back tell the transfer of information from a higher to a lower echelon of command.
ballistics the science of missiles or other vehicles acted upon by propellants, wind, gravity, temperature, or other forces.
banana clip a curved or crescent-shaped ammunition clip holding 30 rounds.
barrage a prearranged barrier of fire designed to protect friendly troops and installations by impeding enemy movements across defensive lines. Also, a protective screen of balloons that are moored to the ground and kept at given heights to hinder operations by enemy aircraft.
basic encyclopedia a compilation of identified installations and physical areas of potential significance as objectives for attack.
basilage the marking of a route by a system of dim beacon lights enabling vehicles to be driven at normal speeds under blackout conditions.
battery left a method of fire in which weapons are discharged from the left one after the other, usually at five-second intervals.
battery right same as battery left, but starting from the right.
billet shelter for troops. Also, to quarter troops.
biological agent a microorganism that causes disease in humans, plants, or animals or causes the deterioration of materiel.
blister agent a chemical agent that injures the eyes and lungs, and burns or blisters the skin. Also called vesicant agent.
blood agent a chemical compound, including the cyanide group, that affects bodily functions by preventing the normal transfer of oxygen from the blood to body tissues. Also called cyanogen agent.
blood chit a small cloth chart depicting an American flag and a statement in several languages to the effect that anyone assisting the bearer to safety will be rewarded.
blue forces forces used in a friendly role during NATO exercises.
booby trap an explosive or other injuring device deliberately placed to cause casualties when an apparently harmless object is disturbed or a normally safe act is performed.
boot slang for a soldier fresh out of boot camp.
bound a single movement, usually from cover to cover, made by troops under enemy fire.
Bradley infantry fighting vehicle having twin missile launchers to use against enemy tanks and one 22mm cannon firing armor-piercing slugs. Also known as the M-2 and M-3.
breaching securing passage through a minefield.
bridgehead an area of ground held or to be gained on the enemy's side of an obstacle.
briefing the giving of instructions or information.
brigade a unit smaller than a division to which are attached groups and/or battalions and smaller units.
cache a hidden supply of food, medicine, water, and communication equipment, for use in evasion tactics.
call for fire a request for fire on a specific target.
camouflage any material used to hide equipment and installations within an environment.
camouflage detection photography infrared photography designed to detect camouflage and what is hidden beneath it.
camouflet the resulting cavity in a deep underground burst when there is no rupture of the surface.
canalize to restrict operations to a narrow zone by use of obstacles or by fire or bombing.
cargo carrier highly mobile, unarmored, full- tracked cargo and logistic carrier capable of traversing inland waterways.
catalytic attack an attack designed to bring about war between two powers through the disguised machinations of a third power.
Chaparral a short-range, low-altitude, surface-to- air, army air defense artillery system.
chemical mine a mine containing a chemical agent designed to kill, injure, or incapacitate personnel.
cinderella liberty liberty that ends at midnight.
civilian internee a civilian who is interned during armed conflict for security reasons.
civilian internee camp an installation established for the internment of civilians.
click slang for kilometer.
cluster bomb a large bomb that releases mini bombs or mines that spread over a large area.
combat engineer see sapper.
combat engineer vehicle, full-tracked 165mm
gun an armored, tracked vehicle that provides engineer support to other combat elements; equipped with a heavy-duty boom and winch, dozer blade, 165mm demolition gun, and a machine gun.
contact mine a mine detonated by physical contact.
continuous illumination fire a type of fire in which illuminating projectiles are fired at specified time intervals to provide lighting over a specified area or target.
counterguerrilla warfare operations conducted against guerrillas.
countermining tactics and techniques used to detect, avoid, and/or neutralize enemy mines.
culture any feature of terrain that has been constructed by humans, including roads, buildings, canals, and all names and legends on a map.
danger close in artillery support, information in a call for fire to indicate that friendly forces are within 600 meters of the target.
D-day the unnamed day on which a particular operation is to commence.
debriefing instructions not to give away or discuss classified information. Also the interviewing of one returning from a mission in order to gather intelligence data on other vital information.
decontamination station a facility equipped to clean personnel of chemical, biological, or radioactive contaminants.
decoy any phony object, installation, or person intended to deceive the enemy.
DEFCON defense readiness conditions; a system of progressive alert postures for use between the joint chiefs of staff and the commanders of the armed services.
defilade to shield from enemy fire or observation by using natural or artificial obstacles.
defoliant operation the use of defoliating agents on trees, shrubs, and any foliage to make a clearing for military operations.
demilitarized zone a defined area where military installations or military forces are prohibited.
demolition belt an area sown with explosive charges, mines, and other obstacles to deny use of the land to enemy operations and as a protection to friendly troops.
demolition tool kit the tools, materials, and accessories of a nonexplosive nature necessary for preparing demolition charges.
deployment the extension or widening of the front of a military unit to battle formation. Also, the relocation of forces to desired areas of operations.
detachment a part of a unit separated from its main organization for duty elsewhere.
division a tactical unit larger than a regiment or brigade but smaller than a corps.
Dragon a portable antitank weapon consisting of a small missile and launcher.
dump a temporary storage area, usually out in the open, for bombs, ammunition, equipment, and suchlike.
Duster a self-propelled, twin 40mm antiaircraft weapon for use against low-flying aircraft. Also known as M-42.
echelon any subdivision of a tactical unit.
enfilade sweeping gunfire across the length of a line of troops.