Defense and military terminology · MLC-0115

Defense and military terms: S (177)

• safe haven1. Designated area(s) to which noncombatant evacuees of the United States Government’s responsibility and...
• safingAs applied to weapons and ammunition, the changing from a state of readiness for initiation to a safe...
• sanction enforcementOperations that employ coercive measures to control the movement of certain types of designated items into or...
• sanctuaryAn area that provides some sort of formal or informal protection in which a force, group, or network can...
• schedule of fireGroups or series of fires that are fired in a definite sequence according to a definite program.
• scheduled targetPlanned target upon which fires or other actions are scheduled for prosecution at a specified time.
• scheme of firesThe detailed, logical sequence of targets and fire support events to find and engage targets to support the...
• scheme of maneuverThe central expression of the commander’s concept for operations that governs the development of supporting...
• scientific and technical intelligenceFoundational all-source intelligence that covers: a. foreign developments in basic and applied research and...
• sea controlThe freedom of action to use the sea in specified areas and for a specified time.
• sea denialPartially or completely denying the adversary the use of the sea in specified areas.
• sea echelonA portion of the amphibious warfare ships or other ships that withdraws from or remains out of the transport...
• sea stateA scale that categorizes the force of progressively higher seas by wave height.
• seabasingThe deployment, assembly, command, projection, reconstitution, sustainment, and re-employment of joint power...
• SEAL teamUnited States Navy forces organized, trained, and equipped to conduct special operations with an emphasis on...
• sealift enhancement featuresSpecial equipment and modifications that adapt merchant-type dry cargo ships and tankers to specific military...
• searchIn personnel recovery, a systematic reconnaissance of a defined area.
• search and rescueThe use of aircraft, surface craft, submarines, and specialized rescue teams and equipment to search for and...
• search and rescue numerical encryption gridA predesignated 10-letter word without repeated letters used exclusively by recovery forces or isolated...
• search and rescue pointA predesignated location, relative to which isolated personnel provide their bearing and distance.
• search and rescue regionAn area of defined dimensions, recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization, International...
• secondary loadsUnit equipment, supplies, and major end items that are transported in the beds of vehicles organic to the...
• sectionA subdivision of an office, installation, territory, works, or organization, especially a major subdivision...
• sector air defense commanderCommander, subordinate to an area/regional air defense commander, who is responsible for air and missile...
• security1. Measures taken by a military unit, activity, or installation to protect itself against all acts designed...
• security assistanceA group of programs authorized by federal statutes by which the United States provides defense articles...
• security cooperationDepartment of Defense interactions with foreign security establishments to build relationships that promote...
• security cooperation organizationA Department of Defense element in a diplomatic mission assigned to carry out security assistance and...
• security force assistanceThe Department of Defense activities that support the development of the capability and capacity of foreign...
• security forcesDuly constituted military, paramilitary, police, and constabulary forces of a state.
• security reviewIn public affairs, the process of reviewing information and products prior to public release to ensure the...
• security sector reformA comprehensive set of programs and activities undertaken by a host nation to improve the way it provides...
• seizeTo employ combat forces to occupy physically and to control a designated area.
• seizuresIn counterdrug operations, includes drugs and conveyances seized by law enforcement authorities and...
• Selected ReserveThose units and individuals within the Ready Reserve designated by their respective Services and approved by...
• selective identification featureA capability that, when added to the basic identification, friend or foe system, provides the means to...
• selective loadingThe arrangement and stowage of equipment and supplies aboard ship in a manner designed to facilitate issues...
• selective off-loadingThe accessing and off-loading of vehicles, supplies, and equipment from ships without having to conduct a...
• selective unloadingIn an amphibious operation, the controlled unloading from amphibious warfare ships, and movement ashore, of...
• semipermanent contingency locationA contingency location that provides support for a prolonged contingency operation and characterized by...
• senior airfield authorityAn individual designated by the joint force commander responsible for the control, operation, and maintenance...
• senior contracting officialThe staff official designated by a Service head of a contracting activity to execute theater support...
• sensitiveAn agency, installation, person, position, document, material, or activity requiring special protection from...
• sensitive compartmented informationAll information and materials bearing special community controls indicating restricted handling within...
• sensitive compartmented information facilityAn accredited area, room, group of rooms, or installation where sensitive compartmented information may be...
• sensitive siteAn area that may contain high-value information, equipment, or personnel.
• sequelThe subsequent operation or phase based on the possible outcomes of the current operation or phase.
• serialAn element or a group of elements within a series that is given a numerical or alphabetical designation for...
• serial assignment tableA table used in amphibious operations that shows the serial number, the title of the unit, and the...
• Service component commandA command consisting of the Service component commander and all those Service forces, such as individuals...
• Service-organic transportation assetTransportation asset that is assigned to a Military Department.
• Service-unique containerAny 20- or 40-foot International Organization for Standardization container procured or leased by a Service...
• Sexual Assault Prevention and Response OfficeThe Department of Defense’s single point of authority, accountability, and oversight for the Sexual Assault...
• sexual assault prevention and response victim advocateA person who shall provide non-clinical crisis intervention, referral, and ongoing non-clinical support to...
• shelterAn International Organization for Standardization container outfitted with live- or work-in capability.
• ship-to-shore movementThe portion of an amphibious operation’s action phase when the landing force deploys from ships to designated...
• shoot-look-shootA firing doctrine in which the result of the first intercept attempt is assessed prior to the launch of a...
• shore fire control partyA specially trained unit that controls naval gunfire in support of troops ashore.
• shore partyA task organization of the landing force, formed for the purpose of facilitating the landing and movement off...
• shortfallThe lack of forces, equipment, personnel, materiel, or capability, reflected as the difference between the...
• short-range air defense engagement zoneA defined airspace in which short-range air defense weapons engage air threats and which may be established...
• short-range ballistic missileA ballistic missile with a range capability between 300 kilometers (162 nautical miles/186 statute miles) and...
• show of forceAn operation planned to demonstrate United States resolve that involves increased visibility of United States...
• signal operating instructionsA series of orders issued for technical control and coordination of the signal communication activities of a...
• signals intelligence1. A category of intelligence comprising all communications intelligence, electronic intelligence, and...
• signals intelligence operational tasking authorityA military commander’s authority to operationally direct and levy signals intelligence requirements on...
• significant wave heightThe average of the highest one-third of waves observed during a given period of time.
• single managerA Military Department or agency designated by the Secretary of Defense to manage specified commodities or...
• single port managerThe transportation component responsible for management of all common-user aerial and seaports worldwide.
• single-Service managerA Service component commander who is assigned the responsibility and delegated the authority to coordinate or...
• situation templateA depiction of assumed enemy dispositions, based on that enemy’s preferred method of operations and the...
• sociocultural analysisThe analysis of enemies, adversaries, and other relevant actors that integrates gender-based and cultural...
• sociocultural factorsThe social, cultural, and behavioral factors characterizing the relationships and activities, informal and...
• solatiumMonetary compensation given in areas where it is culturally appropriate to alleviate grief, suffering, and...
• sortieIn air operations, an operational flight by one aircraft.
• sortie allotment messageThe means by which the joint force commander allots excess sorties to meet requirements of subordinate...
• source1. A person, thing, or activity from which information is obtained.
• source managementThe process to register and monitor the use of human sources to protect the security of the operations and...
• source operationsThe collection, from, by, and/or via humans, of foreign and military and military-related intelligence.
• source registryA source record or catalogue of leads and sources acquired by collectors and centralized for management...
• source zoneIn counterdrug operations, an identified geographic area for growing and/or the primary processing of the...
• space assignmentAn assignment to the individual Military Departments/Services by the appropriate transportation operating...
• space domainThe area above the altitude where atmospheric effects on airborne objects become negligible.
• space domain awarenessThe timely, relevant, and actionable understanding of the operational environment that allows military forces...
• space environmentThe environment corresponding to the orbital segment of the space domain.
• space forcesThe space and terrestrial systems, equipment, facilities, organizations, and personnel, or combination...
• space operationsThe employment of space forces in, to, or from space to achieve objectives.
• space situational awarenessThe requisite foundational, current, and predictive knowledge and characterization of space orbital objects...
• space superiorityThe degree of control in the space domain of one force over another that permits freedom of access and action...
• special forcesUnited States Army forces organized, trained, and equipped to conduct special operations with an emphasis on...
• special forces groupThe Army combat element for special operations consisting of command and control, special forces battalions...
• special mission unitA task-organized unit of special operations and support personnel that conducts sensitive activities and...
• special operationsActivities or actions requiring distinct modes of employment, tactical techniques, equipment, and training...
• special operations command and control elementA special operations element for the command and control of special operations forces and coordination with...
• special operations forcesThose Active and Reserve Component forces of the Services designated by the Secretary of Defense and...
• special operations joint task forceAn organization from two or more Military Departments organized to provide command and control of joint...
• special operations liaison elementA team provided by the joint force special operations component commander to coordinate special operations...
• special operations weather teamA task-organized team of Air Force special-tactics personnel, organized, trained, and equipped to collect...
• special operations-peculiarEquipment, material, supplies, and services that are not Service-common and required for special operations...
• special reconnaissanceReconnaissance and surveillance actions conducted as a special operation in hostile, denied, or politically...
• special tactics teamAn Air Force task-organized element of special tactics personnel that may include combat control, pararescue...
• specializationAn arrangement within an alliance wherein a member or group of members most suited by virtue of technical...
• specified combatant commandA command, normally composed of forces from a single Military Department, that has a broad, continuing...
• specified taskIn the context of planning, a task that is specifically assigned to an organization by its higher...
• split-mission oriented protective postureThe use of different protective postures in different areas of the operational environment based on levels of...
• spokeThe portion of the hub and spoke distribution system that refers to transportation mode operators responsible...
• spot netRadio communication net used by a spotter in calling fire.
• spot reportA concise narrative report of essential information covering events or conditions that may have an immediate...
• spotterA trained individual positioned to observe and report results of naval gunfire to the firing agency and who...
• stabilization activitiesVarious military missions, tasks, and activities conducted outside the United States in coordination with...
• staff estimateA continual evaluation of how factors in a staff section’s functional area support and impact the planning...
• staff judge advocateA judge advocate so designated in the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps, and the principal legal advisor of a...
• stagingAssembling, holding, and organizing arriving personnel, equipment, and sustaining materiel in preparation for...
• staging area1. Airborne - A general locality between the mounting area and the objective of an airborne expedition...
• staging base1. An advanced naval base for the anchoring, fueling, and refitting of transports and cargo ships and for...
• stakeholderIn public affairs, an individual or group that is directly impacted by military operations, actions, or...
• standard operating procedureA set of instructions applicable to those features of operations that lend themselves to a definite or...
• standard use Army aircraft flight routeRoute established below the coordination level to facilitate the movement of Army aircraft.
• Standby ReserveThose units and members of the Reserve Component (other than those in the Ready Reserve or Retired Reserve)...
• stateless personA person who is not considered as a national by any state under the operation of its law.
• station timeIn air transport operations, the time at which crews, passengers, and cargo are to be on board and ready for...
• status-of-forces agreementA bilateral or multilateral agreement that defines the legal position of a visiting military force deployed...
• sterilizerIn mine warfare, a device included in mines to render the mine permanently inoperative on expiration of a...
• stop-lossPresidential authority under Title 10, United States Code, Section 12305, to suspend laws relating to...
• stowage factorThe number that expresses the space, in cubic feet, occupied by a long ton of any commodity as prepared for...
• strategic attackAn offensive action against a target - whether military, political, economic, or other - that is specifically...
• strategic competitionThe persistent and long-term interaction that occurs between relevant actors pursuing their interests across...
• strategic directionThe strategy and intent of the President, Secretary of Defense, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in...
• strategic environmentThe set of complex, dynamic, and adaptive political, diplomatic, military, economic, social, information, and...
• strategic estimateThe broad range of strategic factors that influence the commander’s understanding of the operational...
• strategic guidanceThe written products by which the President, Secretary of Defense, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff...
• strategic intelligenceIntelligence required for the formation of policy and military plans at national and international levels.
• strategic level of warfareThe level of warfare at which a nation determines national or multinational guidance, develops strategic...
• strategic mobilityThe capability to deploy and sustain military forces worldwide in support of national strategy.
• strategic sealiftThe afloat pre-positioning and ocean movement of military materiel in support of United States and...
• strategyAn idea or set of ideas for employing the instruments of national power in a synchronized and integrated...
• strikeAn attack to damage or destroy an objective or a capability.
• strike coordination and reconnaissanceAn air mission to detect targets and coordinate or perform attack or reconnaissance on those targets.
• structured observation managementThe framework for standardizing how geospatial intelligence observations are captured, organized, and shared.
• stuffingPacking of cargo into a container.
• submarine operating authorityThe naval commander exercising operational control of submarines.
• subordinate campaign planA combatant command-prepared plan that satisfies the requirements under a Department of Defense campaign...
• subordinate commandA lower-echelon command consisting of a commander and all those individuals, units, detachments...
• subordinate unified commandA command established by commanders of unified commands, when so authorized by the Secretary of Defense...
• subsidiary landingIn an amphibious operation, a landing made outside the designated landing area.
• subversionActions designed to undermine the military, economic, psychological, or political strength or morale of a...
• suppliesIn logistics, all materiel and items used in the equipping, support, and maintenance of military forces.
• supplyThe procurement, distribution, maintenance while in storage, and salvage of supplies, including the...
• supply chainThe linked activities associated with providing materiel from a raw materiel stage to an end user as a...
• supply chain risk managementA cross-functional approach to procuring, producing, and delivering products and services to customers.
• supply support activityActivities assigned a Department of Defense activity address code and that have a supply support mission.
• support1. The action of a force that aids, protects, complements, or sustains another force in accordance with a...
• support to resistanceThe integrated activities that support a nation or population group from subversion and aggression by...
• supported commander1. The commander having primary responsibility for all aspects of a task assigned.
• supported unitAs related to contracted support, an organization that is the recipient, but not necessarily the requester...
• supporting armsWeapons and weapons systems employed to support forces by indirect or direct fire.
• supporting arms coordination centerA single location on board an amphibious warfare ship in which all communication facilities incident to the...
• supporting commander1. A commander who provides actions and other directed support to a supported commander.
• supporting fireFire delivered by supporting units to assist or protect a unit in combat.
• supporting planAn operation plan prepared by a supporting commander, a subordinate commander, or an agency to satisfy the...
• suppressionTemporary or transient degradation by an opposing force of the performance of a weapons system below the...
• suppression of enemy air defensesActivity that neutralizes, destroys, or temporarily degrades surface-based enemy air defenses by destructive...
• surf lineThe point offshore where swells begin to break.
• surf zoneThe area between the surf line and the beach.
• surface action groupA temporary or standing organization of surface combatant ships tailored for a specific surface warfare...
• surface combatantA ship designed to engage in attacks against airborne, surface, subsurface, and shore targets.
• surface warfareSurface maritime operations to destroy or neutralize ships and craft.
• surveillanceThe systematic observation of aerospace, cyberspace, surface, or subsurface areas, places, persons, or things...
• surveillance areaThe area that must be observed to detect any vessel or aircraft of possible military concern.
• survivabilityAll aspects of protecting personnel, weapons, and supplies, including deceptive measures.
• survival, evasion, resistance, and escapeActions performed by isolated personnel designed to ensure their health, mobility, safety, and honor in...
• suspect1. In counterdrug operations, a track of interest where correlating information actually ties the track of...
• sustainmentThe provision of logistics and personnel services required to maintain and prolong operations until...
• sustainment, restoration, and modernizationThe fuels asset sustainment program within Defense Logistics Agency Energy that provides a long-term process...
• synchronization1. The arrangement of military actions in time, space, and purpose to produce maximum relative combat power...
• systemA functionally, physically, and/or behaviorally related group of regularly interacting or interdependent...
• systems support contractA prearranged contract awarded by a Military Department and the United States Special Operations Command...

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