text: Appendix J
  determine probable hasty ambush sites, likely areas for enemy movement, and locations with improved
  observation.
  J-18. The leader also identifies a contiguous feature, or catchpoint, such as a river, road, or ridge, on the
  far side of each checkpoint. If the team misses the checkpoint, they head for the nearest catchpoint. This is
  a quick, easy way to reorient movement.
  J-19. The leader tries to reconnoiter the route before he moves the unit. Ideally, he reconnoiters day and
  night. During his reconnaissance, he adds, confirms, or adjusts orientation aids. These can include any of
  the following:
  • Terrain features (hills, cliffs, rivers, ridges, draws).
  • Man-made features (towers, buildings, bridges, and roads).
  • Ground surveillance radar (GSR).
  • Wire.
  • Illumination rounds.
  • Night vision devices.
  • Machine gun tracer fire. When mortar illumination rounds or tracer fire is used to locate
  positions, the leader plans the fire patterns so that the team can see them.
  J-20. A reorientation plan is one of the final ingredients in route selection. The leader plans for
  reorientation throughout the movement using checkpoints, catchpoints, and position locators. Nevertheless,
  units do get lost. Therefore, the leader must plan how to recover and reorient his team and complete the
  mission. He plans this during the reconnaissance and adds checkpoints as needed. He uses distant terrain
  features to resection off indirect fire. Planning how to react should the unit become lost reduces the
  negative effects should it occur.
  NIGHT WALKING
  J-21. Leaders must train their units to move silently. Night movement requires different muscles than
  day movement, and so requires practice.
  J-22. Whereas daylight travel stresses the calf muscles, walking at night places more strain on the
  muscles of the thighs and buttocks. Soldiers must get used to taking short, careful steps, stressing the use of
  the larger muscle groups in their thighs. This method of balanced, smooth walking at night reduces the
  chance of tripping over roots and rocks, and it reduces noise. Sufficient practice helps make crossing
  terrain at night seem as natural and easy as walking on a sidewalk in the daytime. Soldiers conditioned to
  move this way can travel far with little fatigue.
  J-23. To walk at night, the Soldier looks ahead, shifts his weight completely to his left foot, and then
  slowly lifts his right foot about knee high. He balances on his left foot while he eases his right toes down
  and out, feeling lightly for twigs or trip wires. Still keeping his weight on his left foot, he gently touches
  his right toes to the ground about 6 inches to the front of his left foot. He lightly feels the ground under the
  outside of the toes of his right boot. Then, he feels with his right boot for any twigs, loose rocks, or holes.
  If he finds none, he finally settles his foot on the ground. Once he is confident of solid, quiet footing, he
  slowly shifts his weight forward onto the right foot, hesitates until he has his balance, then repeats the
  sensing process with his left foot.
  J-24. Crossing fords and streams requires extensive team-level training. The team must establish and
  maintain security when crossing these obstacles. To cross a ford, the Soldier slips silently into the water,
  gains and maintains his footing, and remains alert. He starts crossing by sliding his leading foot forward
  and dragging his rear foot, as if shuffling. This helps him keep his balance in the current. After everyone
  crosses, the leader counts heads, and the team moves out.