A two-hour scavenger hunt Saturday led ROTC members and Boy Scouts through Kirtland Air Force Base in search of eight locations.
Jeff Bauer, first lieutenant in Scabbard and Blade, and Adam Loomis taught the land navigation course.
Scabbard and Blade is a UNM honor society made of 16 ROTC members who are in the top 10 percent of performing officer candidates from all military branches at UNM.
The land navigation training began with a five- to 10-minute brief about Air Force ROTC and Army ROTC in a classroom setting. Scabbard and Blade members taught basic orienting with a compass and map.
The JROTC and Boy Scouts practiced compass-holding techniques, plotting and azimuth on the military maps, touring features, and how to read a military map associated with terrain features.
The JROTC and Boy Scouts used those skills to navigate to distinct points and landmarks around the base.
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Monica Linzmeyer said the honor society creates an opportunity for UNM ROTC to become involved with high school ROTC and Boy Scouts.
The society is fairly new, and Linzmeyer said they are just getting started.
Chris Jacobson, vice wing commander for Detachment 5-10 ROTC, said doing joint exercises helps students transition into the military.
"This is important to create society," Jacobson said. "It helps us understand how all branches work."
Each participant received a patch and certificate upon completion of the course. Trophies were awarded to the top three teams that finished with the best time and found the most points.
The winners completed the course in an hour and 40 minutes and found seven of eight points.
Scabbard and Blade members said getting students involved makes them aware of their opportunities in the military and at UNM.
The society does community service projects. Its next event is planned for Thanksgiving when members will serve dinner at Joy Junction.
