What are the two norths used in the military?

• A. True north and Grid north
• B. Geographic north and True north
• C. Grid north and Magnetic north
• D. Grid north and True north

Answer: (C)

Two north references used in military navigation are grid north and magnetic north. Grid north is the direction along the map’s projected grid lines and stays fixed to the map, so your map bearings are always relative to grid north. Magnetic north is where a compass points, and it varies by location and over time due to Earth's magnetic field (the magnetic declination between grid north and magnetic north). In practice, you often need to convert bearings between these two, so you know what to set on a compass when following a map bearing. For example, if your map bearing is 30 degrees and the local declination is 12 degrees East, your magnetic bearing would be 42 degrees; if the declination is West, it would be 18 degrees. True north exists as a theoretical reference but isn’t the reference you typically navigate by with a map and compass, which is why grid north and magnetic north are the two norths emphasized.