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U.S. ARMY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT CENTER AND SCHOOL SR-WYAN24BAMEDD NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS ACADEMY 1093BASIC NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER COURSE

Military Symbols and Overlay Techniques

Supplemental Reading #1

1. INTRODUCTION.

a. This lesson is to provide you necessary information on thefundamentals of constructing an overlay and techniques for depicting militarysymbols.

b. You received a Programmed Text, "Military Representation," whichdefines all the terms you need to proceed with this lesson. Let's review themnow:

(1) Military Symbol. A graphical representation of a unit,installation, activity, or piece of equipment. You identify symbols through acombination of diagrams, letters, numbers, abbreviations, words, and colors toportray items of military importance.

(2) Situation Map. A situation map is a map which graphically (usingsymbols) represents the tactical, combat support, and combat service situationas it exists. Simply put, it is the way a military unit keeps up with thecurrent situation.

(3) Operations Map. A map which graphically (by symbols) representsinformation for, and instructions to, subordinate units.

(4) Situation Overlay. A tracing on translucent (overlay) paper ofthe graphics (symbols) shown on the situation map. It represents thesituation at the time the overlay is made. Usually it accompanies andclarifies a situation report.

(5) Operations Overlay. A tracing of the graphics from an operations

(planning) map. The purpose of this overlay is to reduce the content of, andto ease the understanding of, a written or oral operations order.

2. DISCUSSION.

a. The overlay's basic purpose is to provide a rapid and easilyunderstood means by which a commander can express an operations plan, aconcept of operations, or friendly or enemy situations.

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b. All overlays have the same general characteristics. They are simply atracing of graphic symbols on translucent (overlay) paper. The overlayvisually portrays to you, the user, the information necessary to complete anoperation or to understand a particular situation such as location of units,

supply points, weapons systems, etc.

c. The operations section of your higher headquarters normally preparesoverlays. They make them using either their situation or operations mapdepending on the information they want to provide.

d. While overlay preparation is a relatively simple matter, there arecertain steps to follow:

(1) Place the overlay paper over the area of the map you need totrace.

(2) Trace and mark the map GRID INTERSECTION nearest the oppositecorners of the overlay and label each with the proper grid coordinates. Wecall this REGISTERING THE OVERLAY. If you do not do this properly, it will bevirtually impossible for anyone to use the overlay because they would not be

able to position the overlay on their own map.

(3) Once you complete the registering, trace the desired informationfrom the map using authorized colors, as stated below:

BLUE OR BLACK: Friendly units, installations, equipment, andactivities.

RED: Enemy units, installations, equipment, andactivities.

YELLOW: Friendly or enemy areas of nuclear, biological,or chemical contamination.

GREEN: Friendly or enemy man-made obstacles.

OTHER: If you use other colors, you must give anexplanation which must be given in the legend ormargin.

NOTE: In numerous situations, you will have to prepare overlays in one color.If using only one color, outline friendly symbols with single lines and enemysymbols with double lines.

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e. Logistics Symbols:

Class I--Subsistence.

Class II--Clothing, individual equipment,tentage, organizational tool sets.

Class III--POL Air Force

Army Aviation

Ground

Solid Fuel(coal or wood)

Class IV--Construction

Classs V--Ammunition All Types(less special)

Air Defense

Air Force

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Ammunition transfer point

Army Aviation

Class V Ammunition (Cont)

Artillery(gun/howitzer)

Chemical

Mines and explosives

Nuclear

Rocket Artillery

Small Arms

Tank, Main gun

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Class VI--Personal demand

Class VII--Major end items

Class VIII--Medical materiel

Class IX--Repair parts

Class X--Materiel to supportnonmilitary programs

All Classes

Multiple classes but not all(List available classes by numberbelow the "all classes" symbol.

Graves registration service

Hospital/aid station

Materiel management center

Parking

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Topographic(Map)

Traffic control

Water