DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms, September ...

1 DOD Dictionary ofMilitary and Associated TermsAs of April 2018 i PREFACE 1. Scope The DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms (DOD Dictionary ) sets forth standard US Military and Associated terminology to encompass the joint activity of the Armed Forces of the United States. These Military and Associated terms, together with their definitions, constitute approved department of defense (DOD) terminology for general use by all DOD components. 2. Purpose This publication supplements standard English-language dictionaries and standardizes Military and Associated terminology to improve communication and mutual understanding within DOD with other US Government departments and agencies and among the United States and its allies.

2 3. Application This publication applies to the Office of the Secretary of defense , the Services, the Joint Staff, combatant commands, DOD agencies, and all other DOD components. It is the primary terminology source when preparing correspondence, to include policy, strategy, doctrine, and planning documents. Criteria for inclusion of terminology in the DOD Dictionary is enumerated in department of defense Instruction (DODI) , Standardization of Military and Associated Terminology, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction (CJCSI) , Standardization of Military and Associated Terminology.

3 4. Format The primary parts of the DOD Dictionary are: a. Explanatory notes. b. Terms and definitions. c. Shortened word forms ( , abbreviations, acronyms, and initialisms). d. Summary of changes. 5. DOD Dictionary Online Availability and Update Schedule The DOD Dictionary is accessible online as a searchable database and in PDF format at the following Internet address: and at the following Non-classified Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPRNET) address: The contents of the DOD Dictionary are updated as necessary, to include terminology additions, modifications, or deletions made, in accordance with CJCSI Preface ii 6.

4 Terminology Repository for DOD (OSD/JS) Issuances This publication is supplemented by the Terminology Repository for DOD (OSD/JS) Issuances (Terminology Repository). Over the last 65 years, specific and technical DOD terms and definitions established in senior policy document glossaries reside outside of the DOD Dictionary and not subject to joint doctrine terminology criteria for general and universal usage listed in CJCSI The Terminology Repository provides awareness on those specific or descriptive terms in defense documents (policy, strategy, planning, doctrine, etc.) that support the foundation of the DOD Dictionary .

5 Its creation is the first step in deconflicting terminology nuances within organizational documents that may impact joint doctrine. 7. DOD Term and Definition Development Approach After consulting DODI and CJCSI for term and definition criteria, developers will first review the DOD Dictionary and then access the Terminology Repository before defaulting to commonly used, English-language dictionaries in creating new DOD terms and definitions. The repository is located at 8. Revision and Distribution Future editions of the DOD Dictionary will be updated according to policy and posted online at For distribution, Joint Staff, J-7, does not print copies of the DOD Dictionary .

6 Electronic versions are available on JDEIS [Joint Doctrine, Education, and Training Information System] JEL+ [Joint Electronic Library Plus] at (NIPRNET) and (SIPRNET) and on the JEL [Joint Electronic Library] at (Internet). iii TABLE OF CONTENTS EXPLANATORY NOTES ..1 TERMS AND DEFINITIONS..7 SHORTENED WORD FORMS (ABBREVIATIONS, ACRONYMS, AND INITIALISMS) ..255 SUMMARY OF CHANGES ..383 Table of Contents iv Intentionally Blank 1 EXPLANATORY NOTES 1. Updates a. Per guidance in CJCSI , Standardization of Military and Associated Terminology, terminology changes to the DOD Dictionary (additions, modifications, or deletions of DOD terminology) are approved using one of the following five methods: (1) DOD terminology proposed from JPs; (2) DOD terminology directed by the Secretary of defense , the Deputy Secretary of defense , or CJCS via Specific Memorandum; (3) DOD terminology proposed from DOD (OSD and CJCS) issuances.

7 (4) Terminology proposed from Allied Administrative Publication-6, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Glossary of Terms and Definitions (English and French); and/or (5) Approved administrative changes/updates by the DOD Terminologist. b. Per guidance in CJCSI , any DOD Dictionary term and definition, where the identified proponent is an OSD/JS issuance, must be revalidated, modified, or deleted as a part of the revision of the identified OSD/JS issuance. Any terms to be removed from OSD/JS issuances will subsequently be removed from the DOD Dictionary and automatically placed in the Terminology Repository of DOD (OSD/JS) Issuances.

8 2. Terminology Categorization (Policy and Joint Doctrine) a. Military Terminology. Standardized Military and Associated terminology forms the foundation of joint doctrine. It enables the joint force to organize, plan, train, and execute operations with a common language that is clearly articulated and universally understood. Since 1948, Military terms have been codified in the DOD Dictionary . Although different in purpose, policy documents also require standardized terminology. While some policy terms are included in the DOD Dictionary , the bulk are codified in the Terminology Repository of DOD (OSD/JS) Issuances.

9 Policy terms may form the basis of doctrinal terms, further describe doctrinal concepts, or temporarily fill gaps in joint doctrine until adopted as extant practice. If included in the DOD Dictionary , policy terms should conform to the CJCSI and standing operating procedure guidelines. b. Policy and Joint Doctrine. Policy directs and assigns tasks, prescribes desired capabilities, and provides guidance for ensuring the Armed Forces of the United States are prepared to perform their assigned roles. Implicitly, policy can create new roles and requirements for new capabilities.

10 Joint doctrine enhances the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces by providing authoritative guidance and standardized terminology on topics relevant to the employment of Military forces. Although joint doctrine is neither policy nor strategy, it serves to make United States policy and strategy effective in the application of US Military power. Terminology developed within policy and joint doctrine serves different Explanatory Notes 2 purposes. The terminology required to support the employment of forces (doctrinal terms) may not be optimal for policy developers, whose purpose may be to illuminate resource or requirement documents.