Department of the Army - U.S. Army Guide to Map Reading and Navigation

The scale of a sketch is determined by the object in view and the amount of detail required to be shown. The sketch of a defensive position for a platoon or company will normally call for a sketch of larger scale than a sketch for the same purpose for a division. A field sketch () must show the north arrow, scale, legend, and the following features:

• Power lines.
• Rivers.
• Main roads.
• Towns and villages.
• Forests.
• Rail lines.
• Major terrain features.

Military sketches include road and area sketches.

a. Road sketches show the natural and military features on and in the immediate vicinity of the road. In general, the width of terrain sketches will not exceed 365 meters on each side of the road. Road sketches may be used to illustrate a road when the existing map does not show sufficient detail.

b. Area sketches include those of positions, OPs, or particular places.

(1) Position sketch. A position sketch is one of a military position, campsite, or other area of ground, To effectively complete a position sketch, the sketcher must have access to all parts of the area being sketched.

(2) Observation post sketch. An OP sketch shows the military features of ground along a friendly OP line as far toward the enemy position as possible.

(3) Place sketch . A place sketch is one of an area made by a sketcher from a single point of observation. Such a sketch may cover ground in front of an OP line, or it may serve to extend a position or road sketch toward the enemy.

. Sketch map.

After a map has been folded, it should be pasted in a folder for protection. Apply adhesive to the back of the segments corresponding to A, F, L, and Q ().

B-3. PRACTICE CUT

It is suggested that before attempting to cut and fold a map in the manner illustrated in , make a practice cut and fold with a piece of paper.

. Two methods of folding a map.

. How to slit and fold a map for special use.

METRIC SYSTEM OF LINEAR MEASURE

EQUIVALENT UNITS OF ANGULAR MEASURE

CONVERSION FACTORS

Example I

Example II

Problem:	How many feet are there in 2.74 meters?
Answer:	There are approximately 9 feet in 2.74 meters.

Joint operations graphics (paragraph 2-6b[6]) are based on the format of the standard 1:250,000-scale military topographic maps. They contain additional information needed in present-day joint air-ground operations.