military intervention
|
The deliberate act of a nation or a group of nations to involve its military forces in an existing controversy.
|
military involvement
|
|
The act of inclusion and participation in military activities.
|
military journalist
|
|
A civilian, usually, who provides photographic, print, radio, or
televised information to military audiences.
|
military liaison officer
|
|
An officer responsible for the maintenance of contact or intercommunication between elements of military forces to ensure mutual understanding and unity of purpose and action.
|
military necessity
|
|
The principle whereby a belligerent has the right to apply any measures required to bring about the successful conclusion
of a military operation other than those forbidden by the
rules of war.
Example: Although quite devastating, the action was a military
necessity that could not be avoided.
|
military objectives
|
|
A derived set of military actions to be taken to implement the
guidance provided by Command in support of national objectives.
A military objective defines the results to be achieved
by the military and assigns tasks to commanders.
|
military occupation
|
|
A condition in which territory is under the effective control
of a foreign armed force.
|
military operations other than war
|
MOOTW
|
Operations, short of war, that encompass the use of military capabilities across the full range of military operations.
MOOTW can be applied to complement any combination
of the instruments of national power and occur before,
during and after war.
|
military options
|
|
A range of military responses to accomplish assigned tasks.
Options include one, or a combination of the likes of civic action, humanitarian assistance, civil affairs etc.
Example: The nature of the conflict meant that the
military options were limited.
|
military police
|
MP
|
The MP element of a PKO is normally of company strength and
is drawn from all contingents of the force. MPs are organized
along functional lines, ie provost (discipline), traffic,
investigation et al.
|
military resources
|
|
Military and civilian personnel, facilities, equipment, and supplies under the control of the Ministry of Defence.
|
military strategy
|
|
The art and science of employing the armed forces of a nation to secure the objectives of national policy by the application
of force or the threat of force.
|
military support to civil authorities
|
MSCA
|
Activities and measures taken to foster mutual assistance and
support between the Ministry of Defence and other government
agencies in respect of a government response to civil emergencies
or disturbances, including national security emergencies.
Example: The authorised MSCA in that instance, had included deployment of civil fire and emergency services.
|
military training;
military exercise
|
|
1. The instruction of personnel to enhance their capacity to
perform specific military functions and tasks.
2. The exercise of one or more military units conducted to
enhance their combat readiness.
Example: The Exercise had been conducted both efficiently
and effectively and, having been thorough in its execution,
had contributed greatly to the overall military training effort.
|
militia
|
|
A military force that operates on a temporary basis and whose members often have other interests. A militia can be utilised
to support regular army activities in a particular situation.
Example: The convoy included troops, militia and civilians.
|
mine clearance
|
|
The process of removing mines from a route or area, either on
land or at sea.
|
mine detector
|
|
A device used to confirm whether or not there are mines in a
particular area.
|
mine disposal
|
|
The operation by suitably qualified personnel designed to render
mines safe, or to neutralize, recover, remove, or destroy them.
|
mine plough
|
|
A device used in mine clearance that digs the earth and
detonates mines on contact.
|
mine spotting
|
|
The process of visually observing a mine or minefield.
|
mine weapons
|
|
The collective term for all weapons that can be used in
mine warfare.
|
mine-clearing vehicle
|
|
A special motor vehicle designed for the removal of mines.
|
mined area
|
|
An area declared dangerous because of the presence or suspected
presence of mines.
|
minefield
|
|
An area of ground or water containing mines emplaced with or
without a pattern.
Example: The submarine had detected a large minefield
off the coast in the vicinity of the harbour entrance.
|
minefield breaching
|
|
The process of clearing a lane through a land minefield
in tactical conditions.
|
minefield density
|
|
On land, minefield density is the average number of mines per
meter of minefield front, or the average number of mines per
square meter of minefield. At sea, the density is the average
number of mines per nautical mile.
Example: Once the minefield had been detected, there was
a need to determine its density.
|
minefield lane
|
|
A marked lane, unmined, or cleared of mines, leading through
a minefield.
|
minefield marking
|
|
The visible marking of all points required in laying a minefield
and indicating the extent of a minefield.
|
minefield record
|
|
A complete written record of all pertinent information concerning
a minefield, and submitted on a standard form by the officer-in-
charge of the laying operations.
|
mine-hunting
|
|
The act of employing sensor and neutralization systems, whether of
the air, surface, or subsurface type, to locate and dispose of
individual mines. The purpose of mine-hunting is to eliminate mines
in a known field when sweeping is neither feasible nor desirable.
Mine-hunting is also the act of verifying either the presence
or absence of mines in a given area.
|
minimum-risk route
|
MRR
|
A temporary corridor of defined dimensions for use by high-speed, fixed-wing aircraft that presents the minimum known hazard to
low-flying aircraft transiting a combat zone.
Example: The aircraft transited the MRR and then deployed
separately on their respective missions.
|
misfire
|
|
The failure of a weapon to fire or explode properly, or the failure of
a primer, or the propelling charge of a round or projectile, to
function wholly or in part.
|
missing in action
|
MIA
|
A combatant of unknown whereabouts during military operations.
Example: The telephone message confirmed that Corporal
Smith was MIA.
|
Mission
administrative-support plan
|
|
An administrative-support plan is prepared in relation to a
Mission's SOPs. In the context of operational support, the plan complements the operation plan or operation order.
|
mission analysis
|
|
The analysis of a mission
|
mission-capable
|
MC
|
Material condition of an aircraft indicating that it is capable
of performing at least one and potentially all of its designated tasks.
Example: Just 4 of the aircraft were serviceable and only 2
of those were considered MC.
|
mission report
|
|
A standard report containing the results of an airborne mission
and significant sightings along the flight route.
|
mission survey team; assessment team
|
|
An assessment team or mission survey team is that dispatched to
survey a new mission site and gather data to facilitate a
subsequent full assessment of the force size, composition
and logistical needs for a new peacekeeping operation.
|
mobilization exercise
|
|
An exercise involving, either completely or in part, the
implementation of mobilization plans.
|
mode of transport
|
|
The various modes used for a movement, ie inland surface transportation, for example, rail, road, and inland waterway;
sea transportation: coastal and ocean; air transportation;
and pipeline conveyance.
Example: There were various modes of transport available.
|
Molotov cocktail
|
|
A type of petrol bomb, usually a bottle filled with petrol or other
liquid fuel, with a piece of cloth in its top which is set on fire
and thrown by hand.
Example: The riot was getting out of control and Molotov
cocktails were flying all over.
|
mopping up
|
|
The liquidation of remnants of enemy resistance in an area that
has been surrounded or isolated, or through which other units have passed without eliminating all active resistance.
Example: The enemy had already been defeated and all
that remained was some mopping up to ensure that the
area was safe to occupy.
|
mortar
|
|
A muzzle-loading, indirect-fire weapon with either a rifled or
smooth bore. A mortar usually has a shorter range than a howitzer, employs a higher angle of fire, and has a tube with a length of
10-20 calibre.
|
motorized unit
|
|
A unit equipped with complete motor transportation that enables all
personnel, weapons, and equipment to be moved at the same time
without assistance from other sources.
|
movement control
|
|
The planning, routing, scheduling, and supervision of personnel
and cargo movements over lines of communication.
|
movement control cell
|
MCC
|
Part of a Mission's (civilian or military) movement control unit
that coordinates second-line transportation.
|
movement control centre
|
MCC
|
A centre that allocates resources and coordinates air, rail, road
and sea movements. One MCC is attached to the civilian component of a Mission and another to the military component. Both form
the Joint Movement Control Centre.
|
movement-control chief officer; chief, movement control
|
MovCon chief officer
|
A civilian responsible for the scheduling of air transport (commercially-hired/chartered aircraft and ships) to meet normal,
emergency and staff travel requirements. The MovCon Chief
Officer is also responsible for bills of loading, customs
documentation and freight forwarding.
|
movement control post
|
|
The post through which the control of movement is exercised by
the commander, depending on operational requirements.
|
movement order
|
|
An order issued by a commander covering the details for a move
of the command.
|
movement plan
|
|
A naval plan providing for the movement of the amphibious task
force to the objective area. A movement plan includes information
and instructions concerning the departure of ships from embarkation points, the passage at sea, and the approach to and arrival in
assigned positions in the objective area.
|
movement-report system
|
|
A system established to collect and make available to certain commands vital information on the status, location, and movement of commands, units etc.
|
movement restriction
|
|
A restriction temporarily placed on traffic into and/or out of areas
to permit clearance of or prevention of congestion.
|
multinational force
|
MNF
|
A force composed of military elements of nations who have formed
an alliance or coalition for some specific purpose.
|
multinational force commander
|
MNFC
|
A general term applied to a commander who exercises command authority over a military force comprising elements from 2
or more nations.
|
multinational logistics
|
|
The logistics used in multinational operations.
|
multinational operations
|
|
A collective term to describe military actions conducted by forces
of 2 or more nations, that are usually undertaken within the
structure of a coalition or alliance.
|
Multinational United Nations Stand-by Forces High-Readiness Brigade
|
|
See United Nations High-Readiness Brigade.
|
multiple rocket launcher system
|
MRLS
|
A rocket-launch system with the capability to fire salvos.
|
mutual support
|
|
That support that units render each other against an enemy,
because of their assigned tasks, their position relative to each
other/to the enemy, or because of their inherent capabilities.
|
named area of interest
|
NAI
|
The geographical area where information that could satisfy a
specific information requirement can be collected. NAIs are
usually selected so that information can be obtained either
on the possible courses of action of adversaries, or that
is related to conditions in the battle area.
|
national policy
|
|
A broad course of action or statements of guidance adopted by a government in pursuit of national objectives.
Example: It was national policy to develop a civil defence
capability.
|
national security
|
|
A collective term encompassing both national defence and
foreign relations of a state.
Example: The development was a threat to national security.
|
national security interests
|
|
The foundation for the development of valid objectives that
define national goals or purposes.
|
national security strategy
|
|
The art and science of developing, applying, and coordinating
the instruments of national power (diplomatic, economic, military,
and informational) to achieve objectives that contribute to national security. National security strategy can also be referred to as
national strategy or grand strategy.
|
national strategy
|
|
The art and science of developing and using the diplomatic,
economic, and informational powers of a nation, together with
its armed forces, during peace and war to secure national
objectives. National strategy can also be referred to as
national security strategy or grand strategy.
|
natural disaster
|
|
An emergency situation that is the result of natural causes
that pose a significant danger to life and property.
|
natural features
|
|
The natural elements of geographical relief, such as hills,
valleys, rivers etc.
Example: He was then able to exploit the natural features
of the terrain to his advantage.
|
nautical mile
|
nm
|
A measure of distance equal to one minute of arc on the
Earth's surface.
|
naval base
|
|
A naval base primarily established to support forces afloat,
or those contiguous to a port or anchorage. The
Navy has operating responsibility for the facility and its
associated activities, together with its interior lines
of communication, and jurisdiction over the minimum
surrounding area necessary for local security.
|
naval operation
|
|
A naval action, or the performance of a naval mission, that may
be strategic, operational, tactical, logistical, or for training
purposes.
|
naval special warfare
|
NSW
|
A designated naval warfare specialty that conducts operations in
coastal waters, rivers, or maritime environments. Naval special warfare involves small, flexible, mobile units operating under,
on, or from the sea. These operations are characterized by
stealth, speed, and precise application of force.
|
naval special-warfare forces
|
NSW forces NAVSWF
|
Those active and reserve component naval forces designated
by the Secretary of Defence and specifically organized, trained,
and equipped to conduct and support special operations.
Example: There was a need to consider NAVSWF for
the operation.
|
naval special-warfare task group
|
NSWTG
|
A provisional naval special-warfare organization that plans,
conducts and supports special operations in support of fleet commanders and joint-force special-operations
component commanders.
Example: The command had come directly from NSWTG.
|
negotiated access
|
|
A process in which humanitarian organizations negotiate with
a warring party the right to deliver a specified number of aid shipments, along a specified route, to a population in need.
Example: The unit exploited the negotiated access and was
able to obtain important intelligence during the operation.
|
negotiations
|
|
A discussion between authorities and a barricaded offender or terrorist to effect hostage release and terrorist surrender.
|
nerve agent
|
|
A potentially lethal chemical agent that interferes with the
transmission of nerve impulses.
Example: The team detected nerve agent during the operation
and took appropriate measures.
|
net call sign
|
|
A call sign that represents all stations within a net.
|
net weight
|
|
The weight of a ground vehicle without fuel, engine oil, coolant, on-vehicle materiel, cargo, or operating personnel.
|
neutral state
|
|
A state that pursues a policy of neutrality during war
in accordance with international law.
|
neutrality
|
|
A state of impartiality in war that is adopted by third-party states toward a belligerent. When subsequently recognized by the
belligerent state, neutrality creates rights and duties between the impartial state and the belligerent state.
|
neutralization
|
|
A mine is said to be neutralized when it has been rendered,
by external means, incapable of activating on the passage of a
target, albeit the mine might remain dangerous to handle.
|
news-media representative
|
NMR
|
An individual employed by a civilian radio or television station,
newspaper, newsmagazine, periodical, or news agency
to gather and report on a newsworthy event.
|
night-vision device; night-observation device; night-vision equipment; night-viewing aid; night-viewing goggles
|
NVD
NOD
NVE
NVA
NVG
|
A variety of night-sight devices that utilise passive image
intensifiers and/or thermal imagers to improve observation, target acquisition or aim in low-light conditions.
|
no later than;
not later than
|
nlt
|
Not after a usual or expected time.
Example: The order was to report to the HQ nlt 0800.
|
no-fly zone;
no-fly area;
air-exclusion zone
|
NFZ
|
An airspace of defined dimensions in which air operations are permitted only by UN forces. Violations would be prevented by
air defence measures or the use of fighter aircraft.
|
no-man’s land
|
|
An area or strip of land that no party owns or controls, such as a
strip of land between the borders of 2 countries in dispute.
|
non-combatant evacuation operations
|
NCEOs
|
Operations directed by government, whereby non-combatants are evacuated from a country when their lives are endangered by
war, civil unrest, or natural disaster.
|
non-combatant evacuees
|
|
Citizens of a nation whose lives are endangered by war, civil
unrest, or natural disaster and who may be ordered to evacuate
by the appropriate authority.
|
non-commissioned officer
|
NCO
|
An enlisted person promoted through the ranks and of the rank
of corporal or sergeant.
|
non-fixed medical treatment facility
|
|
A medical-treatment facility designed to be moved from place
to place, including medical treatment facilities afloat.
|
non-governmental organization
|
NGOs
|
A transitional organization of private citizens that maintains a consultative status with the Economic & Social Council of the
United Nations. Non-governmental organizations may be
professional associations, foundations, multinational businesses,
or simply groups of people with a common interest
in humanitarian-assistance activities.
|
North Atlantic Cooperation Council
|
NACC
|
Former consultative forum that brought together the members
of NATO and Central and Eastern European countries. The NACC
has been replaced by the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC).
|
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
|
NATO
|
A military alliance of democratic states in Europe and
North America.
|
not seriously injured
|
NSI
|
The casualty status of a person whose injury may or may not
require hospitalisation and who is not classified as either
seriously injured, or suffering from an incapacitating
illness or injury.
|
NOVEMBER
|
|
The letter N in the phonetic alphabet.
|
nuclear weapon
|
|
A weapon capable of producing a nuclear reaction and
release of nuclear energy.
|
nuclear, biological & chemical defence
|
NBCD
|
Defensive measures that enable friendly forces to survive and
fight against enemy use of nuclear, biological, or chemical
weapons and agents.
Example: In NBC RED conditions, personnel are required
to wear NBCD clothing and protection.
|
nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
|
|
An aircraft carrier powered by nuclear energy.
|
observation platform
|
|
An aircraft, ship or vehicle carrying a observation
devices, as distinct, for example, from a weapons platform.
|
observation post
|
OP
|
A permanently manned location from where military actions and movements can be observed. Each OP is allotted a serial number
or name identifying its type and sector. An OP can sometimes
be known as a 'scouting picket'.
|
observer mission
|
|
A team of unarmed officers assigned to man observation posts, and monitor ceasefires and armistices.
|
occupied territory
|
|
Territory under the authority and effective control of a belligerent armed force. The term is not applicable to territory being administered pursuant to peace terms, treaty, or other agreement, either expressed or implied, with the civil authority of the territory.
|
officer commanding
|
OC
|
An officer commanding commands a smaller unit than that
commanded by a commanding officer.
|
official channels
|
|
The official way of giving, directing or communicating.
Example: The government pursued every diplomatic and official channel to free the hostages.
|
official information
|
|
Information that is owned by, produced for, produced by, or is
subject to the control of a government.
|
open route
|
|
A route not subject to traffic or movement-control restrictions.
|
operating forces
|
|
Those forces whose primary mission is to participate in combat
and the integral supporting elements thereof.
|
operation & maintenance
|
O&M
|
The maintenance and repair of property, the operation of utilities,
and the provision of other services such as refuse collection and disposal, entomology, snow removal, and ice alleviation.
|
operation map
|
|
A map showing the location and strength of friendly forces
involved in an operation. An operation map might indicate
predicted movement and location of enemy forces, for example.
|
operation order
|
OPORD
|
A directive issued by a commander to subordinate commanders
for the purpose of effecting the coordinated execution
of an operation.
|
operation plan
|
OPLAN
|
Any plan, except for the Single Integrated Operational Plan,
relating to the conduct of military operations.
|
operation plan
|
OPLAN
|
Formal directives, in the same format as operation orders, that
are designed to meet a contingency that is expected but
not imminent.
|
operational authority
|
|
The authority granted to a commander to utilise the operational capabilities of assigned forces to undertake mandated missions
and tasks. There are 3 degrees of operational authority: operational command, operational control and tactical control.
|
operational command
|
OPCOM
|
The authority granted to a commander to assign missions or tasks
to subordinate commanders to deploy units, reassign forces etc,
and to enable him to retain or delegate operational
or tactical control.
|
operational control
|
OPCON
|
The command authority that may be exercised by commanders
at any echelon at or below the level of combatant command..
|
operational procedures
|
|
The detailed methods by which HQs and units carry out
their operational tasks.
|
operational readiness
|
OR
|
The capability of a unit/formation, ship, weapons system, or equipment to perform the missions or functions for which it is designed.
The term OR may be used in a general sense, or to express a
level or state of readiness.
|
operational readiness evaluation
|
|
An evaluation of the operational capability and effectiveness of a
unit or any portion thereof.
|
operational reserve
|
|
An emergency reserve of men and/or materiel established for the
support of a specific operation.
|
operational route
|
|
A land route allocated to a command for the conduct of a
specific operation.
|
operations
|
ops
|
Military actions or the conduct of strategic, tactical, service, training, or administrative military missions. Ops is also the process of combat, including the movement, supply, attack, defence and manoeuvres needed to meet the objectives of any battle or campaign.
|
operations other than war
|
OOTW
|
Military activities during peacetime and conflict that do not necessarily involve armed clashes between 2 forces.
Example: The campaign would also involve OOTWs.
|
operations to restore order
|
|
Operations to halt violence and support, reinstate, or establish civil authority. Operations to restore order are designed to return an unstable and lawless environment to the state where indigenous police forces can effectively enforce the law and restore civil authority.
|
opposing forces
|
opfor
|
Term used for' the enemy' in training exercises.
Example: The opfor therefore had a distinct advantage.
|
optical sight
|
|
Optical device attached to a weapon for the purposes of taking aim.
|
order
|
|
A communication, either in written, oral, or signal form, that
conveys instructions from a superior to a subordinate. In a broad sense, the terms order and command are synonymous. However,
an order implies discretion as to the details of execution,
whereas a command does not.
|
ordnance
|
|
Explosives, chemicals, pyrotechnics and similar stores, ie
bombs, guns, ammunition, flares, smoke, napalm etc.
|
Organization for Security & Cooperation in Europe
|
OSCE
|
The largest regional security organization in the world with 55
participating countries from Europe, Central Asia and North
America. OSCE is active in early warning, conflict prevention,
crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation.
|
OSCAR
|
|
The letter O in the phonetic alphabet.
|
out of ammunition
|
|
Lacking ammunition.
Example: Having deployed mass fire for an extended period,
the Force was soon likely to be out of ammunition.
|
out of bounds
|
|
Entry prohibited.
Example: The quarters were subsequently declared out of bounds.
|
outsized cargo
|
|
A single item of cargo, too large for palletisation or
containerisation.
|
overt operation
|
|
An operation conducted openly, without concealment.
|
PAPA
|
|
The letter P in the phonetic alphabet.
|
parados
|
|
Soil covering the backside of a trench, opposite of parapet.
Example: The parados was becoming unstable.
|
paramedic
|
|
A person who is trained to do medical work, but who is not
a doctor or nurse
|
paramilitary forces
|
|
Forces or groups distinct from the regular armed forces of any country, but resembling them in organization, equipment, training,
or mission.
|
parapet
|
|
A low wall along the front edge of a trench.
Example: The parapet was of insufficient height.
|
pararescue team
|
PRT
|
Specially trained personnel qualified to penetrate to the site of an incident by land or parachute, render medical aid, accomplish
survival methods, rescue survivors etc.
|
paratrooper
|
|
A soldier trained to be dropped from an aircraft by parachute
|
parlimentaire
|
|
An agent deployed behind enemy lines for the purpose of communicating or negotiating openly and directly with
the enemy.
|
parole
|
|
1. A password or distinctive sound in reply to a challenge.
2. The release of a prisoner of war on condition that he/she
will no longer take part in combat.
|
|
