How to Identify Topographic Symbols on a Military Map
Land navigation is required in most branches of military service and requires the ability to read topographical maps. A topographical map gives more detail than other types of maps; learning the colors and symbols are crucial to understanding where you are on the map, or where you want to go. According to Map Reading, an online resource about reading maps, not only do military maps show the detail associated with a topographical map; they have additional symbols to show troop movement, installation locations and military action. Transparent plastic sheets called overlays can be placed on top of maps to communicate this information and can be altered when necessary.
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Instructions
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Identify the colors on the map; traditionally, colors used in military maps are universal. Black is used to illustrate cultural or man-made features, such as buildings, roads or surveyed elevations. Blue identifies bodies of water. Green is used for any vegetation that is significant to military troops. Red is used for main roads and populated areas. Brown shows altitude and cultivated land. Red and brown are used together to establish relief areas and non-surveyed land. Other colors may be used on overlays to indicate additional information. On red-light readable maps, brown is used to indicate cultivated land and red-brown in used to show contour lines.
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Review Field Manual 101-5-1 to understand the categories for military symbols. In this manual, there are two categories and five appendixes for symbols. The two main categories are broken down further to show detailed symbols. These include unit and equipment symbols. Vehicle and aircraft symbols are shown in the equipment symbol category, while icon-based symbols and building unit symbols are shown in the unit symbol category. The appendixes show friendly and enemy symbols. Appendix A shows friendly unit and equipment symbols. For example, a square with the letters "JTF" inside, the word "South" on the lower left outside the square and three x's in a rectangle at the top indicate a Joint Task Force South. Appendix B shows enemy equipment and symbols. Appendixes C, D and E show other useful symbols such as combat effectiveness and hostile territory. A circle that is completely shaded in indicates that a mission can not be performed. To indicate hostile units, a diamond shape with the word "BOMB" inside shows that the area has been or is being bombed. Full symbol details are available in the field manual.
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View a military topographical map and observe the symbols. Identify the symbols on the map; compare them to the symbols in the field manual. A full list of military symbols and pictures are available in the manual.
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Put the colors and the symbols together on the map to see where activities are taking place, where troops are and where enemies and equipment are located.
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Tips & Warnings
Memorize the symbols so that a key is not needed to decode maps and overlays.
Never enter a military training or live fire area without authorization. Military members are authorized to use deadly force.
