PART B - MAP OVERLAY TECHNIQUES
Situation maps and overlays provide commanders and their staff with a rapid and easily understood
means to express operational plans, concepts, or situations. The combination of the symbols identified
in part A of this lesson, and the objectives, boundaries, routes and other measures identified in this part
of the lesson, creates an indispensable tool for a quick and accurate portrayal of the battle activity. To
relay this tactical information without confusion requires standardization of techniques.
This part of the lesson establishes guidelines for the pictorial representations of these tactical situations.
3. Use of Color.
Ideally, you use different colors to depict enemy and friendly symbols. However, since you may not
always have different colors at your disposal, you may use a single line to denote friendly symbols, and
double lines to indicate enemy symbols. Figure 1-11 illustrates an example of single-color symbols that
show friendly and enemy front lines.
Figure 1-11. Single-color symbols
When you have multicolors available, the following colors denote information as indicated:
a. Blue or Black. Blue or black indicates friendly units, posts, installations, equipment, etc., not
covered by other colors.
b. Red. Red indicates enemy configurations not covered by other colors.
c. Yellow. Yellow indicates friendly OR enemy chemical, biological, or radiological areas.
d. Green. Green indicates friendly OR enemy man-made obstacles or obstructions.
If you use other colors than those above, you must explain their use and meaning in the accompanying
legend.
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