"Need help with military symbols" Topic

Despite my years of gaming I never learned to really read the symbology that represents units, etc.

I am making some labels for some 6mm vehicles and infantry on bases.

I want to make it simple to read and understand for new/young gamers. I will have the vehicle name and squad information so they can easily see which unit has moved, takes a hit, etc.

I am thinking of including the NATO symbology on the label to help educate (including myself).

For example, I have a mechanized infantry platoon. This platoon is made of 4 M113As (each is on their own base) and each M113A has a single stand of infantry.

For the infantry stand would it be this one:
link
or
link

except maybe have the single black dot above it to symbolize it is a squad?

For the M113A stand, I am a little uncertain. Would I have the same as above or something else?

Thanks for the education and help!

Second one is correct for Mech Inf./PanzerGrenadier.

Not sure what the vertical line on the left represents in the first one.

Single black dot above – centered = squad, (or is that section?
Two dots might be for a squad). Three dots = platoon.

I = compay; II = battalion; and III = regiment.

Thanks, Thresher01. According to Wikipedia with the vertical line on the left signifies
"Mechanized Infantry equipped with Infantry Fighting Vehicles equipment examples: M2 Bradley, BMP-3, Kurganets-25, Dardo IFV"

Wikipedia page:
link

From what I have read the single dot is Squad and 2 dots is Section.

The vertical line normally indicates a gun equipped unit. In this case, mech inf in a gun equipped fighting vehicle like a M2 Bradley.

You can download the NATO map symbols as true type fonts from here:
mapsymbs.com

which saves drawing them.

@John Armatys: cool, thanks for that!

Three dots platoon, two dots squad, one dot section. Smaller unit always has fewer of the symbol.

The full details can be a bit daunting but it is all in here:

PDF link

In 'merican: one dot is a fire team (3-5 men), two dots is a squad (2 or 3 teams), three dots is a platoon (2-4 squads). Section is an English word. (Gawd I love this language.)

A heavy line on the left (i.e. fill in between the two left lines of the first link) is a "heavy weapons" unit. e.g. the Mg & mortar platoon. Usually part of an Infantry Co. or Btn.

also try this link: mapsymbs.com/app-6a.html

You might use this one for your OPFOR: link

I have used this site in the past to help build symbols.

symbol.army/symbol/editor

Thanks for all the help! Really appreciate it, everyone.

The second symbol with the X and O in the box represents Mech Infantry unit. The first with the vertical line one left side represents a Heavy Mech Inf unit as noted.

Not and APC but an IFV, e.g. M2 Bradley. Basically an IFV e.g. an M2 is more heavily armed and armored than and APC e.g. an M113[I commanded a Mech Inf Co, equipped with M113s '87-'89] .

In 'merican: one dot is a fire team (3-5 men), two dots is a squad (2 or 3 teams), three dots is a platoon (2-4 squads). Section is an English word. (Gawd I love this language.)
A heavy line on the left (i.e. fill in between the two left lines of the first link) is a "heavy weapons" unit. e.g. the Mg & mortar platoon. Usually part of an Infantry Co. or Btn.

Yes …

I = company; II = battalion; and III = regiment.

Yes …

While I am a traditional symbol guy for wargames, this may be a case where the silhouette symbol of the APCs or trucks can be used to represent the vehicles and the x for the grunts.
Of course we were taught that the unit commander must be able to control his units heaviest firepower himself. So tracks even if empty would be in the defense area of the unit providing fire support. So based on the mechanics are separate counters needed?

I do like silhouettes as well for gaming … I've like Rudy I used the traditional symbols while in the Army. But I've wargamed with both depending on the gaming system …