Oscar Mike to the glossary. Copy that.
Forward-Looking Infrared—sensor technology that detects heat signatures ahead of aircraft or vehicles. The military's way of seeing through darkness and smoke.
Defense of the outer boundary of a military installation or operational area. The line between 'we control this' and 'everything beyond is their problem.'
A large medieval siege engine that uses a counterweight and lever system to hurl projectiles such as stones or fireballs at fortified positions. More powerful and accurate than earlier catapults, trebuchets were the dominant siege weapons from the 12th through 15th centuries.
The process of putting stuff in place—whether it's military equipment being positioned for tactical advantage, a missile system being stationed at a base, or contemporary art being dramatically placed in a museum. The word works whether you're establishing surveillance systems or establishing awkward silence with avant-garde sculpture.
Air-to-ground combat support against enemy forces near friendly troops. The reason ground soldiers love pilots who can actually hit what they're aiming at.
The commanding officer or principal decision-maker, as opposed to subordinates. When you need an answer, you ask for 'Actual' rather than the NCO who's probably tired and making coffee.
A long-distance military march with full battle gear and rucksack, designed to build endurance and unit cohesion. An exercise that separates soldiers from people who chose easier careers.
Intelligence or strategic capability that's unstable and subject to external forces; information that may dissipate without immediate action.
Heat emissions from military equipment or personnel, detectable by infrared sensors. The military version of 'your heating bill says you're home.'
A form of punishment or ordeal in which a person runs between two lines of people who strike them as they pass; also spelled 'gauntlet,' it can refer to any difficult or dangerous experience one must endure. Not to be confused with 'gauntlet' meaning a glove.
A laborer who loads and unloads cargo from ships at a port or dock. Stevedores traditionally performed physically demanding work organizing shipments and securing goods.
A pointed metal tool, typically conical and with a handle, used by sailors to separate rope strands for splicing and other nautical rope work. Essential equipment on sailing vessels for maintenance and repair.
A heavy grille of metal or wood with sharp points at the bottom, designed to be lowered vertically to block a castle gateway or drawbridge entrance as a defensive barrier.
Plural of counterintelligence; activities and operations designed to prevent or thwart espionage, sabotage, and intelligence gathering by hostile nations, organizations, or individuals. Also refers to the agencies and personnel involved in such work.
Using massive cargo aircraft to move military personnel and equipment across continents. It's the military's FedEx, except the packages occasionally include entire armored divisions.
A precision optical instrument used for measuring angles, particularly the angle between the sun or moon and the horizon, essential for celestial navigation and determining latitude and longitude at sea. The sextant measures up to 120 degrees and uses mirrors and telescopes to achieve high accuracy.
Hiding in the bushes and attacking when the enemy isn't expecting it, the military equivalent of fighting dirty but somehow still honorable. A surprise attack from a concealed position against an unsuspecting target.
In military and corporate strategy, to rapidly organize and position resources—whether troops, capital, or executive talent—to prepare for imminent action. The term implies both readiness and the coordinated logistics nightmare that follows any emergency.
A broad belt or sash worn diagonally across the chest, typically used to carry ammunition, weapons, or supplies in loops or pouches. Historically associated with military and pirate imagery, it distributes weight across the body for easier transport of heavy loads.
A two-masted sailing vessel with a square-rigged foremast and a fore-and-aft rigged mainmast, common in the 17th and 18th centuries. Brigantines were favored by merchant ships and sometimes privateers for their speed and maneuverability.
A loud signaling horn or electronic device used by ships and coastal installations to warn of their presence in fog or low visibility conditions; also used figuratively to describe a loud, forceful voice or manner.
When you use long-range guns to make an area very uninhabitable very quickly, delivered at a safe distance from the comfort of your base camp. An attack using artillery weapons on a specific target or area.
Military slang for a soldier who can do anything—a jack-of-all-trades operative ready for whatever mission comes their way, regardless of specialty.
A sturdy canvas or leather bag with a single strap worn over one shoulder, traditionally used by soldiers and travelers to carry supplies and provisions. Often smaller and lighter than a full backpack.