Which step is NOT part of presetting your compass to your desired course?

The correct answer indicates that directly holding the compass at eye level is not part of presetting your compass to your desired course. Presetting your compass involves several steps that prepare it for navigation, ensuring accuracy in following the intended path.

When you set the azimuth under the black line index, you align your compass to the specific bearing you plan to navigate. Adjusting the compass for declination is another critical step that compensates for the difference between magnetic north and true north, enhancing navigational precision. Rotating the bezel to align with true north is essential for orienting the compass correctly in relation to geographic directions.

Holding the compass at eye level is more about ensuring you can read it accurately while taking a bearing, rather than a step involved in the presetting process itself. Therefore, while it's a useful technique during navigation, it does not fit into the sequence of steps required to set your compass for the course ahead.