Use military protractor how to#

This dial line makes sure you’ll always know which way is north as you start to move. Then turn the dial cover so that its line is over the north-facing needle. Once you know that you’re facing north, rotate the compass so that the luminous line is over the 170-degree mark. The needle on your compass dial will always be pointing north, so when placing the compass on the map, the needle on the compass should match the map’s north in order to orient yourself.

In order to use your military compass properly from there, you’ll need to orient the map to face true north. Where the drawn line meets the edge of your protractor is the degree number (or your azimuth).Place the center of the protractor at the point where the line you drew crosses the vertical line on the map.Place the protractor on the map so that its top is pointing north.Draw a straight line from where you are to where you want to go.Find out where you are on the map using land formations like lakes or mountains.Lay your topographical map on a flat surface and use the legend to find north.

And for reference, if you’re traveling in the opposite direction, it’s called the back azimuth. An azimuth is a mathematical term denoting the direction you’re traveling in. Let’s go over the definition of an azimuth since it’s likely you’ve never heard this term before.

Use military protractor how to#

Understanding How to Use a Lensatic Compass

In order to accurately operate a military compass, you’ll need a topographic map and a protractor, as well. The dial shows north (360), east (90), south (180), and west (270) and the clear cover over the dial has a luminous line that matches up to the degree or direction you’re moving toward, called the azimuth. It’s made up of its base with a ruler on the left side, the cover that can be opened to display a thin metal wire, and the floating dial. It’s something service members know how to operate but if you’re interested in camping, hiking, or trailblazing, it’s a beneficial skill to have in your arsenal.Ī military compass can be used to find your bearings, set a course, or follow a course. A military compass is sometimes called a lensatic compass or an engineer compass.