I have a copy of The Ultimate Sniper by MAJ. John L. Plaster, USAR (RET.) I knocked the dust off of it and was thumbing through it and came across a section talking about "Practicing for target detection" found the exercise interesting and decided to share it.
" One simple technique for improving visual scanning skills is finding concealed words in so called "Pick-a-Word" puzzles. See word puzzle below. (apologize if the copy looks a little blurred)
Take one glance at it. You'll instantly notice that there's a letter missing, demonstrating how dramatically conspicuous anything different is. Target detection, however, involves the discovery of inconspicuous targets,not obvious ones. What this actually illustrates is how effectively a decoy or diversion can attract attention-indeed, your eyes were lured to a spot where there was absolutely nothing.
Applying target detection techniques, you start with a hasty scan, keeping your mind as unfettered as possible, almost letting instinct tell you when to look closer. You're scanning for subtle patterns that will cause you to take a second look without even being able to define what you think you see next. You'll probably find about one quarter of the words using a hasty scan, not even knowing which words are hidden in the puzzle.
After this, slow down and intensify your search, using a deliberate scan. This requires more analysis, actually examining the word list and looking for unusual letters or letter combinations so that your mind can watch for specific patterns. For example, you'll notice that only one word, "Azimuth," has the letter "Z" in it, which is an infrequently used letter. Or you'll notice that both "Medulla" and McMillan" have double Ls, an unusual letter pattern. You'll actually scan each line right-to-left, bottom-to-top. A deliberate scan will help you find perhaps another half of "target" words by mentally focusing on their visual distinctions while completely scanning the target area."
This is something that I think comes natural to a lot of folks,"having the ability to see through the trees so to speak." But it is something that can be honed will a little effort over time. Its also a little piece of training that can be done in the confines of ones home. If you have kids, challenge them to a word search race to see who can finish first, the added pressure will make things interesting while pushing yourself at the same time.
The Ultimate Sniper by MAJ. JOHN L. Plaster, USAR (RET.)
WORD SEARCH LIST:
Alvin York Camouflage Medulla Spin
Ambush Colt Natural line of drift Spot
Azimuth Compensation Parker Hale Spotter
Ball Decoy Recon Stalk
Barret Federal Redfield Steiner
H and K Remington Robar Steyr
Binocs HS Precision Reverse slope Tactics
Boattail Lead Rifle Velocity
Boresight Leupold Scope Wind
Bullet Match Sierra Yaw
Burris McMillan Sniper
