What does "grid north" refer to?

"Grid north" specifically refers to the direction established by the vertical grid lines on a map. These grid lines are part of the grid system used in topographic and other types of maps to help readers locate features based on coordinates. Grid north serves as a reference direction for navigation and orientation on the map. It is important for users to understand that grid north may differ from true north, which points toward the geographic North Pole, and magnetic north, which is affected by the Earth's magnetic field and varies based on the user's location.

This distinction allows map users to align their navigation in a precise manner based on the projection and grid used in the mapping process. The precision of grid north assists in tasks such as land navigation and orienteering, where accuracy is crucial. Understanding grid north is fundamental for effective map reading and is a key skill in JROTC training related to navigation.