aerostat – (n.) a balloon-supported radar
antenna moored to a ship or the ground.
Aerostats are usually tied to the ground
and remain stationary.
wilco – (exp.) (pronounced WIL-co) a procedure
word meaning, “I have received your
signal, understand it, and will comply.”
(To be used only by addressee.) Since the
meaning of ROGER is included in that
of WILCO, the two procedure words are
never used together.
Soldier 1: True Blue 22, Sherman Ground,
taxi runway 9R.
Soldier 2: True Blue 22, wilco.
nerve agent – (n.) a potentially lethal
chemical agent which is designed to
attack a person’s central nervous system.
One drop of nerve agent contacting the
skin can cause death within 15 minutes.
line of sight (LOS) – (n.) an unobstructed
path from a soldier, weapon, or piece of
equipment to another point.
He established a line of sight with the
target.
harassing fire – (n.) fire designated to
disturb the rest of enemy troops, curtail
movement, and lower morale.
The enemy camp was up all night due to
harassing fire from the coalition snipers.
force tailoring – (n.) the process of
determining the right mix of forces and
the sequence of their deployments.
During the force tailoring procedure, the
commanders decided to increase the size
of the deploying unit.
flank – (n.) the side of an army in a battle.
We were attacked on our right flank.
exfiltration – (n.) a tactical mission where
a commander removes personnel or units
from areas under enemy control using
stealth, deception, surprise, or clandestine
means; (v.) to exfiltrate.
The exfiltration of our unit from the
enemy’s holding place went quickly and
without much resistance.
echelon formation – (n.) a movement
formation used when the task force wants
to maintain security and/or observation of
one flank and enemy contact is not likely.
An echelon formation was used after the
battle to protect the weakened flank.
declination – (n.) the difference between
grid north and magnetic north.
The declination on the Tenino map is 21
degrees.
cryptology – (n.) the science that deals
with hidden, disguised, or encrypted
communications.
Cryptology involves deciphering complex
codes.
crawl-walk-run – (n.) an instruction
technique involving incremental
progression toward mastery of a skill.
Drill Sergeant Stokes used crawl-walk-run
to train the new recruits.
bracket – (v.) to correct artillery or mortar
fire so that each adjusting round lands on
The opposite side of the target to the last
round, until the target is hit.
The platoon soon realized that their
position was being bracketed.
colors – (n.) national flags and unit
organizational flags.
The colors are normally displayed outside
a unit’s headquarters.
