Military Glossary

Alternate Headquarters
(DOD) An existing headquarters of a component or subordinate command which is predesignated to assume the responsibilities and functions of another headquarters under prescribed emergency conditions.

Altitude Acclimatization
(DOD, NATO) A slow physiological adaptation resulting from prolonged exposure to significantly reduced atmospheric pressure.

American National Standards Institute
(DOD) The United States standards organization that establishes procedures for the development and coordination of voluntary American National Standards.

Ammunition And Toxic Material Open Space
(DOD, NATO) An area especially prepared for storage of explosive ammunition and toxic material.

For reporting purposes, it does not include the surrounding area restricted for storage because of safety distance factors. It includes barricades and improvised coverings.

Ammunition Controlled Supply Rate
DOD) In Army usage, the amount of ammunition estimated to be available to sustain operations of a designated force for a specified time if expenditures are controlled at that rate.

It is expressed in terms of rounds per weapon per day for ammunition items fired by weapons, and in terms of units of measure per organization per day for bulk allotment ammunition items.

Tactical commanders use this rate to control expenditures of ammunition during tactical operations at planned intervals.

It is issued through command channels at each level. It is determined based on consideration of the required supply rates submitted by subordinate commanders and ammunition assets available.

Amphibious Reconnaissance Unit
(DOD) A unit organized, equipped, and trained to conduct and support amphibious reconnaissance missions.

Antideficiency Violations
(DOD) The incurring of obligations or the making of expenditure (outlays) in excess of amounts available in appropriations or funds.

Antipersonnel Mine (land mine warfare)
(DOD) A mine designed to cause casualties to personnel.

Antisubmarine Air Search AttackUnit
(DOD) The designation given to one or more aircraft separately organized as a tactical unit to search for and destroy submarines.

Antiterrorism Awareness
(DOD) Fundamental knowledge of the terrorist threat and measures to reduce personal vulnerability to terrorism.

Appendix
(DOD) A subsidiary addition to a main paper.

Area Air Defense Commander
(DOD) Within a unified command, subordinate unified command, or joint task force, the commander will assign overall responsibility for air defense to a single commander.

Area Of militarily Significant Fallout
(DOD, NATO) Area in which radioactive fallout affects the ability of military units to carry out their normal mission.

Area Radar Prediction Analysis
(DOD) Radar target intelligence study designed to provide radar significant data for use in the preparation of radar target predictions.

Armed Forces Courier Service
(DOD) A joint service of the Departments of the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force, with the Chief of Staff, US Army, as Executive Agent.

Armed Services Medical Regulating Office
(DOD) A joint activity reporting directly to the Commander in Chief, US Transportation Command, the Department of Defense single manager for the regulation of movement of Uniformed Services patients.

The Armed Services Medical Regulating Office authorizes transfers to medical treatment facilities of the Military Departments or the Department of Veterans Affairs and coordinates inter-theater and inside continental United States patient movement requirements with the appropriate transportation component commands of US Transportation Command.

Armored Reconnaissance Airborne Assault Vehicle
(DOD) A lightly armored, mobile, full-tracked vehicle serving as the main reconnaissance vehicle in infantry and airborne operations, and as the principal assault weapon of airborne troops.

Army tactical data link 1
See tactical digital information link.

Artillery Survey Control Point
(DOD, NATO) A point at which the coordinates and the altitude are known and from which the bearings/azimuths to a number of reference objects are also known.

Assault Follow-on Echelon
(DOD) In amphibious operations, that echelon of the assault troops, vehicles, aircraft equipment, and supplies which, though not needed to initiate the assault, is required to support and sustain the assault.

In order to accomplish its purpose, it is normally required in the objective area no later than five days after commencement of the assault landing.

Asymmetrical Sweep
(DOD, NATO) A sweep whose swept path under conditions of no wind or cross-tide is not equally spaced either side of the sweeper's track.

Atomic underground burst
See nuclear underground burst.

Attached Airlift Service
(DOD) The airlift service provided to an organization or command by an airlift unit attached to that organization.

AV-8
See Harrier.

Aviation combat element
See Marine air-ground task force.

AXP
See ambulance exchange point.

Azimuth Guidance
(DOD, NATO) Information which will enable the pilot or autopilot of an aircraft to follow the required track.

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