What is the first step to navigation when using a military map?

The first step to navigation when using a military map is to orient the map. Orienting the map involves aligning it with the actual terrain you are navigating through. This ensures that you have a clear understanding of your surroundings in relation to the map's symbols and features. By aligning the map, you can accurately match key landmarks, routes, and obstacles with their corresponding representations on the map.

This step is crucial because if the map is not properly oriented, it can lead to confusion and potentially dangerous navigational errors as you may misinterpret directions and distances. Once the map is oriented, you can effectively utilize other navigation techniques, like identifying landmarks, measuring distances, or planning a route, with a much clearer and more accurate context.