Terminology

 

    –A–

access control point – A corridor at the installation entrance through which all vehicles and pedestrians must pass when entering or exiting the installation. (ATTP 3-39.32)

 

acknowledge – A directive from the originator of a communication requiring the addressee(s) to advise the originator that his communication has been received and understood. This term is normally included in the electronic transmission of orders to ensure the receiving station or person confirms the receipt of the order. (FM 6-02.53)

 

actions on contact – A series of combat actions, often conducted simultaneously, taken upon contact with the enemy to develop the situation. (ADRP 3-90)

 

active air defense – (DOD) Direct defense action taken to destroy, nullify, or reduce the effectiveness of hostile air and missile threats against friendly forces and assets. (JP 3-01) See ADRP 3-09, ADRP 3-90, FM 3-90-1, and ATP 3-27.5.

 

activity – (DOD) 1. A unit, organization, or installation performing a function or mission. 2. A function, mission, action, or collection of actions.  Also called ACT. (JP 3-0) See ATP 3-55.12.

 

administrative contracting officer – Contracting officers whose duties are limited to contract administration. Also called ACO. (ATTP 4-10)

 

administrative control – (DOD) Direction or exercise of authority over subordinate or other organizations in respect to administration and support, including organization of Service forces, control of resources and equipment, personnel management, unit logistics, individual and unit training, readiness, mobilization, demobilization, discipline, and other matters not included in the operational missions of the subordinate or other organizations. Also called ADCON. (JP 1) See ADRP 5-0.

 

administrative movement – A movement in which troops and vehicles are arranged to expedite their movement and conserve time and energy when no enemy ground interference is anticipated.  (FM 3-90-2)

 

advance party – A team that coordinates the convoy’s arrival at the destination. It may move with the main body initially but must arrive at the destination sufficiently ahead of the main body. See also convoy; march column; quartering party. (FM 4-01.30)

 

adversary – (DOD) A party acknowledged as potentially hostile to a friendly party and against which the use of force may be envisaged. (JP 3-0) See ADRP 3-0, ADRP 3-37, FM 3-07 and ATP 3-07.5.

 

after action review – A guided analysis of an organization’s performance, conducted at appropriate times during and at the conclusion of a training event or operation with the objective of improving future performance. It includes a facilitator, event participants, and other observers. Also called AAR. (ADRP 7-0)

 

agility – The ability of friendly forces to react faster than the enemy. (ADRP 3-90)

 

air and missile defense – (DOD) Direct [active and passive] defensive actions taken to destroy, nullify, or reduce the effectiveness of hostile air and ballistic missile threats against friendly forces and assets.  Also called AMD. (JP 3-01) See ATP 3-27.5. (Army) The direct defensive actions taken to protect friendly forces by destroying or reducing the effectiveness of hostile air and ballistic missile threats against friendly forces and assets in support of joint force commanders’ objectives. (ADRP 3-09)

 

air assault – (DOD) The movement of friendly assault forces by rotary-wing aircraft to engage and destroy enemy forces or to seize and hold key terrain. (JP 3-18)  See FM 3-90-1.

 

air defense – (DOD) Defensive measures designed to destroy attacking enemy aircraft or missiles in the atmosphere, or to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of such attack. Also called AD. (JP 3-01)  See FM 3-01.7.

 

air defense artillery – The defensive measures designated to destroy attacking enemy aircraft or missiles in the atmosphere, or to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of such attack either through surveillance actions or active engagements of aerial threat. (ADRP 3-09)

 

air defense commander – (DOD) The component commander with the preponderance of air defense capability and the required command, control, and communications capabilities who is assigned by the joint force commander to plan and execute integrated air defense operations.  Also called AADC.  (JP 3-01)  See ATP 3-27.5.

 

airborne mission coordinator – (DOD) The designated individual that serves as an airborne extension of the component commander or supported commander responsible for the personnel recovery mission.  Also called AMC. (JP 3-50)  See ATP 3-55.6.

 

air movements – (Army) Operations involving the use of utility and cargo rotary-wing assets for other than air assaults. (FM 3-90-2)

 

air interdiction – (DOD) Air operations conducted to divert, disrupt, delay, or destroy the enemy’s military surface capabilities before it can be brought to bear effective against friendly forces, or to otherwise achieve objectives that are conducted at such distances from friendly forces that detailed integration of each Air mission with the fire and movement of friendly forces is not required. (JP 3-03)  See ATP 3-55.6.

 

airspace control – (DOD) A process used to increase operational effectiveness by promoting the safe, efficient, and flexible use of airspace. (JP 3-52)  See ADRP 3-90, ADRP 5-0, and FM 3-90-1.

 

airspace control area – (DOD) Airspace that is laterally defined by the boundaries of the operational area, and may be subdivided into airspace control sectors. (JP 3-01)  See FM 3-52.

 

airspace control authority – (DOD) The commander designated to assume overall responsibility for the operation of the airspace control system in the airspace control area. Also called ACA. (JP 3-52)   See FM 3-52.

 

airspace control order – (DOD) An order implementing the airspace control plan that provides the details of the approved requests for airspace coordinating measures. It is published either as part of the air tasking order or as a separate document. Also called ACO. (JP 3-52)  See FM 3-52, ATP 3-06.1, and ATTP 2-01.

 

airspace coordinating measures – (DOD) Measures employed to facilitate the efficient use of airspace to accomplish missions and simultaneously provide safeguards for friendly forces. Also called ACMs. (JP 3-52)  See FM 3-52.

 

airspace coordination area – (DOD) A three dimensional block of airspace in a target area, established by the appropriate ground commander, in which friendly aircraft are reasonably safe from friendly surface fires. The airspace coordination area may be formal or informal. Also called ACA. (JP 3-09.3)  See FM 3-52 and ATP 3-09.24.

 

air support operations center – (DOD) The principal air control agency of the theater air control system responsible for the direction and control of air operations directly supporting the ground combat element. It coordinates air missions requiring integration with other supporting arms and ground forces. It normally collocates with the Army tactical headquarters senior fire support coordination center within the ground combat element. Also called ASOC. (JP 3-09.3)  See FM 3-52.

 

air tasking order – (DOD) A method used to task and disseminate to components, subordinate units,  and command and control agencies projected sorties, capabilities and/or forces to targets and specific missions. Normally provides specific instructions to include call signs, targets, controlling agencies, etc., as well as general instructions. Also called ATO. (JP 3-30) See ATTP 2-01 and ATP 3-06.1.

 

alliance – (DOD) The relationship that results from a formal agreement between two or more nations for broad, long term objectives that further the common interests of the members. (JP 3-0) See ADRP 3-0 and FM 3-07.

 

allocation – (DOD) Distribution of limited forces and resources for employment among competing requirements.  (JP 5-0)  See ATTP 2-01.

 

all source intelligence – (Army) The integration of intelligence and information from all relevant sources to analyze situations or conditions that impact operations. (ADRP 2-0)

 

alternate position – A defensive position that the commander assigns to a unit or weapon for occupation when the primary position becomes untenable or unsuitable for carrying out the assigned task. (ADRP 3-90)

 

alternate supply route – A route or routes designated within an area of operations to provide for the movement of traffic when main supply routes become disabled or congested. Also called ASR. (ADRP 1-02) See also area of operations; main supply route.

 

ambush – An attack by fire or other destructive means from concealed positions on a moving or temporarily halted enemy. (FM 3-90-1)

 

ammunition transfer holding point – A designated site operated by a brigade support battalion distribution company where ammunition is received and transferred to supported units within a brigade combat team. May also temporarily hold or store ammunition as required. (FM 4 90)  

 

anticipation – The ability to foresee operational requirements and initiate actions that satisfy a response without waiting for an operation order or fragmentary order. (ADP 4-0)

 

approach march – The advance of a combat unit when direct contact with the enemy is intended. (ADRP 3-90)

 

apportionment – (DOD) In the general sense, distribution of forces and capabilities as the starting point for planning. (JP 5-0)  See ATTP 2-01.

 

area defense – A defensive task that concentrates on denying enemy forces access to designated terrain for a specific time rather than destroying the enemy outright. (ADRP 3-90)

 

area of influence – (DOD) A geographical area wherein a commander is directly capable of influencing operations by maneuver or fire support systems normally under the commander's command or control. (JP 3-0) See ADRP 3-0, ADRP 3-90, and FM 3-90-1.

 

area of interest – (DOD) That area of concern to the commander, including the area of influence, areas adjacent thereto, and extending into enemy territory. This area also includes areas occupied by enemy forces who could jeopardize the accomplishment of the mission. Also called AOI. (JP 3-0)  See ADP 3-0, ADRP 3-90, FM 3-90-1, and ATP 3-55.6.

 

area of operations – (DOD) An operational area defined by the joint force commander for land and maritime forces that should be large enough to accomplish their missions and protect their forces. Also called AO. (JP 3-0) See ADRP 3-0, ADRP 3-90, ATP 3-09.34, ATP 3-55.6, FM 3-90-1, and FM 3-07.

 

area of responsibility – (DOD) The geographical area associated with a combatant command within which a geographic combatant commander has authority to plan and conduct operations. Also called AOR. (JP 1) See ATP 3-55.6.

 

activity– A form of reconnaissance that focuses on obtaining detailed information about the terrain or enemy activity within a prescribed area. (ADRP 3-90)

 

area security – A security task conducted to protect friendly forces, installation routes, and actions within a specific area. (ADRP 3-90) See also area reconnaissance; security operations; rear area security.

 

area support – Method of logistics, medical support, and personnel services in which support relationships are determined by the location of the units requiring support. Sustainment units provide support to units located in or passing through their assigned areas. (FM 4-90) See also direct support; logistics.

 

ARFOR – The Army component and senior Army headquarters of all Army forces assigned or attached to a combatant command, subordinate joint force command, joint functional command, or multinational command. See JP 3-0. (ADRP 1-02)

 

Army design methodology – A methodology for applying critical and creative thinking to understand, visualize, and describe unfamiliar problems in approaches to solving them. (ADP 5-0)

 

Army field support brigade – An organization which provides integrated and synchronized acquisition logistics and technology support, less medical, to Army operational forces. Also called AFSB. (ADRP 1-02)

 

Army Health System – A component of the Military Health Systems that is responsible for operational management of the health service support and force health protection missions for training, predeployment, deployment, and postdeployment operations. (ATTP 4-02)

 

Army leader – Anyone who by virtue of assumed role or assigned responsibility inspires and influences people to accomplish organizational goals. Army leaders motivate people both inside and outside the chain of command to pursue actions, focus thinking, and shape decisions for the greater good of the organization. (ADP 6-22)

 

Army special operations aviation – Designated Active Component forces and units organized, trained, and equipped specifically to conduct air mobility, close combat attack, and other special air operations. (ADRP 3-05)

 

Army special operations forces – (DOD) Those Active and Reserve Component Army forces designated by the Secretary of Defense that are specifically organized, trained, and equipped to conduct and support special operations. Also called ARSOF. (JP 3-05)  See FM 3-05.

 

art of command – The creative and skillful exercise of authority through timely decisionmaking and leadership. (ADP 6-0)

 

art of tactics – This consists of three interrelated aspects: the creative and flexible array of means to accomplish assigned missions, decisionmaking under conditions of uncertainty when faced with a thinking and adaptive enemy, and understanding the effects of combat on Soldiers. (ADRP 3-90)

 

assailable flank – A flank which is exposed to attack or envelopment. (ADRP 3-90) See also flank.

 

assault echelon – (Army) The element of a force that is scheduled for initial assault on the objective area. (ADRP 1-02)

 

assault position – A covered and concealed position short of the objective, from which final preparations are made to assault the objective. (ADRP 3-90)

 

assault time – The moment to attack the initial objective throughout the geographical scope of the operation. (ADRP 3-90)

 

assembly area – An area a unit occupies to prepare for an operation. (FM 3-90-1)

 

assessment – (DOD) 1. A continuous process that measures the overall effectiveness of employing joint force capabilities during military operations. See FM 3-07.

2. Determination of the progress toward accomplishing a task, creating a condition, or achieving an objective.

(JP 3-0) See ADP 3-37, ADRP 3-37, ADP 5-0 and ARDRP 5-0.

3. Analysis of the security, effectiveness, and potential of an existing or planned intelligence activity.

4. Judgment of the motives, qualifications, and characteristics of present or prospective employees or "agents." See FM 3-07.

 

assign – (DOD) To place units or personnel in an organization where such placement is relatively permanent, and/or where such organization controls and administers the units or personnel for the primary function, or greater portion of the functions, of the unit or personnel. (JP 3-0)  See ADRP 5-0.

 

assured mobility – A framework—of processes, actions, and capabilities—that assures the ability of a force to deploy, move, and maneuver where and when desired, without interruption or delay, to achieve the mission. (ATTP 3-90.4)

 

attach – (DOD) The placement of units or personnel in an organization where such placement is relatively temporary. (JP 3-0)  See ADRP 5-0.

 

attack – An offensive task that destroys or defeats enemy forces, seizes and secures terrain, or both (ADRP 3-90) See also defeat; deliberate attack; demonstration; destroy; feint; offensive operations; raid; secure; seize; spoiling attack.

 

attack by fire – A tactical mission task in which a commander uses direct fires, supported by indirect fires, to engage an enemy force without closing with the enemy to destroy, suppress, fix, or deceive that enemy. (FM 3-90-1) See also destroy; fix; frontal attack; support by fire; suppress; tactical mission task.

 

attack by fire position – The general position from which a unit conducts the tactical task of attack by fire. (ADRP 3-90) See also attack by fire.

 

attack position – (Army) The last position an attacking force occupies or passes through before crossing the line of departure. (ADRP 3-90)

 

attitudes – The beliefs, feelings, values, and disposition that cause an individual to respond in a particular way to a given object, person, or situation. (FM 3-05.301)

 

authenticate – (DOD) A challenge given by voice or electrical means to attest to the authenticity of a person, message, or transmission. (JP 3-50)  See ATP 3-50.3.

 

authority – The delegated power to judge, act or command. (ADP 6-0)

 

auxiliary – For the purpose of unconventional warfare, the support element of the irregular organization whose organization and operations are clandestine in nature and whose members do not openly indicate their sympathy or involvement with the irregular movement. (ADRP 3-05)

 

avenue of approach – (Army) The air or ground route leading to an objective (or key terrain in its path) that an attacking force can use. (ADRP 3-90)

 

axis of advance – (Army) The general area through which the bulk of a unit’s combat power must move. (ADRP 3-90) See also attack; movement to contact; offensive operations.

 

   –B–

backbrief – A briefing by subordinates to the commander to review how subordinates intend to accomplish their mission. (ATTP 5-0.1) See also mission.

 

ballistic missile – (DOD) Any missile which does not rely upon aerodynamic surfaces to produce lift and consequently follows a ballistic trajectory when thrust is terminated. (JP 3-01) ATP 3-27.5.

 

base – (DOD) A locality from which operations are projected or supported. (JP 4-0) See ADRP 3-0

 

base camp – An evolving military facility that supports that military operations of a deployed unit and provides the necessary support and services for sustained operations. (ATP 3-37.10)

 

base defense – (DOD) The  local military measures, both normal and emergency, required to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of enemy attacks on, or sabotage of, a base to censure that the maximum capacity of its facilities is available to US Forces. (JP 3-10) See ADRP 3-37.

 

basic load (ammunition) – (Army) The quantity of nonnuclear ammunition that is authorized and required by each Service to be on hand for a unit to meet combat needs until resupply can be accomplished. It is expressed in rounds, units or unity of weight, as appropriate. (FM 3-01.7)

 

battalion – A unit consisting of two or more company , battery , or troop size units and a headquarters. (ADRP 3-90) See also battery; company.

 

battalion task force – A maneuver battalion size unit consisting of a battalion headquarters, at least one assigned company size element, and at least one attached company size element from another maneuver or support unit (functional and multifunctional). (ADRP 3-90)

 

battery – A company size unit in a fires or air defense artillery battalion. (ADRP 3-90)

 

battle – A set of related engagements that lasts longer and involves larger forces than an engagement. (ADRP 3-90) See also campaign; engagement; major operation.

 

battle damage assessment – (DOD) The estimate of damage composed of physical and functional damage assessment, as well as target system assessment, resulting from the application of lethal or nonlethal military force.  Also called BDA.  (JP 3-0)  See ATP 3-55.6 and ATP 3-60.1.

 

battle handover line – A designated phase line on the ground where responsibility transitions from the stationary force to the moving force and vice versa. Also called BHL. (ADRP 3-90) See also handover line; phase line.

 

battle management – (DOD) The management activities within the operational environment based on the commands, direction, and guidance given by appropriate authority. Also called BM. (JP 3-01) See ATP 3-27.5.

 

battle position – 1. A defensive location oriented on a likely enemy avenue of approach. (ADRP 3-90) 2. For attack helicopters, an area designated in which they can maneuver and fire into a designated engagement area or engage targets of opportunity. Also called BP. (ADRP 1-02) See also airspace coordination area; avenue of approach.

 

battle rhythm – A deliberate cycle of command, staff, and unit activities intended to synchronize current and future operations. (ADRP 1-02)

 

be prepared mission – A mission assigned to a unit that might be executed. (ATTP 5-0.1) See also on order mission.

 

biological weapon – (DOD)  An item of material which projects, disperses, or disseminates a biological agent including arthropod vectors. (JP 3-11) See ATP 4-02.84

 

biometrics-enabled intelligence – The information associated with and/or derived from biometric signatures and the associated contextual information that positively identifies a specific person and/or matches an unknown identity to a place, activity, device, component, or weapon. (ADRP 1-02)

 

block – A tactical mission task that denies the enemy access to an area or prevents his advance in a direction or along an avenue of approach. Block is also an obstacle effect that integrates fire planning and obstacle effort to stop an attacker along a specific avenue of approach or to prevent the attacking force from passing through an engagement area. (FM 3-90-1) See also avenue of approach; contain; disrupt; fix; tactical mission task; turn.

 

board – (Army) A grouping of predetermined staff representatives with delegated decision authority for a particular purpose or function. (ATTP 5-0.1) See also working group, battle rhythm.

 

boost phase – (DOD) That portion of the flight of a ballistic missile or space vehicle during which the booster and sustainer engines operate.  (JP 3-01)  See ATP 3-27.5.

 

boundary – (DOD) A line that delineates surface areas for the purpose of facilitating coordination and deconfliction of operations between adjacent units, formations, or areas. (JP 3-0)  See FM 3-90-1.

 

bounding overwatch – A movement technique used when contact with enemy forces is expected. The unit moves by bounds. One element is always halted in position to overwatch another element while it moves. The overwatching element is positioned to support the moving unit by fire or fire and movement. (FM 3-90-2)

 

box formation – A unit formation with subordinate elements arranged in a box or square, or two elements up and two elements back. It is a flexible formation that provides equal firepower in all directions. It is generally used when the enemy location is known. This formation can cause 50 percent of force to be decisively engaged at the same time, therefore limiting the combat power available to maneuver against an enemy. (FM 3-90-1) See also column formation; echelon formation.

 

branch – (DOD) 1. A subdivision of any organization. 2. A geographically separate unit of an activity, which performs all or part of the primary functions of the parent activity on a smaller scale. 3. An arm or service of the Army. 4. The contingency options built into the base plan used for charging the mission, orientation, or direction of movement of a force to aid success of the operation based on anticipated events, opportunities, or disruptions caused by enemy actions and reactions. (JP 5-0) See FM 3-07.

 

breach – A tactical mission task in which the unit employs all available means to break through or establish a passage through an enemy defense, obstacle, minefield, or fortification. (FM 3-90-1) See also tactical mission task.

 

breach area – The area where a breaching operation occurs. It is established and fully defined by the higher headquarters of the unit conducting breaching operations. (ATTP 3-90.4) See also breaching operation.

 

breaching operation – Operation conducted to allow maneuver despite the presence of obstacles. Breaching is a synchronized combined arms operation under the control of the maneuver commander. Breaching operations begin when friendly forces detect an obstacle and begin to apply the breaching fundamentals, and they end when battle handover has occurred between follow on forces and a unit conducting the breaching operation. (ATTP 3-90.4) See also follow on forces.

 

breakout – An operation conducted by an encircled force to regain freedom of movement or contact with friendly units. It differs from other attacks only in that a simultaneous defense in other areas of the perimeter must be maintained. (ADRP 3-90) See also encirclement; follow and support; main body.

 

breakthrough – A rupturing of the enemy’s forward defenses that occurs as a result of a penetration. A breakthrough permits the passage of an exploitation force. (FM 3-90-1) See also attack; exploitation; penetration.

 

bridgehead – In gap crossing operations, an area on the enemy’s side of the linear obstacle that is large enough to accommodate the majority of the crossing force, has adequate terrain to permit defense of the crossing sites, provides security of crossing forces from enemy direct fire, and provides a base for continuing the attack. (ATTP 3-90.4) See also crossing site.

 

bridgehead force – A force that assaults across a gap to secure the enemy side (the bridgehead) to allow the buildup and passage of a breakout force during river crossing operations. (ATTP 3-90.4) See also bridgehead.

 

brigade – A unit consisting of two or more battalions and a headquarters company or detachment. (ADRP 3-90) See also battalion; division.

 

brigade combat team – (Army) A combined arms organization consisting of a brigade headquarters, at least two maneuver battalions, and necessary supporting functional capabilities. Also called BCT. (ADRP 3-90)

 

bypass – A tactical mission task in which the commander directs his unit to maneuver around an obstacle, position, or enemy force to maintain the momentum of the operation while deliberately avoiding combat with an enemy force. (FM 3-90-1) See also tactical mission task.

 

bypass criteria – Measures during the conduct of an offensive operation established by higher headquarters that specify the conditions and size under which enemy units and contact may be avoided. (ADRP 3-90) See also bypass.

 

–C–

call for fire – A request for fire containing data necessary for obtaining the required fire on a target. Also called CCF. (FM 3-09)

 

call forward area – In gap crossing operations, waiting areas within the crossing area where final preparations are made. (ATTP 3-90.4)

 

campaign – (DOD) A series of related major operations aimed at achieving strategic and operational objectives within a given time and space. (JP 5-0) See ADRP 3-0 and ATP 3-07.5.

 

canalize – (Army) A tactical mission task in which the commander restricts enemy movement to a narrow zone by exploiting terrain coupled with the use of obstacles, fires, or friendly maneuver. (FM 3-90-1) See also tactical mission task.

 

capacity building – The process of creating an environment that fosters host nation institutional development, community participation, human resources development, and strengthening of managerial systems. (FM 3-07)

 

campaign – (DOD) A series of related major operations aimed at achieving strategic and operational objectives within a given time and space. (JP 5-0) See ADP 3-0 and FM 3-07.

 

center of gravity – (DOD) The source of power that provides moral or physical strength, freedom of action, or will to act. Also called COG. (JP 5-0) See ADRP 3-0.

 

casualty evacuation – (DOD) The unregulated movement of casualties that can include movement both to and between medical treatment facilities. Also called CASEVAC. (JP 4-02) See ATP 3-55.6.

 

casualty operations – The process of recording, reporting, verifying, and processing casualty information from unit-level to headquarters Department of the Army, notifying appropriate individuals and agencies, and providing casualty notification and assistance to the primary next of kin. (ATP 1-0.2)

 

center of gravity – (DOD) The source of power that provides moral or physical strength, freedom or action, or will to act. Also called COG. (JP 5-0) See FM 3-57.

 

checkpoint – A predetermined point on the ground used to control movement, tactical maneuver, and orientation. (ADRP 1-02)

 

chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear defense – (DOD) Measures taken to minimize or negate the vulnerabilities and/or effects of a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear incident. Also called CBRN defense. (JP 3-11) See ATP 4-02.84.

 

chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear incident – (DOD) Any occurrence, resulting from the use of chemical, biological radiological and nuclear weapons and devices; the emergence of secondary hazards arising from counterforce targeting; or the release of toxic industrial materials into the environment, involving the emergence of chemical biological, radiological and nuclear hazards. (JP 3-11) See ADP 3-28 and ATP 3-55.6.

 

chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear sample management – Chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) sample management is the process whereby CBRN samples are collected, packaged, transported, stored, transferred, analyzed, tracked, and disposed. It begins with the decision to collect CBRN samples and continues to the reporting of information produced by the final analysis of that sample. This process includes safeguarding and prioritizing CBRN samples, tracking their movements and analytical status, and reporting the end result of sample analysis. The CBRN sample management process establishes procedures, guidelines, and constraints at staff and unit levels to protect and preserve the integrity of CBRN samples that may have tactical, operational, and/or strategic implications. (ATP 3-11.37)

 

chief of fires – The senior fires officer at division and higher headquarters level who is responsible for advising the commander on the best use of available fire support resources, providing input to necessary orders, and developing and implementing the fires support plan. (ADRP 3-09)

 

civil administration – (DOD) An administration established by a foreign government in (1) friendly territory, under an agreement with the government of the area concerned, to exercise certain authority normally the function of the local government; or (2) hostile territory, occupied by United States forces, where a foreign government exercises executive, legislative, and judicial authority until an indigenous civil government can be established. Also called CA. (JP 3-05) See ATP 3-57.20 and FM 3-57.

 

civil affairs – (DOD) Designated Active and Reserve Component forces and units organized, trained, and equipped specifically to conduct civil affairs operations and to support civil military operations. Also called CA. (JP 3-57) See ADRP 3-05, FM 3-57, and ATP 3-57.20.

 

civil affairs operations – (DOD) Those military operations conducted by civil affairs forces that (1) enhance the relationship between military forces and civil authorities in localities where military forces are present; (2) require coordination with other interagency organizations, intergovernmental organizations, nongovernmental organizations, indigenous populations and institutions, and the private sector; and (3) involve application of functional specialty skills that normally are the responsibility of civil government to enhance the conduct of civil military operations. Also called CAO. (JP 3-57) See ADRP 3-05, FM 1-04, FM 3-57, FM 3-07, ATP 3-09.24, ATP 1-06.2, and ATP 3-57.20.

 

civil affairs operations project management – The six step process by which civil affairs forces identify, validate, plan, coordinate, facilitate, and monitor both material and nonmaterial civil affairs operations projects to achieve a supported commander's objectives relating to the civil component of the operational environment. (FM 3-57)

 

civil assistance – Assistance, based on a commander's decision, in which life-sustaining services are provided, order is maintained, and/or goods and services are distributed within the commander's assigned area of operations. (FM 3-57)

 

civil authorities – (DOD) Those elected and appointed officers and employees who constitute the government of the United States, the governments of the 50 states, the District of Colombia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, United States possessions and territories, and political subdivisions thereof. (JP 3-28) See ADP 3-28.

 

civil augmentation program – (DOD) Standing, long term external support contacts designed to augment Service logistic capabilities with contract support in both preplanned and short notice contingencies. Examples include US Army Logistics Civil Augmentation Program, Air Force Contract Augmentation Program, and US Navy Global Contingency Capabilities Contracts. Also called CAP. (JP 4-10) See ATTP 4-10.

 

civil considerations – The influence of manmade infrastructure, civilian institutions, and attitudes and activities of the civilian leaders, populations, and organizations within an area of operations on the conduct of military operations. (ADRP 5-0)

 

civilian internee – (DOD) A civilian who is interned during armed conflict, occupation, or other military operation for security reasons, for protection, or because he or she committed an offense against the detaining power. Also called CI. (DODD 2310.01E) See FM 1-04.

 

civil information – Information developed from data with relation to civil areas, structures, capabilities, organization, people, and events within civil component of the commander's operational environment that can be fused or processed to increase Department of Defense/interagency/ intergovernmental organizations/nongovernmental organizations/indigenous populations and institutions situational awareness, situational understanding, or situational dominance. (FM 3-57)

 

civil information management – Process whereby civil information is collected, entered into a central database, and internally fused with the supported element, higher headquarters, other United States Government and Department of Defense agencies, to ensure the timely availability of information for analysis and the widest possible dissemination of the raw and analyzed civil information to military and nonmilitary partners throughout the area of operations. Also called CIM. (FM 3-57)

 

civil liaison team – Provides limited civil-military interface capability as a spoke for exchange of information between indigenous populations and institutions, intergovernmental organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and other governmental agencies, and has limited capability to link resources to prioritize requirements. The civil liaison team is a stand-alone team for the civil-military operations center. It provides the supported level civil-military operations center with a storefront for civil affairs operations and civil-military operations coordination capability without interfering with the regular staff functions. Also called CLT. (FM 3-57)

 

civil military engagement – A formal program that facilitates the U.S. interagency, host nation indigenous authorities, select intergovernmental and nongovernmental partners, and the private sector to build, replace, repair, and sustain civil capabilities and capacities that eliminate, reduce, or mitigate civil vulnerabilities or local regional populations. Civil military engagement is a globally synchronized and regionally coordinated program of country-specific and regional actions executed through and with indigenous and U.S. interagency partners to eliminate the underlying conditions and core motivations for local and regional population support to violent extremist organizations and the networks. Also called CME. (FM 3-57)

 

civil military operations – (DOD) The activities of a commander that establish, maintain, influence, or exploit relations between military forces, governmental and nongovernmental civilian organizations and authorities, and the civilian populace in a friendly, neutral, or hostile operational area in order to facilitate military operations, to consolidate and achieve operational US objectives. Civil military operations may include performance by military forces of activities and functions normally the responsibility of the local, regional, or national government. These activities may occur prior to, during, or subsequent to other military actions. They may also occur, if directed, in the absence of other military operations. Civil military operations may be performed by designated civil affairs, by other military forces, or by a combination of civil affairs and other forces. Also called CMO. (JP 3-57) See ADRP 3-05, FM 3-57 and ATP 3-57.20.

 

civil military operations center – (DOD) An organization normally comprised of civil affairs, established to plan and facilitate coordination of activities of the Armed Forces of the United States with indigenous populations and institutions, the private sector, intergovernmental organizations, nongovernmental organization, multinational forces, and other governmental agencies in support of the joint force commander. Also called CMOC. (JP 3-57) See ATP 3-57.20 and FM 3-57.

 

civil-military support element – A tasked-organized civil affairs force that conducts civil-military engagement in a specified country or region. A civil-military support element is composed of a persistent-presence element of civil affairs leaders/planners, and a presence-for-purpose element composed of a civil affairs team(s) that may include enablers (for example, health service support, engineer, etc.) who are task organized for a specific time to execute a coordination mission. Also called CMSE. (FM 3-57)

 

civil reconnaissance – A targeted, planned, and coordinated observation and evaluation of those specific civil aspects of the environment. Civil reconnaissance focuses specifically on the civil component, the elements of which are best represented by the mnemonic ASCOPE: areas, structures, capabilities, organizations, people, and events. Civil reconnaissance can be conducted by civil affairs or by other forces, as required. Also called CR. (FM 3-57)

 

civil support – (DOD) Department of Defense support to US civil authorities for domestic emergencies, and for designated law enforcement and other activities. Also called CS. (JP 3-28) See ATP 3-28.1.

 

classes of supply – (DOD) The ten categories into which supplies are grouped in order to facilitate supply management and planning. I. Rations and gratuitous issue of health, morale, and welfare items. II. Clothing, individual equipment, tentage, tool sets, and administrative and housekeeping supplies and equipment. III. Petroleum, oils, and lubricants. IV. Construction materials. V. Ammunition. VI. Personal demand items. VII. Major end items, including tanks, helicopters, and radios. VIII. Medical. IX. Repair parts and components for equipment maintenance. X. Nonstandard items to support nonmilitary programs such as agriculture and economic development. (JP 4-09) [Note: Army doctrine also includes a miscellaneous category comprising water, captured enemy material, and salvage material.] See ADRP 4-0.

 

clear – 1. A tactical mission task that requires the commander to remove all enemy forces and eliminate organized resistance within an assigned area. (FM 3-90-1)

2. To eliminate transmissions on a tactical radio net in order to allow a higher precedence transmission to occur. (FM 6-02.53)

3. The total elimination or neutralization of an obstacle that is usually performed by follow on engineers and is not done under fire. (ATTP 3 90.4) See also reduce; tactical mission task.

 

clearance of fires – The process of approving or obtaining approval to attack targets with fires within and outside the boundaries of the supported unit for which the fires are provided. (FM 3-09)

 

close air support – (DOD) Air action by fixed and rotary wing aircraft against hostile targets that are in close proximity to friendly forces and that require detailed integration of each air mission with the fire and movement of those forces. Also called CAS. (JP 3-0) See FM 3-52, ATP 3-09.24, ATP 3-06.1, and ATP 3-55.6.

 

close area – In contiguous areas of operations, an area assigned to a maneuver force that extends from its subordinates' rear boundaries to its own forward boundary. (ADRP 3-0)

 

close combat – Warfare carried out on land in a direct fire fight, supported by direct and indirect fires, and other assets. (ADRP 3-0)

 

close quarters battle – Sustained combative tactics, techniques, and procedures employed by small, highly trained special operations forces using special purpose weapons, munitions, and demolitions to recover specified personnel, equipment, or material. (ADRP 3-05)

 

coalition – (DOD) An arrangement between two or more nations for common action. (JP 5-0) See ADRP 3-0 and FM 3-07.

 

collaborative planning – Commanders, subordinate commanders, staffs, and other partners sharing information, knowledge, perceptions, ideas, and concepts regardless of physical location throughout the planning process. (ADRP 5-0)

 

collateral damage – (DOD) Unintentional or incidental injury or damage to persons or objects that would not be lawful military targets in the circumstances ruling at the time. (JP 3-60) See ATP 3-60.1 and ATP 3-06.1.

 

collection management – (DOD) In intelligence usage, the process of converting intelligence requirements into collection requirements, establishing priorities, tasking or coordinating with appropriate collection sources of agencies, monitoring results, and retaskings, as required. (JP 2-0) See ATP 3-55.6.

 

column formation – The column formation is a combat formation in which elements are placed one behind the other. (FM 3-90-1)

 

combatant command (command authority) – (DOD) Nontransferable authority established by Title 10 (Armed Forces), United States Code, Section164, exercised only by commanders of unified or specified combatant commands unless otherwise directed by the President or the Secretary of Defense. Combatant command (command authority) cannot be delegated and is the authority of a combatant commander to perform those functions of command over assigned forces involving organizing and employing commands and forces, assigning tasks, designating objectives, and giving authoritative direction over all aspects of military operations, joint training, and logistics necessary to accomplish the missions assigned to the command. Combatant command (command authority) should be exercised through the commanders of subordinate organizations. Normally this authority is exercised through subordinate joint force commanders and Service and/or functional component commanders. Combatant commander (command authority) provides full authority to organize and employ commands and forces as the combatant commander considers necessary to accomplish the assigned missions. Operational control is inherent in combatant command (command authority) Also called COCOM. (JP 1) See ATP 3-27.5.

 

combat camera – (DOD) The acquisition and utilization of still and motion imagery in support of operational and planning requirements across the range of military operations and during joint exercises. Also called COMCAM. (JP 3-61) See ATP 3-55.12.

 

combat engineering – The engineer discipline that is focused on affecting terrain while in close support to maneuver forces that are in close combat. (FM 3-4)

 

combat formation – A combat formation is an ordered arrangement of forces for a specific purpose and the general configuration of a unit on the ground. (ADRP 3-90)

 

combat identification – (DOD) The process of attaining an accurate characterization of detected objects in the operational environment sufficient to support an engagement decision. Also called CID. (JP 3-09) See ATP 3-60.1.

 

combat information – (DOD) Unevaluated data, gathered by or provided directly to the tactical commander which, due to its highly perishable nature or the criticality of the situation, cannot be processed into tactical intelligence in time to satisfy the user's tactical intelligence requirements. (JP 2-01) See ADRP 2-0 and ADRP 3-90.

 

combat load – The minimum mission essential equipment, as determined by the commander responsible for carrying out the mission, required for Soldiers or Marines to fight and survive immediate combat operations. (FM 10-1)

 

combat observation and lasing team – A field artillery team controlled at the brigade level that is capable of day and night target acquisition and has both laser range finding and laser-designating capabilities. (ADRP 3-09)

 

combat power – (DOD) The total means of destruction and/or disruptive force which a military unit/formation can apply against the opponent at a given time. (JP 3-0) See FM 3-07. (Army) The total means of destructive, constructive, and information capabilities that a military unit or formation can apply at a given time. (ADRP 3-0)

 

combat outpost – A reinforced observation post capable of conducting limited combat operations. (FM 3-90-2)

 

combat search and rescue – (DOD) The tactics, techniques, and procedures performed by forces to effect the recovery of isolated personnel during combat. Also called CSAR (JP 3-50) See ADRP 3-05.

 

combined arms – The synchronized and simultaneous application of arms to achieve an effect greater than if each arm was used separately or sequentially. (ADRP 3-0)

 

combined arms maneuver – The application of the element of combat power in unified action to defeat enemy ground forces; to seize, occupy, and defend land areas; and to achieve physical, temporal, and psychological advantages over the enemy to seize and exploit the initiative. (ADP 3-0)

 

combined arms team – (Army) Two or more arms mutually supporting one another, usually consisting of a mixture of infantry, armor, aviation, field artillery, air defense artillery, and engineers. (ADRP 3-90)

 

command – (DOD) 1. The authority that a commander in the armed forces lawfully exercises over subordinates by virtue of rank or assignment. Command includes the authority and responsibility for effectively using available resources and for planning the employment of, organizing, directing, coordinating, and controlling military forces for the accomplishment of assigned missions. It also includes responsibility for health, welfare, morale, and discipline of assigned personnel. See ADRP 3-0, ADP 6-0 and ADP 6-22.

2. An order given by a commander; that is, the will of the commander expressed for the purpose of bringing about a particular action.

3. A unit or units, an organization, or an area under the command of one individual. Also called CMD (JP 1). See FM 3-07.

 

command and control – (DOD) The exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commander over assigned and attached forces in the accomplishment of the mission. Command and control functions are preformed through an arrangement of personnel, equipment, communications, facilities, and procedures employed by a commander in planning, directing, coordinating, and controlling forces and operations in the accomplishment of the mission. Also called C2. (JP 1). See FM 3-07 and ATP 3-06.1.

 

commander's critical information requirement – (DOD) An information requirement identified by the commander as being critical to facilitating timely decision making. Also called CCIR. (JP 3-0) See ADRP 5-0 and ATP 3-09.24.

 

commander's intent – (DOD) A clear and concise expression of the purpose of the operation and the desired military end state that supports mission command, provides focus to the staff, and helps subordinate and supporting commanders act to achieve the commander's desired results without further orders, even when the operation does not unfold as planned. (JP 3-0) See ADRP 3-0, ADP 5-0, ADP 6-0, ADRP 6-0, and FM 3-07.

 

commander's visualization – The mental process of developing situational understanding, determining desired end state, and envisioning an operational approach by which the force will achieve that end state. (ADP 5-0)

 

command group – The commander and selected staff members who assist the commander in controlling operations away from a command post. (ATTP 5-0.1) See also mission command; commander; command post.

 

command post – A unit headquarters where the commander and staff perform their activities. (ATTP 5-0.1) See also commander; command group; main command post; tactical command post.

 

command post cell – A grouping of personnel and equipment organized by warfighting function or by planning horizon to facilitate the exercise of mission command. (ATTP 5-0.1)

 

committed force – A force in contact with an enemy or deployed on a specific mission or course of action which precludes its employment elsewhere. (ADRP 3-90) See also attack; decisive engagement.

 

common operational picture – (Army) A single display of relevant information within a commander's area of interest tailored to the user's requirements and based on common data and information shared by more than one command. Also called COP. (ADRP 6-0)

 

company – A company is a unit consisting of two or more platoons, usually of the same type, with a headquarters and a limited capacity for self support. (ADRP 3-90)

 

company team – A combined arms organization formed by attaching one or more nonorganic armor, mechanized infantry, Stryker infantry, or light infantry platoons to a tank, mechanized infantry, Stryker, or infantry company either in exchange for, or in addition to its organic platoons. (ADRP 3-90)

 

complex terrain – A geographical area consisting of an urban center larger than a village and/or of two or more types of restrictive terrain or environmental conditions occupying the same space. Restrictive terrain or environmental conditions include, but are not limited to, slope, high altitude, forestation, severe weather, and urbanization. (ATTP 3-34.80)

 

comprehensive approach – An approach that integrates the cooperative efforts of the departments and agencies of the United States Government, intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, multinational partners, and private sector entities to achieve unity of effort toward a shared goal. (FM 3-07)

 

concealment – Protection from observation or surveillance. See also surveillance. (ADRP 1-02)

 

concept of operations – (DOD) A verbal or graphic statement that clearly and concisely expresses what the joint force commander intends to accomplish and how it will be done using available resources. (JP 5-0) See ADRP 3-90, FM 3-90-1, and FM 3-07. (Army) A statement that directs the manner in which subordinate units cooperate to accomplish the mission and establish the sequence of actions the force will use to achieve the end state. (ADRP 5-0) See also commander's intent; operation plan.

 

conduct human resources planning operations – The means by which human resources provider envisions a desired human resources end state in support of the operational commander's mission requirement. End state includes the intent, expected requirement, and outcomes to be achieved in the conduct and sustainment of human resources operations. Planning involves the use of the military decisionmaking process and composite risk management to ensure decisions are being made at the proper level command. The end result is communicated to subordinates through an operation plan or operation order. (ATP 1-0.2)

 

confirmation brief – A briefing subordinate leaders give to the higher commander immediately after the operation order is given. It is their understanding of his intent, their specific tasks, and the relationship between their mission and the other units in the operation. (ADRP 5-0) See also commander's intent; operation order.

 

conflict transformation – (DOD) A peace operation employing complementary diplomatic, civil, and when necessary, military means to monitor and identify the causes of conflict, and take timely action to prevent the occurrence, escalation, or resumption of hostilities. (JP 3-07.3) See ATP 3-07.5.

 

conflict transformation – The process of reducing the means and motivations for violent conflict while developing more viable, peaceful alternatives for the competitive pursuit of political and socio economic aspirations. (FM 3-07)

 

consequence management – (DOD) Actions taken to maintain or restore essential services and manage and mitigate problems resulting from disasters and catastrophes, including natural, man-made, or terrorist incidents. Also called CM. (JP 3-28) See ATP 3-57.20.

 

consolidation – Organizing and strengthening in newly captured position so that it can be used against the enemy. (FM 3-90-1)

 

constraint – (Army) A restriction placed on the command by a higher command. A constraint dictates an action or inaction, thus restricting the freedom of action a subordinate commander. (ATTP 5-0.1)

 

contact point – (DOD) 1. In land warfare, a point on the terrain, easily identifiable, where two or more units are required to make contact. See FM 3-90-1.

2. In air operations, the position at which a mission leader makes radio contact with an air control agency.

3. In personnel recovery, a location where isolated personnel can establish contact with recovery forces. Also called CP. (JP 3-50) See FM 3-05.231.

 

contain – A tactical mission task that requires the commander to stop, hold, or surround enemy forces or to cause them to center their activity on a given front and prevent them from withdrawing any part of their forces for use elsewhere. (FM 3-90-1)

 

container management – The process of establishing and maintaining visibility and accountability of all cargo containers moving within the Defense Transportation System. (ADP 4-0)

 

contamination – (DOD) 1. The deposit, absorption, or adsorption of radioactive material, or of biological or chemical agents on or by structures, areas, personnel, or objects.

2. Food and/or water made unfit for consumption by humans or animals because of the presence of environmental chemicals, radioactive elements, bacteria or organisms, the byproduct or the growth of bacteria or organisms, the decomposing material (to include the food substance itself), or waste in the food or water. (JP 3-11) See ATP 4-02.84.

 

contamination control – (DOD) A combination of preparatory and responsive measures designed to limit the vulnerability of forces to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and toxic industrial hazards and to avoid, contain, control exposure to, and, where possible, neutralize them. (JP 3-11) See ATP 4-02.84.

 

contiguous area of operations – An area of operations where all of a commander's subordinate forces' areas of operations share one or more common boundary. (FM 3-90-1) See also area of operations; boundary.

 

continuity – The uninterrupted provision of sustainment. (ADP 4-0)

 

contracting officer – (DOD) The Service member or Department of Defense civilian with the legal authority to enter into, administer, and/or terminate contracts. (JP 4-10) See ATTP 4-10 and ATP 1-06.2.

 

control – (DOD) 1. Authority that may be less than full command exercised by a commander over part of the activities of subordinate or other organizations. (JP 1)

2. In mapping, changing, and photogrammetry, a collective term for a system of marks or objects on the Earth or on a map or photograph, whose positions or elevations (or both) have been or will be determined. (JP 2-03)

3. Physical or psychological pressures exerted with the intent to assure that an agent or group will response as directed. (JP3-0) An indicator governing the distribution and use of documents, information, or material. Such indicators are the subject of intelligence community agreement and are specifically defined in appropriate regulations. (JP 2-01) See FM 3-07. (Army)

1. The regulation of forces and warfighting functions to accomplish the mission in accordance with the commander's intent. (ADP 6-0)

2. A tactical mission task that requires the commander to maintain physical influence over a specified area to prevent its use by an enemy or to create conditions necessary for successful friendly operations. (FM 3-90-1)

3. An action taken to eliminate a hazard or reduce its risk. (FM 5-19) controlled supply rate – The rate of ammunition consumption that can be supported, considering availability, facilities, and transportation. It is expressed in rounds per unit, individual, or vehicle per day. The Army Service component commander announces the controlled supply rate for each item of ammunition, and, in turn, the commander of each subordinate tactical unit announces a controlled supply rate to his commanders at the next lower levels. A unit may not draw ammunition in excess of its controlled supply rate without authority from its next higher headquarters. Also called CSR. (FM 4-30.1)

 

control measure – A means of regulating forces or warfighting functions. (ADRP 6-0)

 

conventional forces – (DOD) Those forces capable of conducting operations using nonnuclear weapons;

2. Those forces other than designated special operations forces. (JP 3-05) See ADRP 3-05.

 

coordinated fire line – (DOD) A line beyond which conventional and indirect surface fire support means may fire at any time within the boundaries of the establishing headquarters without additional coordination. The purpose of the coordinated fire line is to expedite the surface to surface attack of targets beyond the coordinated fire line without coordination with the ground commander in whose area the targets are located. Also called CFL. (JP 3-09) See FM 3-09 and FM 3-90-1.

 

cordon and search – A technique of conducting a movement to contact that involve isolating a target area and searching suspect locations within that target area to capture or destroy possible enemy forces and contraband. (FM 3-90-1)

 

corps – The Army's largest tactical unit and the instrument by which joint force commanders conduct operational level maneuver. (ADRP 1-02)

 

counterattack – Attack by part or all of a defending force against an enemy attacking force, for such specific purposes as regaining ground lost, or cutting off or destroying enemy advance units, and with the general objective of denying to the enemy the attainment of the enemy's purpose in attacking. In sustained defensive operations, it is undertaken to restore the battle position and is directed at limited objectives. (ADRP 1-02)

 

counterfire – (DOD) The fire intended to destroy or neutralize enemy weapons, includes counterbattery and countermortar fire. (JP 3-09) See ADRP 3-09, FM 3-90-1 and ATP 3-09.24.

 

counterinsurgency – (DOD) Comprehensive civilian and military efforts taken to defeat an insurgency and to address any core grievances. (JP 3-24) See ADP 3-05, ADRP 3-05 and ADRP 3-07.

 

counterintelligence – (DOD) Information gathered and activities conducted to identify, deceive, exploit, disrupt, or protect against espionage, other intelligence activities, sabotage, or assassinations conducted for or on behalf of foreign powers, organizations or persons or their agents, or international terrorist organizations or activities. Also called CI. (JP 2-01.2) See FM 2-22.2 (Army) Counters or neutralizes intelligence collection efforts through collection, counterintelligence investigations, operations analysis, production, and technical services and support. Counterintelligence includes all actions taken to detect, identify, track, exploit, and neutralize the multidiscipline intelligence activities of friends, competitors, opponents, adversaries, and enemies; is the key intelligence community contributor to protect U.S. interests and equities; assists in identifying essential elements of friendly information, identifying vulnerabilities to threat collection, and actions taken to counter collection and operations against U.S. forces. (FM 2-22.2)

 

counterintelligence insider threat – (DOD) A person, known or suspect, who uses their authorized access to Department of Defense facilities, systems, equipment, information or infrastructure to damage, disrupt operations, commit espionage on behalf of a foreign intelligence entity or support international terrorist organizations. (JP 1-02) See ADRP 2-0.

 

countermobility operations – (Army) Those combined arms activities that use or enhance the effects of natural and man made obstacles to deny an adversary freedom of movement and maneuver. (FM 3-34) See also destroy; disrupt.

 

counterpreperation fire – Intensive prearranged fire delivered when the imminence of the enemy attack is discovered. It is designed to breakup enemy formations; delay movement of reinforcements to reserve; disorganize the enemy's system of command, communications, and observation; decrease the effectiveness of artillery preparation; and impair the enemy's offensive spirit. (FM 3-09)

 

counterproliferation – (DOD) Those actions taken to defeat the threat and/or use of weapons of mass destruction against the United States, our forces, allies, and partners. Also called CP. (JP 3-40) See ADRP 3-05.

 

counterreconnaissance – A tactical mission task that encompasses all measures taken by a commander to counter enemy reconnaissance and surveillance efforts. Counterreconnaissance is not a distinct mission, but a component of all forms of security operations. (FM 3-90-1) See also tactical mission task.

 

counterterrorism – (DOD) Actions taken directly against terrorist networks and indirectly to influence and render global and regional environments inhospitable to terrorist networks. (JP 3-05) See ADP 3-05 and ADRP 3-05.

 

country team – (DOD) The senior, in-country U.S. coordination and supervising body, headed by the chief of the U.S. diplomatic mission, and composed of the senior member of each represented U.S. department of agency as desired by the chief of the U.S. diplomatic mission. (JP 3-07.4) See ATP 3-57.20, FM 3-07, and FM 3-57.

 

course of action – (DOD) A scheme developed to accomplish a mission. (JP 5-0) See chapter 10 of this publication.

 

cover – 1. Protection from the effects of fires. (ADRP 1-02)

2. A security task to protect the main body by fighting to gain time while also observing and reporting information and preventing enemy ground observation of and direct fire against the main body. (ADRP 3-90) See also covering force; security operations.

 

covered approach – 1. Any route that offers protection against enemy fire.

2. An approach made under the protection furnished by other forces or by natural cover. (FM 3-21.10) See also concealment; cover.

 

covering force – (Army) A self contained force capable of operating independently of the main body, unlike a screen or guard force to conduct the cover task. (FM 3-90-2)

 

covering force area – The area forward of the forward edge of the battle area out to the forward positions initially assigned to the covering forces. It is here that the covering forces execute assigned tasks. (FM 3-90-2) See also covering force; forward edge of the battle area.

 

covert crossing – The crossing of an inland water obstacle or other gap that is planned and intended to be executed without detection by an adversary. (ATTP 3-90.4)

 

covert operation – An operation that is so planned and executed as to conceal the identity of or permit plausible denial by the sponsor. (ADRP 1-02)

 

crew – Consists of all personnel operating a particular system. (ADRP 3-90)

 

crisis action planning – (DOD) The adaptive Planning and Execution systems process involving the time-sensitive development of joint operation plans and operation orders for the deployment, employment, and sustainment of assigned and allocated forces and resources in response to an imminent crisis. Also called CAP. (JP 5-0) See ATP 3-27.5.

 

critical asset list – (DOD) A prioritized list of assets, normally identified by phase of the operation, and approved by the joint force commander that should be defended against air and missile threats. (JP 3-01) See ADRP 3-09 and ADRP 3-37.

 

critical asset security – The protection and security of personnel and physical assets or information that is analyzed and deemed essential to the operation and success of the mission and to resources required for protection. (ADRP 3-37)

 

critical event – An event that directly influences mission accomplishment. (ATTP 5-0.1)

 

critical friendly zone – An area usually a friendly unit or location, which the maneuver commander designates as critical to the protection of an asset whose loss would jeopardize the mission (ADRP 1-02)

 

cueing – The integration of one or more types of reconnaissance or surveillance systems to provide information that directs follow-on collection of more detailed information by another system. (FM 3-90-2)

 

culminating point – (Army) That point in time and space at which a force no longer possesses the capability to continue its current form of operations. (ADRP 3-0)

 

cyber electromagnetic activities – Activities leveraged to seize, retain, and exploit and advantage over adversaries and enemies in both cyberspace and the electromagnetic spectrum, while simultaneously denying and degrading adversary and enemy use of the same, and protecting the mission command system. (ADRP 3-0)

 

 –D–

data – (Army) Unprocessed signals communicated between any nodes in an information system, or sensing from the environment detected by a collector of any kind (human, mechanical, or electronic). (ADRP 6-0)

 

danger close – (DOD) In close air support, artillery, mortar, and naval gunfire support fires, it is the term included in the method of engagement segment of a call for fire which indicates that friendly forces are within close proximity of the target. The close proximity distance is determined by the weapon and munition fired. (JP 3-09.3) See ATP 3-06.1.

 

datum (geodetic) – (DOD) 1. A reference surface consisting of five quantities: the latitude and longitude of an initial point, the azimuth of a line from that point, and the parameters of the reference ellipsoid. 2. The mathematical model of the earth used to calculate the coordinates on any map. Different nations use different datum for printing coordinates on their maps. (JP 2-03) See ATP 3-50.3 and ATP 3-06.1.

 

debriefing – The systematic questioning of individuals to procure information to answer specific collection requirements by direct and indirect questioning techniques. (FM 2-22.3)

 

decision point – (DOD) A point in space and time when the commander or staff anticipates making a key decision concerning a specific course of action. (JP 5-0)  See ADRP 5-0.   

 

decision support matrix – A written record of a war gamed course of action that describes decision points and associated actions at those decision points. Also called DSM. (ADRP 5-0) See also branch; decision point; decision support template; sequel; wargaming.

 

decision support template – (DOD) A combined intelligence and operations graphic based on the results of wargaming. The decision support template depicts decision points, timelines associated with movement of forces and the flow of the operation, and other key items of information required to execute a specific friendly course of action. (JP 2-01.3)  See ADRP 5 0.

 

decisive action – (Army) The continuous, simultaneous combinations of offensive, defensive, and stability or defense support of civil authorities tasks. (ADRP 3-0)

 

decisive engagement – An engagement in which a unit is considered fully committed and cannot maneuver or extricate itself. In the absence of outside assistance, the action must be fought to a conclusion and either won or lost with the forces at hand. (ADRP 3-90)

 

decisive operation – The operation that directly accomplishes the mission. (ADRP 3-0) See also battle; engagement; major operation; shaping operation.

 

decisive point – (DOD) A geographic place, specific key event, critical factor, or function that, when acted upon, allows commanders to gain a marked advantage over an adversary or contribute materially to achieving success. (JP 5-0)  See ADRP 3-0, ADRP 3-07, and ADRP 5-0.

 

decisive terrain – Decisive terrain, when, present, is key terrain whose seizure and retention is mandatory for successful mission accomplishment. (FM 3-90-1) See also key terrain.

 

decontamination – (DOD) The process of making any person, object, or area safe by absorbing, destroying, neutralizing, making harmless, or removing chemical or biological agents, or by removing radioactive material clinging to or around it. (JP 3-11) See ATP 4-02.84.

 

deep area – In contiguous areas of operation, an area forward of the close area that a commander uses to shape enemy forces before they are encountered or engaged in the close area. (ADRP 3-0)

 

defeat – A tactical mission task that occurs when an enemy force has temporarily or permanently lost the physical means or the will to fight. The defeated force’s commander is unwilling or unable to pursue his adopted course of action, thereby yielding to the friendly commander’s will, and can no longer interfere to a significant degree with the actions of friendly forces. Defeat can result from the use of force or the threat of its use. (FM 3-90-1) See also decisive point; tactical mission task.

 

defeat in detail – Concentrating overwhelming combat power against separate parts of a force rather than defeating the entire force at once. (ADRP 3-90) See also combat power.

 

defeat mechanism – The method through which friendly forces accomplish their mission against enemy opposition. (ADRP 3-0)

 

defended asset list – (DOD) In defensive counterair operations, is a listing of those asset from the critical asset list prioritized by the joint force commander to be defended with the resource available. (JP 3-01) See ADRP 3-09 and ADRP 3-37.

 

defense support of civil authorities – (DOD) Support provided by U.S. Federal military forces, Department of Defense civilians, Department of Defense contract personnel, Department of Defense component assets, and National Guard forces (when the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the governors of the affected States, elects and requests to use those forces in Title 32, United States Code, status) in response to requests for assistance from civil authorities for domestic emergencies, law enforcement support, and other domestic activities, or from qualifying entities for special events. Also called DSCA. Also known as civil support. (DODD 3025.18)  See ADP 3-28, FM 3-57, FM 1-04, ATTP 2-01, and ATP 3-28.1.

 

defensive fires – Fires that protect friendly forces, population centers, and critical infrastructure. (FM 3-09)

 

defensive task – A task conducted to defeat an enemy attack, gain time, economize forces, and develop conditions favorable for offensive or stability tasks. (ADRP 3-0)

 

defile – A special movement circulation control measure conducted to keep traffic moving smoothly through a narrow passageway. (FM 3-39)

 

definitive identification – The employment of multiple state-of-the-art, independent, established protocols and technologies by scientific experts in a nationally recognized laboratory to determine the unambiguous identity of a chemical, biological, radiological, and/or nuclear hazard with the highest level of confidence and degree of certainty necessary to support strategic-level decisions. (ATP 3-11.37)

 

delay line – A phase line where the date and time before which the enemy is not allowed to cross the phase line is depicted as part of the graphic control measure. (FM 3-90-1) See also control measure; phase line.

 

delaying operation – (DOD) An operation in which  a force under pressure trades space for time by slowing down the enemy’s momentum and inflicting maximum damage on the enemy without, in principle, becoming decisively engaged. (JP 3-04) See ADP 3-90, ADRP 3-90, and FM 3-90-1.

 

deliberate crossing – The crossing of an inland water obstacle or other gap that requires extensive planning and detailed preparations. (ATTP 3-90.4)

 

deliberate operation – An operation in which the tactical situation allows the development and coordination of detailed plans, including multiple branches and sequels. (ADRP 3-90)

 

demobilization – (DOD) The process of transitioning a conflict or wartime military establishment and defense-based civilian economy to a peacetime configuration while maintaining national security and economic vitality. (JP 4-05) See ADRP 3-07 and FM 3-07.

 

demonstration – (DOD) In military deception, a show of force in an area where a decision is not sought that is made to deceive an adversary. It is similar to a feint but no actual contact with the adversary is intended. (JP 3-13.4) See FM 3-90-1.

 

denial operations – Actions to hinder or deny the enemy the use of space, personnel, supplies, or facilities. (FM 3-90-1)

 

denied area – (DOD) An Area under enemy or unfriendly control in which friendly forces cannot expect to operate successfully within existing operational constraints and force capability. (JP 3-05)  See ADRP 3-05. (Army)  An area that is operationally unsuitable for conventional forces due to political, tactical, environmental, or geographical reasons. It is a primary area for special operations forces.   (FM 3-05)  

 

destroy – A tactical mission task that physically renders an enemy force combat-ineffective until it is reconstituted.  Alternatively, to destroy a combat system is to damage it so badly that it cannot perform any function or be restored to a usable condition without being entirely rebuilt. (FM 3-90-1) See also reconstitution; tactical mission task.

 

destruction – 1. In the context of the computed effects of field artillery fires, destruction renders a target out of action permanently or ineffective for a long period of time, producing 30 percent casualties or materiel damage. 2. A type of adjustment for destroying a given target. (FM 3-09)

 

detachment – A detachment is a tactical element organized on either a temporary or permanent basis for special duties. (ADRP 3-90) See also assign; attach; command relationships; operational control.

 

detachment left in contact – An element left in contact as part of the previously designated (usually rear) security force while the main body conducts its withdrawal. Also called DLIC. (FM 3-90-1) See also breakout; retrograde.

 

detainee – (DOD) A term used to refer to any person captured or otherwise detained by an armed force. (JP 3-63)  See FM 1-04.

 

detection – (DOD) In surveillance, the determination and transmission by a surveillance system that an event has occurred. (JP 3-11)  See ATP 3-55.6.

 

diamond formation – A diamond formation is a variation of the box combat formation with one maneuver unit leading, maneuver units positioned on each flank, and the remaining maneuver unit to the rear. (ADRP 3-90) See also box formation; flank.

 

direct action – (DOD)  Short-duration strikes and other small-scale offensive actions conducted as a special operation in hostile, denied, or politically sensitive environments and which employ specialized military capabilities to seize, destroy, capture, exploit, recover, or damage designated targets. (JP 3-05) See ADP 3-05 and ADRP 3-05.

 

direct approach – The manner in which a commander attacks the enemy’s center of gravity or principal strength by applying combat power directly against it. (ADRP 3-90)

 

direct fire – (DOD) Fire delivered on a target using the target itself as a point of aim for either the weapon or the director. (JP 3-09.3)  See ATP 3-06.1.

 

direct pressure force – A force employed in a pursuit operation that orients on the enemy main body to prevent enemy disengagement or defensive reconstitution prior to envelopment by the encircling force. It normally conducts a series of attacks to slow the enemy’s retirement by forcing him to stand and fight. (FM 3-90-1) See also disengage; encircling force; envelopment; reconstitution.

 

direct support – (DOD) A mission requiring a force to support another specific force and authorizing it to answer directly to the supported force’s request for assistance. Also called DS. (JP 3-09.3)  See ATTP 2-01. (Army) A support relationship requiring a force to support another specific force and authorizing it to answer directly to the supported force’s request for assistance. (ADRP 5-0)

 

direction of attack – A specific direction or assigned route a force uses and does not deviate from when attacking. (ADRP 3-90) See also axis of advance.

 

directive authority for logistics – (DOD)  Combatant command authority to issue directives to subordinate commanders, including peacetime measures, necessary to ensure effective execution of approved operation plans. Essential measures include the optimized use or reallocation of available resources and prevention of elimination of redundant facilities and/or and overlapping functions among the Service component commands. Also called DAFL. (JP 1) See ADRP 4-0.

 

disarmament – (Army) The collection, documentation, control, and disposal of small arms, ammunition, explosives, and light and heavy weapons of former combatants, belligerents, and the local populace. (FM 3-07)

 

disengage –  A tactical mission task where a commander has his unit break contact with the enemy to allow the conduct of another mission or to avoid decisive engagement. (FM 3-90-1) See also decisive engagement; tactical mission task.

 

disengagement line – A phase line located on identifiable terrain that, when crossed by the enemy, signals to defending elements that it is time to displace to their next position. (ADRP 3-90) See also phase line.

 

dislocated civilian – (DOD)  A broad term primarily used by the Department of Defense that includes displaced person, and evacuee, an internally displaced person, a migrant, a refugee, or a stateless person. Also called DC. (JP 3-29) See FM 3-57.

 

dismounted march – Movement of troops and equipment mainly by foot, with limited support by vehicles. Also called foot march. (FM 3-90-2)

 

displaced person – (DOD)  A broad term used to refer to internally and externally displaced persons collectively. (JP 3-29) See FM 3-57.

 

disrupt – 1. A tactical mission task in which a commander integrates direct and indirect fires, terrain, and obstacles to upset an enemy’s formation or tempo, interrupt his timetable, or cause enemy forces to commit prematurely or attack in piecemeal fashion. (FM 3-90-1) 2. An obstacle effect that focuses fire planning and obstacle effort to cause the enemy to break up his formation and tempo, interrupt his timetable, commit breaching assets prematurely, and attack in a piecemeal effort. (FM 90-7)

 

distribution management – The function of synchronizing and coordinating a complex of networks (physical, communications, information, and resources) and the sustainment functions (logistics, personnel services, and health service support) to achieve responsive support to operational requirements. (ADRP 1-02)

 

division – An Army echelon of command above brigade and below corps. It is a tactical headquarters which employs a combination of brigade combat teams, multifunctional brigades, and functional brigades in land operations. (ADRP 3-90)

 

doctrine – (DOD)  Fundamental principles by which the military forces or elements thereof guide their actions in support of national objectives.  It is authoritative but requires judgment in application, (JP 1-02) See ADP 1-02.

 

double envelopment – This results from simultaneous maneuvering around both flanks of a designated enemy force. (FM 3-90-1)

 

drop zone – (DOD) A specific area upon which airborne troops, equipment, or supplies are airdropped. Also called DZ.  (JP 3-17)  See ATP 3-06.1.

 

dynamic target – Any target that is identified too late or not selected for action during the deliberate targeting process. (ATP 3-60.1)

 

dynamic targeting – (DOD)  Targeting that prosecutes targets identified too late, or not selected for action in time to be included in deliberate targeting. (JP 3-60) See ATP 3-60.1.

 

–E–

early-entry command post – A lead element of a headquarters designed to control operations until the remaining portions of the headquarters are deployed and operational. (ATTP 5-0.1) See also command post; main command post; tactical command post.

 

echelon – Separate level of command. (ADRP 1-02)

 

echelon formation – A unit formation with subordinate elements arranged on an angle to the left or to the right of the direction of attack (echelon left, echelon right). This formation provides for firepower forward and to the flank of the direction of the echelon. It facilitates control in open areas. It provides minimal security to the opposite flank of the direction of the echeloning. (ADRP 3-90, FM 3-90-1) See also box formation.

 

echelons above corps – Army headquarters and organizations that provide the interface between the theater commander (joint or multinational) and the corps for operational matters. Also called EAC. (ADRP 1-02)

 

economy – Providing sustainment resources in an efficient manner to enable a commander to employ all assets to achieve the greatest effect possible. (ADP 4-0)

 

effect – (DOD) 1. The physical or behavioral state of a system that results from an action, a set of actions, or another effect. 2. The result, outcome, or consequence of an action. 3. A change to a condition, behavior, or degree of freedom. (JP 3-0)  See ATP 3-09.24 and FM 3-57.

 

emergency management – A subset of incident management and concerns the coordination and integration of activities that are necessary to build, sustain, and improve the capability to prepare for, protect against, respond, recover from, or mitigate threatened or actual natural disaster, acts of terrorism, or other manmade disasters. (FM 3-11)

 

emergency support functions – (DOD) A grouping of government and certain private-sector capabilities into an organizational structure to provide the support, resources, program implementation, and services that are most likely to be needed to save lives, protect property and the environment, restore essential services and critical infrastructure, and help victims and communities return to normal, when feasible, following domestic incidents.  Also called ESFs. (JP 3-28)  See ATP 3-28.

 

emerging target – Detection that meets sufficient criteria to be developed as a potential target using dynamic targeting. The criticality and time sensitive of an emerging target, and its probability of being a potential target, is initially undetermined.  (ATP 3-60.1)

 

employ fires – (DOD) The use available weapons and other systems to create a specific lethal or nonlethal effect on a target.   (JP 3-0)  See ADRP 3-09.

 

encirclement operations – Operations where one force loses its freedom of maneuver because an opposing force is able to isolate it by controlling all ground lines of communications and reinforcement. (ADRP 3-90)

 

encircling force – In pursuit operations, the force which maneuvers to the rear or flank of the enemy to block his escape so that the enemy can be destroyed between the direct pressure force and encircling force. This force advances or flies along routes parallel to the enemy’s line of retreat. If the encircling force cannot outdistance the enemy to cut the enemy  off, the encircling force may also attack the flank of a retreating enemy. (FM 3 90-1) See also block; destroy; direct pressure force; envelopment.

 

end state – (DOD) The set of required conditions that defines achievement of the commander's objectives. (JP 3-0) See FM 3-07.

 

enemy – A party identified as hostile against which the use of force is authorized. (ADRP 3-0)

 

enemy combatant – (DOD) In general, a person engaged in hostilities against the United States or its coalition partners during an armed conflict.  Also called EC.  (DODD 2310.01E)  See FM 1-04.

 

engagement – (DOD) 1. In air defense, and attack with guns or air-to-air missiles by an interceptor aircraft, or the launch of an air defense missile by air defense artillery and the missile’s subsequent travel to intercept. (JP 3-01) See FM 3-07. 2. A tactical conflict, usually between opposing, lower echelon maneuver forces. (JP 3-0) See ADP 3-90, ADRP 3-90, FM 3-07, and ATP 3-20.15.

 

engagement area – An area where the commander intends to contain and destroy an enemy force with the massed effects of all available weapons and supporting systems. Also called EA. (FM 3-90-1) See also contain; destroy.

 

engagement criteria – Protocols that specify those circumstances for initiating engagement with an enemy force. (FM 3-90-1) See also decision point; engagement; engagement area.

 

engagement priority – Specifies the order in which the unit engages enemy systems or functions. (FM 3-90-1)

 

engineer regulating point – Checkpoint to ensure that vehicles do not exceed the capacity of the crossing means and to give drivers final instructions on site specific procedures and information, such as speed and vehicle interval. Also called ERP. (ATTP 3-90.4)

 

envelopment – A form of maneuver in which an attacking force seeks to avoid the principal enemy defenses by seizing objectives behind those defenses that allow the targeted enemy force to be destroyed in their current positions. (ADP 3-90)

 

esoteric communications – Public statements whose surface meaning (manifest content) does not reveal the real purpose, meaning, or significance (latent content) of the author. (ATP 2-22.9)

 

essential element of friendly information – (Army) A critical aspect of a friendly operation that, if known by the enemy, would subsequently compromise, lead to failure, or limit success of the operation and therefore should be protected from enemy detection. (ADRP 5-0) See also commander’s critical information requirement.

 

essential personnel services – Essential personnel services include customer service, awards and decorations, evaluation reports, promotions and reductions, transfers and discharges, officer procurement, leaves and passes, military pay, personnel action request, line of duty investigations, AR 15-6 investigations, suspension of favorable actions and bars to reenlistment, citizenship and naturalization, congressional inquiries, and common access card and identification tags. (ATP 1-0.2)

 

essential task – (Army) A specified or implied task that must be executed to accomplish the mission. (ATTP 5-0.1) See also implied task; specified task.

 

evaluating – Using criteria to judge progress toward desired conditions and determining why the current degree of progress exists. (ADRP 5-0)

 

evasion plan of action – (DOD) A course of action, developed prior to executing a combat mission, that is intended to improve a potential isolated person’s chances of successful evasion and recovery by providing the recovery forces with an addition source of information that can increase the predictability of the evader’s action and movement. Also called EPA. (JP 3-50)  See ATP 3-50.3.

 

event template – (Army) A model against which  threat activity can be recorded and compared. It represents a sequential projection of events that relate to space and time on the battlefield and indicate the enemy’s ability to adopt a particular course of action. The event template is a guide for collection and reconnaissance and surveillance planning. (FM 2-01.3) See also area of interest; decision support template; named area of interest; situation template.

 

execution – Putting a plan into action by applying combat power to accomplish the mission. (ADP 5-0) See also adjustment decision; combat power; execution decision; situational understanding.

 

execution matrix – A visual and sequential representation of the critical tasks and responsible organizations by time. (ADRP 5-0)

 

exfiltrate – A tactical mission task where a commander removes Soldiers or units from areas under enemy control by stealth, deception, surprise, or clandestine means. (FM 3-90-1)

 

exploitation – (Army) An offensive task that usually follows a successful attack and is designed to disorganize the enemy in depth. (ADRP 3-90) See also attack; offensive operations.

 

exterior lines – Lines on which a force operates when its operations converge on the enemy. (ADRP 3-0)

 

–F–

farside objective – A defined location on the far side of an obstacle that an assaulting force seizes to eliminate enemy direct fires and observed indirect fires onto a reduction area or a crossing site to prevent the enemy from interfering with the reduction of the obstacle and allow follow on forces to move securely through the created lanes. It can be oriented on the terrain or on an enemy force. (ATTP 3-90.4)

 

feint – (DOD) In military deception, an offensive action involving contact with the adversary conducted for the purpose of deceiving the adversary as to the location and/or time of the actual main offensive action. (JP 3-13.4) See FM 3-90-1.

 

field artillery – The equipment, supplies, ammunition, and personnel involved in the use of indirect fire cannon, rocket, or surface-to-surface missile launchers. (ADRP 3-09)

 

field confirmatory identification – The employment of technologies with increased specificity and sensitivity by technical forces in a field environment to identify chemical, biological, radiological, and/or nuclear hazard with a moderate level of confidence and degree of certainty necessary to support follow-on tactical decisions. (ATP 3-11.37)

 

field of fire – The area that a weapon or group of weapons may cover effectively from a given position. (FM 3-90-1)

 

field services – Includes aerial delivery, clothing and light-textile repair, food service, shower and laundry, mortuary affairs, and water purification. These services enhance unit effectiveness and mission success by providing for Soldier basic needs. (ADRP 4-0)

 

final coordination line – A phase line close to the enemy position used to coordinate the lifting or shifting of supporting fires with the final deployment of maneuver elements. Also called FCL. (ADRP 3-90) See also assault; assault echelon; phase line.  

 

final protective fire – (DOD) An immediately available prearranged barrier of fire designed to impede enemy movement across defensive lines or areas. (JP 1-02)  See ADRP 3-90 and FM 3-09-1.

 

final protective line – A line of fire selected where an enemy assault is to be checked by interlocking fire from all available weapons and obstacles. Also called FPL. (ADRP 1-02) See also field of fire; final protective fire.

 

finance operations – The execution of the joint financial management mission to provide financial advice and guidance, support the procurement process, provide pay support, and provide banking and disbursing support. (FM 1-06)

 

financial management – The sustainment of U.S. Army, joint, interagency, interdepartmental, and multinational operations through the execution of two mutually supporting core functions, resource management and finance operations. These two functions are comprised of the following core competencies: fund the force, banking and disbursing support, pay support, accounting support and cost management, financial management planning and operations, and management internal controls. (FM 1-06)

 

fire and movement – The concept of applying fires from all sources to suppress, neutralize, or destroy the enemy, and the tactical movement of combat forces in relation to the enemy (as components of maneuver, applicable at all echelons). At the squad level, it entails a team placing suppressive fire on the enemy as another team moves against or around the enemy. (FM 3-90.6) See also bounding overwatch; destroy; maneuver; neutralize; support by fire; suppress.

 

fire plan – A tactical plan for using the weapons of a unit or formation so that their fires will be coordinated. (ATP 3-09.24)

 

fire strike – The massed, synchronized, and nearly simultaneous delivery of primarily terminally guided indirect fire and area munitions. (FM 3-90-2)

 

fire superiority – That degree of dominance in the fires of one force over another that permits that force to conduct maneuver at a given time and place without prohibitive interference by the enemy. (FM 3-90-1) See also maneuver.

 

fire support – (DOD) The fires that directly support land, maritime, amphibious, and special operations forces to engage enemy forces, combat formations, and facilities in pursuit of tactical and operational objectives. (JP 3-09) See ADP 3-09, ADRP 3-09, ATP 3-06.1 and ATP 3-09.24.

 

fire support coordination – (DOD) The planning and executing of fire so that targets are adequately covered by a suitable weapon or group of weapons. (JP 3-09) See ADRP 3-09 and ATP 3-09.24.

 

fire support coordination line – (DOD) fire support coordination measure that is established and adjusted by appropriate land or amphibious force commanders within their boundaries in consultation with superior, subordinate, supporting, and affected commanders. Fire support coordination lines facilitate the expeditious attack of surface targets of opportunity beyond the coordinating measure. A fire support coordination line does not divide an area of operations by defining a boundary between close and deep operations or a zone for close air support. The fire support coordination line applies to all fires of air, land, and sea based weapon systems using any type of ammunition. Forces attacking targets beyond a fire support coordination line must inform all affected commanders in sufficient time to allow necessary reaction to avoid fratricide. Supporting elements attacking targets beyond the fire support coordination line must ensure that the attack will not produce adverse effects on, or to the rear of, the line. Short of a fire support coordination line, all air to ground and surface to surface attack operations are controlled by the appropriate land or amphibious force commander. The fire support coordination line should follow well defined terrain features. Coordination of attacks beyond the fire support coordination line is especially critical to commanders of air, land, and special operations forces. In exceptional circumstances, the inability to conduct this coordination will not preclude the attack of targets beyond the fire support coordination line. However, failure to do so may increase the risk of fratricide and could waste limited resources. Also called FSCL. (JP 3-09)  See FM 3-09-1.

 

fire support coordination measure – (DOD) A measure employed by commanders to facilitate the rapid engagement of targets and simultaneously provide safeguards for friendly forces. Also called FSCM. See  ATP 3-09.24.

 

fire support coordination – (DOD) The planning and executing of fires so that targets are adequately covered by a suitable weapon or group of weapons. (JP 3-09) See ADP 3-09

 

fire support coordinator – The  brigade combat team’s organic field artillery battalion commander; if a fires brigade is designated as the division force field artillery headquarters, the fires brigade commander is the division’s fire support coordinator and is assisted by the chief of fires who then serves as the deputy fire support coordinator during the period the force field artillery headquarters is in effect. (ADRP 3-09) See also fire support.

 

fire support officer – (Army) The field artillery officer from the operational to tactical level responsible for advising the supported commander or assisting the senior fires officer of the organization on fires functions and fire support. (ADRP 3-09)

 

fire support team – A field artillery team organic to each maneuver battalion and selected units to plan and coordinate all available company supporting fires, including mortars, field artillery, naval surface fire support, and close air support integration. (ADRP 3-09)

 

fire team – A small military unit. (ADRP 3-90)

 

fires – (DOD) The use of weapons systems to create a specific lethal or nonlethal effect on a target. (JP 3-0) See ADP 3-09 and ATP 3-09.24

 

fires warfighting function – The related tasks and systems that provide collective and coordinated use of Army indirect fires, air and missile defense, and joint fires through the targeting process. (ADRP 3-0)

 

fix – A tactical mission task where a commander prevents the enemy from moving any part of his force from a specific location for a specific period. Fix is also an obstacle effect that focuses fire planning and obstacle effort to slow an attacker’s movement within a specified area, normally an engagement area. (FM 3-90-1) See also block; contain; disrupt; support by fire; tactical mission task; turn.

 

flank – The right or left limit of a unit. (ADRP 3-90)

 

flank attack – A form of offensive maneuver directed at the flank of an enemy. (FM 3-90-1)

 

flanking position – A geographical location on the flank of the force from which effective fires can be placed on that flank. (ADRP 3-90)

 

follow and assume – A tactical mission task in which a second committed force follows a force conducting an offensive task and is prepared to continue the mission if the lead force is fixed, attrited, or unable to continue. (FM 3-90-1) See also attack; fix; follow and support; offensive operations; tactical mission task.

 

follow and support – A tactical mission task in which a committed force follows and supports a lead force conducting an offensive task. (FM 3-90-1) See also direct pressure force; encircling force; exploitation; follow and assume; offensive operations; tactical mission task.

 

follow on echelon – Those additional forces moved into the objective area after the assault echelon. (ADRP 1-02) See also air assault operation; assault echelon.

 

force field artillery headquarters – If designated by the supported commander, is normally the senior field artillery headquarters organic, assigned, attached, or placed under the operational control of that command. The supported commander specifies the commensurate responsibilities of the force field artillery headquarters and the duration of those responsibilities. (ADRP 3-09)

 

force health protection – (DOD) 1. Measures to promote, improve, or conserve the behavioral and physical well-being of Service members to enable a healthy and fir force, prevent injury and illness, and protect the force from health hazards.  Also called FHP. (JP 4-02)  See ATTP 4-02 and ATP 4-02.84. (Army) 2. Encompasses measures to promote, improve, conserve or restore the mental or physical well being of Soldiers. These measures enable a healthy and fit force, prevent injury and illness, and protect the force from health hazards. These measures also include the prevention aspects of a number of Army Medical Department functions (preventive medicine, including medical surveillance and occupational and environmental health surveillance; veterinary services, including the food inspection and animal care missions, and the prevention of zoonotic disease transmissible to man; combat and operational stress control; dental services (preventive dentistry); and laboratory services [area medical laboratory support]. (ATTP 4-02)

 

force projection – (DOD)  The ability to project the military instrument of national power from the United States or another theater, in response to requirements for military operations. (JP 3-0) See ADP 4-0.

 

force protection – (DOD)  Preventive measures taken to mitigate hostile actions against Department of Defense personnel (to include family members), resources, facilities, and critical information. (JP 3-0) See ADRP 3-7.

 

force tailoring – The process of determining the right mix of forces and the sequence of their deployment in support of a joint force commander. (ADRP 3-0)

 

ford – A shallow part of a body of water or wet gap that can be crossed without bridging, boats, ferries, or rafts. It is a location in a water barrier where the physical characteristics of current, bottom, and approaches permit the passage of personnel, vehicles, and other equipment where the wheels or tracks remain in contact with the bottom at all times. (ATTP 3-90.4) See also gap.

 

foreign disaster relief – (DOD) Prompt aid that can be used to alleviate the suffering of foreign disaster victims. Normally, it includes humanitarian services and transportation; provision of food, clothing, medicine, beds, and bedding; temporary shelter and housing; the furnishing of medical materiel and medical and technical personnel; and making repairs to essential services. (JP 3-29) See ATP 3-57.20.

 

foreign humanitarian assistance – (DOD) Department of Defense activities, normally in support of the United States Agency for International Development of Department of State, conducted outside the United States, its territories, and possessions to relieve or reduce human suffering, disease, hunger, or privation. Also called FHA. (JP 3-29) See FM 3-57, ATP 3-07.5, ATP 1-06.2, and ATP 3-57.20.

 

foreign internal defense – (DOD)  Participation by civilian and military agencies of a government in any of the action programs taken by another government or other designated organization to free and protect its society from subversion, lawlessness, insurgency, terrorism, and other threats to its security.  Also called FID. (JP 3-22) See ADP 3-05, ADRP 3-05, ADRP 3-07, FM 3-57, and ATP 3-57.20.

 

foreign security forces – Forces, including, but not limited to military, paramilitary, police, and intelligence forces; border police, coast guard, and customs officials; and prison guards and correctional personnel, that provide security for a host nation and its relevant population or support a regional security organization’s mission. (FM 3-22)

 

forms of maneuver – Distinct tactical combinations of fire and movement with a unique set of doctrinal characteristics that differ primarily in the relationship between the maneuvering force and the enemy. (ADRP 3-90)

 

forward boundary – A boundary of an echelon that is primarily designated to divide responsibilities between it and its next higher echelon (FM 3-90-1)

 

forward edge of the battle area – (DOD) The foremost limits of a series of areas in which ground combat units are deployed, excluding the areas in which the covering or screening forces are operating, designated to coordinate fire support, the positioning of forces, or the maneuver of units. Also called FEBA. (JP 3-09.3)  See ADRP 3-90 and FM 3-90-1.

 

forward line of own troops – (DOD) A line that indicates the most forward positions of friendly forces in any kind of military operation at a specific time. Also called FLOT. (JP 3-03)  See FM 3-90-1.

 

forward-looking infrared – (DOD) An airborne, electro-optical thermal imaging device that detects far-infrared energy, converts the energy into an electronic signal, and provides a visible image for day or night viewing.  Also called FLIR. (JP 3-09.3)  See ATP 3-06.1.

 

forward passage of lines – Occurs when a unit passes through another unit’s positions while moving toward the enemy. (ADRP 3-90) See also passage of lines; rearward passage of lines.

 

fratricide – The unintentional killing or wounding of friendly or neutral personnel by friendly firepower. (ADRP 3-37)

 

fragmentary order – (DOD) An abbreviated form of an operation order issued as needed after an operation order to change or modify that order or to execute a branch or sequel to that order. Also called FRAGORD. (JP 5-0)  See ATTP 5-0.1.

 

free-fire area – (DOD)  A specific area into which any weapon system may fire without additional coordination with the establishing headquarters.  Also called FFA. (JP 3-09) See FM 3-90-1.

 

friendly – (DOD)  A contact positively identified as friendly. (JP 3-01) See ADRP 3-37.

friendly force information requirement – (DOD) Information the commander and staff need to understand to understand the status of friendly and supporting capabilities. Also called FFIR. (JP 3-0) See ADRP 5-0.

 

frontal attack – A form of maneuver in which the attacking force seeks to destroy a weaker enemy force or fix a larger enemy force in place over a broad front. (FM 3-90-1)

 

fusion – Consolidating, combining, and correlating information together. (ADRP 2-0)

 

–G–

gap – (Army) 1. An area free of armed mines or obstacles whose width and direction allow a friendly force to pass through the area containing obstacles while dispersed in a tactical formation. (ADRP 1 02) 2. Any break or breach in the continuity of tactical dispositions or formations beyond effective small arms coverage. Gaps (soft spots, weaknesses) may in fact be physical gaps in the enemy’s disposition, but they also may be any weakness in time, space, or capability; a moment in time when the enemy is overexposed and vulnerable, a seam in an air defense umbrella, an infantry unit caught unprepared in open terrain, or a boundary between two units. 3. A ravine, mountain pass, river, or other terrain feature that presents an obstacle that may be bridged. (ATTP 3-90.4) See also lane.

 

gap crossing – The projection of combat power across a linear obstacle (wet or dry gap). (ATTP 3-90.4)

 

gap-crossing operation – A mobility operation consisting of river crossing, brigade level crossing, and special gap crossing operations conducted to project combat power across a linear obstacle (wet or dry gap). (ATTP 3-90.4)

 

general engineering – (Army) The engineer discipline that is focused on affecting terrain while not in close support to maneuver forces that are in close combat. (FM 3-34)

 

general support – (DOD) That support which is given to the supported force as a whole and not to any particular subdivision thereof. (JP 3-09.3) See ADRP 5-0 and ATTP 2-01.

 

general support–reinforcing – (Army) A support relationship assigned to a unit to support the force as a whole and to reinforce another similar type unit. (ADRP 5-0)

 

generating force – Those Army organizations whose primary mission is to generate and sustain the operational Army’s capabilities for employment by joint commanders. (ADP 1)

 

geospatial engineering – The engineer discipline that is focused on applying geospatial information to improve understanding of terrain for military operations. (FM 3-34)

 

geospatial information – (Army) Foundation information upon which all other information about the physical environment is referenced to form the common operational picture. (ATTP 3-34.80) See also common operational picture.

 

geospatial intelligence – (DOD) The exploitation and analysis of imagery and geospatial information to describe, assess, and visually depict physical features and geographically referenced activities on the Earth. Geospatial intelligence consists of imagery, imagery intelligence, and geospatial information. Also called GEOINT. (JP 2-03)  See ADRP 2-0 and ATP 3-60.1.

 

global ballistic missile defense – (DOD) Defense against ballistic missile threats that cross one or more geographical combatant command boundaries and requires synchronization among the affected combatant commands. Also called GBMD. (JP 3-01) See ATP 3-27.5.

 

global engagement manager – Provides automated tools and decision aids that enable commanders to exercise mission command of ballistic missile defense forces deployed within the combatant command area of responsibility. (ATP 3-27.5)

 

governance – (DOD) The state's ability to serve the citizens through the rules, processes, and behavior by which interests are articulated, resources are managed, and power is exercised in a society, including the representative participatory decision making processes typically guaranteed under inclusive, constitutional authority. (JP 3-24)  See FM 3-07.

 

ground-based midcourse defense – (DOD) A surface-to-air ballistic missile defense system for exo-atmospheric midcourse phase interception of long-range ballistic missiles using the ground-based interceptors. Also called GMD. (JP 3-01) See ATP 3-27.5.

 

graphic control measure – A symbol used on maps and displays to regulate forces and warfighting functions. (ADRP 6-0)

 

guard – (Army) A security task to protect the main force by fighting to gain time while also observing and reporting information and preventing enemy ground observation of and direct fire against the main body. Units conducting a guard mission cannot operate independently because they rely upon fires and functional and multifunctional support assets of the main body. (ADRP 3-90)

 

guerrilla force – (DOD)  A group of irregular, predominantly indigenous personnel organized along military lines to conduct military and paramilitary operations in enemy-held, hostile, or denied territory. (JP 3-05) See ADRP 3-05.

 

gun-target line – (DOD) An imaginary straight line from gun to target. Also called GTL. (JP 1-02) See FM 6-30.

 

 –H–

hasty crossing – The crossing of an inland water obstacle or other gap using the crossing means at hand or those readily available, and made without pausing for elaborate preparations. (ATTP 3-90.4)

 

hasty operation – An operation in which a commander directs immediately available forces, using fragmentary orders, to perform activities with minimal preparation, trading planning and preparation time for speed of execution. (ADRP 3-90) See also fragmentary order.

 

hazard – (DOD) A condition with the potential to cause injury, illness, or death of personnel; damage to or loss of equipment or property; or mission degradation. (JP 3-33) See ADRP 3-37.

 

health service support – (DOD) All services performed, provided, or arranged to promote, improve, conserve, or restore the mental or physical wellbeing of personnel, which include, but are not limited to, the management of health services resources, such as manpower, monies, and facilities; preventive and curative health measures; evacuation of wounded, injured, or sick; selection of the medically fit and disposition of the medically unfit; blood management; medical supply, equipment, and maintenance thereof; combat and operational stress control; medical, dental, veterinary, laboratory, optometric, nutrition therapy, and medical intelligence services. Also called HSS.  (JP 4-02)  See ATTP 4-02 and ATP 4-02.84. (Army) Health service support encompasses all support and services performed, provided, and arranged by the Army Medical Department to promote, improve, conserve, or restore the mental and physical well being of personnel in the Army. Additionally, as directed, provide support in other Services, agencies, and organizations. This includes casualty care (encompassing a number of Army Medical Department functions—organic and area medical support, hospitalization, the treatment aspects of dental care and behavioral/neuropsychiatric treatment, clinical laboratory services, and treatment of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear patients), medical evacuation, and medical logistics. (ATTP 4-02)

 

high payoff target – (DOD) A target whose loss to the enemy will significantly contribute to the success of the friendly course of action. High payoff targets are those high value targets that must be acquired and successfully attacked for the success of the friendly commander’s mission. Also called HPT. (JP 3-60)  See FM 3-60, ATP 3-09.24, and ATP 3-60.1.

 

high-risk personnel – (DOD)  Personnel who, by their grade, assignment, symbolic value, or relative isolation, are likely to be attractive or accessible terrorist targets.  Also called HRP. (JP 3-07.2) See ADRP 3-37.

 

high-value airborne asset protection – (DOD)  A defensive counterair mission using fighter escorts that defend airborne national assets which as so important that the loss of even one could seriously impact United States warfighting capabilities or provide the enemy with significant propaganda value.  Also called HVAA protection. (JP 3-01) See ATP 3-55.6.

 

high value individual – A high value individual is a person of interest (friendly, adversary, or enemy) who must be identified, surveilled, tracked and influenced through the use of information or fires. A high value individual may become a high payoff target that must be acquired and successfully attacked (exploited, captured, or killed) for the success of the friendly commander’s mission. (FM 3-09)

 

high value target – (DOD) A target the enemy commander requires for the successful completion of the mission. The loss of high value targets would be expected to seriously degrade important enemy functions throughout the friendly commander’s area of interest. Also called HVT. (JP 3-60) See FM 2-01.3, FM 3-60, ATP 3-09.24, and ATP 3-60.1.

 

holding area – A waiting area that forces use during traffic interruptions or deployment from an aerial or seaport of embarkation. (FM 3-39)

 

homeland – (DOD) The physical region that includes the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, United States possessions and territories, surrounding waters and air space. (JP 3-28) See ADP 3-28.

 

homeland defense – (DOD) The protection of United States sovereignty, territory, domestic population, and critical defense infrastructure against external threats and aggression or other threats as directed by the President. (JP 3-27)   See ADRP 3-0.

 

hostile criteria – Description of conditions under which an aircraft or a vehicle may be identified as hostile for engagement purposes. (FM 3 01.7) See also rules of engagement.

 

host nation – (DOD) A nation which receives the forces and/or supplies of allied nation and/or NATO organizations to be located on, operate in, or to transit through its territory. Also called HN. (JP 3-57) See ATP 3-57.20 and FM 3-57.

 

host nation support – (DOD) Civil and/or military assistance rendered by a nation to foreign forces within its territory during peacetime, crisis or emergencies, or war based agreements mutually concluded between nations.  Also called HNS. (JP 3-57) See FM 3-57.

 

human intelligence – (Army) The collection by a trained human intelligence collector of foreign information from people and multimedia to identify elements, intentions, composition, strength, dispositions, tactics, equipment, and capabilities. Also called HUMINT. (FM 2-22.3) See also intelligence.  

 

humanitarian and civic assistance – (DOD) Assistance to the local populace provided by predominantly US Forces in conjunction with military operations and exercises. This Assistance is specifically authorized by Title 10, United States Code, Section 401, and funded under separate authorities. Also called HCA. (JP 3-29) See ATP 3-57.20 and FM 3-57.

 

humanitarian assistance coordination center – (DOD) A temporary center established by a geographic combatant commander to assist with interagency coordination and planning. A humanitarian assistance coordination center operates during the early planning and coordination stages of foreign humanitarian assistance operations by providing the link between the geographic combatant commander and other United States Government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and international and regional organizations at the strategic level. Also called HACC. (JP 3-29) See FM 3-57.

 

human resources services – Includes the key functions of essential personnel services, casualty operations, and postal operations.  Human resources services function directly impact a Soldier’s status assignment, qualifications, financial status, career progression, and quality of life which allow the Army leadership to effectively manage the force. (ATP 1-0.2)

 

human resources support – The functions and tasks executed within the Army Personnel Life Cycle Model (acquired, develop, distribute, structure, deploy, compensate, transition, and sustain) provides human resources services and support to Soldiers, their families, Department of Defense civilians, and other individuals authorized to accompany the force.  Key factions include Man the Force, provide human resources services, coordinate personnel support, and conduct human resources planning and operations. (ATP 1-0.2)

 

hybrid threat – The diverse and dynamic combination of regular forces, irregular forces, terrorist forces, and/or criminal elements unified to achieve mutually benefitting effects. (ADRP 3-0)

   –I–

imagery – (DOD) A likeness or presentation of any natural or man-made feature or related object or activity, and the positional data acquired at the same time the likeness or presentation was acquired, including: product produced by space-based national intelligence reconnaissance systems; and likeness and presentations produced by satellites, airborne platforms, unmanned aerial vehicles, or other similar means (except that such term does not include handheld or clandestine photography taken by or on behalf of human intelligence collection organizations). (JP 2-03) See ATP 3-55.6 and ATP 3-55.12.

 

imagery exploitation – (DOD) The cycle of processing, using, interpreting, mensuration and/or manipulating imagery, and any assembly or consolidation of the results of dissemination. (JP 2-03)  See ATP 3-55.6.

 

immediate response authority – (DOD) A Federal military commander’s, Department of Defense component head’s, and/or responsible Department of Defense civilian official’s authority temporarily to employ resources under their control, subject to any supplemental direction provided by higher headquarters, and provide those resources to save lives, prevent human suffering, or mitigate great property damage in response to a request for assistance from civil authority, under imminently serious conditions when time does not permit approval from a higher authority within the United States.  Immediate response authority does not permit actions that would subject civilians to the use of military power that is regulatory, prescriptive, proscriptive, of compulsory. (DODD 3025.18) See ADP 3-28 and ATP 3-28.1.

 

improvisation – The ability to adapt sustainment operations to unexpected situations or circumstances affecting a mission. (ADP 4-0)

 

implied task – (Army) A task that must be performed to accomplish a specified task or mission but is not stated in the higher headquarters’ order. (ATTP 5-0.1) See also essential task; specified task.

 

incident – (DOD) An occurrence, caused by either human action or natural phenomena, that requires action to prevent or minimize loss of life or damage to property and/or natural resources. (JP 3-28) See ADP 3-28 and ATP 3-28.1.

 

incident command system – (DOD) A standard on-scene emergency management construct designed to aid in the management of resources during incidents. Consists of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications established for this purpose. Also called ICS. (JP 3-28) See ATP 3-28.1.

 

incident management – (DOD) A national comprehensive approach to preventing, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies. Incident management includes measures and activities preformed at the local, state, and national levels and includes both crisis and consequence management activities. (JP 3-28) See ADP 3-28 and ATP 3-28.1.

 

indicator – (Army) In the context of assessment, an Item of information that provides insight into a measure of effectiveness or measure of performance. (ADRP 5-0) See also intelligence.

 

indigenous populations and institutions – The civilian construct of an area of operations, to include its population (legal citizens, legal and illegal immigrants, and all categories of dislocated civilians), governmental, tribal, commercial, and private organizations and entities. Also called IPI (FM 3-57)

 

indirect approach – The manner in which a commander attacks the enemy’s center of gravity by applying combat power against a series of decisive points while avoiding enemy strength. (ADRP 3-90)

 

individual initiative – The willingness to act in the absence of orders, when existing orders no longer fit the situation, or when unforeseen opportunities or threats arise. (ADRP 3-0)

 

individual protective equipment – (DOD) In chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear operations, the personal clothing and equipment required to protect an individual from chemical, biological, and radiological hazards.  Also called IPE. (JP 3-11) See ATP 4-02.84.

 

infiltration – (Army) A form of maneuver in which an attacking force conducts undetected movement through or into an area occupied by enemy forces to occupy a position of advantage in the enemy rear while exposing only small elements to enemy defensive fires. (FM 3-90-1)

 

infiltration lane – A control measure that coordinates forward and lateral movement of infiltrating units and fixes fire planning responsibilities. (FM 3-90-1) See also infiltration.

 

inform and influence activities – The integration of designated information related capabilities in order to synchronize themes, messages and actions with operations to inform United States and global audiences, influence foreign audiences, and affect adversary and enemy decisionmaking. (ADRP 3-0)

 

information – The meaning that a human assigns to data by means of the known conventions used in their representation. (ADRP 1-02)

 

information collection – An activity that synchronizes and integrates the planning and employment of sensors and assets as well as the processing, exploitation, and dissemination systems in direct support of current and future operations. (FM 3-55)

 

information environment – (DOD) The aggregate of individuals, organizations, and systems that collect, process, disseminate, or act on information. (JP 3-13) See FM 3-13.

 

information fratricide – The result of employing information-related capabilities in a way that causes effects in the information environment that impede the conduct of friendly operations or adversely affect friendly forces. (FM 3-13)

 

information management – (Army) The science of using procedures and information systems to collect, process, store, display, disseminate, and protect data, information, and knowledge products. (ADRP 6-0) See also situational understanding.

 

information operations – (DOD) The integrated employment, during military operations, of information-related capabilities in concert with other lines of operation to influence, disrupt, corrupt, or usurp the decision-making of adversaries and potential adversaries while protecting our own. Also called IO. (JP 3-13) See ATP 3-55.12.

 

information protection – Active or passive measures used to safeguard and defend friendly information and information systems. (ADRP 6-0)

 

information-related capabilities – Capabilities, techniques, or activities employing information to affect any of the three dimensions within the information environment to generate ends. (FM 3-13) information requirement(s) – (DOD) In intelligence usage, those items of information regarding the adversary and other relevant aspects of the operational environment that need to be collected and processed in order to meet the intelligence requirements of a commander. (JP 2-0) See ADRP 2-0 and ATP 3-55.6. (Army) Any information elements the commander and staff require to successfully conduct operations. (ADRP 6-0)  

 

information superiority – (DOD) The operational advantage derived from the ability to collect, process, and disseminate an uninterrupted flow of information while exploiting or denying an adversary’s ability to do the same. (JP 3-13) See FM 3-57.

 

information system – (Army) Equipment that collects, processes, stores, displays, and disseminates information. This includes computers—hardware and software—and communications, as well as policies and procedures for their use. (ADP 6-0)

 

infrastructure – The basic underlying framework or feature of a thing: in economics, basic resources, communications, industries, and so forth, upon which others depend; in insurgency, the organization (usually hidden) of insurgent leadership. (FM 2-01.3)

 

initial response force – (Army) A unit designated by the commander to respond to threat attacks or emergency situations. The initial response force is typically task organized for the specific threat or incident to which it is tasked to respond and may include military police; firefighters; chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear personnel; and medical personnel. (FM 3-39)

 

institutional training domain – The Army’s institutional training and education system, which primarily includes training base centers and schools that provide initial training and subsequent professional military education for Soldiers, military leaders, and Army civilians. (ADP 7-0)

 

insurgency – (DOD) The organized use of subversion and violence by a group or movement that seeks to overthrow or force change of a governing authority. Insurgency can also refer to the group itself. (JP 3-24) See ADRP 3-05, FM 3-07, and FM 3-57.

 

integrated air and missile defense – (DOD) The integration of capabilities and overlapping operations to defend the homeland and United States national interests, protect the joint force, and enable freedom of action by negating an adversary’s ability to create adverse effects from their air and missile capabilities. Also called IAMD.  (JP 3-01) See ATP 3-27.5.

 

integration – (Army) Combining all of the elements of sustainment (task, functions, systems, processes, organizations) to operations assuring unity of command of effort. (ADP 4-0)

 

intelligence – (DOD) The product resulting from the collection, processing, integration, evaluation, analysis, and interpretation of available information concerning foreign nations, hostile or potentially hostile forces or elements, or areas of actual or potential operations. The term is also applied to the activity which results in the product and to the organizations engaged in such activity. (JP 2-0)  See ADRP 2-0, FM 3-07, and ATP 3-55.6.

 

intelligence analysis – The process by which collected information is evaluated and integrated with existing information to facilitate intelligence production. (ADRP 2-0)

 

intelligence community – (DOD) All departments or agencies of a government that are concerned with intelligence activity, either in an oversight, managerial, support, or participatory role. (JP 1-02) See ADRP 2-0.

 

intelligence operations – The tasks and actions undertaken by military intelligence organizations and Soldiers to obtain information to satisfy validated requirements. (ADRP 2-0)

 

intelligence preparation of the battlefield – (Army) A systematic process of analyzing and visualizing the portions of the mission variables of threat, terrain, weather, and civil considerations in a specific area of interest and for a specific mission. By applying intelligence preparation of the battlefield commanders gain the information necessary to selectively apply and maximize operational effectiveness at critical points in time and space. Also called IPB. (FM 2-01.3)

 

intelligence process – (DOD) The process by which information is converted into intelligence and made available to users, consisting of the six interrelated intelligence operations: planning and direction, collection, processing and exploitation, analysis and production, dissemination and integration, and evaluation and feedback. (JP 2-01) See ATP 3-55.6.

 

intelligence reach – A process by which intelligence organizations proactively and rapidly access information from, receive support from, and conduct direct collaboration and information sharing with other units and agencies, both within and outside the area of operations, unconstrained by geographic proximity, echelon, or command. (ADRP 2-0)

 

intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance – (DOD)   An activity that synchronizes and integrates the planning and operation of sensors, assets, and processing, exploitation, and dissemination systems in direct support of current and future operations.  This is an integrated intelligence and operations function. (JP 2-01) See ADRP 2-0 and ATP 3-55.6.

 

intelligence synchronization – The “art” of integrating information collection and intelligence analysis with operations to effectively and efficiently support decisionmaking. (ADRP 2-0)

 

intelligence warfighting function – The related tasks and systems that facilitate understanding the enemy, terrain, and civil considerations. (ADRP 3-0) See also warfighting function.

 

interagency – (DOD) Of or pertaining to United States Government agencies and departments, including the Department of Defense. (JP 3-08)  See ATP 3-57.20, ATP 1-06.2, and FM 3-07.

 

interagency coordination – (DOD) Within the context of Department of Defense involvement, the coordination that occurs between elements of Department of Defense, and engaged US Government agencies and departments for the purpose of achieving an objective. (JP 3-0)  See ADRP 3-0, FM 3-07, and ATP 3-57.20.

 

interdict – A tactical mission task where the commander prevents, disrupts, or delays the enemy’s use of an area or route. (FM 3-90-1) See also delay; disrupt; tactical mission task.

 

intergovernmental organization – (DOD) An organization created by a formal agreement between two or more governments on a global, regional, or functional basis to protect and promote national interests shared by member states. Also called IGO. (JP 3-08) See ADRP 3-0, FM 3-07, FM 3-50.1, and ATP 3-57.20.

 

interior lines – Lines on which a force operates when its operations diverge from a central point. (ADRP 3-0)

 

intermediate staging base – (DOD) A tailorable, temporary location used for staging forces, sustainment and/or extraction into and out of an operational area. Also called ISB. (JP 3-35)  See ADRP 3-0.

 

intermodal operations – The process of using multiple modes (air, sea, highway, rail) and conveyances (i.e. truck, barge, containers, pallets) to move troops, supplies and equipment through expeditionary entry points and the networks of specialized transportation nodes to sustain land forces. (ADRP 4-0)

 

internment and resettlement operations – Conducted by military police to shelter, sustain, guard, protect, and account for populations (detainees or dislocated civilians) as a result of military or civil conflict, natural or man made disaster, or to facilitate criminal prosecution. Internment involves the detainment of a population or group that pose some level of threat to military operations. Resettlement involves the quartering of a population or group for their protection. These operations inherently control the movement and activities of their specific population for imperative reasons of security, safety, or intelligence gathering. (FM 3-39.40)

 

internal defense and development – (DOD) The full range of measures taken by a nation to promote its growth and to protect itself from subversion, lawlessness, insurgency, terrorism, and other threats to its security. Also called IDAD. (JP 3-22) See ADRP 3-07, FM 3-57, and ATP 3-57.20.

 

internally displaced person – (DOD) Any person who has been forced to obliged to flee or to leave their home or place of habitual residence, in particular as a result of or in order to avoid the effects of armed conflict, situations of generalized violence, violations or human rights or natural or human-made disasters, and who have not crossed an international recognized state boarder. (JP 3-29) See FM 3-57.

 

interorganizational coordination – (DOD) The interaction that occurs among elements of the Department of Defense; engaged United States Government agencies; state, territorial, local, and tribal agencies; foreign military forces and government agencies; intergovernmental organizations; nongovernmental organizations; and the private sector. (JP 3-08) See ADRP 3-0.

 

in-transit visibility – (DOD) The ability to track the identity, status, and location of Department of Defense units, and non-unit cargo (excluding bulk petroleum, oils, and lubricants) and passengers; patients, and personal property from origin to consignee or destination across the range of military operations. Also called ITV. (JP 4-01.2) See ADP 4-0.

 

irregular warfare – (DOD) A violent struggle among state and non-state actors for legitimacy and influence over the relevant population(s).  Irregular warfare favors indirect and asymmetric approaches, though it may employ the full range of military and other capacities, in order to erode an adversary’s power, influences, and will. Also called IW (JP 1) See ADRP 3-05 and ATP 3-07.5.

 

isolate – A tactical mission task that requires a unit to seal off—both physically and psychologically—an enemy from sources of support, deny the enemy freedom of movement, and prevent  the isolated enemy force from having contact with other enemy forces. (FM 3-90-1) See also encirclement; tactical mission task.

 

isolated personnel report – (DOD) A Department of Defense form (DD 1833) containing information designed to facilitate the identification and authentication of an isolated person by a recovery force. Also called ISOPREP. (JP 3-50) See ATP 3-50.3.

 

 –J–

joint fire support – (DOD) The joint fires that assist air, land, maritime, and special operations forces to move, maneuver, and control territory, populations, airspace, and key waters. (JP 3-0) See ADRP 3-09.

 

joint fires – (DOD) Fires delivered during the employment of forces from two or more components in coordinated action to produce desired effects in support of a common objective. (JP 3-0) See ADP 3-09 and ADRP 3-09.

 

joint fires observer – A trained and certified Service member who can request, adjust, and control surface-to-surface fires, provide targeting information in support of Type 2 and 3 close air support terminal attack controls, and perform autonomous terminal guidance operations. (ADRP 1-02) See ADRP 3-09.

 

joint force special operations component commander – (DOD) The commander within a unified command, subordinate unified command, or joint task force responsible to the establishing commander for recommending the proper employment of assigned, attached, and/or made available for tasking special operations forces and assets; planning and coordinating special operations; or accomplishing such operational missions as may be assigned. Also called JFSOCC. (JP 3-05) See ADRP 3-05.

 

joint personnel recovery center – (DOD) The primary joint force organization responsible for planning and coordination personnel recovery for military operations within the assigned operational area. Also called JPRC. (JP 3-50) See FM 3-50.1.

 

joint special operations air component commander – (DOD) The commander within a force special operations command  responsible for planning and executing joint special operations air activities. Also called JFSOACC. (JP 3-05) See ADP 3-05.

 

joint special operations area – (DOD) An area of land, sea, and airspace assigned by a joint force commander to the commander of a joint special operations force to conduct special operations activities. Also called JSOA. (JP 3-0) See ADRP 3-05.

 

joint special operations task force – (DOD) A joint task force composed of special operations units from more than one Service, formed to carry out a specific special operation or prosecute special operations in support of a theater campaign or other operations. Also called JSOTF. (JP 3-05) See ADRP 3-05.

 

joint task force – (DOD) A joint force that is constituted and so designated by the Secretary of Defense, a combatant commander, subunified commander, or an existing joint task force commander. Also called JTF. (JP 1) See FM 3-57.

 

  –K–

key tasks – Those activities the force must perform as a whole to achieve the desired end state. (ADRP 5-0)

 

key terrain – (DOD) Any locality, or area, the seizure or retention of which affords a marked advantage to either combatant. (JP 2-01.3)  See FM 3-90-1 and FM 2-01.3.

 

kill box – A three dimensional fire support coordination measure used to facilitate the expeditious air to surface lethal attack of targets, which may be augmented by or integrated with surface to surface indirect fires. (FM 3-09.34)

 

kill zone – That part of an ambush site where fire is concentrated to isolate, fix, and destroy the enemy. See also ambush; destroy; fix; isolate. (FM 3-90-1)

 

knowledge – Information that has been analyzed to provide meaning and value or evaluated as to implications for the operation. (FM 6-01.1)

 

knowledge creation – The process of developing new knowledge or combining, restructuring, or repurposing existing knowledge in response to identified knowledge gaps. (FM 6-01.1)

 

knowledge management – The art of creating, organizing, applying, and transferring knowledge to facilitate situational understanding, learning, and decisionmaking. (ADRP 6-0)

 

key tasks – Those activities the force must perform as a whole to achieve the desired end state. (ADRP 5-0)

 

key terrain – (DOD) Any locality, or area, the seizure or retention of which affords a marked advantage to either combatant. (JP 2-01.3)  See FM 3-90-1 and FM 2-01.3.

 

--L--

   

 –M–

main battle area – The area where the commander intends to deploy the bulk of the unit’s combat power and conduct decisive operations to defeat an attacking enemy. Also called MBA. (ADRP 3-90) See also combat power; defensive operations; forward edge of the battle area; handover line.

 

main body – The principal part of a tactical command or formation. It does not include detached elements of the command, such as advance guards, flank guards, and covering forces. (ADRP 3-90) See also covering force; flank guard.

 

main command post – A facility containing the majority of the staff designed to control current operations, conduct detailed analysis, and plan future operations. (ATTP 5-0.1)

 

main effort – A designated subordinate unit whose mission at a given point in time is most critical to overall mission success. (ADRP 3-0)

 

main supply route – (DOD) The route or routes designated within an operational area upon which the bulk of traffic flows in support of military operations. Also called MSR. (JP 4-01.5) See FM 4-01.30.

 

major operation – (DOD) 1. A series of tactical actions (battles, engagements, strikes) conducted by combat forces of a single or several Services, coordinated in time and place, to achieve strategic or operational objectives in an operational area. 2. For noncombat operations, a reference to the relative size and scope of a military operation. (JP 3-0) See ADRP 3-0 and ATP 3-07.5.

 

man the force – Manning combines anticipation, movement, and skillful positioning of personnel so that the commander has the personnel required to accomplish the mission. Manning the force involves human resources functions of personnel readiness management, personnel accountability, strength reporting, retention, and personnel information management. Man the force ensures the right person is in the right positions with the right skills and training at the right time. (ATP 1-0.2)

 

maneuver – (DOD) 1. A movement to place ships, aircraft, or land forces in a position of advantage over the enemy. See FM 3-07.  2. A tactical exercise carried out at sea, in the air, on the ground, or on a map in imitation of war. See FM 3-07. 3. The operation of a ship, aircraft, or vehicle, to cause it to perform desired movements. See FM 3-07. 4. Employment of forces in the operational area through movement in combination with fires to achieve a position of advantage in respect to the enemy. (JP 3-0) See ADP 3-90, ADRP 3-90, and FM 3-07.

 

maneuver and mobility support – A military police function conducted to support and preserve the commander's freedom of movement and enhance the movement of friendly resources in all environments. (FM 3-39)

 

march column – A march column consists of all elements using the same route for a single movement under control of a single commander. (FM 3-90-2) See also march serial; march unit.

 

march serial – A major subdivision of a march column that is organized under one commander who plans, regulates, and controls the serial. (FM 3-90-2) See also march column; march unit.

 

march unit – A subdivision of a march serial. It moves and halts under the control of a single commander who uses voice and visual signals. (FM 3-90-2) See also march column; march serial.

 

measure of effectiveness – (DOD) A criterion used to assess changes in system behavior, capability, or operational environment that is tied to measuring the attainment of an end state, achievement of an objective, or creation of an effect. (JP 3-0) See ADRP 3-07, ADRP 3-37, ADRP 5-0, FM 3-57, ATP 3-09.24, and ATP 3-57.20.

 

measure of performance – (DOD) A criterion used to assess friendly actions that is tied to measuring task accomplishment. (JP 3-0) See ADRP 5-0, FM 3-57, ATP 3-09.24, and ATP 3-57.20.

 

media source analysis – The systematic comparison of the content, behavior, patterns, and trends of organic media organizations and sources of a country. (ATP 2-22.9)

 

meeting engagement – A combat action that occurs when a moving force, incompletely deployed for battle, engages an enemy at an unexpected time and place. (FM 3-90-1)

 

mentorship – The voluntary developmental relationship that exists between a person of greater experience and a person of lesser experience that is characterized by mutual trust and respect. (AR 600-100)  See ADRP 6-22.

 

midcourse phase – (DOD) That portion of the flight of a ballistic missile between the boost phase and the terminal phase. (JP 3-01) See ATP 3-27.5.

 

military civic action – (DOD) The use of preponderantly indigenous military forces on projects useful to the local population at all levels in such fields as education, training, public works, agriculture, transportation, communications, health, sanitation, and others contributing to economic and social development, which would also serve to improve the standing or the military forces with the population. (US forces may at times advise or engage in military civil actions in overseas areas) (JP 3-57) See FM 3-57 and ATP 3-57.20.

 

military crest – An area on the forward slope of a hill or ridge from which maximum observation covering the slope down to the base of the hill or ridge can be obtained. (FM 3-25.26)

 

military deception – (DOD) Actions executed to deliberately mislead adversary military decision makers as to friendly military capabilities, intentions, and operations, thereby causing the adversary to take specific actions (or inactions) that will contribute to the accomplishment of the friendly mission. Also called MILDEC. (JP 3-13.4) See ADRP 6-0.

 

military decisionmaking process – An interactive planning methodology to understand the situation and mission, develop a courses of action, and produce an operation plan or order. Also called MDMP. (ADP 5-0) See also operation order; operation plan.

 

military engagement – (DOD) Routine contact and interaction between individuals or elements of the Armed Forces of the United States and those of another nation’s armed forces, or foreign and domestic civilian authorities or agencies to build trust and confidence, share information, coordinate mutual activities, and maintain influence. (JP 3-0) See FM 3-07.

 

military information support operations – (DOD) Planned operations to convey selected information and indicators to foreign audiences to influence their emotions, motives, objective reasoning, and ultimately the behavior of foreign governments, organizations, groups, and individuals in a manner favorable to the originator’s objectives. Also called MISO. (JP 3-13.2) See ADP 3-05 and ADRP 3-05.

 

misinformation – Incorrect information from any source that is released for unknown reasons or to solicit a response or interest from a non-political or nonmilitary target. (FM 3-53)

 

missile defense – (DOD) Defense measures designed to destroy attacking enemy missiles, or to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of such attack. (JP 3-01) See ATP 3-55.6.

 

mission – (DOD) The task, together with the purpose, that clearly indicates the action to be taken and the reason therefore. (JP 3-0)  See ADP 5-0, ADRP 5-0, and FM 3-07.

 

mission command – (Army) The exercise of authority and direction by the commander using mission orders to enable disciplined initiative within the commander’s intent to empower agile and adaptive leaders in the conduct of unified land operations. (ADP 6-0) See also commander’s intent; mission orders. (DOD) The conduct of military operations through decentralized execution based upon mission-type orders. (JP 3-31) See ATP 3-06.1.

 

mission command system – The arrangement of personnel; networks; information systems; processes and procedures; and facilities and equipment that enable commanders to conduct operations. (ADP 6-0)

 

mission command warfighting function – The related tasks and systems that develop and integrate those activities enabling a commander to balance the art of command and the science of control in order to integrate the other warfighting functions. (ADRP 3-0)

 

mission creep – Tangential efforts to assist in areas of concern unrelated to assigned duties that cripple efficient mission accomplishment. (FM 3-16)

 

mission essential task – A task a unit could perform based on its design, equipment, manning, and table of organization and equipment/table of distribution and allowances mission. (ADRP 7-0) See also mission essential task list.

 

mission essential task list – A compilation of collective mission essential tasks. Also called METL. (ADRP 7-0) See also mission essential task.

 

mission orders – Directives that emphasize to subordinates the results to be attained, not how they are achieve them. (ADP 6-0) See also mission command.

 

mixing – Using two or more different assets to collect against the same intelligence requirement. (FM 3-90-2)

 

mobile defense – A defensive task that concentrates on the destruction or defeat of the enemy through a decisive attack by a striking force. (ADRP 3-90)

mobility – A quality or capacity of military forces which permits them to move from place to place while retaining the ability to fulfill their primary mission. (JP 3-17) See ADRP 3-90 and FM 3-90-1.

 

mobility operations – Those combined arms activities that mitigate the effects of natural and manmade obstacles to enable freedom of movement and maneuver. (ATTP 3-90.4) See also breach; countermobility operations.

 

mode operations – The execution of movements using various conveyances (truck, lighterage, railcar, aircraft) to transport cargo. (ADRP 4-0)

 

monitoring – Continuous observation of those conditions relevant to the current operation. (ADRP 5-0)

 

moral welfare recreation and community support activities – Programs that provide Soldiers, Army civilians, and other authorized personnel with recreational and fitness activities, goods, and services. The moral, welfare, recreation network provides unit recreation and sports programs and rest areas for brigade-sized and larger units. Community support programs include the American Red Cross and family support. (ATP 1-0.2)

 

movement and maneuver warfighting function – The related tasks and systems that move and employ forces to achieve a position of advantage over the enemy and other threats. (ADRP 3-0) See also warfighting function.

 

movement control – (DOD) The planning, routing, scheduling, and control of personnel and cargo movements over lines of communications, includes maintaining in-transit visibility of forces and material through the deployment and/or redeployment process.  (JP 3-10) See ADRP 3-90. (Army) The dual process of committing allocated transportation assets and regulating movements according to command priorities to synchronize distribution flow over lines of communications to sustain land forces. (ADRP 4-0)

 

movement corridor – A designated area established to protect and enable ground movement along a route. (FM 3-90.31)

 

movement to contact – (Army) An offensive task designed to develop the situation and establish or regain contact. (ADRP 3-90)

 

mounted march – The movement of troops and equipment by combat and tactical vehicles. (FM 3-90-2)

 

multiechelon training – A training technique that allows for the simultaneous training of more than one echelon on different or complementary tasks. (ADRP 7-0)

 

multinational operations – (DOD) A collective term to describe military actions conducted by forces of two or more nations, usually undertaken within the structure of a coalition or alliance. (JP 3-16) See ADRP 3-0, FM 3-07, and FM 3-16.

 

mutual support – (DOD) That support which units render each other against an enemy, because of their assigned tasks, their position relative to each other and to the enemy, and their inherent capabilities. (JP 3-31) See ADRP 3-0.

 

 –N–

named area of interest – (DOD) A geospatial area or systems node or link against which information that will satisfy a specific information requirement can be collected. Named areas of interest are usually selected to capture indications of adversary courses of action, but also may be related to conditions of the operational environment. Also called NAI. (JP 2-01.3) See FM 2-01.3 and ATP 3-55.6. (Army) The geographical area where information that will satisfy a specific information requirement can be collected. Also called NAI. (ADRP 1-02)

 

National Incident Management System – (DOD) A national crisis response sytem that provides a consistent, nationwide approach for Federal, state, local, and tribal governments; the private sector; and nongovernmental organizations to work effectively and efficiently together to prepare for, respond to, and recover from domestic incidents, regardless of cause, size or complexity. Also called NIMS. (JP 3-41) See ADP 3-28 and ATP 3-28.1.

 

nation assistance – (DOD) Assistance rendered to a nation by foreign forces within that nation’s territory based on agreements mutually concluded between nations. (JP 3-0) See FM 3-57 and ATP 3-57.20.

 

nested concept – A planning technique to achieve unity of purpose whereby each succeeding echelon’s concept of operations is aligned by purpose with the higher echelon’s concept of operations. (ADRP 5-0) See also concept of operations.

 

net control station – A communications station designated to control traffic and enforce circuit discipline within a given net. Also called NCS. (ADRP 1-02)

 

neutral – (DOD) In combat and combat support operations, an identity applied to a track whose characteristics, behavior, origin, or nationality indicate that isneither supporting nor opposing friendly forces (JP 3-0) See FM 3-07. (Army) A party identified as neither supporting nor opposing friendly or enemy forces. (ADRP 3-0)

 

neutralization – In the context of the computed effects of field artillery fires, neutralization renders a target ineffective for a short period of time, producing 10 percent casualties or materiel damage. (FM 3-09)

 

neutralize – (Army) A tactical mission task that results in rendering enemy personnel or materiel incapable of interfering with a particular operation. (FM 3-90-1)

 

night vision device – (DOD) Any electro-optical device that is used to detect visible and near-infrared energy, and provide a visible image.  Night vision goggles, forward-looking infrared, thermal sights, and low-light level television are night vision devices. Also called NVD. (JP 3-09.3) See ATP 3-06.1.

 

night vision goggle(s) – (DOD) An electro-optical image intensify device that detects visible and near-infrared energy, intensifies the energy, and provides a visible image for night viewing. Night vision goggles can be either hand-held or helmet-mounted. Also called NVG.  (JP 3-09.3) See ATP 3-06.1.

 

no strike list – (DOD) A list of objectives or entities characterized as protected from the effects of military operations under international law and/or rules of engagement. Also called NSL. (JP 3-60) See ADRP 3-09.

 

no fire area – (DOD) An area designated by the appropriate commander into which fires or their effects are prohibited. (JP 3-09) Also called NFA. See FM 3-09-1.

 

nonappropriated funds – (DOD) Funds generated by Department of Defense personnel and their dependents used to augment funds appropriated by the Congress to provide a comprehensive, morale-building welfare, religious, educational, and recreational programs. Also called NAF. (JP 1-0)

 

noncombat evacuation operations – (DOD) Operations directed by the Department of State or other appropriate authority, in conjunction with the Department of Defense, whereby noncombatants are evacuated from foreign countries when their lives are endangered by war, civil unrest, or natural disaster to safe havens as designated by the Department of State. Also called NEOs. (JP 3-68) See FM 3-07.

 

noncontiguous area of operations – Where one or more of the commander’s  subordinate forces’ areas of operation do not share a common boundary. See also area of operations. (FM 3-90-1)

 

nongovernmental organization – (DOD) A private, self governing, not for profit organization dedicated to alleviating human suffering; and/or promoting education, health care, economic development, environmental protection, human rights, and conflict resolution; and/or encouraging the establishment of democratic institutions and civil society. (JP 3-08) See ADRP 3-0, FM 3-07, FM 3-50.1, and ATP 3-57.20.

 

nonstandard bridging – Bridging that is purposely designed for a particular gap and typically built using commercial off the shelf or locally available materials. (ATTP 3-90.4)

 

 –O–

objective – (DOD) The clearly defined, decisive, and attainable goal toward which every operation is directed. (JP 5-0) See ADRP 5-0. (Army) A location on the ground used to orient operations, phase operations, facilitate changes of direction, and provide for unity of effort. (ADRP 3-90)  

 

objective rally point – A rally point established on an easily identifiable point on the ground where all elements of the infiltrating unit assemble and prepare to attack the objective. (ADRP 3-90)

 

obscuration –  The employment of materials into the environment that degrade optical and/or electro-optical capabilities within select portions of the electromagnetic spectrum in order to deny acquisition by or deceive an enemy or adversary. (ADRP 1-02)  

 

observation – The condition of weather and terrain that permits a force to see the friendly, enemy, and neutral personnel and systems, and key aspects of the environment. (ADRP 1-02)

 

observation post – A position from which military observations are made, or fire directed and adjusted, and which possesses appropriate communications. While aerial observers and sensors systems are extremely useful, those systems do not constitute aerial observation posts. Also called OP. (FM 3-90-2)

 

obstacle – (DOD) Any natural or man-made obstruction designed or employed to disrupt, fix, turn, or block the movement of an opposing force, and to impose additional losses in personnel, time, and equipment on the opposing force. (JP 3-15) See FM 3-90-1.

 

obstacle belt – (DOD) A brigade-level command and control measure, normally given graphically, to show where within an obstacle zone the ground tactical commander plans to limit friendly obstacle employment and focus the defense. (JP 3-15) See FM 3-90-1.

 

obstacle control measures – Specific measures that simplify the granting of obstacle-emplacing authority while providing obstacle control.  (FM 3-90-1)

 

obstacle groups – One or more individual obstacles grouped to provide a specific obstacle effect. (FM 3-90-1)

 

obstacle line – A conceptual control measure used at battalion or brigade level to show placement intent without specifying a particular type of linear obstacle. (FM 90-7)

 

obstacle restricted areas – (DOD) A command and control measure used to limit the type or number of obstacles within an area. (JP 3-15) See FM 3-90-1.

 

obstacle zone – (DOD) A division-level command and control measure, normally done graphically, to designate specific land areas where lower echelons are allowed to employ tactical obstacles. (JP 3-15) See FM 3-90-1.

 

occupy – A tactical mission task that involves a force moving a friendly force into an area so that it can control that area. Both the force’s movement to and occupation of the area occur without enemy opposition. (FM 3-90-1)

 

offensive counterair – (DOD) Offensive operations to destroy, disrupt, or neutralize enemy aircraft, missiles, launch platforms, and their supporting structures and systems both before and after launch, and as close to their source as possible. Also called OCA. (JP 3-01) See ATP 3-55.6.

 

offensive fires – Fires that preempt enemy actions. (FM 3-09)

 

offensive task – A task conducted to defeat and destroy enemy forces and seize terrain, resources, and population centers. (ADRP 3-0)

 

on call target – (DOD) Planned target upon which fires or other actions are determined using deliberate targeting and triggered, when detected or located, using dynamic targeting. (JP 3-60) See ATP 3-60.1.

 

on order mission – A mission to be executed at an unspecified time. (ATTP 5-0.1) See also be prepared mission.

 

open source – Any person or group that provides information without the expectations of privacy—the Information, the relationship, or both is not protected against public disclosure. (ATP 2-22.9)

 

open source intelligence – (DOD) Information of potential intelligence value that is available to the general public. Also called OSINT. (JP 2-0) See ATP 2-22.9.   

 

operation – (DOD) A military action or the carrying out of a strategic, tactical, Service, training, or administrative military mission. (JP 3-0) See ADRP 3-90 and FM 3-90-1.

 

operational approach – (DOD) A description of broad actions the force must take to transform current conditions into those desired at end state. (JP 5-0) See ADRP 3-0, ADP 5-0, and ADRP 5-0.

 

operational area – (DOD) An overarching term encompassing more descriptive terms (such as area of responsibility and joint operations area) for geographic areas in which military operations are conducted. Also Called OA. (JP 3-0) See FM 3-07 and ATP 3-09.24.

 

operational area security – A form of security operations conducted to protect friendly forces, installations, routes, and actions within an area of operations. (ADRP 3-37)

 

operational art – (DOD) The cognitive approach by commanders and staffs—supported by their skill, knowledge, experience, creativity, and judgment—to develop strategies, campaigns, and operations to organize and employ military forces by integrating ends, ways, and means. (JP 3-0) See ADP 3-0, ADRP 3-0, and ADRP 5-0.

 

operational contract support – (DOD) The process of planning for and obtaining supplies, services, and construction from commercial sources in support of operations along with the associated contractor management functions. (JP 4-10) See ATTP 4-10.

 

operational control – (DOD) Command authority that may be exercised by commanders at any echelon at or below the level of combatant command. Operational control is inherent in combatant command (command authority) and may be delegated within the command. Operational control is the authority to perform those functions of command over subordinate forces involving organizing and employing commands and forces, assigning tasks, designating objectives, and giving authoritative direction necessary to accomplish the mission. Operational control includes authoritative direction over all aspects of military operations and joint training necessary to accomplish missions assigned to the command. Operational control should be exercised through the commanders of subordinate organizations. Normally this authority is exercised through subordinate joint force commanders and Service and/or functional component commanders. Operational control normally provides full authority to organize commands and forces and to employ those forces as the commander in operational control considers necessary to accomplish assigned missions; it does not, in and of itself, include authoritative direction for logistics or matters of administration, discipline, internal organization, or unit training. Also called OPCON. (JP 1) See ADRP 5-0.

 

operational environment – (DOD) A composite of the conditions, circumstances, and influences that affect the employment of capabilities and bear on the decisions of the commander. Also called OE. (JP 3-0) See ADRP 3-0, ADP 5-0, ADRP 6-0, FM 3-07, FM 3-57, ATP 3-55.6, and ATP 3-57.20.

 

operational initiative – The setting or dictating the terms of action throughout an operation. (ADRP 3-0)

 

operational reach – (DOD) The distance and duration across which a joint force can successfully employ military capabilities. (JP 3-0) See ADRP 3-0.

 

operational training domain – The training activities organizations undertake while at home station, at maneuver combat training centers, during joint exercises, at mobility centers, and while operationally deployed.  (ADP 7-0)

 

operation order – (DOD) A directive issued by a commander to subordinate commanders for the purpose of effecting the coordinated execution of an operation.  Also called OPORD. (JP 5-0) See ATP 3-57.20.

 

operation plan – (DOD) 1. Any plan for the conduct of military operations prepared in response to actual and potential contingencies.  2. A complete and detailed joint plan containing a full description of the concept of operations, all annexes applicable to the plan, and a time-phased force and deployment data.  Also called Oplan. (JP 5-0) See ATP 3-57.20.

 

operations process – The major mission command activities performed during operations: planning, preparing, executing and continuously assessing the operation. (ADP 5-0)

 

operations security – (DOD) A process of identifying critical information and subsequently analyzing friendly actions attendant to military operations and other activities. (JP 3-13.3) See ADRP 3-37.

 

organic – (DOD) Assigned to and forming an essential part of military organization. Organic parts of a unit are those listed in its table of organization for the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, and are assigned to the administrative organizations of the operating forces for the Navy. (JP 1-02) See ADRP 5-0.

 

other governmental agency – (DOD) Within the context of interagency coordination, a non Department of Defense agency of the United States Government. (JP 1) See ADRP 3-0 and ATP 3-57.20.

 

overbridging – A method used to reinforce, provide emergency repair, or augment existing bridges or bridge spans using standard bridging. In close combat this is typically provided through the employment of tactical bridging. (ATTP 3-90.4)

 

overt operation – An operation conducted openly, without concealment. (ADRP 1-02)

 

 –P–

parallel planning – Two or more echelons planning for the same operation through the sequential sharing of information from the higher headquarters prior to the headquarters publishing their operation plan or operation order. (ADRP 5-0)

 

partner nation – (DOD) Those nations that the United States works with to disrupt the production, transportation, distribution, and sale of illicit drugs, as well as the money involved with this illicit activity. Also called PN. (JP 3-07.4) See ATP 3-57.20.

 

passage lane – A lane through an enemy or friendly obstacle that provides a safe passage for a passing force. (FM 3-90-2)

 

passage of lines – (DOD) An operation in which a force moves forward or reward through another force’s combat positions with the intention of moving into or out of contact with the enemy. (JP 3-18)  See ADRP 3-90, FM 3-90-1 and FM 3-90-2.

 

passage point – A specifically designated place where the passing units will pass through the stationary unit. Also called PP. (FM 3-90-2) See also passage of lines.

 

passive air defense – (DOD) All measures other than active air defense, taken to minimize the effectiveness of hostile air and missile threats against friendly forces and assets. (JP 3-01) See ADRP 3-09, ADRP 3-90, and FM 3-90-1 and ATP 3-27.5.

 

patient decontamination – The removal and/or the neutralization of hazardous levels of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear contamination from patients at a medical treatment facility. Patient decontamination is performed under the supervision of medical personnel to prevent further injury to the patient and to maintain the patient’s health status during the decontamination process. Patient decontamination serves multiple purposes; it protects the patient from further injury, it prevents exposing medical personnel to the contamination, and it prevents contamination of the medical treatment facility. (FM 4-02.7)

 

peace building – (DOD) Stability actions, predominately diplomatic and economic, that strengthen and rebuild governmental infrastructure and institutions in order to avoid a relapse into conflict. Also called PB. (JP 3-07.3) See ADRP 3-07 and ATP 3-07.5.

 

peace enforcement – (DOD) Application of military force, or threat of its use, normally pursuant to international authorization, to compel compliance with resolutions or sanctions designed to maintain or restore peace and order. (JP 3-07.3) See ADRP 3-07 and ATP 3-07.5.

 

peace keeping – (DOD) Military operations undertaken with the consent of all major parties to a dispute, designed to monitor and facilitate implementation of an agreement (cease fire, truce, or other such agreement) and support diplomatic efforts to reach a long-term political settlement. (JP 3-07.3) See ADRP 3-07 and ATP 3-07.5.

 

peacemaking – (DOD) The process of diplomacy, mediation, negotiation, or other forms of peaceful settlements that arranges an end to a dispute and resolves issues that led to it. (JP 3-07.3) See ADRP 3-07, FM 3-07, and ATP 3-07.5.

 

peace operations – (DOD) A broad term that encompasses multiagency and multinational crisis response and limited contingency operations involving all instruments of national power with military missions to contain conflict, redress the peace, and shape the environment to support reconciliation and rebuilding and facilitate the transition to legitimate governance. Also called PO. (JP 3-07.3) See ADRP 3-07, FM 3-07, and ATP 3-07.5.

 

penetration – A form of maneuver in which an attacking force seeks to rupture enemy defenses on a narrow front to disrupt the defensive system. (FM 3-90-1)

 

performance work statement – (DOD) A statement of work for performance based acquisitions that describe the results in clear, specific, and objective terms with measurable outcomes.  Also called PWS  (JP 4-10) See ATP 1-06.2.

 

permissive environment – (DOD) Operational environment in which host country military and law enforcement agencies have control as well as the intent and capability to assist operations that a unit intends to conduct. (JP 3-0) See FM 3-57.

 

persistent surveillance – (DOD) A collection strategy that emphasizes the ability of some collection systems to linger on demand in an area to detect, locate, characterize, identify, track, target, and possibly provide battle damage assessment and retargeting in near or real-time. Persistent surveillance facilitates the prediction of an adversary’s behavior and the formulation and execution of preemptive activities to deter or forestall anticipated adversary courses of action. (JP 2-0) See ATP 3-60.1.

 

personal protective equipment – (DOD) The equipment provided to shield or isolate a person from the chemical, physical, and thermal hazards that can be encountered at a hazardous materials incident.  Personal protective equipment includes both personal protective clothing and respiratory protection.  Also called PPE. (JP 3-11) See ATP 4-02.84.

 

personnel accountability – (Army) The by-name recording of specific data on individuals as they arrive and depart from units or theater transition points. Data includes information such as duty status, changes in duty status, changes in location, and grade changes. (ATP 1-0.2)

 

personnel readiness management – The Personnel readiness management is the distribution of Soldiers and Army civilians to command and organizations based on documented manpower requirements, authorizations, and predictive analysis in support of the commander’s plans and priorities need to accomplish its mission. (ATP 1-0.2)

 

personnel recovery – (DOD) The sum of military, diplomatic, and civil efforts to prepare for and execute the recovery and reintegration of isolated personnel. Also called PR. (JP 3-50)  See ATP 3-55.6. (Army) The sum of military, diplomatic, and civil efforts to prevent isolation incidents and to return isolated persons to safety or friendly control. (FM 3-50.1)

 

personnel recovery coordination cell – (DOD) The primary joint force component organization responsible for coordinating and controlling component personnel recovery missions. (JP 3-50)  See FM 3-50.1.

 

personnel services – Sustainment functions that man and fund the force, maintain Soldier and family readiness, promote the moral and ethical values of the nation, and enable the fighting qualities of the Army. (ADP 4-0)

 

personnel support – Personnel support encompasses the functions of moral, welfare, recreation, command interest programs, and band operations and contributes to unit readiness by promoting fitness, building moral and cohesion, enhancing quality of life, and by providing recreational, social, and other support services for Soldiers, Department of Defense civilians, and other personnel authorized to accompany the force. (ATP 1-0.2)

 

phase – (DOD)  In joint operation planning, a definitive stage of an operation or campaign during which a large portion of the forces and capabilities are involved in similar or mutually supporting activities for a common purpose. (JP 5-0) See FM 3-07. (Army) A planning and execution tool used to divide an operation in duration or activity. (ADRP 3-0)

 

phase line – (DOD) line utilized for control and coordination of military operations, usually an easily identified feature in the operational area. Also called PL. (JP 3-09) See FM 3-90-1 and ATP 3-20.15.

 

P-hour (airborne operations) – In airborne assault operations, the specific hour on D-day at which a parachute assault commences with the exit of the first Soldier from an aircraft over a designated drop zone.  P-hour may or may not coincide with H-hour. (ATTP 5-0.1)

 

physical security – That part of the Army security system, based on threat analysis, concerned with procedures and physical measures designed to safeguard personnel, property, and operations; to prevent unauthorized access to equipment, facilities, materiel, and information; and to protect against espionage, terrorism, sabotage, damage, misuse, and theft. (ATTP 3-39.32)

 

physical security inspection – A formal, recorded assessment of the physical protective measures and security procedures that are implemented to protect unit and activity assets. (ATTP 3-39.32)

 

physical security survey – A formal recorded assessment of and installation’s overall physical security program, including electronic security measures. (ATTP 3-39.32)

 

piecemeal commitment – The immediate employment of units in combat as they become available instead of waiting for larger aggregations of units to ensure mass, or The unsynchronized employment of available forces so that their combat power is not employed effectively. (ADRP 3-90) See also combat power.

 

planned target – (DOD) Target that is known to exist in the operational environment, upon which actions are planned using deliberate targeting, creating effects which support commander’s objectives. There are two subcategories of planned targets: scheduled and on-call. (JP 3-60) See ATP 3-60.1.

 

planning – The art and science of understanding a situation, envisioning a desired future, and laying out effective ways of bringing that future about. (ADP 5-0)

 

planning horizon – A point in time commander use to focus the organization’s planning efforts to shape future events. (ADRP 5-0) See also planning.

 

planning requirements and assessing collection – The task that analyzes requirements, evaluates available assets (internal and external), recommends to the operations staff taskings for information collection assets, submits requests for information for adjacent and higher collection support, and conducts an assessment of the effectiveness of the information collection plan. (ATTP 2-01)

 

platoon – A subdivision of a company or troop consisting of two or more squads or sections. (ADRP 3-90)

 

point of breach – The location at an obstacle where the creation of a lane is being attempted. (ATTP 3-90.4)

 

point of departure – The point where the unit crosses the line of departure and begins moving along a direction of attack. (ADRP 3-90) See also line of departure.

 

point of penetration – The location, identified on the ground, where the commander concentrates his efforts at the enemy‘s weakest point to seize a foothold on the farside objective. (ATTP 3-90.4)

 

police intelligence operations – A military police function, integrated within all military police operations, that supports the operations process through analysis, production, and dissemination of information collected as a result of police activities to enhance situational understanding, protection, civil control, and law enforcement. Also called PIO. (FM 3-39)

 

policing – The application of control measures within an area of operations to maintain law and order, safety, and other matters affecting the general welfare of the population. (FM 3-39)

 

populace and resources control – Operations which provide security for the populace, deny personnel and materiel to the enemy, mobilize population and materiel resources, and detect and reduce the effectiveness of enemy agents. Populace control measures include curfews, movement restrictions, travel permits, registration cards, and resettlement of civilians. Resource control measures include licensing, regulations or guidelines, checkpoints (for example, road blocks), ration controls, amnesty programs, and inspection of facilities. Most military operations employ some type of populace and resources control measures. Also called PRC. (FM 3-57)

 

port opening – The ability to establish, initially operate and facilitate throughput for ports of debarkation to support unified land operations.  (ADRP 4-0)

 

position area for artillery – An area assigned to an artillery unit where individual artillery systems can maneuver to increase their survivability. A position area for artillery is not an area of operations for the  artillery unit occupying it. (FM 3-90-1)

 

positive control – (DOD) A method of airspace control that relies on positive identification, tracking, and direction of aircraft within an airspace, conducted with electronic means by an agency having the authority and responsibility therein. (JP 3-52) See ATP 3-06.1.

 

postal operations – Postal operations provide a network to process mail and provide postal service to Soldiers and other personnel authorized to receive postal entitlements. Processing mail involves receiving, separating, sorting, dispatching, and redirecting ordinary and accountable mail; completing international mail exchange; handling casualty and enemy prisoner of war mail; and screening for contaminated or suspicious mail. Postal services involve selling stamps, cashing and selling money orders, providing registered (including classified up to secret), insured and certified mail services, and processing postal claims and inquiries. (ATP 1-0.2)

 

precision munition – A munition that corrects for ballistic conditions using guidance and control up to the aimpoint or submunitions dispense with terminal accuracy less than the lethal radius of effects. (FM 3-09)

 

precision smart munition – A munition or submunition that autonomously searches for, detects, classifies, selects, and engages a target or targets. A precision smart munition has a limited target discrimination capability. (FM 3-09)

 

preparation – Those activities performed by units and Soldiers to improve their ability to execute an operation. (ADP 5-0)

 

preparation of the environment – (DOD) An umbrella term for operations and activities conducted by selectively trained special operations forces to develop an environment for potential future special operations. (JP 3-05) See ADP 3-05 and ADRP 3-05.

 

presumptive identification – The employment of technologies with limited specificity and sensitivity by general-purpose forces in a field environment to determine the presence of a chemical, biological, radiological, and/or nuclear hazard with a low level of confidence and degree of certainty necessary to support immediate tactical decisions. (ATP 3-11.37)

 

primary position – The position that covers the enemy’s most likely avenue of approach into the area of operations. (ADRP 3-90) See also alternate position; area of operations; avenue of approach; battle position; subsequent position; supplementary position.

 

priority intelligence requirement – (DOD) An intelligence requirement, stated as a priority for intelligence support, that the commander and staff need to understand the adversary or other aspects of the operational environment. Also called PIR. (JP 2-01) See ADRP 2-0, ADRP 5-0, FM 3-57, and ATP 3-55.6.

 

priority of fires – The commander’s guidance to his staff, subordinate commanders, fire support planners, and supporting agencies to organize and employ fire support in accordance with the relative importance of the unit’s mission. (ADRP 3-09) See also fire support.

 

priority of support – A Priority set by the commander to ensure a subordinate unit has support in accordance with it relative importance to accomplishing the mission. (ADRP 5-0)

 

private information – Data, facts, instructions, or other material intended for or restricted to a particular person, group, or organization. (ATP 2-22.9)

 

private sector – (DOD)  An umbrella term that may be applied in the United States and in foreign countries to any or all of the nonpublic or commercial individuals and businesses, specified nonprofit organizations, most of academia and other scholastic institutions, and selected nongovernmental organizations. (JP 3-57) See ATP 3-57.20.

 

probable line of deployment – A phase line that designates as the location where the commander intends to deploy the unit into assault formation before beginning the assault. Also called PLD. (ADRP 3-90) See also phase line.

 

procedures – (DOD)  Standard, detailed steps that prescribe how to perform specific tasks. (CJCSM 5120.01) See ATP 3-90.90.

 

program of targets – A number of planned targets of a similar nature that are planned for sequential attack. (FM 3-09)  

 

proof – The verification that a lane is free of mines or explosive hazards and that the width and trafficability at the point of breach are suitable for the passing force. (ATTP 3-90.4)

 

protection – (DOD) 1. Preservation of the effectiveness and survivability of mission related military and nonmilitary personnel, equipment, facilities, information, and infrastructure deployed or located within or outside the boundaries of a given operational area. (JP 3-0) See ADRP 3-37, ADRP 5-0, FM 1-04, and FM 3-07. 2. In space usage, active and passive defensive measures to ensure the United States and friendly space systems perform as designed by seeking to overcome an adversary’s attempts to negate them and to minimize damage if negation is attempted. (JP 3-14) See FM 3-07.

 

protection warfighting function – The related tasks and systems that preserve the force so the commander can apply maximum combat power to accomplish the mission. (ADRP 3-0) See also warfighting function.

 

prudent risk – A deliberate exposure to potential injury or loss when the commander judges the outcome in terms of mission accomplishment as worth the cost. (ADP 6-0)

 

publicly available information – Data, facts, instructions, or other material published or broadcast for general public consumption; available on request to a member of the general public; lawfully seen or heard by any casual observer; or made available to a meeting open to the general public. (ATP 2-22.9)

 

pursuit – An offensive operation designed to catch or cut off a hostile force attempting to escape, with the aim of destroying it. (ADRP 3-90)

 

 –Q–

quartering party – A group of unit representatives dispatched to a probable new site of operations in advance of the main body to secure, reconnoiter, and organize an area prior to the main body’s arrival and occupation. (FM 3-90-2) See also advance party.

 

quick response force – (Army) A dedicated force on a base with adequate tactical mobility and fire support designated to defeat Level I and Level II threats and shape Level III threats until they can be defeated by a tactical combat force or other available response forces. (ATP 3-37.10)

 –R–

raid – (DOD) An operation to temporarily seize an area in order to secure information, confuse an adversary, capture personnel or equipment, or to destroy a capability culminating with a planned withdrawal. (JP 3-0) See FM 3-90-1.

 

rally point – 1. An easily identifiable point on the ground at which aircrews and passengers can assemble and reorganize following an incident requiring a forced landing. 2. An easily identifiable point on the ground at which units can reassemble and reorganize if they become dispersed. Also called RP. (ADRP 1-02)

 

range – 1. The distance between any given point and an object or target. 2. Extent or distance limiting the operation or action of something, such as the range of an aircraft, ship, or gun. 3. The distance that can be covered over a hard surface by a ground vehicle, with its related payload, using the fuel in its tank and its cans normally carried as part of the ground vehicle equipment. 4. Area equipped for practice in shooting of targets. In this meaning, also called target range. (ADRP 1-02)

 

Rangers – (DOD) Rapidly deployable airborne light infantry organized and trained to conduct highly complex joint direct action operations in coordination with or in support of other special operations units of all Services. (JP 3-05) See ADP 3-05 and ADRP 3-05.

 

reachback – (DOD) The process of obtaining products, services, and applications, or forces, or equipment, or material from organizations that are not forward deployed. (JP 3-30) See FM 3-57.

 

rear boundary – A boundary that defines the rearward limits of a unit’s area. It usually also defines the start of the next echelon’s support area. (FM 3-90-1) See also area of operations; boundary.

 

rear echelon – This echelon contains those elements of the force that are not required in the objective area. (ADRP 1-02)

 

rearward passage of lines – Occurs when a unit passes through another unit’s positions while moving away from the enemy. (ADRP 3-90) See also forward passage of lines; passage of lines.

 

reclamation – Regeneration or processing of a material to recover a usable product. Examples include the recovery of lead from spent batteries and the regeneration of spent solvents. (FM 3-34.5)

 

reconnaissance – (DOD) A mission undertaken to obtain, by visual observation or other detection methods, information about the activities and resources of an enemy or adversary, or to secure data concerning the meteorological, hydrographic or geographic characteristics of a particular area. Also called RECON. (JP 2-0) See ADRP 3-90, FM 3-90-2 and ATP 3-55.6.

 

reconnaissance by fire – A technique in which a unit fires on a suspected enemy position to cause the enemy forces to disclose their presence by movement or return fire. (FM 3-90-2)

 

reconnaissance in force – A deliberate combat operation designed to discover or test the enemy’s strength, dispositions, and reactions or to obtain other information. (ADRP 3-90)

 

reconnaissance objective – A terrain feature, geographical area, enemy force, adversary, or other mission or operational variable, such as specific civil considerations, about which the commander wants to obtain additional information. (ADRP 3-90)

 

reconnaissance-pull – Reconnaissance  that determines which routes are suitable for maneuver, where the enemy is strong and weak, and where gaps exist, thus pulling the main body toward and along the path of least resistance. This facilitates the commander’s initiative and agility. (FM 3-90-2)

 

reconnaissance-push – Reconnaissance  that refines the common operational picture, enabling the commander to finalize the plan and support shaping and decisive operations. It is normally used once the commander commits to a scheme of maneuver or course of action.  (FM 3-90-2)

 

reconnaissance squadron – A unit consisting of two or more company, battery, or troopsize units and a headquarters. (ADRP 3-90)

 

reconstitution – Extraordinary actions that commanders plan and implement to restore units to a desired level of combat effectiveness commensurate with mission requirements and available resources. (ADRP 1-02) See also regeneration; reorganization.

 

recovery force – (DOD) In personnel recovery, an organization consisting of personnel and equipment with a mission of locating, supporting, and recovering isolated personnel, and returning them to friendly control. (JP 3-50) See FM 3-50.1.

 

reduce – 1. A tactical mission task that involves the destruction of an encircled or bypassed enemy force. (FM 3-90-1) 2. A mobility task to create and mark lanes through, over, or around an obstacle to allow the attacking force to accomplish its mission. (ATTP 3-90.4) See also assault; bypass; destroy; neutralize; obscure; secure; suppress; tactical mission task.

 

reduction area – A number of adjacent points of breach that are under the control of the breaching commander. (ATTP 3-90.4)

 

redundancy – Using two or more like assets to collect against the same intelligence requirement. (FM 3-90-2)

 

refugee – (DOD) A person who owning to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his or her nationality and is unable or , owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of that country. (JP 3-29) See FM 3-57 and FM 3-07.

 

regeneration – Rebuilding of a unit through large scale replacement of personnel, equipment, and supplies, including the reestablishment or replacement of essential command and control and the conduct of mission essential training for the newly rebuilt unit. (FM 100-9) See also reconstitution; reorganization.

 

regional air defense commander – (DOD) Commander, subordinate to the area air defense Commander, who is responsible for air and missile defense in the assigned region and exercises authorities as delegated by the area air defense commander. Also called RADC. (JP 3-01) See ATP 3-27.5.

 

regionally aligned forces – Those forces that provide a combatant commander with up to joint task force capable headquarters with scalable, tailorable capabilities to enable the combatant commander to shape the environment. They are those Army units assigned to combatant commands, those Army units allocated to a combatant command, and those Army capabilities distributed and prepared by the Army for combatant command regional missions. (FM 3-22)

 

regional mechanism – The primary method through which friendly forces affect indigenous populations, host nations, or the enemy to establish the conditions needed to safeguard our interests and those of our allies. (ADP 3-05)

 

rehearsal – A session in which a staff or unit practices expected actions to improve performance during execution. (ADRP 5-0)

 

reinforcing – A support relationship requiring a force to support another supporting unit. (ADRP 5-0)

 

reintegrate – (DOD) In personnel recovery, the task of conducting appropriate debriefings and reintegrating recovered isolated personnel back to duty and their family. (JP 3-50)  See FM 3-50.1.

 

reintegration – The process through which former combatants, belligerents, and displaced civilians receive amnesty, reenter civil society, gain sustainable employment, and become contributing members of the local populace. (ADRP 3-07)

 

release line – Phase line used in river crossing operations that delineates a change in the headquarters controlling movement. Also called RL. (ADRP 1-02) See also phase line.

 

release point – A location on a route where marching elements are released from centralized control. Also called RP. (FM 3-90-2) See also lane; march column; march serial; march unit; start point.

 

relief in place – (DOD) An operation in which, by direction of higher authority, all or part of a unit is replaced in an area by the incoming unit and the responsibilities of the replaced elements for the mission and the assigned zone of operations are transferred to the incoming unit.   (JP 3-07.3) See FM 3-90-2.

 

reorganization – All measures taken by the commander to maintain unit combat effectiveness or return it to a specified level of combat capability. See also reconstitution; regeneration. (FM 3-90-1)

 

reserve – (Army) That portion of a body of troops which is withheld from action at the beginning of an engagement, in order to be available for a decisive movement. (ADRP 3-90)

 

resistance movement – (DOD) An organization effort by some portion of the civil population of a country to resist the legally established government or an occupying power and to disrupt civil order and stability. (JP 3-05) See ADRP 3-05.

 

resource management operations – The execution of the resource management mission includes analyze resource requirements, ensure commanders are aware of existing resource implications in order for them to make resource informed decisions, and then obtain the necessary funding that allows the commander to accomplish the overall unit mission. (FM 1-06)

 

resources – (DOD) The forces, materiel, and other assets or capabilities apportioned or allocated to the commander of a unified or specified command. (JP 1-02) See ATP 3-07.20.

 

responsibility – (DOD) The obligation to carry forward an assigned task to a successful conclusion. With responsibility goes authority to direct and take the necessary action to ensure success. (JP 1-02) See ADRP 6-0

 

responsiveness – The ability to react to changing requirements and respond to meet the needs to maintain support. (ADP 4-0)

 

restricted area – Any area to which entry is subject to special restrictions or control for security reasons or to safeguard property or material. (ATTP 3-39.32)

 

restricted target – (DOD) A valid target that has specific restrictions placed on the actions authorized against it due to operational considerations. (JP 3-60) See ADRP 3-09.

 

restricted target list – (DOD) A list restricted to targets nominated by elements of the joint force  and approved by the joint force commander. This list also includes restricted targets directed by higher authorities. (JP 3-60) See ADRP 3-09.

 

restrictive fire area – (DOD) An area in which specific restrictions are imposed and into which fires that exceed those restrictions will not be delivered without coordination with the establishing headquarters. Also called RFA. (JP 3-09) See FM 3-90-1.

 

restrictive fire line – (DOD) A line established between converging friendly surface forces that prohibits fires or their effects across that line. Also called RFL. See FM 3-09.

 

retain – A tactical mission task in which the commander ensures that a terrain feature controlled by a friendly force remains free of enemy occupation or use. (FM 3-90-1) See also tactical mission task.

 

retention – An Army program that ensures all Soldiers, regardless of the type of military operation, have access to career counseling and retention processing. Retention improves readiness of the force, assists in force alignment, and contributes to maintaining the Army end strength. (ATP 1-0.2)

 

retirement – A form of retrograde in which a force out of contact moves away from the enemy. (ADRP 3-90)

 

retrograde – (Army) 1. A defensive task that involves organized movement away from the enemy. (ADRP 3-90) 2. (Army) An Army logistics function of returning materiel from the owning or using unit back through the distribution system to the source of supply, directed ship to location, or point of disposal. (ADRP 1-02)

 

retrograde movement – Any movement of a command to the rear, or away from the enemy. It may be focused by the enemy or may be made voluntarily. Such movements may be classified as a withdrawal, retirement, or delaying action. (FM 3-90-1)

 

risk – (DOD) Probability and severity of loss linked to hazards. (JP 5-0) See FM 5-19.

 

risk assessment – (DOD) The identification and assessment of hazards (first two steps of risk management process). Also called RA. (JP 3-07.2) See FM 5-19 and ATP 3-60.1.

 

risk management – (DOD) The process of identifying, assessing, and controlling risks arising from operational factors and making decisions that balance risk cost with mission benefits. Also called RM. (JP 3-0) See ADRP 5-0, FM 3-57, and ATP 3-60.1.

 

route – The prescribed course to be traveled from a specific point of origin to a specific destination. (FM 3 90-1)

 

route reconnaissance – A directed effort to obtain detailed information of a specified route and all terrain from which the enemy could influence movement along that route. (ADRP 3-90)

 

rule of law – A principle under which all persons, institutions, and entities, public and private, including the state itself, are accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated, equally enforced, and independently adjudicated, and that are consistent with international human rights principles. (FM 3-07)

 

rules for the use of force – (DOD) Directives issued by competent military authority that delineate the circumstances and limitations under which United States forces will initiate and/or continue combat engagement with other forces encountered. (JP 3-28) See ADRP 3-0.

 

rules of engagement – (DOD) Directives issued by competent military authority that delineate the circumstances and limitations under which United States forces will initiate and/or continue combat engagement with other forces encountered. Also called ROE. (JP 1-04) See ADRP 3-0, ADRP 3-09, ADRP 3-05, FM 1-04, FM 3-07, ATP 3-06.1 and ATP 3-60.1.

 

running estimate – The continuous assessment of the current situation used to determine if the current operation is proceeding according to the commander’s intent and if planned future operations are supportable. (ADP 5-0)

 

     –S–

safe area – (DOD) A designated area in hostile territory that offers the evader or escapee a reasonable chance of avoiding capture and of surviving until he or she can be evacuated. (JP 3-50) See ADRP 3-05.

 

scheme of fires – The detailed, logical sequence of targets and fire support events to find and engage high-payoff targets to accomplish the supported commander’s intent. (FM 3-09)

 

science of control – The systems and procedures used to improve the commander’s understanding and support accomplishing missions. (ADP 6-0)

 

science of tactics – Encompasses the understanding of those military aspects of tactics—capabilities, techniques and procedures—that can be measured and codified. (ADRP 3-90)

 

screen – A security task that primarily provides early warning to the protected force. (ADRP 3-90) See also concealment; flank guard; guard; security operations; sensor; surveillance.

 

search and attack – A technique for conducting a movement to contact that shares many of the characteristics of an area security mission. (FM 3-90-1)

 

section – An Army unit smaller than a platoon and larger than a squad. (ADRP 3-90)

 

sector air defense  commander – (DOD) Commander, subordinate to an area/regional air defense Commander, who is responsible for air and missile defense in the assigned sector, and exercises authorities as delegated by the area/regional air defense Commander. Also called SADC. (JP 3-01) See ATP 3-27.5.

 

sector of fire – That area assigned to a unit, crew served weapon, or an individual weapon within which it will engage targets as they appear in accordance with established engagement priorities. (FM 3-90-1)

 

secure – A tactical mission task that involves preventing a unit, facility, or geographical location from being damaged or destroyed as a result of enemy action. (FM 3-90-1) See also assault; breach; denial measure; destroy; reduce; suppress; tactical mission task.

 

security area – That area that begins at the forward area of the battlefield and extends as far to the front and flanks as security forces are deployed. Forces in the security area furnish information on the enemy and delay, deceive, and disrupt the enemy and conduct counterreconnaissance. (ADRP 3-90) See also counterreconnaissance; delay; disrupt.

 

security cooperation – (DOD) All Department of Defense interactions with foreign defense establishments to build defense relationships that promote specific US security interests, develop allied and friendly military capabilities for self defense and multinational operations, and provide US forces with peacetime and contingency access to a host nation. (JP 3-22) See ADRP 3-0 and ADRP 3-07.

 

security assistance – (DOD) Group of programs authorized by the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, and the Arms Export Control Act of 1976, as amended, or other related status by which the United States provides defense articles, military training, and other defense-related services, by grant, loan, credit, or cash sales in furtherance of national policies and objectives. Security Assistance is an element of Security Cooperation Agency. Also called SA. (JP 3-22) See FM 3-57.

 

security force assistance – (DOD) The Department of  Defense activities that contribute to unified action by the U.S. Government to support the development of the capacity and capability of foreign security forces and their supporting institutions. Also called SFA. (JP 3-22) See ADRP 3-05, ADRP 3-07 and ATP 3-07.5. (Army) The unified action to generate, employ, and sustain local, host nation, or regional security forces in support of legitimate authority. (FM 3-07)

 

security operations – Those operations undertaken by a commander to provide early and accurate warning of enemy operations, to provide the force being protected with time and maneuver space within which to react to the enemy, and to develop the situation to allow the commander to effectively use the protected force. (ADRP 3-90) See also cover; guard; screen.

 

security procedural measures – Physical security measures to counter risk factors that will periodically change over a period of time—such criminal, terrorist, and hostile threats. The procedures can usually be changed in a short time and involve manpower. (ATTP 3-39)

 

security sector reform – The set of policies, plans, programs, and activities that a government undertakes to improve the way it provides safety, security, and justice. (FM 3-07)

 

seize – (Army) A tactical mission task that involves taking possession of a designated area using overwhelming force. (FM 3-90-1) See also contain; tactical mission task.

 

self-development training domain – Planned, goal-oriented learning that reinforces and expands the depth and breadth of an individual’s knowledge base, self-awareness, and situational awareness; compliments institutional and operational learning; enhances professional competence; and meets personal objectives. (ADP 7-0)

 

sequel – (DOD) The subsequent major operation or phase based on the possible outcomes (success, stalemate, or defeat) of the current major operation or phase. (JP 5-0) See FM 3-07.

 

shaping operation – An operation that establishes conditions for the decisive operation through effects on the enemy, other actors, and the terrain. (ADRP 3-0) See also decisive operation; sustaining operation.

 

signal operating instructions – (DOD) A series of orders issued for technical control and coordination of the signal communication activities of a command. (JP 6-0) See FM 6-02.53.

 

simplicity – Relates to processes and procedures to minimize the complexity of sustainment. (ADP 4-0)

 

single envelopment – A form of maneuver that results from maneuvering around one assailable flank of a designated enemy force. (FM 3-90-1)

 

situation template – (DOD) A depiction of assumed adversary dispositions, based on that adversary's preferred method of operations and the impact of the operational environment if the adversary should adopt a particular course of action. (JP 2-01.3) See FM 2-01.3.  

 

situational understanding – The product of applying analysis and judgment to relevant information to determine the relationship among the operational and mission variables to facilitate decisionmaking. (ADP 5-0)

 

sociocultural factors – (DOD) The social, cultural, and behavioral factors characterizing the relationships and activities of the population or a specific region or operational environment. (JP 2-01.3) See ADRP 3-05.

 

Soldier and leader engagement – Interpersonal interactions by Soldiers and leaders with audiences in an area of operations. (FM 3-13)

 

space-based infrared system – (DOD) A consolidated system for infrared space, air, and terrestrial surveillance and reconnaissance along with associated communication link, designed to meet missile defense, missile warning and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance mission requirements. Also called SBIRS. (JP 3-01) See ATP 3-27.5.

 

special forces – (DOD) US Army forces organized, trained, and equipped to conduct special operations with an emphasis on unconventional warfare capabilities. Also called SF. (JP 3-05) See ADP 3-05.

 

special operations – (DOD) Operations requiring unique modes of employment, tactical techniques, equipment, and training often conducted in hostile, denied, or politically sensitive environments and characterized by one or more of the following: time sensitive, clandestine, low visibility, conducted with and/or through indigenous forces, requiring regional expertise, and/or a high degree of risk. Also called SO. (JP 3-05) See ADP 3-05, ADRP 3-05, FM 1-04, and FM 3-57.

 

special operations command – (DOD) A subordinate unified or other joint command established by a joint force commander to plan, coordinate, conduct, and support joint special operations within the joint force commander’s assigned operational area. See also special operations. (JP 3-05) See ADP 3-05.

 

special operations command and control element – (DOD) A special operations element that is the focal point for the synchronization of special operations forces activities with conventional forces. Also called SOCCE. (JP 3-05) See ADRP 3-05.

 

special operations forces – (DOD) Those Active and Reserve Component forces of the Military Service designated by the Secretary of Defense and specifically organized, trained, and equipped to conduct and support special operations. Also called SOF. (JP 3-05.1) See ADP 3-05, ADRP 3-05, and ATP 3-57.20.

 

special operations liaison element – (DOD) A special operations liaison team provided by the joint force special operations component commander to the joint force air component commander (if designated) or appropriate Service component air command and control organization, to coordinate, deconflict, and integrate special operations air, surface, and subsurface operations with conventional air operations. Also called SOLE. (JP 3-05) See ADRP 3-05.

 

special operations-peculiar – (DOD) Equipment, material, supplies, and services required for special operations missions for which there is no Service-common requirement. Also called SO-peculiar. (JP 3-05) See ADRP 3-05.

 

special operations task force – A temporary or semipermanent grouping of Army special operations forces units under one commander and formed to carry out a specific operation or a continuing mission. Also called SOTF. (ADRP 3-05)

 

special reconnaissance – (DOD) Reconnaissance and surveillance actions conducted as a special operation in hostile, denied, or politically sensitive environments to collect or verify information of strategic or operational significance, employing military capabilities not normally found in conventional forces. (JP 3-05) See ADP 3-05, ADRP 3-05, ADRP 3-90, and FM 3-90-2.

 

special warfare – The execution of activities that involve a combination of lethal and nonlethal actions taken by a specially trained and educated force that has a deep understanding of cultures and foreign language, proficiency in small-unit tactics, and the ability to build and fight alongside indigenous combat formations in a permissive, uncertain, or hostile environment. (ADP 3-05)

 

specified task – (Army) A task specifically assigned to a unit by its higher headquarters. (ATTP 5-0.1) See also essential task; implied task.

 

spoiling attack – A tactical maneuver employed to seriously impair a hostile attack while the enemy is in the process of forming or assembling for an attack. (FM 3-90-1)

 

squad – A small military unit typically containing two or more fire teams. (ADRP 3-90)

 

stability mechanism – The primary method through which friendly forces affect civilians in order to attain conditions that support establishing a lasting, stable peace. (ADRP 3-0)

 

stability operations – (DOD) An overarching term encompassing various military missions, tasks, and activities conducted outside the United States in coordination with other instruments of national power to maintain or reestablish a safe and secure environment, provide essential governmental services, emergency infrastructure reconstruction, and humanitarian relief. (JP 3-0)  See ADP 3-05, ADRP 3-37, FM 1-04, FM 3-07, and FM 3-57.

 

stability tasks – Tasks conducted as part of operations outside the United States in coordination with other instruments of national power to maintain or reestablish a safe and secure environment and provide essential governmental services, emergency infrastructure reconstruction, and humanitarian relief. (ADP 3-07)

 

stabilization – The process by which underlying tensions that might lead to resurgence in violence and a breakdown in the law and order are managed and reduced, while efforts are made to support preconditions for successful long term development. (FM 3-07)

 

staff section – A group of staff members by area of expertise under a coordination, special, or personal staff officer. (ATTP 5-0.1)

 

standard bridging – Any bridging derived from manufactured bridge systems and components that are designed to be transportable, easily constructed, and reused. (ATTP 3-90.4)

 

standard operating procedure – (DOD) A set of instructions covering those features of operations which lend themselves to a definite or standardized procedure without loss of effectiveness. The procedure is applicable unless ordered otherwise. Also called SOP. (JP 1-02)  See ATP 3-90.90.

 

strategic communication – (DOD) Focused United States Government efforts to understand and engage key audiences to create, strengthen, or preserve conditions favorable for the advancement of United States Government interests, policies, and objectives through the use of coordinated programs, plans, themes, messages, and products synchronized with the actions of all interments of national power.  Also called SC. (JP 5-0) See ATP 3-55.12.

 

start point – A location on a route where the march elements fall under the control of a designated march commander. Also called SP. (FM 3-90-2)

 

stay behind operation – An operation in which the commander leaves a unit in position to conduct a specified mission while the remainder of the forces withdraw or retire from an area. (FM 3-90-1)

 

straggler control – Operations conducted to regulate friendly forces who have become separated from their commands by events in the area of operations. (FM 3-39)

 

strength reporting – The numerical end product of the personnel accountability process to reflect the combat power of a unit.  It is based on fill versus authorizations and drives Army readiness and personnel readiness management.  Strength reporting is used to monitor unit strength, prioritize replacements, execute strength distribution, and make tactical and human resources support decisions.  Strength reporting is conducted at each mission command level. (ATP 1-0.2)

 

strike coordination and reconnaissance – A mission flown for the purpose of detecting targets and coordinating or performing attack or reconnaissance on those targets. Also called SCAR. (JP 3-03) See ATP 3-55.6 and ATP 3-60.1.

 

striking force – A dedicated counterattack force in a mobile defense constituted with the bulk of available combat power. (ADRP 3-90) See also mobile defense.

 

strong point – A heavily fortified battle position tied to a natural or reinforcing obstacle to create an anchor for the defense or to deny the enemy decisive or key terrain. (ADRP 3-90) Also called SP. See also battle position; mobile defense.

 

subsequent position – A position that a unit expects to move to during the course of battle. (ADRP 3-90)

 

subversion – (DOD) Actions designated to undermine the military, economic, psychological, or political strength or morale of a governing authority. (JP 3-24) See ADRP 3-05.

 

supplementary position – A defensive position located within a unit’s assigned area of operations that provides the best sectors of fire and defensive terrain along an avenue of approach that is not the primary avenue along where the enemy is expected to attack. (ADRP 3-90) See also alternate position; area of operations; avenue of approach; battle position; sector of fire.

 

supply – The process of providing all items necessary to equip, maintain, and operate a military command. See also classes of supply. (ADRP 1-02)

 

supply discipline – Command responsibility to identify and redistribute excess materials, observe senior commander’s priorities, and ensure subordinates operate within the legal boundaries of the logistics system. (ADRP 1-02)

 

support – (DOD) 1. The action of a force that aids, protects, complements, or sustains another force in accordance with the directive requiring such action. 2. A unit that helps another unit in battle. 3. An element of a command that assists, protects, or supplies other forces in combat. (JP 1) See FM 3-07.

 

support area – In contiguous areas of operations, an area for any commander that extends from its rear boundary forward to the rear boundary of the next lower level of command. (ADRP 3-0)

 

support bridging – Bridges used to establish semipermanent or permanent support to planned movements and road networks. Normally used to replace tactical bridging when necessary. (ATTP 3-90.4)

 

support by fire – A tactical mission task in which a maneuver force moves to a position where it can engage the enemy by direct fire in support of another maneuvering force. (FM 3-90-1) See also attack by fire; overwatch; tactical mission task.

 

support by fire position – The general position from which a unit conducts the tactical mission task of support by fire. (ADRP 3-90)

 

support to civil administration – Assistance given by U.S. armed forces to stabilize or to continue the operations of the governing body or civil structure of a foreign country, whether by assisting an established government of by establishing military authority over an occupied population. Also called SCA. (FM 3-57)

 

supported unit – As related to contracted support, a supported unit is the organization that is the recipient, but not necessarily the requester of, contractor provided support. (ATTP 4-10)

 

supporting distance – The distance between two units that can be traveled in time for one to come to the aid of the other and prevent its defeat by an enemy or ensure it regains control of a civil situation. (ADRP 3-0) See also supporting range.

 

supporting effort – A designated subordinate unit with a mission that supports the success of the main effort. (ADRP 3-0)

 

supporting range – The distance one unit may be geographically separated from a second unit yet remain within the maximum range of the second unit’s weapons systems. (ADRP 3-0) See also supporting distance.

 

suppress – A tactical mission task that results in temporary degradation of the performance of a force or weapons system below the level needed to accomplish the mission. (FM 3-90-1) See also tactical mission task.

 

suppression of enemy air defenses – (DOD) Activity that neutralizes, destroys, or temporarily degrades surface-based enemy air defenses by destructive and/or disruptive means. Also called SEAD. (JP 3-01) See ATP 3-55.6.

 

surgical strike – The execution of activities in a precise manner that employ special operations forces in hostile, denied, or politically sensitive environments to seize, destroy, capture, exploit, recover, or damage designated targets, or influence threats. (ADP 3-05)

 

surveillance – (DOD) The systematic observation of aerospace, surface or subsurface areas, places, persons, or things by visual, aural, electronic, photographic, or other means. (JP 3-0) See FM 3-55 and ATP 3-55.6.

 

survivability – (DOD) All aspects of protecting personnel, weapons, and supplies while simultaneously deceiving the enemy. (JP 3-34)  See ADRP 3-90 and FM 3-90-1.

 

survivability move – A move that involves rapidly displacing a unit, command post, or facility in response to direct and indirect fires, the approach of an enemy unit, a natural phenomenon, or as a proactive measure based on intelligence, meteorological data, and risk analysis of enemy capabilities and intentions (including weapons of mass destruction). (ADRP 3-90)

 

sustaining operation – An operation at any echelon that enables the decisive operation or shaping operations by generating and maintaining combat power. (ADRP 3-0) See also decisive operation; shaping operation.

 

sustainment – (Army) The provision of logistics, personnel services, and health service support necessary to maintain operations until successful mission completion. (ADP 4-0)

 

sustainment preparation of the operational environment – The analysis to determine infrastructure, environmental factors, and resources in the operational environment that will optimize or adversely impact friendly forces means for supporting and sustaining the commander’s operations plan. (ADP 4-0)

 

sustainment warfighting function – The related tasks and systems that provide support and services to ensure freedom of action, extend operational reach, and prolong endurance. (ADRP 3-0) See also warfighting function.

 

synchronization – (DOD) 1. The arrangement of military actions in time, space, and purpose to produce maximum relative combat power at a decisive place and time (JP 2-0) See ADP 3-0 and ADRP 3-0. 2. In the intelligence context, application of intelligence sources and methods in concert with the operation plan to ensure intelligence requirements are answered in time to influence the decisions they support.  (JP 2-0) See FM 3-07 and ATP 3-07.20.

 

synchronization matrix – A tool the staff uses to record the results of wargaming and helps them synchronize a course of action across time, space, and purpose in relationship to potential enemy and civil actions. (ATTP 5-0.1)

 

system – (DOD) A functionally, physically, and/or behaviorally related group of regularly interacting or interdependent elements; that group of elements forming a unified whole. (JP 3-0) See FM 3-07.

 

 –T–

tactical air control party – (DOD) A subordinate operational component of a tactical air control system designed to provide air liaison to land forces and for the control of aircraft. Also called TACP. (JP 3-09.3) See FM 3-52.

 

tactical bridging – Bridges used for the immediate mobility support of combat maneuver forces in close combat. They are very often employed under the threat of direct or indirect fire and are intended to be used multiple times for short periods. (ATTP 3-90.4)

 

tactical command post – A facility containing a tailored portion of a unit headquarters designed to control portions of an operation for a limited time. (ATTP 5-0.1) See also command post.

 

tactical control – (DOD) Command authority over assigned or attached forces or commands, or military capability or forces made available for tasking, that is limited to the detailed direction and control of movements or maneuvers within the operational area necessary to accomplish missions or tasks assigned. Tactical control is inherent in operational control. Tactical control may be delegated to, and exercised at any level at or below the level of combatant command. Tactical control provides sufficient authority for controlling and directing the application of force or tactical use of combat support assets within the assigned mission or task. Also called TACON. (JP 1) See ADRP 5-0.

 

tactical level of war – (DOD) The level of war at which battles and engagements are planned and executed to achieve military objectives assigned to tactical units or task forces. (JP 3-0) See ADP 3-90.

 

tactical mission task – The specific activity performed by a unit while executing a form of tactical operation or form of maneuver. It may be expressed in terms of either actions by a friendly force or effects on an enemy force. See also mission statement; operation order. (FM 3-90-1)

 

tactical questioning – (DOD) Direct questioning by any Department of Defense personnel of a captured or detained person to obtain time sensitive tactical intelligence information, at or near the point of capture or detention and consistent with applicable law. (JP 3-63) See FM 2-91.6 and FM 1-04.

 

tactical road march – A rapid movement used to relocate units within an area of operations to prepare for combat operations. (ADRP 3-90) See also area of operations.

 

tactics – (DOD) The employment and ordered arrangement of forces in relation to each other. (CJCSM 5120.01) See ADP 3-90 and ADRP 3-90.

 

target – (DOD) 1. An entity or object considered for possible engagement or other action. See ADP 3-09 and ADRP 3-09. 2. In intelligence usage, a country, area, installation, agency, or person against which intelligence operations are directed. 3. An area designated and numbered for future firing. See FM 3-90-1. 4. In gunfire support usage, an impact burst that hits the target. (JP 3-60) See FM 3-60, ATP 3-07.20, and ATP 3-06.1.

 

target acquisition – (DOD) The detection, identification, and location of a target in sufficient detail to permit the effective employment of weapons. Also called TA. (JP 3-60) See ADRP 3-09 and ATP 3-55.6.

 

target analysis – (DOD) An examination of potential targets to determine military importance, priority of attack, and weapons required to obtain a desired level of damage or casualties. (JP 3-60) See ATP 3-55.6.

 

target audience – (DOD) An individual or group selected for influence. Also called TA. (JP 3-60) See ATP 3-07.20.

 

target identification – The accurate and timely characterization of a detected object on that battlefield as friend, neutral, or enemy. This aspect of combat identification is time sensitive and directly supports a combatant’s shoot or don’t shoot decision for detected objects on the battlefield. (ADRP 1-02) See ADRP 3-37.

 

target of opportunity – (DOD) 1. A target identified too late, or not selected for action in time, to be included in deliberate targeting that, when detected or located, meets criteria specific to achieving objectives and is processed using dynamic targeting. 2. A target visible to a surface or air sensor or observer, which is within range of available weapons and against which fire has not been scheduled or requested.   (JP 3-60) See ATP 3-60.1.

 

target reference point – An easily recognizable point on the ground (either natural or man made) used to initiate, distribute, and control fires. Also called TRP. See also engagement area; sector of fire. (ADRP 1-02)

 

targeted area of interest – (DOD) The geographical area where high-value targets can be acquired and engaged by friendly forces. Not all target areas of interest will form part of the friendly course of action; only target areas of interest associated with high priority targets are of interest to the staff. These are identified during staff planning and wargaming. Target areas of interest differ from engagement areas in degree.  Engagement areas plan for the use of all available weapons. Target areas of interest might be engaged by a single weapon. Also called TAI. (JP 2-01.3) See ATP 3-55.6. (Army) The geographical area or point along a mobility corridor where successful interdiction will cause the enemy to abandon a particular course of action or require the enemy to use specialized engineer support to continue. It is where the enemy force can be acquired and engaged by friendly forces. (ADRP 1-02) See also high payoff target; high value target.   

 

targeting – (DOD) The process of selecting and prioritizing targets and matching the appropriate response to them, considering operational requirements and capabilities. (JP 3-0) See ADP 3-09, ADRP 3-09, ADRP 5-0, and ATP 3-55.6.

 

task organization – (Army) A temporary grouping of forces designed to accomplish a particular mission. (ADRP 5-0)

 

task organizing – The act of designing an operating force, support staff, or sustainment package of specific size and composition to meet a unique task or mission. (ADRP 3-0)

 

technical control – The supervision of human intelligence, counterintelligence, and signals intelligence collection tactics, techniques, and procedures. Technical control does not interfere with tasking organic human intelligence, counterintelligence, and signals intelligence collection assets; it ensures adherence to existing policies or regulations by providing technical guidance for human intelligence, counterintelligence, and signals intelligence tasks within the information collection plan. (ATTP 2-01)

 

techniques – (DOD) Non-prescriptive ways or methods used to perform missions, functions, or task. (CJCSM 5120.01) See NA.

 

tempo – The relative speed and rhythm of military operations over time with respect to the enemy. (ADRP 3-0)

 

terminal phase – (DOD) That portion of the flight of a ballistic missile that begins when the warhead or payload reenters the atmosphere and ends when the warhead or payload detonates, release its submunitions, or impacts. (JP 3-01) See ATP 3-27.5.

 

terrain analysis – (Army) The study of the terrain’s properties and how they change over time, with use, and under varying weather conditions.  Terrain analysis starts with the collection, verification, processing, revision, and construction of source date. It requires the analysis of climatology (current and forecasted weather conditions), natural and man-made features, and enemy or friendly vehicle performance metrics. Terrain analysis is a technical process and requires the expertise of geospatial information technicians and geospatial engineers. (ATTP 3-34.80)

 

terrain management – The process of allocating terrain by establishing areas of operation, designating assembly areas, and specifying locations for units and activities to deconflict activities that might interfere with each other. (ADRP 5-0) See also area of operations.

 

terrorism – (DOD) The unlawful use of violence or threat of violence to instill fear and coerce governments or societies. Terrorism is often motivated by religious, political, or other ideological beliefs and committed in the pursuit of goals that are usually political. (JP 3-07.2) See FM 3-57.

 

theater – (DOD) The geographical area for which a commander of a geographic combatant command has been assigned responsibility. (JP 1) See ATP 3-57.20.

 

theater closing – The process of redeploying Army forces and equipment from a theater, the drawdown and removal or disposition of Army non-unit equipment and materiel, and the transition of materiel and facilities back to host nation or civil authorities. (ADP 4-0)

 

theater distribution – (DOD) The flow of equipment, personnel, and material within theater to meet the geographic combatant commander’s mission. (JP 4-09) See ADRP 4-0.

 

theater opening – The ability to establish and operate ports of debarkation (air, sea, and rail), to establish a distribution system, and to facilitate throughput for the reception, staging, and onward movement of forces within a theater of operations. (ADP 4-0)

 

theater special operations command – (DOD) A subordinate unified command established by a combatant commander to plan, coordinate, conduct, and support joint special operations. (JP 3-05) See ADP 3-05 and ADRP 3-05.

 

theater validation identification – The employment of multiple independent, established protocols and technologies by scientific experts in the controlled environment of a fixed or mobile/transportable laboratory to characterize a chemical, biological, radiological, and/or nuclear hazard with a high level of confidence and degree of certainty necessary to support operational-level decisions. (ATP 3-11.37)

 

threat – Any combination of actors, entities, or forces that have the capability and intent to harm United States forces, United States national interests, or the homeland. (ADRP 3-0)

 

time of attack – The moment the leading elements of the main body cross the line of departure or, in a night attack, the point of departure. (ADRP 3-90) See also line of departure; point of departure.

 

time on target – (DOD) The actual time at which munitions impact the target. Also called TOT. (JP 3-09.3) See FM 100-30.  

 

time-sensitive target – (DOD) A joint force commander validated target or set of targets requiring immediate response because it is a highly lucrative, fleeting target of opportunity or is poses (or will soon pose) a danger to friendly forces. Also called TST. (JP 3-60) See ATP 3-60.1.

 

token – An electronic identification method used within a multi-node configured command and control, battle management, and communications suite to identify the lead server for transmission of track data. The token may be transferred between suites to maintain positive integrity of track data. The suite where the token resides is the only suite that may make changes to the AN/TPY-2 (FBM) system configuration. The token methodology also applies within a single node command and control, battle management, and communications suite, but the token remains within the single node. (ATP 3-27.5)

 

track – (DOD) 1. A series of related contacts displayed on a data display console or other display device. (JP 3-01) See ATP 3-27.5. 2. To display of record the successive positions of a moving object. (JP 3-01) See ATP 3-55.6 and ATP 3-27.5. 3. To lock into a point of radiation and obtain guidance there from. 4. To keep a gun properly aimed, or to point continuously a target-locating instrument at a moving target.  

5. The actual path of an aircraft above or a ship on the surface of the Earth. 6. One of the two endless belts of which a full-track or half-track vehicle runs. 7. A metal part forming a path of a moving object such as the track around the inside of a vehicle for moving a mounted machine gun. (JP 3-01) See ATP 3-27.5.    

 

traffic control post – Manned post used to preclude interruption of traffic flow or movement along designated routes. It is used to support maneuver and mobility support operations when required to facilitate movement. Also called TCP. (FM 3-39)

 

trail party – The last march unit in a march column and normally consists of primarily maintenance elements in a mounted march. (FM 3-90-2) See also march serial; march unit; maintenance collection point.

 

training and evaluation outline – A summary document that provides information on collective training objectives, related individual training objectives, resource requirements, and applicable evaluation procedures for a type of organization. (ADRP 7-0)

 

training objective – A statement that describes the desired outcome of a training activity in the unit. (ADRP 7-0)

 

transitional military authority – A temporary military government exercising the functions of civil administration in the absence of a legitimate civil authority. (FM 3-07)

 

transportation – A logistics function: the movement of units, personnel, equipment, and supplies to support the concept of operations. Transportation incorporates military, commercial, and multinational assets. Transportation includes motor, rail, air, and water modes. Transportation nodes include motor, rail, air, and water terminal operations. Transportation also includes movement control and associated activities. (ADRP 1-02)

 

traveling overwatch – A movement technique used when contact with enemy forces is possible. The lead element and trailing element are separated by a short distance which varies with the terrain. The trailing element moves at variable speeds and may pause for short periods to overwatch the lead element. It keys its movement to terrain and the lead element. The trailing element over-watches at such a distance that, should the enemy engage the lead element, it will not prevent the trailing element from firing or moving to support the lead element. (FM 3-90-2)

 

trigger line – A phase line located on identifiable terrain that crosses the engagement area—used to initiate and mass fires into an engagement area at a predetermined range for all or like weapon systems. See also engagement area; phase line. (ADRP 1-02)

 

troop – A company size unit in a cavalry organization. (ADRP 3-90)

 

troop leading procedures – A dynamic process used by small unit leaders to analyze a mission, develop a plan, and prepare for an operation. (ADP 5-0)

 

troop movement – The movement of troops from one place to another by any available means. (ADRP 3-90)

 

turn – 1. A tactical mission task that involves forcing an enemy force from one avenue of approach or mobility corridor to another. 2. A tactical obstacle effect that integrates fire planning and obstacle effort to divert an enemy formation from one avenue of approach to an adjacent avenue of approach or into an engagement area. (FM 3-90-1) See also avenue of approach; tactical mission task.

 

turning movement – (Army) A form of maneuver in which the attacking force seeks to avoid the enemy’s principle defensive positions by seizing objectives behind the enemy’s current positions thereby causing the enemy force to move out of their current positions or divert mayor forces to meet the threat. (FM 3-90-1)

 

  –U–

unanticipated target – (DOD) A target of opportunity that was unknown or not expected to exist in the operational environment. (JP 3-60)  See ATP 3-60.1.

 

unauthorized commitment – (DOD) An agreement that is not binding solely because the United States Government representative who made it lacked the authority to enter into that agreement on behalf of the United States Government. (JP 4-10) See FM 1-04.

 

uncertain environment – (DOD) Operational environment in which host government forces, whether opposed to or receptive to operations that a unit intends to conduct, do not have totally effective control of the territory and population in the intended operational area. (JP 3-0)  See FM 3-57.

 

uncommitted force – A force that is not in contact with an enemy and is not already deployed on a specific mission or course of action. (ADRP 3-90)

 

unconventional warfare  – (DOD) Activities conducted to enable a resistance movement or insurgency to coerce, disrupt, or overthrow a government or occupying power by operating through or with an underground, auxiliary, and guerilla force in a denied area. Also called UW. (JP 3-05) See ADP 3-05 and ADRP 3-05.

 

underground – A cellular covert element within unconventional warfare that is compartmentalized and conducts covert or clandestine activities in areas normally denied to the auxiliary and the guerrilla force. (ADRP 3-05)

 

unified action – (DOD) The synchronization, coordination, and/or integration of the activities of governmental and nongovernmental entities with military operations to achieve unity of effort. (JP 1) See ADRP 3-0. ADRP 3-07, ADP 6-0, ADRP 6-0, and FM 3-50.1.

 

unified action partners – Those military forces, governmental and nongovernmental organizations, and elements of the private sector with whom Army forces plan, coordinate, synchronize, and integrate during the conduct of operations. (ADRP 3-0)

 

unified command – (DOD) A command with a broad continuing mission under a single commander and composed of significant assigned components of two or more Military Departments that is established and so designated by the President, through the Secretary of Defense with the advice and assistance of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  Also called unified combatant command. (JP 1) See FM 3-57

 

unified land operations – How the Army seizes, retains, and exploits the initiative to gain and maintain a position or relative advantage in sustained land operations through simultaneous offensive, defensive, and stability operations in order to prevent or deter conflict, prevail in war, and create the conditions for favorable conflict resolution. (ADP 3-0)

 

unit – (DOD) Any military element whose structure is prescribed by competent authority, such as a table of organization and equipment; specifically, part of an organization. (JP 3-33) See chapter 4 of this publication.

 

unity of command – (DOD) The operation of all forces under a single responsible commander who has the requisite authority to direct and employ those forces in pursuit of a common purpose. (JP 3-0) See ADP 6-0.

 

unity of effort – (DOD) Coordination, and cooperation toward common objectives, even if the participants are not necessarily part of the same command or organization—the product of successful unified action. (JP 1) See ADP 3-0, ADRP 3-0, ADP 6-0, ADRP 6-0 and ATP 3-07.5.

 

unplanned target – (DOD) A target of opportunity that is known to exist in the operational environment. (JP 3-60) See ATP 3-60.1.

 

urban operations – Operations across the range of military operations planned and conducted on, or against objectives on a topographical complex and its adjacent natural terrain, where man made construction or the density of population are the dominant features. (FM 3-06)

 

 –V–

validation – (DOD) 1. A process associated with the collection and production of intelligence that confirms that an intelligence collection or production requirement is sufficiently important to justify the dedication of intelligence resources, does not duplicate and existing requirement, and has not been previously satisfied. 2. A part of target development that ensures all vetted targets meet the objectives and criteria outlined in the commander’s guidance and ensures compliance with the law of war and rules of engagement. 3. In computer modeling and simulation, the process of determining the degree to which a model or simulation is an accurate representation of the real world from the perspective of the intended uses of the model or simulation. 4. Execution procedure whereby all the information records in a time-phased force and deployment data are confirmed error free and accurately reflect the current status, attributes, and availability of units and requirements. (JP 3-35) See ATP 3-60.1.

 

vehicle distance – The clearance between vehicles in a column which is measured from the rear of one vehicle to the front of the following vehicle. See also march column; march serial; march unit. (ADRP 1-02)

 

vertical envelopment – (DOD) A tactical maneuver in which troops that are air-dropped, air-land, or inserted via air assault, attack the rear and flanks of a force, in effect cutting off or encircling the force. (JP 3-18) See FM 3-90-1.

 

vetting – (DOD) A part of target development that assesses the accuracy of the supporting intelligence to targeting. (JP 3-60) See ATP 3-60.1.

 

visual information – (DOD) Various visual media with or without sound. Generally, visual information includes still and motion photography, audio video recording, graphic arts, visual aids, models, displays, and visual presentations. Also called VI. (JP 3-61) See ATP 3-55.12.

 

vulnerabilities – Characteristics, motives, or conditions of the target audience that can be used to influence behavior. (FM 3-53)

 

  –W–

waiting area – A location adjacent to the route or axis that may be used for the concealment of vehicles, troops, and equipment while an element is waiting to resume movement. Waiting areas are normally located on both banks (or sides) close to crossing areas. (ATTP 3-90.4)

 

warfighting function – A group of tasks and systems (people, organizations, information, and processes), united by a common purpose that commanders use to accomplish missions and training objectives. (ADRP 3-0)

 

wargaming – A step by step process of action, reaction, and counteraction for visualizing the execution of each friendly course of action in relation to enemy courses of action and reactions. See also branch; commander’s visualization; decision point; sequel. (ADRP 1-02)

 

weapon engagement zone – (DOD) In air defense, airspace of defined dimensions within which the responsibility for engagement of air threats normally rests with a particular weapon system. Also called WEZ. (JP 3-01) See ATP 3-06.1.

 

weapons of mass destruction – (DOD) Chemical, biological, radiological. Or nuclear weapons capable of a high order of destruction or causing mass casualties and exclude the means of transporting or propelling the weapon where such means is a separable and divisible part from the weapon. Also called WMD. (JP 3-40) See ADRP 3-05.

 

weapons of mass destruction counterforce – A tactical objective to defeat the full range of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats before they can be employed as weapons. (FM 3-11)

 

weapons of mass destruction proliferation prevention – The employment of tactical level capabilities to support operational and strategic nonproliferation objectives of combating weapons of mass destruction. (FM 3-11)

 

wide area security – The application of the elements of combat power in unified action to protect populations, forces, infrastructure, and activities; to deny the enemy positions of advantage; and to consolidate gains in order to retain the initiative. (ADP 3-0)

 

withdrawal operation – (DOD) A planned retrograde operation in which a force in contact disengages from an enemy force and moves in a direction away from the enemy, (JP 1-02) See ADRP 3-90 and FM 3-90-1.

 

working group – (Army) A grouping of predetermined staff representatives who meet to provide analysis, coordinate, and provide recommendations for a particular purpose or function. (ATTP 5-0.1)

 

 –X–

None.

 

 –Y–

None.

 

 –Z–

zone reconnaissance – A form of reconnaissance that involves a directed effort to obtain detailed information on all routes, obstacles, terrain, and enemy forces within a zone defined by boundaries. (ADRP 3-90)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acronyms and Abbreviations

 –A–

AAMDC – Army air and missile defense command

AAP – Allied administrative publication

ABCA – American, British, Canadian, Australian Armies Program

ABCT – armored brigade combat team

*ACT – activity

ACU – Army combat uniform

ADAM – air defense airspace management

ADP – Army doctrine publication

ADRP – Army doctrine reference publication

ADSI – air defense systems integrator

AELT – aeromedical evacuation liaison team

AEP – allied engineering publication

AGL – above ground level

AHS – Army Health System

AGM – attack guidance matrix

AIT – automated identification technology

ALE – Army special operations forces liaison element

AMB – air mission brief

AMC – air mission commander, *air mission coordinator

AMDWS – air and missile defense workstation

AML – area medical labratory

AOIR – area of intelligence responsibility

*AOR – area of responsibility

APP – Allied procedural publication

APS – Army pre-positioned stocks

AR – Army regulation

ARFOR – Army forces

ARFORGEN – Army force generation

ARSOAC – Army Special Operations Aviation Command

arty – artillery

ASB – aviation support battalion

ASCC – Army Service component command

*ASR – alternate supply route

ATCICA – Army theater counterintelligence coordinating authority

ATHP – ammunition transfer and holding point

*ATO – air tasking order

ATP – Army techniques publication

ATTP – Army tactics, techniques, and procedures

AUTL – Army Universal Task List

 

–B–

BCS3 – Battle Command Sustainment Support System

*BDA – battle damage assessment

BDAR – battle damage assessment and repair

BH – behavioral health

*BHL – battle handover line

BIO – biological

*BM – battle management

BMSO – brigade medical supply officer

BSB – brigade support battalion

BSMC – brigade support medical company

btry – battery

 

 –C–

*C2 – command and control

*CA – civil administration

CAB – civil affairs brigade; combined arms battalion, ʲcombat aviation brigade

CACOM – civil affairs command

CAAF – contractor personnel authorized to accompany the force

CAISI – Combat Service Support Automated Information Systems Interface

*CAP – crisis action planning

CARVER – criticality, accessibility, recuperability, vulnerability, effect, and recognizability [a target assessment technique]

*CASEVAC – casualty evacuation

CAT – civil affairs team

CATS – combined arms training strategy

CBRN – chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear

CBRNWRS – chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear warning and reporting system

CCP – casualty collection point, communications checkpoint, communications contingency package, contingency command post

CDD –  chemical decontamination detachment

CDRJSOTF – commander, joint special operations task force

CFZ – critical friendly zone

CFFZ – call for fire zone

cGy – centigray

chem – chemical

CI – counterintelligence, *civil internee

*CID – combat identification

CIG – civil information grid

*CIM – civil information management

CIVCAS – civilian casualty

*CLT – civil liaison team

CJSOTF – combined joint special operations task force

*CM – consequence management

*CME – civil-military engagement

*CMOC – civil-military operations

*CMSE civil-military support element

*COCOM – combatant command (command authority)

COF – chief of fires

*COMCAM – combat camera

*COG – center of gravity

COIC – current operations intergration cell

COLPRO – collective protection

COSC – combat and operational stress control

*CP – counterproliferation

*CR – civil reconnaissance

CRM – composite risk management

CRSP – centralized receiving and shipping point

*CS – civil support

*CSAR – combat search and rescue

CSB – contracting support brigade

CSC – component subordinate command

CSSB – combat sustainment support battalion

CUL – common-user logistics

CULT – common-user land transportation

CZ – censor zone

 

–D–

DA – Department of the Army

DAFL – directive authority for logistics

DCGS – distributed common ground/surface system

DCGS-A – Distributed Common Ground System—Army

DFSCOORD – deputy fire support coordinator

DDOC – deployment distribution operations center (USTRANSCOM) [United States Transportation Command]

DMC – distribution management center

DOD – Department of Defense

DODD – Department of Defense directive

DOTMLPF – doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel, and facilities [the force development domains]

*DZ – drop zone

 –E–

*EC – enemy combatant

ECC – expeditionary contracting command

EMP – electromagnetic pulse

EOD – explosive ordnance disposal

*EPA – evasion plan of action

EPAS – environmental performance assessment system

*ERP – engineer regulating point

ESC – expeditionary sustainment command

*ESFs – emergency support functions

EWL – engineer work line

 

 –F–

FAAD – forward area air defense

FAIO – field artillery intelligence officer

FARE – forward area refueling equipment

FARP – forward arming and refueling point

FBCB2 – Force XXI Battle Command, brigade and below

FC – fires cell

*FCL – final coordination line

FE – fires element

*FFA – free-fire area

*FHA – foreign humanitarian assistance

FIB – fires brigade

*FID – foreign internal defense

*FLIR – forward-looking infrared

FM – field manual

FMC – financial management center, field medical card, full mission-capable

FMT – field maintenance team

*FPL – final protective line

FS – fire support

FSC – forward support company

FST – field support team; forward surgical team

FTCP – field trains command post

 

 –G–

G-1 – assistant chief of staff, personnel

G-2 –  assistant chief of staff, intelligence

G-2X – counterintelligence and human intelligence staff officer for a general staff

G-3 – assistant chief of staff, operations

G-4 – assistant chief of staff, logistics

G-5 – assistant chief of staff, plans

G-6 – assistant chief of staff, signal

G-7 – assistant chief of staff, inform and influences activities

G-8 – assistant chief of staff, financial management

G-9 – assistant chief of staff, civil affairs operations

GCSS–A – Global Combat Support System–Army

GEOINT – geospatial intelligence

*GBMD – global-based missile defense

*GMD – ground-based midcourse defense

GSB – group support battalion

 

 –H–

H – mustard agent

*HACC – humanitarian assistance coordination center

HAZCOM – hazard communication

*HCA – humanitarian and civic assistance

HHB – headquarters and headquarters battery [field artillery and air defense artillery]

HL – mustard-lewisite mixture (blister agent)

*HN – host nation

*HNS – host nation support

*HRP – high-risk personnel

HRSC – human resources sustainment center

*HSS – health service support

HUMINT – human intelligence

*HVAA – high-value airborne asset protection

 

  –I–

*IAMD – integrated air and missile defense

*ICS – incident command system

ID – infantry division

*IDAD – internal defense and development

IED – improvised explosive device

IEM – installation emergency management

IIA – inform and influence activities

*IO – information operations

*IPB – intelligence preparation of the battlefield

*IPE – Individual protective equipment

*IPI – indigenous populations and institutions

*ISOPREP – isolated personnel report

*ITV – in-transit visibility

*IW – irregular warfare

 

  –J–

J-2X – joint force counterintelligence and human intelligence staff element

JDDOC – joint deployment and distribution operations center

JEM – joint effects model

*JFSOACC – joint special operations air component commander

*JFSOCC – joint force special operations component commander

JIIM – joint, interagency, intergovernmental, multinational

JLENS – joint land attack cruise missile elevated netted sensor

JLOTS – joint logistics over-the-shore

JP – joint publication

*JPRC – joint personnel recovery center

JSLIST – joint service lightweight integrated suit technology

*JSOTF – joint special operations task force

*JTF – joint task force

 

 –K–

None.

 –L–

L – lewisite

LC/LA – low-cost and low-altitude

LD/LC – line of departure is line of contact

*LL – light line

*LOA – limit of advance

LOB – line of bearing

*LOC – line of communications

LOGCAP – logistics civil augmentation program

*LOGPAC – logistics package

LOTS – logistics over-the-shore

LP/OP – listening post or observation post

LRP – logistics release point

LRS – long-range surveillance

LTIOV – latest time information is of value

LTL – laser-to-target line

*LZ – landing zone

 

   –M–

MASINT – measurement and signature intelligence

*MCP – maintenance collection point

*MDMP – military decisionmaking process

MEB – maneuver enhancement brigade

MEDBDE – medical brigade

METT-TC – mission, enemy, terrain and weather, troops and support available-time available, civil considerations [mission variables]

MFF – military free fall

MHS – Military Health System

MIL-STD – military standard

MLC – medical logistics company

MMB – medical battalion (multifunctional)

MOPP – mission-oriented protective posture

MPAT – military information support planning and advisory team

MRL – multiple rocket launcher

*MSR – main supply route

MST – maintenance support team

 

  –N–

NAAK – nerve agent antidote kit

*NAF – nonappropriated funds

NAI – named area of interest

NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organization

*NEOs – noncombat evacuation operations

NETCOM – network command

NFA – no-fire area

NFL – no-fire line

NGO – nongovernmental organization

*NIMS – National Incident Management System

*NSL – no-strike list

*NVD – night vision device

*NVG – night vision goggle(s)

 

  –O–

*OA – operation area

OAKOC – observation and fields of fire, avenues of approach, key terrain, obstacles, and cover and concealment [military aspects of terrain]

*OCA – offensive counterair

OCS – operational contract support

O/O – on order

OP – observation post

*Oplan – operaion plan

*OPORD – operation order

*ORF – operational readiness float

OSINT – open-source intelligence

OTL – observer target line

 

  –P–

PA – public affairs, physician assistant

*PB – peace building

PBUSE – property book unit supply enhanced

PDC – product development company

*PIO – police intelligence operations

PIR – priority intelligence requirement

*PLD – probable line of deployment

PMCS – preventive maintenance checks and services

PMESII-PT – political, military, economic, social, information, infrastructure, physical environment, time [operational variables]

*PN – partner nation

PO – psychological operations objective, *peace operations

*PPE – personal protective equipment

PSYACT – psychological operations action

*PWS – performance work statement

PZCO – pickup zone control officer

 –Q–

None.

 

 –R–

R – reinforcing

RAD – radiation absorbed dose

*RADC – regional air defense commander

*RECON – reconnaissance

RDSP – rapid decision-making and synchronization process

RFI – request for information

*RL – release line

ROM – refuel-on-the-move

*RP – rally point

RV – radius of vulnerability [nuclear]

 

 –S–

S-1 – battalion or brigade manpower and personnel staff officer

S-2 – battalion or brigade intelligence staff officer

S-2X – battalion or brigade counterintelligence and human intelligence staff officer

S-3 – battalion or brigade operations staff officer

S-4 – battalion or brigade logistics staff officer

S-5 – battalion or brigade plans staff officer

S-6 – battalion or brigade signal staff officer

S-7 – battalion or brigade inform and influence activities staff officer

S-8 – battalion or brigade financial management staff officer

S-9 – battalion or brigade civil affairs operations staff officer

*SA – security assistance

*SADC – sector air defense commander

SAO – security assistance organization

*SBIRS – space-based infrared system

*SC – strategic communication

SCA – support to civil administration

*SEAD – suppression of enemy air defenses

*SF – special forces

SFC – special forces command

SIGINT – signals intelligence

*SO – special operations

*SOCCE – special operations command and control

*SP – start point; strong point

*SOF – special operations forces

*SOLE – special operations liaison element

*SO-peculiar – special operations-peculiar

*SOP – standard operating procedure

SPO – support operations

STANAG – standardization agreement

STB – special troops battalion

STRIKWARN – strike warning

sust – sustainment

 

  –T–

*TA – target acquisition

TAB – target acquisition battery; theater aviation brigade

TAV – total asset visibility

*TCP – traffic control post

TECHINT – technical intelligence

TF – task force

TGP – targeting pod

TGT – target

THAAD – terminal high-altitude area defense

TIB – toxic industrial biological

TIC – toxic industrial chemical

TLP – troop leading procedures

TRP – target reference point

TSC – theater sustainment command

TSCP – theater security cooperation plan

TSM – target synchronization matrix

*TST – time-sensitive target

 –U–

UCL – unit configured load

*UW – unconventional warfare

 

–V–

*VI – visual information

VOIED – victim-operated improvised explosive device

 

 –W–

*WEZ – weapon engagement zone

*WMD– weapons of mass destruction

 

–X–

None.

  –Y–

None.

 

  –Z–

None.