MS101, Lesson 04: Basic Map Reading

Basic Map Reading

“A good plan is like a road map: it shows the final destination and usually the
best way to get there.” -H. Stanley Judd
Revision Date: 31 March 2023
MS101, Lesson 04: Basic Map Reading

Learning Objectives
 Identify marginal information, topographic
symbols, and colors on a military map
 Classify the five major, three minor, and two
supplemental terrain features on a military
map
 Locate grid coordinates on a military map

Revision Date: 31 March 2023

MS101, Lesson 04: Basic Map Reading

Marginal Information
 Sheet Name
FORT KNOX MILITARY INSTALLATION MAP

 Sheet Number
FTKNOXSPEC

 Adjoining Map Sheets Diagram

Revision Date: 31 March 2023

MS101, Lesson 04: Basic Map Reading

Marginal Information (2)

 Special Notes

 Declination Diagram

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MS101, Lesson 04: Basic Map Reading

Marginal Information (3)

 Scale

 Bar Scales

 Contour Interval Notes

 Grid Reference Box

Revision Date: 31 March 2023

MS101, Lesson 04: Basic Map Reading

Marginal Information (4)

 Map Agency

 Legend

Revision Date: 31 March 2023

MS101, Lesson 04: Basic Map Reading

Military Map Colors

 Black: Man-made features
 Blue: Water features
 Brown: Relief features and elevation on older or red-light readable
maps
 Green: Vegetation
 Red: Man-made features; used on older maps
 Red-Brown: Cultural features and non-surveyed spot elevations
 Other: Occasionally other colors may be used to show special
information and if used will be noted in the marginal information

Revision Date: 31 March 2023

MS101, Lesson 04: Basic Map Reading

Terrain Features
Five Major Three Minor
 Ridge  Draw
 Hill  Spur
 Saddle  Cliff
 Valley
 Depression Two Supplemental
 Cut
 Fill
Revision Date: 31 March 2023
MS101, Lesson 04: Basic Map Reading

Ridge

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MS101, Lesson 04: Basic Map Reading

Ridgeline

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MS101, Lesson 04: Basic Map Reading

Hill

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MS101, Lesson 04: Basic Map Reading

Saddle

X
X

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MS101, Lesson 04: Basic Map Reading

Valley

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MS101, Lesson 04: Basic Map Reading

Depression

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MS101, Lesson 04: Basic Map Reading

Draw

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MS101, Lesson 04: Basic Map Reading

Spur

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MS101, Lesson 04: Basic Map Reading

Cliff

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MS101, Lesson 04: Basic Map Reading

Cut

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MS101, Lesson 04: Basic Map Reading

Fill

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MS101, Lesson 04: Basic Map Reading

Contour Lines

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MS101, Lesson 04: Basic Map Reading

Protractor
(GTA 5-2-12)

Revision Date: 31 March 2023

MS101, Lesson 04: Basic Map Reading

Determining Grid Coordinates

 Select the correct scale on the protractor

 Place the horizontal scale on the grid line with the
“Zero-Zero Point” at the lower left-hand corner of
the grid square
 Slide scale right until the vertical scale intersects
the center of your plot point
 Read right then read up

Revision Date: 31 March 2023

MS101, Lesson 04: Basic Map Reading

Four-Digit Grid Coordinates

EH 78 00
1) Identify the 100,000m -
Square Identification Letters
(in the Grid Reference Box).
EH
EG 2) Read Right to the last
East-West grid-line depicted
Then Up

before your point.

3) Read Up to the last North-

South grid-line depicted
below/before your point.

Revision Date: 31 March 2023

MS101, Lesson 04: Basic Map Reading

Zero-Zero Point

Place your
protractor
scale on
the Zero-
Zero Point

Revision Date: 31 March 2023

MS101, Lesson 04: Basic Map Reading

Six-Digit Grid Coordinates

EH785 003
01

9 1000
8
EH

7
5 6
SAMPLE 1,000 METER GRID SQUARE

3 4
01 X

2
SAMPLE

1
POINT 00

0
X
00 1000 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

EG
78 79
100,000 M SQUARE IDENTIFICATION

EH
EG 99
GRID ZONE DESIGNATOR

16S

98
76 77 78 79

Revision Date: 31 March 2023

MS101, Lesson 04: Basic Map Reading

Eight-Digit Grid Coordinates

EH7853 0032
01

1000
9
8
SAMPLE 1,000 METER GRID SQUARE

EH

7
01

5 6
3 4
SAMPLE
POINT X
X

2
00

1
00

0
78 79
1000 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

EG
100,000 M SQUARE IDENTIFICATION

EH
EG
GRID ZONE DESIGNATOR 99
16S

98
76 77 78 79

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MS101, Lesson 04: Basic Map Reading

Closing
Review Learning Objectives:
 Identify marginal information, topographic symbols, and colors on a
military map
 Classify the five major, three minor, and two supplemental terrain
features on a military map
 Locate grid coordinates on a military map

Questions

Next Lesson:

CADET POST-CLASS ASSIGNMENT

 Turn in MS101L04 Basic Map Reading LA.docx (Lesson Assessment);
unless assigned as homework, turn in next class

Revision Date: 31 March 2023