Pathfinders: mission before self
Video / April 25, 2025
Transcript
The 11 week Patrol Pathfinder course is known to be grueling and is one of the Canadian Armed Forces most challenging courses.
A Patrol Pathfinder is an expert at insertion and extraction techniques by air, land, or sea. They must be proficient in the establishment of drop zones, landing zones, beach sites, and tactical airstrips.
A grouping, that is task-tailored to the mission, is inserted through various means, usually well forward of friendly lines. A commander is able to deploy a Patrol Pathfinder group in isolation at distances that outreach the integral capabilities of typical conventional reconnaissance platoon assets.
Patrol Pathfinders are trained to operate as a self-sustained organization until relieved by a follow-on force, or tasked with subsequent operations. Pathfinders’ advanced skill sets are essential to penetrate areas of interest and provide the intimate knowledge and situational awareness required for the effective insertion of fighting forces.
They are human barometers that will more often than not represent the first human sensors on the ground behind. A Patrol Pathfinder group can be expected to be employed across the spectrum of conflict, to include humanitarian assistance in an area of natural disaster or the evacuation of non-combatants.
The training for such tasks is especially difficult. The Patrol Pathfinder course is driven by a strategic imperative to build expertise in candidates through moments of extreme stress, severe conditions, physical stress, all in a simulated hostile environment with minimal support.
Pathfinders must be in top physical and mental condition to withstand the rigors of long range patrolling, long periods in uncomfortable circumstances, and to work long hours with minimal rest.
Patrol Pathfinders represent an important and unique capability available to a commander. They are primed to execute the initial phase of most operations involving the insertion of forces into a new or immature conflict.
Patrol Pathfinder. Mission before self!
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