Fieldcraft Land Nav day or night?

Does you present day skill set allow you to still read a map to the 8 digit, plus move to that coordinate using a compass day or night? Or are you so hooked on your GPS you would have issues getting there, home, or calling Tac-Air or Arty on same?
 
Map to ground has always been the fastest for me as well, even on good moon or lite moon with snow cover (nights) I prefer map to ground as it's much faster. Those nights where I can't see past 5-10 feet is really fun but where the compass really shines.
 
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I spent over 19 years in the AK ARNG. We did almost all our training in the winter and few summer drills. In the Winter near or above the Arctic Circle means its night. That was the days before GPS so it was map and compass.

How ever, don't neglect learning to navigate by the stars. Its easier then one thinks.

I will admit Pace Counts on skis suck.

Now I do like my GPS, with the land owner chip. It could keep you out of trouble in Wyoming where they take property rights serious.
 
Does you present day skill set allow you to still read a map to the 8 digit, plus move to that coordinate using a compass day or night? Or are you so hooked on your GPS you would have issues getting there, home, or calling Tac-Air or Arty on same?
Frank changed accounts for me, so I have some posts on the new hide are now showing up as a guest.
 
Always always always carry a 1:50 map on you of your AO. Ok well not at the mall but you know what I mean. Hunting, hiking, camping... because gps will eventually fail... most of the time when it's critical


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I keep paper maps of the whole US in the truck, as well as detailed maps of the S/E an it's bigger city's. They have bailed me out many times when traffic came to a stop in the middle of no where, before I went GPS in the truck. I still keep those maps with me as the GPS had me driving in the river/across plowed fields many times when the antenna went tits up.
 
If you are wanting to work on your Nav skills, take a look at the adventure race Competition Dynamics runs every year (link below). It's a tough event that will test your skills.

http://competition-dynamics.com/sniper-adventure-challenge-2017/

That course is very close to one we ran on Dr. Standfields Ranch in Central Fla. back in the 70's-80's. It was a ass kicker even when I was in my late 20-early 30's. Last I ran it I was 45yo and damn near did not make it threw, do to lack of h2o in the streams that year for resupply. Gut check course no doubt about that.
 
Gunfighter14e2,

Do you know if they stiff run the event in Florida at the Dr. Stanfields ranch?

I'm in SFLA, so the event would be local for me. I'd be interested in giving it a go.

 
Gunfighter14e2,

Do you know if they stiff run the event in Florida at the Dr. Stanfields ranch?

I'm in SFLA, so the event would be local for me. I'd be interested in giving it a go.

Yes they do but it's only about every 4-5 years do to the building an influx that has taken place in the last 25-30 years. Doc's match ( he is dead now) was started by 30 guys in the 70's and the only way you got an invite was to know someone who gave up their slot to you. I gave mine up last year to a Russian Friend and the next one will be his first an pray he does will as my name(like others who gave their up) rides on him. The mileage is only about 25% of the one you listed, but every special round that was ever made an fielded (an some not fielded)in M59/M60/M80 ball is required to be used. Nothing other than a 7.62x51 has ever won it but a 7.62X54R came in second once in the early 80's. It's a 3 day gig and nothing is left out as far as what could be. No one is allowed to see the course, or get the stage op/order prior to or have any contact with others after the stage. No personal comms, watches ect are allowed past the L/D. I've ran it about 10 times and it was totally different each time. Wish I was able to do it again. Wore out, beat down, bleeding, pain, dehydrated, an w/o sleep the 3 days will kick a 20 somethings ass, let alone my last at 45. I have heard a group is thinking about starting a similar gig in the Glades or Green Swamp (near Lakeland) but nothing to-date yet. The Glades would be a cool venue, but Green swamp to me would be better, as it offers many different critters to contend with while trying to be all one can be. LOL Doc's was/is as close to real as it got on a one way. I understand the next one they well be using Drone's to sim Tac-Air an Arty which should be a hoot.
 
Damn. That's no joke. I had no idea they were running events like that in Florida.

Let me know if you come across anymore info on the possible event in the Glades or Green swamp.

thanks

Dario
 
My feet have been butchered by the VA, but I can still push myself (usually harder than I should). Using a map and compass --you mean there's another way? That works? Because anytime I've ever NEEDED GPS to work, well, bad batteries, bad device, can't find more than one or two satts., it was always something. I did my EIB day and night land nav using map only, and I had to get 5 out of 5 points, and I got the worst run --the one with the greatest distances between points. Studied math after the military, which gave lots of insight into everything, including maps and shooting.

So yeah, I'm a bad motherfucker with a map. In my FIST training simulator time I most often times got a hit on first or second round and called for effect after using just the map. I also was the one that would teach maps to our unit during unit training, how to do resections, making your own maps, etc. Just really, really good with 'em, or they are with me.

Funny, I actually wore out a Cammenga compass and it got burned accidentally.... Sent it back asking how much for them to fix it, along with the story behind that particular compass and where all it had been, and they sent me another one for free! Those STAY attached to my gear, don't go off the road without one.