The Official U.S. Army Map Reading and Land Navigation Handbook

Book excerpt: The U.S. Army’s official guide to map reading, determining location, and navigating For a soldier, knowing where you are is a matter of life and death, and so it comes as no surprise that the Army has produced the most complete, clear, and thorough guide to map reading and navigation available. The book starts with a comprehensive explanation of the meaning and uses of maps, whether photographic, planimetric (standard-style), or topographic, then proceeds to the use of those maps, discussing compass techniques, celestial navigation, and determination of distance. There is a detailed section on interpreting topographic maps, with notes on tactical considerations for differing terrain, as well as determining the ease of movement through an area. The book’s crucial, well-illustrated chapters have invaluable information on: Training Strategy Maps Marginal Information and Symbols Grids Scale and Distance Direction Overlays Aerial Photographs Navigation Equipment and Methods Elevation Relief Terrain Association Mounted Land Navigation Navigation in Different Types of Terrain Unit Sustainment There is also information on field sketching, the tricky art of map folding, units of measure and conversion factors, map symbols, orienteering, and the global positioning system (GPS).