NAV 3101.N - Night Operations

Aug 9

Written By The Verdant Compass Institute

(1) Enrollment Requirements: NAV 2121

(2) Duration: 6 hours

(3) Format: Field

(4) Course Description: Deprived of visual terrain features, night navigation requires discipline and confidence. This solo night navigation course strips away your visibility, forcing you to rely exclusively on dead reckoning, exact pace keeping, and tactile terrain association. You will learn how to use light discipline and maintain spatial awareness in total darkness. Operating during a period of darkness forces participants to overcome the psychological friction of sensory deprivation while maintaining awareness to navigate between designated coordinates. This course is designed specifically for individuals with little to moderate experience in orienteering or land navigation.

(5) Terminal Learning Objectives (TLO):

Participants will be able to:

TLO 1: Execute accurate dead reckoning across varying terrain without the use of a light source during a period of darkness.
TLO 2: Maintain an accurate pace count during a period of darkness.
TLO 3: Apply tactical light discipline during route planning and navigation to preserve night vision.

(6) Course Outline:

Phase I — Course Brief & Preparation (1 Hour)
- Instruction: Instructors provide safety and course orientation brief. Participants are assigned designated navigation course lanes. Complete light discipline prior to conducting the navigation course.
- Practical Application: Participants confirm pace counts on designated lanes.
- Key Topics: Safety, preparation, limited visibility pace count.
Phase II — Navigation Course (5 Hours)
- Practical Application: Individual release onto a navigation course. Participants will traverse the terrain completely isolated, locating distinct coordinates within the allotted time limit.
- Key Topics: Limited visibility land navigation, limited visibility plotting.

(7) Completion & Assessment Requirements:

This course is an enrollment requirement for additional courses and carries a formal assessment. A detailed summary of standards and expectations is provided in the Welcome Letter and/or by cadre upon arrival.
Evaluation Standards:
- Technical Proficiency — Participants must successfully obtain four (4) of five (5) points on the navigation course within five (5) hours.
- Leadership & Character — Adherence to evaluation guidelines and the Code of Conduct.

(8) Awarded Certificates & Identifiers: