OMNA International Newsletter

Corrected Copy: Oct 4-5 Little Bighorn

Spring Edition 2015

Staff Ride is a USFWS event not USFS
In This Issue
Finding North
Shiloh in the Snow
Recent Ops
AT Photo
Future Ops - 2015
Mary's Rock Photo
Featured Field Craft Tip!
Finding North at Night

If you look at our OMNA logo, you'll see two constellations:

Ursa major (Big Dipper)
and
Crux (Southern Cross)

Both are useful in navigation, depending on if you are north or south of the equator.

For those in the northern hemisphere, the Big Dipper is very useful in finding true north.

As shown in the image above, both the Ursa Major and Cassiopeia
 rotate counterclockwise around the Pole Star (Polaris).  If you can see find the Big Dipper, simply follow the trace of the two pointer stars 5 times the distance between them, and you will find the Pole Star.  Then visualize a plumb line straight down to the horizon, and that direction is roughly true north.

If you can't see the Big Dipper because it is below the horizon or the treeline, then you can probably see Cassiopeia which looks like an "M" or a "W"with one side open wider than the other.  Now go 5 times the distance between any two of the stars along a line the bisects the wider angle of the "M" as shown in the image, and you should find the Pole Star.  Note that the Pole Star is not very bright.

This method of finding Polaris and dropping straight down is to true north is close enough for infantry work.

If you are need a more accurate method (like our friends in the artillery) or are just interested in this stuff, then you might want to learn about the relationship between Polaris and Kochab.

Here's a link if you're really interested.  WARNING:  this is an extract from an Army Artillery Manual, so it's really hard to follow!


 

Quick Links
  
Want to see about getting your link added above?  Contact us!

Join Our Mailing List !

 

Follow us on Twitter:

 

@THEOMNA

 

Facebook Page!

 


 

 Like us on Facebook

 

Follow us on Twitter 

 

 

Thank you for your interest in OMNA International.  Our seasonal newsletter provides an update on our latest adventures in leadership development and other related efforts.  We'll also provide some ideas on a variety of topics which we hope you find useful as you lead those entrusted to your care.  Semper Fidelis!                      OMNA International

 

USFWS on the Shiloh Battlefield Staff Ride in February!
Recent Operations:  It has been a long time since our last seasonal newsletter!  Here are some of the adventures we completed since our last newsletter:
  • Battle of Shiloh staff ride for USFWS in February
  • Leadership in the Valley Staff Hike for U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen and Marine NCOs from 2d Radio Battalion in March.
USNA Midshipmen and USMC Sergeants and Corporals from 2d Radio Battalion ready to start an 80 mile, 5 day trek along the Appalachian Trail in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia in March -- including staff rides of the battles of Kernstown, Front Royal, Cross Keys, and Port Republic in Jackson's 1862 Valley Campaign.
Future Operations:  Here's what's already scheduled for 2015 ...contact us to reserve your dates now for other staff rides, field skills packages, or speaking engagements!
  • Gettysburg - May 4-8 2015 USFS/FDNY/SDFD/NCR-IMT
  • South Canyon - May 19-21 USFS
  • Thirtymile - May 27-29 USFS
  • Sharpsburg - Aug 13 and 28 USFWS
  • Shiloh - Sept 14-18 2015 USFWS
  • Little Bighorn - Oct 4-5 USFWS
  • Gettysburg - Oct 26-30 NIMO
  • Gettysburg - Nov 2-6 2015 USFS/USFWS/FDNY/
  • Fredericksburg-Chancellorsville - Week of Nov 16 USFS
To get our latest schedule, go to:

On top of Mary's Rock in the Blue Ridge with a 40 knot wind!

About OMNA International

 

OMNA International provides support services for leaders with vision and good moral character.  If you are such a leader, or would like to become one, we invite you to explore our website to learn what we can offer your organization.  We are retired U.S. Marines, Firefighters, and Law Enforcement Officers with a good deal of pragmatic experience in developing leaders for organizations with a bias for action.  We thank you for your interest, and hope that we can be of service to you and the organization you lead.

  

OMNA International

Fredericksburg, Virginia