Task: 071-329-1006

Navigate from one point on

the ground to another point
while dismounted
Reference:
FM 3-25.26, STP 21-1-SMCT
 Conditions

Given a standard
topographic map of the
area, scale 1:50,000, a
protractor, a compass, and
writing materials.
 Standards

Moved on foot to designated points

at a rate of 3000 meters per hour.
Map Reading Overview
 Marginal Information

The instruction manual for

your map
Topographic
Symbols
 COLORS USED ON A MAP
There are five main colors utilize on a map. The colors
help you to visualize what is on the surface of the
terrain. They each represent the following:

• Black - Represents man-made features such as buildings and roads.

• Blue - Represents water such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and streams
• Green – Represents vegetation and forestry.
• Brown – Used for contour lines to identify elevation.
• Red- Used to indicate built up areas such as cities and also main highways
such as a 4 lane highway.

**Note – Other colors may be utilized on a map that are not part of the main
five colors. The meaning of them can usually be found in the marginal
information.
 Terrain Features

By interpreting the configuration of

contour lines, a soldier can determine
major terrain features that he or she may
encounter while navigating. Contour
lines are the brown lines that you see on
a topographical map. They make up the
bulk of information that is available
pertaining to elevation and relief.
 Hill
Hill Top

Hill Tops are depicted by a small round circle. The ground

slope downward from the circle in all directions
 Saddle

A saddle is the dip or low point between two hill

tops. It is depicted by an hour shape contour going
around both hills.
 Valley

A valley is land that has high ground or hills on both sides and usually
has water running through it. The water is usually a major river or creek
because it is the lowest area of the terrain and is all of the water runs
down to.
 Ridge

A ridge is simply the side of a hill and is depicted by the contour lines
around a hill top
 Depression
Depression

A depression is a low point or hole in the ground with higher

ground encircling it. It is depicted on the map by an encircled
contour line with tick marks toward the center of the depression.
 Draw

A draw is usually a small stream bed coming from higher

ground such as a hill top. Contour lines are V-shaped with the
point of the V toward the head of the draw (high ground).
 Spur

A spur is a terrain feature that jarts out from the normal

contour of the ridge. In Figure 1-9, notice how the contour
radically changes at Mark “X” and spurs outward. Contour
lines depict a spur with the U or V pointing away from the high
ground.
 Cliff

A cliff is depicted in two different ways on a topographical

map. One method is when the contours merge together in a
single contour line and have tick marks toward the cliff side.
The other method is when the contours are so close together
that they almost mesh, such as in Figure 1-13.
Cut and Fill
 Contour Lines
Index
Contour Line

Intermediate
Contour Line

The contour interval is the amount of elevation change between each

contour line. The contour interval can be found in the marginal information
at the bottom of most topographical maps.
 Contour Lines
How do we find the contour interval of the map?
 Contour Lines

** Note - It is vital when you determine the contour interval that you
note whether it is in feet, meters, or yards. All maps do not utilize
the same unit of measure for contour intervals.
Where Do Find the Grid Zone
Designators and the 100,000
Meter Identifier?
 Grid Zone Designation

S 72W 32N

18
 100,000
Meter Square Identification
 70 71 72 73 74
31 31

30 30

29 29

28 28
70 71 72 73 74
Identify Grid 71 29
Coordinate Scale
on Protractor
 1000
9
30
8 What is this
7 Grid
6 Coordinate?
5
4
3
2
1
0 29
00 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

18S is the
Grid Zone
Designator
WK is the
100,000 meter 28
designator
71 72 73
 1000
9
30
8 What is this
7 Grid
6 Coordinate?
5
4
3
2
1
0 29
1000 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

18S is the
Grid Zone
Designator
WK is the
100,000 meter 28
designator
71 72 73
Let’s Plot Some Points
Determine Azimuth,
Grid and Magnetic
A

B
 Converting Azimuths
Make sure you convert your
grid azimuth to a magnetic
azimuth before attempting to
use it with a compass.
Azimuths Conversions can be found in you
marginal information next to the declination
diagram
Let’s Determine Some
Azimuths
Graphic Scale
Straight Line
Distance
STEP 1- Lay a straight-edged
piece of paper on the map so
that the edge of the paper
touches both points and
extends past them. Make a tick
mark on the edge of the paper
at each point
STEP 2- To convert the map distance to ground distance, move the paper
down to the graphic bar scale found at the bottom of your map.
1. Align the right tick mark with a printed number in the primary scale so that the left
tick mark is in the extension scale

2. With the right tick mark is aligned with the 1 mile mark in the primary scale,
thus the distance is at least 1 mile. To determine the distance between the two points to the
nearest fraction of a mile, look at the extension scale. The extension scale is numbered with zero
at the right and increases to the left. Each block of the extension scale is 100 meters or .10 km.
From the “0” mark to your left side tick mark is 1.5 blocks or 150 meters. Add this to the
meters from the primary scale for a total of 3.15 km or 3,150 meters.

Total Distance = 3,150 meters

Curved Line
Distance
STEP 1– Mark the beginning and
end of the curved line you wish
to measure.

At the beginning of the curved

line, lay a straight-edged piece of
paper on the map so that the edge
of the paper touches the most flat
portion of the curved line. Make
a tick mark at the beginning or
your curved line and at where the
line no longer touches the straight
edge of the paper
Curved Line
Distance
2) At the point of your second
tick mark, rotate your paper so
that the edge of the paper again
touches the most flat portion of
the curved line. Make another
tick mark where the curved line
no longer touches the straight
edge of the paper.
Curved Line
Distance
Repeat the process of marking
and rotating around each new
tick mark until you reach your
mark at the end of the curved
line that you are measuring
 Curved Line
Distance
Step 2 - With the right tick mark is aligned with the 1 mile mark in the
primary scale, thus the distance is at least 1 km. To determine the distance
between the two points to the nearest fraction of a mile, look at the extension
scale. The extension scale is numbered with zero at the right and increases to
the left. Each block of the extension scale is 1/10 or .10 km. From the “0”
mark to your left side tick mark is 5.8 blocks or .58 km. Add this to the km
from the primary scale for a total of 2.8 km
LIGHTNING DIVISION

Measure Distance

PRACTICAL EXERICISE

2-309th
Regiment
 The Lensatic Compass
The lensatic compass consists of three major
parts: the cover, the base, and the lens.

Graduated Straight Edge

 The Lensatic
Compass Cont.

Black Numbers
are Mils

Red Numbers
are degrees
 Compass to
Cheek Technique
Centerhold Technique
 Orient a Map
The first step for a navigator in
the field is orienting the map.

A map is oriented when it is in a

horizontal position with its north
and south corresponding to the
north and south on the ground.
 Orient a Map
Once the map is oriented, a
soldier can begin to visualize
the shape of the land by
studying the map, estimate
distances, and perform quick
resection from the many
landmarks he sees around him.
 Orient a Map

Two Techniques for Orientating a Map

•By using a Compass

•By using terrain association

 Orient a Map
Using Terrain Association

Using this method requires

careful examination of the
map and the ground, and the
user must know his
approximate location.
 Orient a Map:
Terrain Association

2
3
1
2
1
Movement Techniques

Movement By:

•Dead Reckoning
•Terrain Association
 Dead Reckoning
A technique of following a
set route or line for a
determined distance.
 Dead Reckoning Steps

Step1 – Find the polar coordinate. Use a

protractor and graphic scales to determine the
direction and distance from one point to another
on a map.

Step2 - Use a compass and some means of

measuring distance to apply this information on
the ground.
 Demonstration

wo soldier movement technique

 Dead Reckoning

Steering Marks:

A landmark that is located on your azimuth that you

are following. Example:

•Lone trees
•Buildings
•Rocks
•Any easily identifiable points
 Dead Reckoning
Bypassing an obstacle

If you should encounter an obstacle, you

may have to detour around it.
 Clearing Obstacles
Fence

100 Meters

90 Paces
90 Paces

u i llddiinngg
BBui

Pt 1 40 Meters Pt 2

200 Meters
 Terrain Association
Navigation movements are adjusted
according to the familiar landmarks
you encounter along the way
**Note - The technique of moving by terrain
association is more forgiving of mistakes and
far less time-consuming than dead reckoning.
 Terrain Association
Study Your Route on the Map:

•Identifying and Locating Selected Features.

•Use Handrails, Catching Features, and Navigational

Attack Points.

**Note - Be certain the map is properly oriented when moving

along the route and use the terrain and other features as guides.
The orientation of the map must match the terrain or it can cause
confusion.
 Pace Count

PRACTICAL EXERICISE
 DISMOUNTED LAND NAV
RULES
1. GPS/PLGR IS NOT AUTHORIZED
2. CELL PHONE AND WALK-ABOUT USE IS ONLY AUTHORIZED FOR
EMERGENCIES
3. NAVIGATE WITH WEAPONS IN THE READY POSITION
4. NAVIGATE AS A TEAM AND IN SEQUENCE
5. DO NOT CROSS OR WALK ALONGSIDE ANY HARDBALLS. ANY
TEAM FOUND WALKIN ON A HARDBALL OR SHOULDER OF A
HARDBALL WILL RECEIVED A NO GO.
6. THIS IS A DEADREAKONING COURSE; TERRAIN ASSOCIATION
WILL WORK ONLY FOR FIRST AND LAST LEGS
7. DO NOT ENGAGE THE SWAMP; IT WILL WIN EVERY TIME
8. THIS IS NOT NIGHT LAND NAV; RETURN BEFORE DARK