Posted on Mar 16, 2018
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I’m good at measuring distance, four digit grid coordinates, and six digit grid coordinates. I am having trouble with 8 digit grid coordinates and want to get better. I have been trying to practice on the U.S Army Future Soldier site, but I’m still having trouble grasping it. If anyone could give me some advice and nudge me in the right direction, that would be great! Thank you. I am using a 1:50,000 scale military map as provided by the Future Soldier site with a coordinate scale and protractor.
Edited 6 y ago
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 21
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So no shit, there I was
on the land nav course recently, I get a phone call from a LT.
"First Sergeant, I think I am lost".
Now, I know this is a stereotype, so I am on guard for a prank.
"Where are you at, sir?"
"According to the map, I thought I was by a lake. But all I see is an empty field."
This took me a minute to figure out, then I look downhill and espy the problem.
"Sir, you ARE by the lake, I can see you from here."
He was standing on top of the lake in February, and here in Minnesota, that meant it was frozen and covered in snow.
SMH
on the land nav course recently, I get a phone call from a LT.
"First Sergeant, I think I am lost".
Now, I know this is a stereotype, so I am on guard for a prank.
"Where are you at, sir?"
"According to the map, I thought I was by a lake. But all I see is an empty field."
This took me a minute to figure out, then I look downhill and espy the problem.
"Sir, you ARE by the lake, I can see you from here."
He was standing on top of the lake in February, and here in Minnesota, that meant it was frozen and covered in snow.
SMH
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Are you using a mechanical pencil, it’s best to use the finest pencil possible and keep your lines as light as you can while still being able see them when plotting. Additionally, ensure your plotting lines go well beyond the points so that they can be clearly seen past the edges of the entire protractor. Lastly, ensure you account for the natural space between the edge of the square cut-out and the point of the pencil. These three points could be the difference of as much as 100meter errors. Good luck.
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Having taught land nav to OCS candidates for 3 years I learned that the issued protractors were always cut poorly. I found the Ranger Joe protractors were the most accurate.
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My Battalion used to issue a personal plotting square to every marine and Sailor in the battalion. Ask your S-2 if the Defense Mapping Agency still makes them and will issue them. They came in packs of 100 and the command had to pay $2.50 for a pack. The personal plotting square was compatible with 1:50,000 and 1:25,000 to maps, and was about 4"x4" of clear flexible plastic.
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Maj John Bell
SGT Nathan G. - Look on the internet to see if there are any civilian orienteering clubs in your area. Also ask your training NCO if you can take Marine Corps Institute (MCI) correspondence courses. It used to be that the Marines and the Army could take each others correspondence courses for free..
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You need a 1:25,000 meter map and a plotting square. Clear is the best as you can look through it and see your map spot. There are map reading skills courses available through the Army I don't recall the Course number but they supply you with a plotting square and many practical exercises where you locate landmarks on a map.
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I’m glad you asked this question Cause I been out the military 7 years and need a refresher on LAND NAV!
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See if you can get hold one of the old FM's on land nav. they have a lot of great information.
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Google. Garmin watch. iWatch with land nav. app. Mapquest. Phone a Friend.
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Air drop into rural WV with a map, compass, protractor, and K-Bar. You can check the Land Nav and Survival blocks in one trip.
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