you would use a Transverse Mercator Projection Sheet Map 5224 lll series v742 Fayetteville, North Carolina 1: 50,000. Maps can be obtained from Army Map Service, Corps of Engineers. The other items you will need are A Lensatic Military Compass and The round military protractor.

[7624U]

Originally Posted by AspiringWarrior

I want to be a land nav monster by the time I show up to selection. Is training on my own every weekend the right path towards that outcome (supplemented by out-of-pocket-funded civilian classes when available), or is there a better way?

If your still in Colorado Springs, getting the theory down on how to do land nav will be the first step but it will be had to practice in Colorado compared to North Carolina. and what I mean by that is the terrain is so different, wide open and all landmarks look the same not many trees, vs defined terrain and thick vegetation.
practice hand rails, backstops and your pace count with a load on your back.

[Box]

I'm pretty green at map/compass/terrain association land nav. I'm extremely proficient with GPS but have minimal experience with low-tech methods.

Just for shits and giggles, I'd like you to consider one of the SOF Truths (even though most everyone has just sort of written them off as silly and antiquated)

"Humans are more important than hardware"



GPS signals can be scrambled - batteries will die.
The north seeking arrow will almost never let you down.
You will never truly master the art of being alone and unafraid if you place all of your trust in hardware.
"YOU" are more important than GPS hardware - trust yourself not Garmin

So - good luck

[mark46th]

Learning to navigate is the most important skill you can learn. Your mission can never be accomplished if you can't get there. I agree with Trapper John, join an orienteering club in your area.

[Trapper John]

Originally Posted by Box

Just for shits and giggles, I'd like you to consider one of the SOF Truths (even though most everyone has just sort of written them off as silly and antiquated)

"Humans are more important than hardware"



GPS signals can be scrambled - batteries will die.
The north seeking arrow will almost never let you down.
You will never truly master the art of being alone and unafraid if you place all of your trust in hardware.
"YOU" are more important than GPS hardware - trust yourself not Garmin

So - good luck

[TFA303]

That brings to mind this book I found some years ago:
https://www.amazon.com/Green-Berets-.../dp/0938263005

Is this one y'all are familiar with?

Are the techniques in this book practical and effective?

[Pete]

Originally Posted by TFA303

That brings to mind this book I found some years ago:
https://www.amazon.com/Green-Berets-.../dp/0938263005

Is this one y'all are familiar with?

Are the techniques in this book practical and effective?

Not read the book and don't think I've used any of the techniques - because I haven't read if.

Back to the original poster. Take up orienteering, get comfortable being in the woods alone and in the dark, learn how to look at a map and see it on the ground, see the ground and be able to transfer what you see to a map. Learn how to follow an azimuth and get your pace count down - over different ground and with light and heavy loads.

Do all that and you should do well.

[Surgicalcric]

Originally Posted by Box

Just fo

"Humans are more important than hardware"

First, what my esteemed Brother said!

The terrain will vary greatly between where you are and the sand hills of NC to the jungles of SWA and South/Central America. If you study the perfect the skills you can use them no matter where you are. An orienteering club would do you well to start.

Bon Chance!

Crip

[miclo18d]

I love land nav!

Navigation with a GPS is not land nav.

My base pace count is 65-68 (every left foot), it will never be forgotten and I haven't land nav’d in 15 years!

My dad thought me land nav when I was about 14 or 15, he took me to a local state park that had an orienteering course set up on it. As many have said join a club, if they still exist. Check your local state or federal park to see if they host these clubs.

Excellent advice otherwise.


Oh yeah, trust your compass, even when YOU know you’re right! After crossing through 50m of thickets, I knew I was headed the right way...I pulled out my compass and realized I came out of the thickets where I started facing 180 deg from my direction of travel!

[PSM]

Originally Posted by miclo18d

I love land nav!

Oh yeah, trust your compass, even when YOU know you’re right! After crossing through 50m of thickets, I knew I was headed the right way...I pulled out my compass and realized I came out of the thickets where I started facing 180 deg from my direction of travel!

After my son finished AIT (13F), he came to AZ and we went Ghost Town hunting. Near here is a well hidden GT (even when you are standing in the middle of it) and we set out to find it. I had a pretty good idea where it was but there was no trail from where we started. Cocksure son immediately took point and led us in the opposite direction. I let him get about 1/2 mile before I pointed out his mistake. Oh, BTW, while there was no trail but there was a river.