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

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).