MS 301 Lesson 11: Navigational Methods and Route Planning

Navigational Methods
and Route Planning

Revision Date: 31 March 2020

 MS 301 Lesson 11: Navigational Methods and Route Planning

Learning Objectives

 Classify the Four Steps of Land Navigation

 Calculate Straight and Curved Line Distance on a Map
 Select the best Land Navigation technique to apply to
a scenario

Revision Date: 31 March 2020

 MS 301 Lesson 11: Navigational Methods and Route Planning

Land Navigation Steps

 Know where you are
 Plan the route
 Stay on the route
 Recognize the objective

Revision Date: 31 March 2020

 MS 301 Lesson 11: Navigational Methods and Route Planning

Know Where You Are

 Knowing your initial location (start point) on the ground
and map at all times
 Determine distance and direction to your objective
 Terrain and other features such as danger areas, the
enemy, impassable terrain and/or man-made obstacles
present both advantages and disadvantages along the
route to the objective

Revision Date: 31 March 2020

 MS 301 Lesson 11: Navigational Methods and Route Planning

Plan the Route

• Travel time
• Maneuver room needed
• Load-bearing capacities of
the soil
• The factors of mission,
enemy, terrain and weather,
troops and support available,
time available, civil
considerations (METT-TC)
• Ease of logistical support
• Travel distance
• Traffic ability
• Energy expenditure by
troops
• Tactical aspects of terrain
• Potential for surprising the
enemy
• Availability of control and
coordination features
• Availability of good
checkpoints and steering
marks

Revision Date: 31 March 2020

 MS 301 Lesson 11: Navigational Methods and Route Planning

Stay on the Route

 Use dead reckoning (compass readings)
 Use terrain association (landmarks)
 Use a combination of both
 Plot azimuth and distance to or from a checkpoint
or steering feature
 Use resection or intersection to verify your location

Revision Date: 31 March 2020

 MS 301 Lesson 11: Navigational Methods and Route Planning

Recognize the Objective

 Destinations are often hard to recognize
 Use Attack Points: A final checkpoint from which you
can use dead reckoning to your objective

Revision Date: 31 March 2020

 MS 301 Lesson 11: Navigational Methods and Route Planning

What is the distance between Hill 141 and Hill 144?

To determine straight line distance:
1. Lay a straight-edged piece of paper
on the map so that the edge of the
paper touches both points.
2. Make a tick mark on the edge of
the paper at each point.
3. Move the paper down to the B
graphic bar scale, and align the
right tick mark (b) with a printed
number in the primary scale so
that the left tick mark (a) is in the
extension scale. A
4. Read the number from the primary
scale, then the number from the
*extension scale (Remember the
extension scale increases from
right to left).

*Scale extension

2,000 meters
Revision Date: 31 March 2020
 MS 301 Lesson 11: Navigational Methods and Route Planning
What is the distance between Hill 141 and Hill 144, using the roads?
To measure distance along a road,
stream, or other curved line:
1. Place a tick mark on the paper and
map at the beginning point from which
the curved line is to be measured.
2. Align the edge of the paper along a
straight portion and make a tick mark
on both map and paper when the edge
of the paper leaves the straight portion
of the line being measured.
3. Align the last tick marks on paper and
map, pivot the paper until another
straight portion of the curved line is
aligned with the edge of the paper.
4. Continue in this manner until the
measurement is completed.
5. Measure the distance using the scale.

3,400 meters
Revision Date: 31 March 2020
 MS 301 Lesson 11: Navigational Methods and Route Planning

Land Navigation Techniques

Success in combat will depend on:
 Ability to effectively use the detailed information on your
map
 Keen sense of observation to analyze the terrain while on
the move

Accomplished by the use of either or both of the following

navigation techniques:
Dead Reckoning Terrain Association
 Compass  Handrails
 Pace Count  Catching Features
 Steering Marks  Attack Points

Revision Date: 31 March 2020

 MS 301 Lesson 11: Navigational Methods and Route Planning

Dead Reckoning
 Plot your position & destination,
determine your direction & distance
 Use compass and means of
measuring distance to apply on the
ground
 Terrain Considerations
 Tactical Aspects
 Navigational Aspects
 Enemy Situation
 Obstacles (Natural/Man-made)
 Time & Safety
 Advantages / Disadvantages

Revision Date: 31 March 2020

 MS 301 Lesson 11: Navigational Methods and Route Planning

Steering Marks

 Prominent landmarks on your

azimuth of travel
 Select steering marks as you
travel
 Uniquely shaped trees, rocks,
hilltops, posts, towers, and
buildings
 Must be clearly visible when
used at night

Revision Date: 31 March 2020

 MS 301 Lesson 11: Navigational Methods and Route Planning

Pace Count
 Pace = one natural step
 Count as foot strikes ground
 Every Step or
 Every Other Step
 Track distance with knots, pebbles,
or tick marks
 Pace count affected by
 Slopes
 Winds
 Surfaces
 Elements
 Clothing
 Visibility

Revision Date: 31 March 2020

 MS 301 Lesson 11: Navigational Methods and Route Planning

Terrain Association
 Identify and locate selected
features
 Use handrails, catching features
and attack points
 Recognize the limitations of
terrain association
 Selectively combine terrain
association with dead reckoning

Revision Date: 31 March 2020

 MS 301 Lesson 11: Navigational Methods and Route Planning

Closing
Review Learning Objectives:
 Classify the Four Steps of Land Navigation
 Calculate Straight and Curved Line Distance on a Map
 Select the best Land Navigation technique to apply to a scenario  

Questions
 
Next Lesson:
 
CADET POST-CLASS ASSIGNMENT
 Complete Lesson Assessment and return in next class, if required

Revision Date: 31 March 2020