Author Topic: Practice for target detection  (Read 2744 times)

STRAITJACKET

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Practice for target detection
« on: September 17, 2011, 05:30:36 PM »
   

             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

             

Ghost

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Re: Practice for target detection
« Reply #1 on: September 17, 2011, 05:34:42 PM »
Awesome post man. Something to keep in mind in finding threats, in both our normal day to day life, and in a SHTFS.


Been meaning to pick up that book too. Guess I'll have to get it sooner.

STRAITJACKET

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Re: Practice for target detection
« Reply #2 on: September 17, 2011, 07:39:20 PM »
Awesome post man. Something to keep in mind in finding threats, in both our normal day to day life, and in a SHTFS.


Been meaning to pick up that book too. Guess I'll have to get it sooner.


 Thanks, lots of useful info in the book. I dont think you will be disappointed.

Offline WhiskeyJack

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Re: Practice for target detection
« Reply #3 on: September 17, 2011, 07:48:50 PM »
Nice dude. Now we can train in the news paper word search. I like it. [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co
Good whiskey, makes Jack Rabbit smack da bear.

Offline tominphx

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Re: Practice for target detection
« Reply #4 on: September 18, 2011, 12:59:39 AM »
His video is excellent too.

His non fiction book about SOG is great as well.

It's better to have it and not need it ...

Offline EJR914

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Re: Practice for target detection
« Reply #5 on: September 18, 2011, 01:14:22 PM »
Good thing I do a lot of puzzles like this.   [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co

Great read and also something to really think about.