Assessor Resource

DEFCA014
Navigate in remote and unmodified landscapes

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This competency was developed for military personnel required to operate in remote and unmodified landscapes usually in a deployed operational environment, but is applicable to any individual who is required to navigate in remote and unmodified landscapes

Note: this unit of competency requires the individual to navigate by both day and night to a destination, within standard tolerances of accuracy, without the use of electronic navigation aids; such as GPS.

In a military context the navigation can be conducted on foot (for example; infantry) or by vehicle (for example; armour).

All activities are carried out in accordance with relevant organisational policies and procedures.

This unit covers the competency required to navigate in remote and unmodified landscapes. In the context of this unit an unmodified landscape is one with few modifications to the natural surface or the natural environment so that track alignment is indistinct and signage is generally not provided. The area may include steep sections of unmodified surfaces and other difficult terrain and man-made hazards.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication. In a Defence context, this means that there is no civilian need to hold this unit in order to meet licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

plot a navigation route accurately and within accepted tolerances when following a route

maintain positional awareness

react effectively to changes in the operating environment that require re-planning

navigate both by day and night

navigate to a destination within standard tolerances of accuracy

to be able to navigate without the use of electronic navigation aids; such as GPS

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated navigating a route on a minimum of three occasions; with at least two navigations being conducted at night. The route should contain a number of legs requiring one or more changes in direction.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency must be assessed in an area that has an unmodified landscape

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

equipment used in operational navigation (such as maps, compass, watch and data sheets)

Suitable area for navigation (unmodified landscape)

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

problem solving

maintenance of a compass bearing in poor visibility and/or

extreme conditions

observation of surroundings

decision making

Required Knowledge

cartographic symbols and legends

grid/magnetic conversion

map and chart types

methods for determining current location

route planning techniques and calculations

factors affecting navigation techniques in extreme environmental conditions

map types and sources of error

use of a compass and factors that affect their accuracy

route planning and issues that should be considered in extreme environmental conditions

estimation of travelling times in unmodified landscape and/or difficult terrain/conditions

techniques for estimating distance travelled in poor visibility

backbearings and resections

techniques to navigate around obstacles

The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Symbols and information may include:

grid lines and numbers

contour lines

magnetic variation

scale

map legend

topographic features

Map may include:

topographic

aerial photographs

local authority maps

navigational charts

cadastral maps

orthophoto maps

satellite imagery

Navigation data sheet may include:

grid reference points

grid and magnetic bearings

distances

estimated travelling times

height gain/loss

gradient

identifiable features

escape routes

Sources of information may include:

guide books

local inhabitants

peers

aerial information

intelligence reports

Hazards and obstacles may include:

river crossings and rising water levels

open water crossings

cliff lines

wet and slippery rocks

extreme heat

extreme cold

fog and mist

snow

severe storms/squalls

strong winds

heavy rain

currents

man-made features

no-go zones

Distance estimations may include:

pacing

time

odometer (if in vehicle)

Navigation techniques may include:

use of compass

linear features

point features

attack points

aiming off

collecting features

spiral search

sweep search

backbearings and resections

use of Global Positioning Systems (GPS)

use of stars and sun

use of natural feature

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Select the type of map(s) suitable for the activity. 
Identify possible sources of error and inaccuracies on the map. 
Identify symbols and information contained on the map that may be used in navigation. 
Identify the way in which relevant symbols and information on the map can be used in navigation. 
Identify the essential features of a compass. 
Demonstrate the manner in which a compass is used to maintain a designated course. 
Demonstrate how compass use reflects understanding of the factors that affect accuracy. 
Apply symbols and information contained on the map to plan an efficient route/course suitable to navigation and activity-specific abilities 
Obtain additional information to assist in the preparation of a navigation data sheet from the map and from other suitablesources of information. 
Identify hazards and obstacles to the route. 
Prepare a navigation data sheet/route card. 
Identify emergency or contingency routes. 
Maintain orientation of map to surroundings. 
Identify possible sources of navigation error in specific locations. 
Demonstrate combined use of map, compass and other techniques whilst following a route in unmodified landscapes. 
Demonstrate techniques for distance estimations of travel in the absence of identifying features. 
Maintain the designated course whilst bypassing hazards and obstacles. 
Demonstrate maintenance of a course in unmodified landscapes. 
Fix position accurately and regularly using a combination of appropriate navigation techniques. 
Demonstrate an efficient route choice for the surroundings and conditions. 
Demonstrate suitable combinations of navigation techniques to fix position and identify unknown features when lost. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

DEFCA014 - Navigate in remote and unmodified landscapes
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

DEFCA014 - Navigate in remote and unmodified landscapes

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: