Self-Correcting Compass Course for Training Dead Reckoning

摘要

Dead reckoning involves navigation by distance (pact count) and direction (compass azimuth). The purpose of this paper is to describe a self-correcting compass course designed to train this skill. Additionally, a computer program has been written that can be used to generate the azimuth and distance for each leg of the course, facilitating course set up. The compass course can be easily modified to work in any training area to assist and reinforce training on dead reckoning. Similar courses have been used by Rangers and Special Forces to increase soldiers' confidence in their navigational abilities. Advantages of the new course include its self-correcting aspect and the fact that the soldier is forced into using an accurate pace count.