THE ART OF TRACKING Capt J.G. Langelier "Wherever
a man goes, he leaves a trail!" INTRODUCTION For some time now, we have been witnessing
a process of technological modernization with new systems for anti-tank
weapons, reconnaissance, command and control, combat vehicles and
IPCE, which the infantry is gradually adopting. However, are we
sufficiently aware of the potential impact of the training required
by these systems on the range of knowledge and experience demanded
of our troops in terms of individual basic training? Individual
training tends to be confused with collective training, or even
overlooked entirely in view of the importance attributed to the
latter. As a result, in my opinion, a number of basic areas of knowledge
are being partially or completely ignored: navigation, camouflage,
personal and collective weapons drill, first aid, NBCD and the art
of tactical tracking/movement. PURPOSE The purpose of this article is to illustrate
the lack of knowledge that we find among scouts and snipers in the
Canadian Forces in the area of military tracking and to outline
for you the benefits and potential offered by this resource. A SIXTH SENSE WITHIN REACH OF EVERYONE Soldiers are trained to make contact with
the enemy by day and by night in all types of terrain and destroy
him. In order to carry out this mission, however, the soldier must
have all the skills and knowledge required to do so. For a long
time, we have taught a subject known as navigation (n. The process
or skill with which people work out their position, direction and
speed when they are traveling.) although we never talked about tracking
during movements. Disapproval of the existence of this art can only
benefit our enemy on the battlefield. With soldiers skilled at tracking
in our ranks, our infantry units will be able to carry out search
operations more easily against personnel, counter-sniper and counter-tracking
activities, identification of movement areas, arms caches and minefields
and information gathering. MAKING USE OF THE RESOURCE When
reconnaissance detachments, with a tracking capability, are
used in various types of operation, they can assist tactical
units in a variety of ways. Trackers can provide an enormous
amount of information about the enemy’s movements and
direction, location of observation posts, minefields, morale,
strength, equipment, etc. With the possibility of obtaining
these details, tactical commanders will from now on be able
to plan their manoeuvres in all types of operations with
greater ease, to make their surveillance and indirect fire
plans more effective, increase the protection of operations
areas and create the desired effects of surprise and deception. Trackers
can be of assistance in aggressive surveillance plans. Using
traps/tracking obstacles, they can acquire information about
our sector of operations. As a result, following tracks will
enable them to participate actively in the destruction of observation
posts, indirect fire controllers, air fire controllers, etc.
Such acquisition will inevitably help to make friendly troops
aware of enemy locations of interest, raise troop morale through
the knowledge that enemy patrols/elements are being closely shadowed,
and at the same time enhance our units’ offensive capability
in defense. UNITED NATIONS OPERATIONS It has been reported that the use of trackers
during recent UN operations facilitated the execution of tasks in
situations involving hidden personnel, identifying roads used to
move weapons on foot, and even in locating arms caches or snipers. TRAINING Initial training in this complex and demanding
art will need to be obtained outside the Canadian Forces as a result
of a lack of expertise within the CF. To date, the sniper cell of
the Infantry School is in contact with a company called UNIVERSAL
TRACKING SERVICES (UTS). This company has a high reputation for
professionalism, experience and high standards of instruction and
is used by a number of organizations including the US Army, Search
and Rescue Canada, a number of police forces, etc. In their training
program, the process of learning and mastering this art is divided
into three distinct, progressive phases: 1) apprentice military
tracker 2) military tracker 3) trail blazer (only phases 1 and 2
are required for our needs). Criteria are based on knowledge, experience,
practical application, responsibilities and search complexity. Before being certified as military trackers,
individuals must complete the UTS courses and have demonstrated
the ability to carry out a number of maneuvers, including: a. identifying and producing track sketches; b. setting tracking obstacles; c. comparing and identifying various tracks;
- d. recognizing, identifying and describing
the basic differences between the sole/heel prints left by our
own boots and those of other units;
e. recognizing and identifying the locations and vegetation
most suitable for reflecting signs of movement or the presence
of one or more individuals;
f. moving across all types of terrain leaving the minimum tracks
possible and discussing counter-tracking techniques;
g. assisting trainee novice/apprentice military trackers to
understand the basic concept behind tracking with the aid of
explanations and descriptions of the characteristics of a trail,
using appropriate terminology;
h. assisting certified military trackers with presentations,
classroom periods, field practice and operational missions;
i. demonstrating a high degree of potential in the operations
of cutting recognition signs and identifying and explaining
the characteristics of a sign maker with reference to simple
signs;
j. demonstrating effective counter-tracking techniques by moving
in a sector, leaving the fewest, the most misleading or the
most complex signs possible to hamper recognition, identification,
analysis and following;
k. accurately locating, identifying and determining the age
of tracks mixed with many others, using means of comparison,
measuring the explaining factors based on opinion; and
l. using tracking techniques, locate, analyze, interpret and
explain the factors used in order to determine the following
conclusions:
- 1) whether the individual(s) reside(s)
in the sector or is merely traveling through,
2) number
of persons,
- 3) type of group, eg: family, excursion,
military, etc,
4) when the sign(s) was/were made, 5) intention(s)/reason(s) for the movement, 6) equipment, 7) training, 8) physical and mental condition, 9) identifying the unit/organization responsible, 10) any other relevant information. The drawback to this qualification is the
time required to train our trackers. As the tracking company stated,
the level/qualification of an individual is not measured by the
courses he has taken, but by the natural skill he displays in carrying
out his duties, which is proportional to the time spent practicing.
In a time of budget cutbacks, training is of course often the first
victim. Ongoing training for trackers, however, is inexpensive and
generates substantial dividends. The only price to be paid for the
ongoing training of these experts is time. CONCLUSION In short, the art of tracking is not practiced
anywhere in the Canadian Forces and no one has mastered the details
of this specialty. Is it essential? According to the CF documentation
about snipers, we should be teaching it. We should not, however,
stop at snipers as far as the teaching of military tracking is concerned,
as all infantrymen form a whole with the ground and this art should
be taught at the lowest level. The Infantry Centre has a primary
role in qualifying its instructors to provide the teaching stimulated
in CTP/CTS, in addition to providing an additional resource to our
tactical commanders and emphasizing our roots as dismounted infantry. Remember that, wherever a man goes, he leaves
a trail! |
