Yeah, it was one of these when I was in the army: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precision_Lightweight_GPS_Receiver
This didn’t necessarily precede civilian GPS devices, but this was during the accuracy “embargo.” Certainly though, GPS devices available to the public were cost prohibitive at that time. Later, someone bought me a Garmin for because they thought it would be useful to me in the military. I didn’t have the heart to tell them I’d never need it because of the existence of very accurate military GPS devices. It was a very thoughtful gift from a family member who was a veteran
I do love German humor