What type of document is crucial for recording distances and landmarks during navigation?

A route card is an essential document for recording distances and landmarks during navigation. It serves as a detailed guide that outlines the planned route for a journey, allowing navigators to track their progress and remain oriented in the field. A route card typically includes information such as the distance between waypoints, significant landmarks along the route, rest stops, and any pertinent observations that can aid in navigation. By documenting this information, soldiers can effectively communicate their planned route to others and provide a reference that ensures they stay on course.

While other documents, like a terrain model or navigation log, can aid in understanding the terrain or tracking navigational data, they do not focus on the specific combination of distance and landmarks that a route card does. A checklist serves a different purpose, primarily to ensure that all necessary equipment is accounted for before undertaking a mission, rather than tracking the navigation process itself. Thus, the route card stands out as the key document for navigation that addresses the need to record essential navigational details during the journey.