combat outpost

Intermediate 🎖️ Military / Defense

Definition

A small, temporary forward position used to extend security and maintain presence in contested areas, abbreviated as COP. A fancy term for 'the place you definitely don't want to get assigned.'

Example Usage

Third platoon is rotating to the combat outpost for a two-week security mission.

Origin

Counterinsurgency operations terminology, particularly Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts

Fun Fact

COPs became infamous during Afghanistan operations for being simultaneously strategically important and tactically vulnerable—a terrible combination.

Source: Counterinsurgency and forward operations

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