7. Compass Components, & Pace Count

                                                   1st Texas Young Marine Regiment 
                                                          Junior Leadership School 
                                                   Day 2, July 9th, Time: 1300-1400

Compass Components, Use, Pace Count Procedure, and Triangularization Course

Terminal Learning Objective:

(1) Given a Lensatic compress, a Young Marine will be able to identify all components and their 
      uses.
(2) Given a Lensatic compass, a Young Marine will be able to show its proper use for day and 
      night to movement
(3) Given a known distance, a Young Marine will be able to find his or her Pace Count.

Enabling Learning Objectives:

(1) Without the use of your guidebook, properly identify all compass components and explain 
      their use.
(2) Without the use of your guidebook, properly show how to use the compass for day 
      navigation and night navigation.
(3) Without the use of your guidebook, and over a known distance you'll find your pace count.

OUTLINE:

1. Lensatic Compass 

         a. The Lensatic compass has been used by the military for years. 

         b. The origin of the compass comes from China and Greece. 

         c. The Greeks would suspend a piece of Magnetite on a string. One end would always 
              point north. 

         d. The Chinese took this one step further by floating a thin piece of Magnetite and later, 
              a thin piece of metal, which had been stroked on the Magnetite, in a bowl of water 
              and used this aboard ships. 

         e. The Lensatic compass is broken down into several components: 
                  1) Compass body, filled with air or oil. Better ones are filled with oil. 
                  2) Needle, always points on magnetic North/South line. 
                  3) Bezel Ring, movable ring around the outside top of the compass body. Each 
                       detent equals 3 degrees. For use at night to find your azimuth. 
                  4) Rear Sight, has two features: 
                           a) Magnifying glass for reading degrees or mils easier. 
                           b) Slit at top for alignment of sighting compass. 
                  5) Front Sight, has three features: 
                           a) Is a protective cover for compass. 
                           b) Has a linear slit or hole with a length of wire running vertically and 
                                centered through the length of the slit. This is the Front Sight. 
                  6) Thumb Loop, used for holding compass while sighting. 
                  7) Straight Edge and Scale, for working with a map.

2. Explanations Of The Three Methods of Compass Use. 

         a. First method is for aligning a map. 
                  1) Open up the compass flat. 
                  2) Line up compass with one of the vertical lines called Grid Lines. 
                  3) Line up compass and map to Magnetic north. 
                  4) Look at the Legend, normally found at the bottom of the map sheet. Find the 
                       three symbols for North. Add or subtract Declination degrees to or from the Grid
                        North. 
                  5) Finish alignment of to declination point. 
                  6) Map and Topographical Features should now be lined up. 

         b. Second method is for daytime orienteering, or actual movement from one point to 
                       another. 
                  1) Open up the compass so that the Cover/Front Sight is vertical to the horizontal 
                       base. 
                  2) Open up the Rear Sight to approximately a 45° angle to the base. Adjust as 
                       needed to clearly see numbers. 
                  3) Hold the compass by placing the thumb through the Thumb Loop. 
                  4) Bring the compass up to the face to the point that you can see the numbers on 
                       the compass dial and without moving the head, you can also see through the 
                       Front Sight by only moving the eye upward. 
                  5) Caution - insure that you are near any metal object (i.e. - cars, trucks, metal 
                       buildings, metal objects on you). 
                  6) Find the Azimuth (Number) you want. 
                  7) Align the Magnetic North needle with the Azimuth you want by turning your body
                       so that the North needle is directly over the Azimuth, while keeping the compass
                       body horizontal. 
                  8) Without moving the compass, carefully raise your sighting eye up aligning the 
                       Rear Sight with the Front Sight. 
                  9) When you have alignment right, glance back down though Rear Sight magnifier 
                       to insure that needle has not moved. 
                10) Then move sighting eye back to Sights to insure proper alignment. 
                11) Then move sighting eye focus through Sights and identify and object at the 
                       greatest distance seen (Young Marine Spotter, Tree, Rock, etc.). This will be your
                       alignment target. 
                12) You will then move towards your alignment target counting your paces, as per 
                       Pace Count instruction (See below). 

         c. If you are needing to identify the azimuth to a specific target (i.e., Landmark, Tree, 
             Rock, Building, etc.), you will reverse the above procedure as follows: 
                  1) Open up the compass so that the Cover/Front Sight is vertical to the horizontal 
                       base. 
                  2) Open up the Rear Sight to approximately a 45° angle to the base. Adjust as 
                       needed to clearly see numbers. 
                  3) Hold the compass by placing the thumb through the Thumb Loop. 
                  4) Bring the compass up to the face to the point that you can see the numbers on 
                       the compass dial and without moving the head, you can also see through the 
                       Front Sight by only moving the eye upward. 
                  5) Caution - insure that you are near any metal object (i.e. - cars, trucks, metal 
                       buildings, metal objects on you). 
                  6) Look through the Rear and Front Sights and align them with the target 
                       (Identifiable Object). 
                  7) While keeping the compass body horizontal, glance down with the sighting eye 
                       looking through the Rear Sight Magnifier and read the azimuth (number) directly 
                       below the North needle. 
                  8) While keeping your body still and the compass body horizontal, move the sighting 
                       eye back to the Rear/Front Sight picture to insure that you are still lined up on 
                       your target. 9) Next, move your sighting eye back to the Rear Sight Magnifier and
                       read the azimuth (number) under the North needle. 
                10) This will be the azimuth to the target (Identified object). 
                11) To find the "Back Azimuth", if the azimuth is less than 180°, add 180 to your 
                       azimuth. If the azimuth is greater that 180°, subtract 180 from your azimuth. 
                       This will be the "Back Azimuth" or the azimuth from your target (identified object)
                       to you. 

         d. Third Method is for Night Orienteering, or actual movement from one point to another 
              in blackout conditions (No external light source). 
                  1) Open up the compass flat. 
                  2) Align (Bezel Ring) with Mechanical North of the compass. 
                  3) Divide azimuth (number) by 3. This number will be the Detent Number 
                       representing the Azimuth. One click equals 3 degrees. 
                  4) Move Bezel Ring to the left the number of clicks required. 
                  5) Keeping the compass body horizontal, slowly turn your body until the North arrow
                       aligns itself directly below the longest Luminous line. 
                  6) Using the sense of feel, move in a parallel line or direction with the straight edge 
                       of the compass. 

         e. To find the azimuth to a known target (identified object), you will reverse the above 
              procedure as follows: 
                  1) Open up the compass flat. 
                  2) Keeping the compass body horizontal, align the Straight Edge of the compass
                       body with a line between you and the target (identified object). 
                  3) Now align the longest Luminous line over the North arrow. 
                  4) Moving the Bezel Ring to the right, count the Detents it takes to get the longest 
                       Luminous line back to Mechanical North of the compass (parallel with the straight 
                       edge). 
                  5) Multiply this number by 3. 
                  6) This will be the azimuth to the target (identified object). 

3. Determining Your Pace Count. 

         a. Mark off a straight-line 100-meter long course. 

         b. Starting at Point 'A' (beginning point) step off with the left foot first, counting every 
              time your right foot hits the deck. 

         c. Remember the Count when you get to Point 'B'. This will be known as Leg 'A'. 

         d. Then, start at Point 'B', returning to Point 'A' using the same procedure. 

         e. Remember the Count for Legs 'A' and 'B'. Take the difference between Leg 'A' and 
              Leg 'B'. Divide this number in half and add this difference to the lower number of
              paces. This is your Pace Count for 100 meters.

4. Practice Using Compass And Your Pace Count. 

         a. Divide up students in teams of three. 

         b. Make a visible mark on the ground (i.e., cross on ground, rock, colored cloth, etc). 

         c. One Young Marine will pick any number between 0° and 360° (Example: 30°). 

         d. First team member will use his/her compass and find that number in degrees (azimuth). 

         e. First member will direct second team member (sight target) to walk in the direction 
              given. 

         f. Third team member will Pace off a known distance (i.e., 50, 75, 100, or 150 meters, etc.)
             toward the second team member. 

         g. First team member will insure that the third team member walks out exactly in the 
              given azimuth. h. Second team member may have to be guided further along the 
              azimuth line. 

         i. When third team member reaches the known distance (line 'f'' above), first and second
            team members will join the third team member at the third team member's stopping
            point. 

         j. First team member will now add 120° to original azimuth. (Example: 30° + 120° = 150°)

         k. First team member will now shoot a new azimuth (Example: 150°) directing second
             team member (sight target) to walk in that specific direction (azimuth). 

         l. Third team member will now Pace off same distance as used in first leg. (Example: 100 
             meters) 

         m. Again, first team member will insure that third team member walks out in exactly the 
              same given azimuth. n. Other two-team members then rejoin third team member at 
              third team members stopping spot. 

         o. First team member then adds another 120° to the last azimuth and finishes the last 
              leg. (Example: 150° + 120° = 270°) 

         p. Team should have returned to the original starting point. 

         q. Each team member should do all three legs at least twice. More times if time permits 
              to improve proficiency in compass use and Pace Count.

Conclusion

During this class you have been taught how to use a Lensatic compass, to be able to name its
parts, and to be able to find your pace count. You may be evaluated on this class both on a
written exam and performance of compass marches. It is up to you to use the information
taught in this class to make that all yourself better but your unit as a whole better.

9. Land Navigation, Class

                                                1st Texas Young Marine Regiment 
                                                      Junior Leadership School 
                                 Day 3, July 10th, 2006 Time: 1300-1400, 1830-2000 

                  Land Navigation, Map Reading and Terrain Recognition

Terminal Learning Objective:

(1) Be able to explain the use of a map.
(2) Be able to define the information derived from a map.
(3) Be able to effectively use a map while land navigating.

Enabling Learning Objective:

(1) Without the use of your guidebook, be able to locate and explain the legend on a map.
(2) Without the use of your guidebook, be able to identify and define the colors used on a map.
(3) Without the use of your guidebook, be able to identify and define the contour lines and 
      slope of the terrain on a map.

OUTLINE

General Knowledge

1. Throughout your life, you are going to find yourself in situations where you must travel to 
    locations that you are unfamiliar with. You can stop and constantly get directions from the local 
    citizens, if, they know where you are going, or, you can use a map.

Map Legend

1. The legend of a map may be found at either the top or bottom of the map.

2. The legend will normally contain the map name, adjacent map names, or where your map is
    in conjunction with the surrounding maps.

3. The legend contains the scale of the map plus scale conversion tables.

4. The legend will show the symbols used to identify know objects found on the map and what 
    the colors used represent.

Questions

1. Can any student point out the following identifying structures and the color used? 
         a. Buildings 
         b. Highways - multiple Lanes 
         c. Two lane road 
         d. Unimproved Road 
         e. Hill 
         f. Saddle 
         g. Ridge 
         h. Valley 
          i. Water

Answer

1. Student responses, and monitoring of student progress.

Grid Coordinates

1. Grid Coordinates are used to convey locations from one person to another when both are 
     not at the same location.

2. When reading a map to find grid coordinates, always read right and up on the map. 

         a. In other words, you move to your right on the map until you locate the vertical line just 
             to the left of the target or objective. 

         b. Look at the bottom or top of the map for the number assigned to the vertical line. 

         c. Then start up the map until you locate the line just below the target or object. 

         d. Look at the left or right of the map for the number assigned to the horizontal line. 

         e. This gives you a 1000 meter grid square, (i.e., 1181). This is called a four number grid. 

         f. Then divide the horizontal line (i.e., 11) into 10 equal parts. 

         g. Imagining vertical lines, identify the closest line to the left of the target or object. 

         h. Now do this again going up and dividing the vertical line into 10 equal parts. 

          i. This time, imagine horizontal lines, identify the closest horizontal line to the bottom side
             of the target or object. 

         J. This now gives you a 100 meter grid square, (i.e., 115816). This is called a six number 
             grid.

         k. If you need to be more accurate, you will do the same thing the grid square located at 
             the 6 number grid. 

         l. This will give you a 10 meter grid square, (i.e., 11548169). This is called an eight 
            number grid.

Questions

1. What is located at the six digit coordinates of _________________? (Fill in using your map)

2. What is located at the six digit coordinates of _________________? (Fill in using your map)

3. What is located at the six digit coordinates of _________________? (Fill in using your map)

4. What is located at the six digit coordinates of _________________? (Fill in using your map)

Answers

1. Student responses, and monitoring of student progress.

Map Orientation

1. Map orientation can be done one of two ways. 

         Question 

         1) Can any student identify them? 

         Answer 

         1) Without a compass using land marks. 

         2) Using a compass, align the map.

2. The first method is without a compass. 

         a. You must pick out identifiable landmarks that will be on your map and that you can see. 

         b. You then line up these features on your map using the same directions from your 
              position to landmarks on the ground with those same landmarks on your map. 

3. The second method is by using a compass. 

         a. Open the Lensatic compass flat. 

         b. Align the straight edge of the compass with one of the vertical lines on the map. 

         c. Now, without messing up this alignment, twist the map either right or left until the 
             compass needle lines up with the vertical line. 

         d. This is now lined up to magnetic north. 

         e. Look at the legend on the map and find the Declination Diagram. 

         f. Either add or subtract the difference between the Declination degrees of Magnetic North
            and Grid North. 

         g. Realign the map to the new heading. 

         h. Map features should now line up with their respective land features.

Finding North

1. There are a minimum of three ways of finding North. 

         Question 

         1) What are three ways of finding north? 


         Answer 

         1) North Star at night. 

         2) Using non-digital watch 

         3) Using a stick

2. To find North at night, look for the North Star. 

         a. Find the Big Dipper. 

         b. Make a mental line from the two stars representing the pouring spout of the Big Dipper. 

         c. Look about 5 times the distance of the diameter of the opening of the Big Dipper along 
             this mental line. 

         d. There will be a lone, large star there. This will be the North Star.

3. During the day time, there are two ways of finding North. 

         a. The first way is by using a non-digital watch. Simply point the hour hand at the sun. 

         b. Find the halfway point between the hour hand and the 12 O'clock position. An 
              imaginary line from the center of the watch to this halfway point points South. 

         c. Draw an imaginary line from the that halfway point back through the center of the 
             watch will point to the north.

4. The second way is by using a stick. 

         a. Stick a straight stick in the ground, preferably on clear ground. 

         b. Make a mark, or place an object, on the ground where the tip of the shadow falls. 

         c. Look at the stick about 10 to 15 minutes later. 

         d. Mark the position of the tip of the stick on the ground. 

         e. Draw a line through these two shadow points. 

         f. This makes an East/West line. (East is always in the direction of the second shadow 
             tip mark) 

         g. Make a perpendicular or 90 degree line crossing this line. 

         h. With the sun to your back, the line will point North.

Question

1. What are the 3 ways of finding North just mentioned?

Answer

1. North Star, non-digital watch, and stick in ground.

Question

2. Explain how to find North using one of the three way just mentioned.

Answer

2. Student Responses.

Finding Your Position

1. The next to last item is to find your exact position on a map. 

         a. First, you must have your map oriented to your position on the ground. 

         b. Identify two targets or objects that are also identifiable on the map. 

         c. Shoot an azimuth to each target or object. 

         d. Draw each azimuth on the map with the line going through the known position. 

         e. Where the two lines cross will be your position.

Determining Percent (%) Of Slope

1. Slope may be expressed in several ways but all depend upon a comparison of vertical 
    distance (VD) to a horizontal distance (HD). 

         a. The percent slope is determined by using the following expression: 
                  1) % slope = VD/HD x 100. 
                  2) Find two points. 
                  3) Count the contour lines between the two points. 
                  4) Multiply the number of contour lines by the vertical distance that each contour 
                       line represents. 
                           a) 5 contour lines times 20 feet per line = 100 feet. 
                  5) From your map scale, measure the horizontal distance between the two points. 
                           a) Distance between Point A and Point B = 500 yards times 3 feet = 1500 feet. 
                  6) Vertical Distance divided by Horizontal Distance: 100 feet divided by 1500 
                       feet = 0.07 multiplied by 100% = 7% slope. 

Practice Phase

1. Have students demonstrate how to orient their map using both methods taught.

2. Have students demonstrate how to find North without using a compass.

3. Have students demonstrate how to find their position using two positions and using back 
     azimuths. 

4. Have students demonstrate how to find the percent of slope between two points in a map.

Evaluation

Monitor students proficiency during practice phase as to their ability to put their knowledge of
the compass, map, and land navigation to practical use.

Conclusion During this class you have been taught how to read a map and find your position
by several different methods. You may be evaluated on this class by either a written exam
and/or oral test. It is up to you to use the information taught in this class to make not only
yourself better but your unit as a whole better.