DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms, July 2019

DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms

As of November 2021

PREFACE

1. Scope

As directed in Joint Publication (JP) 1, Doctrine for the Armed Forces of the United States, the DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms [Short title: 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 document 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.

3. Application

This document applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Services, the Joint Staff (JS), 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) 5025.12, Standardization of Military and Associated Terminology, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction (CJCSI) 5705.01, Standardization of Military and Associated Terminology.

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

Joint Staff, J-7, does not print copies of the DOD Dictionary. The DOD Dictionary is accessible online in PDF format on the JEL [Joint Electronic Library] (Internet) at and as a searchable database and PDF on the JEL+ [Joint Electronic Library Plus] on NIPRNET [Non-classified Internet Protocol Router Network] at (common access card required) and SIPRNET

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Preface

[SECRET Internet Protocol Router Network] . The contents of the DOD Dictionary are updated as necessary, to include terminology additions, modifications, or deletions, in accordance with CJCSI 5705.01, Standardization of Military and Associated Terminology. 6. Terminology Repository for DOD (Office of the Secretary of Defense/Joint Staff) Issuances

This document is supplemented by the Terminology Repository for DOD (Office of the Secretary of Defense [OSD]/JS) Issuances (Terminology Repository) (For Official Use Only). 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 5705.01. The 25,000+ policy term Terminology Repository provides awareness on those specific or descriptive terms in defense documents (policy, strategy, planning, doctrine, etc.) that support the foundation of the 2,500+ doctrine term DOD Dictionary. Its creation is the primary step in deconflicting terminology nuances within organizational documents that may impact joint doctrine. 7. Department of Defense Term and Definition Approach

After consulting DODI 5025.12, Standardization of Military and Associated Terminology, and CJCSI 5705.01 for term and definition criteria, proponents of new or existing terms 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 common access card-enabled and located at . 8. Citation

Per JP 1, and for reference purposes in official DOD materials, this document will be listed as: Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, "DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms," as amended. For all other documentation, this will be cited as: Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms, (Washington DC: The Joint Staff, date), page # if necessary.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXPLANATORY NOTES ..................................................................................................1 TERMS AND DEFINITIONS.............................................................................................7 SHORTENED WORD FORMS (ABBREVIATIONS, ACRONYMS, AND INITIALISMS) ................................................................................................................239 SUMMARY OF CHANGES ...........................................................................................351

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Table of Contents Intentionally Blank

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EXPLANATORY NOTES

1. Updates and Terminology Actions

a. Per guidance in CJCSI 5705.01, Standardization of Military and Associated Terminology, terminology actions for the DOD Dictionary (additions; modifications; revalidations, to include those parts of a JP or issuance/directive policy revision process; or deletions) are supported 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 Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) via specific memorandum;

(3) DOD terminology proposed from DOD (Office of the Secretary of Defense [OSD] and CJCS) issuances;

(4) Terminology in Allied Administrative Publication-6, NATO Glossary of Terms and Definitions (English and French), (reference i) and "NATOTerm," the official NATO Terminology Database, may be proposed for inclusion in the DOD Dictionary with the appropriate DOD issuance or JP as the source document; and/or

(5) Approved administrative changes/updates by the DOD Terminologist.

b. Per guidance in CJCSI 5705.01, any DOD Dictionary term and definition, where the identified proponent is an OSD/JS issuance that remains in the document as part of an organizational change or other revision process must be revalidated or modified as a part of the revision process. Proponents of terms and definitions that do not follow this process will result in automatic removal from the DOD Dictionary and movement to the Terminology Repository of DOD (OSD/JS) Issuances. Any terms identified for removal from OSD/JS issuances will subsequently be removed from the DOD Dictionary and automatically placed in the Terminology Repository of DOD (OSD/JS) Issuances.

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. 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 will conform to the CJCSI 5705.01 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

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Explanatory Notes

prepared to perform their assigned roles. Implicitly, policy can create new roles and requirements for new capabilities. Joint doctrine enhances the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces by providing official advice 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 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. Terminology developed for DOD policy is not limited by the constraints imposed on doctrine terminology. Policy definitions may provide the basis for the doctrinal terms. Doctrinal terms cannot be in conflict with the law, regulation, or policy.

c. Strategic Effect Terms. Departments and agencies normally define mission task terms (n - deterrence, stabilization, etc.) instead of strategic effect terms (v) to avoid confusion within and between mission areas and levels of engagement. For strategic effect terms, the standard dictionary definition often applies. The following is a lengthy but not whole inclusive list of strategic effect terms: advance, assure, coerce, compete, compel, contain, deceive, defeat, degrade, delay, delegitimize, deny, destroy, deter, discredit, disable, discourage, disrupt, divert, engage, enhance, integrate, isolate, kill, maintain, manage, neutralize, prevent, protect, stabilize, suppress, synchronize.

3. Terminology Definition Development

The DOD Dictionary is designed to supplement common English-language dictionaries with standard terminology for military and associated use. After reviewing policy for criteria and the DOD Dictionary for existence, developers must consult the Terminology Repository before defaulting to commonly used, English-language dictionaries as a starting point in creating new DOD Dictionary terms and definitions. A definition should address the meaning of the term only and should not contain doctrinal or procedural information (i.e., it should focus on describing "what" a term is and not "how" or "why" it is used). If additional text is desired to elaborate on a definition, that information should be provided in the text of the publication. Accordingly, the following CJCSI 5705.01, Standardization of Military and Associated Terminology, and standing operating procedure criteria are used to determine the acceptability of terminology for inclusion in the DOD Dictionary:

a. The term in a standard, commonly accepted dictionary is inadequate for DOD use.

b. The term is not a standard dictionary definition with non-definitional text added. Example: capability - The ability to complete a task or execute a course of action under specified conditions and level of performance.

c. The term is not self-defining. Example: bomber aircraft ? An aircraft that is capable of delivery bombs.

d. The term is not a policy term that competes or overrides a doctrinal term in the DOD Dictionary.

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