Defense and military terminology · MLC-0115

Defense and military terms: C (242)

• campaignA series of related operations aimed at achieving strategic and operational objectives within a given time...
• campaign planA joint operation plan for a series of related major operations aimed at achieving strategic or operational...
• campaigningThe persistent conduct of related operations, activities, and investments that align military actions with...
• canalizeTo restrict operations to a narrow zone by use of existing or reinforcing obstacles or by fire or bombing.
• candidate target listA list of entities submitted by component commanders, appropriate agencies, or the joint force commander’s...
• capstone joint publicationThe joint publication in the hierarchy of joint publications that links joint doctrine to national strategy...
• cargo increment numberA seven-character alphanumeric field that uniquely describes a non-unit-cargo entry (line) in the Joint...
• carrier air wingTwo or more aircraft squadrons formed under one commander for administrative and tactical control of...
• carrier control zoneThe airspace within a circular limit defined by a five-nautical-mile horizontal radius from the carrier...
• carrier strike groupA carrier, embarked air wing, surface combatants, and submarines conducting sea control, power projection...
• case fatality rateA measure of the lethality of combat operations that compares the number of personnel killed in action and...
• casualtyAny person who is lost to the organization by having been declared dead, duty status - whereabouts unknown...
• casualty evacuationThe unregulated movement of casualties aboard any vehicle.
• casualty rateThe number of casualties per 1,000 population at risk.
• causewayOne or more floating platforms for use in the transfer of personnel and cargo from vessels.
• C-dayThe unnamed day on which a deployment operation commences or is to commence.
• cellA subordinate organization formed around a specific process, capability, or activity within a designated...
• centerAn enduring organization, with a supporting staff, designed to perform a function within a headquarters.
• center of gravityThe source of power that provides moral or physical strength, freedom of action, or will to act.
• central control officerThe officer, embarked in the central control ship, designated by the amphibious task force commander for the...
• centralized controlIn air defense, the control mode whereby a higher echelon makes direct target assignments to fire units.
• chaffRadar confusion reflectors, consisting of thin, narrow metallic strips of various lengths and frequency...
• chain of commandThe succession of commanding officers from a superior to a subordinate through which command is exercised.
• Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff instructionA document containing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff policy that does not involve the employment of...
• Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff manualA document containing procedures for performing specific tasks that do not involve the employment of forces...
• chalk numberThe number given to a complete aircraft load and to the transporting carrier.
• channel airliftAirlift provided for movement of sustainment cargo, scheduled either regularly or depending upon volume of...
• chemical agentA chemical substance intended for use in military operations to kill, injure, or incapacitate through its...
• chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear responseIn countering weapons of mass destruction, the activities to attribute responsibility for an event, minimize...
• chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear defenseActions taken to counter chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear hazards; reduce their risks; and...
• chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear environmentAn operational environment that includes probable chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear threats and...
• chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear hazardChemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear elements that pose a threat to humans, animals, plants, or the...
• chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear incidentAny accidental or intentional release of a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear hazard.
• chemical hazardAny chemical manufactured, used, transported, or stored that can cause death or other harm through toxic...
• chemical weaponA munition or device designed to cause death or harm through chemical agents.
• chief of firesThe senior organic fires Army staff officer at division and higher headquarters level who advises the...
• chief of missionThe principal officer in charge of a diplomatic facility of the United States, including any individual...
• chief of staffThe senior or principal member or head of a staff who acts as the controlling member of a staff for purposes...
• civil affairsForces trained, equipped, and employed to understand, access, influence, and create effects within the civil...
• civil affairs operationsThose activities planned, coordinated, executed, and assessed by civil affairs in support of joint campaigns...
• civil augmentation programStanding, long-term external support contracts designed to augment Service logistics capabilities with...
• civil informationData relating to the areas, structures, capabilities, organizations, people, and events of the civil...
• civil information managementProcess whereby data relating to the civil component of the operational environment is gathered, collated...
• civil reconnaissanceA targeted, planned, and coordinated observation and evaluation of specific civil aspects of the environment...
• Civil Reserve Air FleetA program in which the Department of Defense contracts for the services of specific aircraft, owned by a...
• civil search and rescueSearch and/or rescue operations and associated civilian services provided to assist persons in potential or...
• civilian environmentThe factors within the operational environment that relate to civilians and their communities, including the...
• civilian interneeA civilian, described by Article 4 of the Geneva Convention, Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons...
• civil-military medicineA discipline within operational medicine comprising public health and medical issues that involve a...
• civil-military operationsActivities of designated military forces that develop and enhance relations between military forces and local...
• civil-military operations centerAn organization established by a joint force commander to plan and facilitate coordination of activities of...
• clandestineAny activity or operation sponsored or conducted by governmental departments or agencies with the intent to...
• clandestine operationAn operation sponsored or conducted by governmental departments or agencies in such a way as to assure...
• classes of supplyThe ten categories into which supplies are grouped to facilitate supply management and planning. I. Rations...
• classificationThe determination that official information requires, in the interests of national security, a specific...
• classification, identification, and engagement areaIn maritime operations, the area within the surveillance area and surrounding the vital area(s) in which all...
• classified informationOfficial information that has been determined to require, in the interests of national security, protection...
• clearance decontaminationThe final level of decontamination of equipment and personnel that allows unrestricted transportation...
• clearing operationAn operation designed to clear or neutralize all mines and obstacles from a route or area.
• climate changeVariations in average weather conditions that persist over multiple decades or longer that encompass...
• close air supportAir action by aircraft against hostile targets that are in close proximity to friendly forces and that...
• close supportAction of the supporting force against targets or objectives that are sufficiently near the supported force...
• close support areaThose parts of the ocean operating areas nearest to, but not necessarily in, the objective area.
• close-range ballistic missileA land-based ballistic missile with a range capability up to 300 kilometers (162 nautical miles/186 statute...
• closureIn transportation, the processing upon arrival at the final destination.
• code word1. A word that has been assigned a classification and a classified meaning to safeguard intentions and...
• collateral damageA form of collateral effect that causes unintentional or incidental injury or damage to persons or objects...
• collateral effectUnintentional or incidental effect to an entity that would not be a lawful military target in the...
• collected exploitable materialAll material and materiel in the possession of the Department of Defense, regardless of its classification or...
• collectionIn intelligence usage, the acquisition of information and the provision of this information to processing...
• collection agencyAny individual, organization, or unit that has access to sources of information and the capability of...
• collection assetA collection system, platform, or capability that is supporting, assigned to, or attached to a particular...
• collection managementIn intelligence usage, the process of converting intelligence requirements into collection requirements...
• collection managerAn individual with responsibility for the timely and efficient tasking of organic collection resources and...
• collection operations managementThe authoritative direction, scheduling, and control of specific collection operations and associated...
• collection planA systematic scheme to optimize the employment of all available collection capabilities and associated...
• collection planningA continuous process that coordinates and integrates the efforts of all collection units and agencies.
• collection requirementA valid need to close a specific gap in intelligence holdings in direct response to a request for information.
• collection requirements managementThe authoritative development and control of collection, processing, exploitation, and/or reporting...
• collection strategyAn analytical approach used by intelligence personnel to determine which intelligence disciplines can be...
• collective protectionThe protection provided to a group of individuals that permits relaxation of individual chemical, biological...
• colored beachThat portion of usable coastline sufficient for the assault landing of a regimental landing team or...
• combat air patrolAn aircraft patrol provided over an objective area, the force protected, the critical area of a combat zone...
• combat and operational stressThe expected and predictable emotional, intellectual, physical, or behavioral reactions of an individual who...
• combat and operational stress controlActions to prevent, identify, and manage adverse combat and operational stress reactions.
• combat assessmentThe determination of the effectiveness of friendly attack.
• combat cameraService-designated units capable of providing directed visual information during military operations.
• combat cargo officerA Marine Corps embarkation/mobility officer permanently assigned to amphibious warfare ships or naval staffs...
• combat engineeringEngineering capabilities and activities that directly support the maneuver of land combat forces that require...
• combat identificationThe process of attaining an accurate characterization of detected objects in the operational environment...
• combat lifesaverNonmedical Department of Defense person who has received additional trauma training and equipment, providing...
• combat loadingA loading method to support the anticipated tactical operation of the organization embarked.
• combat organizational loadingA method of loading by which a unit with its equipment and initial supplies is loaded into a single ship...
• combat powerThe total means of destructive and disruptive force that a military unit/formation can apply against an enemy...
• combat search and rescueThe tactics, techniques, and procedures performed by forces to effect the recovery of isolated personnel...
• combat service supportThe essential capabilities, functions, activities, and tasks necessary to sustain operating forces in theater...
• combat service support areaAn area ashore that is organized to contain the necessary supplies, equipment, installations, and elements to...
• combat spread loadingA method of combat loading by which some of the troops, equipment, and initial supplies of a unit are loaded...
• combat support agencyA Department of Defense agency so designated by Congress or the Secretary of Defense that supports military...
• combat unit loadingA method of loading by which all or a part of a combat unit, such as an assault battalion landing team, is...
• combatant commandA unified or specified command with a broad continuing mission under a single commander established and so...
• combatant command (command authority)Nontransferable command authority, which cannot be delegated, of a combatant commander to perform those...
• combatant command support agentThe Secretary of a Military Department to whom the Secretary of Defense or the Deputy Secretary of Defense...
• combatant commanderA commander of one of the unified or specified combatant commands established by the President.
• combatant commander logistics procurement support boardA combatant commander-level joint board established to ensure contracting support and other sources of...
• combating terrorismActions, including antiterrorism and counterterrorism, taken to oppose terrorism throughout the competition...
• combinedA term identifying two or more forces or agencies of two or more allies operating together.
• combined arms teamThe full integration and application of two or more arms or elements of one Service into an operation.
• command1. The authority that a commander in the armed forces lawfully exercises over subordinates by virtue of rank...
• command and controlThe exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commander over assigned and attached forces...
• command and control systemThe personnel, facilities, equipment, communications, and procedures essential for a commander to plan...
• command chaplainThe senior chaplain assigned to or designated by a commander of a staff, command, or unit.
• command informationCommunication by a military organization for an internal audience.
• command netA communications network that connects an echelon of command with some or all of its subordinate echelons for...
• command relationshipsThe interrelated responsibilities between commanders, as well as the operational authority exercised by...
• commander, amphibious task forceThe Navy officer designated in the initiating directive as the commander of the amphibious task force.
• commander, landing forceThe officer designated in the initiating directive as the commander of the landing force for an amphibious...
• commander’s communication synchronizationA process to coordinate and synchronize narratives, themes, messages, images, operations, and actions to...
• commander’s critical information requirementSpecific information identified by the commander as being essential to facilitate timely decision making.
• commander’s estimateThe commander’s initial assessment in which options are provided in a concise statement that defines who...
• commander’s intentA clear and concise expression of the purpose of an operation and the desired objectives and military end...
• commander’s required delivery dateThe original date relative to C-day, specified by the combatant commander for arrival of forces or cargo at...
• commanding officer of troopsA designated officer responsible for the administration, discipline, and training of embarked units.
• command-sponsored dependentA dependent entitled to travel to overseas commands at government expense and endorsed by the appropriate...
• commitThe process of assigning one or more aircraft or surface-to-air missile units to prepare to engage an entity...
• commodity loadingA method of loading in which various types of cargoes are loaded together, such as ammunition, rations, or...
• common intelligence pictureA single, identical display of relevant, instructive, and contextual intelligence information regarding...
• common operational pictureA single, identical display of relevant information shared by more than one command that facilitates...
• common servicingFunctions performed by one Service in support of another for which reimbursement is not required.
• common tactical pictureAn accurate and complete display of relevant tactical data that integrates tactical information from the...
• common-user airlift serviceThe common-user transportation service provided by air mobility forces.
• common-user itemAn item of an interchangeable nature that is in common use by two or more nations or Services of a nation.
• common-user logisticsMateriel or service support shared with or provided by two or more Services, Department of Defense agencies...
• common-user ocean terminalA military installation, part of a military installation, or a commercial facility operated under contract or...
• common-user sealiftThe common-user transportation services provided by the Military Sealift Command.
• common-user transportationTransportation and transportation services available to two or more Department of Defense components and, as...
• communications intelligenceTechnical information and intelligence derived from foreign communications by other than the intended...
• communications securityProtective measures to deny unauthorized access to information of value derived from use of communications...
• communications security materialAll documents, devices, equipment, and cryptomaterial used in establishing or maintaining secure...
• community engagementPublic affairs activities that support the relationship between military and civilian communities.
• compellenceThe use of military force to influence an adversary to modify or desist ongoing behavior or do something they...
• completenessThe plan review criterion for assessing whether operation plans incorporate major operations and tasks to be...
• component1. One of the Service or functional subordinate organizations that constitute a joint force.
• component-owned containerA 20- or 40-foot International Organization for Standardization container procured and owned by a single...
• composite warfare commanderAn officer to whom the officer in tactical command of a naval force may delegate authority to conduct some or...
• concept of operationsA verbal or graphic statement that clearly and concisely expresses what the commander intends to accomplish...
• concept planAn operation plan in an abbreviated format that may require considerable expansion or alteration to convert...
• condition1. Those variables of an operational environment or situation in which a unit, system, or individual operates...
• constellationIn space operations, a system of spacecraft acting in concert to perform a specific mission.
• constraintIn the context of planning, a requirement placed on the command by a higher command that dictates an action...
• consumption rateThe average quantity of an item consumed or expended during a given time interval, expressed in quantities by...
• contact point1. In land warfare, a point on the terrain, easily identifiable, where two or more units are required to make...
• contact procedurePredesignated actions taken by isolated personnel and recovery forces that permit link-up between the two...
• containerAn article of transport equipment that meets American National Standards Institute/International Organization...
• container control officerA designated official (E-6 or above or civilian equivalent) within a command, installation, or activity who...
• container managementPlanning, organizing, directing, and executing functions and responsibilities required to provide effective...
• container-handling equipmentItems of materials-handling equipment required to specifically receive, maneuver, and dispatch International...
• containershipA ship, usually without shipboard-installed cranes for loading/off-loading containers, specially constructed...
• contaminated human remainsRemains of personnel that have absorbed or have on them radioactive material, or biological or chemical...
• contamination avoidanceIndividual or unit measures taken to reduce the effects of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear...
• continental United StatesUnited States territory, including the adjacent territorial waters, located within North America between...
• contingencyA situation requiring military operations in response to natural disasters, terrorists, subversives, or as...
• contingency basingThe life-cycle process to plan; design; construct; operate; manage; and transition, transfer, or close a...
• contingency contract administration servicesA subset of contingency contracting that includes efforts to ensure supplies, services, and construction are...
• contingency contractingThe process of obtaining goods, services, and construction via contracting means in support of contingency...
• contingency contracting officerA military or emergency-essential government civilian contracting officer in a position that is intended to...
• contingency locationA non-enduring location outside of the United States that supports and sustains operations during...
• contingency operationA military operation that is either designated by the Secretary of Defense as a contingency operation or...
• contingency planA branch of a campaign plan that is planned based on hypothetical situations for designated threats...
• contingency zip codeA temporary unique postal code assigned by the Military Postal Service Agency to a contingency post office...
• continuity of operationsThe degree or state of being continuous in the conduct of functions, tasks, or duties necessary to accomplish...
• contract support integrationThe planning, coordination, and synchronization of contracted support in military operations.
• contracting officerA Service member or Department of Defense civilian with the legal authority to enter into, administer...
• contracting officer’s representativeAn individual designated in writing by the contracting officer to perform specific technical or...
• contracting supportThe planning, coordination, and execution of contracting authority to legally bind contractors in support of...
• contractor managementThe oversight and integration of contractor personnel and associated equipment in support of military...
• contractor personnel accountabilityThe process of identifying, capturing, and recording the personally identifiable information and assigned...
• contractors authorized to accompany the forceContractor employees and all tiers of subcontractor employees who are authorized to accompany the force in...
• control1. Authority that may be less than full command exercised by a commander over part of the activities of...
• control point1. A position along a route of march at which personnel are stationed to give information and instructions...
• controlled substanceA drug or other substance, or immediate precursor, included in Schedule I, II, III, IV, or V of the...
• conventional warfareA violent struggle for domination between nation-states or coalitions and alliances of nation-states.
• cooperative security locationA facility located outside the United States and its territories with little or no permanent United States...
• coordinated fire lineA line beyond which conventional surface-to-surface direct fire and indirect fire support means may fire at...
• coordinating altitudeAn airspace coordinating measure that uses altitude to separate users and as the transition between different...
• coordinating authorityA commander or individual who has the authority to require consultation between the specific functions or...
• coordinating review authorityAn individual designated by an organization to provide a single, coordinated organizational position for a...
• coordination levelAn airspace coordinating measure below which fixed-wing aircraft normally will not fly.
• cost-type contractA contract that provides for payment to the contractor of allowable costs, to the extent prescribed in the...
• counter threat financeActivities conducted to degrade, disrupt, destroy, or defeat the generation, storage, movement, and use of...
• counterairA mission at the theater level that integrates offensive and defensive operations to attain and maintain a...
• counterdeceptionEfforts to detect; confirm; and subsequently negate, neutralize, or diminish the effects of, or gain...
• counterdrugThose active measures taken to detect, monitor, and counter the production, trafficking, and use of illicit...
• counterdrug activitiesThose measures taken to detect, interdict, disrupt, or curtail any activity that is reasonably related to...
• counterdrug operational supportSupport to host nations and drug law enforcement agencies involving military personnel and their associated...
• counterdrug operationsCivil or military actions taken to reduce or eliminate illicit drug trafficking.
• counterfireFire intended to destroy or neutralize enemy weapons.
• counterguerrilla operationsActivities conducted by security forces against the armed paramilitary wing of an insurgency.
• counter-improvised explosive deviceThe organization, integration, and synchronization of capabilities that enable offensive, defensive, and...
• countering threat networksIntegrated activities across the Department of Defense and interagency partners to identify, monitor...
• countering weapons of mass destructionEfforts against actors of concern to curtail the conceptualization, development, possession, proliferation...
• counterinsurgencyComprehensive civilian and military efforts designed to simultaneously defeat and contain insurgency and...
• counterintelligenceInformation gathered and activities conducted to identify, deceive, exploit, disrupt, or protect against...
• counterintelligence operationsProactive activities designed to identify, exploit, neutralize, or deter foreign intelligence collection and...
• countermeasuresThat form of military science that, by the employment of devices and/or techniques, has as its objective the...
• countermobilityThe construction of obstacles and emplacement of minefields to delay, disrupt, and destroy the enemy by...
• counterproliferationThose actions taken to reduce the risks posed by extant weapons of mass destruction to the United States...
• countersurveillanceAll measures, active or passive, taken to counteract hostile surveillance.
• counterterrorismActivities and operations taken to neutralize terrorists and their organizations and networks to render them...
• country teamThe senior, in-country, United States coordinating and supervising body, headed by the chief of the United...
• course of action1. Any sequence of activities that an individual or unit may follow.
• coverIn intelligence usage, the concealment of true identity or organizational affiliation with assertion of false...
• covert operationAn action of activity that is planned and executed to conceal the identity of, or permit plausible...
• crisisAn emerging incident or situation involving a possible threat to the United States, its citizens, military...
• critical assetA specific entity that is of such extraordinary importance that its incapacitation or destruction would have...
• critical asset listA prioritized list of assets or areas, normally identified by phase of the operation and approved by the...
• critical capabilityA means that is considered a crucial enabler for a center of gravity to function as such and is essential to...
• critical informationSpecific facts about friendly intentions, capabilities, and activities needed by an enemy or adversary for...
• critical intelligenceIntelligence that is crucial and requires the immediate attention of the commander.
• critical item listA prioritized list identifying supply items and weapon systems that assist Service and Defense Logistics...
• critical requirementAn essential condition, resource, and means for a critical capability to be fully operational.
• critical target elementA feature or part of a target that enables it to perform its primary function and, if effectively engaged...
• critical vulnerabilityAn aspect of a critical requirement which is deficient or vulnerable to direct or indirect attack that will...
• criticality assessmentAn assessment that identifies key assets and infrastructure that support Department of Defense missions...
• cross-levelingAt the theater strategic and operational levels, the process of diverting en route or in-theater materiel...
• cross-loadingThe distribution of leaders, key weapons, personnel, and key equipment among the aircraft, vessels, or...
• cross-servicingA subset of common-user logistics in which a function is performed by one Service in support of another...
• cruise missileA guided and powered missile that flies at constant speed for the majority of its route and relies upon...
• culminating pointThe point at which a force no longer has the capability to continue its form of operations, offense or...
• current forceThe actual force structure and/or manning available to meet present contingencies.
• customer directA materiel acquisition and distribution method that requires vendor delivery directly to the customer.
• customer wait timeThe total elapsed time between issuance of a customer order and satisfaction of that order.
• cyber-personaThe combined features comprising the digital representation of an actor or entity in cyberspace used for...
• cyberspaceA global domain within the information environment consisting of the interdependent networks of information...
• cyberspace attackActions taken in and through cyberspace that create denial (i.e., degradation, disruption, or destruction) or...
• cyberspace capabilityA device or computer program, including any combination of software, firmware, or hardware, designed to...
• cyberspace defenseActions taken within protected cyberspace to defeat specific threats that have breached or are threatening to...
• cyberspace exploitationActions taken in cyberspace to gain intelligence, maneuver, collect information, or perform other enabling...
• cyberspace operationsThe employment of cyberspace capabilities where the primary purpose is to achieve objectives in or through...
• cyberspace securityActions taken within protected cyberspace to prevent unauthorized access to, exploitation of, or damage to...
• cyberspace superiorityThe degree of dominance in cyberspace by one force that permits the secure, reliable conduct of operations by...
• cyberspace system operationActions taken within the Department of Defense information network to ensure it operates in support of its...

242 of 1,781 terms in Defense and military terminology (MLC-0115). Request the full dataset.