CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Marines and sailors attached to Headquarters Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 2 conducted a land navigation course at Camp Davis aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 22, 2012.
The purpose of the training was to ensure troops are capable of navigating their way through any clime or place using only a compass, protractor and a map of the area.
Prior to the day’s hands-on training, the company held classes to re-familiarize students with the lensatic compass and how to plot points on a topographic map.
“Everyone needs to know how to read a map,” said Staff Sgt. Forrest Allen, the regiment’s data section chief. “Batteries run out.”
After refreshing the basics of navigation, teams of two began at one of several designated starting points and shot an azimuth to their first set of coordinates. An azimuth is an angle measured in a clockwise direction from a north base line.
Each destination was marked with a small flag, with a different word displayed on each. Marines were required to write the word down, as proof they were actually there, before moving to the next point.
Where they started would determine the order they should have the words indicating they went to the correct points.
“We want them to be able to read the map, use the compass and guide through terrain,” Allen said. “But we also want them to build their confidence in doing all these things.”
Students had three hours to navigate the grounds in Camp Davis and find eight points.
“Everyone did well,” Allen said. “We didn’t have as much time as we planned, but the average points found were three. If they had the full amount of time, they were on track to find all or at least most of the points.”
The Marines and sailors with Headquarters Co. put boots to the dirt and proved they could subtract technology from the equation and effectively maneuver using just a compass, protractor and map.