Central War Gaming - Land Navigation Training

You Must Bring

Very little equipment is needed, but you will need to bring some specific things:

• Compass - It has to be something good, reliable, and which works at night. If you have questions, contact us.
• If a USGI lensatic compass, bring the corresponding protractor or roamer
• Notebook - Preferably a waterproof one
• Pace Count Beads - Attached securely to your equipment so they can be used while walking in the woods
• Cold and wet weather clothing - Dress appropriately for the environment, including footwear. There will be some classroom time, but we will be in the woods, day and night, in October, probably regardless of the weather.
• Food and water - We won't feed you, so bring food, snacks and make plans for the meals indicated. Bring water you can carry while hiking.
• Dim, red light - The night exercise is tactical, so no white lights. Bring something dim, and red or with a red filter.
• And any field gear you may need such as a day pack to carry water, more clothes and snacks for your night exercise, a map case, or so on.
• GPS suitable for field use if you have one and wish to bring it. Not all exercises will use the GPS. You may also try using your phone. Install GPS Test for Android or any GPS tool with MGRS for iOS (I don't have a free favorite).
• Night vision if you have it or rent it.

If you have any problems sourcing any of this equipment, or have questions, just ask us.

NOTE ON COMPASSES: If you are not sure you have a quality compass, contact us to confirm, and discuss what a more suitable one is for your needs.

You are also encouraged to bring a larger notepad to take class notes with, any other land navigation tools you use, a GPS or GNSS-enabled device (including a phone or tablet with a suitable app), night vision, or any other items you use when hiking in the woods or performing your work in such environments.

CWG will provide printed maps, printed classroom materials and handouts, and radios for portions of the field exercise.

You are encouraged to bring all devices such as night vision you have available. Night vision may be available for rent if there is sufficient interest.

Food and Lodging

To keep costs down, CWG will provide no food or lodging for this event. On site tent camping (no RVs) will be available or you may stay in Atchison Kansas, or St Joseph Missouri. Both are about 15 minutes away from the training area.

Bring lunch with you for Saturday, break time or classroom time will be provided for you to eat.

Time will be provided to go into town for dinner on Saturday, and for you to have breakfast before training starts on Sunday.

Course Plan and Schedule

• Saturday - Start 10 am
  • Brief in, dump camping items, etc.
  • Confirm equipment, fix deficiencies
  • Static Field Instruction (classroom, but outside!)
  • Map basics, symbols, scales, grids, and map reading
  • Plotting a grid position onto a map
  • Reading azimuth off a compass
  • Estimating distances
  • Finding your position on a map, reading the grid
  • Finding and using your pace count
  • Terrain association
  • Marching with the compass
  • Movement tactics (hills and obstacles)
  • Teamwork and team movement tactics
  • Late-Lunch/Snack break
  • Issue orders
  • Teams plan, with assistance if needed
  • Teams brief back their plan to cadre, check out radios, last equipment inspection
  • Day exercise. Work as a team to find a brief series of waypoints, quickly, and use radios to confirm right point to HQ, get the next point.
• Saturday Evening - Start 7 pm (Note sunset is 6:42 pm)
• Night compass practice
• Night dim light/covered light practice
• Night vision classroom
• Night vision backyard exercise
• Issue orders
• Teams plan, with assistance if needed
• Teams brief back their plan to cadre, and if approved go out
• Night field exercise is like day, but at night. Instructors will be in the field with night vision to assure you stay safe and grade your light discipline.
• Sunday Morning - Start 10 am
• AAR on the evening field exercise.
• Principles and pitfalls of GPS and other GNSS
• Integrating GPS with your land nav operations
• Questions, other topics
• End by appx 1 pm