These are commonly listed United States Armed Forces terms.
Generally used on the net and individually, these set pieces are employed in the essence of strategic and tactical concepts and missions. It is imperative that warfighters learn these, especially if choosing a leadership role. Having a brief understanding of each term and concept is key. In many situations, a member must be flexible and identify and utilize these terms. In order for troops to understand these fully, they must be repeated and memorized constantly so that it does not clog up the net and increases your situational awareness.
CRITERIA
GO
• Arma related
• Tactical
• Improves gameplay
NO-GO
• Vulgar
• Discriminatory
• Non-tactical / garrison use
DATES & TIMES
References to days (or hours) preceding or following a designated day (or hour) use a plus or minus sign and a numeral following the letter. For example, "D−3" is 3 days prior to D-Day, "C+7" is 7 days after C-day, "H−2" is 2 hours before H-hour, and so forth. In less formal contexts, the time is usually spelled out, so that "D−3" becomes "D minus three" or "D minus 3".
C-Day Short for "Commencement Day" which usually means when deployment for an operation commences. Ex: "C-3 until REDCON1"
D-Day Unnamed day in which an operation begins. Ex: "D-2 until Operation STONE SENTINEL"
E-Day The unnamed day on which an exercise commences. Ex: "Operation Halberd will commence in E-2"
G-Day The unnamed day on which an order, normally national, is given to deploy a unit. Ex: "G-1 to commence deployment"
M-Day The day on which mobilization commences or is due to commence. Ex: "REDCON3 to commence at M-2"
N-Day The unnamed day an active duty unit is notified for deployment or redeployment. Ex: "Redeployment to commence at N-2"
R-Day The unnamed day on which redeployment of major combat, combat support, and combat service support forces begins in an operation. Ex: "R-1 until redeployment for all ground forces"
V-Day Sometimes used to designate "Victory Day", the day an operation successfully concludes. Ex: "V+3 after successful conclusion of mission"
W-Day The effective day the President takes the adversary decision to prepare for war (unambiguous strategic warning). Can be used to announce preparation for an Arma 3 campaign. Ex: "Be advised, all forces set to THREATCON 1 in W-3"
H-Hour Unnamed hour on D-Day in which an operation begins. Ex: "Operation TIGERSHARK will commence at H-3"
L-Hour The specific time at which deployment for an operation commences. Ex: "Deployment for Operation BLACK KNIGHT to commence at L-5"
P-Hour Unnamed hour on D-Day in which an airborne operation begins. Ex: "Operation CUTTHROAT will commence at P-1"
Attack Forms (Special Purpose Attacks): 1. Spoiling
2. Raid
3. Feint/Demonstration 4. Counter Attack
Exploitation
Pursuit
Infantry Forms of Maneuver
1. Envelopment
2. Turning Movement
3. Infiltration
4. Penetration
5. Frontal Attack
Infantry Offensive Tactical Tasks
1. Seize
2. Clear
3. Suppress
4. Support By Fire (SBF)
5. Attack By Fire
COMMON OFFENSIVE CONTROL MEASURES
AA (Assembly Area) Where troops gather to prepare for operations
Assault Position A covered/concealed position short of the objective from final preparations are made to assault the objective
Assault Time Establishes the moment to attack the OBJ
Attack by Fire Position Uses direct/indirect fires to engage an enemy without closing in on him with an assault element
Attack Position Last position an attacking force occupies or passes through before crossing the LD (Line of Departure)
EA (Engagement Area) Where you believe the bulk of the fighting will take place.
LOA (Limit of Advance) Predetermined physical limit of advancing troops while on the OBJ
LD (Line of Departure) Where troops leave for the beginning of the mission
PL (Phase Line) A graphic/terrain based location to use as a reference in coordination activities
ROE (Rules of Engagement) The when and how a person can use force
TRP (Target Reference Point) A terrain based feature that is used to help coordinate direct/indirect fire
TRANSITION FROM OFFENSIVE/DEFENSIVE OPS
Transfer from Offensive/Defensive Operations to:
• Replenish combat power
• Prepare for Defense/Stability/Offensive Ops
1. Defense
2. Stability
3. Offense
Infantry Defensive Operations
Defend an
1. Area
2. Mobile
3. Retrograde
Defend a:
• Zone/Area
• Battle Position
• Strongpoint
• Perimeter
• Reverse Slope
Common Defensive Control Measure
1. Battle Positions • Primary
• Alternate
• Supplementary
• Subsequent
• Strong Point
2. Direct Control
3. DisengagementLine
4. Fire Support Coordination Measure
5. Forward Edge of the Battle Area (FEBA)
6. Main Battle Area
INFANTRY PATROLS
Types: • Combat
• Reconnaissance
Organization: 1. Pointman
2. Compass/Pace
3. Command Team (PL/PSG/RTO/Medic/FO/FAC)
4. Aid & Litter
5. EPW
6. Security
7. Assault/Demo/Breach
Unit Survivability
Establish:
1. Forward Operating Base (FOB)
2. Observation Posts
3. Checkpoints • Deliberate
• Hasty
• Snap
• TCP (Traffic Control Point)
4. Search
5. Patrol
6. Convoy
7. Secure MSR/ASR
TYPES OF RECONNAISSANCE
1. Zone
2. Area
3. Route 4. In Force
5. Recon By Fire
Methods:
1. Fan 2. Box
3. Converging Route
4. Successive Sector
MOVEMENT
Travelling • Low threat
• Moving with no added security
Travelling Overwatch • Medium threat
• Moving with added interval
' Bounding Overwatch • High threat
• Moving only 1 element at a time, while the other covers the movement
HAND SIGNALS
Numbers
2IC 2nd In Command
40 Mike-Mike 40mm grenade round
4-1-1 Information Ex: "What's the 4-1-1 on enemy intel?"
FlighT
Low Level Low level threat Flight reduces/avoids enemy detection/observation but is fixed in height and airspeed
Contour Medium threat Flight conforms to the contour of the terrain to conceal A/C
NOE Nap of the Earth High threat Flight is as close to the earth's surface as terrain permits
Air to Air/Ground
Abort/aborting/aborted Call to cease action/attack/event/mission
Alpha Check Description of range/bearing to a location/task/target
Anchor/anchored Location of loitering A/C around a specific reference point
Angels A prebriefed altitude height that the 'Angels' number is than added to X1,000 AGL. Ex: "Hornet 1-2 is Angels 5" (if Angels is 10,000AGL then the A/C is 15,000 AGL)
Authenticate Request to respond to a coded message for verification
Bandit Confirmed Enemy A/C
BDA Battle Damage Assessment
Bingo Fuel Minimum amount of fuel needed to RTB Ex: "Apollo is Bingo plus 10 mikes"
Bird Airplane
Bird(s) affirm/away/negate AA unit has a 'lock' on enemy air asset/AA missile has been fired/AA cannot engage target
Blind No visual contact made with friendly air/ground unit. Opposite of Visual.
Bogey UNK radar/visual air target
BP Battle Position
Brevity Too much radio use, make shorter transmissions
Bugout Breakoff from current engagement with no intention of re-attacking
Bullseye A known point from which any object (target/friendly position) can be identified using cardinal/terrain features/TRPs
C2 Command and Control
Cap Loitering at a specific known point/location
Captured On-board sensor has acquired target
CAS Close Air Support
Cease Fire Stop firing immediately
Cleared Hot (Type 1 & 2) Authorized release of ordinance/fires
Cleared to Engage (Type 3) Authorized release of ordinance/fires
Closing Decreasing range
Contact Sensor/visual of enemy forces Acknowledgement of a specified TRP
Continue Continue present movement
Continue dry Continue pass but weapons release is NOT authorized
Control Type 1, 2, and 3 Level of control a JTAC has over CAS assets
Cyclops Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
DNF Depart Normal Flight (loss of aircraft/helicopter control) Ex: "A/C is DNF after missile hit"
Engage/ing About to attack or actively attacking a target
Feet wet/dry Flying over water/land.
Gadget Radar equipment
Home Plate Base/airstrip/carrier
In Direction of inbound flight with direction Ex: "In from the WEST"
IP (Initial Point) Marker used as a reference point for CAS missions Ex: "Havok 12 is at IP CROIX"
JTAC Joint Terminal Attack Controller
Looking A/C is searching for the ground object/reference point/target in sight (opposite of CONTACT)
No Joy No visual contact with enemy/target/reference. Opposite of Tally.
Offset Direction Left or right side of the IP to target line an A/C can maneuver for the attack
On Station A/C in the area and ready for mission tasking
Playtime Time A/C has left before Bingo (hours plus minutes) Ex: "Viper has 1-3- playtime on station (1hr and 30 minutes)
Rope Circular IR pointer pattern around the A/C so it can identify friendly ground position
Rifle Friendly air to ground missile
SAM Surface to Air Missile
Scramble A/C to takeoff ASAP
Shopping An aircraft requesting CAS/JATAC element for a target
Skunk Unidentified surface maritime vessle
Smoke Smoke marker/grenade used to mark a position/target
Snake Oscillating an IR pointer in a figure "8" pattern around a target to help the A/C gain TALLY and also to gain VISUAL of friendly ground forces by the A/C
Sparkle IR pointer by ground forces to identify ground position/target
Splash Weapon impact
Steady Request to stop oscillating IR illumination
Tally Visual contact of target/enemy. Opposite of No Joy.
Tiger Enough fuel/weapons for an A/C to accept a mission
TOT Time On Target
TTP Tactics, Techniques and Procedures
Tumbleweed No situational awareness (no visual contact, friendly position, etc) and need information.
Visual Visual contact of a friendly aircraft/ground position. Opposite of Blind.
Warning Air Defense Risk Scale
Hostile attack is: Red - Imminent of in progress
Yellow - Probable
White - Improbable
What Luck Request for results of mission/task
Whisky/Willie Pete/WP White Phosphorous Ex: "Enemy marked by Willie Pete"
WILCO WILL COMPLY with recieved instructions Ex: "Roger, Wilco"
Winchester (A/C) No ordnance/weapons remaining
Ex: "Able 12 is Winchester, RTB"
Combat Search And Rescue
Miller Time Indicates survivor(s) are aboard Combat Search And Rescue vehicle (air/ground/sea) Ex: "Pedro 1-3 is Miller Time x3"
Pedro CSAR Rescue A/C Ex: "Pedro 1-3 En-route to LZ Cain"
Popcorn CSAR departing the pick-up zone (PZ). Followed by number of recovered personnel. Ex: "HQ, popcorn plus 3"
Skinny CSAR subject location coordinates Ex: "Skinny at grid 2144"
RADIO
Hey you, this is me, OVER Hey you (the other callsign), this is me (your callsign), OVER
How Copy Repeat last transmission to ensure proper understand
I Say Again Repeating Transmission
I Spell I shall spell the next word phonetically
More to Follow Transmitting station has additional traffic for the recieving station
Out End of transmission and no answer is required
Over End of transmission requiring a response
Radio Check "Radio check, Over" "LOUD AND CLEAR (LIMA CHARLIE)" or "WEAK BUT READABLE (WHISKEY ROMEO)" or "WEAK AND DISTORTED (WHISKEY DELTA)" or "STRONG BUT DISTORDED (SIERRA DELTA)"
Roger I understand
Wait Radio pause for a few seconds
Wait Out Radio pause for more than a few seconds
Wilco I WILL COMPLY
A
A/C Aircraft Ex: "A/C in-bound from the EAST!"
AO Area of Operation
A-Team Special Forces ODA Team -or- The best section of a unit Ex: "Let's use our A-Team for this mission"
Action Call to activity ("Action FRONT!")
Active Enemy Aware/Alert
AAA (Triple A) Anti Aircraft Activity
AOO Actions on the OBJ
AGL Above Ground Level
Alpha Roster Alphabetical name list of entire section/unit
As You Were Disregard the last command Ex: "Mount up, as you were"
ASAP As Soon As Possible
At Ease Relax Ex: "At ease everbody but listen up"
ACE Ammunition/Casualty/Equipment GREEN — No issues YELLOW — Some issues RED — Need issues to be addressed BLACK — Cannot continue
Ex: SQD LDR: "Alpha Team Leader, ACE Report!" A TL: "ACE for Alpha team is Green/Yellow/Yellow" A TL: "Ramos is walking wounded and my radio is not working"
B
Balls to the wall As fast as possible Ex: "Driver...RTB, balls to the wall!"
BFE (Bum Fuck Egypt) Somewhere very far or isolated Ex: "I had to park in BFE or "This mission is taking us to BFE"
BFR (Big Fucking Rock) Used to describe a large geographical terrain feature Ex: "Enemy forces left side of the BFR"
Blue on Blue Friendly Fire Ex: "Cease fire! Blue on Blue!"
BOLO Be On the Look Out for Ex: "BOLO Enemy APC at grid 1234"
Breach The task of breaking through or securing a passage through: An enemy defense, obstacle, minefield, or fortification
"Break, Break, Break!" Used to stop other radio chatter Ex: "Break, break, break! Alpha 2-1 is TIC"
Bypass When a unit deliberately maneuvers around an obstacle/position/fortification/enemy force to maintain the moment of the operation while intentionally circumventing combat with an enemy force.
C
Chalk A single load of troops on an aircraft/helicopter Ex: "Chalk 1, on-board Bird 3-1"
Charlie Mike Continue Mission Ex: "1st OBJ captured, CM to 2nd OBJ"
Chief Warrant Officer/Helicopter Pilot/Helicopter Crew Chief" Ex: "Which bird do we load on Chief?"
Chopper Helicopter
CHU Containerized Housing Unit
Clear The removal of enemy forces within an assigned area
CO Commanding Officer Ex: "Go report to the CO"
Commo Communication person/equipment Ex: "Is our commo through ACRE?"
COP Combat Outpost (PLT or Less) Ex: "The COP is under attack!"
CP Command Post
Counter-reconnaissance Counter enemy recon and surveillance efforts
D
Danger Area Linear/Open
Danger Close Risk that ordinance (CAS/artillery) impact will injure/kill friendly forces
Disengage When a unit breaks contact with the enemy to allow the conduct of another mission or to avoid decisive engagement
Deuce and a Half Cargo/troop transport truck (6x6) Ex: "Squad, load-up on the Deuce and a half" Double Time To do something quickly/running Ex: "Get over here now, double time!"
Ditch Crash land an airplane/helicopter (usually at sea) Ex: "Haymaker ditching in bay SOUTH of OBJ IRONS"
Drive On Continue task/mission Ex: "We're short on 40mm, just drive on"
Dust Off MEDEVAC via helicopter Ex: "Dustoff ETA 20 mikes"
DZ Drop Zone
E
EPW Enemy Prisoner of War
ETA Estimated Time of Arrival Ex: "Fast movers ETA 3 mikes"
Exfiltrate Done when friendly forces have been encircled by enemy forces and cannot conduct a breakout or be relieved by other friendly forces
F
FARP Forward Arming and Refueling Point
Fast Mover Fixed winged aircraft Ex: "Fast movers are at IP FORD and ready for tasking"
FP Firing Point Several FPs can be inside of a battle position (BP)
Flak Anti-aircraft cannon fire Ex: "ALAMO 2 is receiving FLAK, 100 meters NORTH of the OBJ"
FOB Forward Operating Base (company or larger) Ex: "FOB Dexter will be occupied by A Co."
FLOT Forward Line of Own Troops Ex: "1st Plt FLOT is PL FORD"
Friendly Friendly contact
G
Got your "6" I am covering the area behind you
H
Heads up Pay attention to an event/activity/situation
Hold Fire Cease all firing at target
Hostile Confirmed enemy
HVT High value target
I
IED Improvised Explosive Device
IR Infrared
J
JDAM Joint Direct Attack Munition
JTAC Joint Terminal Attack Controller
K
KIA Killed in Action
L
LD Line of Departure
LZ Landing Zone
M
MIA Missing in Action
MEDEVAC Medical Evacuation (usually by helicopter)
N
NAI (Named Area of Interest) A position/marker/area/zone where important military intelligence must be confirmed/denied
NLT No Later Than Ex: "Link up with friendlies NLT 2400hrs"
NVGs / NODS Night Vision Goggles / Night Optical Devices
O
Occupy When an area becomes under control of friendly forces and when their movement to and occupation of the area occur without any enemy opposition
OBJ Objective
ODA (Operational Detachment Alpha) Special Forces 12 man team (2 teams of 6 soldiers)
On the Double To be done quickly Ex: "Private, get over here on the double!"
Oscar Mike On the move Ex: "1st Squad is loaded and Oscar Mike"
OPORD Operational Order
ORP Objective Rally Point
OP Observation Post
P
Patrol Base Temporary "base" (24hrs) from which a unit conducts a mission/operation
PAXs (on vehicle/aircraft) Personnel/Soldiers Ex: "5 PAXs are on the first vic"
PL (Phase Line) Grapgic control measure
PIR Priority Intelligence Requirements Intelligence/information needed to fulfill a mission/task
PZ (Pick up Zone) Usually by helicopter
R
Rally Point Initial, En-route, Objective, Near/Far Side
Reduce A mobility task that involved creating sufficient 'lanes' through or around an obstacle to deny its intended effect
Rolex +/- Time (minutes) before/after mission start time
RP Rendezvous Point Ex: "If we lose contact, meet at RP FIG"
RTB Return to Base
Ruck Military backpack
S
Sandbox A small terrain model to visualize for a mission Overseas/in the desert
Secure Preventing a unit, facility or geographical location from being damaged or destroyed as a result of enemy action
Seize Taking possession of a designated area/zone/target by using overwhelming force
Shack Small dwelling/house Ex: "Contact right of the red shack!"
SOF Special Operations Forces
SOP Standard Operating Procedure
SP Starting Point Ex: "Convoy SP time now"
T
TAB Tactical Advance to Battle Walking on foot, often for a long distance and with a ruck
TCP (Hasty/Deliberate/Snap) Traffic Control Point
TIC Troops In Contact Ex: "Alpha 2-1 is TIC, requesting CAS"
TOC Tactical Operations Center
TRP Target Reference Point
V
VBIED Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device
W
Weapons Weapons Control Status FREE — at targets not identified as FRIENDLY TIGHT — at targets positively identified as HOSTILE HOLD — in self-defense or in response to a formal order