This glossary covers just some essentials, to help anyone not familiar better understand any content highlighting key terms. 

A 

AAR (After Action Review): A detailed analysis following an operation or exercise to identify lessons learned and performance improvements. 

Alpha, Bravo, Charlie…: The NATO phonetic alphabet, used for clear communication, especially over radio transmissions. Full alphabet provided at the end of this glossary. 

AO (Area of Operations): The geographic area where military operations are conducted. 

AP (Armor-Piercing): Ammunition designed to penetrate armor or hard targets. 

ACE Report: Ammunition, Casualties, Equipment – a quick situational report. 

ACOG (Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight): A type of telescopic sight with magnification used by infantrymen. 

ASAP (As Soon As Possible): Indicates urgency in completing a task without delay. 

B 

Bivouac: A temporary camp without tents or cover, used especially by soldiers or mountaineers. 

Blackout: A period when all lights must be turned off or covered to prevent them from being seen by the enemy, or a procedure to cut off communication. 

BOLO (Be On the Look Out): An alert issued over radio, instructing units to watch for a person or vehicle.

BDA (Battle Damage Assessment): The assessment of damage inflicted on the enemy and their equipment during an engagement. 

Blue Force: Friendly forces in military simulations or operations. Breach: To break through or penetrate an obstacle or defense. 

C 

Caliber: The diameter of a bullet or internal diameter of a gun barrel. 

CAS (Close Air Support): Air support by aircraft against hostile targets in close proximity to friendly forces. 

CCW (Concealed Carry Weapon): The practice of carrying a hidden weapon on one’s person. 

CO (Commanding Officer): The officer in command of a military unit. 

C2 (Command and Control): The exercise of authority by a commander over armed forces in the accomplishment of a mission. 

Casevac (Casualty Evacuation): The process of evacuating wounded personnel from combat. 

CQB (Close Quarters Battle): Combat conducted in tight spaces, emphasizing small arms and personal combat. 

D 

Defilade: A position that is protected from enemy fire by natural or artificial obstacles. 

Dragunov: A type of sniper rifle originating from Russia, known for its use in various military forces. 

DA (Direct Action): Short-duration strikes and other small-scale offensive actions by special operations forces to seize, destroy, capture, recover, or inflict damage. 

DFAC (Dining Facility): Where military personnel eat; also known as a mess hall. 

DZ (Drop Zone): A specific area designated for airborne troops to drop into or for air-dropped supplies. 

E 

E&E (Escape and Evasion): Tactics used to avoid capture and make one’s way back to friendly territory. 

Echelon: A formation in which its units are arranged diagonally. 

ECM (Electronic Countermeasures): Electronic methods used to confuse or disable enemy electronic equipment. 

EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal): The detection, disarmament, and disposal of explosive threats. 

Exfil (Exfiltration): The process of exiting an operational area by stealth or tactical withdrawal. 

F 

FAC (Forward Air Controller): A qualified individual who provides air control support from forward positions. 

FUBAR (F’ked Up Beyond All Recognition): Slang for a situation that has gone terribly wrong. 

Fireteam: The smallest infantry unit, typically consisting of 4-5 members. 

FOB (Forward Operating Base): A secured forward military position used to support tactical operations. 

FSC (Fire Support Coordinator): The individual responsible for coordinating and directing fire support during combat operations. 

G 

Ghillie Suit: A type of camouflage clothing designed to resemble heavy foliage. 

Green Zone: Safe, controlled areas, typically found in hostile or combat zones. 

Garrison: A body of troops stationed in a particular location, especially a fort, or the location itself. 

GPS (Global Positioning System): Satellite-based navigation used for precision location and mapping. 

Grunt: Slang for an infantryman. 

H 

Hollow Point: A type of bullet designed to expand upon impact, causing more damage to the target. 

Howitzer: A type of artillery that is characterized by a relatively short barrel and is capable of firing projectiles along high trajectories. 

HE (High Explosive): Explosives with a high detonation velocity, used in bombs and shells. 

HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle): Often referred to as a Humvee, this vehicle is used by the U.S. military for a variety of purposes. 

I 

IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle): Armored vehicles equipped with significant firepower and designed to carry infantry into battle. 

IR (Infrared): Technology used in night vision equipment to see in low light conditions. 

IED (Improvised Explosive Device): A bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than conventional military action. 

ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance): Activities used to gather information that supports military operations.

J 

Javelin: A portable anti-tank missile system. 

JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition): A guidance kit that converts unguided bombs into all-weather precision-guided munitions. 

Joint Operation: Military operations involving two or more military branches. 

JP8: A type of jet fuel used by the U.S. military and NATO allies. 

K 

KIA (Killed In Action): A military casualty who has died in combat. 

Knife Edge: A survival technique for sharpening tools or weapons, or a tactical maneuver in aircraft. 

Kinetic Operations: Military operations involving active engagements, typically involving firepower or physical force. 

L 

LZ (Landing Zone): A specified area for landing aircraft, especially helicopters, often in a combat zone. 

LP/OP (Listening Post/Observation Post): Small, forward positions designed to observe enemy movements and provide early warning. 

LAM (Laser Aiming Module): A device used on firearms to assist in aiming through the use of a laser. 

LOA (Limit of Advance): The farthest geographic point to which a combat unit is permitted to advance without further orders. 

M 

MRE (Meal, Ready-to-Eat): Prepackaged, self-contained rations for soldiers in the field. 

MOA (Minute of Angle): A measurement used to describe the accuracy and precision of firearms.

MOUT (Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain): Combat conducted in urban areas. 

Muster: The process of accounting for members in a military unit. 

N 

NVG (Night Vision Goggles): Optical devices that allow images to be produced in levels of light approaching total darkness. 

NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer): A military officer who has not earned a commission, serving in a leadership role based on rank and experience. 

O 

OPSEC (Operational Security): The process of protecting little pieces of data that could be grouped together to give the bigger picture. 

Overwatch: A tactical position where one’s line of sight allows them to observe and provide support to a designated area. 

OPFOR (Opposing Force): A generic term for enemy or opposition forces in training exercises. 

Oscar Mike: Slang for “on the move.” 

P 

Parley: A conference between opposing sides in a dispute, especially a discussion of terms for an armistice. 

PDW (Personal Defense Weapon): A class of compact, selective fire, submachine gun-like firearms primarily designed for personal defense. 

POW (Prisoner of War): A person captured by opposing forces during combat. 

PSYOP (Psychological Operations): Operations intended to convey selected information and indicators to audiences to influence their emotions, motives, objective reasoning, and ultimately the behavior of governments, organizations, groups, and individuals.

Q 

QRF (Quick Reaction Force): A military unit capable of rapid response to developing situations. 

R 

ROE (Rules of Engagement): Directives that define the circumstances, conditions, degree, and manner in which the use of force may be applied. 

RPG (Rocket-Propelled Grenade): A shoulder-fired missile weapon that launches rockets equipped with an explosive warhead. 

Rally Point: A pre-designated place where a unit can reassemble and reorganize if they become dispersed. 

RTO (Radio Telephone Operator): The individual responsible for managing a unit’s tactical communications equipment. 

S 

SITREP (Situation Report): A form of status reporting that provides decision-makers and readers a clear understanding of the current situation. 

Sniper: A military/paramilitary marksman who engages targets from positions of concealment or at distances exceeding the target’s detection capabilities. 

SALUTE Report: Size, Activity, Location, Unit, Time, and Equipment – information report for intelligence gathering. 

SOF (Special Operations Forces): Military units trained for conducting special operations. 

SOP (Standard Operating Procedure): A set of instructions covering those features of operations that lend themselves to a standardized procedure without loss of effectiveness.

T 

Tango: NATO phonetic alphabet term for the letter “T,” often used to designate enemy targets. 

Trauma Kit: A set of medical supplies and equipment for use in giving immediate treatment to a person injured in combat or survival situations. 

TACP (Tactical Air Control Party): A team responsible for directing air strikes and providing air-to-ground integration. 

TOC (Tactical Operations Center): The major command and control facility within a tactical unit’s headquarters 

Toe Tagged: Refers to a soldier or enemy combatant that was killed. 

U 

UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle): An aircraft piloted by remote control or onboard computers, often used for reconnaissance. 

Urban Warfare: Military operations conducted in urban environments. 

UXO (Unexploded Ordnance): Military munitions that have been deployed but failed to detonate as intended, posing risks of explosion. 

V 

Vestibule: In military terms, it can refer to a space or compartment on a military vehicle or craft where personnel can prepare for deployment. 

Volley Fire: A method of firing where a group of soldiers shoot simultaneously at a command. 

Vector: In military navigation, a direction supported by a reference point. 

VHF (Very High Frequency): The radio frequency range from 30 MHz to 300 MHz, used for FM radio broadcast, television broadcast, and long-range data communication with radios.

W 

Warhead: The explosive or destructive part of a missile, torpedo, or similar weapon. 

WP (White Phosphorus): A material used in munitions that is highly incendiary. 

Warfighter: Another term for a soldier or combatant, emphasizing the combat role. 

WILCO (Will Comply): Radio communication term signifying that the message was received and will be complied with. 

X 

XO (Executive Officer): The second-in-command in a military unit, responsible for administrative and logistical functions. 

Y 

Yellow Leg: Slang, historically referring to U.S. cavalry troops and later used for various military personnel. 

Z 

Zeroing: The process of adjusting a weapon’s sight or scope so that it hits the target at a specific range. 

Zulu Time: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) or Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), used in aviation and the military to avoid confusion over local time zones.

NATO Phonetic Alphabet 

A- Alpha 

B – Bravo 

C – Charlie 

D – Delta 

E – Echo 

F – Foxtrot 

G – Golf 

H – Hotel

I – India 

J – Juliett 

K – Kilo

L- Lima 

M – Mike 

N – November 

O – Oscar 

P – Papa 

Q – Quebec 

R – Romeo 

S – Sierra 

T – Tango 

U – Uniform

V – Victor 

W – Whiskey

X – X-ray 

Y – Yankee 

Z – Zulu