FMF Land Navigation and Patrolling 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When conducting a patrol in dense jungle, which technique is used to maintain direction without a clear line of sight?
- Leapfrog bounding
- Compass azimuth with pace count (Correct answer)
- Following ridgelines only
- Solar navigation
Correct answer: Compass azimuth with pace count
Compass azimuth combined with pace count allows accurate navigation when visibility is limited by dense vegetation.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of a patrol base?
- To establish a permanent defensive position
- To provide a temporary location for rest, reorganization, and planning (Correct answer)
- To serve as a supply cache for future operations
- To mark the limit of advance for a unit
Correct answer: To provide a temporary location for rest, reorganization, and planning
A patrol base is a temporary position used for rest, reorganization, resupply, and mission planning.
Question 3: On a military map, what does a blue line typically represent?
- A main supply route
- A water feature such as a stream or river (Correct answer)
- A power line
- A boundary between units
Correct answer: A water feature such as a stream or river
Blue is the standard map color used to depict water features including rivers, streams, and lakes.
Question 4: A Marine patrol must cross a danger area such as a road. What is the FIRST action taken?
- The entire patrol crosses at once to minimize exposure time
- The patrol leader sends a far-side security element to secure the opposite side
- Halt the patrol and observe the area before committing any element (Correct answer)
- The patrol crosses in pairs with suppressive fire ready
Correct answer: Halt the patrol and observe the area before committing any element
The first action upon reaching a danger area is to halt, observe, and ensure no enemy presence before crossing.
Question 5: What map scale is best suited for detailed tactical navigation at the squad and platoon level?
- 1:250,000
- 1:100,000
- 1:50,000 (Correct answer)
- 1:10,000
Correct answer: 1:50,000
The 1:50,000 scale map provides sufficient detail for tactical navigation at squad and platoon level in the Marine Corps.
Question 6: During a patrol, the point man signals 'freeze' by raising a closed fist. What should the rest of the patrol do?
- Immediately go prone and prepare to fire
- Halt in place, take a knee or go prone, and pass the signal rearward (Correct answer)
- Move forward to reinforce the point man
- Begin a bounding overwatch movement
Correct answer: Halt in place, take a knee or go prone, and pass the signal rearward
Upon the freeze signal, all patrol members halt, take cover or a knee, and pass the signal to the rear without speaking.
Question 7: What is the rule of thumb for estimating distance to a lightning strike during land navigation?
- Count seconds between flash and thunder, divide by 3 for miles
- Count seconds between flash and thunder, divide by 5 for miles (Correct answer)
- Count seconds between flash and thunder, multiply by 300 for meters
- The distance cannot be estimated without instruments
Correct answer: Count seconds between flash and thunder, divide by 5 for miles
Dividing the seconds between lightning flash and thunder by 5 gives the approximate distance in miles.
FMF Land Navigation and Patrolling 2
When conducting a patrol in dense jungle, which technique is used to maintain direction without a clear line of sight?