The vulnerability of GPS
GPS is a blessing for navigation, but it has vulnerabilities. Batteries run out, screens break, signals are jammed or spoofed in military environments. Professional navigators rely on GPS as the primary means but always master the analogue backup. MilMap helps you prepare this backup.
Preparation with MilMap: paper as backup
Export your route as a PDF route book with MGRS grid before deployment. Print on waterproof paper or laminate. The PDF route book contains all waypoints, distances, directions, and elevation profile. If your phone fails, you can fall back on the paper version. Also note the magnetic declination for the area on the paper — essential for compass navigation.
Dead Reckoning
Dead reckoning is navigating based on your known starting position, direction, and distance covered. Step 1: determine your starting position on the map. Step 2: measure the magnetic direction to the next waypoint. Step 3: estimate distance via pace count (approximately 65 cm per step, 1,500 steps = 1 km). Keep track of how many steps you take per 100 metres on hilly versus flat terrain.
Terrain association
Terrain association is recognising your position by comparing the surrounding terrain with the map. Identify three prominent points (a ridge, a river, a road) and triangulate your position. MilMap's offline map helps you memorise these recognition points before deployment, so you can quickly identify them in the field.
Sun and stars for direction
In northern Europe, the sun is due south at 12:00 noon local summer time. In the morning it is in the east, in the evening in the west. Polaris (the North Star) points almost exactly to geographic north. On the Southern Hemisphere (Southern Cross), you navigate towards geographic south. Train yourself before deployment with these techniques as the ultimate backup.
Watercourse navigation
Water always flows downhill and drains into larger bodies of water. In unknown terrain you can follow a stream downstream, where you typically find habitation, roads, and communications. Identify the watercourse pattern of your operational area in advance in MilMap, so you know these navigation anchors.