NAVIGATION USING THE DELIBERATE OFFSET METHOD USMC
Deliberate Offset Method. Navigation using the Deliberate Offset Method also known as "aiming off’, is the process of intentionally offsetting to a particular direction when the objective is located on a linear feature. Because of errors in the compass or map reading, the sniper may reach the linear feature and not know whether to go right or left. This method compensates for these errors.
Procedures. When using the deliberate offset method, a single degree of offset will move the course 17.8 meters to the right or left of the objective for each 1000 meters traveled. To use the deliberate offset method, follow these rules:
  1. Plot a course to the objective on the map and determine the distance and grid azimuth.
  2. Convert the grid azimuth to magnetic azimuth.
  3. Add or subtract degrees to the azimuth to offset the route. If degrees are added, the route will be offset to the right of the objective. Subtracting degrees will offset the route to the left of the objective (right add, left subtract - RALS).
  4. While traveling to the linear feature, a pace count should be maintained to ensure stopping on the correct feature.
  5. When the sniper reaches the linear feature a pace count should be maintained as he starts moving either right or left on the feature. Depending on the initial distance traveled to the feature and the amount of offset. the distance to travel along the feature to reach the objective can be calculated.
Example: If the route azimuth is offset 3 degrees to the right of the straight line azimuth, the route will be 1000 meters to a linear feature. At the end of the 1000 meter route and landing on a linear feature, turn left since offset is to the right, and travel 53.4 meters to the objective. Since every degree of offset equals 17.8 meters for every 1000 meters traveled, simply multiply 3 degrees by 17.8 meters to get 53.4 meters to the objective.