show of force
|
The deploying of military forces to deter a potential aggressor
and to demonstrate resolve.
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shrapnel
|
|
Small fragments of metal scattered by a bomb or similar weapon
when it explodes. Shrapnel is intended to injure and maim.
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siege
|
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The surrounding of a facility by an armed force with the intention
of defeating those defending it, or the action of an armed force
in surrounding a fortification and isolating it while
continuing to attack.
Example: The attacking forces laid siege to the harbour.
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SIERRA
|
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The letter S in the phonetic alphabet.
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sight
|
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A device for the purpose of accurately aiming a weapon.
Example: Through the telescopic sight, he could clearly
identify his prey.
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signal pistol
|
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A hand-held gun that fires signal flares.
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signaller
|
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Someone who communicates by signals.
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signal
|
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1. A transmitted electrical pulse.
2. An operational message, the text of which consists of one or
more letters, words, characters, signal flags, visual displays, or
special sounds, that is conveyed or transmitted by visual,
acoustical, or electrical means.
Example 1: The radio operator was receiving a signal, despite
the poor reception.
Example 2: Once in position, the sniper signalled his readiness.
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signed route
|
|
A route along which a unit has placed directional signs bearing
its unit identification symbol. The signs are for that unit's use only and must comply with movement regulations.
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significant (or special) incident report
|
SINCREP
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Initial, intermediate and final reports on serious incidents that
occur in a PKO's area of operation. SINCREPs are submitted by
units to a higher formation to report incidents in their
respective areas of responsibility.
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silencer
|
|
1. Short tube attached to the muzzle of a gun that deadens the noise
of the weapon on firing.
2. That part of a vehicle exhaust that muffles the noise
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single-flow route
|
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A route at least one-and-a-half lanes wide allowing the passage
of a column of vehicles, and permitting isolated vehicles to pass or travel in the opposite direction at predetermined points.
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situation assessment
|
|
Assessment produced by combining military geography, weather,
and threat data to provide a comprehensive projection of a
situation.
Example: The commander considered the situation assessment
and decided to move immediately.
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Situation Centre
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SITCEN
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The Situation Centre at PKO HQ.
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situation map
|
|
A map showing the tactical or the administrative situation at a particular time.
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situation report
|
SITREP;
Sit Rep
|
A report giving the situation in the area of a reporting unit or formation.
Example: The SITREP provided clear evidence that the
operation was in trouble.
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skill-at-arms
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SAA
|
Military training using arms.
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skirmish
|
|
A minor, contained short-term fight that is usually not planned.
Example: During the march they encountered a minor skirmish
with guerrillas.
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slightly wounded
|
|
A casualty whose injuries or illness are relatively minor and
which permit the patient to walk and/or sit.
Example: The wounds were slight and he was able to
continue to operate.
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sling
|
|
A strap, piece of cloth, or rope for supporting, lifting
or carrying objects.
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small arms
|
|
Man-portable, individual, and crew-served weapons systems
used mainly against personnel and lightly armoured or
un-armoured equipment.
Example: During the skirmish, the unit came under small-
arms fire.
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small, austere airfield
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SAAF
|
Unsophisticated airfield, usually with a short runway, that is
limited in facilities, and possibly useful only for the
operation of light aircraft.
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small-scale map
|
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A map having a scale smaller than 1:600 000.
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smart bomb
|
|
A bomb that is directed to its target by monitor and by means
of a signal or laser-guide system.
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smoke discharger
|
|
A device that produces smoke that is used to mask either friendly
or enemy installations or manoeuvres.
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smoke screen
|
|
A cloud of smoke used to screen an activity or to provide cover.
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sniper
|
|
A marksman who shoots at people from a concealed place.
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special assistant
|
|
A civilian who is responsible for arranging and organizing
the official schedule of an SRSG.
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special cargo
|
|
A cargo that requires special handling or protection, such as pyrotechnics, detonators, watches, and precision instruments.
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Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations
|
|
A special committee established to conduct a comprehensive review
of all aspects of peacekeeping operations.
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special forces
|
SF
|
Forces organized, trained, and equipped specifically to conduct
special operations.
Example: Because of the nature of the task, the Force
Commander decided it would be special-forces operation.
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special-interest target
|
SIT
|
A target or a contact that requires or deserves special interest.
Example: There was a need to select the SITs for the mission.
|
special-mission unit
|
SMU
|
A group of operations and support personnel task-organized to perform highly classified activities.
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special operations
|
|
1. Any form of action with a military purpose, yet not necessarily involving the use of force or violence.
2. Military, commando-like actions against strategic or
tactical targets.
Example: On its return, the squadron was assigned to
special operations.
|
special-operations command
|
SOC
|
A subordinate unified or other joint command established by
a joint-force commander to plan, coordinate, conduct, and support joint special operations.
|
special-operations forces
|
SOF
|
SOF are ctive or reserve forces that are specifically organized,
trained and equipped to conduct and support special operations.
|
special reconnaissance
|
SR
|
Reconnaissance and surveillance activities conducted by special- operations forces to obtain or verify, by visual observation or other collection methods, information concerning the capabilities,
intentions, and activities of an actual or potential enemy, or to
secure data concerning the meteorological, hydrographic, or geographic characteristics of a particular area.
Example: SR activities included target acquisition, area
assessment, and post-strike reconnaissance.
|
Special Representative of the Secretary-General
|
SRSG
|
The highest-ranking international civilian official in a
UN peacekeeping operation
|
specialist intelligence report
|
SPIREP
|
A category of specialized, technical reports used for the
dissemination of intelligence.
|
specified command
|
|
A command that has a broad, continuing mission, normally functional
rather than geographic. A specified command normally comprises
forces from a single military department.
|
squad
|
|
The smallest tactical unit of military personnel.
|
squad section
|
|
A small group of personnel trained to work together as a unit.
|
staff officer
|
|
An army officer on the staff of a senior commander who
assists in the planning of military activities.
Example: His next appointment was likely to be that of
MOD staff officer, possibly with the general staffs.
|
staff sergeant
|
|
A SNCO rank below that of warrant officer.
|
staging area
|
|
A general locality established for the concentration of troop units
and transient personnel during mobilization.
|
standardization
|
|
The process of standardizing equipment and procedures
in a multinational organization. Standardization can
relate to low-level compatibility, inter-operability, interchange
ability and commonality in equipment.
|
stand-by phase
|
|
The first phase in a peacekeeping operation, whereby a
technical-survey team is dispatched to the potential mission
area, prior to or shortly after the Security Council adopts
a resolution.
|
standing operating procedures
|
SOPs
|
SOPs detail the political and military operations in an area, ie
staff duties, the structure of force, the mandate and methods of operations, those rules applicable to the carriage of weapons,
the use of force, states of alert et al.
|
standing order
|
|
A promulgated order that remains in force until amended or cancelled.
|
state of alert
|
|
UN forces usually have 3 states of readiness: normal vigilance, increased vigilance and full alert. The system allows for the
gradual stepping-up of UN reaction as a situation develops, for
example, in response to increased threats. The 3 states of alert are normally designated by colours: white, amber and red.
Example: Prior to the attack, the alert state had been AMBER.
|
state of readiness
|
|
Defence readiness condition.
Example: Prior to the attack, the force had been at a
high state of readiness.
|
stock control
|
|
The process of maintaining inventory data concerning the
quantity, location, and condition of supplies and equipment.
Example: The stock-control staff checked the equipment due-in,
that on-hand and that due-out so that they could determine
the quantities of material and equipment available
for the task.
|
storage life
|
|
The length of time for which an item of supply, including explosives, given specific storage conditions, may be expected to remain serviceable and, if relevant, safe to use.
|
strafing
|
|
The delivery of automatic fire by aircraft on ground targets.
Example: The aircraft banked and turned and then
completed a strafing run on the convoy.
|
strategic advantage
|
|
The overall relative power relationship of opponents that enables
one nation, or group of nations, to control the course of a military
or political situation.
Example: In that conflict, NATO had a distinct
strategic advantage.
|
strategic concept
|
|
The course of action accepted, once the strategic situation has
been considered. The strategic concept is a statement of
requirements, in broad terms, with sufficient flexibility to permit
its use in framing the military, diplomatic, economic and
informational measures that stem from it.
|
strategic intelligence
|
|
Intelligence that is required for the formulation of strategy, policy,
and military plans and operations at national and theatre levels.
|
strategic map
|
|
A map of medium scale or smaller that is used for planning
operations, including the movement, concentration and supply
of troops.
|
strategic mining
|
|
A long-term mining operation designed to deny the enemy the
use of specific sea routes or sea areas.
|
strategic mission
|
|
A mission directed against one or more of a selected series of
enemy targets with the purposes of progressive destruction and disintegration of both the enemy's war-making capacity and
its will to wage war.
|
strategic plan
|
|
A plan for the overall conduct of a war.
|
strategic warning
|
|
A warning prior to the initiation of a threatening act.
|
strike force
|
|
A force comprising the units necessary to conduct strikes, attack
or assault operations.
|
strip marker
|
|
A natural, artificial, or specially installed marker that
is located at the start and finish of a mine strip.
|
strong point
|
|
A key point, in a defensive position, usually strongly fortified and heavily armed with automatic weapons, around which other
positions are grouped for its protection.
|
stun grenade
|
|
A device that is used to temporarily incapacitate personnel
without permanently harming them.
|
sub-machine gun
|
|
A portable, light, rapid-fire automatic gun.
|
subsidiary landing
|
|
An amphibious landing usually outside the designated
landing area, the purpose of which is to support
the main landing.
Example: The marine commander was tasked with
making a subsidiary landing further along the coast.
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