| A | B |
|---|
| access control point | A corridor at the installation entrance through which all vehicles and pedestrians must pass when entering or exiting the installation. (ATTP 3-39.32) |
| acknowledge | A directive from the originator of a communication requiring the addressee(s) to advise the originator that his communication has been received and understood. This term is normally included in the electronic transmission of orders to ensure the receiving station or person confirms the receipt of the order. (FM 6-02.53) |
| actions on contact | A series of combat actions, often conducted simultaneously, taken upon contact with the enemy to develop the situation. (ADRP 3-90) |
| active air defense | (DOD) Direct defense action taken to destroy, nullify, or reduce the effectiveness of hostile air and missile threats against friendly forces and assets. (JP 3-01) See ADRP 3-09, ADRP 3-90, FM 3-90-1, and ATP 3-27.5. |
| activity | (DOD) 1. A unit, organization, or installation performing a function or mission. 2. A function, mission, action, or collection of actions. Also called ACT. (JP 3-0) See ATP 3-55.12. |
| administrative contracting officer | Contracting officers whose duties are limited to contract administration. Also called ACO. (ATTP 4-10) |
| administrative control | (DOD) Direction or exercise of authority over subordinate or other organizations in respect to administration and support, including organization of Service forces, control of resources and equipment, personnel management, unit logistics, individual and unit training, readiness, mobilization, demobilization, discipline, and other matters not included in the operational missions of the subordinate or other organizations. Also called ADCON. (JP 1) See ADRP 5-0. |
| administrative movement | A movement in which troops and vehicles are arranged to expedite their movement and conserve time and energy when no enemy ground interference is anticipated. (FM 3-90-2) |
| advance party | A team that coordinates the convoy’s arrival at the destination. It may move with the main body initially but must arrive at the destination sufficiently ahead of the main body. See also convoy; march column; quartering party. (FM 4-01.30) |
| adversary | (DOD) A party acknowledged as potentially hostile to a friendly party and against which the use of force may be envisaged. (JP 3-0) See ADRP 3-0, ADRP 3-37, FM 3-07 and ATP 3-07.5. |
| after action review | A guided analysis of an organization’s performance, conducted at appropriate times during and at the conclusion of a training event or operation with the objective of improving future performance. It includes a facilitator, event participants, and other observers. Also called AAR. (ADRP 7-0) |
| agility | The ability of friendly forces to react faster than the enemy. (ADRP 3-90) |
| air and missile defense | (DOD) Direct [active and passive] defensive actions taken to destroy, nullify, or reduce the effectiveness of hostile air and ballistic missile threats against friendly forces and assets. Also called AMD. (JP 3-01) See ATP 3-27.5. (Army) The direct defensive actions taken to protect friendly forces by destroying or reducing the effectiveness of hostile air and ballistic missile threats against friendly forces and assets in support of joint force commanders’ objectives. (ADRP 3-09) |
| air assault | (DOD) The movement of friendly assault forces by rotary-wing aircraft to engage and destroy enemy forces or to seize and hold key terrain. (JP 3-18) See FM 3-90-1 |
| air defense | (DOD) Defensive measures designed to destroy attacking enemy aircraft or missiles in the atmosphere, or to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of such attack. Also called AD. (JP 3-01) See FM 3-01.7. |
| air defense artillery | The defensive measures designated to destroy attacking enemy aircraft or missiles in the atmosphere, or to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of such attack either through surveillance actions or active engagements of aerial threat. (ADRP 3-09) |
| air defense commander | (DOD) The component commander with the preponderance of air defense capability and the required command, control, and communications capabilities who is assigned by the joint force commander to plan and execute integrated air defense operations. Also called AADC. (JP 3-01) See ATP 3-27.5. |
| airborne mission coordinator | (DOD) The designated individual that serves as an airborne extension of the component commander or supported commander responsible for the personnel recovery mission. Also called AMC. (JP 3-50) See ATP 3-55.6 |
| air movements | (Army) Operations involving the use of utility and cargo rotary-wing assets for other than air assaults. (FM 3-90-2) |
| air interdiction | (DOD) Air operations conducted to divert, disrupt, delay, or destroy the enemy’s military surface capabilities before it can be brought to bear effective against friendly forces, or to otherwise achieve objectives that are conducted at such distances from friendly forces that detailed integration of each Air mission with the fire and movement of friendly forces is not required. (JP 3-03) See ATP 3-55.6. |
| airspace control | (DOD) A process used to increase operational effectiveness by promoting the safe, efficient, and flexible use of airspace. (JP 3-52) See ADRP 3-90, ADRP 5-0, and FM 3-90-1. |
| airspace control area | (DOD) Airspace that is laterally defined by the boundaries of the operational area, and may be subdivided into airspace control sectors. (JP 3-01) See FM 3-52. |
| airspace control authority | (DOD) The commander designated to assume overall responsibility for the operation of the airspace control system in the airspace control area. Also called ACA. (JP 3-52) See FM 3-52 |
| airspace control order | (DOD) An order implementing the airspace control plan that provides the details of the approved requests for airspace coordinating measures. It is published either as part of the air tasking order or as a separate document. Also called ACO. (JP 3-52) See FM 3-52, ATP 3-06.1, and ATTP 2-01. |
| airspace coordinating measures | (DOD) Measures employed to facilitate the efficient use of airspace to accomplish missions and simultaneously provide safeguards for friendly forces. Also called ACMs. (JP 3-52) See FM 3-52. |
| airspace coordination area | (DOD) A three dimensional block of airspace in a target area, established by the appropriate ground commander, in which friendly aircraft are reasonably safe from friendly surface fires. The airspace coordination area may be formal or informal. Also called ACA. (JP 3-09.3) See FM 3-52 and ATP 3-09.24 |
| air support operations center | (DOD) The principal air control agency of the theater air control system responsible for the direction and control of air operations directly supporting the ground combat element. It coordinates air missions requiring integration with other supporting arms and ground forces. It normally collocates with the Army tactical headquarters senior fire support coordination center within the ground combat element. Also called ASOC. (JP 3-09.3) See FM 3-52 |
| air tasking order | (DOD) A method used to task and disseminate to components, subordinate units, and command and control agencies projected sorties, capabilities and/or forces to targets and specific missions. Normally provides specific instructions to include call signs, targets, controlling agencies, etc., as well as general instructions. Also called ATO. (JP 3-30) See ATTP 2-01 and ATP 3-06.1. |
| alliance | (DOD) The relationship that results from a formal agreement between two or more nations for broad, long term objectives that further the common interests of the members. (JP 3-0) See ADRP 3-0 and FM 3-07. |
| allocation | (DOD) Distribution of limited forces and resources for employment among competing requirements. (JP 5-0) See ATTP 2-01. |
| all source intelligence | (Army) The integration of intelligence and information from all relevant sources to analyze situations or conditions that impact operations. (ADRP 2-0) |
| alternate position | A defensive position that the commander assigns to a unit or weapon for occupation when the primary position becomes untenable or unsuitable for carrying out the assigned task. (ADRP 3-90) |
| alternate supply route | A route or routes designated within an area of operations to provide for the movement of traffic when main supply routes become disabled or congested. Also called ASR. (ADRP 1-02) See also area of operations; main supply route. |
| ambush | An attack by fire or other destructive means from concealed positions on a moving or temporarily halted enemy. (FM 3-90-1) |
| ammunition transfer holding point | A designated site operated by a brigade support battalion distribution company where ammunition is received and transferred to supported units within a brigade combat team. May also temporarily hold or store ammunition as required. (FM 4 90) |
| anticipation | The ability to foresee operational requirements and initiate actions that satisfy a response without waiting for an operation order or fragmentary order. (ADP 4-0) |
| approach march | The advance of a combat unit when direct contact with the enemy is intended. (ADRP 3-90) |
| apportionment | (DOD) In the general sense, distribution of forces and capabilities as the starting point for planning. (JP 5-0) See ATTP 2-01. |
| area defense | A defensive task that concentrates on denying enemy forces access to designated terrain for a specific time rather than destroying the enemy outright. (ADRP 3-90) |
| area of influence | (DOD) A geographical area wherein a commander is directly capable of influencing operations by maneuver or fire support systems normally under the commander's command or control. (JP 3-0) See ADRP 3-0, ADRP 3-90, and FM 3-90-1. |
| area of interest | (DOD) That area of concern to the commander, including the area of influence, areas adjacent thereto, and extending into enemy territory. This area also includes areas occupied by enemy forces who could jeopardize the accomplishment of the mission. Also called AOI. (JP 3-0) See ADP 3-0, ADRP 3-90, FM 3-90-1, and ATP 3-55.6. |
| area of operations | (DOD) An operational area defined by the joint force commander for land and maritime forces that should be large enough to accomplish their missions and protect their forces. Also called AO. (JP 3-0) See ADRP 3-0, ADRP 3-90, ATP 3-09.34, ATP 3-55.6, FM 3-90-1, and FM 3-07. |
| area of responsibility | (DOD) The geographical area associated with a combatant command within which a geographic combatant commander has authority to plan and conduct operations. Also called AOR. (JP 1) See ATP 3-55.6. |
| area reconnaissance | A form of reconnaissance that focuses on obtaining detailed information about the terrain or enemy activity within a prescribed area. (ADRP 3-90) |
| area security | A security task conducted to protect friendly forces, installation routes, and actions within a specific area. (ADRP 3-90) See also area reconnaissance; security operations; rear area security. |
| area support | Method of logistics, medical support, and personnel services in which support relationships are determined by the location of the units requiring support. Sustainment units provide support to units located in or passing through their assigned areas. (FM 4-90) See also direct support; logistics. |
| ARFOR | The Army component and senior Army headquarters of all Army forces assigned or attached to a combatant command, subordinate joint force command, joint functional command, or multinational command. See JP 3-0. (ADRP 1-02) |
| Army design methodology | A methodology for applying critical and creative thinking to understand, visualize, and describe unfamiliar problems in approaches to solving them. (ADP 5-0) |
| Army field support brigade | An organization which provides integrated and synchronized acquisition logistics and technology support, less medical, to Army operational forces. Also called AFSB. (ADRP 1-02) |
| Army Health System | A component of the Military Health Systems that is responsible for operational management of the health service support and force health protection missions for training, predeployment, deployment, and postdeployment operations. (ATTP 4-02) |
| Army leader | Anyone who by virtue of assumed role or assigned responsibility inspires and influences people to accomplish organizational goals. Army leaders motivate people both inside and outside the chain of command to pursue actions, focus thinking, and shape decisions for the greater good of the organization. (ADP 6-22) |
| Army special operations aviation – Designated Active Component forces and units organized, trained, and equipped specifically to conduct air mobility, close combat attack, and other special air operations. (ADRP 3-05) | Designated Active Component forces and units organized, trained, and equipped specifically to conduct air mobility, close combat attack, and other special air operations. (ADRP 3-05) |
| Army special operations forces | (DOD) Those Active and Reserve Component Army forces designated by the Secretary of Defense that are specifically organized, trained, and equipped to conduct and support special operations. Also called ARSOF. (JP 3-05) See FM 3-05. |
| art of command | The creative and skillful exercise of authority through timely decision making and leadership. (ADP 6-0) |
| art of tactics | This consists of three interrelated aspects: the creative and flexible array of means to accomplish assigned missions, decision making under conditions of uncertainty when faced with a thinking and adaptive enemy, and understanding the effects of combat on Soldiers. (ADRP 3-90) |
| assailable flank | A flank which is exposed to attack or envelopment. (ADRP 3-90) See also flank. |
| assault echelon | (Army) The element of a force that is scheduled for initial assault on the objective area. (ADRP 1-02) |
| assault position | A covered and concealed position short of the objective, from which final preparations are made to assault the objective. (ADRP 3-90) |
| assault time | The moment to attack the initial objective throughout the geographical scope of the operation. (ADRP 3-90) |
| assembly area | An area a unit occupies to prepare for an operation. (FM 3-90-1) |
| assessment | (DOD) 1. A continuous process that measures the overall effectiveness of employing joint force capabilities during military operations. See FM 3-07. 2. Determination of the progress toward accomplishing a task, creating a condition, or achieving an objective. (JP 3-0) See ADP 3-37, ADRP 3-37, ADP 5-0 and ARDRP 5-0. 3. Analysis of the security, effectiveness, and potential of an existing or planned intelligence activity. 4. Judgment of the motives, qualifications, and characteristics of present or prospective employees or "agents." See FM 3-07. |
| assign | (DOD) To place units or personnel in an organization where such placement is relatively permanent, and/or where such organization controls and administers the units or personnel for the primary function, or greater portion of the functions, of the unit or personnel. (JP 3-0) See ADRP 5-0. |
| assured mobility | A framework—of processes, actions, and capabilities—that assures the ability of a force to deploy, move, and maneuver where and when desired, without interruption or delay, to achieve the mission. (ATTP 3-90.4) |
| attach | (DOD) The placement of units or personnel in an organization where such placement is relatively temporary. (JP 3-0) See ADRP 5-0. |
| attack | An offensive task that destroys or defeats enemy forces, seizes and secures terrain, or both (ADRP 3-90) See also defeat; deliberate attack; demonstration; destroy; feint; offensive operations; raid; secure; seize; spoiling attack. |
| attack by fire | A tactical mission task in which a commander uses direct fires, supported by indirect fires, to engage an enemy force without closing with the enemy to destroy, suppress, fix, or deceive that enemy. (FM 3-90-1) See also destroy; fix; frontal attack; support by fire; suppress; tactical mission task. |
| attack by fire position | The general position from which a unit conducts the tactical task of attack by fire. (ADRP 3-90) See also attack by fire. |
| attack position | (Army) The last position an attacking force occupies or passes through before crossing the line of departure. (ADRP 3-90) |
| attitudes | The beliefs, feelings, values, and disposition that cause an individual to respond in a particular way to a given object, person, or situation. (FM 3-05.301) |
| authenticate | (DOD) A challenge given by voice or electrical means to attest to the authenticity of a person, message, or transmission. (JP 3-50) See ATP 3-50.3. |
| authority | The delegated power to judge, act or command. (ADP 6-0) |
| auxiliary | For the purpose of unconventional warfare, the support element of the irregular organization whose organization and operations are clandestine in nature and whose members do not openly indicate their sympathy or involvement with the irregular movement. (ADRP 3-05) |
| avenue of approach | (Army) The air or ground route leading to an objective (or key terrain in its path) that an attacking force can use. (ADRP 3-90) |
| axis of advance | (Army) The general area through which the bulk of a unit’s combat power must move. (ADRP 3-90) See also attack; movement to contact; offensive operations. |
