1. Prepare an Operation Overlay
FM 1-02 MCRP 5-12A

2. Purpose Understand use of Operational Overlays and graphics
Heavy use of military symbols

3. Register the Overlay .

4. Standard Colors Standard colors Blue or Black Red Yellow Green
Friendly units, installations, equipment, and activities
Red
Enemy installations, equipment, and activities
Yellow
Any areas of chemical, biological or radiological contamination
Green  
Any man made obstacle, severely restricted, restricted and non-restricted terrain

5. Mark the Overlay Classification
The classification of the overlay is dependent upon classification of the order used to prepare the overlay
Top Secret
Secret
Confidential
Unclassified
U//FOUO—"Unclassified—For Official Use Only"
Mark the top and bottom of the overlay with the classification

6. Basic Military Symbols and Graphics

7. Basic Unit Symbols
Blue
Blue
Green
Red

8. Modifiers

9. Modifiers Air Assault Airborne Gun Equipped Mechanized or Armored
(Wheeled)
Motorized
LP or OP
Reconnaissance
(Scout)
Air Defense
Artillery
Anti-Armor
Aviation,
Fixed Wing
Aviation,
Rotary

10. Modifiers MI MP Engineer Artillery Infantry Chemical Military
Intelligence
Military
Police
Signal
Supply
Maintenance
Medical
Medical Treatment
Facility
Supply Trains

11. Unit Symbols
E.g. B CO, 3d BN, 52d INF

12. Control Measures

14. Operational Graphics
2 Platoons of Light Tanks, Platoon of Infantry fighting vehicle, Section 2 light tanks and APC

15. Recognize Overlay Techniques

16. Solid and Broken Lines Solid lines indicate Broken lines indicate
The location of a unit or installation or coordinating detail (for example, line of departure or boundary) is in effect and will continue, or is made effective by the order prepared
Broken lines indicate
Proposed or future location
Coordinating detail to become effective later

17. Boundaries Areas of tactical responsibility
In the offense - referred to as zones of action
In the defense and retrograde - referred to as sectors of responsibility
Desirably drawn along terrain features easily recognizable on the ground

18. Boundaries (cont.)
Symbol is placed on the boundary to show size and designation of the highest units that share the boundary
If the units are of unequal size, the symbols of the higher unit are shown and the designation of the lower is given completely to show its size

19. Axis of Advance
Shown from the line of departure (LD) to the objective following an avenue of approach

20. Direction of Attack Arrows
Specify the direction in which the center of mass of a subordinate unit must move in an attack to ensure the accomplishment of a closely coordinated plan of maneuver
Extends from the line of departure to the objective and is not labeled

21. Units Assigned Security Missions
Arrows used to indicate
Terrain over which the unit operates
Farthest extension of its mission

22. Graphic Portrayal of Supply Routes
Main supply route (MSR)
Route(s) designated within an area of operations upon which the bulk of traffic flows in support of military operations
Labeled MSR and assigned a code name
Not used below division level

23. Portrayal of a Unit Location
Symbol should be drawn so its center corresponds with the coordinates at which the unit is located

24. Portrayal of a Unit Location (cont.)
Offset technique
Used for clarity when space precludes normal symbol placement

25. Objective(s)
Each objective is identified by the abbreviation "OBJ" and a number, letter, or name designation

26. Pinch Out a Unit
Indicated by drawing the boundary across the front of the unit, usually along a well-defined terrain feature such as a stream, ridge, or highway
Company A will be pinched out after seizing OBJ 1; Company B will seize OBJ 2 and continue the attack to seize OBJ 3

27. Defended Areas
Line (including the size symbol of the defending unit) encloses the area
Closed side of the symbol is oriented toward the most likely enemy threat

28. Line of Departure
Control measure to coordinate the advance of an attacking unit
Clearly defined on the ground and on the map
Approximately perpendicular to the direction of the attack
Under control of friendly units
Marked on both ends

29. Phase Line
Units report their arrival at, or clearance of, a PL, but they do not halt unless ordered to do so
Control the progress of units
Also used to control fires and unit movement and even to limit the advance of attacking elements
Should be easily recognized terrain features, normally perpendicular to the direction of advance
Drawn as a solid line with the letters PL at each end of the line identified further by a number, a letter, or code name

30. Points Coordinating Points Checkpoints
Designated on boundaries as specific points for coordination of fires and maneuver between adjacent units
Checkpoints
Number, letter, or code word inside an upright rectangle
Easily recognizable terrain features or objects, such as crossroads, churches, lone buildings, stream junctions, hills, bridges, and railroad crossings

31. Points (cont.) Linkup Points Points of Departure (PDs)
Easily identifiable point on the ground and map that is used to facilitate the joining, connecting, or reconnecting of elements of a unit or units
Points of Departure (PDs)
Normally are shown along the LD for night attacks
Similar to a checkpoint containing the abbreviation “PD” and a letter or number within the symbol
The point of the arrow is at the bottom of its location

32. Lost Officer

33. Route Reconnaissance: Gain detailed information about a specific route and terrain on both sides that the enemy may use to influence the route. To include trafficability, enemy forces and terrain they may utilize, built up areas, classify bridges, fords, overpasses, underpasses, culverts, crossing sights, defiles along route, obstacles.

34. Test What color are friendly units on overlays? What symbol is this?
Is a 10% slope an obstruction to traffic flow on a route?
Broken lines on overlay indicate?
This symbol determines bypass on a route is?
What color are man made obstacles?
1. Blue and Black 2. Recon 3. yes 4. proposed or future location

35. QUESTIONS