Soldiers navigate Missouri terrain

With map and protractor in hand, Missouri National Guard Citizen-Solders plotted their course during land navigation at Camp Clark.

As thousands of Missouri National Guardsmen complete annual training this summer, the 229th Medical Battalion trained over 50 Soldiers on medical tasks as well as basic Soldier skills. One essential skill Soldiers mastered was land navigation.

“Land Navigation is a basic Soldiers skill,” said Spc. Scott Wilmoth, of Osage Beach. “As medics, if we have to call for a medevac, we have to know exactly where we are, and be able to relay that to the pilots.”

During their training, Soldiers completed both day and night land navigation tasks. During day land navigation, Soldiers began by finding their pace count, or how many steps it takes to walk a specific distance. After finding their personal pace count, the Soldiers were given coordinates to plot on a map and time to physically find each of the locations.

“During day land navigation, the teams were give two hours to find five points located around Camp Clark,” said Spc. Luke Compton, of Nevada.

The Soldiers repeated the process for night land navigation and then the Soldiers also had to train for mounted land navigation, following a course in a tactical vehicle. Soldiers also had to complete mounted land navigation training during the day and night.

“My favorite part of the training has been the mounted land navigation training at night,” said Staff Sgt. Brian Mires, of Springfield. “It’s fun to get out there and keep yourself on track, even in the dark.”

While the Soldiers enjoyed the training, many were learning the skill from their more seasoned counterparts. Wilmoth explained that all Soldiers need to know land navigation skills, no matter their rank.

“You never know when you’ll be put in a situation where you have to take control,” Wilmoth said. “And you better know where you are and how to get home.”

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.