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“Tunnel rats must have an inquisitive mind, a lot of guts, and a lot of real moxie in knowing what to touch and what not to touch to stay alive—because you could blow yourself out of there in a heartbeat.” – Capt. Herbert Thornton

Many tunnel rats avoided the vices common to their fellow Soldiers: drinking, smoking, candy, and chewing gum could dull their sense of smell and give away their position. Instead, they trained themselves and others to survive underground.

Read more here >

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Capture Date(s): April 30, 2024
Camera: Canon EOS R5
Lens: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Shutter Speed: Various (composited)
Aperture: f/8
ISO: 400

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– “Rise and shine, gorgeous.”
– *Grrrummblle…snort!* “Eehhhmmm…you guys…bring any pizza?”

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Capture Date(s): April 22, 2024
Camera: Canon EOS R5
Lens: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Shutter Speed: 5 sec
Aperture: f/32
ISO: 200

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FM-72-20

The jungle is a strange experience to the man who is unfamiliar with this type terrain. To overcome instinctive fears and uncertainties, commanders must condition the soldier's mind for this new experience. The men must be given confidence in their ability to live, move, and operate in a jungle. This training begins with physical training which increases a man's physical ability and makes him sure that he can do whatever is required, regardless of the physical hardship. The soldier must be thoroughly indoctrinated in techniques of survival. He must be confident of his ability to exist alone and find his way to safety if he becomes separated from his unit. He must know that he can survive over a considerable period of time on jungle vegetation without conventional rations. He must be sure of his ability to cope with the wild life of the jungle.

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Capture Date(s): February 27, 2024
Camera: Canon EOS R5
Lens: Canon RF 50MM F/1.2 L USM LENS
Shutter Speed: 1/8 sec
Aperture: f/5
ISO: 100

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There are 3 primary types of land navigation: Terrain Association, General Azimuth Method, and Point Navigation.

• Terrain association is the ability to identify terrain features on the ground by the contour intervals depicted on the map. 

• For the General Azimuth method, one can identify and select linear terrain features; then while maintaining map orientation, guide along them. 

• Point navigation, also referred to as “Dead Reckoning”, is a method that utilizes a known starting point and then strictly follows a predetermined azimuth and distance from there.

Each of these methods has its own pros and cons, and all possess varying degrees of difficulty and experience requirements. Orienteers often find success in combining all 3 methods together.

In Recondo’s case, his standard issue Joe handbook instructs him to do just that—combine the 3 navigational approaches into a well-crafted, researched and proven methodology. On each mission, his training initially kicks into gear while getting his bearings, but it isn’t long before he defaults back to a tried and true method that isn’t mentioned in any navigational handbook currently in print; or taught in any orienteering school anywhere in the world for that matter.

Pure, innate instinct.

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Capture Date(s): January 29, 2024
Camera: Canon EOS R5
Lens: Canon RF 50MM F/1.2 L USM LENS
Shutter Speed: 1 sec
Aperture: f/10
ISO: 100

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[ Location: Sierra Gordo ]

- “Well...it’s about dang time, Outback. Have a nice stroll?”

- “Peachy.”

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Capture Date(s): January 21-22, 2024
Camera: Canon EOS R5
Lens: Canon RF 50MM F/1.2 L USM LENS
Shutter Speed: 1 sec
Aperture: f/11
ISO: 100

Some Gave All

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Originally posted to Instagram May 30, 2020 for Memorial Day.

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Capture Date(s): May 26, 2020
Camera: Canon EOS 5D MKIII
Lens: Canon EF 100mm F/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens
Shutter Speed: 1 sec
Aperture: f/32
ISO: 100