Ok here is my 2 cents worth and that's what it's worth. Let's say I'm going birdwatching or whatever, I don't want to fuss with navigation. I mark where my truck is,I agree with all this is most important. Then I turn off the unit and do what I came to do. When I want to return to the truck I get the bearing and distance to it from the gps, set up my compass, turn off the unit, and walk to the truck.
Most important skills are how to mark a waypoint, be able to recall that waypoint & use the goto function.
I always carry a compass and usually carry a paper map. I usually only use the map if I find something interesting or I want to know what the terrain is like over the ridgeline without going there.