Jacob's Journeying
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1. Land Navigation
One thing I learned in the Marine Corps that I just recently refreshed on is land navigation.
It's actually easy to learn.
Imagine you're hiking in a nature reserve with a friend and using satellite GPS to navigate around. Your GPS takes a shit, you've lost your orientation, and nobody has cellular reception. You're miles from your vehicles, losing daylight... not sure what to do.
Thankfully you came prepared with a map and a lensatic compass, unfortunately you cant quite remember how to navigate with it. Now what?
Put yourself in this situation. Would you be able to utilize this gear and navigate your way back?
Do you know how to determine an azimuth, properly use a compass, and keep a pace count?
Okay, this is an extreme situation but maybe one day you could actually benefit from knowing this simple skill.
It's actually easy to learn.
Imagine you're hiking in a nature reserve with a friend and using satellite GPS to navigate around. Your GPS takes a shit, you've lost your orientation, and nobody has cellular reception. You're miles from your vehicles, losing daylight... not sure what to do.
Thankfully you came prepared with a map and a lensatic compass, unfortunately you cant quite remember how to navigate with it. Now what?
Put yourself in this situation. Would you be able to utilize this gear and navigate your way back?
Do you know how to determine an azimuth, properly use a compass, and keep a pace count?
Okay, this is an extreme situation but maybe one day you could actually benefit from knowing this simple skill.
2. Marksmanship
Marines are riflemen.
We learn the basics of marksmanship and weapons safety while in boot camp and it continues on.
Marines today are trained to use an M16A4 with RCO (scope) for targeting instead of old school iron sights.
Even though we shoot using an RCO the fundamentals of shooting position and trigger control for example remain the same.
So how does this translate into a useful skill?
Hunting and self-defense.
First, learn how to safely shoot a weapon. Take a safety class, get trained on firearms.
Secondly, refine the basics of shooting a rifle or pistol such as shooting positions (prone, sitting, kneeling, standing), breath control, and trigger squeeze.
We learn the basics of marksmanship and weapons safety while in boot camp and it continues on.
Marines today are trained to use an M16A4 with RCO (scope) for targeting instead of old school iron sights.
Even though we shoot using an RCO the fundamentals of shooting position and trigger control for example remain the same.
So how does this translate into a useful skill?
Hunting and self-defense.
First, learn how to safely shoot a weapon. Take a safety class, get trained on firearms.
Secondly, refine the basics of shooting a rifle or pistol such as shooting positions (prone, sitting, kneeling, standing), breath control, and trigger squeeze.
3. Martial Arts Training
Enter MCMAP, the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
Since it's development and implementation in 2002 Marines have been graduating boot camp with basic martial arts skills.
In MCMAP Marines start off as a tan belt and progress to advanced belts by demonstrating proficiency of more technical moves.
MCMAP is influenced by many fighting styles from all over the world.
Would you be able to defend yourself if attacked? Would you feel confident to take down a combatant in a potentially violent scenario?
I'm not saying you should learn MCMAP specifically but self-defense is a good skill to have.
Since it's development and implementation in 2002 Marines have been graduating boot camp with basic martial arts skills.
In MCMAP Marines start off as a tan belt and progress to advanced belts by demonstrating proficiency of more technical moves.
MCMAP is influenced by many fighting styles from all over the world.
Would you be able to defend yourself if attacked? Would you feel confident to take down a combatant in a potentially violent scenario?
I'm not saying you should learn MCMAP specifically but self-defense is a good skill to have.
- PRIMITUS
- BLOG 1 : PATHWAYS
- BEGINNER WORKOUT PROGRAM
- BLOG 2 : LEAVING FOOTPRINTS
- BLOG 3 : THE SPICE OF LIFE
- BLOG 4 : 4 REASONS TO RETHINK FACEBOOK USAGE
- BLOG 5 : MOTIVATION
- BLOG 6 : THE CASE FOR CAFFEINE
- MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES PART 1
- BLOG 7 : FIGHT CLUB
- BLOG 8 : FREE FALLING
- MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES PART 2
- BLOG 9 : BRANCHING OUT
- BLOG 10 : BLAST FROM THE PAST
- BLOG 12 : PATHWAYS PART 2
- MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES PART 3
- BLOG 13 : PATHWAYS PART 3
- BLOG 14 : ARMAMENT
- MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES PART 4
- PERSPECTIVE REDEFINED
- BLOG 15 : BREAK DOWN
- THE COLONEL SANDERS STORY
- BLOG 16 : WRECK
- BLOG 17 : NIGHT VISIONS
- BLOG 18 : CHANGES AHEAD
- BLOG 19 : PATHWAYS PART 4
- MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES PART 5
- BLOG 20 : PATHWAYS PART 5
- 3 MILITARY SKILLS TO LEARN
- BLOG 21 : ROAD TRIP PART 1
- QUOTATION COMPILATION
- BLOG 22 : THOUGHTS