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In most cold weather environments, accurate up-to-date maps may not be available, landmarks may be few or nonexistent and, when the terrain is snow covered, one piece of ground can look exactly like the other. Whatever the circumstances, you must be able to find your way. If you can't do it by map reading, you must do it by some means of navigation.
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Problems associated with Land Navigation:
-Poor or nonexistent road nets
-Sparse population
-Long nights, falling or blowing snow, fog, all limit visibility
-Magnetic disturbances are common, making compass readings unreliable
-Large scale maps are either nonexistent or unreliable
-Numerous small lakes, ponds, and creeks are not indicated on maps
-Size and location of waterways may vary from season to season and year to year
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Distance and Direction:
If you travel from "A" to "B", it's necessary, before you start, to know the distance and direction from "A" to "B".
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Measuring distances (methods):
-Pacing
-Use of field wire
-Estimation
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Determining direction (methods):
-Compass
-The sun
-Signs of nature
-The stars
-Navigation by dead reckoning
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Hints for the Navigator:
-Keep the compass warm to speed up taking bearings.
-When no steering marks exist to your front, march on a back azimuth. Your steering mark may be some natural or man made structure to your rear.
-When visibility is poor, only close-in steering marks will be available. Under these conditions, you should try to pick up further steering marks along the correct azimuth as you approach each one. This can only be done accurately when the route to each steering mark follows a straight line. You should take frequent compass checks to insure that the correct azimuth is being followed. The compass should also be set for a night course
-A steady, upshifting wind will also aid you in maintaining direction.
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1. What is a map?
A map is a graphic representation, drawn to scale, of a portion of the earth’s surface
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2. Why is it necessary to learn to read a map?
-To assist in locating and determining exact locations
-To assist in maintaining direction
-To assist in determining routes to follow
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3. What colors are used on military maps?
-Blue: water
-Green: vegetation
-Red-Brown: cultural features, all relief features, and elevation
-Red: main roads and populated areas
-Black: man-made objects
-Brown: relief features & elevation
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4. What does the color yellow represent on an overlay?
A contaminated area
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5. How do you orient a map?
By placing it in a horizontal position with is north pointing to the north
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6. Why are colors used on a map?
To facilitate the identification of features on a map, the topographical and cultural information
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7. What is a representation fraction?
A numerical scale. Indicates the relationship map to ground distance
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8. What is the declination diagram?
The declination diagram is the angular difference of magnetic north and grid from true north
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9. Name three types of aerial photographs.
-Vertical
-High oblique
-Low oblique
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10. What is meant by the scale of a map?
Scale is expressed as a fraction and gives the ratio of map distance to ground distance
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11. What are three norths on a military map?
-Magnetic
-True
-Grid
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12. What are the symbols for the three norths?
-Magnetic: Arrow
-True: Star
-Grid: Vertical Line
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13. What is the legend of a map?
Illustrates and identifies the topographic symbols used to depict the more prominent features of the map
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14. Are the legend symbols always the same on every map?
No
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15. What field manual covers map reading?
Field Manual 21-26
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16. What field manual covers topographic symbols?
Field Manual 21-31
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17. How can you identify the map you want to use?
By sheet name and numbers
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18. What are the two methods used for finding an azimuth using a compass?
-Centerhold method
-Compass to cheek
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19. What are the three field expedient methods of determining direction?
-Shadow tip method
-Watch method
-Star method
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20. What are the 5 major and 5 minor terrain features found on a military map?
-Major: hill; saddle; valley; ridge; depression
-Minor: Draw; spur; cliff; cut; fill
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21. What is a military symbol?
Graphic aids which accurately identify items of operational interest
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22. What is a NEAT line?
It is the outer line of a map that you align other maps with
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23. What is dead reckoning?
A technique of following a set route or line for a determined distance
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24. What is modified resection?
The method of locating one's position on the map when the person is located on a linear feature on the ground, such as a road or canal
