Land Navigation Part 4
Land Navigation Part 4
EXPERT
LAND NAVIGATION
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
USING THE
MILITARY
LENSATIC
COMPASS
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
WARNING
This presentation is intended as a quick
summary, and not a comprehensive
resource. If you want to learn Land
Navigation in detail, either buy a book;
or get someone, who has the
knowledge and skills, to teach you in
person.
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
NOTE
To get the ideas across presented on
these slides, many figures, pictures, and
calculations may not be to scale and
may be exaggerated for clarity.
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
Note:
Prior to being issued any training *equipment, you will be
required to sign a “statement of liability” agreeing to pay for
anything you damage or lose.
Any Questions?
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
BREAK TIME
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
PRESENTATION
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
LAND NAVIGATION
Why Learn Land Navigation? Training and practicing land navigation on foot
provides the following everyday navigation (how not to get lost) benefits;
- Tracking present location (Where am I ?)
- Determining Distance (How far is it and am I there yet ?)
- Sense of direction (Where do I want to go and where am I actually going ?)
- How to read a topographic map (Do I understand the map ?)
-Terrain and map association (What hill or river am I looking at ?)
- Spatial skills (Can I mentally visualize the landscape in 3D ?)
- Planning safe, practical routes (Take a long safe route or a short risky route ?)
- And more Navigational skills
The best way to learn LAND NAVIGATION is to get "dirt time", that is, get out there with a map and compass!
Navigation is not about finding yourself after you are lost (although that’s what happens sometimes); it’s
about keeping track of your position as you move away from a known point. As you move you have to
remain cognizant of the terrain you are leaving, of the terrain you are passing, and of the terrain that is
ahead.
Navigation in the wilderness means knowing your starting point, your destination, and your route to get there.
These skills will allow you to venture farther off the beaten path than you ever thought before.
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
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PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
PART 4
EXPERT LAND NAVIGATION
• Navigation in Different Terrain
– Description
– Skills
• Night Navigation
– Description
– Skills
• Sustainment
– Description
– Maintaining Skills
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
• Navigating accurately in featureless terrain takes lots of... mental concentration, patience, advanced
navigation skills, practice, and experience.
– Dead Reckoning
– Desert (Mountain, Rocky Plateau, and Sand Dune Deserts)
– Jungle
– Snow / Arctic
– Fog / limited visibility
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
Estimated Position # 4
Estimated Position # 7 Estimated Position # 6
290
270º 700m º 500
m
m
00
31 Estimated Position # 3
165º
30
0
º5
º6
º
50
0
25
21
450m
0m
Estimated Position # 2
Estimated 95º 500m Estimated Position # 5
345
Position # 8
º
Estimated Finish
40 0
Position # 9
m
Start 90º 1Km Estimated Position # 1
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
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PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
To avoid some of these, study your map very carefully with your
current surroundings.
There are three types of deserts – Mountain, Rocky Plateau, and Sand Dune Deserts.
MOUNTAIN DESERTS
If you know which mountain you are on, use ASPECT OF SLOPE to identify which side of a hill you are on.
By studying the map and knowing roughly where you are, a slope with the same approximate direction can
usually be quickly identified.
Aspect of Slope. To determine the aspect of slope, take a compass reading along an imaginary line that runs
straight down the slope. It should cut through each of the contour lines at about a 90° angle. By checking
the map and knowing the direction of slope where you are located, you will be able to keep track of your
location, and it will help guide your cross-country movement even when visibility is poor.
1. Take a compass bearing directly down the slope you are standing on.
2. Put the compass onto the oriented map, over the mountain you are standing on.
3. Move the compass around till you find a place where the bearing lies at right
angles to the contours, just as on the ground.
4. You now know your position lies somewhere along the bearing as it is laid out on
the map.
5. To find out exactly where, just check your altimeter. (If you have one)
Use Dead Reckoning, very close intermediate landmarks, short Baselines, Back
Azimuths, etc. to navigate terrain.
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
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PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
The navigator must rely heavily upon the dead reckoning technique when
moving in the jungle.
Navigation is further complicated by the inability to make straight-line
movements.
Travel during the day and get off any established paths at night; animals
(predators) will use these same trails.
Be prepared to follow a meandering course that will take you twice as long to
cover the same ground you would have covered had you attempted a more
direct route (in a clear, easy terrain, of course). Trying a direct route in the
jungle thickets is impossible.
A lost navigator in the jungle can eventually find his way back to civilization by
following any body of water with a downstream flow.
Terrain analysis, constant use of the compass, and an accurate pace count
are essential to navigation in this environment.
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
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PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
REFERENCE POINT
MADE OF SNOW
When hiking in an area near the magnetic pole, always question your compass accuracy, it can mess with
your compass.
Back up your navigational decisions and headings with celestial observation, your shadow, sundial, or watch
technique.
Snow changes things, filling in the landscape…
* Areas develop new and ever-changing contours.
* Depressions are leveled out.
* Drifts fill ravines, turning them into flats.
* Trails disappear.
* Bodies of water look like open fields.
* An ALL WHITE environment reduces depth perception and judgment of distance.
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
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PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
DURING A SNOW WHITEOUT * There is the danger of suffering from vertigo in a world where there is
no clear deference between sky and ground.
* There are times it can be difficult to know whether you are moving up
or down; one useful trick is to toss a snowball ahead of you.
- If it appears to stick in mid-air, the ground ahead must slope
upward.
- If it lands lower than your feet you are on a downward slope
and need to proceed very carefully.
- If it disappears from view, back off quickly; you could be on
the edge of a steep drop, or cliff.
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
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PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
NIGHT NAVIGATION
DESCRIPTION
Darkness presents its own characteristics for Land
Navigation because of limited or no visibility.
However, the techniques and principles are the same
as that used for day navigation.
The success in nighttime Land Navigation depends on
rehearsals during the planning phase before the
movement, such as detailed analysis of the map to
determine the type of terrain in which the navigation is
going to take place and the predetermination of azimuths
and distances.
Navigating at night is challenging and requires a high level of knowledge, confidence, and lots of practice
performing these skills, before heading out to the wilderness at night.
• Dark Adaptation
• Protecting Night Vision
• Scanning the terrain
• Traveling at night
• Night navigation with Lensatic Compass
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
NIGHT NAVIGATION
Dark Adaptation
The first thing is to get your eyes ready for night vision navigation.
• Before heading into the dark, allow your eyes to adjust to the dark. Five minutes in the dark without
looking at bright lights is the minimum necessary, 30 minutes is better.
• Dark adaptation is affected by exposure to bright lights such as matches, flashlights, flares, and vehicle
headlights. Full recovery from this exposure may take up to 45 minutes.
• Exposure to bright sunlight during the day can impair your night vision. Wear sunglasses in bright
sunlight to prevent this. For sunglasses to be effective, all visible light must be attenuated, not just
portions of the visible spectrum. To protect night vision, provide the best comfort, allow for scanning
close to the sun, and provide normal color vision, dark sunglasses with a neutral gray tint are
recommended.
• staying either in a dark area for about 30 minutes, or in a red-lighted area for about 20 minutes followed
by about 10 minutes in a dark area. The red-lighted method may save time by allowing you to check
equipment, or do some other job before moving into darkness.
• If in a white lighted area, wear red goggles for 30 minutes, before heading out in the night. Wearing red
goggles is effective because red light does not affect the eyes.
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
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PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
NIGHT NAVIGATION
Protecting Night Vision
Second thing is maintain night vision during the night. Any bright light can temporarily ruin one's night vision.
• Dark adaptation is affected by exposure to bright lights such as matches, flashlights, flares, and vehicle
headlights. Full recovery from this exposure may take up to 45 minutes.
• Using a flashlight with a red lens filter will not damage your night vision.
• The fashionable eye patch worn by the pirates weren't always due to the loss of an eye. In fact many
pirates did it so that the one eye was good at seeing in the dark.
• If it becomes necessary to look into a lighted area or to use a flashlight, cover one eye so as to retain
some night vision in the eye.
• Use a red light stick to read your map or other activity during the night.
• Night vision goggles (NVG) impede dark adaptation. However, if a soldier adapts to the dark before
donning the goggles, he gains full dark adaptation in about two minutes after removing them.
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
NIGHT NAVIGATION
Scanning the Terrain
Night vision scanning enables you to overcome many of the physiological limitations of your eyes and
reduce the visual illusions that so often confuses the eyes (mind).
• Practice seeing things without looking directly at them.
• The technique involves scanning from right to left or from left to right using a very slow, scanning
movement.
• At night you must avoid looking directly at a faintly visible object when trying to confirm its presence.
Use the corners of your eyes.
• Off-Center Vision. This technique requires looking 10 degrees above, below, or to either side of an
object rather than directly at it. This allows the peripheral vision to remain in contact with an object.
• Bleach-Out Effect. Even when off-center viewing is practiced, the image of an object viewed longer than
two to three seconds tends to bleach out and become one solid tone. As a result, the object is no longer
visible. To overcome this condition, you must be aware of this phenomenon and avoid looking at an
object longer than two to three seconds. By shifting your eyes from one off-center point to another, you
can continue to pick up the object in your peripheral field of vision.
• Practice what you know about seeing at night until it becomes second nature for you to use your eyes to
their best advantage.
• You can use Night Vision Binoculars as an
additional aid in scanning the landscape at night.
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
NIGHT NAVIGATION
Traveling at Night
As you know there are many more hazards at night, where your visibility is limited.
• The basic technique used for night Land Navigation is dead reckoning.
• If you are using Night Vision Goggles (NVG) or Night Vision Binoculars, you can
use other day Land Navigation techniques.
• When moving around in the dark, it is safer to move slowly and slide your feet,
using your toes to sense obstacles in front of you.
• You tend to travel slower and shorter steps, adjust your pace count.
• Lifting knees higher than normal when walking will reduce the chance of
stumbling over rocks, roots, and low branches.
• Stay off paths that wild predators use for preying on other animals.
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PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
NIGHT NAVIGATION
Lensatic Compass for Night Travel
Night Use of the Compass.
For night use, special features of the compass include
the luminous markings, the bezel ring, and two
luminous sighting dots.
Turning the bezel ring counterclockwise causes an
increase in azimuth, while turning it clockwise causes a
decrease.
The bezel ring has a stop and spring which allows
turns at 3º intervals per click and holds it at any desired
position.
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
NIGHT NAVIGATION
Lensatic Compass for Night Travel
327 11
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
NIGHT NAVIGATION
Lensatic Compass for Night Travel
STEP 1
a. Plot your course on the map. Say your travel is a 327º azimuth.
b. Align the North Arrow and Luminous Bezel Line with the Black Index Line.
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
NIGHT NAVIGATION
Lensatic Compass for Night Travel
STEP 2
a. 360º - 327º = 33º sum
b. 33 .. 3 = 11
c. Rotate Luminous Bezel Line 11 clicks right.
NOTE 1
If sum is not exactly divisible by 3,
then round up or down to the
nearest whole number.
* Round up – hit right of target
* Round down – hit left of target
NOTE 2
Check the bezel ring around the face of
the compass; it should make a distinct
click as it is rotated. If it does not click,
you will have to use the alternate
method for night azimuth settings.
ALTERNATE METHOD
360º - 327º = 33º sum
Set Luminous Bezel Line to 33º
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
NIGHT NAVIGATION
Lensatic Compass for Night Travel
STEP 3
NOTE
Use the Luminous Sighting Dots as a visual
queue on aligning your body with the
compass during night navigation.
a. Using the Center-Hold method, rotate your
body till the North Arrow and Luminous Bezel
Line are aligned.
b. The 327º azimuth will be aligned under the
Black Index Line
CENTER-HOLD METHOD
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
NIGHT NAVIGATION
Lensatic Compass for Night Travel
STEP 4
NOTE
Use the Luminous Sighting Dots as a visual queue on
aligning your body with the compass during night navigation.
a. Using the Center-Hold method, keep the North Arrow aligned
with the Luminous Bezel Line.
b. Proceed forward in the direction of the Luminous sighting
Dots.
DIRECTION OF TRAVEL
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
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PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
SUSTIANMENT
DESCRIPTION
Land navigation is a skill that is highly perishable. The Navigator must
continually make use of the skills they have acquired to remain proficient
in them.
Sustainment should use the building-block approach to training;
theory of land navigation; the practice of these skills; land navigation
testing, and building of navigation skills.
The purpose of setting up a sustainment program is to provide
Navigators with training that reinforces and builds on the training they
have received in the classroom and field. All Navigators should receive
this training at least twice a year.
The program also provides the Navigator with a means of identifying
the areas in which they need additional training.
The best way to maintain your LAND NAVIGATION skills is to get "dirt time", that is, get out there with a map
and compass!
• SUSTAINMENT PROGRAM
• TRAIN-THE-TRAINER PROGRAM
• SET UP A LAND NAVIGATION COURSE
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
SUSTIANMENT
SUSTAINMENT PROGRAM
The sustainment program should address all skills from basic map reading to the Navigator planning and
executing a route.
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PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
SUSTIANMENT
TRAIN-THE-TRAINER ROGRAM
The purpose of a Train-the-Trainer program in a group is to develop instructors that are capable of training
navigators with the confidence and skills necessary to accomplish all assigned land navigation tasks.
Development of the Program. The group should appoint a cadre of instructors to act as primary and alternate
instructors for land navigation training.
Determine which instructors conduct which module of training and have them practice until they are fully
prepared to give the training.
These instructors act as training cadre for the entire group. They train their peer instructors to instruct the
subordinate members, and they certify each instructor’s training program.
Use the training modules the group has developed and have the students go through each module of training
until they can demonstrate expertise.
Conduct of Training. Conduct training at the lowest level possible.
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PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
SUSTIANMENT
SET UP A LAND NAVIGATION COURSE
There are basic guidelines to use when setting up a course.
Determine the Standards. The group determines the standards for the course. Recommended standards
are as follows:
• A course is made up of routes (lanes) - no less than 3 lanes, no more than 5 lanes.
• Total distance of a lane - no less than 2,700 meters, no more than 11,000 meters.
• Total number of position stakes (legs) for each lane - no less than 7, no more than 9.
• Distance between stakes - no less than 300 meters, no more than 1,200 meters.
• Time allowed - no less than three hours, no more than four hours.
Decide on the Terrain. The group should use terrain that is similar to terrain they will be using in actual
expeditions / wilderness trips, but, terrain should be different each time training is conducted.
• The training area for a course needs to be at least 25 square kilometers (5Km x 5Km).
Perform a Map and Ground Reconnaissance. Check the terrain to determine position stake locations, to look
for hazards, and to develop training briefings.
The following sequence can be used to develop any type of land navigation course. The difference in each
course depends on the groups guidance.
(1) Plot the locations of your position stakes on a map.
(2) Fabricate position stakes. (what type of material to use – easily visible from a far distance or less visible)
(3) Survey the locations of your position stakes.
(4) Certify the course by having your subject matter experts (SMEs) negotiate each lane of the course.
(5) Prepare course requirement sheets and print them.
(6) Complete a risk assessment of the training area.
(7) Begin teaching.
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
SUSTIANMENT
SET UP A LAND NAVIGATION COURSE
There are basic guidelines to use when setting up a course.
STANDARDS: The candidate must navigate using the compass from a start point, through several
intermediate points (stake points), to a finish point, and record the position stake number for each point
within 4 hours. the following information must be annotated for record purposes:
• Start time.
SUSTIANMENT
SET UP A LAND NAVIGATION COURSE
EXAMPLE #1 SETTING UP A COURSE.
Navigator A training lane #1 – Proceed to SP1, SP5, SP4, SP2, SP7, SP6, SP8, FINISH Point
Navigator B training lane #2 – Proceed to SP3, SP8, SP6, SP1, SP2, SP4, SP5, FINISH Point
Navigator C training lane #3 – Proceed to SP9, SP3, SP5, SP1, SP2, SP4, SP1, FINISH Point
= Stake Points (which may or may not be shown on the student’s map depending on skill level)
Navigator B
Same process above.
SP9
SP5 Navigator C
Same process above.
1 ½ 0 1 KM
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
SUSTIANMENT
SET UP A LAND NAVIGATION COURSE
EXAMPLE #2 SETTING UP A COURSE.
Navigator A training lane #1 – Proceed 235º 500m, 112º 1300m, 352º 800m, 230º 1800m
Navigator B training lane #2 – Proceed 287º 350m, 104º 1300m, 330º 850m, 220º 1650m
Navigator C training lane #3 – Proceed 046º 700m, 108º 1400m, 331º 850m, 232º 1850m
= Stake Points (which may or may not be shown on the student’s map depending on skill level)
SP7
SP8
NAVIGATOR SHOULD FINISH
SP9
ON THEIR ANSWER SHEET
A Navigator A SP2, SP6, SP9, FB
Navigator B SP3, SP5, SP7, FC
SP1 Navigator C SP1, SP4, SP8, FA
SP2
SP3 IF THE NAVIGATOR HAS A
B DIFFERENT ANSWER, THIS IS
WHERE THEY MADE ERRORS IN
C SP4 CALCULATING THEIR “POSITION” AND
ROAD SP5
SP6 LAND NAVIGATION
“STAYING ON COURSE”.
SUSTIANMENT
SET UP A LAND NAVIGATION COURSE
EXAMPLE #3 SETTING UP A COURSE.
Navigator A training lane #1 – UTM Coordinates 55906 428261, 56073 428194, 56059 428307, 55866 428171
Navigator B training lane #2 – UTM Coordinates 55906 428248, 56084 428205, 56025 428307, 55880 428158
Navigator C training lane #3 – UTM Coordinates 55906 428274, 56095 428213, 56040 428307, 55852 428186
= Stake Points (which may or may not be shown on the student’s map depending on skill level)
SP7
SP8
NAVIGATOR SHOULD FINISH
SP9
ON THEIR ANSWER SHEET
4283
A Navigator A SP2, SP6, SP9, FB
Navigator B SP3, SP5, SP7, FC
SP1 Navigator C SP1, SP4, SP8, FA
SP2
SP3 IF THE NAVIGATOR HAS A
B DIFFERENT ANSWER, THIS IS
WHERE THEY MADE ERRORS IN
C SP4 CALCULATING THEIR “POSITION” AND
ROAD SP5
SP6 4282 LAND NAVIGATION
“STAYING ON COURSE”.
4281
558 559 560 561
PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
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PART 4 Expert Land Navigation
Note:
Prior to being issued any training *equipment, you will be
required to sign a “statement of liability” agreeing to pay for
anything you damage or lose.
TESTING
• Written exam
THE END OF
LAND NAVIGATION
PRESENTATION
PART 4