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Operational

Map management for military units and larger teams

During operations with multiple units, maps must be well organised and consistent. Here is how to use MilMap's map management system to its full potential for teams.

J

Jan Kaas

MilMap Editorial

January 9, 2025

6 min read

Planning map structure

A good map structure at the start of an operation saves a lot of confusion later. In MilMap you can create multiple maps within a single account. The recommended structure for military deployment: one map folder per operational area, with separate maps per unit or per phase of the operation.

Naming and coding

Use consistent naming for maps and routes. Establish a prefix system: operation code + unit code + sequence number. E.g. "OP-DRAGON-2/K-01" for company K, route 01 of Operation DRAGON. This prevents confusion during communication and handover.

Setting the coordinate format

Set the coordinate format per map. For all military maps: MGRS. Ensure all map users use the same format to prevent errors when communicating coordinates. You can set this as the default in the map settings.

Colour-coding routes per unit

Use a consistent colour scheme for routes: e.g. red for Alpha, blue for Bravo, green for Charlie. Record this scheme in the operation briefing so all map readers know which colour represents which unit.

Shared maps (Team plan)

With the Team plan, up to 10 users can access and edit the same maps. Changes are synchronised in real time. Set read-only permissions for users who may only view (not edit) to prevent unwanted changes.

Backup and handover

At the end of each operational phase, export all routes as both PDF and KMZ. This forms the digital operational archive. When handing over to a new shift or unit, they can start immediately with the pre-exported maps without needing access to your account.

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