Land navigation (military)

One of 24 competitors at the night urban warfare orienteering course during the 2009 Department of the Army Best Warrior Competition at Fort Lee, Virginia

Land navigation, or orienteering, is the military term for the study of traversing through unfamiliar terrain by foot or in a land vehicle. Land navigation includes the ability to read maps, use a compass, and other navigational skills.

Land navigation courses are an essential part of military training. Often, these courses are several miles long in rough terrain and are performed under adverse conditions, such as at night or in the rain.[1]

In the late 19th century, land navigation developed into the sport of orienteering.[2] The earliest use of the term 'orienteering' appears to be in 1886. Nordic military garrisons began orienteering competitions in 1895.[3]

United States

In the United States military, land navigation courses are required for the Marine Corps[4] and the Army.[5] Air Force escape and evasion training includes aspects of land navigation. Army Field Manual 3-25.26 is devoted to land navigation.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Ministry of Defence (1988), Manual of map reading and land navigation, Great Britain: Ministry of Defense (United Kingdom), p. 255
  2. ↑ "Past & present". International Orienteering Federation. Retrieved 2008-09-28.
  3. ↑ "History : International Orienteering Federation". Retrieved 2012-06-26.
  4. ↑ United States Marine Corps (2010). "Land Navigation". U.S. Marine Guidebook. London. ISBN 9781602399419.
  5. 1 2 United States Army (2007). Army Training Circular TC 3-25.26: U.S. Army Map Reading and Land Navigation Handbook. ISBN 9781420928235.


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