Some of those who worked with Jim Gavin in the Irish Air Corps recall his exceptional map reading ability.
It is a skill he will need to deploy again in the coming weeks.
But this time it will be a matter of reading the political terrain to convince Fianna Fáil politicians that he represents their best shot at winning the presidency.
This ground is governed by nuances and doublespeak is a common currency.
Can the often-understated former military man thrive in such arena?
The clarity with which Mr Gavin is known to approach tasks will be tested like never before, notwithstanding the effusive backing he has already received from the party's upper echelons.
The idea that such a challenge might intimidate him was scornfully dismissed by figures close to Micheál Martin, who believe he is battle ready.
It is a challenge though that probably was not anticipated by the party leader when the name of the former Dublin football GAA manager was first discussed.
The tone of his exchanges in phone calls with the party's TDs suggests as much.
Many detected a barely concealed sense of rage with Billy Kelleher and his decision to seek the party's nomination.
The feeling is that he was blindsided, and he is understood to have said as much to Mr Kelleher himself when they spoke late on Thursday.
The MEP is thought to have countered by pointing out that there was a prolonged vagueness around the party's procedures to nominate a candidate.
Therefore, he was left with no option but to proceed as he did.
Indeed, that slow, almost coy approach, taken by Mr Martin does not look quite so clever right now.
Furthermore, some in Fianna Fáil claim they have not had a long one-to-one conversation with the party leader "in ages" yet he is now relying on their support.
There is another issue that appears to rankle with the Fianna Fáil leader, according to some who have spoken to him over the last three days.
This relates to a conversation he had with Mr Kelleher months ago, where he felt the former Cork North-Central TD was trying to convince him to seek the nomination himself, further adding that he would be a "shoe in" to win the election.
Mr Kelleher's own ambitions regarding the loftiest constitutional position in the State were not evident during this discussion, it seems.
That sets the scene for a show down at that Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting in a few weeks' time where this issue will be finalised.
Bertie Ahern's hint that he is still possibly in contention for a nomination is not being taken too seriously in the party.
"It's going to be one hell of a contest," according to one minister, as the gregarious Mr Kelleher takes on the aloof but widely respected Jim Gavin.
The stakes are suddenly very high for the party leader who has an impeccable record when it comes to quelling any threats to his strategic vision.
The tactic typically involves the holding of a very long meeting where the putative rebels inevitably run out of steam after a few hours.
This time though there is a secret ballot and while Billy Kelleher is often seen as a "bit of a messer" he is regarded as "very bright and always has his homework done".
But how well-known is the MEP outside his party where one TD described him as "world famous in Fianna Fáil".
That is likely to be a point of attack for those who will follow the party leadership and give their backing to Jim Gavin.
The central argument is that the Fianna Fáil vote stands at somewhere about 20%, but that will need to be more than doubled if their candidate is to be successful.
This pitch will be that Mr Gavin has the wider appeal to achieve that.
There are indications that the party has polling data to support this thesis which already has the backing of many ministers and some backbenchers, including Cathal Crowe and Shane Moynihan.
"Look at who is on the payroll, they will nearly all go with the leader's endorsement," is how one minister summed up the thinking.
That is a reference to those holding ministerial office, plus there are many more who aspire to do so.
On paper this cohort commands a majority within the 71 person Fianna Fáil parliamentary party, made up of 48 TDs, 19 senators and four MEPs, thus paving the way for the nomination of Mr Gavin.
That might be how it all unfolds in the end but expect some dramatic twists before the conclusion of this tale is reached.
