Field Craft Essentials

ESSENTIAL FIELDCRAFT
By Redbeard Tactical
Introduction
What is Fieldcraft? Fieldcraft is your ability to stay efficient in the field outside of actual combat for
short or prolongued periods. Fieldcraft includes lots of skillsets that vary from environment to
environment.
Fieldcraft is NOT survival, as in a survival situations its not about your operational effectiveness
anymore.
Basic Fieldcraft includes:
- Navigation
- Shelter Building
- Camouflage and Deception
- Water and Food
- Signaling
- Hygiene
This handbook is meant to cover the very essentials. For more in depth information please look for
more dedicated manuals, focusing on each topic.
WWW.REDBEARDTACTICAL.COM INSTAGRAM.COM/REDBEARDTACTICAL.DE
28.01.22
Land Navigation
1.1 Knowing where you are.
You cant be succsessful in the field when you dont know where to go and knowing where to go does
nothing for you without knowing where you are.
Your starting point (SP) should be always marked by you on a paper map. Whenever you start
navigating make sure you know where you are on your map.
This can be achieved by three easy ways:
1. Get out your compass and map. Look for terrain features around you that are easy to identify like:
Large Roads, crossings, rivers, forest ridges, mountains and buildings. Get their direction with your
compass. Now look on the map and identify as many as possible. Check for direction and distance.
Work from big to small terrain features. This gives you a rough estimate.
2. You can do the same as above but move directly to one of the terrain features, this gives you an
almost exact location.
3. Triangulation: You can triangulate your position by drawing lines from terrain features, if you face
a piece of terrain in your exact north, draw a line from it to the south and so on. You can get a very
exact location using this. You can also use the bearings of your compass.
Use terrain features, direction of travel and

distances to find your approximate position
28.01.22
Land Navigation
1.2 MGRS System
The Military Grid Refference System (MGRS) helps us to tell others where we are on the map.
It also allows other to tell us where they are. GPS devices also are capable of translating coordinates
to MGRS. Therefore working with the MGRS is crucial.
A Coordinate is usually is build the following way: 10S GJ 06832 44683
10S Two numbers and one digit: Grid Zone designator (No high importance)
GJ Two digits: 100.000 Meter Square, usually doesnt changes
06832 5 digits: The so called eastings, the longer the number, the more precise
44683 5 digits: The so called northings, the longer the number, the more precise
To translate your positions into coordinates execute the following two steps:
1. Look for your position on the map,
2. Draw one line to the easting and one line to the northings now you have your MGRS position.
To find a MGRS position on a map, execute the following steps:

1. Start in the southeast corner and find the eastings
2. Now go up until you have reached the northings, now you have found a MGRS position on your
map.
The first two numbers in the northings and eastigs always refer to a 1000m grid square coordinate,
the following numbers divide the square into steps of 100m, 10m and 1m.
28.01.22
Land Navigation
1.3 Knowing where to go and how to get
there
With those easy methods you can simply keep track of your position and the positions of others.
When moving towards a new position you can easily use your compass to get a gross direction.
To keep track of your movement you have to move from terrain feature to terrain feature.
Linear features like roads and rivers are great indicators. You can also make use of the bearings of
your marching compass or of course ping a location with your GPS
Use the scale of your map to estimate the distance between each jump.
Always measure your pace, so you can double check if you are on the right path.
Example left: You have to move from the peak of „Dosso Fagorato“ to an observation tower on
„Dossoe delia Merna“. You find north by looking for the large ridge „Borchetta di Molina“. You
follow the past to the north east for approx 1,5 square grids (1,5km) until you find a river where you
go east till you reach the main river. Follow the main river north for approx 250m until you hit new
path pointing to the east, crossing the river. After you have crossed the river, follow the path for
approx 500m.
Land navigation is easy as long as you keep it easy. Distance, Terrain, Direction.
28.01.22
Shelter Building
2.1 Where to build a shelter
A shelter can be built in every location that has trees or moulds.
The location shouldnt be to steep but also shouldnt be at a point where water cant flow away.
So avoid using the lowest ground next to a ridge. Usually a large, flat surface, surrounded by
dense vegetation is good to go. The ground should be solid and not to moist.
If you are on entirely flat grounds you should dig water channels to redirect rainfall.
Every member of the squad is responsible for building his own shelter.
Distance between each shelter is around 2meters. Avoid close proximity to standing or flowing
water. At least 100m space should be between your campsite and water or swamp.
The illustration on the left shows a campsite placed in dense vegetation. With the squad leaders
shelter placed in the middle and the troopers tents arranged in a circular fashion.
28.01.22
Shelter Building
2.2 Shelter Building Equipment
Basic Shelter Building Equipment includes:
1x Tarp and/or 1x Poncho

30m of Paracord
4x Groundhogs
1x Sleeping pad
1x Groundsheet
1x E-Tool
Variations to save weight include:
-A Hammock (Eliminating the need for a sleeping bag or groundsheet)
-A tent / micro tent
-Bivvy bag (Eliminates the need for a groundsheet, can be used on its own for a short amount
of time.
- A poncho provides wind and rain shelter for one trooper. A tarp takes two or more.
28.01.22
Shelter Building
2.3 Building a shelter using vegetation
If you have vegetation like trees available, use them. This is one easy way to buil a reliable
shelter with a tarp or poncho:
1. Find two tree swith at least three meter spacing between each other.
2. Make sure the trees dont bend too much or even break.
3. Wrap paracord around one tree at least two times at a low height (approx 1m is fine)
4. Do an adjustable taut line hitch to the paracord, with lots of free running material.
5. Connect to the other tree with a slipknot.
6. Adjust tension.
7. Throw your tarp over the taut line.
8. Fix the four corners with groundhogs.
9. If you can find dry vegetation, place a thick layer of it under the shelter.
10. Place your groundsheet, followed by your sleeping pad under the shelter.
Be creative! You can of course use 4 trees as tie down points or only fix your tarp or poncho to
one side. If your tarp has tie down points like grommets or button holes, use them.
28.01.22
Shelter Building
2.4 Building a shelter without vegetation
Sometimes our surroundings will force us to build shelters without vegetation. An easy and
very unnoticeable way to do so is the following technique:
1. Dig an approx 1m deep hole with the dimensions of 2,5 by 1,5 meters.
2. Dig approx 5cm deep channels around the inside of the hole you just created.
3. Create an additional channel around the outside of the hole with about 30cm distance from
it.
4. Add lots of dry vegetation to the hole and cover it with your groundsheet.
5. throw your tarp or poncho over it and fix at least four corners with your groundhogs. Make
sure the groundhogs are outside the water channels.
You can add an entry point with a medium sized branch.
28.01.22
Shelter Building
2.5 Slipknot
The Slipknot is one of the most essential knots in the field. It allows us to quickly ditch a camp
as it needs only one pull to be opened. Therefore it should replace the simple, classic knot
whenever possible.
How to do a slipknot:
1. Place the loose and running end like you would do on a simple knot.
2. Now instead of gripping the tip of the lose end you form a loop and close the knot with it.
3. Tighten as neccessary. With a simple pull on the loose end you can release the knot.
There are many variations of the Slipknot. This is the most basic execution.
(Illustration on the left from top to bottom)
28.01.22
Shelter Building
2.6 Adjustable Taut Hitch
The Adjustable Taut Hitch allows us to create tension. It adjust when the knot is moved and
locks under tension. It is crucial to quickly tighten a taut line.
To create and adjustabe taut hitch you simply follow the instructions below:
1. Create a loop by routing the the loose end under, over and under the running end.
2. Wrap the loose end AT LEAST two times around the running end.
3. Pull the remains of the lose end through the loop you created during step one.
4. Firmly and evenly tighten the knot.
The knot will now adjust the size of your loop.
(Illustration on the left from top to bottom)
28.01.22
Shelter Building
2.7 Settling and expanding knowledge on knots.
The picture on the left shows an adjustable taut hitch combined with a simple slipknot.
Learning knots needs some time and understanding them even needs more. Settle your
knowledge by practicing your basic knots every day for five minutes.
Once your knowledge is settled you might want to combine knots or learn new ones. Do so, but
remember that knots are a perishable skill.
After some time in the field you will notice that you will apply some specific knots over and
over again to certain pieces of kit. Prepare your kit with those knots. Pullling out a poncho or
tarp with prepared knots and fitting lengths of paracord saves valuable time.
So prepare your kit.
28.01.22
Camouflage and Deception
3.1 Dividing Camouflage and Deception
Camouflage and Deception are necessary behaviours to thrieve in the field. Camouflage is the
task of EVERYONE at EVERYTIME.
Camouflage is mainly avioding unnecessary giveaways and features and therefore prevents
unwanted attention. Camouflage defeats subconscious observations but isnt dedicated enough
to stand conscious observation of a human being.
Deception is the art of making troops or objects either non-existant to a conscious observer or
even letting them appear as something else.
A trooper wearing a subdued uniform, face camo and some scrim is therefore exercising
camouflage.
A well dug in obersvation post on the other hand will be non existant to the trained observer
for a long period of time. In the conscious perception of the observer the OP is a random object
of the environment.
This manual will focus on camouflage.
28.01.22
3.2 The 7S of Camouflage
The basic principles of camouflage have to be applied by everyone at everytime. No matter if

resting or moving.
Shape – Shapes like faces, rifles, helmets and tents are recognized by us even if we dont look for
them therefore shapes have to be obscured.
Shine – Shine attrackts unwanted attention. Use light and fire only when necessary, cover
watches and reflecting surfaces.
Shadow – Moving in dark areas helps us to stay out of the enemies mind.
Shilouette – Moving on top of ridges will expose your patrol to the contrasting skye. Move in
front of colours that fit your clothing.
Sound – Certain sounds like the sound of metal hitting metal or a canteen swooshing and
rattling will attrackt attention. Also speak only when necessary and be as quiet as possible.
Speed: Fast moving objects attract our attention. Move slow and calm when not in combat.
Spacing: A tight moving formation will be seen earlier than a lose formation. Control spacing.
28.01.22
3.3 Camo Scrim
While wearing camouflage uniforms is highly advised they add next to nothing to your
camouflage in comparison to scrim and face camo.
Artificial scrim like burlap and camo netting should be added in reasonable (non distracting)
amounts in front of every mission.
The goal of scrim is not to replicate your surroundings, its main goal is breaking the shilouette
of an object.
When in the field it is crucial to add natural vegetation to your scrim. As the human brain
more easily overlooks natural objects. Grass and small twigs can be applied to your helmet and
kit. It is important to refresh those when in the field for longer timespans.
Same applies to built shelters, cover them with branches and comparable items.
28.01.22
3.4 Facecamo
The human brain features a built in face recognition software.
We see a man in the moon and we can therefore instantly spot a face in the woods. So again,
facecamo is not about replicating nature, it is about disrupting those features. Making exposed
features dark and pulling shadows away from familiar spots is all we can do.
Always use a thin foundation in the lightest color (usually gree) you have available. Black and
green are usually enough, brown can help.
Darken the prominent features like the nose, chin and eyebrow area using black,
After this use black to displace shadow areas.
Dont forget your ears and your neck.
Just like scrim, face camo needs to be refreshed on a regular basis.
28.01.22
Water and Food
4.1 Water and food requirements
Hydration is our main requirement in the field. But food keeps us efficient in what we do.
The daily amount of hydration required for a day of constant activity in temperate autumn is
about 6l of water. We can survive with less, but fieldcraft is about thrieving.
At least two l of water should be stored on person for easy acess. The rest is stored in the ruck.
When we move we drink from the water stored in our load bearing equipment. During rests
the water is consumed from the hardest to access spot in our rucks. Its also crucial to refill
water in our beltkit or water bladders during rests.
The amount of calories we have to eat in the field is, depending on our bodytype, 4500 to
5000kcal.
Just like hydration, rations should be split into easy digestible meals carried on person as well
as dedicated meals carried in the ruck.
Dont eat if you cant drink!
28.01.22
Water and Food
4.2 Sourcing Water
While we can survive over thirty days without food we will die after three days without water.
The same scale applies to our performance. Therefore sourcing food isnt a topic of fieldcraft.
But sourcing water is. The amount of water needed for three days of high performance equals
18kg.
Therefore we need to source water at some point. Sourcing water always is applied in three
steps.
1. Find a suitable source of flowing water or a clear standing lake and inspect it for nearby
polutions (natural and human made alike)
2. Purify what you can see: Filter the water with a scarf, a shirt or a sock.
3. Purify what you CANT see: Boil the water or add water purification tabs.
Sourcing water has to be executed whenever possible. Collect canteens and send a small teamto
the next feasible watersource.
If you have any dedicated filtration Systems like Grail or Katadyn, carefully read what they
can and cant defeat.
When in doubt, boil or chem!
28.01.22
Water and Food
4.3 Cooking in the field
If your rations dont feature heaters, you either have to eat them cold (harder to digest in the
long-run) or you have to find a way to heat them.
Use the most effective method to do so. Starting a fire isnt.
Use solid fuel tabs or gas cookers. Solid fuel tabs are fast and easy to keep track off. While gas
can save lots of weight.
Whatever you do, keep your source of heat hidden. Dig a small hole and place your tool of
choice inside.
On the left you see the difference between a fire placed in a hole and a solid fuel tab cooker
placed in the open.
28.01.22
Water and Food
4.4 Starting a fire
The best fire is the one you dont need to start. Anyways, the warmth of a fire can be a necessity,
even in temperate environments.
The fireplace should be placed at the center of your camp. Whatever kind of fire you want to
start, dig a hole first and remove any kinds of combustable materials in close proximity, this
includes fuel, explosives and ammunition.
Collect small twigs and break them into small pieces, select the driest of them and place them
in the center of the pit.
After this you collect small to medium sized twigs and sort them from small to big and further,
from dry to wet. Place them on one side of your fire.
Place a solid fuel tab in the center of the dry, broken twigs you have placed before and ignite it
with the easiest method available (usually a lighter).
Add the driest and smallest twigs, once they ignite, go for the bigger ones. Keep a slow pace.
Place the medium sized, wet twigs in close proximity to the fire until they are dry.
Another way is to place the medium, wet branches in an interweaving pattern over the fire, this
allows for cooking and some additional camo.
28.01.22
Signaling
5.1 Flashcode
Signaling is not only important in combat. It helps us to notify our security elements in the field
when we return from tasks like collecting water.
The flash code is an easy way to do so. To create a flash code you issue a number to all soldiers.
This number is always the same. In our example it is seven.
Flashcode at day: A patrol returns from collecting water, it gets spotted by the security element.
The security elements yells: „Four“ the patrol has to respond with a number that adds up to
the flash code. Which is in this case „three“
Flashcode at night: At night, signalling is done with a small flashlight. The defensive positions
presses the light button three times. The patrol element responds with four flashes.
THE ELEMENT THAT IS SIGNALLING FIRST IS ALWAYS THE PASSIVE ONE.
To maximize security the active element should approach in the most possible casual and
passive fashion, clearly showing not being a threat.
28.01.22
Hygiene
6.1 Importance of Hygiene
The importance of hygiene in the field cant be stressed enough.
Troopers should carry the following items in their rucks:
-Small towel
-Small block of soap
-Bug repellant
-Sunscreen
-Nail Clippers
Additionally sparesocks should be carried in the ruck as well as in the garment pockets and or
load bearing equipment.
Socks should be changed during every major rest as well as after crossing rivers and
particularly physical demanding events like assaults or double time.
28.01.22
Hygiene
6.2 Routine of Field Hygiene
Every trooper should check himself and others for ticks.
After this we work from head to toe:
-Control your hair for insects and parasites

-Brush your teeth and wash your face
-Wash your armpits
-Wash your genitals
-After this inspect and wash your feet and change socks.
-Apply insect repellent and sunscreen as needed.
If any problem is imminent, contact your responsible medic and/ or team leader.
In partially demanding environments the leader can perform a so called siberia check on his
subordinates, which is essentially a guided version of the processes before with a short
estimation of the status of each soldier in front of it.
28.01.22
Appendix
The Field Kit
As you may have seen fieldcraft requires some tools on a regular basis. Those tools shall not be
drawn from your survival kit. They belong into a fieldkit which is carried on person.
Those items include:
-15m of paracord
-10 m of tripwire
- Superglue (for field repairs)
- Small strip of nylon cloth (for field repairs)
- A lighter
- 10m of ducttape, flat rolled
28.01.22

Field Craft Essentials

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

You might also like

Field Craft Essentials

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Field Craft Essentials

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

ESSENTIAL FIELDCRAFT

Basic Fieldcraft includes:

This can be achieved by three easy ways:

Use terrain features, direction of travel and

A Coordinate is usually is build the following way: 10S GJ 06832 44683

To find a MGRS position on a map, execute the following steps:

1x Tarp and/or 1x Poncho

Variations to save weight include:

-A Hammock (Eliminating the need for a sleeping bag or groundsheet)

-A tent / micro tent

You can add an entry point with a medium sized branch.

(Illustration on the left from top to bottom)

4. Firmly and evenly tighten the knot.

The knot will now adjust the size of your loop.

(Illustration on the left from top to bottom)

So prepare your kit.

This manual will focus on camouflage.

The basic principles of camouflage have to be applied by everyone at everytime. No matter if

The human brain features a built in face recognition software.

After this use black to displace shadow areas.

Dont forget your ears and your neck.

Just like scrim, face camo needs to be refreshed on a regular basis.

Dont eat if you cant drink!

When in doubt, boil or chem!

Use the most effective method to do so. Starting a fire isnt.

THE ELEMENT THAT IS SIGNALLING FIRST IS ALWAYS THE PASSIVE ONE.

The importance of hygiene in the field cant be stressed enough.

Troopers should carry the following items in their rucks:

Every trooper should check himself and others for ticks.

After this we work from head to toe:

-Control your hair for insects and parasites

Those items include:

You might also like