They have got to be the best of the best. The older, more-mature soldier generally makes an ideal pathfinder. Some 39 of the company's 52 soldiers are sergeants, which guarantees the unit a wealth of experience and maturity. That experience is what creates a confident and competent soldier, Whitney said. The physical challenge of the pathfinder's job begins with a heavy ruck, a radio, NVDs, an infrared strobe for signalling aviators and the individual equipment the pathfinder needs to survive for three days.
Pathfinders move toward a prospective landing zone during daytime training.
If obstacles are encountered on the LZ, the soldiers must determine if they should reduce, remove or mark them. If the soldiers don't get extracted after completing their mission, they may have to walk out. Because they are on their own, each pathfinder is combat-lifesaver qualified. At the LZ, pathfinders use mathematical formulas to determine if a landing will be hampered by variables such as wind condition and ground slope. They often do this at night, number crunching with a pocket calculator.