Welcome to Have Gun, Will Travel . The goal of the following guide is to provide
instruction on land navigation (orienteering). Specifically: orienteering as it pertains to
ArmA. The course will contain information on basic land navigation in the real-world, as well
as the assimilation of those skills into the game.
This course includes an orienteering mission for ArmA (full version only) which will serve to
illustrate and reinforce course objectives as well as provide a few pointers to "living life on
the islands" comfortably.
instruction on land navigation (orienteering). Specifically: orienteering as it pertains to
ArmA. The course will contain information on basic land navigation in the real-world, as well
as the assimilation of those skills into the game.
This course includes an orienteering mission for ArmA (full version only) which will serve to
illustrate and reinforce course objectives as well as provide a few pointers to "living life on
the islands" comfortably.
First and foremost remain calm. By the end of this guide and completion of the
associated mission you will have had an equivalent of both classroom and practical
training in basic orienteering and a variety of other subjects pertinent to war or "life on the
islands". This training and practice will make you a more efficient soldier and team
associated mission you will have had an equivalent of both classroom and practical
training in basic orienteering and a variety of other subjects pertinent to war or "life on the
islands". This training and practice will make you a more efficient soldier and team
Why learn land-nav?
Whether you're a pilot, a stryker crewman, a tanker or a
General the chance that you may need to locate yourself
General the chance that you may need to locate yourself
(or someone else) on a mission map, and/or navigate to an assigned point on the map is
approximately 100%. There may be occasions your life (in game) won't last long enough
to worry about that. This is usually "on you" - feel free to live longer at any time. With the
training wheels on the game (regular mode) all you need to do is look at the map, see
where you want to go, and follow the compass (in vehicle or "k" key} to your destination.
Your position is marked with the "friendly man" icon circled in red.
If you choose (or need) to play at that level some of the topics covered will not apply to
you, while others may. Feel free to read and learn what you can. If you make it back to
base you can check out the progressive shooting range, obstacle course, and a wide
variety of vehicles and weapons as your heart desires. This "safe environment" is a good
place to work the kinks out of your game.
approximately 100%. There may be occasions your life (in game) won't last long enough
to worry about that. This is usually "on you" - feel free to live longer at any time. With the
training wheels on the game (regular mode) all you need to do is look at the map, see
where you want to go, and follow the compass (in vehicle or "k" key} to your destination.
Your position is marked with the "friendly man" icon circled in red.
If you choose (or need) to play at that level some of the topics covered will not apply to
you, while others may. Feel free to read and learn what you can. If you make it back to
base you can check out the progressive shooting range, obstacle course, and a wide
variety of vehicles and weapons as your heart desires. This "safe environment" is a good
place to work the kinks out of your game.
Step 1: Relax. Rely on yourself and trust in your training, it is your lifeline. Whether
or not you are able to make it to your mission, successfully complete that mission, and return home
may depend on nothing more than your ability to keep your wits about you and reliably do as you've
been trained and ordered.
or not you are able to make it to your mission, successfully complete that mission, and return home
may depend on nothing more than your ability to keep your wits about you and reliably do as you've
been trained and ordered.
Step 2: Evaluate your position and situation. Try to be aware of enemies that may interfere
with your plans for diner. Seek a vantage point you can find on a map that will provide excellent
visibility and adequate cover. A mountain top, antenna, water tower, or even a roof-top are all
examples of this type of vantage point in the appropriate situation.
with your plans for diner. Seek a vantage point you can find on a map that will provide excellent
visibility and adequate cover. A mountain top, antenna, water tower, or even a roof-top are all
examples of this type of vantage point in the appropriate situation.
Step 4: Triangulate your position on the map. Draw "extended lines" from your
position to your landmarks on the map. The point at which the lines intersect is your current
position. Once you are sure of that you can proceed to the next step.
position to your landmarks on the map. The point at which the lines intersect is your current
position. Once you are sure of that you can proceed to the next step.
Step 3: Sight landmarks from your vantage point. Grab bearings to landmarks using your
compass ("k") and, if it helps, your scope ("v") or binoculars ("b"). Take bearings to three
objects you can both see and find on a map that are preferably offset by about 120 degrees.
This will make your next step a snap.
compass ("k") and, if it helps, your scope ("v") or binoculars ("b"). Take bearings to three
objects you can both see and find on a map that are preferably offset by about 120 degrees.
This will make your next step a snap.
R - E - S - T C - O - M - F - Y. It is both your goal in orienteering and an
acronym that may help you recall your training on the subject.
acronym that may help you recall your training on the subject.
Step 5: Compare your estimated location and your desired location. This will
give you a general direction of travel.
give you a general direction of travel.
Step 7: Make it happen! Sight a landmark in your desired direction of travel that you'll be able to
see for most of the trip to and proceed. You can also use the position of the sun, stars, shadows on the
ground, or even temporary landmarks not located on the map to help you keep your bearing when
necessary.
see for most of the trip to and proceed. You can also use the position of the sun, stars, shadows on the
ground, or even temporary landmarks not located on the map to help you keep your bearing when
necessary.
Step 8: Follow your progress and your plan. Make sure that you're able to find
expected landmarks on your route. It's the only way to make sure that you actually are where
you think you are. Try to conserve adequate ammunition to protect yourself for the duration
of your mission. Planned resupply missions to special forces or other isolated units are costly
in both man power and time to organize and execute. Don't count on a resupply chopper to
unexpectedly drop from above. Feel free to ask, but do so with the knowledge that all
unplanned requests for support are secondary mission objectives for vehicle crews and are
often ranked similar to a target of opportunity - not to mention the additional risk you expose
the entire crew to. Re-tasking of mission resources from incomplete mission objectives
requires consent of the ranking Officer or NCO on the field at the time.
expected landmarks on your route. It's the only way to make sure that you actually are where
you think you are. Try to conserve adequate ammunition to protect yourself for the duration
of your mission. Planned resupply missions to special forces or other isolated units are costly
in both man power and time to organize and execute. Don't count on a resupply chopper to
unexpectedly drop from above. Feel free to ask, but do so with the knowledge that all
unplanned requests for support are secondary mission objectives for vehicle crews and are
often ranked similar to a target of opportunity - not to mention the additional risk you expose
the entire crew to. Re-tasking of mission resources from incomplete mission objectives
requires consent of the ranking Officer or NCO on the field at the time.
Step 9: You've succeeded! You've used superior training, practice, and execution to
successfully accomplish your mission objectives. With some luck (or planning) you may have
encountered a few targets of opportunity to expend excess ammunition and received minimal or no
injuries to yourself or your team. Maybe your mission led you in support of another unit nearby and your
after action report includes a citation for exemplary service. Welcome home, soldier, we knew you could
do it.
successfully accomplish your mission objectives. With some luck (or planning) you may have
encountered a few targets of opportunity to expend excess ammunition and received minimal or no
injuries to yourself or your team. Maybe your mission led you in support of another unit nearby and your
after action report includes a citation for exemplary service. Welcome home, soldier, we knew you could
do it.
member regardless of your duty. Your training will guide you to the resources you already possess and
teach you to use them in your time of need! The first step is, perhaps, the most important. It is endorsed
with the knowledge that panic will invariably make you a less effective soldier and survivor.
teach you to use them in your time of need! The first step is, perhaps, the most important. It is endorsed
with the knowledge that panic will invariably make you a less effective soldier and survivor.
Step 6: Organize a plan to achieve your objective. Avoid unnecessary contact with the enemy prior
to your primary objective completion. This will allow you both greater element of surprise and a higher
probability of objective completion by increasing your chances of reaching your destination at full
strength. Targets of opportunity (TOO) are an excellent choice for your return home. Use your discretion
when engaging TOO. Carefully evaluate your own strength as well as your potential targets strength. It is
considered an inappropriate use of assets to divert mission resources (air support, ground support, etc.)
to support of auxiliary TOO. You may find your call for support declined if you bite off more than you can
chew when mission resources are spread thin.
to your primary objective completion. This will allow you both greater element of surprise and a higher
probability of objective completion by increasing your chances of reaching your destination at full
strength. Targets of opportunity (TOO) are an excellent choice for your return home. Use your discretion
when engaging TOO. Carefully evaluate your own strength as well as your potential targets strength. It is
considered an inappropriate use of assets to divert mission resources (air support, ground support, etc.)
to support of auxiliary TOO. You may find your call for support declined if you bite off more than you can
chew when mission resources are spread thin.
.