U.S. Army Guide to Map Reading and Navigation

by U.S. Department of the Army

It requires no prior knowledge of these subjects. Sections include map care, comprehension of map symbols, military symbols, grid reference systems, and interpretation of aerial photographs. After the basics are covered, the second half moves to land navigation – varying terrains, elevations, day-night variations. Map and compass work is thoroughly explained. Finally, extreme scenarios – desert, mountain, jungle, arctic, and urban terrains – are all explored.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Reliance, Outdoors, Survival

192 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2004

About the author

The Department of the Army (DA) is one of the three military departments within the Department of Defense of the United States of America. The Department of the Army is the Federal Government agency within which the United States Army is organized, and it is led by the Secretary of the Army who has statutory authority 10 U.S.C. § 3013 to conduct its affairs and to prescribe regulations for its government, subject to the limits of the law, and the directions of the Secretary of Defense and the President.

The Secretary of the Army is a civilian official appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The highest-ranking military officer in the department is the Chief of Staff of the Army, who is also a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Other senior officials of the Department are the Under Secretary of the Army (principal deputy to the Secretary) and the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army (principal deputy to the Chief of Staff.)

The Department of War was originally formed in 1789 as an Executive Department of the United States, and was renamed by the National Security Act of 1947 to the Department of the Army on September 18, 1947. By amendments to the National Security Act of 1947 in 1949, the Department of the Army was transformed to its present-day status.

Reviews

[Fredrick Danysh]

With GPS, map reading and land navigation using maps is fast becoming a lost art. This pocket-sized Army manual [FM 21-26] explains the key components of a map and how to use them in simple language. It also covers compasses and ariel photographs. This is a handy reference for outdoorsmen, hunters, and scouts as well as the average layman. Its one drawback is the small sized type using in printing the book to save space.

[Rachel Bayles]

Clearly written and well laid out.