Visual Tracking and the Military Tracking Team Capability
Visual Tracking and the Military Tracking Team Capability:
A Disappearing Skill and Misunderstood Capability
by John D. Hurth and Jason W. Brokaw
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Of all the potentially valuable skills in the military the one that is most commonly misunderstood and underestimated is Visual Tracking. Unfortunately most opinions are based on misconceptions within the civilian tracking community. Trackers who are teachers of a holistic form of tracking that focus their instruction on a spiritual aspect have crushed any true debate on the virtues of tracking as a military specialty skill. Visual Tracking is not an exclusive skill associated with the Native American, San Bushmen, Iban, or Dyak trackers.
Visual Tracking, at its very basic level is the natural predatory hunting instinct of man. The sign that the tracker reads, is the “Physical Evidence” that his quarry leaves behind. The Trained Tracker is able to locate, identify, pursue and interpret those signs as well as form reasonably accurate conclusions based on the evidence left by the quarry.
In an environment where information on an enemy is limited the primary means of intelligence gathering will be through conducting patrols. Visual Tracking supports a commander’s intent to find, fix and finish the enemy as well as be that human sensor that collects information. Soldiers who are taught the visual tracking skill will possess a greater attention to detail. Visual Tracking also provides them with a keener situational awareness to the environment around them.
It is very difficult for even the smallest element of men to move across any terrain without leaving some type of evidence. If one looks at sign left by the quarry and puts that into the context of military intelligence, then the physical evidence becomes intelligence indicators. Indicators observed by a trained tracker can provide immediate use intelligence about the quarry, such as:
• Enemy size
• Direction of movement
• Rate of movement
• Infiltration and Exfiltration routes and methods used
• “Safe Areas” being utilized
• State of training and discipline
• Enemy capabilities and intentions
Historically, Visual Man-Tracking has been used by many Militaries and Law Enforcement Agencies in other countries around the world with a great deal of success. The ability of employing Visual Trackers to locate and interdict a subject attempting to elude their pursuers, gather information for intelligence purposes or help rescue lost individuals and groups.
In today’s Contemporary Operating Environment, Man-hunting techniques employed by the Military have been ineffective and reactionary. With The inability to immediately interdict insurgents, who commit attacks and flee a clear capability gap exists.
The Military over the past few decades have focused on methods other than patrolling, as a way to deter, detect and pursue an elusive quarry. Scent Dogs, Sensors, cameras, and the use of UAV’s are some examples. Basic “field craft” skills have given way to the over reliance on technologies and dogs. This has dulled their natural human senses and ability to pursue their quarry.
Download the Full Article: Visual Tracking and the Military Tracking Team Capability
John D. Hurth is a retired United States Army Special Forces soldier. John retired after 23 years of active duty service. He spent 10 years in Special Forces serving as a Weapons Sergeant (18B) and Assistant Operations/Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant (18F) in 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) where he participated in multiple deployments overseas to include two combat tours in support of the Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). John also served with the Special Operations Training Detachment, Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) at Fort Polk, LA. Prior to joining Special Forces, served as an Infantryman (11B) in multiple Airborne, Light and Mechanized Infantry assignments within the continental U.S. and overseas. After retiring, performed duties as the lead instructor for the United States Army Combat Tracking Course previously located at Fort Huachuca, AZ. He is currently the founder and President of TíR Group, LLC.
Jason W. Brokaw currently maintains active military status with the United States Army Reserves, assigned to a special operations unit as a Signals Intelligence Analyst (35N). Jason spent almost 5 years with 2nd Ranger Battalion, and also served as a member of a Special Operations Team — A/B in both 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), and 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne). He participated in two combat tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), one with Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force (CJSOTF), and most recently on Weapons Intelligence Team 6 (WIT 6) with Combined Joint Task Force Troy as an Infantryman (11B) performing Counter-IED functions with Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). He is also a graduate of the United States Army Jungle Warfare School previously at Fort Sherman Panama, and Combat Tracking Course previously at Fort Huachuca, AZ.
