NAV 1102 - Introduction to the Field

Open

Aug 13

Written By The Verdant Compass Institute

(1) Enrollment Requirements: None (Open; NAV 1000 recommended)

(2) Duration: 5 hours

(3) Format: Field

(4) Course Description: Move from the classroom to the field. Following a brief review, students transition into small team operations to tackle a foundational daytime navigation course. You will practice dead reckoning, terrain association, and real-time pace counting to locate designated points across moderate terrain under real-world environmental variables. This practical exercise is engineered to transform theoretical knowledge into physical execution, establishing confidence and proficiency in land navigation. This course is designed for participants with little knowledge of orienteering or land navigation and desire a structured, hands-on field application.

(5) Terminal Learning Objectives (TLO):

Participants will be able to:

TLO 1: Calibrate an accurate personal pace count across varying terrain and elevation.
TLO 2: Execute dead reckoning techniques to navigate between designated coordinate points as a team.
TLO 3: Utilize a baseplate or lensatic compass to shoot, track, and follow precise azimuths.

(6) Course Outline:

Phase I — Introduction & Review (1 Hour)
- Instruction: Question and answer opportunity, briefing on navigation course, and final review reminders.
- Practical Application: Terrain identification.
- Key Topics: Safety, terrain features, review.
Phase II — Pace Count & Calibration (1 Hour)
- Instruction: Compass calibration
- Practical Application: Traverse measured tracks to establish baseline pace counts and conduct compass calibration.
- Key Topics: Pace calculation, compass calibration.
Phase III — Team Navigation (3 Hours)
- Practical Application: Receive assigned land navigation course lanes, plot coordinates, conduct route planning, and deploy as teams to navigate assigned lanes.
- Key Topics: Decision making, dead reckoning, azimuth maintenance, terrain association.

(7) Completion & Assessment Requirements:

This course is informational or experiential and does not carry a formal assessment. Credit is awarded based on attendance, participation, and adherence to the Code of Conduct.

(8) Awarded Certificates & Identifiers: