Military Compass Calculations - introduction

If you’ve ever served in the military, you probably know all this, but hey, a refresher never hurts! And for any civilians watching, this can be your basic introduction to military compass calculations.

In this video, we’re keeping it simple—no full FOP here! Instead, we’re focusing on the three key elements of land navigation:
1 Direction – Which way do I throw my rock? 🧭
2 Distance – How far does my rock need to travel? 📏
3 Deviation – Is my target higher or lower than me? 📉📈

Once I have these three things, I should be able to land my rock exactly where I want it. (Or, at least close enough… physics willing. 😆)

But this isn’t just useful in a military setting—hikers, campers, and outdoor adventurers can use the same principles. Need to find your campsite? If you know your Direction, Distance, and Deviation, you can estimate how long it’ll take to get there.

But wait—why bother with compass calculations when we have GPS and laser rangefinders? Simple: technology can fail. Even today, on a high-tech aircraft carrier, officers still use a sextant to confirm the ship’s position. Why? Because no matter what, the sun will still rise, the horizon will still be there, and the captain will still know where they are.

It’s the same with land navigation. Tomorrow, your compass will still point north, and the laws of geometry will still hold true. So let’s dive in and break down the basics!

Link to the Father Ted video:    • Cows: Small Or Far Away? | Father Ted