Which north is used when operating a military map?

In military map reading, the correct north used is grid north. This refers to the north that is established by the vertical grid lines on a map, which are based on the projection of the Earth's surface. The grid north aligns with the north-south lines on the map, providing a consistent reference for navigation and plotting points.

True north, which is the direction toward the Earth's geographic North Pole, can differ from grid north due to the curvature of the Earth and the map's projection. Magnetic north, which is the direction a magnetic compass points and varies based on geographical location and the Earth's magnetic field, is separate from both true and grid north. Compass north would be synonymous with magnetic north in context, but it's not a standard term used in military mapping.

Therefore, grid north is predominantly the reference used in military operations for more accurate navigation because it ensures clarity and coherence when utilizing coordinates for maneuvering on maps.