BASIC MAP READING AND LAND NAVIGATION

Map
 is a graphical representation of the earth surface drawn to scale as seen from
above. Man-made and natural features are defected by symbols, colors, lines
and forms.

When used correctly:

It can give accurate information on such factors as:

 distance
 locations
 heights
 best routes
 key terrain features
 concealment
 cover

 With combat elements widely dispersed in an area, which might be in any part of
the world, it becomes more necessary to reply upon maps.
 Combat operation in modern warfare must be concerned not only with our own
familiar areas but also the far-flung theaters of the world.
 Vast amounts of materials must be procured, transported, scored and phased
into the proper place in overall plan. By necessity, much of this planning be done
on maps. It is readily apparent that a major requirement for any operation is an
adequate supply of maps.
 Equally apparent is the fact that the finest maps made are worthless unless the
maps user knows how to read them.
 How to read map? - “Read Right Up”

Map Reading
 is the knowledge and skills necessary to interpret correctly and efficiently the
map information.

Map Symbol
 is a sign composed of diagram, number, letter, abbreviation, colors, or
combination thereof which is used to identify and distinguish a particular military
unit, activity or installation.
 PURPOSE OF MAP

A map provides information on the existence and location of and the distance
between group features such as populated place and routes of travel and
communication.
It also indicates variations in terrain, heights of natural features and the extent of
vegetation cover. It is necessary to rely on maps to provide information to our combat
elements and to resolve logistical operations far from our shores.
Troops and materials must be transported, stored, and place into operation at the
proper time and place. Therefore, any operations require the supply of maps; however,
the finest maps available are worthless unless the map user knows how to read them.

MARGINAL INFORMATION

a. Upper Left - series names and scale. The series is the name of the large
area of which this particular map sheet is a part.
b. Top Center - sheet name or name of a particular area.
c. Top right - sheet number and serial number.
d. Lower left - series number repeated, edition number and date.
e. Lower left - paragraph showing sources and preparation data for the
map.
f. Lower left - Legend. The legend is partial listing and interpretation of the
symbols used in the map.
g. Bottom center - representative fraction and graphic scales.
h. Bottom center - information on contour intervals.
i. Bottom center – information oh the grid system used and brief
explanation of the coordinate system.
j. To the right of grid information – declination diagram showing the
relationship among the three (3) types of north.
k. Lower right – coverage diagram showing method of revision and ate of
photography for the map: index to boundaries, index to
adjoining sheets.
l. Extreme Lower right – sheet name and series name repeated;
geographic index, showing location of the map on the earth
surface.

ORIENTATION OF MAP

A map is oriented when in a horizontal position and its north and all map lines are
parallel to their corresponding lines on the ground.

a. Orientation by Compass – place the map on the flat surface and draw
the MN line and follow these steps:
 1) Open the compass and place it over the MN lines that the sightings
wire in the front sight cover is nearest the top if the map and is
directly over the MN line that has been drawn.
2) Turn the map taking care not to move the compass from its position
over the MN line, until the north arrow of the compass is aligned
with the index line of the inner glass.

b. Orientation by Inspection – carefully examine the map and ground for

features that are common to both map and ground. Align the
features on the map with the same features on the ground. The
map is oriented.

TYPES OF MAPS

A. Planimetric map – shows only the horizontal (flat) position of features.

B. Topographic map – a two-dimensional map which presents the horizontal

(flat) and vertical (relief) positions of features represented.

C. Plastic relief map – a topographic map printed in plastic and molded into a
three-dimensional form.

D. Photo map – A map reproduction of photograph or photo mosaic upon which

grid lines, marginal data, place names and boundaries may be
added.

E. Plastic relief photomap – A photomap printed in plastic and molded into a

three dimensional form.

F. Photomosaic – An assembly of aerial photographs to form a composite

picture.

G. Military City maps – A large scale of topographic map of a city usually at

scale 1:12,500.

H. Special maps – Maps for special purpose such as traficability maps,

transportation maps, boundary maps, etc.

I. Terrain model – A three – dimensional representation of an area, mold plaster,

 rubber of other materials. It is distinguished from the other maps in
that it shows some cultural and terrain features realistically instead
of symbolically

TYPES OF MAP ACCORDING TO SCALE

Scale
 It is expressed as a fraction and gives the ration of small distance to ground
distance.
 The scale can be a small scale, medium scale and large scale which may be
confusing when read in conjunction with the numbers. Therefore, the larger the
number after 1; the smaller the scale of the map.

a. Small Scale- 1:1,000,000 which are used for general planning and
strategic studies at the high echelon.

b. Medium Scale- 1:250,000 which are used for planning operations,

including the movement and concentration of troops and
supplies.

c. Large Scale- 1:50,000 which are used to meet the tactical, technical and
administrative needs of field units.

MARGINAL INFORMATION AND SYMBOLS

A map could be compared to any equipment, in that before it is placed into

operation the user must read the instruction. These instructions are placed around the
edge of the map and are known as the marginal information. All maps are not the same
so it becomes necessary every time a different map is used is used to examine the
marginal information carefully.

1. Sheet name – found in two places; the center of the upper margin and the
right side of the lower margin. Generally, a map is used after its
outstanding cultural or geographical feature. Whenever possible the
name of the largest City on the map is used.
2. Sheet number – found in the right margin of the map.

3. Series name and scale – found in the upper left margin of the map.
4. Series number – found in the upper right margin and in the lower left margin
of the map.

a. The first entry of a series number may be either a numeral or letter. It

is a number it indicates a world series, and if a letter. It is a number it
indicates a world series, and if a letter, it indicates a geographical
regional area.

b. The second entry is always a number and indicates the scale group of
the map.
5 = 1:250,000
6 = 1:100,000
7 = 1:50,000

c. The third entry is always a number and indicates the scale group of the
map.
d. The fourth entry identifies this series from others having the same
scale and area average.

5. Edition number – found in the center of the lower margin. They are rulers
used for the determination of ground distance.

6. Bar scale – located in the center of the lower margin. They are rulers used for
the determination of ground distance.

7. Index to adjoining sheets – appears in the lower margin. It identifies the map
sheet surrounding the maps.

8. Index to boundaries – appears in the lower margin. It identifies the map

sheet surrounding the maps.

9. Grid reference box – located in the lower margin and contains information or
identifying the grid zone and 100,000 meter square in which the
area presented by the map is located and instructions for giving
grid reference on the map.

10. Legend – located in the lower left margin. It illustrates and identifies the
topographic symbols used in the maps.

11. Declination diagram – located in the lower margin and indicates the angular
relationships of true north, grid north and magnetic north.
 12. Contour interval – found in the center of the lower margin and state the
vertical distance between adjacent contour lines on the map.

COLORS USED IN MILITARY MAP

To identify feature on the Map, it is being represented by different colors. These

colors may vary from map to map. On a standard largescale topographic map, the
colors used and the features each are represented by;

a. Black. Indicates cultural (man-made) features, such as buildings and roads.

b. Reddish-Brown. The colors red and brown are combined to identify cultural
features, all relief features, and elevation, such as contour lines on red-
light readable maps.
c. Blue. Identify hydrograph or water features such as lake, swamps, rivers and
drainage.
d. Green. Identifies vegetation with military significance, such as woods,
orchards, and vineyards.
e. Brown. Identifies all relief features and elevation, such as contour on older
edition maps.
f. Red. Classifies cultural feature, such as populated areas, main roads, and
boundaries, on older map.
g. Other. Occasionally other colors may be used to show special information.
These are indicated in the marginal information as a rule.

GRID
Grid coordinates

 Division of the earth’s surface into 6-degree by 8-degree quadrangles, and

covered these with 100,000 meter squares.
 The military grid reference of a point consist of the numbers and letters indicating
in which of these areas the point lies, plus the coordinates locating the point to
the desired position within the 100,000-meter square. The next step is to tie in
the coordinates of the point with the larger areas.

 one of the oldest systematic methods of location/and is based upon the

geographic coordinate system by drawing a set of east–west (latitude) and
north–south rings (Longitude). It is expressed in angular measurements.
Military Grid System

 is a network of squares formed by the north-south and east-west grid line place
on a map. The distance between grid lines represents 1,000 or 10,000 meters
depending upon the scale of the map. This system enables the map reader to
quickly and accurately locate a point on a map.

Grid lines

 Division of the 100,000-meter square; the lines are spaced at 10,000 or 1,000
meter intervals.
 Each of these lines is labelled both ends of the map with its false easting or false
northing value, showing its relation to the origin of the zone.

Grid squares

 The North-south and the east-west grid lines intersect at 90*forming grid
squares. Normally the size of one of these grid squares on large scale maps is
1,000 meters (1 kilometer).

Grid coordinates scale

 The primary tool for plotting grid coordinates is the grid coordinates scale.
 The grid coordinates scale divides the grid square more accurately than can be
done by estimation and the result are more consistent.
 When used correctly, it provides less chance of errors.

Graphic (Bar) Scales

 A graphic scale is a ruler printed on the map and is used to convert distances on
the map to actual ground distances.
 The graphic scale is divided into two parts. To the right of the zero, the scale is
marked in full units to measure and is called the primary scale. To the left of the
zero, the scale is divided into tenths and is called the extension scale.
 Most map have three or more graphic scales, each using a different unit of
measurement.
 When using the graphic scale, be sure to use the correct scale for the unit of
measure desired.
 MAPS SCALES AND DISTANCES
Scale and Distance

 A map is scaled graphic representation of a portion of the earth’s surface.

 The scale of the map permits the user to convert distance on the map to the
distance on the ground or vice versa.
 The ability to determine distance on a map, as well as on the earth’s surface, is
an important factor in planning and executing military missions.

Scale
 Ground Distance (GD) can be determined from a map by the scale.
 Scale is the relation between distance on the map and actual distance on the
ground.

It is expressed on one or more of the following ways:

a. Works and Figures

• scale may be expressed by a simple statement like “3 inches
equals 1 mile”, meaning 3 inches on the map equals I mile on the
ground. Similarly, “1 inch equal 200 feet”, meaning 1 inch on the
map equal 200 ground.

b. Representative Fraction (RF)

• the representative fraction formula is:

RF - Map Distance (MD)

- Ground Distance (GD)

in which the numerator and denominator are expressed in the same

unit, as inches, feet, yards, meters or miles. The RF appearing in
the margin as 1:20,000 such unit on the ground.
• The larger the denominator of the RF, the smaller the scale of the
map.
• Thus a 1:100,000 map is a small scale map and 1:20,000 is larger
scale map.

c. Graphic Scale – distance may also be measured by a graphic scale, a

special ruler for the particular map, printed in the margin.

d. Conversion Factor – distance may be expressed in either the English of

the Metric system and it may be necessary to convert measurement of the
system with those of another. Common units of metric linear measure.
 1 mile =1,760 yards =1.609 kilometers = 1,609 mtrs
1 kilometer =1,094 yards = 0.62 mile
1 meter = 1.094 yards = 39.37 inches
1 yard = 0.91 meter = 36 inches

DIRECTION

Military personnel need a way of expressing direction that is accurate, is

adaptable to any part of the world, and has a common unit of measurement. Directions
are express as units of angular measurement.

a. Degree
• The most common unit of measurement is the degree (*) with its
subdivision of minutes („) and seconds (“).
1 degree – 60 minutes
1 minutes – 60 seconds

b. Mil
• Another unit of measurement, the mil (abbreviated m), is mainly used
in artillery, tank, and mortar gunnery. The mil express the size of an
angle formed when a circle is divided into 6,400 angles with the vertex
of the angles at the center of the circle. A relationship can be
established between degrees and mils. A circle equals 6,400 mils
divided by 360 degrees or 17.78 mils. To convert degrees to mils,
multiply degrees by 17.78.
c. Grad
• The grad is a metric unit of measurement found on some foreign maps.
There are 400 grads in a circle (a90 degree right angle equals 100
grad). The grad is divided into 100 centesimal minutes (centigrade)
and the minute into 100 centesimal seconds (milligrads).

BASE LINES

In order to measure something, there must be a starting point or zero

measurement. To express direction as a unit of angular measure, there must be starting
point or zero measure and a point of reference. These two points designates the base
or reference line. There are three base lines – true north, magnetic north, and
commonly used are magnetic and grid.

a. True North
• is the direction of the north pole. It is used in surveying where great
accuracy is required but is not normally used by military personnel
in the field.
 • Meridian or longitude lines on a map represent True north and
South direction. It is almost directly under the North Star Polaris,
but 1 degree of Center.

b. Magnetic North
• is the direction of the North Magnetic Pole. It is indicated by the N
(north seeking) of the compass needed.
• It is ordinarily used for field work because it can be found directly
with the common compass.

c. Grid North
• is the direction of the vertical grid lines usually found on
military maps. Determination of direction by grid north is convenient
because grid lines are located at frequent intervals on maps.

AZIMUTH

 An azimuth is defined as the horizontal angle measured from a north base line.
This north base line it could be true north or grid north.
 The azimuth is the most common direction. When using an azimuth, the point
from which it originates is the center of an imaginary circle and it is divided into
360 degrees.
a. Back azimuth.
b. Magnetic azimuth.
• The magnetic azimuth is determined by using
magnetic instruments, such as lensatic and M-2
compasses.
c. Field expedient methods. Several field expedient method to
determine direction.
Grid Azimuth
When an azimuth is plotted on a map between two points. A (starting point) and
point B (ending point), the points are joined together by a straight line. A protractor is
used to measure the angle between grid north and the drawn line, and this measured
azimuth is the grid azimuth.

 Protractor
There are several types of protractors:
 full circle
 half circle
 square
 rectangular
 All of them are divide the circle into units of angular measures, and
each has scale around the outer edge and an index mark. The index mark
is the center of the protractor circle from which all direction are measured

LAND NAVIGATION

Navigation Equipment and Methods

Compasses are the primary navigation tools to use when moving in an

outdoor world where there is no other way to find directions. Soldiers should be
thoroughly familiar with the compass and its uses.

Types of Compasses

A. Lensatic Compass

 The lensatic compass is the most common and simplest instrument for
measuring direction.

 In the military, the type of a compass that is issued and commonly used is
called the lensatic compass. This useful item finds the north and the azimuth
for us. In other words, the lensatic compass is the direction finder.
 The compass can tell us the azimuth in degrees toward a given object, or it
can tell us the direction if an azimuth is known.
 To find a given magnetic azimuth, hold the compass level and turn the
compass and yourself until the correct magnetic azimuth is under the
stationary index line. If you are going to travel along this azimuth, look up the
sky line and pick up some prominent terrain features on this line that you can
use to guide on while moving.
 As much as possible, take the back azimuth which is the reverse of the
forward azimuth.

In order to be assured of the accuracy of the lensatic compass, observe the

two (2) general rules as follows:

1. Keep away from metal objects and high tension wire. The north arrow of
the compass is controlled by lines of force in the earth’s magnetic
field. Since these force lines are disturbed locally by small amount
of iron and electric fields, these things will produce error in the
compass and the effect will be greater as the mass of the object or
strength of the filed increases.
 2. Keep the compass closed when not in use. The compass is a delicate
instrument and can be damaged easily. It should always be
properly closed and returned to its carrying case when not in actual
use.

Parts of Lensatic Compass

a. Cover
• it protects the floating dial. It contains the sighting wire (front
sight) and two luminous sighting slots or dots used for night
navigation.
b. Base
• the body of the compass contains the movable parts of the
compass.
c. Lens
• lens is used to read the dial, and it contains the rear sight slot
used in conjunction with the front for sighting on objects.
• The rear sight also serves as the lock and clamps the dial when
closed for its protection.
• The rear sight must be opened more than 45 degrees to allow
the dial to float freely.

B. Artillery
• The artillery M-2 compass is a special-purpose instrument designed for
accuracy.

C. Wrist/Pocket

• This is a small magnetic compass that can be attached to a wristwatch

band. It contains a north-seeking arrow and a dial in degrees.

D. Protractor
 • This can be used to determine azimuth when a compass is not available.
However, it should be noted that when using the protractor on a map, only
grid azimuth are obtained

References:
file:///E:/GABAWA/MODULES/rotc_student_module_1.pdf
ROTC-MS-1-Manual Quirino S. Calonzo 2007