Military

Fm 101-5-1
Operational Terms and Graphics

Chapter 3
Graphic Control Measures

This chapter establishes a standard system for the use of graphic control measures. It applies to both automated and hand-drawn graphic displays or overlays. The control measures portrayed are for use on situation maps, overlays, and annotated aerial photographs. They are also the standard for allsimulations, to include those used in live,virtual, and constructive environments.

GRAPHIC OVERLAYS

Overlays are graphics drawn on top of a map, sketch, or photograph. To ensure accurate alignment, the overlay must have at least two reference marks at opposite locations. On automated displays, overlays are graphical information that is joined electronically so that it can be "turned on or off" over or in front of the primary digital display, such as a map, sketch, or photograph.

All obstacles, friendly, enemy, neutral, or factional, will be drawn using the color green. These graphics are shown in the mobility and survivability section. All friendly graphic control measures will be shown in black when drawn manually or on a color display. Enemy graphic control measures will be shown in red. If red is not available, they will be drawn in black with a double line or the abbreviation "ENY" placed on the graphic in at least two places to avoid confusion. If other colors are used to show friendly or enemy (hostile) factions, then the colors used will be shown in a legend on the overlay describing what each color means.

USE OF GRAPHICS

This section describes how to label various graphic control measures. Some boundary labeling can be abbreviated when the abbreviation will not cause confusion. All text labeling should be drawn so that it can be read when the bottom of the overlay is closest to the reader. Labeling written on an angle should be readable when the overlay is turned a quarter of a turn (90 degrees) clockwise (to the left).

For boundaries, size markings should be perpendicular to the boundary line. For a corps boundary, use Roman numerals to show the number of the corps. A national abbreviation from Chapter 2 should be used if the boundary is between forces from different countries.

Fire support control measures should be labeled with the effective times, the controlling headquarters, and the abbreviation of the control measure. This labeling should be on both ends of the line and repeated as often as necessary for clarity along any line that passes through many boundaries.

Most lines should be named as a phase line for easy reference during orders and radio transmissions. A phase line should be marked as "PL NAME." Other lines that have a specific purpose and are also named as phase lines should have the primary purpose such as no fire line "NFL" labeled on top of the name and at both ends of the line or as often as necessary for clarity. The phase line labeling should be in parentheses.

Areas will normally be marked with the abbreviation for the type of area followed by a name. This labeling should be in the center of the area unless the area is too small or the labeling would interfere with the locating of units.

Points can be numbered, lettered, or a combination. An abbreviation for the point may be inside the point as in a passage point or release point, or on the upper right hand corner of the point symbol. Way points and targets are marked uniquely as shown later in this chapter.

Updated by CPT Philip A. Dupont, 27 July 1997.
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