GLOSSARY
1SG first sergeant
2IC second in command
A2C2 airspace command and control
A&O assault and obstacle
AATF air assault task force
ACE armored combat earthmover
AD air defense
ADA air defense artillery
ADAM area denial artillery munition
ADC-M assistant division commander for maneuver
ADC-S assistant division commander for support
ADE Assistant Division Engineer
admin administrative
ADP automated data processing
ADSO assistant division signal officer
AFB assault float bridge
AG Adjutant General
AMB ambulance
AO area of operations
AP antipersonnel
ARNG Army National Guard
arty artillery
ASAP as soon as possible
ASP ammunition supply point
ASPS all-source production section
- assault
The culmination of an attack which closes with the enemy. A phase of an airborne or air assault operation beginning with delivery of the assault force into the objective area and extending through the attack of objectives and consolidation of the initial airhead. To make a short, violent attack against a local objective, such as a gun emplacement or fortified area.
assault breach
A breach tactic used by small units (company teams and platoons) to penetrate an enemy's protective obstacles and seize a foothold within his defense. Normally a very decentralized operation with SOSR synchronized at the platoon and squad level.
assault force
In a breach operation, those forces charged with passing through a breach- and enemy-fortified position or strongpoint and seizing the objective or completing destruction of the enemy. One of the three breach organizations.
asst assistant
AT antitank
atk attack
ATKHB attack helicopter battalion
ATP ammunition transfer point
att attached
ATTN attention
AV aviation
AVLB armored vehicle launched bridge
BAI battlefield air interdiction
- base
A locality from which operations are projected or supported. An area or locality containing installations that provide logistic or other support. A unit or multiunit position that has a definite perimeter.
base cluster
Bases in the rear area grouped for rear battle or mission-related purposes. A base cluster has no clearly defined perimeter. A base cluster operations center (BCOC) is established to perform the coordination functions of the rear battle.
bde brigade
BHL battle handover line
- block
A tactical obstacle intent used to integrate fire planning and obstacle effort to stop an attacker along a specific avenue of approach. Requires extensive obstacle effort and overwhelming direct and indirect fires. Obstacles must be tied into terrain and allow no bypass. The blocking intent is conveyed through the block graphics.
bn battalion
BOS battlefield operating system
- breach force
A combined arms force task organized with the maneuver and engineer forces necessary to reduce lanes through an obstacle and pass initial assault forces through the lanes. The force is typically mobility heavy using maneuver or engineer forces. When made up primarily of engineers, the force must also be organized with the maneuver forces necessary for local direct-fire suppression and security at a local level. One of the three breach organizations.
BSA brigade support area
C courier
C2 command and control
C3 command, control, and communications
CAS close air support
CATK counterattack
CAV cavalry
cbt combat
CDR commander
CEB clothing, equipment, and bath
CESO communications-electronics signal officer
CEV combat engineer vehicle
CFA covering force area
CFL coordinated fire line
CL class
- Class I
A category of supply which includes meals and rations.
Class III
A category of supply which includes petroleum, oils, and lubricants.
Class IV
A category of supply which includes construction and barrier materials.
Class V
A category of supply which includes ammunition.
Class VIII
A category of supply which includes medical material.
Class IX
A category of supply which includes repair parts and components.
Class IV and V supply point
The location of obstacle and survivability materials in the task force sector.
classes of supplies
The grouping of supplies, by type, into 10 categories to facilitate supply management and planning.
clearing operations
The total elimination of an obstacle or unexploded ordnance over a defined area. Normally, clearing is a sustainment engineer task conducted well after total elimination of all direct and indirect fires able to cover the obstacle. Clearing is an extremely resource intensive and slow operation and typically assigned to provide general support to a higher unit.
CM countermobility
CM/S countermobility and survivability
cmd command
co company
- control measures
Directives given graphically or orally by a commander to subordinate commands in order to assign responsibilities, coordinate fires and maneuver, and control combat operations.
CONUS continental United States
COSCOM corps support command
- countermobility (CM)
The use of tactical obstacles and fires to attack the enemy's maneuver to the advantage of the defender. The combination of fires and obstacles create a vulnerability that friendly forces can exploit by fire, maneuver, or a combination.
countermine
A subcomponent of mobility that concentrates solely on the actions taken to counteract a mine or minefield through detecting, reducing, or bypassing.
covert breach
A breach tactic used when the force must reduce lanes through enemy tactical or protective obstacles undetected. Normally, the covert breach is used when mission success depends on achieving surprise at the expense of speed or mass.
CP command post
CS combat support
CSA corps storage area
CSE combat support equipment
CSG corps support group
CSM command sergeant major
CSR control supply route
CSS combat service support
DA Department of the Army
DAO division aviation officer
DATK deliberate attack
- defined target
Refers to the enemy whose ability to maneuver is the target of the obstacle and fire plan. The target is relative to the subordinate unit's force allocation ratio. An armored maneuver brigade conducting a prepared defense will fight an enemy's division. Maneuver battalions and companies in a prepared defense will fight an enemy's brigades or regiments and battalion, respectively.
deliberate breach
A breach tactic used when forces necessary for suppressing, obscuring, reducing, and securing a lane through an obstacle are beyond the capability of a subordinate unit. This type of breach requires one or more subordinate units to be task organized and assigned specific support, breaching, and assault responsibilities. Characterized by centralized planning, preparation, and execution.
det detachment
- directed obstacle
Obstacles directed by a higher commander as a specified task to a subordinate unit. Directed obstacles must always fall within the obstacle zones or belts designated by higher. They may or may not be part of the directing unit's belts or groups.
DISCOM division support command
- disrupt
A tactical obstacle intent to focus fire planning and obstacle effort to break up an enemy's formation, interrupt his time table, cause the premature commitment of breach assets, and piecemeal his attack. May be used to separate combat echelons or combat forces from their logistical support. The disrupt intent is conveyed through the disrupt graphic.
div division
DIVEN division engineer
- doctrinal template
A model based on postulated enemy tactical doctrine. It generally portrays frontages, depths, echelon spacing, and force composition, as well as the disposition of combat, CS, and CSS units for a given type of operation. It portrays how the enemy would like to fight if he was not constrained.
DP decision point
DREAR division rear command post
DS direct support
DSA division support area
DTAC division tactical command post
DTOC division tactical operations center
DZ drop zone
EA engagement area
EAC echelons above corps
EAD echelons above division
EBA engineer battlefield assessment
- engineer battlefield assessment (EBA)
That part of the engineer's planning process that complements the development of facts and assumptions during the mission analysis phase of the tactical decision-making process. EBA has three components: terrain analysis, enemy M/S, and friendly M/S capability.
EFSP engineer forward supply point
engr engineer
EOD explosive ordnance disposal
EPW enemy prisoner of war
equip equipment
EVAC evacuation
EW electronic warfare
EWL engineer work lines
FA field artillery
FACE forward aviation combat engineering
FARP forward area rearm/refuel point
FASCAM family of scatterable mines
FEBA forward edge of the battle area
- fix
A tactical obstacle intent to focus fire planning and obstacle effort to slow an attacker within a specified area, normally EA. Obstacle and fires are planned in depth and build with intensity to complete the enemy's destruction within the specified area. The fix intent is conveyed using the fix graphic.
fld field
FLOT forward line of own troops
FM field manual
FM frequency modulated
- force protection
Countermobility, survivability, and security measures a commander uses to ensure the integrity of his force throughout an operation. Normally conducted in a LIC or in rear areas against a viable rear area threat.
forward aviation combat engineering (FACE)
A mobility operation in which engineers perform missions in support of forward aviation ground facilities. Such missions include reconnaissance; construction of low-altitude parachute extraction zones, landing strips, and airstrips; and providing berms, revetments, and trenches for FARPs.
FRAGO fragmentary order
freq frequency
FS fire support
FSB forward support battalion
FSCL fire-support coordination line
FSCOORD fire-support coordinator
fwd forward
G1 Assistant Chief of Staff, G1 (Personnel)
G2 Assistant Chief of Staff, G2 (Intelligence)
G3 Assistant Chief of Staff, G3 (Operations and Plans)
G4 Assistant Chief of Staff, G4 (Logistics)
grp group
GS general support
GSR ground surveillance radar
HATK hasty attack
HEMTT heavy expanded mobility tactical truck
HHC headquarters and headquarters company
HHD headquarters and headquarters detachment
HMMWV high-mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle
HQ headquarters
HRP highway regulating point
HTF how to fight
HVT high-value target
hvy heavy
IEW intelligence electronic warfare
inf infantry
info information
- in-stride breach
A breach tactic used when the assets needed to suppress, obscure, secure, and reduce a lane through an obstacle can be task organized into a subordinate unit. Normally used against lightly defended obstacles or when the situation is unclear. Planning centers around the allocation of resources to subordinates; breach execution is decentralized.
intel intelligence
INTSUM intelligence summary
IPB intelligence preparation of the battlefield
IR information requirements
ISB intermediate staging base
JAAT joint air attack team
JSEAD joint SEAD
JTF joint task force
- lane
A route through an enemy or friendly obstacle which provides a passing force safe passage. The route may be reduced and proofed as part of a breaching operation or constructed as part of a friendly obstacle. A lane must be 1 meter wide for dismounted column movement and 4.5 meters wide for single-lane column movement. A two-way mounted lane is 10 meters wide.
lane marking
Those devices emplaced on a reduced and proofed lane that define the lane's entrance, exit, width, and path for the passing force. There are five types of markers used in lane marking:
Entrance/exit markers: Markers placed at the entrance and exit points of a lane defining the start or end of the reduced lane through the obstacle. They signify the point at which movement is restricted to the lane and the width of the reduced lane. Entrance and exit markers are visually different from all other lane markers.
Handrail markers: Markers placed at the left (relative to the direction of travel) limit of the reduced lane along the entire path of the lane through the obstacle. They define the path of the lane through the obstacle and with the entrance and exit markers, the width of the path. Left handrail is minimum, but a lane may be marked with both left and right handrails.
Funnel markers: Markers placed forward of the entrance or past the exit that augment the visual signature of the entrance and exit markers. They assist the passing unit in making final adjustments to their combat column before entering the lane.
Far recognition markers: A marker placed well forward of the lane entrance used to guide larger formations (battalion and above) to the breach site. Signifies the point at which passing forces begin transition to combat column.
LC line of contact
LD line of departure
LEC light equipment company
LIC low-intensity conflict
LNO liaison officer
LOA limit of advance
LOC lines of communication
log logistics
LOGPAC logistical package
LRSD long-range surveillance detachment
lt light
LZ landing zone
m meter
M/CM/S mobility, countermobility, and survivability
M/S mobility and survivability
MBA main battle area
MCSR material condition status report
mech mechanized
METT-T mission, enemy, terrain, troops, and time available
MGB medium girder bridge
MI military intelligence
MICLIC mine-clearing line charge
- mobility
All aspects of an operation which provide the commander with freedom to maneuver and sustain combat power at the place and time of this choosing. In the context of the BOS mobility, all aspects of an operation which attack the enemy's maneuver.
MOPMS modular pack mine system
MOUT military operations on urbanized terrain
MRR motorized rifle regiment
MSB main support battalion
MSR main supply route
MTC movement to contact
mvmt movement
NAI named areas of interest
NBC nuclear, biological, chemical
NCO noncommissioned officer
NCOIC noncommissioned officer in charge
NCS net control station
NFA no-fire area
no number
O/I operations and intelligence
O/O on order
obj objective
- obscure
The use of terrain, man-made obscurants, or limited visibility to hamper the enemy's observation or target acquisition of friendly forces. In a breach operation, one of the four breaching fundamentals.
obstacle
Any physical characteristic of the terrain (natural, cultural, or man-made) which impedes the mobility of a force. Obstacles are categorized into two fundamental types: existing and reinforcing.
Existing obstacles: Any natural or cultural attributes of the terrain that impede a force's movement. For example, no-go terrain, population centers, elevated railways/roadways, and waterways.
Reinforcing obstacles: Obstacles specifically constructed, emplaced, or detonated by enemy or friendly forces. Reinforcing obstacles are further categorized as tactical or protective obstacles.
obstacle belt
A graphical obstacle control measure used by brigades to designate an area within an approved obstacle zone in which subordinate units are authorized to emplace tactical obstacles. Obstacle belts are designated with a specific obstacle intent (disrupt, turn, fix, and block) that focuses the integration of obstacle groups within the belt to support the brigade scheme of maneuver. Normally, belts are allocated against regimental or brigade avenues of approach. Obstacle belts do not cross subunit boundaries one level down.
obstacle effect
Conveyed through the use of graphics. Each symbol represents exactly how the enemy's maneuver should be altered. Refer to obstacle intent.
obstacle group
An array of individual tactical obstacles within an obstacle belt whose combined effect accomplishes a single obstacle intent (disrupt, turn, fix, or block). Planned by battalion- and below-sized forces against battalion- and separate company-sized avenues of approach. Is used to synchronize obstacle effect and overwatching direct- or indirect-fire lanes. When more than one obstacle group is used within an obstacle belt, the sum effect of the groups must accomplish the intent of the obstacle belt. Graphically portrayed on the obstacle plan at task force and below using the obstacle intent graphics.
obstacle handover
The transfer of responsibility for an obstacle between emplacing and overwatching units.
obstacle intent
Used by the maneuver commander to convey the effect tactical obstacles and fires must have on the enemy's maneuver. Obstacle intent identifies the target (enemy force), the effect (disrupt, turn, fix, or block), and a relative location on the battlefield in which the intent is to occur. In short, it defines the end state that must be achieved by fires and obstacles for success. Is part of all obstacle plans at brigade and below.
obstacle intent graphics
Graphics that display the end state or overall purpose of the obstacle belt/group/zones.
obstacle plan
A comprehensive, coordinated plan which integrates the use of tactical and protective obstacles to support a scheme of maneuver. The plan designates obstacle responsibilities, general location, directed/reserve obstacles, and special instructions. It is normally prepared as an annex to an OPLAN or OPORD at corps level and below. Depending on the echelon, the plan may include obstacle control measures (obstacle zones, belts, groups), location of directed/reserve obstacles, obstacle intent, priority, and associated obstacle restrictions. May also include a consolidated obstacle target list.
obstacle restrictions
Limits on the method, type, and location of obstacles authorized to be emplaced within an obstacle zone or belt. Allows the commander to preclude the use of obstacles which may impact on future operations. Obstacle restrictions are defined by belt or zone in the obstacle plan.
obstacle zones
A graphical obstacle control measure used by division or corps to designate an area in which subordinate brigades or divisions are authorized to emplace tactical obstacles. Normally, obstacle zones are allocated against divisional avenues of approach. Obstacle zones do not cross unit boundaries one level down.
OBSTINTEL obstacle intelligence
- OBSTINTEL
The plotting, reconnaissance, and analysis of the enemy's obstacle effort as part of the overall IPB and reconnaissance and surveillance effort. Includes obstacle location, orientation, composition, and integration with enemy direct- and indirect-fire plans.
OCOKA observation and fields of fire, cover and concealment, obstacles, key terrain, avenues of approach
OIC officer in charge
OPCON operational control
OPLAN operation plan
OPORD operation order
OPS operations
OPSEC operations security
PIR priority intelligence requirements
PL phase line
plt platoon
poc point of contact
prep preparation
- protective obstacles
Used to protect the force from the enemy's final assault onto the force's position. Protective obstacles are close to the defensive positions and are tied in with the final protective fire of the defending unit.
PS personnel services
PSC personnel services company
PSNCO personnel services noncommissioned officer
PZ pickup zone
qty quantity
R&S reconnaissance and surveillance
RAAMS remote antiarmor mine system
RB ribbon bridge
rcvy recovery
REDCON readiness condition
- reduce
The creation of a lane through, over, or around an obstacle. In the case of minefields, refers to destroying, neutralizing, removing, or bypassing mines. In a breach operation, one of the four breaching fundamentals.
relative location
Refers to the use of obstacle control measures on the battlefield.
REPL replacement
- reserve obstacle
Directed obstacles which the commander restricts execution authority. The directing commander usually specifies the unit responsible for obstacle emplacement, handover, and execution. The commander must clearly identify the conditions under which the obstacle is to be executed.
rqr required
RRP replacement receiving point
RSR required supply rate
/s/ signature
S support
S1 Adjutant (US Army)
S2 Intelligence Officer (US Army)
S3 Operations and Training Officer (US Army)
S4 Supply Officer (US Army)
SCATMINE scatterable mine
- scatterable mine
A mine laid without regard to classical pattern that is designed to be delivered by aircraft, artillery, missile, or ground dispenser or to be hand thrown. It will normally have a limited laid life.
SEAD suppression of enemy air defenses
sect section
- secure
In a breaching operation, those actions which eliminate the enemy's ability to interfere with the reduction and passage of combat power through a lane. Secure may be accomplished by maneuver or by fires. One of the four breaching fundamentals.
SEE small emplacement excavator
- situational obstacle
A tactical obstacle emplacement capability held in reserve. Execution is triggered by friendly actions, enemy actions, or a combination and can be a prepared or an on-order mission. Can only be used in an approved zone or belt and requires complete integration into the decision support template. Includes the full range of obstacle assets, not just scatterable mines.
SOCCE special operations command and control element
SOF special operating force
SOP standing operating procedure
SOSR suppress, obscure, secure, and reduce
spt support
sqdn squadron
ST student text
STANAG Standardization Agreement
- suppress
The focus of all available fires on enemy personnel, weapons, or equipment to prevent effective fires on friendly forces. Suppressive fires include the full range of weapons from direct and indirect fires, electronic countermeasures, and directed energy. The purpose of suppression is to protect forces reducing and maneuvering through the obstacle and to soften the initial foothold (assault force objective).
support force
That force in a breaching operation whose mission is to eliminate enemy interference with the breach through suppressive direct and indirect fires. The support force missions include but are not limited to--isolating the breach site by focusing overwhelming fires on those enemy weapons overwatching the obstacle; preventing any repositioning or counterattack threatening the breach; controlling the use of indirect fires and obscuration; and softening the initial foothold on the objective. The support force is one of the three breach organizations used in a breaching operation.
survivability
The full range of measures taken by a commander to protect his force (personnel, equipment, and supplies) from an enemy's attack. Includes the use of fortifications, protective obstacles, strongpoints, camouflage, and deception to give the total force the edge needed to survive the battlefield.
sustainment engineering
Those missions or tasks assigned to provide engineer units general support to a division or above that provide the force with troop construction, logistical facilities, LOCs, airfield damage repair, and obstacle clearing necessary for continuous combat operations. Normally these operations are confined to the rear area of divisions and above.
SUPREP supply report
surg surgical
svc service
TAC tactical
- tactical obstacles
Those obstacles used to directly attack the enemy's ability to maneuver, mass, and reinforce in support of the force's direct- and indirect-fire lanes and tactical repositioning. When employed, individual tactical obstacles make up obstacle groups or directed obstacles. Tactical obstacles are numbered, using a 12-character alphanumeric designator.
TAI target area of interest
TACON tactical control
TF task force
TOE table(s) of organization and equipment
TOW tube-launched, optically-tracked, wire-guided
TRADOC United States Army Training and Doctrine Command
trans transportation
trmt treatment
TTP tactics, techniques, and procedures
- turn
A tactical obstacle intent used to integrate fire planning and obstacle effort to divert an enemy formation off one avenue of approach to an adjacent avenue in support of the scheme of maneuver. Requires well-defined mobility corridors and avenues of approach. The combination of obstacles and fires must be impenetrable at the point (apex) where the turn begins. Fire control must be planned to maintain pressure on the enemy throughout the turn and exploit his exposed flank. The turn intent is conveyed using the turn graphic.
US United States
USAR United States Army Reserves
UXO unexploded ordnance
w/ with
WARNORD warning order
XO executive officer
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