DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS

ARMY RESERVE TRAINING CORPS UNIT

SAINT PAUL UNIVERSITY DUMAGUETE
Dumaguete City

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MAP READING 1
A Map is a graphical representation of the earth’s surface or it, drawn or formed to scale
on plane. Manmade and natural features are depicted by symbols; lines, colors, and forms.

When used correctly a map can give accurate information on such factors as distance,
locations, heights, best routes, key terrain features, concealment and 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”

How to orient map? – Map is oriented in horizontal position with each north and south
corresponding to the north and south on the ground.

CATEGORIES AND USES OF MILITARY MAPS:

The term military maps include all maps designed for use by the Department of Defense
expect aeronautic and hydrographic charts. Military maps are usually identified according to scale
and type.

a) Scale = the scale is expressed as fraction and gives the ratio of map distance to
ground distances. The terms small scale, medium scale and large scale may be confusing when
read in conjunction with the numbers. However, the numbers must be viewed as fractions. When
read that way, it quickly becomes apparent that 1:600,000 of something is smaller that 1:75,000 of
the same thing. Hence, the larger after 1: the smaller the scale of the map.

1. Small scale - Maps at scale of 1:600,000 and smaller are used for
general planning and for strategical studies at the high echelons.
2. Medium scale - Maps at scale larger than 1:600,000 but smaller than
1:75,000 are used for planning operations, including the movement and
concentration of troops and supplies.
3. Larger scale - Maps at scale of 1:75:000 and larger are used to meet
tactical, technical and administrative needs of field units.

b) Type

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

2. Topographic map – a two-dimensional map which presents the horizontal (flat)
and vertical (relief) positions of features represented.
3. Plastic relief map – a topographic map printed in plastic and molded into a three-
dimensional form.
4. Photo map – A map reproduction of photograph or photo mosaic upon which
grid lines, marginal data, place names and boundaries may be added.
5. Plastic relief photomap – A photomap printed in plastic and molded into a three-
dimensional form.
6. Photomosaic – An assembly of aerial photographs to form a composite picture.
7. Military City maps – A large scale of topographic map of a city usually at scale
1:12,500.
8. Special maps – Maps for special purpose such as trafficability maps,
transportation maps, boundary maps, etc.

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 9. 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.

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.

a) 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.
b) Sheet number – found in the right margin of the map.
c) Series name and scale – found in the upper left margin of the map.
d) Series number – found in the upper right margin and in the lower left margin
of the map.
1. 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.
2. 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
3. The third entry is always a number and indicates the scale group of
the map.
4. The fourth entry identifies this series from others having the same
scale and area average.
e) Edition number – found in the center of the lower margin. They are rulers used for
the determination of ground distance.
f) Bar scale – located in the center of the lower margin. They are rulers used for the
determination of ground distance.
g) Index to adjoining sheets – appears in the lower margin. It identifies the map sheet
surrounding the maps.
h) Index to boundaries – appears in the lower margin. It identifies the map sheet
surrounding the maps.
i) 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.
j) Legend – located in the lower left margin. It illustrates and identifies the topographic
symbols used in the maps.
k) Declination diagram – located in the lower margin and indicates the angular
relationships of true north, grid north and magnetic north.
l) 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 large-scale topographic map, the colors used and the features
each are represented by;

a. Black. Indicates cultural (manmade) 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.

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 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 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 consists 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.

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 labeled 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.

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.

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.

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 expresses 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 (milli
grads).

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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. A line from any point on the North Pole. All lines of longitude are true
north it is usually represented by a star.

b. Magnetic North. The direction to the north indicated by the north seeking needle
of a Magnetic North is usually symbolized by a arrow head

c. Grid North. The north that is established on the grid lines by the map. The grid
north may be a GN or the letter y

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 methods 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 and 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

Declination Diagram

A. Definitions:

1) Declination – is the angular difference between true north and either magnetic or grid
north. There are two declinations, a magnetic declination and a grid declination.

2) Diagram – shows the angular relationship, represented by prongs, among these three
norths. The angles between the prongs, however, are seldom plotted exactly to scale.
The relative position of the direction is obtained from the diagram, but the numerical
value should not be measured from it.

B. Location – a declination diagram is a part of the marginal information under the lower margin on
larger maps. On the medium scale maps, the declination information is shown by a note in the map
margins.

C. The Grid Magnetic Angle. The G-M angle value is the angular size that exists between grid
north and magnetic north and the year it was prepared. It is an arc indicated by a dashed line, which
connects the grid north and magnetic north prongs. This value is expressed to the nearest ½
degree, with mil equivalent shown to the nearest 10 mils. The G – M angle is important to the map
reader/land navigator because it will affect he accuracy of navigation skills in the field.

D. Grid Convergence. An arc indicated by a dashed line connects the prongs for true north and
Grid north. The value of the angle for the center of the sheet is given to the nearest full minute with
its equivalent to the nearest mil. These data are shown in the form of a grid-convergence note.

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E. Conversion. There is an angular difference between the grid north and the magnetic north that
is caused by the attraction of the earth magnetic field (Northern Canada) on all compasses. Since
the location of these magnetic field does not correspond exactly with the grid-north lines on the
maps, a conversion from magnetic to grid or vice versa.

WAYS OF LOCATING POINTS

Intersection

Intersection is the location of an unknown point by successively occupying at least two

(preferably three) known positions on the ground and then map sighting on the unknown locations. It
is used to locate distant or inaccessible points or objects, such as enemy targets, danger areas, and
so forth. There are two methods of intersection

a. Map and compass method.

1. Orient the map using the compass
2. Locate and mark using the compass
3. Determine the magnetic azimuth to the unknown position using the compass.
4. convert the magnetic azimuth to grid azimuth.
5. Draw a line on the map from your position on this grid azimuth.
6. Move to a second known point and repeat steps 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
7. The location of the unknown position is where the lines cross on the map.
Determine eight digit-digit grid coordinates to the desired accuracy.

b. Straightedge Method. (when compass is not available).

1) Orient the map on a flat surface by the terrain association method
2) Locate and mark your position on the map.
3) Lay a straightedge on the map with one end at user’s position (A) as a
pivot point; rotate the straightedge until the unknown point is sighted
along the edge.
4) Draw a line along a straightedge.
5) Repeat the above steps at position (B) and check for accuracy.
6) The intersection of the lines on the map is the location of the unknown
point (C). Determine the grid coordinates to the desired accuracy.

Resection

Resection is the method of locating one’s position on a map by determining the grid azimuth
to at least two well-defined locations that can be pinpointed on the map. For greater accuracy, the
desired method of resection would be to use three well-defined locations

a. Map and Compass Method

1) Orient the map using the compass.
2) Identify two or three distant location on the ground and mark them on the
map.
3) Measure the magnetic azimuth to the known position from your location
using a compass.
4) Convert the magnetic azimuth to a grid azimuth.
5) Convert the grid azimuth to a back azimuth. Using a protractor scale the
back azimuth on the map from the known position and a third position if
desired.
6) The intersection of the lines is your location. Determine the grid
coordinates to the desired accuracy.

b. Straightedge method
1) Orient the map on a flat surface by the terrain association method
2) Locate at least two known distant location or prominent features on the
ground and mark them on the map
3) Lay a straightedge on the map using a known position as a pivot point.
Rotate the straightedge until the known position on the map is aligned with
the known position on the ground.
4) Draw a line along a straightedge away from the known position on the
ground toward your position.
5) Repeat 3 and 4 using a second known position.
6) The intersection of the lines on the map is your location. Determine the
grid coordinates to the desired accuracy.

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Modified Resection

Modified resection is the method of locating one’s position on the map when the person is
located on a linear feature on the ground, such as road, canal, stream, etc. The steps are as follows.

a. Orient the map using a compass or by terrain association

b. Find a distant point that can be identified on the ground and on the map.
c. Determine the magnetic azimuth from your location to the distant known
point.
d. Convert the magnetic azimuth to a grid azimuth.
e. Convert the grid azimuth to a back azimuth. Using protractor, scale the
back azimuth on the map from the position back toward your unknown
position.
f. The location of the user is where the line crosses the linear features.
Determine the grid coordinates to the desired accuracy.

Polar Plot

A method of locating or plotting an unknown position from a known point by giving a direction
and a distant along that direction line is called a polar plot or polar coordinates. Three elements must
be present when using polar coordinates.
1. Present known location on the map.
2. Azimuth (grid or magnetic)
3. Distance (normally in yards or meters).

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. Part one of this manual discussed the techniques of map reading. To complement three
techniques, a mastery of field movement techniques is essential.

Types of Compasses
a. Lensatic. The lensatic compass is the most common and simplest instrument for
measuring direction.
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 is obtained.

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 then 45 degrees to allow the dial to float freely.

Field Expedient Methods

When a compass is not available, different techniques should be used to determine the four
cardinal directions.
a. Shadow-Tip method. – a simple and accurate method of finding direction by the
used of a stick and a shadow created by the sun.
b. Star Method – Navigators’ use less than 60 of approximately 5,000 stars visible to
the eye. North Star – less than 1 degree off true north and does not move from
its place because the axis of the earth is pointed toward it. The North Star is in the
group of stars called the little dipper. It is the last star in the handle of the dipper.
Two stars in the big dipper are help in finding the North Star.

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MAC/rri/spudrotcu
2nd Sem SY 2022-2023

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