Marines navigate forest near Fuji

Photo By Sgt. Erik Brooks | Lance Cpl. Nathen S. Langlois, a food service specialist with CLR-35, uses a compass to find his way to an objective in the area around Mount Fuji March 1. Marines were taught how to read maps and navigate using the compass to find their way to designated points in the forest.  

COMBINED ARMS TRAINING CENTER CAMP FUJI , AICHI, JAPAN

03.02.2012

Story by Lance Cpl. Erik Brooks 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP FUJI, Japan - Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 35 navigated the snow-covered forest surrounding Mount Fuji March 1.

The Marines used compasses and topographic maps to find objectives set up throughout the forest. Each fire team was given five different points to find. Each point provided a different challenge.

CLR-35 is part of 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

The training started off with a period of instruction to help refresh the Marines’ knowledge of land navigation. The Marines learned about inspection of the lensatic compass, features of the topographic map, pace counting and plotting points on the map.

“When you first receive a compass it is important to give it a thorough inspection,” said Sgt. Derek R. Smith, a combat engineer with CLR-35. “This ensures you have a working compass when out in the field.”

Following inspection, the Marines were trained to stand away from metal objects, which cause the needle to stray from its true point of magnetic north.

Marines can hold the compass using two methods; the center hold and compass-to-cheek hold, explained Smith.

Using the center hold, Marines put their right hand underneath the base and left hand on the side, to hold it steady. The compass-to-cheek method allows Marines to use the sighting wire to find a reference point to walk to.

After learning more about the compass, the Marines moved on to the fundamentals of reading a map.

“The Marines learned the basics about plotting points on the topographic map,” said Sgt. Joey L. Marbley, an assistant warehouse chief with Combat Logistics Company 36, CLR-35, 3rd MLG, III MEF.

The Marines started off the lesson by learning about the map.
Each map is not the same, said Smith. Different maps use different scales to show terrain. The scale decides what unit of measurement is used to plot points of the map.

Knowing this is essential to finding target points, he said.
“Contour lines show major terrain features on the map,” said Smith. “They help in the field to know you’re going in the right direction.”

Contour lines can show hills, valleys, ridges and rivers. All of which provide reference points when navigating in the field.
“The classroom instruction helped refresh the Marines in land navigation,” said Marbley.

After becoming comfortable with the compass and the map, the Marines loaded in Humvees and seven-ton trucks and took their knowledge to the field.

Upon arriving in the forest, the Marines found their pace count.
“A pace count is a reference system used for distance,” said Smith. “When you find your pace count you can track the distance you have gone when traveling.”

After the Marines found their pace count, they took to the woods in fire teams to find their points.

As the Marines traveled through the woods, each group ran into different challenges.

Some teams ran into rivers and creeks to navigate around. Some found ponds and impassible hills.

“The Marines used the 90 degree offset method to get around obstacles,” said Smith.

The Marines followed 90 degree angles around the obstacle, keeping a pace count, until they cleared the obstacle.

Challenges aside, the Marines were determined to find their points. Using all their knowledge, the Marines were able to navigate the dense forest to find locations and complete the mission.

“This was a great way to stay proficient and retain the information,” said Marbley. “In any mission or situation in the civilian world or in Afghanistan, Marines may need to depend on these skills to survive.”

• Date Taken: 03.02.2012
• Date Posted: 03.08.2012 19:27
• Story ID: 84955
• Location: COMBINED ARMS TRAINING CENTER CAMP FUJI , AICHI, JP