MilSpeak

Terminology
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MilSpeak translates military acronyms, jargon, and terminology into plain English, drawing on the DoD's official dictionary for accuracy across every branch. Whether you're a curious civilian, a veteran, a military family member, or just someone who stumbled on an unfamiliar term, MilSpeak breaks down the language of the armed forces—one word at a time.

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Term	Reference
180A	Special Forces Warrant Officer - The assistant detachment commander brings operational expertise and continuity.
18A	Special Forces Officer - The detachment commander leads the team and plans its missions.
18B	Special Forces Weapons Sergeant - Team members specialize in U.S. and foreign weapons.
18C	Special Forces Engineer Sergeant - Team members specialize in areas including demolition and construction.
18D	Special Forces Medical Sergeant - Team members provide medical expertise, including trauma care.
18E	Special Forces Communications Sergeant - Team members manage the detachment’s communications capabilities.
18F	Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant - This sergeant analyzes intelligence to support mission planning.
18Z	Special Forces Senior Sergeant - The senior enlisted member serves as operations sergeant and advises the commander.

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A

Term	Reference
AAFES	Army and Air Force Exchange Service — operates retail exchanges on Army and Air Force installations.
AAR	After-action review - A structured discussion of what happened and what can be improved.
ABCT	Armored Brigade Combat Team — an Army brigade organized around armored vehicles and supporting units.
ACO	airspace control order — An order implementing the airspace control plan that provides the details of the approved requests for airspace coordinating measures.
ACSA	Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement — an agreement that allows partner militaries to exchange logistics support.
Action Phase	In amphibious operations, the period of time between the arrival of the amphibious force in the amphibious objective area or operational area and the accomplishment of their mission.
ADA	Air Defense Artillery — Weapons and equipment for actively combating air targets from the ground.
ADCON	Administrative Control — Direction or exercise of authority over subordinate or other organizations in respect to administration and support.
ADP	Army Doctrine Publication — a publication that explains fundamental Army doctrine.
ADWC	Air Defense Warning Condition — An air defense warning given in the form of a color code corresponding to the degree of air raid probability, with yellow standing for when an attack by hostile aircraft or missiles is probable, red for when an attack by hostile aircraft or missiles is imminent or is in progress, and white for when an attack by hostile aircraft or missiles is improbable.
Aerial Port	An airfield that has been designated for the sustained air movement of personnel and materiel, as well as an authorized port for entrance into or departure from the country where located.
AE	Aeromedical Evacuation — The movement of patients under medical supervision to and between medical treatment facilities by air transportation.
AECT	Aeromedical Evacuation Control Team — A core team assigned to a component-numbered Air Force air operations center air mobility division that provides operational planning, scheduling, and execution of theater aeromedical evacuation missions and positioning of aeromedical evacuation ground forces.
AFATDS	Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System — a system used to plan and coordinate artillery fire.
AFB	Air Force Base — an installation operated by the U.S. Air Force.
AFSC	Air Force Specialty Code — a code identifying an Air Force career field or job.
Air Domain	The atmosphere, beginning at the Earth’s surface, extending to the altitudewhere its effects upon operations become negligible.
AIT	Advanced Individual Training — Army training for a specific military job.
AMC	Airborne Mission Coordinator — The designated individual that serves as an airborne extension of the component commander or supported commander responsible for the personnel recovery mission.
AMD	Air and Missile Defense — 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.
AO	Area of Operations - The specific geographic zone where military forces conduct missions.
AOC	Air Operations Center — The senior command and control element in the Air Force theater air control system’s air, cyberspace, and space operations and coordinates with other components and Services.
AOR	Area of Responsibility - A geographic area assigned to a commander.
AR	Air Refueling — The refueling of an aircraft in flight by another aircraft.
ARG	Amphibious Ready Group — a Navy formation of ships that carries and supports a Marine expeditionary force.
ASAP	As Soon As Possible — a request to act promptly.
ASVAB	Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery - A test used to assess aptitude for military service and career fields.
ASW	Anti-Submarine Warfare — operations intended to detect and counter submarines.
ATO	Air Tasking Order — a document assigning and coordinating air missions.
ATP	Army Techniques Publication — an Army publication describing ways to perform military tasks.
AWACS	Airborne Warning and Control System — an aircraft-based system used for surveillance and air battle management.
AWOL	Absent Without Official Leave - leaving a post or duty without permission.
AXP	Ambulance Exchange Point — a location where patients can be transferred between evacuation vehicles.

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B

Term	Reference
BAH	Basic Allowance for Housing — a housing allowance for eligible service members.
BAS	Basic Allowance for Subsistence — an allowance intended to help cover a service member’s food costs.
BCT	Brigade Combat Team — a self-contained Army brigade with combat and support elements.
BDA	Battle Damage Assessment — an evaluation of the effects of an attack.
BDE	Brigade — a common abbreviation for a brigade in Army documents.
BDU	Battle Dress Uniform — an older U.S. military camouflage uniform.
BLUF	Bottom Line Up Front — a writing style that states the main point first.
BOG	Boots on the Ground - Active combat troops deployed in a specific area.
BRS	Blended Retirement System — a U.S. military retirement system combining several benefit components.
BSA	Brigade Support Area — an area from which logistics units support a brigade.
BSB	Brigade Support Battalion — a battalion that provides logistics support to a brigade.

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C

Term	Reference
C2	Command and Control — a commander’s direction and coordination of forces.
C4ISR	Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance — interconnected capabilities used to direct operations and understand the situation.
CAB	Combat Aviation Brigade — an Army aviation formation containing aircraft and supporting units.
CAC	Common Access Card — an identification card used by eligible military and civilian personnel.
CAG	Combat Applications Group - A name associated with the U.S. Army unit commonly called Delta Force.
CALL	Center for Army Lessons Learned — an Army organization that collects and shares lessons from operations and training.
CANSOFCOM	Canadian Special Operations Forces Command - The command that includes JTF 2 and Canada’s other special operations units.
CAP	Civil Air Patrol — Civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.
CAP	Combat Air Patrol — aircraft assigned to patrol an area and respond to aerial threats.
CAS	Close Air Support - Air attacks coordinated to support ground forces in close combat.
CASEVAC	Casualty Evacuation — moving casualties using available transportation.
CBRN	Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear — a grouping of hazardous weapons and threats.
CCDR	Combatant Commander — the commander of a U.S. combatant command.
CCIR	Commander’s Critical Information Requirement — information a commander has identified as essential to decision-making.
CCMD	Combatant Command — a major joint military command responsible for a region or function.
CCP	Combatant Command Campaign Plan — a plan that guides a combatant command’s activities toward strategic objectives.
CDO	Command Duty Officer — an officer assigned command-related duty during a designated watch or period.
CI	Counterintelligence — activities intended to detect and counter hostile intelligence efforts.
CIA	Central Intelligence Agency - The U.S. agency focused on foreign intelligence.
CIC	Combat Information Center — a shipboard center that tracks tactical information and supports decisions.
CJCS	Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff — the senior U.S. military adviser to national leadership.
CMO	Civil-Military Operations — military activities involving relationships with civilian authorities or populations.
CNO	Chief of Naval Operations — the Navy’s senior uniformed officer.
CO	Commanding Officer - The leader in charge of a specific unit.
COA	Course of Action — a possible plan for accomplishing a mission.
COCOM	Combatant Command, or Combatant Command Authority — meaning depends on context.
Command Sergeant Major	A senior enlisted adviser to an Army commander.
COMMS	Communications — spoken shorthand for communications systems or traffic.
COMSEC	Communications Security — measures used to protect military communications.
CONOPS	Concept of Operations — an outline of how an operation is intended to work.
CONUS	Continental United States — the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C.
COP	Combat Outpost — a relatively small position supporting operations in an area.
COP	Common Operational Picture — a shared display of information about an operation; in the previous list, COP meant Combat Outpost.
CP	Command Post — a location from which a commander and staff direct operations.
CPA	Closest Point of Approach — the predicted minimum distance between two moving vessels or objects.
CPX	Command Post Exercise — a training exercise focused on commanders, staffs, and their procedures.
CQB	Close-Quarters Battle - Combat at short range, often inside buildings.
CSAR	Combat Search and Rescue — efforts to recover isolated personnel during combat operations.
CSG	Carrier Strike Group — a naval formation centered on an aircraft carrier.
CT	Counterterrorism — activities intended to prevent or respond to terrorism.
CTC	Combat Training Center — a facility or program for large-scale, realistic military training.
CUI	Controlled Unclassified Information — government information that requires safeguards but is not classified.
CUOPS	Current Operations — staff work focused on monitoring and directing operations underway.
CVN	Aircraft Carrier, Nuclear-Powered — the U.S. Navy hull designation for a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

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D

Term	Reference
DA	Department of the Army — the civilian-led department responsible for the Army.
DCO	Defensive Cyberspace Operations — actions intended to protect friendly networks and systems.
DDG	Guided-Missile Destroyer — the Navy hull designation for this type of warship.
DEERS	Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System — a database used to establish eligibility for military benefits.
DEFCON	Defense Readiness Condition - A system of alert levels for U.S. military readiness.
DFAC	Dining Facility — a military meal facility.
DIA	Defense Intelligence Agency — a U.S. military intelligence agency.
DITY	Do-It-Yourself — an older informal term for a military move arranged by the service member.
DIVARTY	Division Artillery — an Army organization that coordinates artillery support for a division.
DLA	Defense Logistics Agency — a federal agency that supplies and supports U.S. military forces.
DMZ	Demilitarized Zone — an area where military forces or activities are restricted by agreement.
DoD	Department of Defense — a U.S. federal department name used in military documents.
DPH	Deployment Health — a general abbreviation used in some military health contexts.
DTG	Date-Time Group — a standardized way to write the date and time on military messages.

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E

Term	Reference
EFMP	Exceptional Family Member Program — a program supporting military families with certain medical or educational needs.
ELINT	Electronic Intelligence - Intelligence gathered from electronic emissions, such as radar signals.
EOD	Explosive Ordnance Disposal — specialists or activities involving hazardous explosive devices.
EPR	Enlisted Performance Report — an Air Force enlisted evaluation form used in certain periods.
ETA	Estimated Time of Arrival — the expected time a person, vehicle, ship, or aircraft will arrive.
EW	Electronic Warfare — military activity involving the electromagnetic spectrum.
EXORD	Execute Order — an order directing an approved military operation to begin.

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F

Term	Reference
FA	Field Artillery — an Army branch that provides artillery fire support.
FAC(A)	Forward Air Controller (Airborne) - An airborne controller who can receive targeting information in support of close air support.
FBI	Federal Bureau of Investigation - The U.S. agency that investigates federal crimes and domestic security threats.
FITREP	Fitness Report — a performance evaluation used in naval services.
Five by Five	Means “loud and clear.” It comes from radio communication: one five rates signal strength and the other rates readability, with five the best on each scale.
FOB	Forward Operating Base a small secured military outpost used to support tactical operations.
FOG	Field Operations Group - Field Operations Group (FOG) was the original name of a highly secretive, elite U.S. Army special operations unit created in 1980 to gather immediate, actionable intelligence for hostage rescue missions.
FRAGORD	Fragmentary Order — an order changing or updating an existing order.
FSCM	Fire Support Coordination Measure — a measure used to coordinate supporting fire.
FY	Fiscal Year — a government budget and accounting year.

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G

Term	Reference
GPS	Global Positioning System — a satellite-based positioning and timing system.
GROM	Grupa Reagowania Operacyjno-Manewrowego - Poland’s GROM is a special forces unit whose missions include counterterrorism, hostage rescue, and land and maritime special operations.
GWOT	Global War on Terrorism — a term used for U.S. counterterrorism efforts after September 11, 2001.

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H

Term	Reference
HALO	High Altitude, Low Opening - A parachute jump that begins high up, with the parachute opened at a lower altitude.
HMMWV	High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle — a military vehicle often called a Humvee.
HQ	Headquarters — the command and staff center of an organization.
HUMINT	Human Intelligence - Intelligence collected from people rather than technical sensors.
HV	High-Value - Describes a person or target considered especially important to an operation.

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I

Term	Reference
ID	Identification - A document or other means of establishing someone’s identity.
IDF	Indirect Fire - Incoming enemy artillery, rockets, or mortar fire.
IED	Improvised Explosive Device — an explosive device made or placed outside standard military production.
IFF	Identification Friend or Foe — a system used to help identify aircraft or other platforms.
IMINT	Imagery Intelligence inteligence - Intelligence obtained by analyzing images.
INSCOM	U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command - a direct reporting unit that conducts global, multi-discipline intelligence, security, and information operations for military commanders and national decision-makers.
ISA	Intelligence Support Activity - a top-secret United States Army Tier 1 special operations unit that gathers actionable intelligence for military operations.
ISIS	Islamic State of Iraq and Syria - A militant extremist organization.
ISR	Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance — activities used to collect and analyze operational information.

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J

Term	Reference
JCS	Joint Chiefs of Staff — senior U.S. military leaders who advise national leadership.
JCU	Joint Communications Unit - Provides communications and technological solutions for JSOC and SOF.
JFACC	Joint Force Air Component Commander — the commander responsible for assigned joint air operations.
JFC	Joint Force Commander — a commander authorized to lead a joint force.
JIB	JSOC Intelligence Brigade - Provides intelligence support to special operations.
JOC	Joint Operations Center — a center used to monitor and coordinate joint operations.
JOA	Joint Operations Area — an operational area established for a joint force.
JP	Joint Publication — an official publication containing U.S. joint military doctrine.
JTAC	Joint Terminal Attack Controller - Directs aircraft conducting close air support for ground forces.
JTF	Joint Task Force — a force formed from multiple military services for a specific mission.
JTF 2	Joint Task Force 2 - JTF 2 stands for Joint Task Force 2, a Canadian Armed Forces special operations unit focused on protecting Canadians and countering threats at home and abroad.

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K

Term	Reference
KGB	Komitet Gosudarstvennoy Bezopasnosti - Previously the Soviet Union’s principal security and intelligence agency.
KIA	Killed in Action — killed as a result of hostile action during military operations.

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L

Term	Reference
LNO	Liaison Officer — a representative who helps coordinate between organizations.
LES	Leave and Earnings Statement — a service member’s military pay statement.
LOA	Letter of Authorization — a document granting specified permissions or entitlements.
LZ	Landing Zone — a designated area where aircraft land for a mission.

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M

Term	Reference
MASINT	Measurement and Signature Intelligence - Intelligence derived from analyzing distinctive physical measurements or signatures.
MEDEVAC	Medical Evacuation - The emergency medical evacuation of wounded personnel using vehicles or aircraft.
MEPS	Military Entrance Processing Station — a facility where applicants undergo enlistment processing.
MIA	Missing in Action — a status for personnel whose whereabouts are unknown after combat.
MI5	The British Domestic Counterintelligence Service - officially known as the Security Service.
MI6	The British Foreign Intelligence Service - officially known as the Secret Intelligence Service.
MOS	Military Occupational Specialty - An Army job classification used to identify team members’ specialties.
MOPP	Mission-Oriented Protective Posture — prescribed levels of protective equipment for chemical or biological threats.
MOS	Military Occupational Specialty — a code or designation for a military job, especially in the Army and Marine Corps.
MP	Military Police — personnel responsible for military law-enforcement and related duties.
MRE	Meal, Ready-to-Eat — a packaged field meal.
MSA	Mission Support Activity - In special operations, the Intelligence Support Activity—tasked with gathering clandestine intelligence—was officially designated as the Mission Support Activity (MSA) during parts of its history. Within that unit, a mission support squadron specifically handles technical, logistical, and specialized operational assistance.
MWR	Morale, Welfare and Recreation — programs and facilities supporting service members and families.

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N

Term	Reference
NATO	North Atlantic Treaty Organization — a military and political alliance.
NBC	Nuclear, Biological, Chemical — an older grouping of hazardous threat categories.
NCO	Noncommissioned Officer — an enlisted military leader.
NCOIC	Noncommissioned Officer in Charge — the senior enlisted person responsible for a particular activity or section.
NDAA	National Defense Authorization Act — annual U.S. legislation authorizing defense programs and policies.
NEO	Noncombatant Evacuation Operation — an operation to move civilians away from danger.
NSA	National Security Agency - A U.S. agency specializing in signals intelligence and cybersecurity.
NV	Night Vision - Technology that helps people see in low-light conditions.

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O

Term	Reference
OCONUS	Outside the Continental United States — locations outside the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C.
OER	Officer Evaluation Report — an Army officer performance evaluation.
OHA	Overseas Housing Allowance — a housing allowance for eligible service members stationed overseas.
OMS	A former cover name for the Intelligence Support Activity, a secretive U.S. Army special operations unit that gathers clandestine intelligence for the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC).
OPCON	Operational Control — authority to organize and employ assigned forces for missions.
OPORD	Operations Order — a formal order describing how to conduct a mission.
OPSEC	Operations Security - protecting critical information from the enemy.
OPTEMPO	Operational Tempo — the pace of a unit’s operations and activities.
OSINT	Open Source Intelligence - Intelligence gathered from publicly available information.
OSS	Office of Strategic Services - A U.S. World War II intelligence organization and predecessor to the CIA.

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P

Term	Reference
PCS	Permanent Change of Station — a long-term move to a new duty station.
PHOTINT	Photographic Intelligence - Intelligence obtained by analyzing photographs.
PIR	Priority Intelligence Requirement — information a commander prioritizes for intelligence collection.
POC	Point of Contact — the person to contact about a matter.
POTUS	President of the United States - Shorthand for the U.S. president.
POW	Prisoner of War — a person captured and held by an opposing force during armed conflict.
PPM	Personally Procured Move — a military relocation arranged by the service member.
PT	Physical Training - Exercise intended to build or maintain fitness.
PX	Post Exchange — a retail store on a military installation.

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Q

Term	Reference
QRF	Quick Reaction Force - A team prepared to respond rapidly to an urgent situation.

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R

Term	Reference
RADINT	Radar Intelligence - Intelligence obtained by analyzing radar data.
ROE	Rules of Engagement - the directives that define when and how forces may use force.
ROMAD	Radio Operator, Maintainer and Driver - A TACP member who assists the JTAC with communications and locating targets.
RPG	Rocket-Propelled Grenade — a shoulder-fired projectile weapon.

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S

Term	Reference
SAC	Special Activities Center - A CIA organization associated with covert operations.
SAD	Special Activities Division - The former name of the CIA organization now called the Special Activities Center.
SERE	Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape - Training for surviving hostile conditions and potential capture.
SF	Special Forces - elite military units specially trained to conduct unconventional, high-risk, and specialized operations that regular military forces cannot perform.
SFOD-A	Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha - A fuller designation for the ODA.
SIGACT	Significant Activity — an incident or event considered important enough to report.
SIGINT	Signals Intelligence - Intelligence gathered from intercepted signals and communications.
SIS	Secret Intelligence Service - The official name of the United Kingdom’s foreign intelligence service, also called MI6.
SITREP	Situation Report — an update on current conditions or activities.
SMERSH	Smert Shpionam; (“Death to Spies”) - A Soviet World War II counterintelligence organization.
SOE	Special Operations Executive - A British World War II organization that supported sabotage and resistance operations.
SOF	Special Operations Forces — military forces organized and trained for special operations.
SOP	Standard Operating Procedure — an established way of performing a recurring task.
SVR	Sluzhba Vneshney Razvedki - Russia’s foreign intelligence service.

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T

Term	Reference
TACON	Tactical Control — authority to direct specified movements or maneuvers for assigned tasks.
TACP	Tactical Air Control Party — personnel who help coordinate air support with ground forces.
TAD	Temporary Additional Duty — a temporary assignment away from a regular duty station, used in some services.
TDY	Temporary Duty — a temporary assignment away from a regular duty station.
TECHINT	Technical Intelligence - Intelligence gained by examining equipment, technology or other technical material.
TLP	Troop Leading Procedures — a process small-unit leaders use to plan and prepare missions.
TOC	Tactical Operations Center — a command location used to monitor and direct tactical operations.
TSP	Thrift Savings Plan — a federal retirement savings plan available to service members.
TTP	Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures — practical methods used to accomplish tasks.

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U

Term	Reference
UAS	Uncrewed Aircraft System — an uncrewed aircraft plus the equipment needed to operate it.
UCMJ	Uniform Code of Military Justice — the principal U.S. military justice statute.
UHF	Ultra High Frequency — a radio-frequency range used by some military communications systems.
USAF	United States Air Force — the U.S. military service focused primarily on air operations.
USAR	United States Army Reserve — the Army’s federal reserve component.
USCG	United States Coast Guard — a U.S. armed service with maritime missions.
USMC	United States Marine Corps — the U.S. Marine military service.
USN	United States Navy — the U.S. military service focused primarily on maritime operations.
USSOCOM	United States Special Operations Command
UXO	Unexploded Ordnance — explosive ammunition that has not detonated.

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V

Term	Reference
VHF	Very High Frequency — a radio-frequency range used for communications.

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W

Term	Reference
WIA	Wounded in Action — wounded as a result of hostile action during military operations.

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X

Term	Reference
XO	Executive Officer — an officer who serves as a commander’s principal deputy.

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Y

Term	Reference
Null

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Z

Term	Reference
ZULU	A designation for Coordinated Universal Time, used to avoid time-zone confusion.

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A-O

Term	Reference
180A	Special Forces Warrant Officer - The assistant detachment commander brings operational expertise and continuity.
18A	Special Forces Officer - The detachment commander leads the team and plans its missions.
18B	Special Forces Weapons Sergeant - Team members specialize in U.S. and foreign weapons.
18C	Special Forces Engineer Sergeant - Team members specialize in areas including demolition and construction.
18D	Special Forces Medical Sergeant - Team members provide medical expertise, including trauma care.
18E	Special Forces Communications Sergeant - Team members manage the detachment’s communications capabilities.
18F	Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant - This sergeant analyzes intelligence to support mission planning.
18Z	Special Forces Senior Sergeant - The senior enlisted member serves as operations sergeant and advises the commander.
AAFES	Army and Air Force Exchange Service — operates retail exchanges on Army and Air Force installations.
AAR	After-action review - A structured discussion of what happened and what can be improved.
ACO	airspace control order — An order implementing the airspace control plan that provides the details of the approved requests for airspace coordinating measures.
Action Phase	In amphibious operations, the period of time between the arrival of the amphibious force in the amphibious objective area or operational area and the accomplishment of their mission.
ADA	Air Defense Artillery — Weapons and equipment for actively combating air targets from the ground.
ADCON	Administrative Control — Direction or exercise of authority over subordinate or other organizations in respect to administration and support.
ADWC	Air Defense Warning Condition — An air defense warning given in the form of a color code corresponding to the degree of air raid probability, with yellow standing for when an attack by hostile aircraft or missiles is probable, red for when an attack by hostile aircraft or missiles is imminent or is in progress, and white for when an attack by hostile aircraft or missiles is improbable.
Aerial Port	An airfield that has been designated for the sustained air movement of personnel and materiel, as well as an authorized port for entrance into or departure from the country where located.
AE	Aeromedical Evacuation — The movement of patients under medical supervision to and between medical treatment facilities by air transportation.
AECT	Aeromedical Evacuation Control Team — A core team assigned to a component-numbered Air Force air operations center air mobility division that provides operational planning, scheduling, and execution of theater aeromedical evacuation missions and positioning of aeromedical evacuation ground forces.
AFB	Air Force Base — an installation operated by the U.S. Air Force.
AFSC	Air Force Specialty Code — a code identifying an Air Force career field or job.
Air Domain	The atmosphere, beginning at the Earth’s surface, extending to the altitudewhere its effects upon operations become negligible.
AIT	Advanced Individual Training — Army training for a specific military job.
AMC	Airborne Mission Coordinator — The designated individual that serves as an airborne extension of the component commander or supported commander responsible for the personnel recovery mission.
AMD	Air and Missile Defense — 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.
AO	Area of Operations - The specific geographic zone where military forces conduct missions.
AOC	Air Operations Center — The senior command and control element in the Air Force theater air control system’s air, cyberspace, and space operations and coordinates with other components and Services.
AOR	Area of Responsibility - A geographic area assigned to a commander.
AR	Air Refueling — The refueling of an aircraft in flight by another aircraft.
ASAP	As Soon As Possible — a request to act promptly.
ASVAB	Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery - A test used to assess aptitude for military service and career fields.
ATO	Air Tasking Order — a document assigning and coordinating air missions.
AWACS	Airborne Warning and Control System — an aircraft-based system used for surveillance and air battle management.
AWOL	Absent Without Official Leave - leaving a post or duty without permission.
BAH	Basic Allowance for Housing — a housing allowance for eligible service members.
BAS	Basic Allowance for Subsistence — an allowance intended to help cover a service member’s food costs.
BDU	Battle Dress Uniform — an older U.S. military camouflage uniform.
BLUF	Bottom Line Up Front — a writing style that states the main point first.
BOG	Boots on the Ground - Active combat troops deployed in a specific area.
BRS	Blended Retirement System — a U.S. military retirement system combining several benefit components.
C2	Command and Control — a commander’s direction and coordination of forces.
C4ISR	Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance — interconnected capabilities used to direct operations and understand the situation.
CAC	Common Access Card — an identification card used by eligible military and civilian personnel.
CAG	Combat Applications Group - A name associated with the U.S. Army unit commonly called Delta Force.
CANSOFCOM	Canadian Special Operations Forces Command - The command that includes JTF 2 and Canada’s other special operations units.
CAS	Close Air Support - Air attacks coordinated to support ground forces in close combat.
CASEVAC	Casualty Evacuation — moving casualties using available transportation.
CCIR	Commander’s Critical Information Requirement — information a commander has identified as essential to decision-making.
CCMD	Combatant Command — a major joint military command responsible for a region or function.
CIA	Central Intelligence Agency - The U.S. agency focused on foreign intelligence.
CO	Commanding Officer - The leader in charge of a specific unit.
COA	Course of Action — a possible plan for accomplishing a mission.
COCOM	Combatant Command, or Combatant Command Authority — meaning depends on context.
Command Sergeant Major	A senior enlisted adviser to an Army commander.
COMMS	Communications — spoken shorthand for communications systems or traffic.
COMSEC	Communications Security — measures used to protect military communications.
CONOPS	Concept of Operations — an outline of how an operation is intended to work.
CONUS	Continental United States — the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C.
COP	Combat Outpost — a relatively small position supporting operations in an area.
CP	Command Post — a location from which a commander and staff direct operations.
CSAR	Combat Search and Rescue — efforts to recover isolated personnel during combat operations.
CT	Counterterrorism — activities intended to prevent or respond to terrorism.
CQB	Close-Quarters Battle - Combat at short range, often inside buildings.
DEERS	Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System — a database used to establish eligibility for military benefits.
DEFCON	Defense Readiness Condition - A system of alert levels for U.S. military readiness.
DFAC	Dining Facility — a military meal facility.
DIA	Defense Intelligence Agency — a U.S. military intelligence agency.
DITY	Do-It-Yourself — an older informal term for a military move arranged by the service member.
DoD	Department of Defense — a U.S. federal department name used in military documents.
DPH	Deployment Health — a general abbreviation used in some military health contexts.
ELINT	Electronic Intelligence - Intelligence gathered from electronic emissions, such as radar signals.
EOD	Explosive Ordnance Disposal — specialists or activities involving hazardous explosive devices.
EPR	Enlisted Performance Report — an Air Force enlisted evaluation form used in certain periods.
EW	Electronic Warfare — military activity involving the electromagnetic spectrum.
EXORD	Execute Order — an order directing an approved military operation to begin.
FA	Field Artillery — an Army branch that provides artillery fire support.
FAC(A)	Forward Air Controller (Airborne) - An airborne controller who can receive targeting information in support of close air support.
FBI	Federal Bureau of Investigation - The U.S. agency that investigates federal crimes and domestic security threats.
FITREP	Fitness Report — a performance evaluation used in naval services.
Five by Five	Means “loud and clear.” It comes from radio communication: one five rates signal strength and the other rates readability, with five the best on each scale.
FOB	Forward Operating Base a small secured military outpost used to support tactical operations.
FOG	Field Operations Group - Field Operations Group (FOG) was the original name of a highly secretive, elite U.S. Army special operations unit created in 1980 to gather immediate, actionable intelligence for hostage rescue missions.
FRAGORD	Fragmentary Order — an order changing or updating an existing order.
FSCM	Fire Support Coordination Measure — a measure used to coordinate supporting fire.
FY	Fiscal Year — a government budget and accounting year.
GPS	Global Positioning System — a satellite-based positioning and timing system.
GROM	Grupa Reagowania Operacyjno-Manewrowego - Poland’s GROM is a special forces unit whose missions include counterterrorism, hostage rescue, and land and maritime special operations.
GWOT	Global War on Terrorism — a term used for U.S. counterterrorism efforts after September 11, 2001.
HALO	High Altitude, Low Opening - A parachute jump that begins high up, with the parachute opened at a lower altitude.
HMMWV	High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle — a military vehicle often called a Humvee.
HQ	Headquarters — the command and staff center of an organization.
HUMINT	Human Intelligence - Intelligence collected from people rather than technical sensors.
HV	High-Value - Describes a person or target considered especially important to an operation.
ID	Identification - A document or other means of establishing someone’s identity.
IDF	Indirect Fire - Incoming enemy artillery, rockets, or mortar fire.
IED	Improvised Explosive Device — an explosive device made or placed outside standard military production.
IFF	Identification Friend or Foe — a system used to help identify aircraft or other platforms.
IMINT	Imagery Intelligence inteligence - Intelligence obtained by analyzing images.
INSCOM	U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command - a direct reporting unit that conducts global, multi-discipline intelligence, security, and information operations for military commanders and national decision-makers.
ISA	Intelligence Support Activity - a top-secret United States Army Tier 1 special operations unit that gathers actionable intelligence for military operations.
ISIS	Islamic State of Iraq and Syria - A militant extremist organization.
ISR	Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance — activities used to collect and analyze operational information.
JCS	Joint Chiefs of Staff — senior U.S. military leaders who advise national leadership.
JCU	Joint Communications Unit - Provides communications and technological solutions for JSOC and SOF.
JFACC	Joint Force Air Component Commander — the commander responsible for assigned joint air operations.
JFC	Joint Force Commander — a commander authorized to lead a joint force.
JIB	JSOC Intelligence Brigade - Provides intelligence support to special operations.
JOC	Joint Operations Center — a center used to monitor and coordinate joint operations.
JOA	Joint Operations Area — an operational area established for a joint force.
JP	Joint Publication — an official publication containing U.S. joint military doctrine.
JTAC	Joint Terminal Attack Controller - Directs aircraft conducting close air support for ground forces.
JTF	Joint Task Force — a force formed from multiple military services for a specific mission.
JTF 2	Joint Task Force 2 - JTF 2 stands for Joint Task Force 2, a Canadian Armed Forces special operations unit focused on protecting Canadians and countering threats at home and abroad.
KGB	Komitet Gosudarstvennoy Bezopasnosti - Previously the Soviet Union’s principal security and intelligence agency.
KIA	Killed in Action — killed as a result of hostile action during military operations.
LNO	Liaison Officer — a representative who helps coordinate between organizations.
LES	Leave and Earnings Statement — a service member’s military pay statement.
LOA	Letter of Authorization — a document granting specified permissions or entitlements.
LZ	Landing Zone — a designated area where aircraft land for a mission.
MASINT	Measurement and Signature Intelligence - Intelligence derived from analyzing distinctive physical measurements or signatures.
MEDEVAC	Medical Evacuation - The emergency medical evacuation of wounded personnel using vehicles or aircraft.
MEPS	Military Entrance Processing Station — a facility where applicants undergo enlistment processing.
MIA	Missing in Action — a status for personnel whose whereabouts are unknown after combat.
MI5	The British Domestic Counterintelligence Service - officially known as the Security Service.
MI6	The British Foreign Intelligence Service - officially known as the Secret Intelligence Service.
MOS	Military Occupational Specialty - An Army job classification used to identify team members’ specialties.
MOPP	Mission-Oriented Protective Posture — prescribed levels of protective equipment for chemical or biological threats.
MOS	Military Occupational Specialty — a code or designation for a military job, especially in the Army and Marine Corps.
MP	Military Police — personnel responsible for military law-enforcement and related duties.
MRE	Meal, Ready-to-Eat — a packaged field meal.
MSA	Mission Support Activity - In special operations, the Intelligence Support Activity—tasked with gathering clandestine intelligence—was officially designated as the Mission Support Activity (MSA) during parts of its history. Within that unit, a mission support squadron specifically handles technical, logistical, and specialized operational assistance.
MWR	Morale, Welfare and Recreation — programs and facilities supporting service members and families.
NATO	North Atlantic Treaty Organization — a military and political alliance.
NBC	Nuclear, Biological, Chemical — an older grouping of hazardous threat categories.
NCO	Noncommissioned Officer — an enlisted military leader.
NCOIC	Noncommissioned Officer in Charge — the senior enlisted person responsible for a particular activity or section.
NDAA	National Defense Authorization Act — annual U.S. legislation authorizing defense programs and policies.
NEO	Noncombatant Evacuation Operation — an operation to move civilians away from danger.
NSA	National Security Agency - A U.S. agency specializing in signals intelligence and cybersecurity.
NV	Night Vision - Technology that helps people see in low-light conditions.
OCONUS	Outside the Continental United States — locations outside the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C.
OER	Officer Evaluation Report — an Army officer performance evaluation.
OHA	Overseas Housing Allowance — a housing allowance for eligible service members stationed overseas.
OMS	A former cover name for the Intelligence Support Activity, a secretive U.S. Army special operations unit that gathers clandestine intelligence for the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC).
OPCON	Operational Control — authority to organize and employ assigned forces for missions.
OPORD	Operations Order — a formal order describing how to conduct a mission.
OPSEC	Operations Security - protecting critical information from the enemy.
OPTEMPO	Operational Tempo — the pace of a unit’s operations and activities.
OSINT	Open Source Intelligence - Intelligence gathered from publicly available information.
OSS	Office of Strategic Services - A U.S. World War II intelligence organization and predecessor to the CIA.

Main
A - Z

P-Z

Term	Reference
PCS	Permanent Change of Station — a long-term move to a new duty station.
PHOTINT	Photographic Intelligence - Intelligence obtained by analyzing photographs.
PIR	Priority Intelligence Requirement — information a commander prioritizes for intelligence collection.
POC	Point of Contact — the person to contact about a matter.
POTUS	President of the United States - Shorthand for the U.S. president.
POW	Prisoner of War — a person captured and held by an opposing force during armed conflict.
PPM	Personally Procured Move — a military relocation arranged by the service member.
PT	Physical Training - Exercise intended to build or maintain fitness.
PX	Post Exchange — a retail store on a military installation.
QRF	Quick Reaction Force - A team prepared to respond rapidly to an urgent situation.
RADINT	Radar Intelligence - Intelligence obtained by analyzing radar data.
ROE	Rules of Engagement - the directives that define when and how forces may use force.
ROMAD	Radio Operator, Maintainer and Driver - A TACP member who assists the JTAC with communications and locating targets.
RPG	Rocket-Propelled Grenade — a shoulder-fired projectile weapon.
SAC	Special Activities Center - A CIA organization associated with covert operations.
SAD	Special Activities Division - The former name of the CIA organization now called the Special Activities Center.
SERE	Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape - Training for surviving hostile conditions and potential capture.
SF	Special Forces - elite military units specially trained to conduct unconventional, high-risk, and specialized operations that regular military forces cannot perform.
SFOD-A	Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha - A fuller designation for the ODA.
SIGACT	Significant Activity — an incident or event considered important enough to report.
SIGINT	Signals Intelligence - Intelligence gathered from intercepted signals and communications.
SIS	Secret Intelligence Service - The official name of the United Kingdom’s foreign intelligence service, also called MI6.
SITREP	Situation Report — an update on current conditions or activities.
SMERSH	Smert Shpionam; (“Death to Spies”) - A Soviet World War II counterintelligence organization.
SOE	Special Operations Executive - A British World War II organization that supported sabotage and resistance operations.
SOF	Special Operations Forces — military forces organized and trained for special operations.
SOP	Standard Operating Procedure — an established way of performing a recurring task.
SVR	Sluzhba Vneshney Razvedki - Russia’s foreign intelligence service.
TACON	Tactical Control — authority to direct specified movements or maneuvers for assigned tasks.
TACP	Tactical Air Control Party — personnel who help coordinate air support with ground forces.
TAD	Temporary Additional Duty — a temporary assignment away from a regular duty station, used in some services.
TDY	Temporary Duty — a temporary assignment away from a regular duty station.
TECHINT	Technical Intelligence - Intelligence gained by examining equipment, technology or other technical material.
TLP	Troop Leading Procedures — a process small-unit leaders use to plan and prepare missions.
TOC	Tactical Operations Center — a command location used to monitor and direct tactical operations.
TSP	Thrift Savings Plan — a federal retirement savings plan available to service members.
TTP	Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures — practical methods used to accomplish tasks.
UAS	Uncrewed Aircraft System — an uncrewed aircraft plus the equipment needed to operate it.
UCMJ	Uniform Code of Military Justice — the principal U.S. military justice statute.
UHF	Ultra High Frequency — a radio-frequency range used by some military communications systems.
USAF	United States Air Force — the U.S. military service focused primarily on air operations.
USAR	United States Army Reserve — the Army’s federal reserve component.
USCG	United States Coast Guard — a U.S. armed service with maritime missions.
USMC	United States Marine Corps — the U.S. Marine military service.
USN	United States Navy — the U.S. military service focused primarily on maritime operations.
USSOCOM	United States Special Operations Command
UXO	Unexploded Ordnance — explosive ammunition that has not detonated.
VHF	Very High Frequency — a radio-frequency range used for communications.
WIA	Wounded in Action — wounded as a result of hostile action during military operations.
XO	Executive Officer — an officer who serves as a commander’s principal deputy.
ZULU	A designation for Coordinated Universal Time, used to avoid time-zone confusion.

Main

The Team

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Main

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