Military Glossary

DADCAP
(DOD) Dawn and dusk combat air patrol.

Damage assessment
(DOD, NATO) 1. The determination of the effect of attacks on targets. (DOD) 2. A determination of the effect of a compromise of classified information on national security.

Dangerously exposed waters
(DOD, NATO) The sea area adjacent to a severely threatened coastline. (NATO)

DART
(DOD) See Disaster Assistance Response Team.

DASC
See direct air support center.

Date-time group
(DOD) The date and time, expressed in digits and zone suffix, the message was prepared for transmission. (Expressed as six digits followed by the zone suffix; first pair of digits denotesthe date, second pair the hours, third pair the minutes.)

Datum error (antisubmarine warfare)
(DOD) An estimate of the degree of accuracy in the reported position of datum.

D-day consumption/production differential assets
(DOD) As applied to the D-to-P concept, these assets are required to compensate for the inability of the production base to meet expenditure (consumption) requirements during the D-to-P period.

DDG
See guided missile destroyer.

Debarkation schedule
(DOD, NATO) A schedule which provides for the timely and orderly debarkation of troops and equipment and emergency supplies for the waterborne ship-to-shore movement.

Deception course of action
(DOD) A deception scheme developed during the estimate process in sufficient detail to permit decisionmaking. At a minimum, a deception course of action will identify the deception objective, the deception target, the desired perception, the deception story, and tentative deception means.

Decrypt
(DOD) To convert encrypted text into its equivalent plain text by means of a cryptosystem. (This does not include solution by cryptanalysis.) (Note: The term "decrypt" covers the meanings of "decipher" and "decode.")

DEFCON
See defense readiness conditions.

Defense Communications System
(DOD) Department of Defense long-haul voice, data, and record traffic system which includes the Defense Data Network, Defense Satellite Communications System, and Defense Switched Network.

Defensive sea area
(DOD) A sea area, usually including the approaches to and the waters of important ports, harbors, bays, or sounds, for the control and protection of shipping; for the safeguarding of defense installations bordering on waters of the areas; and for provision of other security measures required within the specified areas. It does not extend seaward beyond the territorial waters.

De jure boundary
(DOD, NATO) An international or administrative boundary whose existence and legality is recognized.

Demilitarized zone
(DOD, NATO) A defined area in which the stationing, or concentrating of military forces, or the retention or establishment of military installations of any description, is prohibited.

Demolition tool kit
(DOD, NATO) The tools, materials and accessories of a nonexplosive nature necessary for preparing demolition charges.

Deployed nuclear weapons
(DOD) 1. When used in connection with the transfer of weapons between the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense, this term describes those weapons transferred to and in the custody of the Department of Defense. 2. Those nuclear weapons specifically authorized by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to be transferred to the custody of the storage facilities, carrying or delivery units of the armed forces.

Desired ground zero
(DOD, NATO) The point on the surface of the Earth at, or vertically below or above, the center of a planned nuclear detonation. See also actual ground zero; ground zero.

Detailed photographic report
(DOD, NATO) A comprehensive, analytical, intelligence report written as a result of the interpretation of photography usually covering a single subject, a target, target complex, and of a detailed nature.

DEW
See directed-energy warfare.

Diplomatic authorization
(DOD, NATO) Authority for overflight or landing obtained at government-to-government level through diplomatic channels.

Directed exercise
See JCS-directed exercise.

Direct liaison authorized
(DOD) That authority granted by a commander (any level) to a subordinate to directly consult or coordinate an action with a command or agency within or outside of the granting command. Direct liaison authorized is more applicable to planning than operations and always carries with it the requirement of keeping the commander granting direct liaison authorized informed. Direct liaison authorized is a coordination relationship, not an authority through which command may be exercised.

DIRLAUTH
See direct liaison authorized.

Disease and nonbattle injury casualty
(DOD) A person who is not a battle casualty but who is lost to the organization by reason of disease or injury, including persons dying of disease or injury, by reason of being missing where the absence does not appear to be voluntary, or due to enemy action or being interned.

DISN
(DOD) See Defense Information Systems Network.

Dispersed movement pattern
(DOD, NATO) A pattern for ship-to-shore movement which provides additional separation of landing craft both laterally and in depth. This pattern is used when nuclear weapon threat is a factor.

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