Land navigation

This article is about overland navigation. For the sport, see Orienteering. For the general concept, see Navigation § Land navigation.

Land navigation is the discipline of following a route through unfamiliar terrain on foot or by vehicle, using maps with reference to terrain, a compass, and other navigational tools. It is distinguished from travel by traditional groups, such as the Tuareg across the Sahara and the Inuit across the Arctic, who use subtle cues to travel across familiar, yet minimally differentiated terrain.

One of 24 competitors at the night urban warfare orienteering course during the 2009 Department of the Army Best Warrior Competition at Fort Lee, Virginia

Land navigation is a core military discipline, which uses courses or routes that are an essential part of military training. Often, these courses are several miles long in rough terrain and are performed under adverse conditions, such as at night or in the rain.

In the late 19th century, land navigation developed into the sport of orienteering. The earliest use of the term 'orienteering' appears to be in 1886. Nordic military garrisons began orienteering competitions in 1895.

United States

In the United States military, land navigation courses are required for the Marine Corps and the Army. Air Force escape and evasion training includes aspects of land navigation. Army Training Circular 3-25.26 is devoted to land navigation.

See also

• History of orienteering
• Navigation
• Piloting
• Wayfinding