Oscar Mike to the glossary. Copy that.
An individual skilled in moving undetected through hostile or monitored environments, whether for reconnaissance, theft, or espionage. Essentially a professional ghost with dubious ethics.
Cargo or goods in transit through supply chains, often under security protocols in military contexts to ensure safe delivery of sensitive materials. Sometimes the freight is more valuable than the vehicle carrying it.
A military strategy emphasizing overwhelming force and psychological dominance to break enemy will before sustained combat—basically, 'make them regret starting' in one explosive gesture.
Small, temporary military installation supporting field operations—basically a fortified gas station in hostile territory.
Secured airfield in enemy territory enabling continued air operations—basically your refueling station behind enemy lines.
The fancy section of a naval ship's upper deck where officers stand looking authoritative while regular sailors are explicitly forbidden to tread. Historically the exclusive domain of commissioned officers, it's the part of the ship where rank mattered more than actually knowing how to tie knots.
A deliberate halt in offensive operations to consolidate gains, resupply, or reassess strategy. When you need to admit that even armies need a breather sometimes.
Mission, Enemy, Terrain and weather, Troops and support available, Time available, Civil considerations—the six factors commanders analyze during tactical planning. A mental checklist ensuring nothing critical gets forgotten.
The prescribed range at which enlisted personnel must render salutes to officers, theoretically six paces but practically 'close enough that ignoring them would be obvious.' The geometry of military courtesy.
An order to cease operations and stand by, often issued right after everyone has positioned themselves for the thing they were told to do.
A specialized vessel, aircraft, or entity tasked with transporting valuable cargo, personnel, or biological agents from point A to point B—essentially the logistics backbone of any operation. In military contexts, this could be anything from a naval carrier to a humble mail carrier.
A rapid-response medical transport vehicle equipped to stabilize casualties in transit, originally adapted from mobile field hospital concepts during wartime. Modern variants blur the line between emergency response and tactical evacuation.
To position military or security personnel at a specific location for operational readiness, surveillance, or duty assignment. It's a fancy way of saying 'planted here until further notice.'
A fortified medical facility designed for large-scale patient management, ranging from battlefield field hospitals to permanent installations. In military contexts, these double as strategic assets.
Friendly fire incidents where your own side shoots at you—military's most tragic form of workplace accident.
Military phonetic for 'CM,' which stands for 'Continue Mission.' When you're taking casualties but the mission must proceed—cheerfully abbreviated into phonetic form.
Military operations where information sharing across interconnected forces creates overwhelming advantage. When your communications network becomes your most powerful weapon.
Reinforcing facilities, vehicles, or systems against attack—basically wrapping military assets in protective layers like an onion made of steel.
Either a tall support structure for sails (the nautical kind) or military-speak for non-judicial punishment where a commanding officer decides your fate without a courtroom. Both are equally terrifying.
Directing military forces toward a specific objective through radio navigation—basically playing air traffic control for armed units.
A deliberate message, gesture, or encoded transmission designed to convey information to someone watching for it. From smoke signals to digital broadcasts, it's humanity's way of saying 'psst, pay attention.'
Remotely Operated Vehicle. Unmanned drone or robot controlled from a safe distance—like a video game but with real explosions and international incidents.
Forward Arming and Refueling Point—a temporary resupply base closer to combat allowing helicopters and aircraft to refuel and rearm without returning to main base. It's essentially a gas station in a war zone.
Engaging targets from a distance safe enough that your forces aren't vulnerable to direct return fire. Also called 'standoff distance' or 'standoff range.'