Story and photo by Kerstin Lopez
GUIDON staff

Mastering the task of navigating the land and its ever-changing terrain can be challenging, but is a necessary skill every Soldier must possess, and Soldiers attending Initial Entry Training at Fort Leonard Wood are trained to overcome the challenges of land navigation.

Company B, 795th Military Police Battalion Soldiers first learned map reading in the classroom before graduating to the land navigation course at Training Area 148. On the first day of training, Soldiers were taught terrain features such as hills, ridges, valleys, saddles and depressions, and how to properly use a compass.

“Land navigation is the skills obtained using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain,” said Capt. William Owens, Co. B, 795th MP Bn. commander.

The commander said Soldiers need to know where they are in relation to where the enemy may be, and to determine the best route to get from one point to another.

Day two of training was conducted at Training Area 148, where the company tested what they learned in the classroom by doing practical exercises.

Soldiers were broken down into six-person teams and had to successfully complete the land navigation course.

Prior to conducting the course, the first step was for each Soldier to get their pace count by walking 100 meters four times and then taking the median of those numbers to get the most accurate pace count.

    “If someone in the group consistently gets the same pace count, it may be a good idea to make that person the pace man for your group,” said Sgt. Eric Nordin, Co. B drill sergeant.

    “I want everyone to get the experience of this course, so you must trade out and work as a team,” said Staff Sgt. Robert Villarreal, Co. B drill sergeant.

    Villarreal suggested that each person be given a certain role such as map holder, pace man or compass holder. Then after reaching a point, they switch so everyone gets an equal opportunity to experience each role.

    Land navigation training poses challenges for both Soldiers and cadre. Soldiers have to learn a significant amount of information regarding map reading, plotting points, measuring distance and shooting an azimuth, while the cadre have to ensure the Soldiers fully understand the techniques prior to sending them out into the course, Owens said.

“Without this training, we could get lost, or worse — captured by the enemy,” said Pvt. Caci Fulmer, 3rd Platoon.

“And if technology fails, we know we can rely on ourselves,” said Spc. Henry Neurohr, 3rd Platoon.

    The land navigation skills learned during week three of the red phase portion of basic training will be revisited during field training exercises and maneuver and mobility support operations, and remedial training is the key to making sure the Soldiers stay motivated and get a good grasp on land navigation, Owens said.