Here are the DOD Dictionary terms beginning with the letter C and organized alphabetically. Browse terms from the official DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms that start with C and view definitions. Read on for military definitions that begin with C such as C-day, chief of staff, colored beach, complex catastrophe, convey escort and more.
| A | B | C | D |
| E | F | G | H |
| I | J | K | L |
| M | N | O | P |
| Q | R | S | T |
| U | V | W | XYZ |
See also Official DOD Shortened Word Forms.
LETTER C – TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
cache — A source of subsistence and supplies, typically containing items such as food, water, medical items, and/or communications equipment, packaged to prevent damage from exposure and hidden in isolated locations by such methods as burial, concealment, and/or submersion, to support isolated personnel. See also evader; evasion; recovery; recovery operations.
call sign — Any combination of characters or pronounceable words, which identifies a communication facility, a command, an authority, an activity, or a unit; used primarily for establishing and maintaining communications. Also called CS.
campaign — A series of related operations aimed at achieving strategic and operational objectives within a given time and space. See also campaign plan.
campaign plan — A joint operation plan for a series of related major operations aimed at achieving strategic or operational objectives within a given time and space. See also campaign.
canalize — To restrict operations to a narrow zone by use of existing or reinforcing obstacles or by fire or bombing.
candidate target list — A list of entities submitted by component commanders, appropriate agencies, or the joint force commander’s staff for further development and inclusion on the joint target list, restricted target list, or the no-strike list. Also called CTL. See also joint integrated prioritized target list; target; target nomination list.
capstone publication — The top joint doctrine publication in the hierarchy of joint publications that links joint doctrine to national strategy and the contributions of other government departments and agencies, multinational partners, and reinforces policy for command and control. See also joint publication; keystone publications.
cargo increment number — A seven-character alphanumeric field that uniquely describes a non-unit-cargo entry (line) in the Joint Operation Planning and Execution System time-phased force and deployment data.
carrier air wing — Two or more aircraft squadrons formed under one commander for administrative and tactical control of operations from a carrier. Also called CVW.
carrier control zone — The airspace within a circular limit defined by 5 miles horizontal radius from the carrier, extending upward from the surface to and including 2,500 feet unless otherwise designated for special operations, and is under the cognizance of the air officer during visual meteorological conditions.
carrier strike group — A standing naval task group consisting of a carrier, embarked air wing, surface combatants, and submarines as assigned in direct support, operating in mutual support with the task of destroying hostile submarine, surface, and air forces within the group’s assigned operational area and striking at targets along hostile shore lines or projecting power inland. Also called CSG.
cartridge-actuated device — Small explosive devices used to eject stores from launched devices, actuate other explosive systems, or provide initiation for aircrew escape devices.
case fatality rate — As it applies to trauma, a calculation used to measure the lethality of combat operations for those who are wounded, which compares the number of personnel killed in action and died of wounds to those wounded in action.
case officer — A professional employee of an intelligence or counterintelligence organization, who provides directions for an agent operation and/or handling intelligence assets.
casualty — Any person who is lost to the organization by having been declared dead, duty status – whereabouts unknown, missing, ill, or injured.
casualty evacuation — The unregulated movement of casualties that can include movement both to and between medical treatment facilities. Also called CASEVAC. See also casualty; evacuation; medical treatment facility.
casualty rate — The number of casualties per 1,000 population at risk.
casualty receiving and treatment ship — In amphibious operations, a ship designated to receive, provide treatment for, and transfer casualties. Also called CRTS.
catastrophic event — Any natural or man-made incident, including terrorism, which results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the population, infrastructure, environment, economy, national morale, and/or government functions.
causeway — A craft similar in design to a barge, but longer and narrower, designed to assist in the discharge and transport of cargo from vessels.
causeway launching area — An area located near the line of departure but clear of the approach lanes to an area located in the inner transport area.
C-day — The unnamed day on which a deployment operation commences or is to commence.
cell — A subordinate organization formed around a specific process, capability, or activity within a designated larger organization of a headquarters.
center — An enduring, functional organization, with a supporting staff, designed to perform a joint function within a headquarters.
center of gravity — The source of power that provides moral or physical strength, freedom of action, or will to act. Also called COG. See also decisive point.
central control officer — The officer, embarked in the central control ship, designated by the amphibious task force commander for the overall coordination of the waterborne ship-to-shore movement. Also called CCO.
centralized control — 1. In air defense, the control mode whereby a higher echelon makes direct target assignments to fire units. 2. In joint air operations, placing within one commander the responsibility and authority for planning, directing, and coordinating a military operation or group/category of operations. See also decentralized control.
chaff — Radar confusion reflectors, consisting of thin, narrow metallic strips of various lengths and frequency responses, which are used to reflect echoes for confusion purposes.
chain of command — The succession of commanding officers from a superior to a subordinate through which command is exercised. Also called command channel.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff instruction — A document for all types of correspondence containing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff policy and guidance that does not involve the employment of forces, which is of indefinite duration and is applicable to external agencies, or both the Joint Staff and external agencies. Also called CJCSI. See also Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff manual.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff manual — A document containing detailed procedures for performing specific tasks that do not involve the employment of forces, which is of indefinite duration and is applicable to external agencies or both the Joint Staff and external agencies. Also called CJCSM. See also Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff instruction.
chalk number — The number given to a complete load and to the transporting carrier.
change detection — An image enhancement technique that compares two images of the same area from different time periods and eliminates identical picture elements in order to leave the signatures that have undergone change.
channel airlift — Airlift provided for movement of sustainment cargo, scheduled either regularly or depending upon volume of workload, between designated ports of embarkation and ports of debarkation over validated contingency or distribution routes.
chemical agent — A chemical substance that is intended for use in military operations to kill, seriously injure, or incapacitate mainly through its physiological effects. See also chemical warfare; riot control agent.
chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense — Measures taken to minimize or negate the vulnerabilities to, and/or effects of, a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear hazard or incident. Also called CBRN defense.
chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear environment — An operational environment that includes chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats and hazards and their potential resulting effects. Also called CBRN environment.
chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear hazard — Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear elements that could create adverse effects due to an accidental or deliberate release and dissemination. Also called CBRN hazard.
chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear incident — Any occurrence, resulting from the use of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons and devices; the emergence of secondary hazards arising from friendly actions; or the release of toxic industrial materials or biological organisms and substances into the environment, involving the emergence of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear hazards.
chemical hazard — Any chemical manufactured, used, transported, or stored that can cause death or other harm through toxic properties of those materials, including chemical agents and chemical weapons prohibited under the Chemical Weapons Convention as well as toxic industrial chemicals.
chemical warfare — All aspects of military operations involving the employment of lethal and incapacitating chemical munitions/agents and the warning and protective measures associated with such offensive operations. Also called CW. See also chemical agent; chemical weapon; riot control agent.
chemical weapon — Together or separately, (a) a toxic chemical and its precursors, except when intended for a purpose not prohibited under the Chemical Weapons Convention; (b) a munition or device, specifically designed to cause death or other harm through toxic properties of those chemicals specified in (a), above, which would be released as a result of the employment of such munition or device; (c) any equipment specifically designed for use directly in connection with the employment of munitions or devices specified in (b), above. See also chemical agent; chemical warfare; riot control agent.
chief of fires — The senior organic fires Army staff officer at division and higher headquarters level who advises the commander on the best use of available fire support resources, provides input to necessary orders, and develops and implements the fire support plan. Also called COF.
chief of mission — The principal officer in charge of a diplomatic facility of the United States, including any individual temporarily assigned to be in charge of such a facility. Also called COM.
chief of staff — The senior or principal member or head of a staff who acts as the controlling member of a staff for purposes of the coordination of its work or to exercise command in another’s name. Also called COS.
civil administration — An administration established by a foreign government in (1) friendly territory, under an agreement with the government of the area concerned, to exercise certain authority normally the function of the local government; or (2) hostile territory, occupied by United States forces, where a foreign government exercises executive, legislative, and judicial authority until an indigenous civil government can be established. Also called CA.
civil affairs — Designated Active Component and Reserve Component forces and units organized, trained, and equipped specifically to conduct civil affairs operations and to support civil-military operations. Also called CA. See also civil-military operations.
civil affairs operations — Actions planned, coordinated, executed, and assessed to enhance awareness of, and manage the interaction with, the civil component of the operational environment; identify and mitigate underlying causes of instability within civil society; and/or involve the application of functional specialty skills normally the responsibility of civil government. Also called CAO.
civil augmentation program — Standing, long-term external support contacts designed to augment Service logistic capabilities with contracted support in both preplanned and short notice contingencies. Also called CAP. See also contingency; contingency contract; external support contract.
civil authorities — Those elected and appointed officers and employees who constitute the government of the United States, the governments of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, insular areas, and political subdivisions thereof.
civil authority information support — The use of military information support operations capabilities to conduct public information dissemination activities to support national security or disaster relief operations within the United States and its territories in support of a lead federal agency. Also called CAIS.
civil emergency — Any occasion or instance for which, in the determination of the President, federal assistance is needed to supplement state and local efforts and capabilities to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the United States.
civil information — Relevant data relating to the civil areas, structures, capabilities, organizations, people, and events of the civil component of the operational environment used to support the situational awareness of the supported commander.
civil information management — Process whereby data relating to the civil component of the operational environment is gathered, collated, processed, analyzed, produced into information products, and disseminated. Also called CIM.
civil-military medicine — A discipline within operational medicine comprising public health and medical issues that involve a civil-military interface (foreign or domestic), including medical defense support of civil authorities, medical elements of security cooperation activities, and medical civil-military operations.
civil-military operations — Activities of a commander performed by designated military forces that establish, maintain, influence, or exploit relations between military forces and indigenous populations and institutions by directly supporting the achievement of objectives relating to the reestablishment or maintenance of stability within a region or host nation. Also called CMO. See also civil affairs; operation.
civil-military operations center — An organization, normally comprised of civil affairs, established to plan and facilitate coordination of activities of the Armed Forces of the United States within indigenous populations and institutions, the private sector, international organizations, nongovernmental organizations, multinational forces, and other governmental agencies in support of the commander. Also called CMOC. See also civil-military operations; operation.
civil-military team — A temporary organization of civilian and military personnel task- organized to provide an optimal mix of capabilities and expertise to accomplish specific operational and planning tasks.
civil reconnaissance — A targeted, planned, and coordinated observation and evaluation of specific civil aspects of the environment such as areas, structures, capabilities, organizations, people, or events. Also called CR.
Civil Reserve Air Fleet — A program in which the Department of Defense contracts for the services of specific aircraft, owned by a United States entity or citizen, during national emergencies and defense-oriented situations when expanded civil augmentation of military airlift activity is required. Also called CRAF. See also reserve.
civil search and rescue — Search and/or rescue operations and associated civilian services provided to assist persons in potential or actual distress and protect property in a nonhostile environment. Also called civil SAR.
clandestine — Any activity or operation sponsored or conducted by governmental departments or agencies with the intent to assure secrecy and concealment.
clandestine operation — An operation sponsored or conducted by governmental departments or agencies in such a way as to assure secrecy or concealment. See also covert operation; overt operation.
classes of supply — The ten categories into which supplies are grouped in order to facilitate supply management and planning. I. Rations and gratuitous issue of health, morale, and welfare items. II. Clothing, individual equipment, tentage, tool sets, and administrative and housekeeping supplies and equipment. III. Petroleum, oils, and lubricants. IV. Construction materials. V. Ammunition. VI. Personal demand items. VII. Major end items, including tanks, helicopters, and radios. VIII. Medical. IX. Repair parts and components for equipment maintenance. X. Nonstandard items to support nonmilitary programs such as agriculture and economic development. See also petroleum, oils, and lubricants.
classification — The determination that official information requires, in the interests of national security, a specific degree of protection against unauthorized disclosure, coupled with a designation signifying that such a determination has been made.
classified information — Official information that has been determined to require, in the interests of national security, protection against unauthorized disclosure and which has been so designated.
clearance capacity — An estimate expressed in agreed upon units of cargo measurement per day of the cargo or people that may be transported inland from a beach or port over the available means of inland communication, including roads, railroads, airlift, and inland waterways. See also throughput capacity.
clearance decontamination — The final level of decontamination that provides the decontamination of equipment and personnel to a level that allows unrestricted transportation, maintenance, employment, and disposal.
clearing operation — An operation designed to clear or neutralize all mines and obstacles from a route or area.
climate change — Variations in average weather conditions that persist over multiple decades or longer that encompass increases and decreases in temperature, shifts in precipitation, and changing risk of certain types of severe weather events.
close air support — Air action by manned or unmanned fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft against hostile targets that are in close proximity to friendly forces and that require detailed integration of each air mission with the fire and movement of those forces. Also called CAS. See also air interdiction.
close-range ballistic missile — A land-based ballistic missile with a range capability up to 300 nautical miles. Also called CRBM.
close support — The action of the supporting force against targets or objectives that are sufficiently near the supported force as to require detailed integration or coordination of the supporting action. See also direct support; general support; mutual support; support.
close support area — Those parts of the ocean operating areas nearest to, but not necessarily in, the objective area.
closure — In transportation, the process of a unit’s arriving at a specified location.
coastal sea control — The employment of forces to ensure the unimpeded use of an offshore coastal area by friendly forces and, as appropriate, to deny the use of the area to enemy forces.
code word — 1. A word that has been assigned a classification and a classified meaning to safeguard intentions and information regarding a classified plan or operation. 2. A cryptonym used to identify sensitive intelligence data.
collateral damage — A form of collateral effect that causes unintentional or incidental injury or damage to persons or objects that would not be lawful military targets in the circumstances ruling at the time.
collateral effect — Unintentional or incidental effect to objects that would not be lawful military targets in the circumstances ruling at the time.
collection — In intelligence usage, the acquisition of information and the provision of this information to processing elements. See also intelligence process.
collection agency — Any individual, organization, or unit that has access to sources of information and the capability of collecting information from them. See also agency.
collection asset — A collection system, platform, or capability that is supporting, assigned, or attached to a particular commander. See also collection.
collection management — In intelligence usage, the process of converting intelligence requirements into collection requirements, establishing priorities, tasking or coordinating with appropriate collection sources or agencies, monitoring results, and retasking, as required. See also collection; collection requirement; collection requirements management; intelligence; intelligence process.
collection manager — An individual with responsibility for the timely and efficient tasking of organic collection resources and the development of requirements for theater and national assets that could satisfy specific information needs in support of the mission. Also called CM. See also collection.
collection operations management — The authoritative direction, scheduling, and control of specific collection operations and associated processing, exploitation, and reporting resources. Also called COM. See also collection management; collection requirements management.
collection plan — A systematic scheme to optimize the employment of all available collection capabilities and associated processing, exploitation, and dissemination resources to satisfy specific information requirements. See also information requirements; intelligence process.
collection planning — A continuous process that coordinates and integrates the efforts of all collection units and agencies. See also collection.
collection posture — The current status of collection assets and resources to satisfy identified information requirements.
collection requirement — A valid need to close a specific gap in intelligence holdings in direct response to a request for information.
collection requirements management — The authoritative development and control of collection, processing, exploitation, and/or reporting requirements that normally result in either the direct tasking of requirements to units over which the commander has authority, or the generation of tasking requests to collection management authorities at a higher, lower, or lateral echelon to accomplish the collection mission. Also called CRM. See also collection; collection management; collection operations management.
collection requirements matrix — A worksheet that compiles collection requirements to inform the initial integrated collection planning efforts and links priority intelligence requirements, their associated essential elements of information, and related indicators to supporting specific information requirements. Also called CRMx.
collection resource — A collection system, platform, or capability that is not supporting, assigned, or attached to a specific unit or echelon which must be requested and coordinated through the chain of command. See also collection management.
collection strategy — An analytical approach used by collection managers to determine which intelligence disciplines can be applied to satisfy information requirements.
collective protection — The protection provided to a group of individuals that permits relaxation of individual chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear protection. Also called COLPRO.
colored beach — That portion of usable coastline sufficient for the assault landing of a regimental landing team or similar-sized unit. See also numbered beach.
combat air patrol — An aircraft patrol provided over an objective area, the force protected, the critical area of a combat zone, or in an air defense area, for the purpose of intercepting and destroying hostile aircraft before they reach their targets. Also called CAP. See also airborne alert; barrier combat air patrol; rescue combat air patrol.
combat and operational stress — The expected and predictable emotional, intellectual, physical, and/or behavioral reactions of an individual who has been exposed to stressful events in military operations.
combat and operational stress control — Programs developed and actions taken by military leadership to prevent, identify, and manage adverse combat and operational stress reactions in units; optimize mission performance; conserve fighting strength; prevent or minimize adverse effects of combat and operational stress on members’ physical, psychological, intellectual, and social health; and to return the unit or Service member to duty expeditiously. Also called COSC.
combatant command — A unified or specified command with a broad continuing mission under a single commander established and so designated by the President, through the Secretary of Defense and with the advice and assistance of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Also called CCMD. See also specified combatant command; unified command.
combatant command chaplain — The senior chaplain assigned to the staff of, or designated by, the combatant commander to provide advice on religion, ethical, and moral issues and morale of assigned personnel and to coordinate religious ministries within the combatant commander’s area of responsibility.
combatant command (command authority) — Nontransferable command authority, which cannot be delegated, of a combatant commander to perform those functions of command over assigned forces involving organizing and employing commands and forces; assigning tasks; designating objectives; and giving authoritative direction over all aspects of military operations, joint training, and logistics necessary to accomplish the missions assigned to the command. Also called COCOM. See also combatant command; combatant commander; operational control; tactical control.
combatant commander — A commander of one of the unified or specified combatant commands established by the President. Also called CCDR. See also combatant command; specified combatant command; unified combatant command.
combatant commander logistic procurement support board — A combatant commander-level joint board established to ensure that contracting support and other sources of support are properly synchronized across the entire area of responsibility. Also called CLPSB. See also joint requirements review board; joint contracting support board.
combatant command support agent — The Secretary of a Military Department to whom the Secretary of Defense or the Deputy Secretary of Defense has assigned administrative and logistical support of the headquarters of a combatant command, United States Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command, or subordinate unified command. The nature and scope of the combatant command support agent responsibilities, functions, and authorities shall be prescribed at the time of assignment or in keeping with existing agreements and practices, and they shall remain in effect until the Secretary of Defense or the Deputy Secretary of Defense revokes, supersedes, or modifies them.
combat assessment — The determination of the overall effectiveness of force employment during military operations. Also called CA. See also battle damage assessment; munitions effectiveness assessment; reattack recommendation.
combat camera — Specially-trained expeditionary forces from Service-designated units capable of providing high-quality directed visual information during military operations. Also called COMCAM. See also visual information.
combat cargo officer — A Marine Corps embarkation/mobility officer permanently assigned to amphibious warfare ships or naval staffs as an adviser to, and representative of, the naval commander in matters pertaining to embarkation and debarkation of troops and their supplies and equipment. Also called CCO. See also embarkation officer.
combat control team — A task-organized team of special operations forces who are certified air traffic controllers that are trained and equipped to deploy into hostile environments to establish and control assault zones and airfields. Also called CCT.
combat engineering — Engineering capabilities and activities that directly support the maneuver of land combat forces that require close and integrated support.
combat identification — The process of attaining an accurate characterization of detected objects in the operational environment sufficient to support an engagement decision. Also called CID.
combat information — Unevaluated data, gathered by or provided directly to the tactical commander which, due to its highly perishable nature or the criticality of the situation, cannot be processed into tactical intelligence in time to satisfy the user’s tactical intelligence requirements.
combat information center — The agency in a ship or aircraft manned and equipped to collect, display, evaluate, and disseminate tactical information for the use of the embarked flag officer, commanding officer, and certain control agencies. Also called CIC.
combating terrorism — Actions, including antiterrorism and counterterrorism, taken to oppose terrorism throughout the entire threat spectrum. Also called CbT. See also antiterrorism; counterterrorism.
combat lifesaver — Nonmedical Department of Defense person who has received additional trauma training and equipment, providing enhanced medical treatment beyond self- aid/buddy aid.
combat loading — The arrangement of personnel and the stowage of equipment and supplies in a manner designed to conform to the anticipated tactical operation of the organization embarked.
combat organizational loading — A method of loading by which a unit with its equipment and initial supplies is loaded into a single ship, together with other units, in such a manner as to be available for unloading in a predetermined order.
combat power — The total means of destructive and/or disruptive force that a military unit/formation can apply against the opponent at a given time.
combat search and rescue — The tactics, techniques, and procedures performed by forces to effect the recovery of isolated personnel during combat. Also called CSAR. See also search and rescue.
combat service support — The essential capabilities, functions, activities, and tasks necessary to sustain all elements of all operating forces in theater at all levels of warfare. Also called CSS. See also combat support.
combat service support area — An area ashore that is organized to contain the necessary supplies, equipment, installations, and elements to provide the landing force with combat service support throughout the operation. Also called CSSA.
combat spread loading — A method of combat loading by which some of the troops, equipment, and initial supplies of a unit are loaded in one ship and the remainder are loaded in one or more others.
combat support — Fire support and operational assistance provided to combat elements. Also called CS. See also combat service support.
combat support agency — A Department of Defense agency so designated by Congress or the Secretary of Defense that supports military combat operations. Also called CSA.
combat surveillance — A continuous, all-weather, day-and-night, systematic watch over the battle area in order to provide timely information for tactical combat operations.
combat unit loading — A method of loading by which all or a part of a combat unit, such as an assault battalion landing team, is completely loaded in a single ship, with essential combat equipment and supplies, in such a manner as to be immediately available to support the tactical plan upon debarkation and to provide a maximum of flexibility to meet possible changes in the tactical plan.
combined — A term identifying two or more forces or agencies of two or more allies operating together. See also joint.
combined arms team — The full integration and application of two or more arms or elements of one Service into an operation.
command — 1. The authority that a commander in the armed forces lawfully exercises over subordinates by virtue of rank or assignment. 2. An order given by a commander; that is, the will of the commander expressed for the purpose of bringing about a particular action. 3. A unit or units, an organization, or an area under the command of one individual. See also area command; combatant command; combatant command (command authority).
command and control — The exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commander over assigned and attached forces in the accomplishment of the mission. Also called C2.
command and control system — The facilities, equipment, communications, procedures, and personnel essential for a commander to plan, direct, and control operations of assigned and attached forces pursuant to the missions assigned.
command chaplain — The senior chaplain assigned to or designated by a commander of a staff, command, or unit.
commander, amphibious task force — The Navy officer designated in the initiating directive as the commander of the amphibious task force. Also called CATF. See also amphibious operation; amphibious task force; commander, landing force.
commander, landing force — The officer designated in the initiating directive as the commander of the landing force for an amphibious operation. Also called CLF. See also amphibious operation; commander, amphibious task force; landing force.
commander’s communication synchronization — A process to coordinate and synchronize narratives, themes, messages, images, operations, and actions to ensure their integrity and consistency to the lowest tactical level across all relevant communication activities. Also called CCS.
commander’s critical information requirement — An information requirement identified by the commander as being critical to facilitating timely decision making. Also called CCIR. See also information requirements; intelligence; priority intelligence requirement.
commander’s estimate — The commander’s initial assessment in which options are provided in a concise statement that defines who, what, when, where, why, and how the course of action will be implemented.
commander’s intent — A clear and concise expression of the purpose of the operation and the desired military end state that supports mission command, provides focus to the staff, and helps subordinate and supporting commanders act to achieve the commander’s desired results without further orders, even when the operation does not unfold as planned. See also assessment; end state.
commander’s required delivery date — The original date relative to C-day, specified by the combatant commander for arrival of forces or cargo at the destination; shown in the time-phased force and deployment data to assess the impact of later arrival.
command information — Communication by a military organization directed to the internal audience that creates an awareness of the organization’s goals, informs them of significant developments affecting them and the organization, increases their effectiveness as ambassadors of the organization, and keeps them informed about what is going on in the organization. Also called internal information. See also command; public affairs.
commanding officer of troops — On a ship that has embarked units, a designated officer (usually the senior embarking unit commander) who is responsible for the administration, discipline, and training of all embarked units. Also called COT.
command net — A communications network that connects an echelon of command with some or all of its subordinate echelons for the purpose of command and control.
command relationships — The interrelated responsibilities between commanders, as well as the operational authority exercised by commanders in the chain of command; defined further as combatant command (command authority), operational control, tactical control, or support. See also chain of command; combatant command (command authority); command; operational control; support; tactical control.
command-sponsored dependent — A dependent entitled to travel to overseas commands at government expense and endorsed by the appropriate military commander to be present in a dependent’s status.
commit — The process of assigning one or more aircraft or surface-to-air missile units to prepare to engage an entity, prior to authorizing such engagement.
commodity loading —A method of loading in which various types of cargoes are loaded together, such as ammunition, rations, or boxed vehicles, in order that each commodity can be discharged without disturbing the others. See also combat loading.
commonality — A quality that applies to materiel or systems: a. possessing like and interchangeable characteristics enabling each to be utilized, or operated and maintained, by personnel trained on the others without additional specialized training; b. having interchangeable repair parts and/or components; and c. applying to consumable items interchangeably equivalent without adjustment.
common item — 1. Any item of materiel that is required for use by more than one activity. 2. A term loosely used to denote any consumable item except repair parts or other technical items. 3. Any item of materiel that is procured for, owned by (Service stock), or used by any Military Department of the Department of Defense and is also required to be furnished to a recipient country under the grant-aid Military Assistance Program. 4. Readily available commercial items. 5. Items used by two or more Military Services of similar manufacture or fabrication that may vary between the Services as to color or shape (as vehicles or clothing). 6. Any part or component that is required in the assembly of two or more complete end-items.
common operating environment — Automation services that support the development of the common reusable software modules that enable interoperability across multiple combat support applications. Also called COE.
common operational picture — A single identical display of relevant information shared by more than one command that facilitates collaborative planning and assists all echelons to achieve situational awareness. Also called COP.
common servicing — Functions performed by one Service in support of another for which reimbursement is not required.
common tactical picture — An accurate and complete display of relevant tactical data that integrates tactical information from the multi-tactical data link network, ground network, intelligence network, and sensor networks. Also called CTP.
common use — Services, materiel, or facilities provided by a Department of Defense agency or a Military Department on a common basis for two or more Department of Defense agencies, elements, or other organizations as directed.
common-use container — Any Department of Defense-owned, -leased, or -controlled 20- or 40-foot International Organization for Standardization container managed by United States Transportation Command as an element of the Department of Defense common- use container system. See also component-owned container; Service-unique container.
common-user airlift service — The airlift service provided on a common basis for all Department of Defense agencies and, as authorized, for other agencies of the United States Government.
common-user item — An item of an interchangeable nature that is in common use by two or more nations or Services of a nation.
common-user land transportation — Point-to-point land transportation service operated by a single Service for common use by two or more Services. Also called CULT.
common-user logistics — Materiel or service support shared with or provided by two or more Services, Department of Defense agencies, or multinational partners to another Service, Department of Defense agency, non-Department of Defense agency, and/or multinational partner in an operation. Also called CUL. See also common use.
common-user ocean terminal — A military installation, part of a military installation, or a commercial facility operated under contract or arrangement by the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command that regularly provides for two or more Services terminal functions of receipt, transit storage or staging, processing, and loading and unloading of passengers or cargo aboard ships.
common-user sealift — The sealift services provided by the Military Sealift Command on a common basis for all Department of Defense agencies and, as authorized, for other departments and agencies of the United States Government. See also Military Sealift Command; transportation component command.
common-user transportation — Transportation and transportation services provided on a common basis for two or more Department of Defense agencies and, as authorized, non- Department of Defense agencies. See also common use.
communications intelligence — Technical information and intelligence derived from foreign communications by other than the intended recipients. Also called COMINT.
communications network — An organization of stations capable of intercommunications, but not necessarily on the same channel. Also called COMNET.
communications security — The protection resulting from all measures designed to deny unauthorized persons information of value that might be derived from the possession and study of telecommunications, or to mislead unauthorized persons in their interpretation of the results of such possession and study. Also called COMSEC.
communications security material — All documents, devices, equipment, apparatus, and cryptomaterial used in establishing or maintaining secure communications.
community engagement — Public affairs activities that support the relationship between military and civilian communities.
competing observable — Within military deception, any observable that contradicts the deception story, casts doubt on, or diminishes the impact of one or more required or supporting observables.
completeness — The plan review criterion for assessing whether operation plans incorporate major operations and tasks to be accomplished and to what degree they include forces required, deployment concept, employment concept, sustainment concept, time estimates for achieving objectives, description of the end state, mission success criteria, and mission termination criteria.
complex catastrophe — Any natural or man-made incident, including cyberspace attack, power grid failure, and terrorism, which results in cascading failures of multiple, interdependent, critical, life-sustaining infrastructure sectors and caused extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the population, environment, economy, public health, national morale, response efforts, and/or government functions.
component — 1. One of the subordinate organizations that constitute a joint force. 2. In logistics, a part or combination of parts having a specific function, which can be installed or replaced only as an entity. See also functional component command; Service component command.
component-owned container — A 20- or 40-foot International Organization for Standardization container procured and owned by a single Department of Defense component. Also called Service-unique container. See also common-use container.
composite warfare commander — An officer to whom the officer in tactical command of a naval task organization may delegate authority to conduct some or all of the offensive and defensive functions of the force. Also called CWC.
compromise — The known or suspected exposure of clandestine personnel, installations, or other assets or of classified information or material, to an unauthorized person.
concept of intelligence operations — Within the Department of Defense, a verbal or graphic statement, in broad outline, of an intelligence directorate’s assumptions or intent in regard to intelligence support of an operation or series of operations. See also concept of operations.
concept of logistics support — A verbal or graphic statement, in a broad outline, of how a commander intends to support and integrate with a concept of operations in an operation or campaign. Also called COLS.
concept of operations — A verbal or graphic statement that clearly and concisely expresses what the commander intends to accomplish and how it will be done using available resources. Also called CONOPS.
concept plan — An operation plan in an abbreviated format that may require considerable expansion or alteration to convert it into a complete operation plan or operation order. Also called CONPLAN. See also operation plan.
condition — 1. Those variables of an operational environment or situation in which a unit, system, or individual is expected to operate and may affect performance. 2. A physical or behavioral state of a system that is required for the achievement of an objective. See also joint mission-essential tasks.
conduits — Within military deception, information or intelligence gateways to the deception target, such as foreign intelligence entities, intelligence collection platforms, open- source intelligence, and foreign and domestic news media.
configuration management — A discipline applying technical and administrative direction and surveillance to: (1) identify and document the functional and physical characteristics of a configuration item; (2) control changes to those characteristics; and (3) record and report changes to processing and implementation status.
conflict prevention — A peace operation employing complementary diplomatic, civil, and, when necessary, military means to monitor and identify the causes of conflict and take timely action to prevent the occurrence, escalation, or resumption of hostilities.
constellation — A system consisting of a number of like satellites acting in concert to perform a specific mission. See also Global Positioning System.
constraint — In the context of planning, a requirement placed on the command by a higher command that dictates an action, thus restricting freedom of action. See also limitation; restraint.
consumer — A person or agency that uses information or intelligence produced by either its own staff or other agencies.
consumption rate — The average quantity of an item consumed or expended during a given time interval, expressed in quantities by the most appropriate unit of measurement per applicable stated basis.
contact mine — A mine detonated by physical contact. See also mine.
contact point — 1. In land warfare, a point on the terrain, easily identifiable, where two or more units are required to make contact. 2. In air operations, the position at which a mission leader makes radio contact with an air control agency. 3. In personnel recovery, a location where isolated personnel can establish contact with recovery forces. Also called CP. See also control point.
contact procedure — Predesignated actions taken by isolated personnel and recovery forces that permit link-up between the two parties in hostile territory. See also evader.
container — An article of transport equipment that meets American National Standards Institute/International Organization for Standardization standards that is designed to facilitate and optimize the carriage of goods by one or more modes of transportation without intermediate handling of the contents.
container control officer — A designated official (E6 or above or civilian equivalent) within a command, installation, or activity who is responsible for control, reporting, use, and maintenance of all Department of Defense-owned and controlled intermodal containers and equipment from time received until dispatched. Also called CCO.
container-handling equipment — Items of materials-handling equipment required to specifically receive, maneuver, and dispatch International Organization for Standardization containers. Also called CHE.
container management — Planning, organizing, directing, and executing functions and responsibilities required to provide effective use of Department of Defense and Military Department owned, leased, or controlled International Organization for Standardization containers.
containership — A ship, usually non-self-sustaining, specially constructed and equipped to carry only containers without associated equipment, in all available cargo spaces, either below or above deck.
contaminated human remains — Human remains of personnel which have absorbed or upon which have been deposited radioactive material, or biological or chemical agents. See also mortuary affairs.
contamination — 1. The deposit, absorption, or adsorption of radioactive material or of biological or chemical agents on or by structures, areas, personnel, or objects. Also called fallout radiation. 2. Food and/or water made unfit for consumption by humans or animals because of the presence of environmental chemicals, radioactive elements, bacteria or organisms, the byproduct of the growth of bacteria or organisms, or the decomposing material or waste in the food or water.
contamination avoidance — Individual and/or unit measures taken to reduce the effects of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear hazards.
contamination control — A combination of preparatory and responsive measures designed to limit the vulnerability of forces to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and toxic industrial hazards and to avoid, contain, control exposure to, and, where possible, neutralize them. See also biological agent; chemical agent; contamination.
contamination mitigation — The planning and actions taken to prepare for, respond to, and recover from contamination associated with all chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats and hazards to continue military operations.
contiguous zone — 1. A maritime zone adjacent to the territorial sea that may not extend beyond 24 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured. 2. The zone of the ocean extending 3-12 nautical miles from the United States coastline.
continental United States — United States territory, including the adjacent territorial waters, located within North America between Canada and Mexico. Also called CONUS.
contingency — A situation requiring military operations in response to natural disasters, terrorists, subversives, or as otherwise directed by appropriate authority to protect United States interests. See also contingency contracting.
contingency basing — The life-cycle process to plan; design; construct; operate; manage; and transition, transfer, or close a non-enduring location supporting a combatant commander’s requirement.
contingency contract — A legally binding agreement for supplies, services, and construction let by government contracting officers in the operational area as well as other contracts that have a prescribed area of performance within a designated operational area. See also external support contract; systems support contract; theater support contract.
contingency contracting — The process of obtaining goods, services, and construction via contracting means in support of contingency operations. See also contingency; contingency contract.
contingency engineering management organization — An organization formed by the combatant commander, or subordinate commander to augment their staffs with additional Service engineering expertise for planning and construction management. See also combat engineering; contingency; geospatial engineering
contingency location — A non-enduring location outside of the United States that supports and sustains operations during contingencies or other operations and is categorized by mission life-cycle requirements as initial, temporary, or semipermanent.
contingency operation — A military operation that is either designated by the Secretary of Defense as a contingency operation or becomes a contingency operation as a matter of law (Title 10, United States Code, Section 101[a][13]). See also contingency; operation.
contingency plan — A branch of a campaign plan that is planned based on hypothetical situations for designated threats, catastrophic events, and contingent missions outside of crisis conditions. See also joint planning.
Contingency Planning Guidance — Secretary of Defense written guidance, approved by the President, for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, which focuses the guidance given in the national security strategy and Defense Planning Guidance, and is the principal source document for the Joint Strategic Capabilities Plan. Also called CPG.
contingency ZIP Code — A unique postal code assigned by the Military Postal Service Agency to assist in routing and sorting mail to a contingency post office for the tactical use of the Armed Forces on a temporary basis.
continuity of operations — The degree or state of being continuous in the conduct of functions, tasks, or duties necessary to accomplish a military action or mission in carrying out the national military strategy. Also called COOP.
contract administration — A subset of contracting that includes efforts to ensure that supplies, services, and construction are delivered in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract.
contracting officer — A Service member or Department of Defense civilian with the legal authority to enter into, administer, modify, and/or terminate contracts.
contracting officer representative — A Service member or Department of Defense civilian or a foreign government civilian or military member appointed in writing and trained by a contracting officer, responsible for monitoring contract performance and performing other duties specified by their appointment letter. Also called COR.
contractor management — The oversight and integration of contractor personnel and associated equipment providing support to the joint force in a designated operational area.
contractors authorized to accompany the force — Contingency contractor employees and all tiers of subcontractor employees who are authorized to accompany the force in applicable contingency operations and have afforded such status through the issuance of a letter of authorization. Also called CAAF.
contract statement of requirement — A document that provides a summary of anticipated contracted supply or service requirements by phase of operation and location. Also called CSOR.
control — 1. Authority that may be less than full command exercised by a commander over part of the activities of subordinate or other organizations. 2. In mapping, charting, and photogrammetry, a collective term for a system of marks or objects on the Earth or on a map or a photograph, whose positions or elevations (or both) have been or will be determined. 3. Physical or psychological pressures exerted with the intent to assure that an agent or group will respond as directed. 4. In intelligence usage, an indicator governing the distribution and use of documents, information, or material. See also administrative control; operational control; tactical control.
control area — A controlled airspace extending upwards from a specified limit above the Earth. See also control zone.
control group — Personnel and ships designated to control the surface ship-to-shore movement.
controlled information — 1. Information conveyed to an adversary in a deception operation to evoke desired appreciations. 2. Information and indicators deliberately conveyed or denied to foreign targets to evoke invalid official estimates that result in foreign official actions advantageous to United States interests and objectives.
controlled substance — A drug or other substance, or immediate precursor, included in Schedule I, II, III, IV, or V of the Controlled Substances Act.
controlled technical services — The controlled use of technology to enhance counterintelligence and human intelligence activities. Also called CTS.
control point — 1. A position along a route of march at which men are stationed to give information and instructions for the regulation of supply or traffic. 2. A position marked by coordinates (latitude, longitude), a buoy, boat, aircraft, electronic device, conspicuous terrain feature, or other identifiable object which is given a name or number and used as an aid to navigation or control of ships, boats, or aircraft. 3. In marking mosaics, a point located by ground survey with which a corresponding point on a photograph is matched as a check.
control zone — A controlled airspace extending upwards from the surface of the Earth to a specified upper limit. See also control area.
conventional forces — 1. Those forces capable of conducting operations using nonnuclear weapons. 2. Those forces other than designated special operations forces. Also called CF.
convoy — 1. A number of merchant ships and/or naval auxiliaries usually escorted by warships and/or aircraft—or a single merchant ship or naval auxiliary under surface escort—assembled and organized for the purpose of passage together. 2. A group of vehicles organized for the purpose of control and orderly movement with or without escort protection that moves over the same route at the same time and under one commander.
convoy escort — 1. A naval ship(s) or aircraft in company with a convoy and responsible for its protection. 2. An escort to protect a convoy of vehicles from being scattered, destroyed, or captured.
cooperative security location — A facility located outside the United States and its territories with little or no permanent United States presence that is maintained by periodic Service, contractor, or host nation support. Also called CSL. See also forward operating site; main operating base.
coordinated fire line — A line beyond which conventional surface-to-surface direct fire and indirect fire support means may fire at any time within the boundaries of the establishing headquarters without additional coordination. Also called CFL. See also fire support.
coordinating agency — An agency that supports the incident management mission by providing the leadership, staff, expertise, and authorities to implement critical and specific aspects of the response.
coordinating altitude — An airspace coordinating measure that uses altitude to separate users and as the transition between different airspace control elements. Also called CA.
coordinating authority — A commander or individual who has the authority to require consultation between the specific functions or activities involving forces of two or more Services, joint force components, or forces of the same Service or agencies, but does not have the authority to compel agreement.
coordinating review authority — An agency appointed by a Service or combatant command to coordinate with and assist the lead agent, primary review authority, Joint Staff doctrine sponsor, and assessment agent in joint doctrine development and maintenance. Also called CRA. See also joint doctrine; joint publication; lead agent; primary review authority.
coordination level — A procedural method to separate fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft by determining an altitude below which fixed-wing aircraft normally will not fly. Also called CL.
cost-type contract — A contract that provides for payment to the contractor of allowable cost, to the extent prescribed in the contract, incurred in performance of the contract.
counterair — A mission at the theater level that integrates offensive and defensive operations to attain and maintain a desired degree of control of the air and protection by neutralizing or destroying enemy aircraft and missiles, both before and after launch. See also air superiority; mission; offensive counterair.
counterdeception — Efforts to negate, neutralize, diminish the effects of, or gain advantage from a foreign deception operation.
counterdrug — Those active measures taken to detect, monitor, and counter the production, trafficking, and use of illicit drugs. Also called CD.
counterdrug activities — Those measures taken to detect, interdict, disrupt, or curtail any activity that is reasonably related to illicit drug trafficking.
counterdrug operational support — Support to host nations and drug law enforcement agencies involving military personnel and their associated equipment, provided by the geographic combatant commanders from forces assigned to them or made available to them by the Services for this purpose. See also counterdrug operations.
counterdrug operations — Civil or military actions taken to reduce or eliminate illicit drug trafficking. See also counterdrug; counterdrug operational support.
counterespionage — That aspect of counterintelligence designed to detect, destroy, neutralize, exploit, or prevent espionage activities through identification, penetration, manipulation, deception, and repression of individuals, groups, or organizations conducting or suspected of conducting espionage activities.
counterfire — Fire intended to destroy or neutralize enemy weapons.
counterguerrilla operations — Activities conducted by security forces against the armed paramilitary wing of an insurgency.
countering threat networks — The aggregation of activities across the Department of Defense and United States Government departments and agencies that identifies and neutralizes, degrades, disrupts, or defeats designated threat networks. Also called CTN.
countering weapons of mass destruction — Efforts against actors of concern to curtail the conceptualization, development, possession, proliferation, use, and effects of weapons of mass destruction, related expertise, materials, technologies, and means of delivery. Also called CWMD.
counterinsurgency — Comprehensive civilian and military efforts designed to simultaneously defeat and contain insurgency and address its root causes. Also called COIN.
counterintelligence — Information gathered and activities conducted to identify, deceive, exploit, disrupt, or protect against espionage, other intelligence activities, sabotage, or assassinations conducted for or on behalf of foreign powers, organizations or persons or their agents, or international terrorist organizations or activities. Also called CI. See also counterespionage; security.
counterintelligence activities — One or more of the five functions of counterintelligence: operations, investigations, collection, analysis and production, and functional services. See also analysis and production; collection; counterintelligence; operation.
counterintelligence investigations — Formal investigative activities undertaken to determine whether a particular person is acting for or on behalf of, or an event is related to, a foreign power engaged in spying or committing espionage, sabotage, treason, sedition, subversion, assassinations, or international terrorist activities, and to determine actions required to neutralize such acts. See also counterintelligence.
counterintelligence operational tasking authority — The levying of counterintelligence requirements specific to military activities and operations. Also called CIOTA. See also counterintelligence.
counterintelligence operations — Proactive activities designed to identify, exploit, neutralize, or deter foreign intelligence collection and terrorist activities directed against the United States. See also counterintelligence; operation.
counterintelligence production — The creation of finished intelligence products incorporating counterintelligence analysis in response to known or anticipated customer counterintelligence concerns. See also counterintelligence.
counterintelligence support — Conducting counterintelligence activities to protect against espionage and other foreign intelligence activities, sabotage, international terrorist activities, or assassinations conducted for or on behalf of foreign powers, organizations, or persons. See also counterintelligence.
countermeasures — That form of military science that, by the employment of devices and/or techniques, has as its objective the impairment of the operational effectiveness of enemy activity. See also electronic warfare.
countermobility operations — The construction of obstacles and emplacement of minefields to delay, disrupt, and destroy the enemy by reinforcement of the terrain. See also minefield; operation; target acquisition.
counterproliferation — Those actions taken to reduce the risks posed by extant weapons of mass destruction to the United States, allies, and partners. Also called CP. See also nonproliferation.
countersurveillance — All measures, active or passive, taken to counteract hostile surveillance. See also surveillance.
counterterrorism — Activities and operations taken to neutralize terrorists and their organizations and networks in order to render them incapable of using violence to instill fear and coerce governments or societies to achieve their goals. Also called CT. See also antiterrorism; combating terrorism; terrorism.
counter threat finance — Activities conducted to deny, disrupt, destroy, or defeat the generation, storage, movement, and use of assets to fund activities that support an adversary’s ability to negatively affect United States interests. Also called CTF.
country team — The senior, in-country, United States coordinating and supervising body, headed by the chief of the United States diplomatic mission, and composed of the senior member of each represented United States department or agency, as desired by the chief of the United States diplomatic mission. Also called CT.
courier — A messenger (usually a commissioned or warrant officer) responsible for the secure physical transmission and delivery of documents and material.
course of action — 1. Any sequence of activities that an individual or unit may follow. 2. A scheme developed to accomplish a mission. Also called COA.
cover — In intelligence usage, the concealment of true identity or organizational affiliation with assertion of false information as part of, or in support of, official duties to carry out authorized activities and lawful operations.
covert operation — An operation that is so planned and executed as to conceal the identity of or permit plausible denial by the sponsor. See also clandestine operation; overt operation.
crisis — An incident or situation involving a threat to the United States, its citizens, military forces, or vital interests that develops rapidly and creates a condition of such diplomatic, economic, or military importance that commitment of military forces and resources is contemplated to achieve national objectives.
crisis management — Measures, normally executed under federal law, to identify, acquire, and plan the use of resources needed to anticipate, prevent, and/or resolve a threat or an act of terrorism.
critical asset — A specific entity that is of such extraordinary importance that its incapacitation or destruction would have a very serious, debilitating effect on the ability of a nation to continue to function effectively.
critical asset list — A prioritized list of assets or areas, normally identified by phase of the operation and approved by the joint force commander, that should be defended against air and missile threats. Also called CAL.
critical capability — A means that is considered a crucial enabler for a center of gravity to function as such and is essential to the accomplishment of the specified or assumed objective(s).
critical information — Specific facts about friendly intentions, capabilities, and activities needed by adversaries for them to plan and act effectively so as to guarantee failure or unacceptable consequences for friendly mission accomplishment.
critical infrastructure and key resources — The infrastructure and assets vital to a nation’s security, governance, public health and safety, economy, and public confidence. Also called CI/KR.
critical infrastructure protection — Actions taken to prevent, remediate, or mitigate the man-made or natural risks to critical infrastructure and key assets. Also called CIP. See also defense critical infrastructure.
critical intelligence — Intelligence that is crucial and requires the immediate attention of the commander.
critical item list — A prioritized list identifying supply items and weapon systems that assist Service and Defense Logistics Agency selection of supply items and systems for production surge planning, or in operational situations, used by the combatant commander and/or subordinate joint force commander to cross-level critical supply items between Service components. Also called CIL.
criticality assessment — An assessment that identifies key assets and infrastructure that support Department of Defense missions, units, or activities and are deemed mission critical by military commanders or civilian agency managers. Also called CA.
critical joint duty assignment billet — A joint duty assignment position for which, considering the duties and responsibilities of the position, it is highly important that the assigned officer be particularly trained in, and oriented toward, joint matters.
critical requirement — An essential condition, resource, and means for a critical capability to be fully operational.
critical target element — A feature or part of a target that enables it to perform its primary function and, if effectively engaged, should create a significant effect on that target. Also called CTE.
critical vulnerability — An aspect of a critical requirement which is deficient or vulnerable to direct or indirect attack that will create decisive or significant effects.
cross-leveling —At the theater strategic and operational levels, it is the process of diverting en route or in-theater materiel from one military element to meet the higher priority of another within the combatant commander’s directive authority for logistics.
cross-loading — The distribution of leaders, key weapons, personnel, and key equipment among the aircraft, vessels, or vehicles of a formation to aid rapid assembly of units at the drop zone or landing zone or preclude the total loss of command and control or unit effectiveness if an aircraft, vessel, or vehicle is lost.
cross-servicing — A subset of common-user logistics in which a function is performed by one Service in support of another Service and for which reimbursement is required from the Service receiving support. See also acquisition and cross-servicing agreement; common-user logistics.
cruise missile — A guided and powered missile that flies at constant speed for the majority of its route and relies upon aerodynamic forces for lift. Also called CM.
culminating point — The point at which a force no longer has the capability to continue its form of operations, offense or defense.
current force — The actual force structure and/or manning available to meet present contingencies. See also force.
custody — 1. The responsibility for the control of, transfer and movement of, access to, and maintenance of accountability for weapons and components. 2. Temporary restraint of a person. 3. The detention of a person by lawful authority or process.
customer direct — A materiel acquisition and distribution method that requires vendor delivery directly to the customer. Also called CD.
customer wait time — The total elapsed time between issuance of a customer order and satisfaction of that order. Also called CWT.
cyberspace — A global domain within the information environment consisting of the interdependent networks of information technology infrastructures and resident data, including the Internet, telecommunications networks, computer systems, and embedded processors and controllers.
cyberspace attack — Actions taken in cyberspace that create noticeable denial effects (i.e., degradation, disruption, or destruction) in cyberspace or manipulation that leads to denial that appears in a physical domain, and is considered a form of fires.
cyberspace capability — A device or computer program, including any combination of software, firmware, or hardware, designed to create an effect in or through cyberspace.
cyberspace defense — Actions taken within protected cyberspace to defeat specific threats that have breached or are threatening to breach cyberspace security measures and include actions to detect, characterize, counter, and mitigate threats, including malware or the unauthorized activities of users, and to restore the system to a secure configuration.
cyberspace exploitation — Actions taken in cyberspace to gain intelligence, maneuver, collect information, or perform other enabling actions required to prepare for future military operations.
cyberspace operations — The employment of cyberspace capabilities where the primary purpose is to achieve objectives in or through cyberspace. Also called CO.
cyberspace security — Actions taken within protected cyberspace to prevent unauthorized access to, exploitation of, or damage to computers, electronic communications systems, and other information technology, including platform information technology, as well as the information contained therein, to ensure its availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality, and nonrepudiation.
cyberspace superiority — The degree of dominance in cyberspace by one force that permits the secure, reliable conduct of operations by that force and its related land, air, maritime, and space forces at a given time and place without prohibitive interference.
| A | B | C | D |
| E | F | G | H |
| I | J | K | L |
| M | N | O | P |
| Q | R | S | T |
| U | V | W | XYZ |
See also Official DOD Shortened Word Forms.
Source: Official DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms.