Posted on Feb 15, 2016
What do you recommend as an infantry ready map board in the field?
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One of the things I've wrestled with since transitioning to a light formation is downsizing and not bringing unnecessary gear now that I have to carry it all. The only piece of gear I haven't found a good replacement for so far is my map board. (See the attached image). My plexiglass map board worked great when I could simply stick it in the turret when I didn't need it. Its pretty much useless now that I have to dig it out of my ruck to navigate. At a minimum I need to be able to quickly access my map, graphics, target list worksheet, and reports. What are my fellow light leaders using to replace this bulky piece?
11A: Infantry Officer
Company Commander
11B: Infantryman
Gear
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 44
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How to Fold a Topographic Map and Other Techniques
Join ITS Tactical as Bryan walks through some techniques for folding Topographic Maps and even making a booklet out of a sheet of paper. Check out our full w...
The flight crew book is great for your reports/status type stuff. The video shows how we use to do it "back in the day". The only thing the video doesn't show is the laminating. I use contact shelf paper not the heavy army lamination. Laminate the map with the contact paper first and then fold and cut. Basically turns your map sheet into a GRG. I still use this technique.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AERUazh1qo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AERUazh1qo
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MAJ (Join to see)
Sometimes I wonder just how much field craft we've lost after having a COIN mission for the last decade. This is a simple way to make a map more manageable, yet I doubt there's a troop in my formation whose familiar with it.
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SFC (Join to see)
MAJ (Join to see) With BFT's, JCR's, DAGR's, and any other gee whiz digital item known to man field craft IS becoming a lost art. We can only pass the torch and hopefully some will grab it and keep it going.
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1LT William Clardy
MAJ (Join to see), the field craft is just as applicable to COIN operations as to conventional, possibly even more so. Blame institutional amnesia instead, because there is a lot of old-school knowledge which seems to have been overlooked and forgotten because it wasn't fancy, shiny or new.
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LTC Jason Bartlett
This video brings back memory's, when I was a young PFC the Army sent me to a two week map making/folding/overlay class. These techniques are still best practices today although forgotten.
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They make map covers that fit in your BDU leg pocket. Coming from Light Infantry, we laminated the map (using clear shelf paper) and folded it up, stuck it in the right leg pocket of our trousers and moved out - with haste of course...
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I'd suggest laminating it. I've even cut them along the folds, put 9-lines and other things on the back, then laminated them with 1/4 inch gaps between the sections, so it'll fold without messing up the laminate and paper at the creases.
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I use laminated 3x5 cards with my base reports. Then made some blank 3x5 cards for tgt lists and anything mission specific. Real easy to clean and reuse for next mission. Laminated map. All fit in cargo pocket. Did have 1 "geardo" pouch that was a little bigger that fit on my FLICK so I could put cards, alcohol pens etc
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1LT William Clardy
Don't let MAJ Thomas Person get to you, SFC (Join to see). Any experienced soldier knows that your facial expression *is* the "Happy NCO" version.
Just like we know it's time to start worrying when we *do* see a senior NCO look at us and smile....
Just like we know it's time to start worrying when we *do* see a senior NCO look at us and smile....
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SFC (Join to see)
No need to worry Gentlemen. Its all under control. Now with that being said you may want to go to a Staff meeting or something so you wont have to write any witness statements...
1LT William Clardy
MAJ Thomas Person
1LT William Clardy
MAJ Thomas Person
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1LT William Clardy
We can tell that you've got the situation handled, SFC (Join to see), so we'll just go work on completing these blank DA 2496s.
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Think cargo pocket size. Movements are much shorter dismounted. You don't need as much area. Plexiglas is fine, just cut it smaller.
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Well, the good thing is that your map doesn't have to be 100Kx100K any more. Your map is significantly smaller. Thus, it should be able to fit in your cargo pocket. Carry two. Keep your battle-board, but slim it down and put it between your back and the frame if you can do it comfortably. Only one plexi-glass sheet that fits in that space. That should be more than you need since you are now moving at the speed of smell. Then, a laminated map that fits in your cargo pocket for navigation. Navigate your way to the ORP or staging area then get out your planning map from your ruck. Lighter is better in your new world.
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Cut your map into sections than apply your overlay paper, than add document protectors around your folds so you can change out overlays, orders, etc.
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