BASIC TRACKER:
Definition: A tracker with a "Basic Tracker” Certification from JHPTS and/or “Track Aware” Certification from UTS and/or the equivalent Certification from an approved Tracking School per our Executive Board.
Skills Required:
· Accept and understand that whenever a person moves about on foot they leave sign and that trained trackers are most often able to locate the physical evidence of that sign;
· Use glossary terms and definitions correctly to demonstrate recognition of various types of sign and tracking descriptions found in field training areas;
· Make an acceptable drawing of subject footprints and identify by using proper measurements and descriptions that would be shared with team members and search officials;
· Demonstrate the proper “step-by-step” method of setting up and using a tracking stick on a identified line of sign;
· Demonstrate and explain the recognition and the visual evidence of simple sign aging characteristics found in the sign line;
· Discuss, explain and identify the functions of each position of the three person tracking team;
· Demonstrate the ability to function effectively, compatibly, and co-operatively in each position of the three person tracking team in actively moving sign along a simple sign line;
· Mark and preserve the identified tracks on a line of sign;
· Demonstrate the ability to recognize specific characteristics found in various different types of footgear impressions in vegetation, loose debris and on open soil areas of a relatively uncontaminated open field area;
· Demonstrate the knowledge and ability to advise and assist Novice students to understand the pertinent history and progressive development of the “JHPTS” tracking program;
· Demonstrate ability to assist Novice students to understand the basic tracking concept that trained trackers “see what others look at and do not see” and to understand why trained trackers are a vital mission critical resource for land search efforts.
- Remain professional at all times, tactful, sensitive and considerate for all persons, displaying courteous demeanor and supportive of all training program members and aspects.

APPRENTICE TRACKER:
Definition: An advanced Tracker who possesses all equipment and qualifications of a Basic Tracker and an “Apprentice Tracker” Certification from JHPTS and/or “Tracker I” Certification from UTS and/or the equivalent Certification from an approved Tracking School per our Executive Board.
Skills Required:
· Respond, report properly and participate in tracking incidents as an Apprentice level tracker;
· Demonstrate basic understanding of MSO/ICS/MLPS or MLPI management practices and concepts that may be in place on scene of a tracking mission and described how tracking resources might be affected;
· Demonstrate the knowledge and ability to recognize and identify, describe and explain all terms and types of sign listed in the glossary of terms;
· Demonstrate the ability to locate and identify specific footprints co-mingled with others using verbal description, measurements, sign age and other comparison means, and define simple aging comparisons observed;
· Demonstrate the ability and tracking skills to effectively and efficiently assist a tracking team to move an identified print along a sign line complicated by simple contamination and controversy;
· Demonstrate leadership to assist a tracking team to locate and work identified sign;
· Demonstrate understanding of multiple tracking team operations, describe and discuss the practical use applications of such operations;
· Demonstrate understanding, recognition and proper use of multiple cutting team operations including perimeter cutting, single and double team cutting techniques, open field and natural/man-made barrier cutting;
· Demonstrate your understanding and the accepted use of sign cutting procedures and techniques, in tracking team format, to efficiently perform each sign cutting operation, and discuss the decision factors that you employed;
· Demonstrate your ability to recognize, identify, define and describe obvious individual sign maker characteristics apparent in a particular sign line;
· Demonstrate the ability to recognize, identify, define and describe examples of simple aging;
· Demonstrate the ability to recognize inter-personal relationships affecting team efficiency and effectiveness and make reasonable suggestions to address these issues and enhance team effectiveness and achievement;
· Demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the training program evaluation format, practices and procedures and the need for such;
· Demonstrate your ability to correctly explain and discuss the certification criteria progression for the Basic and Apprentice Tracker certification;
· Demonstrate your ability to provide evidence that you have assisted Basic and Apprentice Tracker students to understand and properly use basic tracking principles and concepts in classroom and field practice;
· Provide documentation that you have willingly assisted Apprentice and Journeyman level Trackers to effect Basic Tracker training presentations, classes and field practices.
· Provide documentation that you have willingly assisted and actively participated as a tracker in actual mission or tracking incident operations including note taking and writing comprehensive mission reports;
· Display a courteous demeanor and remain professional at all times, tactful, sensitive and considerate of all persons and supportive of this tracking program;
· Demonstrate that you are capable when no higher training level tracker is available, to assume the responsibility as the best available resource and complete a tracking mission to the fullest extent possible.
- Remain professional at all times, tactful, sensitive and considerate for all persons, displaying courteous demeanor and supportive of all training program members and aspects.

TRACKING TEAM LEADER:
Definition: An advanced Tracker who possesses all equipment and qualifications of a Basic Tracker, an Apprentice Tracker and possesses a “Journeyman Tracker” Certification from JHPTS and/or “Tracker II” Certification from UTS and/or the equivalent Certification from an approved Tracking School per our Executive Board . Tracking Team Leaders are capable of organizing a Tracking operation and conducting tracking teams and reporting to Incident Base.
Skills required:
· Demonstrate a personal presentation of yourself and your credentials as a professional tracker as you should when reporting to the person in charge of a tracking mission. Express your training, knowledge and experience to be of assistance to this incident.
· Demonstrate full understanding of all portions and practices of the training program, the certification levels and all criteria, the evaluation format and all elements, the “Train the Trainer”, Tracking Field Coordinator, Tracking Field Team Leaders, etc;
· Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of MSO/ICS/MLPS or MLPI management concepts and practices that would most probably be in effect at a tracking mission requesting your assistance;
· Demonstrate your training and ability to obtain incident critical information, PLS, LKP and other pertinent details from an Incident Commander/SAR Manager or other authorities and witnesses as appropriate;
· Demonstrate your knowledge and experience to evaluate the application of tracking as an incident resource to a particular incident described. Articulate reasoning and the decision making process you would offer with on site authorities, other resources and witnesses;
· Demonstrate during training simulations or actual mission documentation your professional assistance to the Incident Commander/SAR manager through physical evidence verification of factors to establish or assure identifications and factors such as sign aging, direction of travel, number of persons, conflicting witness statements, physical and mental characteristics of the sign maker which could effect overall operations;
· Demonstrate your knowledge, ability and experience to maintain appropriate and adequate communications of sign observation with incident officials and your ability to assist by making reasoned and appropriate tracking team assignments;
· Demonstrate leadership abilities and professionalism in assisting the on scene official to coordinating and briefing tracking teams using accepted SAR management concepts;
· Demonstrate the training, experience and ability to work compatible and efficiently in any tracking team without regard to other team members experience or training and remain disciplined to proper teamwork techniques and operations;
· Demonstrate leadership characteristics, knowledge of inter-personal relationships, decision making techniques and take charge in a Tracking Team Field Coordinator role when appropriate to insure overall mission effectiveness;
· Demonstrate your knowledge and ability to recognize inter-personal relationship issues that negatively effect teamwork and articulate you knowledge and experience in discussing and taking actions to resolve issues;
· Demonstrate and articulate your knowledge, reasoning, experience and tracking skill to recognize and resolve sign contradictions, conflicts and contamination complexities;
· Demonstrate your ability and tracking skills to follow a somewhat complicated sign routing, with areas of complexity and utilize available trained personnel to reach a logical conclusion expeditiously;
· Demonstrate and articulate understanding, experience and tracking skills to cut sign effectively and efficiently using all recommended Sign Cutting practices, procedures and techniques. Articulate your reasoning to determine the most appropriate technique to be used when, where and how by which team. Further, articulate your expertise in determining the “best” cutting zone for each technique;
· Demonstrate your ability to document your participation in a tracking mission. Upon completion of an actual tracking mission (may be accomplished during simulated missions) complete and submit a timely and comprehensive written report to proper authorities of tracking actions, decisions and operations, and the results based on information provided and actions requested;
· Demonstrate your knowledge, experience, and comfort to initiate and make Basic and Apprentice level training presentations, including field practices
· Present documentation of response to requesting regional units, organizations and interested persons to introduce tracking principles and concepts with Basic Level presentations.
· Document your adequate preparation of Basic students to become a viable SAR resource and with your recommendation apply for and receive basic tracking certification; (Students may request opportunities to demonstrate these aspects during training sessions from instructor staff. Basic students submitting completed training logs, requesting and receiving evaluation from basic tracking certification will be considered as evidence of the criteria element.)
· Complete and initial Basic Tracking Training Logs noting appropriate evaluation comments and remarks including recommendations for basic tracking certification;
· Remain professional at all times, tactful, sensitive and considerate for all persons, displaying courteous demeanor and supportive of all training program members and aspects.

*Definitions and skills required printed courtesy of JHPTS