Land NavigationModule 1

Introduction to Reading a Military Map

Instructor

SSG Chad WilsonSSG Richard Schilling

Class Objectives• Understand the Layout of a Military Map• Identify the Main Terrain Features• Determine Elevation on the Ground using

Contour Lines• Understand how to find a 4, 6, and 8 digit

coordinate using MGRS / Protractor• Understand how to find distance between to

points (straight line and Road)

Understand the Layout of a Military Map

• Heading• Scale• Grid Lines• Contour Lines• Contour Interval• G-M Angle / Convesrsion

Heading

Scale

Grid Lines

G-M Angle / Conversion

Margin

Contour Lines

Main Terrain Features / Colors

• Hilltop• Valley• Ridge• Spur• Draw• Cliff• Depression• Cut• Fill

• Blue-Water• Brown-Contour

Lines• Black-Manmade

structures• Red- Roads• Red/Brown-Roads

on red light safe Maps• Green-Vegetation

Hill

Ridge

Saddle

Spur

Draw

Cliff

Cliff (continued)

Depression

Valley

Man Made Terrain FeaturesCut & Fill

Finding a 4, 6, and 8 digit coordinate using MGRS / Military Protractor

Remember the most important ruleRIGHT and UP

How to find distance between two points (straight line and Road)

Pace Count

• Learn your Pace Count– Counting the number of paces you take to

estimate the distance you travel. You need to determine your standard pace for various conditions (at least one for walking and one for running) on a fixed course of known length. Because the map is flat, it takes more paces to cover the same map distance going up or down hill than on flat terrain.

Pace Count

• Lay out a straight Line 50 Meters Long• Walk the 50 Meters do an About Face and

Walk it Again. Count every time your Foot touches the Ground.

• Alternate Method is to count every time your left foot touches the ground.

Pace Count

• Up Hill- Paces Are Naturally Longer

• Down Hill Paces Are Naturally Shorter