10

CITIZENSHIP
ADVANCEMENT
TRAINING

Module 2.2 Military Orientation

Elementary Map Reading

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Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad
Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin

Development Team of the Module

Writer : Ramil L. Tadios - TIII

Editors : Ronnie S. Reyes - Tlll
Reviewers : Nelson R. Gomez EPS-MAPEH
Illustrator : Orlando L. Encinares - TIII
Layout Artist : Maryflor C. Lanzuela - TI

Citizenship Advancement Training – Grade 10

Military Orientation (Lesson 1) - Module 2.2
Elementary Map Reading
 I. Introduction:
A soldier, like any other craftsman, is provided with various tools in order to accomplish his task. He is provided
with weapons, transportation, communication facilities and other kinds of equipment, all as important as the others.
One kind of equipment that is use by a soldier from the lowest military in the ranks to the topmost commander is the
map. Map plays a vital role in a military man's life. He uses it as guide to his objective. It gives him information about the
characteristics of the ground in his area of operations and other information essential to the planning and conduct of an
operation. Oftentimes, the only source of information is a map. We can therefore see how important a map is to

everyone in the military service.

However, having a map is not enough. In order that it can be of use, a military should be able to read what is
shown on the map, just as a rifleman should know how to shoot properly with his rifle in order to make use of his
weapon. This chapter then will deal on the basic or elementary techniques of interpreting maps.

II. Objectives
At the end of the lesson you are expected to:

1. Identify the different marginal information on the map.

2. Explain the basic concept of elementary map reading
3. Apply the skills in map reading when necessary.
4. Recognize the importance of elementary map reading local military schooling.

III. Vocabulary List

 Map - a diagrammatic representation of an area of land or sea showing physical features, cities, roads, etc.
 Military Map - is a topographic map (usually at 1:12,550 scale, sometimes up to 1:5,000), showing the details of
a city. It delineates streets and shows street names, important buildings, and other elements of the urban
landscape important to navigation and military operations in urban terrain.
 Magnetic North - the direction in which the north end of a compass needle or other freely suspended magnet
will point in response to the earth's magnetic field. It deviates from true north over time and from place to place
because the earth's magnetic poles are not fixed in relation to its axis.
 Vegetation - A topographic map shows more than contours. The map includes symbols that represent such
features as streets, buildings, streams, and vegetation.
  Contour lines - in cartography, a contour line (often just called a "contour") joins points of equal elevation
(height) above a given level, such as mean sea level. A contour map is a map illustrated with contour
lines, for example a topographic map, which thus shows valleys and hills, and the steepness or
gentleness of slopes.
 Magnetic Compass - a device that is used to find direction by means of a needle that always points north.
Magnetic compass, in navigation or surveying, an instrument for determining direction on the surface of Earth
by means of a magnetic pointer that aligns itself with Earth's magnetic field.
 Marginal information - Marginal information are the peripheral information on the edge of the map that
provides useful information about the map to the map user. Scale Note. The Scale Note is a representative
fraction, which gives the ratio of map distance to the corresponding distance on the earth surface.
 Azimuth - the direction of a celestial object from the observer, expressed as the angular distance from the north
or south point of the horizon to the point at which a vertical circle passing through the object intersects the
horizon.

IV. Pre-Test
Direction: Arrange the jumbled letter to reveal the word/words and write it on the blank as your answer.

____________________1. Projection of the azimuth from the origin to the opposite side of the azimuth circle. There are
360 degrees in the azimuth circle, so the opposite direction would be 180 degrees (half of 360 degrees) from the
azimuth. (CAKB ZMHATIU)
____________________2. This is a process of decoding the symbols from which a map is constructed, and forming them
into a meaningful mental image. (AMP DGIEARN)
____________________3. It is found both in the upper left margin after the series name, and in the center of the lower
margin. The scale note is a representative fraction that gives the ratio of a map distance to the corresponding distance
on the earth's surface. (CLSAE)

____________________4. It is a series of 1:250,000 scale military maps designed for joint ground and air
operations. (IOTJN PRTNIOOEAS AIPHGCR)
___________________5. Scale model of the terrain showing features and in large scale models showing industrial
and cultural shapes. (RRTNIEA DMOEL)
___________________6. Maps at all standard scales contain a diagram that illustrates the adjoining sheets. On maps
at 1:100,000 and larger scales and at 1:1,000,000 scale, the diagram is called the index to adjoining sheets. (JDANGOIIN
EETSSH GMDRAIA)
____________________7. This method is more flexible than paper strip method. It can be used even in the curve edges.
(TNGSIR DHMOET)
____________________8. It is the direction of the North Magnetic Pole. It is indicated by the N (north seeking) of the
compass needed. It is ordinarily used for fieldwork because it can be found directly with the common compass.
(NMTCGIAE HTRNO)
____________________9. This is the color that Identifies all relief features and elevation, such as contours on older
edition maps, and cultivated land on red-light readable maps. (WRBON)
____________________10. It is the direction of the North Pole. It is used in surveying where great accuracy is required
but is not normally used by military personnel in the field. (URET HNTOR)
 V. Learning Activities

What is a map?
A 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.

The ideal representation would be realized if every

feature of the area being mapped could be shown in
true shape. Obviously this is impossible, and an attempt
to plot each feature true to scale would result in a
product impossible to read even with the aid of a
magnifying glass. (F.M. 21-26, Chapter 2-·1)

What is the purpose of a map?

A map provides information on the existence, the location of and the distance between ground features, such as
populated places and routes of travel and communication. It also indicates variations in terrain, heights of natural
features and the extent of vegetation cover. With our military forces dispersed throughout the world, it is necessary to
rely on maps to provide information to out combat elements and to resolve logistical operations far from our shores.
Soldiers and materials must be transported, stored and placed into operation at the proper time and place. Using maps
must do much of this planning. Therefore, any operation requires a supply of maps; however, the finest maps available
are worthless unless the map user knows how to read them. (Field Manual 21-26, Chapter 2-2, 1993)
What is map reading?
Map reading is the process of decoding the symbols from which a map is constructed, and forming them into a
meaningful mental image. Map reading leaders to an interpretation and understanding of the maps content that is
governed by the purpose for which the map and the map scale created. Conventionally, maps are classified into large,
medium and small scales, and into general purpose (including topographic) and special purpose (or thematic).
Map reading may simply involve looking up the location of places: This can be done with the aid of a gazetteer,
which lists place names alphabetically and gives their position with grid references, or more often, with small-scale
maps, latitude and longitude coordinates. Topographic map reading is often associated with route planning and
navigation, and the sport of orienteering uses specially made maps of this kind, which include considerable terrain and
land-cover detail to aid.
 MARGINAL INFORMATION

A map could be compared to any piece of

equipment. In that before it is places into operation, the
user must read the instructions. It is important that you, as a
soldier, know how to read these instructions. The most
logical place to begin is the marginal information and
symbols where useful information telling about t the map is
located and explained.

All maps are not the same, so it becomes

necessary every time a different map is used to
examine the marginal information carefully.

a) Sheet Name is found in bold print at the center of the top and in the lower left area of the map margin.
b) Sheet Number is found in bold print in both the upper right and lower left areas of the margin, and in the center
box of the adjoining sheets diagram, which is found in the lower right margin.
c) Series Name is found in bold print as the sheet number in the upper left corner of the margin.
d) Scale is found both in the upper left margin after the series name, and in the center of the lower margin. The
scale note is a representative fraction that gives the ratio of a map distance to the corresponding distance on
the earth's surface.
e) Series Number is found in both the upper right margin and the lower left margin. It is a sequence reference
expressed either as a four digit numeral or as a letter, followed by a three-or four-digit numeral.
f) Edition Number is found in bold print in the upper right area of the top margin and the lower left area of the
bottom margin. Editions are numbered consecutively; therefore, if you have more than one edition, the highest
numbered sheet is the most recent.
g) Index to Boundaries Diagram appears in the lower or right margin of all sheets. This diagram, which is a
miniature of the map, shows the boundaries that occur within the map area, such as country lines and state
boundaries.
h) Adjoining Sheets Diagram. Maps at all standard scales contain a diagram that illustrates the adjoining sheets.
On maps at 1:100,000 and larger scales and at 1:1,000,000 scale, the diagram is called the index to adjoining
sheets.
i) Elevation Guide. This is normally found in the lower right margin. It i-s a miniature characterization of the
terrain shown.
j) Declination Diagram. This is located in the lower margin of large-scale maps and indicates the angular
relationships of true north, grid north and magnetic north.
k) Bar Scales. These are located in the center of the lower margin. They are rulers used to convert map distance to
ground distance.
l) Contour Interval Note. This note is found in the center of the lower margin normally below the bar scales. It
states the vertical distance between adjacent contour lines of the map.
MILITARY SYMBOLS
One of the important uses of a map is to indicate troop dispositions, location of weapons and other installations
both of our own troops and the enemies. Topographic-symbols used to represent the natural and man-made features of
the earth; military personnel require some method for showing identity, size, location or movement of soldiers; and
military activities and installations. Since those things are not a permanent feature on the ground, they are not shown
on the map. However, this information is placed either on the map itself or on the overlay. The symbols used to
represent these military features are known as military symbols. These symbols are not normally printed on maps
because the features and units that they represent are constantly moving or changing; military security is also a
consideration.
COLORS USED ON A MILITARY MAP
Profile drawings of mountains and hills were shown in brown, rivers and lakes in blue, vegetation in green, roads
in yellow and special information in red. A look at the legend of a modern map confirms that the use of colors has not
changed much over the past several hundred years. To facilitate the identification of features on a map, the
topographical and cultural information is usually printed in different colors. These colors may vary from map to map.
On a standard large-scale topographic map, the colors used and the features each represent are:
a) Black. Indicates cultural (man-made) features such as buildings and roads, surveyed spot elevations and all
labels.
b) Red-brown. The colors red and brown are combined to identify cultural features, all relief features, non-
surveyed spot elevations and elevation, such as contour lines on red-light readable maps.
c) Blue. Identifies hydrography or water features such as lakes, swamps, rivers and drainage.
d) Green. Identifies vegetation with military significance, such as woods, orchards and vineyards.
e) Brown. Identifies all relief features and elevation, such as contours on older edition maps, and cultivated land
on red-light readable maps.
f) Red. Classifies cultural features, such as populated areas, main roads and boundaries, on older maps.
g) Other. Occasionally, other colors may be used to show special information. These are indicated in the marginal
information as a rule.

What is orientation by compass?

Orientation by compass should follow these steps.

a) Place the map on a flat surface and draw the

magnetic north line using the pivot protractor on
the map.
b) Place the open compass over the magnetic
north line towards the top of the map and
directly over the magnetic north line, until the
needle align under the index line of the
compass.
c) The map is now oriented.
What are the different types of map?

1. Topographic Map portrays terrain features as well as the horizontal positions of the features represented.
2. Photo Map is a reproduction of an aerial photograph that show the different parts of the map such as grid
lines, marginal data, place names, important elevations, et al.
3. Military City Map is a topographic map, usually 1:12,500 scale of a city delineating streets and showing
street names, importance that are compatible with the scale of the map.
4. Joint Operations Graphic is a series of 1:250,000 scale military maps designed for joint ground and air
operations.
5. Photo Mosaic is an assembly of aerial photographs that is commonly called a mosaic in topographic usage.
6. Terrain Model is a scale model of the terrain showing features and in large scale models showing
industrial and cultural shapes.
7. Special Map is a map for special purposes such as traffic ability, communications and assault maps.
What are the types of map according to scale?
Scale is expressed as a fraction and gives the ratio of small distance to ground distance: The scale can be a small
scale, medium scale and large scale that may be confusing when read in conjunction with the numbers. Therefore, the
larger the number after 1:, the smaller the scale of the map.
1. Small Scale-1:1,000, which are used for general planning and strategically studies at the high echelon.
2. Medium Scale - 1:250,000, which are used for planning operations, including the movement and
concentration of troops and supplies.
3. Large Scale - 1:50,000, which are used to meet the tactical, technical and administrative needs of field

units.

What is a scale?
Scale is expressed as a fraction and gives the ratio of small distance to ground distance. Because a map is a
graphic representation of a. portion of the earth's surface drawn to scale as seen from above, it is important to know
what mathematical scale has been used. You must know this to determine ground distances between objects or
locations on the map, the size of the area covered and how the scale may affect the amount of detail being shown. The
mathematical scale of a map is the ratio or fraction between the distance on a map and the corresponding distance on
the surface of the earth. Scale is reported as a representative fraction (RF) with the map distance as the numerator and
the ground distance as the denominator.
Map distance (scale) =
(scale) =
1. Representative Fraction ground distance
2. Works and Figures - A scale may be expressed by a simple statement like "3 inches equals 1 mile," meaning 3
inches on the map equals 1 mile on the ground. Similarly, "1 inch equals 200 feet," meaning 1 inch on the map is
equal to 200 feet on the ground.
 3. Graphic Scale - A graphic scale, a special ruler for the particular map, printed in the margin, may also measure
distance.
4. Conversion Factor - The distance may be expressed in either the English or the Metric System and it may be
necessary to convert measurement of the system with those of another. Common units of metric linear
measure.
1 yard = 0.91 meter= 36 inches
1 meter= 1.094 yards = 39.37 inches
1 kilometer= 1,094 yards _= 0.62 mile
1 mile = 1,760 yards = 1.609 kilometers = 1,609 meters
1 inch = 2.54 centimeters

What is a base direction?

Direction from one point to another is always expressed as an angle from the baseline. There are three base
directions, namely: True North (star), Magnetic North (half arrowhead) and Grid North (Y or GN).
1. True North - is the direction of the North Pole. It is used in surveying where great accuracy is required but is not
normally used by military personnel in the field. Meridian or longitude lines on a map represent true north and
south direction. It is almost directly under the North Star Polaris, but 1 degree of center.
2. Magnetic North - is the direction of the North Magnetic Pole. It is indicated by the N (north seeking) of the
compass needed. It is ordinarily used for fieldwork because it can be found directly with the common compass.
3. Grid North - is the direction of the vertical grid lines usual found on military maps. Determination of direction by
grid north is convenient because grid lines are located at frequent intervals on maps.

Rules for Determining Back Azimuth

1. When the AZ is lesser than 180 degrees, add 180 degrees.
2. When the AZ is greater than 180 degrees, subtract 180 degrees.
3. When the AZ is 180 degrees, its back azimuth is 360 or 0 degree.

What is the Military Grid System?

It is a network of square, formed by north-south and east-west grid lines placed on the map. Grid system
enables the map. A specific number printed in the margin directly opposite the line it indicates identifies grid lines.
The CARDINAL RULE in reading or locating Grid Squares (GS) or Grid Coordinate (GC) is "READ RIGHT-UP."
4 digits - to the nearest 1,000 meters
6 digits - to the nearest 100 meters
8 digits - to the nearest 10 meters
10 digits - to the nearest 1 meter

There are two methods to be used to convert map distance to ground distance.
These are as follows:
1. Paper Strip Method - This method is applicable only for the straight edges only.
2. String Method - This method is more flexible than paper strip method. It can be used even in the curve
edges.
 VI. Practice Tasks
A. "READ RIGHT-UP" is a cardinal rule in map reading. Give an approximate grid coordinate of the following numbers
1,2,3, and 4 using 4 digits, 6 digits, 8 digits and 10 digits respectively.

B. Identify the following colors used in the military map

Roads Forest Building Plantation Hills River

Surveyed spot Swamps Vineyards School Cultivated land

Boundaries Populated area Church Drainage Municipal hall

Lakes Military camp Woods Airport Contours

Market Plaza Mountain Valley Cliff Spur

 Black Red-Brown Blue Green Brown Red

VII. Post Test

Direction: Write the letter of the correct answer on the blank.

______1. This method is applicable only for the straight edges only. A) Magnetic compass
______2. Assembly of aerial photographs that is commonly called a B) Graphic scale
mosaic in topographic usage. C) Special map
______3. Water features such as lakes, swamps, rivers and drainage. D) Photo mosaic
______4. Method that can be used even in the curve edges. E) True North
______5. Map for special purposes such as traffic ability, communications F) Azimuth
and assault maps. G) Map
______6. Device that is used to find direction by means of a needle that H) String method
always points north. I) Bar scale
______7. Special ruler for the particular map, printed in the margin, J) Topographic map
may also measure distance. K) Paper strip method
______8. Located in the center of the lower margin and used L) Terrain model
to convert map distance to ground distance. M) 360 degrees
______9. Found in bold print at the center of the top and in the N) Blue
lower left area of the map margin. O) 90 degrees
_____10. Back Azimuth of 180 degrees. P) Black
Q) Sheet name

VIII. Assignment/Additional Activities

Directions: Write your answer in 2 to 3 paragraphs. (Please use another blank sheet for your answer.)

1. If Map reading is one of the major subjects in the local military schooling, how do you explain the
importance of map reading in our citizenship training?

2. Military symbols and distinctive colors help us to easily identify the objects in the ground and other terrain
features. How and when should you apply your knowledge on these?

IX. Answer Key

Pre-test Post-test Practice Task

1. Back Azimuth 1. K Black – Roads, Building, Survey spot,

2. Map Reading 2. D School, Church, Airport, Market,

3. Scale 3. N Plaza, Military camp, Municipal

4. Joint Operations Diagram 4. H hall.
5. Terrain Model 5. C Red-Brown – Contour, Mountain, Hills,
6. Adjoining Sheets Diagram 6. A Spur, Valleys, Cliffs
7. String Method 7. B Blue – River, Drainage, Lakes, Swamp
8. Magnetic North 8. I Brown – Contour, Mountain, Hills, Spur,
9. Brown 9. Q Valleys, Cliffs
10. True North 10. M Green – Vineyards, Plantation, Woods,
Cultivated land, Forest
Red – Boundaries, Populated areas,
Surveyed spot