In a combat situation, your life may depend upon your ability to read and use a map and compass. When you are on a night patrol and become separated from the rest of the patrol, you must find your way back to friendly lines by yourself. This could be next to impossible without using a map that shows the approximate location of friendly forces. With a map and compass, you should be able to locate your position and then follow a route to your destination.

In this phase of our discussion, we discuss military maps first. Then, special attention is given to topics that should help you to read maps accurately and intelligently. Later, we discuss the use of a lensatic

Figure 5-1.-Portion of military map.

compass. Finally, we include instruction on ways to orient a map with a lensatic compass.