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U.S. ARMY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT CENTER AND SCHOOL SS-WYAN-24BAMEDD NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS ACADEMY 1093BASIC NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER COURSE

Military Symbols and Overlay Techniques

SUMMARY SHEET

Overlays are tools military leaders must use to clarify and shortencomplicated written operations orders. They make exact transfer ofinformation from map to map, from leader to subordinate, easy and quick.Overlays convey the commander's intent with simple easily understood graphics.

Authors of overlays show units by using rectangular boxes with organizationnumbers and symbols placed in and around them. A rectangle with an oval trackinside represents Armor, and a rectangle with a dot in the middle representsArtillery. Lines drawn from corner to corner inside the rectangle forming anX represent Infantry. A combination of some of these symbols may representspecialized or specially equipped units. A rectangle with an X and oval trackrepresents Mechanized Infantry. A rectangle with a single diagonal line andan oval track represents Armored Cavalry.

The markings on top of the rectangle always show the size of the unit therectangle represents. One dot is a single element, and three dots represent aplatoon. A single line is a company or troop, and a double line is abattalion or squadron. A single X is a brigade, and a double X is a division.

The number of letters on the left side of the rectangle is that element'snumber or letter. A rectangle with three dots on top and a two on the leftside represents 2nd Platoon. A rectangle with a single line on top and a "D"on the left side represents Delta Company or Delta Troop.

The numbers and/or letters on the right side of the rectangle are thedesignation of that element's higher headquarters. A rectangle with threedots on top, a two on the left side, and a "D" on the right side represents2nd Platoon, Delta Company or troop. A rectangle with an oval track on theinside, a double line on top, a one on the left side, and 64 on the right side

represents 1st Battalion, 64th Armor.

Along with unit symbols, other graphics and symbols are the words of anoverlay. There are two types of boundaries, lateral and rear. A boundary ismerely a line that separates units and is easy to recognize on the map as wellas on the ground. The lateral boundary extends beyond the objective and showsthe designation of the higher unit of the two separate units. A rear boundarywill reflect the smaller unit, but may not always be on an overlay.An objective is the point of interest of the operation. An oval circle,called a "goose egg," with the abbreviation OBJ inside represents theobjective.

Control measures help commanders control the flow of the battle and sequencemovement. A phase line is one such control measure and is basis forreporting. Lines drawn approximately perpendicular to the direction ofadvance or withdrawal and labeled with the abbreviation "PL" represent a phaseline.

Commanders should choose terrain that is easy to recognize on the map as wellas on the ground as phase lines.

There are many ways to show movement on an overlay. In the attack you canrepresent movement with a single line arrow called a direction of attack arrowthat extends from the LD/LC to the objective.

Another method of showing attacking movement is with axis of advance are broaddouble-line arrows with a code name or unit identification inside of them. A

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double-line arrowhead represents a main axis of advance.

Routes also show movement on overlays. They start with a start point symbolof a small box with a point on the bottom and the abbreviation "SP" inside the

box. The route line traces the actual route the unit will take with a codeword, along with the word "Route," written beside the route trace. A box justlike the box for the start point, with the abbreviation "RP" inside of it,represents the release point and ends the route.

Anywhere the commander desires units to coordinate, the overlay reflects hisdesire by showing the symbol of a circle with an X inside of it representing acoordinating point.

In a one color overlay, an extra line on a graphic or symbol makes thatgraphic or symbol represent the enemy. A double-line rectangular box with asingle line on top of it and an oval tract inside of it represents an enemyarmor company. In multi-color overlays, the color red usually represents theenemy.

The last information placed on the overlay is the marginal information. The

marginal information explains to the user how old the information on theoverlay is, what map sheet to use with the overlay, what mission or objectivethe overlay is for, who wrote the overlay, and what security precautions existwith the overlay. It may also include any information needed to clarifyquestions on the use of nonstandard colors and symbols on the overlay, anyreference to supporting documents, and the distribution of the overlay.