Basic Map Reading

and
Land Navigation
 Lesson Goals
The students will understand all the map
reading skills and appreciate its
importance and application in real
scenarios in a given situation.
 Lesson objectives
After this lesson the students will be
able to
• Define Map, Type and its Scale
• Identify instructions on Marginal
information
cont.
• Define and interpret the different
Contour Lines
• Define Map, Type and its Scale
• Identify instructions on Marginal
information
cont.
• Define and interpret the different Contour
Lines
• Define and interpret the different Contour
Lines
• Identify relief features and Elevation
• Classify the different Terrain features
cont.

• Enumerate parts of a Compass and GTA

• Identify all the Methods Of Expressing
Directions
• Define Military Grid reference System
cont.
• Read and plot coordinates using a
Compass and GTA
• Field Expedient Method
• Navigate
 Map
• is a graphic representation of a portion of
the earth's surface drawn to scale, as seen
from above.
• It uses colors, symbols, and labels to
represent features found on the ground.
Types of Maps

• Planimetric Map
• Topographic Map
• Terrain Modelling
Planimetric Map. A planimetric map
presents only the horizontal positions for
the features represented. It is distinguished
from a topographic map by the omission of
relief, normally represented by contour
lines. Sometimes, it is called a line map.
Topographic Map. A topographic map
portrays terrain features in a
measurable way, as well as the
horizontal positions of the features
represented. The vertical positions, or
relief, are normally represented by
contour lines on military topographic
maps.
Terrain Model. A terrain model is a scale
model of the terrain showing features,
and in large-scale models showing
industrial and cultural shapes. It provides
a means for visualizing the terrain for
planning or indoctrination purposes and
for briefing on assault landings.
Scale
The size of a map in relation to the earth
is its scale, which is usually stated as a
fraction or ratio. The numerator, at the top
of the fraction, is one unit on the map and
the denominator, at the bottom of the
fraction, is the number of the same units
that are represented in the real world.
For example, a scale of 1/10,000 means
that one centimeter on the map is
equivalent to 10,000 centimeters on the
ground. As a ratio, this scale would be
shown as 1:10,000.
 The larger the denominator and the
smaller the fraction, the more of the earth
is represented on a single map. Therefore,
small-scale maps show a large piece of
the earth, and large-scale maps show a
relatively small piece.
SCALE
1. SMALL SCALE - 1:600,000 and
larger
(1 inch = 16 miles).This map covers
a very large land area at the expense
of less detail.
SCALE
• used for general planning and for
strategic studies
• standard SMALL-SCALE map is
1:1,000,000
2. MEDIUM SCALE – larger than 1:75,000
and smaller

They contain a moderate amount of

detail, but terrain analysis is best done
with the large-scale maps.
cont.

The standard medium-scale map is

1:250,000 (1 inch = 4 miles).

Medium-scale maps of 1:100,000 are also

frequently encountered.
cont.

• used for operational planning

• standard MEDIUIM SCALE map is
1:250,000.
3. LARGE SCALE - 1:75,000 and smaller

These are the maps that you as a SAF

Trooper are most likely to encounter. The
standard large-scale map is 1:50,000;
however, many areas have been mapped at a
scale of 1:25,000 (1 inch = 2,000 feet).Lots of
detail is shown on this type of map.
cont.
• used for tactical, administrative, and
logistical planning
• standard LARGE-SCALE IS 1:50,000
 Medium-scale map (1:250,000)
MORE DETAIL
Small-scale map (1:100,000,000)
VERY LITTLE DETAIL

Map Scale

Large-scale map (1:24,000)

LOTS OF DETAIL
Medium-scale topo map (1:150,000)

Large-scale topo map (1:24,000) 27

MARGINAL INFORMATION

Are information and instructions written

on the outer edge of the map
Sheet Name
Located at the center of the upper
margin. Generally, a map is named
after its outstanding cultural or
geographic feature. Whenever
possible, name of the largest city on
the map is use.
Sheet Number –found in the upper right
margin and is used as a reference
number assigned to each map.
Series Number - found in both the upper
right and lower left margin. It is a
sequence reference expressed either as a
four-digit numeral, or as a letter followed by
three or four digit numeral.
Example : S701

S – stands for World Series

7 - stands for Scale of the Map as
follows:
8 = 1:25,000
7 = 1:50,000
6 = 1:100,000
Example : S701

0 - stands for Sub Geographic Area as

follows:
0 – Philippines 3 - Panay
1 - Luzon 4 - Sulu
2 - Visayas 5 - Mindanao
Series Name and Scale – the map series
name is found in the upper left margin. A
map series is usually comprises a group of
similar maps at the same scale and on the
same sheet lines or format, designed to
cover a particular geographic area.
Bar Scales – the bar scales are located in
the center of the lower margin. They are
rulers used for the determination of ground
distance.
Index to Adjoining Sheets – the index
to adjoining sheets appear in the lower
margin. It identifies the map sheets
surrounding the map.
Index to Boundaries – appears in the
lower right margin. This diagram, which
is a miniature of the map, shows the
boundaries that occur within the map
area such as provincial and city
boundaries.
Legend – located in the lower left
margin. It illustrates and identifies the
topographic symbols used to depict the
more prominent features on the map.
Declination Diagram – located in the
lower margin and indicates the angular
relationship of true north, grid north, and
the magnetic north.
Contour Interval – appears in the center of
the lower margin. It states the vertical
distance between adjacent contour lines on
the map.
Protractor Scale – a protractor scale may
appear in the upper margin on some maps.
It is used for laying out a magnetic north line
on the map.
Elevation Guide
Found in the lower right margin. It is
represented by bands of elevation, spot
elevations, and major drainage features that
provides the map reader with a means of
rapid recognition of major landforms.
Grid Reference Box
Normally located in the center of the
lower margin. It contains instructions for
composing a grid reference.
Unit Imprint and Symbol – located on the
left side of the lower margin. It identifies the
agency that prepared and printed the map
with its respective symbol.

Conversion Graph – normally found in the

right margin and indicates the conversion of
different units of measure.
QUESTIONS?
TYPES OF CONTOUR LINES
Index. Starting at zero elevation or mean
sea level, every fifth contour line is a heavier
line. These are known as index contour
lines. Normally, each index contour line is
numbered at some point. This number is
the elevation of that line.
Intermediate. The contour lines falling
between the index contour lines are called
intermediate contour lines. These lines are
finer and do not have their elevations given.
There are normally four intermediate contour
lines between index contour lines.
Supplementary. These contour lines
resemble dashes. They show sudden
changes in elevation of at least one-half
the contour interval.
Contour Intervals. Before the elevation of
any point on the map can be determined,
the user must know the contour interval for
the map he is using. The contour interval
measurement given in the marginal
information is the vertical distance between
adjacent contours.
 Terrain Features
Five Major Three Minor
• Ridge Spur
• Hill Draw
Cliff
• Saddle
Two Supplementary
• Valley Cut
• Depression Fill
A ridgeline is a line of high ground, usually
with changes in elevation along its top and
low ground on all sides from which a total of
10 natural or man-made terrain features are
classified.
A hill is an area of high ground. From a
hilltop, the ground slopes down in all
directions. A hill is shown on a map by
contour lines forming concentric circles.
The inside of the smallest closed circle is
the hilltop
A saddle is a dip or low point between
two areas of higher ground. A saddle is
not necessarily the lower ground
between two hilltops; it may be simply a
dip break along a level ridge crest.
A valley is a stretched-out groove in the
VALLEY
land, usually formed by streams or rivers.
A valley begin with high grounds of three
sides, and usually has a source of
running water through it. If standing in a
valley , there is high ground in two
opposite directions.
And a gradual inclination in the other
VALLEY
two
directions. Depending on its size and
where a person is standing, it may not be
obvious that there is high ground in the
third direction, but water flows from
higher to lower ground.
Contour lines forming a valley are
VALLEY
either
U shape or V shape. To determine
direction water is flowing, look at the
contour lines (U or V ) always points
upstream or toward high ground.
VALLEY
A depression is a low point in the ground
or a sink hole. It could be described as an
area of low ground surrounded by higher
ground in all directions, or simply a hole in
the ground.
Usually only depressions that are equal
to or greater than the contour interval
will be shown. On maps, depressions
are represented by closed contour lines
that have tick marks pointing toward low
ground.
A spur is a short, continuous sloping
lines of higher ground, normally jutting
out from the side of a ridge. A spur is
often formed by roughly parallel streams
cutting draws down the side of a ridge.
The ground will slope down in three
directions and up in one. Contour lines on
a map depict a spur with U or V pointing
away from high ground.
A draw is a less developed stream course
than a valley. In a draw, there is
essentially no level ground and, therefore,
little or no maneuver room within its
confines.
If you are standing in a draw, the ground
slopes upward in three directions and
downward in the other direction. A draw
could be considered as the initial
formation of a valley
The contour lines depicting a draw are U-
shaped or V-shaped, pointing toward high
ground
 CLIFF it
A cliff is a vertical or near vertical feature,
is an abrupt change of the land. When a
slope is so steep that the contour lines
converge into one ‘carrying” contour of
contours, this last contour line has tick
marks pointing toward low ground.
 CLIFF
Cliffs are also shown by contour lines very
close together and, in some instances,
touching each other.
CLIFF
A man-made feature resulting from
cutting through raised ground, usually
to form a level bed for a road or railroad
track.
Cuts are shown on the map when they
are at least 10 feet high, and they are
drawn with a contour line along the cut
line.
The contour line extends the length of
the cut and has tick marks that extends
from the cut line to the roadbed, if the
map scale permit this level of detail.
CC
UU
TT
A fill is a man-made feature resulting
from filling a low area, usually to form a
level bed for a road or railroad track.
Fills are shown on a map when they are
at least 10 feet high , and they are drawn
with a contour line along the fill line.
This contour line extends the length of
the filled area and has thick marks the
point toward lower ground. If the map
scale permits, the length of the fill thick
marks are drawn to scale and extend
from the baseline of fill symbol.
FF
II
LL
LL
 COLORS USED ON A MAP

• Black - represents man-made objects, I.e.

buildings
• Blue - represents bodies of water,
• Brown - depicts elevation and relief
 COLORS USED ON A MAP
• Green - depicts vegetations
• Red - built up areas, main roads
special features
• Reddish Brown - cultural features,
elevations and relief and contour lines
on red-light readable maps
5MINUTES BREAK
MILITARY GRID
GRIDS
A series of straight lines intersecting at right
angles forming squares.

• Properties of grids:

– Permit linear and angular

measurements.
cont.

Linear Measurements:
• meters
• yards
• feet
Angular Measurements:
• degrees
• mils
 Classification of Grids
• Geographic coordinates
(Latitude/Longitude)
• Military Grid Reference System (MGRS)
• Grid Lines
• Grid Square
 MILITARY GRID REFERENCE
SYSTEM

It is the geo coordinate standard used by

NATO militaries for locating points on the
earth.
cont.

The MGRS is derived from the Universal

Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid system
and the Universal Polar Stereographic
system (UPS) grid system but uses a
different labeling convention. The MGRS
is used for the entire earth.
 UNIVERSAL TRANSVERSE
MERCATOR
The UTM Grid has been designed to cover
that part of the world between lat 84 degrees
N and Lat 80 degrees S. it is imposed on the
Transverse Mercator Projection.
 MILITARY GRID REFERENCE SYSTEM
• The UTM grid
• Grid Zone Designation 51P
• 100,000 meter square id TR
• 1,000 meter square ( 4 DIGIT) 8974
• 100 meters ( 6 digits) 894741

• 10 meters (8 digits) 89437410

• 1 meter (10 digits) 8943074103
• Completed G.C: 51P TR 8943074103
NCO Academy 105
NCO Academy 106
Question?
5 Minutes Break
Principles in Reading Map
Coordinates

Read “RIGHT-UP”
 Read “RIGHT-UP”
Right -Objective should be to the right of
the vertical grid line. 1st half of the
coordinates
Up- Objective is above the horizontal grid
line. 2nd half of the coordinates
07

GS 13 05
06

05

04
12 13 14 15
07

GS 14 05
06

05

04
12 13 14 15
12 13 14 15
07

06

GS 13 06
05

04
12 13 14 15
12 13 14 15
07

GS 14 06
06

05

04
12 13 14 15
07

GS 14 04
06

05

04
12 13 14 15
07

GS 12 05
06

05

04
12 13 14 15
12 13 14 15
07

06

GS 12 06
05

04
12 13 14 15
12 13 14 15
07

06

05

04
12 13 14 15
12 13 14 15
 6 DIGITS

NEAREST 100 METERS

06 9
8 GC 13
GC___
5 05____
135055 5
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

05 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
14
13
06 9
8 GC 13
GC___
7 05____
137056 6
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
05
13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 14
06
9
8 GC 13 2 05__9
GC___
132059
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
05
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

13 14
06
9
8 GC 13 9 05___1
GC___
139051
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
05
13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 14
06
9
8 GC 13 0 05___
GC___
130050 0
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
05
13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
14
06
9
8 GC 13 7
GC___05___
137050 0
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
05
13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 14
 8 DIGITS
NEAREST 10 METERS
06 9
8 GC13740570
GC 13 ____
7 4 05____
70
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
05
13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
14
06
9 GCGC 13 ____
7 0 05____
13700573 73
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
05
13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 14
06
9 GCGC 13 ____
7 0 05____
13700565 65
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
05
13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
14
QUESTIONS?
Coordinate Scale and Protractor

NCO Academy 131

87

86

85

84

83
13 14 15 16 17 18
ENCOAC 132
 PART 1 Basic Land Navigation

you are
here
PART 1 Basic Land
Navigation
Compass
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 compass and
its uses.

NCO Academy 135

Types of Compasses

1.Lensatic. The lensatic compass is the

most common and simplest instrument
for measuring direction.

NCO Academy 136

cont.
1.Artillery. The artillery M2 compass is
a special-purpose instrument designed
for accuracy.
2.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.

NCO Academy 137

LENSATIC COMPASS

NCO Academy 138

M2 COMPASS

NCO Academy 139

 WRIST POCKET

NCO Academy 140

 PART 1 Basic Land Navigation

LENSATIC COMPASS
PARTS and Features of a Lensatic compass
Bezel ring 3. LENS
Floating Dial
REAR
Fixed black Index Line
SITE
Luminous Magnetic Arrow Sighting Slot
Luminous Sighting Dots
Luminous Bezel Line
Sighting Wire
Luminous Heading
Lens

Lanyard Ring

Thumb Loop
Graduated Straight Edge

1. COVER NCO Academy 2. BASE 141

 SIGHTING
R LENSATIC
COMPASS

I
G
H
T
Center hold technique:

1) It is faster and easier to use.

2) It can be used under all conditions of
visibility.
3) It can be used when navigating over
any type of terrain.

Viewgraph 143
cont.
4) It can be used without putting down the
rifle; however, the rifle must be slung
well back over either shoulder.
5) It can be used without removing
eyeglasses.

Viewgraph 144
Center Hold Technique

Viewgraph 145
METHODS OF EXPRESSING
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 measure.
Directions are expressed as units of
angular measure.
Degree. The most common unit of
measure is the degree (°) with its
subdivisions of minutes (') and seconds
(").
• 1 degree = 60 minutes.
• 1 minute = 60 seconds
AZIMUTHS

An azimuth is defined as a horizontal

angle measured clockwise from a north
base line. This north base line could be
true north, magnetic north, or grid north.
AZIMUTHS
The azimuth is the most common military
method to express direction. When using
an azimuth, the point from which the
azimuth originates is the center of an
imaginary circle. This circle is divided
into 360 degrees or 6400 mils
Origin of azimuth circle
Back Azimuth. A back azimuth is the
opposite direction of an azimuth. It is
comparable to doing "about face." To obtain
a back azimuth from an azimuth, add 180
degrees if the azimuth is 180 degrees or
less, or subtract 180 degrees if the azimuth
is 180 degrees or
The back azimuth of 180 degrees may be
stated as 0 degrees or 360 degrees. For
mils, if the azimuth is less than 3200 mils,
add 3200 mils, if the azimuth is more than
3200 mils, subtract 3200 mils.
Back azimuth.
GRID AZIMUTHS
When an azimuth is plotted on a map
between point A (starting point) and
point B (ending point), the points are
joined together by a straight line.
cont.
A protractor is used to measure the angle
between grid north and the drawn line, and
this measured azimuth is the grid azimuth
 KINDS OF BEARINGS
1. True Bearing – the number of degrees
from North written as a 3 digit number
and T …Ex. 045 degrees T

2. Compass Bearing – the number of

degrees East/West of North South
 How to Orient the Map
1. Align the ruler of the compass with any
vertical grid lines on the map.
2. Then , turn the map until the north
seeking arrow of the compass is align
with the fixed black index line.
 How to Orient the Map

3. The map is now oriented thru north.

Note; the map should not be move ,

while plotting
 Estimation of Distance
1. Pace counting
 Pace counter
 Peebles
 Taking notes
2. 100 meters familiarization of distance
3. Flash to bang method
Polar Coordinates
MAP READING

NCO Academy 161

 POLAR COORDINATES
 PLOT AZIMUTH FROM A KNOWN POINT.

 PLOT DISTANCE FROM THE KNOWN

POINT ALONG THE AZIMUTH LINE.

 THE POLAR COORDINATE IS AT THE

END OF THE AZIMUTH/DISTANCE LINE.

NCO Academy 162

STEP 1. PLACE THE INDEX MARK OF
THE PROTRACTOR AT THE CENTER OF
MASS ON THE POINT FROM WHICH YOU
ARE MEASURING.

ELO F W221/OCT 03/VGT-4

NCO Academy 163
PNT 1

ELO F W221/OCT 03/VGT-4

NCO Academy 164
STEP 2. LOCATE THE DESIRED AZIMUTH
ON THE PROTRACTOR SCALE AND
PLACE A DOT ON THE MAP AT THIS
AZIMUTH.

ELO F W221/OCT 03/VGT-5

NCO Academy 165
 56
EXAMPLE: 56 DEGREES

PNT 1

ELO F W221/OCT 03/VGT-5

NCO Academy 166
STEP 3. REMOVE THE PROTRACTOR AND CONNECT THE POINT
AND DOT WITH A STRAIGHT LINE.

PNT 1

NCO Academy 167

ELO F W221/OCT 03/VGT-6
STEP 3. REMOVE THE PROTRACTOR AND CONNECT THE POINT
AND DOT WITH A STRAIGHT LINE.
STEP 3. REMOVE THE PROTRACTOR AND CONNECT THE POINT
AND DOT WITH A STRAIGHT LINE.

PNT 1

NCO Academy 168

ELO F W221/OCT 03/VGT-7a
STEP 1. SELECT THE APPROPRIATE
SCALE MEASUREMENT AND PLACE A
PAPER STRAIGHT EDGE ON THE
SCALE.

NCO Academy 169

Example: Distance in Meters

ELO F W221/OCT 03/VGT-7b

NCO Academy 170

 STEP 2. DETERMINE THE DESIRED
DISTANCE TO MEASURE FROM THE
SCALE AND MARK THE PAPER AT
THIS DISTANCE USING TICK MARKS.

ELO F W221/OCT 03/VGT-8

NCO Academy 171

Example: 3400 Meters

ELO F W221/OCT 03/VGT-8

NCO Academy 172

STEP 3. ALIGN THE STRAIGHT EDGE
WITH THE AZIMUTH LINE. ENSURE
THE FIRST TICK MARK IS CENTER
MASS ON THE KNOWN POINT.

NCO Academy 173

PNT 1

NCO Academy ELO F W221/OCT 03/VGT-9

174
STEP 4. PLACE A DOT ON THE MAP
AT THE SECOND TICK MARK FROM
THE STRAIGHT EDGE ON THE MAP.

NCO Academy 175

 THE POSITION OF THE SECOND TICK MARK
IS THE POSITON OF THE UNKNOWN POINT.
PNT 1

NCO Academy ELO F W221/OCT 03/VGT-10

176
REMOVE THE STRAIGHT EDGE AND DETERMINE THE GRID
COORDINATE TO THE SECOND POINT.

EG158821
REMOVE THE STRAIGHT
EDGE AND DETERMINE THE
GRID COORDINATE TO THE
SECOND POINT.

PNT 1

NCO Academy ELO F W221/OCT 03/VGT-11

177
NCO Academy 178
 AUTHOR:
AUTHOR:SFC
SFCNORMAN
NORMANM.
M.VANCE
VANCE

Intersection
MAP READING

NCO Academy 179

 INTERSECTION

DETERMINE THE POSITION OF AN

UNKNOWN POINT BY OCCUPYING AT
LEAST TWO, BUT PREFERABLY THREE,
KNOWN POSITIONS.

180
 INTERSECTION

DETERMINE THE AZIMUTH TO THE

UNKNOWN POINT FROM THESE
POSITIONS.

PLOT THE AZIMUTHS FROM THE

POSITIONS TO LOCATE THE UNKNOWN
POINT BY THEIR INTERSECTION.

181
STEP 3. DETERMINE THE MAGNETIC
AZIMUTH FROM THE ROAD JUNCTION TO
THE ENEMY POSITION.

E S
RE
G TI C
D E E
59 AGN
M

POS 1 NCO Academy ELO G W221/OCT 03/VGT-182

182
ST.

STEP 4. DRAW A LINE FROM THE ROAD

JUNCTION ALONG THE 59 DEGREE
GRID AZIMUTH.

NCO Academy 183

 59

POS 1

ELO G W221/OCT 03/VGT-184

NCO Academy 184
 STEP 5. MOVE TO, OR PREFERABLY, RADIO A
SECOND POSITION FROM WHERE SOMEONE
CAN SEE THE UNKNOW POINT AND MARK THE
POSITION ON THE MAP.

POS 1

ELO G W221/OCT 03 VGT-185

NCO Academy POS 2185
STEP 5. MOVE TO, OR PREFERABLY,
RADIO A ECOND POSITION FROM
WHERE SOMEONE CAN SEE THE
UNKNOWN POINT AND MARK THE
POSITION ON THE MAP.

NCO Academy 186

 POS 2

POS 1

EXAMPLE: ROAD JUNCTION AT EG13318108

ELO G W221/OCT 03/VGT-187 NCO Academy 187

 STEP
. 6. DETERMINE THE MAGNETIC
AZIMUTH FROM THE SECOND ROAD
JUNCTION TO THE ENEMY POSITION.
.

POS 1

100
DEG
MAG REE
NET S
IC

ELO G W221/OCT 03/VGT-188

NCO Academy POS 2188
 .

STEP 7. DRAW A LINE FROM THE SECOND

ROAD JUNCTION ALONG THE 100 DEGREE
GRID AZIMUTH.

ELO G W221/OCT 03/VGT-189 NCO Academy 189

 .

100
POS 2

POS 1

ELO G W221/OCT 03/VGT-190 NCO Academy 190

 .STEP 8. WHERE THE LINES CROSS IS THE
LOCATION OF THE UNKNOWN POINT.

POS 2

POS 1 EG14908091

ELO G W221/OCT 03 VGT-191 NCO Academy 191

 IT’S DESIRABLE TO REPEAT THE PROCEDURE
FROM
. A THIRD POINT TO INCREASE THE
ACCURACY.

POS 3

POS 2

POS 1

EXAMPLE: ROAD JUNCTION AT EG13708239

ELO G W221/OCT 03 VGT-192 NCO Academy 192

 POS 3

POS 2

POS 1
NOTICE THAT THE LINES FROM THE FIRST AND SECOND
POINT FORM A SHALLOW ANGLE.
THIS DECREASES ACCURACY. WHENEVER POSSIBLE,
CHOOSE LOCATIONS THAT WILL GIVE YOU A LARGER
ANGLE (CLOSER TO 90 DEGREES
ELO G W221/OCT 03/VGT-193
NCO Academy LIKE POSITION 3.) 193
NOTE: NOTE:
WHEN TRIANGULATING,
WHEN TRIANGULATING,
RECORDRECORD
THE THE
CENTER
CENTER
OF THEOF
TRIANGLE
THE TRIANGLE
AS THEAS THE
LOCATION.
LOCATION.

ELO G/W221/OCT 03/VGT-194 NCO Academy 194

 Resection
MAP READING
 RESECTION
DETERMINE THE POSITION OF AN
UNKNOWN POINT BY SIGHTING ON AT
LEAST TWO, BUT PREFERABLY THREE,
KNOWN POSITIONS.

DETERMINE THE AZIMUTHS FROM

THE UNKNOWN POINT TO THESE
POSITONS.

196
 RESECTION
PLOT THE BACK AZIMUTHS FROM
THE KNOWN POSITONS TO LOCATE
YOUR UNKNOWN POSITION BY THEIR
INTERSECTION.

197
 BACK AZIMUTH
RULE #1: IF THE AZIMUTH IS MORE THAN 180 DEGREES,
THEN SUBTRACT 180 DEGREES.

EXAMPLE: AZIMUTH 215 DEGREES

-180 DEGREES
BACK AZIMUTH 35 DEGREES

RULE #2: IF THE AZIMUTH IS 180 DEGREES OR LESS,

THEN ADD 180 DEGREES.

EXAMPLE: AZIMUTH 180 DEGREES

+180 DEGREES
BACK AZIMUTH 360 DEGREES

ELO H W221/OCT 03/VGT-198 NCO Academy 198

 STEP 1. LOCATE A FEATURE OR OBJECT THAT IS
IDENTIFIABLE ON BOTH THE GROUND AND
THE MAP AND MARK THE MAP LOCATION.

EXAMPLE: TOWER LOCATED AT EG18048759

ELO H W221/OCT 03VGT-199 NCO Academy 199

 KP 1

STEP
STEP 1.
1. LOCATE
LOCATE AA FEATURE
FEATURE OR
OR OBJECT
OBJECT THAT
THAT IS
IS
IDENTIFIABLE
IDENTIFIABLE ON
ON BOTH
BOTH THE
THE GROUND
GROUND AND
AND
THE
THE MAP
MAP AND
AND MARK
MARK THE
THE MAP
MAP LOCATION.
LOCATION.

EXAMPLE: TOWER LOCATED AT EG18048759

ELO H W221/OCT 03/VGT-200 NCO Academy 200

 STEP 2. MEASURE THE MAGNETIC AZIMUTH TO THE
KNOWN POSITION AND CONVERT THE
MAGNETIC AZIMUTH TO A GRID AZIMUTH.

50 AG
DE N
M

G ETI
RE C
ES

ELO H W221/OCT 03/VGT-201 NCO Academy 201

 STEP 2. MEASURE THE MAGNETIC AZIMUTH TO THE
KNOWN POSITION
POSITION..

STEP 3. CHANGE THE GRID AZIMUTH TO A BACK

AZIMUTH AND DRAW A LINE FROM THE
KNOWN POSITION BACKWARD TOWARD
YOUR UNKNOWN POSITION

MAGNETIC AZIMUTH: 50 DEGREES

ADD: +180 DEGREES

ELO H W221/OCT 03/VGT-202 NCO Academy 202

 STEP 3. CHANGE THE GRID AZIMUTH TO A BACK
AZIMUTH AND DRAW A LINE FROM THE
KNOWN POSITION BACKWARD TOWARD
YOUR UNKNOWN POSITION.

GRID AZIMUTH: 50 DEGREES

ADD: +180 DEGREES

GRID BACK AZIMUTH: 230 DEGREES

ELO H W221/OCT 03/VGT-203 NCO Academy 203

 KP 1

230
STEP 3. CHANGE THE GRID AZIMUTH TO A BACK
AZIMUTH AND DRAW A LINE FROM THE
KNOWN POSITION BACKWARD TOWARD
YOUR UNKNOWN POSITION.
LO H W221/OCT 03/VGT-204 NCO Academy 204
 STEP 4. LOCATE A SECOND FEATURE OR OBJECT
THAT IS IDENTIFIABLE ON BOTH THE GROUND
AND THE MAP AND MARK THE MAP LOCATION.

EXAMPLE: BRIDGE LOCATED AT EG15008389

ELO H W221/OCT 03/VGT-205 NCO Academy 205

 EXAMPLE: BRIDGE LOCATED AT EG15008389
KP 1

KP 2
STEP 4. LOCATE A SECOND FEATURE OR OBJECT
THAT IS IDENTIFIABLE ON BOTH THE GROUND
AND THE MAP AND MARK THE MAP LOCATION.
ELO H W221/OCT 03/VGT-206 NCO Academy 206
 STEP 5. MEASURE THE MAGNETIC AZIMUTH TO THE
SECOND KNOWN POSITION AND CONVERT
THE MAGNETIC AZIMUTH TO A GRID AZIMUTH.

E S
RE
G TIC
DE NE
72 G
1 MA

ELO H W221/OCT 03/VGT-207 NCO Academy 207

 STEP 5. MEASURE THE MAGNETIC AZIMUTH TO THE
SECOND KNOWN .

STEP 6. CHANGE THE GRID AZIMUTH TO A BACK

AZIMUTH AND DRAW A LINE FROM THE
SECOND KNOWN POSITION BACKWARD
TOWARD YOUR UNKNOWN POSITION

MAGNETIC AZIMUTH: 172 DEGREES

ADD: +180 DEGREES

ELO H W221/OCT 03/VGT-208 NCO Academy 208

 STEP 6. CHANGE THE GRID AZIMUTH TO A BACK
AZIMUTH AND DRAW A LINE FROM THE
SECOND KNOWN POSITION BACKWARD
TOWARD YOUR UNKNOWN POSITION.

GRID AZIMUTH: 172 DEGREES

ADD: +180 DEGREES

GRID BACK AZIMUTH: 352 DEGREES

ELO H W221/OCT 03/VGT-209 NCO Academy 209

STEP 6. CHANGE THE GRID AZIMUTH TO A BACK
AZIMUTH AND DRAW A LINE FROM THE
SECOND KNOWN POSITION BACKWARD
TOWARD YOUR UNKNOWN POSITION. KP 1

352

KP 2

ELO H W221/
OCT 03/VGT-210 NCO Academy 210
 STEP 7. THE POINT WHERE THE TWO LINES
INTERSECT IS YOUR LOCATION.
KP 1

EG14858494

KP 2

ELO H W221/OCT 03/VGT-211 NCO Academy 211

 STEP 8. FOR A CHECK ON ACCURACY, YOU SHOULD
CONSTRUCT A THIRD LINE FOLLOWING THE
STEPS AS OUTLINED.
KP 1

KP 3

KP 2
WHENEVER POSSIBLE, CHOOSE LOCATIONS THAT
WILL GIVE YOU A LARGER ANGLE WHERE THE LINES
INTERSECT TO INCREASE ACCURACY.
ELO H W221/OCT 03/VGT-212 NCO Academy 212
 How to Navigate
A. Compass following
B. Lateral movement
C. Obstacles
• lake
• Hill
 Field Expedient
1. Shadow stick method
2. Watch method
3. Stars/celestial navigation
End of Tour

Good Day!!!