Oscar Mike to the glossary. Copy that.
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.
A brief, small-scale armed conflict or fight between a small number of combatants, typically occurring as a minor engagement in a larger war.
A long strip of cloth wound spirally around the lower leg from ankle to knee, traditionally worn as part of military uniforms or in South Asian dress. Also spelled 'putty' or 'puttie.'
Firing a large number of projectiles simultaneously, which was more relevant before firearms but still occasionally shows up in military operations. Simultaneous discharge of multiple firearms in the same direction.
The outer line of a defensive position, which is why every guard post is technically assigned to it. The boundary of a defended area requiring constant surveillance.
The direction and distance from one point to another, expressed in compass degrees and distance, which is how soldiers navigate without GPS. A compass direction measured in degrees for navigation purposes.
A glorified fortress sitting smugly on a hilltop, basically a medieval real estate flex where the rich people kept their stuff and poor people kept their distance. Still metaphorically used for any heavily protected place or last stronghold. Example: The castle citadel overlooked the entire valley.
When your spy network, satellites, and analysts collectively get it wrong about what the enemy is doing. The military equivalent of missing an obvious email.
A small tower or tower-like structure that projects from a larger building, typically serving a decorative or defensive purpose. In military contexts, it refers to a rotating armored structure on a tank or warship that houses guns or artillery.
In the manner of radiotelegraphy; referring to communication using radio waves to transmit telegraph signals (Morse code or similar encoded messages) without physical wiring.
Trying to figure out who's spying on you while preventing them from learning anything useful, essentially espionage against espionage. Operations designed to detect and neutralize enemy intelligence activities.
The theory that having enough nuclear weapons means nobody will attack you, which is either brilliant or absolutely terrifying. Strategy of preventing war through threat of nuclear retaliation.
A relentless authority figure on a ranch or work site who keeps operations running through sheer force of will and an unhealthy obsession with efficiency. Think the human embodiment of a boot camp, but saddle-wearing. Historically, also the metal rod used to shove projectiles down a musket barrel—which explains the metaphor perfectly.
An underground or heavily fortified defensive structure where soldiers hide while terrible things happen above them. A reinforced underground shelter designed for protection from artillery and airstrikes.
The Cold War doctrine that both superpowers had enough nuclear weapons to destroy civilization multiple times over, so nobody dared start a war. Terror as a peace strategy—surprisingly effective.
Military operations that don't involve conventional armies fighting each other—instead featuring guerrillas, insurgents, and special forces doing confusing things behind enemy lines.
The ability of different military systems, weapons, and units from different nations (or sometimes even services) to work together without crashing into each other.
Surrounding someone and refusing to let supplies in, which is either clever strategy or a slow punishment depending on your perspective. Military sealing off of an area to prevent supplies or people from entering or leaving.
The chaotic pieces of exploded shells that go flying in all directions, named after a British general who invented the shell that creates it. Fragments of a bursting shell or explosive, scattered by the blast.
A weapon designed so you can attack something from a really safe distance, which is either brilliant strategic thinking or an admission that you don't trust your aim. A weapon system that allows engagement from beyond effective range of enemy fire.
Making a position stronger by adding walls, trenches, and defensive structures so the enemy really regrets attacking. To strengthen a military position with defensive structures.
Nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological weapons designed to kill hundreds of thousands of people indiscriminately. The military's way of saying 'really bad weapons we've banned but some people might still have.'
The official guidelines for how military personnel should behave, including treatment of prisoners, use of force, and Geneva Convention compliance. Think of it as the military's employee handbook, but for war crimes.
A short-range indirect fire weapon that lobs projectiles in a high arc, useful for hitting targets you can't see around corners. A portable artillery piece that fires at high angles.