Land Navigation Tips for Passing SFAS, SMU, Ranger School, SFQC, Star Course, EIB, ESB and More

[@KirstenBayes]

Outstanding, as ever! My two additions would be, if you come across a linear feature like a road, check the bearing along it. If it's not going the direction you expect, it's probably not the feature you expect. If it's a mountain course, you may be allowed an altimeter. Calibrate it at a known point, and check it as much as you check your compass. It makes every contour line on the map a linear feature. Plus rate of ascent heavily affects pacing.Anyway, great stuff.

[@STOKERMATIC]

Great stuff!

[@ColKurtzknew]

Great video ! As one who went from the Marine Corps to Army SF I cant stress how important land nav, especially at night, under a constant heavy ruck, is to selection.

[@STOKERMATIC]

Semper Fi brother!

[@ChiefMason]

You still in selection/Q course or do you have your beret?

[@ericaddis7414]

Yeah, it's everything week 1.

[@Podzhagitel]

as a former marine POG, i’m basically a green beret seal PJ ranger and am guaranteed selection. that’s how it works right?

[@ColKurtzknew]

@@ChiefMason lol that was 25 years ago !

[@claysoggyfries]

I want to go to WOCS in the future, but I'm awful at land nav and not comfortable with it. I can read maps but I'm bad at actual land nav.

[@DeuceDeuce0331]

As a prior service infantry Marine about to go full active army at 35 after 12 year break in service. My intent is to eventually go to SFAS, once I learn how to be a soldier in what ever job the army gives me. I found your channel through your prior service video. You make great content and this is a topic I need to work on. I will watch your Playlist. Keep up the good content. Semper yut.

[@STOKERMATIC]

Kill! Right on amigo - stoked for you. All the best!!

[@DeuceDeuce0331]

@@STOKERMATIC all the best to you as well. Your motivated reply, well has me motivated. God bless you Stoker. 🙏

[@TheInfantry98]

Why you going back in ? Can’t hack it outside the military ?

[@jamescrowe7892]

The gospel according to Stoker. Seriously though, this was good stuff. Definitely worth watching 2 or 3 times to seat it in the brain pan. 👍

[@STOKERMATIC]

🥃👊🇺🇸

[@SHIFTDreams]

He is teaching DEAD RACONING - and he is right. Retired Green Beret checking in. Edit- we land navigated in the dark during the STAR but his points are great. If you cannot use the daylight or identifiable points to your advantage, you can still dead recon.

[@jagripa7421]

Passion about a subject makes it come alive!!! Thanks for the content! Feeling stoked on land nav!

[@STOKERMATIC]

🇺🇸👊

[@jamesashford6111]

You never disappoint!!!! 😀

[@STOKERMATIC]

🇺🇸

[@ericaddis7414]

My first try at SFAS I didn't dummy cord my rubber duck to my web gear. I failed before I really started because I left it on the land nav practice course. I finished but didn't get selected. Tried again and same result. I just can't navigate for shit. The rest of selection was fun. Except down pilot.

[@migueltorres8925]

“ BRAVO ZULU” Things we should do every time we head out. Safety first

[@AllAmericanAve]

I am 55 THE 55th COMMENT ⚡️ THANK YOU⚡️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸✝️🦸🏻‍♂️

[@STOKERMATIC]

Right on!

[@willepete0088]

Hey its your local 11B. Thank your for the tips and guidance good stuff and I will definitely use this to gain my edge.

[@STOKERMATIC]

Right on brother!

[@pablofeynman3619]

Not going to any fancy army school but amazing information for even a civvie like me

[@jefejeffwell1113]

New subscribers here. This is awesome info! Thank you for taking the time to help with these tips! So grateful!

[@charlesmckinney]

Land Navigation. May I have more please

[@lb3418]

Advice to teach is spot on (no shock there, I know). Having to explain what you thought you knew cold will clarify your understanding like nothing else.

[@STOKERMATIC]

Right!?

[@savage22bolt32]

So true. When you speak it, you reinforce it in your mind.

[@DollarDreamYT]

Awesome video. Videos from your other channel helped me pass the board 8 months ago, now looking forward to using this knowledge attending SFAS in october. Thanks!

[@STOKERMATIC]

Stoked for ya!

[@prospero6337]

The totally unsexy tactical holy grail.....Land Nav. Good Stuff. I need some dummy cord.

[@STOKERMATIC]

Need to dummy cord the honey do list to me so I don’t forget anything!

[@jefejeffwell1113]

I’m 34, enlisting, and taking in every piece of info I can find to have success within the SF environment. My recruiter is a bamf who specializes in “long range marksmanship and recon” as he put it. He asked me to try for SF, so I said I would. I personally didn’t want to ask for it, as I am a humble person and didn’t presume to be of that continence and material, but him asking me was a huge compliment and I don’t like to disappoint. All of this info I’ve been digesting, and now yours, is a huge help. Thank you again, so much.

[@STOKERMATIC]

Outstanding. You got this!

[@STOKERMATIC]

Outstanding! You got this!

[@TheInfantry98]

Your recruiter lied to your face since his “skill set” was shut down by the US Army Years Ago. Recruiters don’t ask civilians if they want to be Special Forces. It just doesn’t happen. Hope you can keep up with 20yr olds who are absolute physical machines/specimens since they are 18x Ray soldiers. They run/ruck/ruck run incredibly FAST. If you can’t keep up with them you will be dropped very quickly

[@TheInfantry98]

Nice fake story Grabdpa. Why you joining cuz your an old man now

[@jefejeffwell1113]

@@TheInfantry98 you’re a real charmer, aren’t ya? No lies, all truths 🤷🏻‍♂️. My recruiter didn’t lie either. He showed me his unit info and designation. And by the way, the average age during selection is 28-30. Go be the best loser you can be, and I’ll be with the machines, doing machine things.

[@mihailvormittag6211]

👍

[@joselopez7507]

That’s true we need to take care of everything I remembered fail a easy land nav course a blc in my first attempt Because I lost my paper with coordinates and points The sgl told me you still having time go and try to find it

[@STOKERMATIC]

Oh man, that’s quite the story! Appreciate it!

[@philliphagenson8903]

Hey 1sg, TM for your valuable information! I am attending SFAS course within the next few months, and am attempting to learn to master land nav before i go, ANY advice on how to train/ how to improve is a win in my book, TM again for your informative videos.

[@STOKERMATIC]

You got this! Keep a good attitude and your motivation. Embrace the suck and watch all my vids! Lol Best to you brother!!

[@horsebattery9243]

Want to train your navigation? Compete in orienteering events. Its land navigation as a sport. It'll kick your ass into shape.

[@ministermonkey7546]

3:38 where is this?? beautiful!

[@RavenHillReadiness]

Mt Shasta at 11:15. Thats my neck of the woods! Awesome wilderness areas🤙🏻🇺🇸

[@STOKERMATIC]

Awesome!

[@JumpDaddy7790]

Hands down brother, SPOT ON information 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💯

[@STOKERMATIC]

Appreciate it brother!

[@陈然-w7s]

Hello teacher, I am a military enthusiast，I learned a lot about maps from you here.determine ，travel， ranging， Symbol recognition，What do I need to learn if I want to master map reading，How many subjects are there altogether？

[@STOKERMATIC]

Get some maps of your local area and practice - make sand tables, and see how close you are to what the terrain actually looks like. Get out and walk about. But be safe!

[@keppa13]

Awesome tips! Starting SERE Specialist selection soon wish me luck

[@STOKERMATIC]

You got this!!

[@ericaddis7414]

I walked to Aberdeen one night at SFAS and to this day I swear I went to the correct grid coordinate. It was nearly morning when a Cadre finally picked me up in the Camp Mackall Van. 😂😂😂😂

[@joefennell7535]

Top notch Top. Good luck to those nominees.

[@STOKERMATIC]

Top!

[@sjodmgrp]

Heading out to Nav phase in 3 days for SST. REWATCHING again to freshen up. Shared your channel with our team of 50.. Thanks for imparting your knowledge

[@STOKERMATIC]

50! Awesome!! Where you at?

[@sjodmgrp]

@@STOKERMATIC Fairchild AFB, WA. We will be going back to the Sherman Pass area. Just returned from the CSS/PR/ARTIC PHASE

[@stinnetbennet]

definitely something ppl either underestimate or fail to prepare for. making it all the way to your assessment and failing, or worse failing after selection because you fail to maintain some fundamental checks is something you will regret. this is the iq test to gate out the pure studs

[@STOKERMATIC]

I watched a dude finish the 12 mile foot march at the end of air assault and not have (1) of his (2) dog tags - dropped him

[@matthewtE]

Awesome! What courses can civilians take?

[@STOKERMATIC]

There are instructors and local groups out there training. I do some from time to time.

[@thequeenofbattle1555]

Awesome video 1SG, what was your MOS?

[@STOKERMATIC]

Lol I’m still in! Former Marine - 8554. Now I’m Army - 25W

[@modularfabricationsltd.8910]

Nice ESEE 4!

[@STOKERMATIC]

I love it! Has served me well!

[@cowetareserve]

THE LEGEND! Thank you sooooo much!

[@STOKERMATIC]

🇺🇸👊

[@JamesChandler-kw1ct]

Don’t dummy cord to much all that crap get tied together then your sitting there with a knot of gear.

[@hammer8771]

my squad leader failed sfas because he lost his map, im not trying to lose mine

[@all4honor]

I hated the star course. Those old men were nice by generally pointing in the right direction after they checked my map but I did not like them at the time lol. That SUMMER terrain was the worse. I should have gone in the winter.

[@chk6194]

All solid tips thanks 👍 Establishing a pace count on same terrain/night/uphill is tricky, requires a known distance, any tips on that or is it just visually evaluating a 100m distance e.g. a football field and then counting?

[@STOKERMATIC]

Will work on a way - but if you have a map and a known area, look for roads that may run parallel with grid lines.

[@avoidrealnames]

Good food for thought. Putting this in my hip pocket for later!

[@STOKERMATIC]

Right on!

[@michaelrichards5316]

Spot on!

[@jkornfeld]

GREAT video!! Planning and rehearsals are crucial to success in everything!

[@martyblack13]

RLTW! 🤜💥🤛🤘I was Ranger and LRS too FT Benning! Last unit I was in was 425th Infantry (NG) Regular Army Prior! Best to you!! Subbed!

[@STOKERMATIC]

Glad our paths crossed brother! Appreciate your service and same to you!! 🇺🇸🥃

[@keithrayeski6417]

Get’en folks STOKED! Probably the weakest link in most skill sets, along with fire without a lighter or matches. Motivating!! 👊🏻

[@STOKERMATIC]

🫡

[@lifelight7821]

gd stuff

[@STOKERMATIC]

Thanks amigo!

[@clintwelch9843]

When are you starting in person classes Stoke?

[@STOKERMATIC]

Oh man, I’d love to. Need to. Would be in Wa. Maybe around St Helens...

[@stevefournier6375]

Awsome content on Land Nav, Thanks!

[@STOKERMATIC]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@thegavel3445]

Hey man, good stuff. New to the channel. I see you're up in my neck of the woods. Badass man hopefully we'll cross paths out there. Ret. Army myself

[@STOKERMATIC]

Me too! I’ll be hosting some more land nav clinics soon! Will post in community tab when they get locked in

[@justincworkman]

Where do you get the maps?

[@STOKERMATIC]

Check out the USGS website.

[@garybowen3603]

Do you guys run a course

[@STOKERMATIC]

I’ve run a few. Working on stuff for next year. Where you at?

[@psotos]

Stellar advice for Land Nav!

[@STOKERMATIC]

🇺🇸👊

[@brianmurphy6760]

Another awesome video. You painfully made me aware of just how perishable of a skill navigation is. A fact i am not proud of, but I assure you that you have motivated me! Man, I have been trying to tell in the videos Stoker, and I can't make it out. What pack is that you carry in most of them. I'm looking for something similar, and would appreciate a little info on it. I'm looking to change some of my loadouts up, and I like that. Thanks, brother. Strength and Honor

[@STOKERMATIC]

Larger ones are Kifaru packs. My small one is a tactical tailor removable operator pack.

[@brianmurphy6760]

@@STOKERMATIC I've been looking at the Kifaru site for that pack, and can't find it. I do like the Bedlam, but what I liked about yours is it looked multiple day, and somewhat military style, which is the only type of pack that I have used for 20 years. I'm real interested in it. It looks squared away, and exactly what I have in mind for a new main sustainable pack. I will always use military packs. I love them, but I am looking to get something like that one I see you carrying. Based on sight, and how it fits you, I think I could do a lot worse in choosing a different set up. I have the tactical tailor pack you carry, and isn't that little bastard something? I wouldn't trade it for anything. It is my truck, and range bag. Holy cow! I just found your review for it. The Kifaru eastern ruck backpack review. I just came across it, and getting ready to dive into it. I am STOKED for this! Thanks for all you do for us, my friend. You, and grunt proof are two dudes I could kick it with, and I don't say that about many people at all.

[@stevescott8060]

It is the most important of training!

[@concretecowboy4212]

Stoked❗ 👍✌💯🇺🇸

[@STOKERMATIC]

🇺🇸👊

[@joelpierce3940]

Good advice

[@STOKERMATIC]

👊

[@shawnmeaney2278]

hawaii maps?

[@STOKERMATIC]

If your looking for East range, head to TASC. For everywhere else, go to USGS website - search my videos for how to navigate their site.

[@zefsurvival7962]

Great information 👍

[@STOKERMATIC]

👊

[@mike-yp1uk]

Great tips and it seems like common sense but it's pure skill

[@jimbyrd8817]

I know these woods all too well. Lewis is a great area for sharpening nav skills.

[@STOKERMATIC]

Right on Jim!

[@DJ-dt4kz]

👍

[@STOKERMATIC]

👊

[@Gozerthegozarian1984]

Great Video!!!!!

[@denniscorbin3416]

Great content

[@j7sd888]

Super helpful.

[@Sinisterfox]

I went to Basic in Ft Jackson and they had just made a new land nav course and I found 4 yes 4 false points' i approached my DS and he said I was ploting wrong. Me being highspeed approached the LT of the company. Did a run-through with him and the 1sgt and found out i was right. Closed the course till they could fix their degrees. Oh and I got smoked for days but got promoted in basic.

[@STOKERMATIC]

Crazy story right there!

[@dlowlow72]

Do you offer courses, sir?

[@STOKERMATIC]

I have a few times - all local to me near Tacoma. Will be doing a few more this year. Post updates in community tab and on my IG

[@dlowlow72]

@@STOKERMATIC good copy!

[@americanpapaw743]

Great video!

[@STOKERMATIC]

Glad it was useful!

[@highclass_whitetrash]

Are you able to use a road atlas for land nav?

[@STOKERMATIC]

At the macro level they can be helpful but for the scale is so large it’s not beneficial for exact movements.

[@highclass_whitetrash]

@@STOKERMATIC the reason I ask is because I'm an OTR truck driver and I always have one on hand. And I want to include land nav in my skill set so in case of a shtf scenario I can get back to the house from wherever in the country I am and the road atlas is the only map source I'm aware of that would have maps of all the locations I travel through in the lower 48 and would be easy to carry

[@mcschneiveoutdoors3681]

Good job, SSG. On point!

[@STOKERMATIC]

😎

[@savage22bolt32]

I don't know anything about land nav, but would like to learn. Will check out your Playlist on the subject. FWIW, I was walking in a state park last spring & decided to go off trail to take a shortcut. My sense of direction is pretty good, but I knew if I became lost, all the trees would look alike & I wouldn't be able to get back. My solution was to grab a snot rag out of my pocket & hang it in a tree. Every 100 steps I would turn around & put my eyeballs on it. I never did have to backtrack because I came out on a return loop. But, I really want to know how to do this with a compass & map.

[@STOKERMATIC]

Awesome to hear your story! Hope you enjoy the content!!

[@pfdrtom]

If you're going to a spec op units selection and already don't know how to navigate you don't belong in that unit. The only exception would be RASP 1 where they get guys right out of basic training/jump school and they will teach you well. (former ranger regiment)