B

 

B                                              biological (graphics, FM 1‑02)

B/P                                            be‑prepared mission (FM 1‑02)

ba                                             battery, see also "batt," FM 3‑23‑65)

BAA                                           budget activity account

BAAF                                         Badger Army ammunition plant

BAAN                                         budget authorization account number

back tell                                     (DOD, NATO) The transfer of information from a higher to a lower echelon of command, also track telling (FM 1‑02)

back up                                      (vi, Merriam‑Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Ninth Edition)

backbrief                                    A briefing by subordinates to the commander to review how subordinates intend to accomplish their mission (FM 5-0, see also briefback)

backfire                                      (vi, Merriam‑Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Ninth Edition)

background                                 (noun, vt, Merriam‑Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Ninth Edition)

backhaul                                    The use of transportation assets that, having deposited their primary loads, are available to remove personnel and materials from that location to another location en route to their return destination (FM 55‑1)

backhoe                                     (noun, Merriam‑Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Ninth Edition)

backlight                                    (noun, verb, Merriam‑Webster online 2002)

backlog                                      (noun, vt, Merriam‑Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Ninth Edition)

backtrack                                   (vi, Merriam‑Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Ninth Edition)

backup                                       (noun, adj, Merriam‑Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Ninth Edition)

BAE                                           battlefield area evaluation (FM 3‑21.20)

BAG                                           ballistic attack game

BAI                                            battlefield air interdiction (FM 3‑21.20, FM 3‑90.6, FM 7‑98, FM 3‑90.2, FM 90‑26, ARTEP 7‑30‑MTP)

bal                                            balance (use abbreviations in graphics only)

ball‑and‑dummy method                (for spelling or hyphenation only)

ballistic missile                             (DOD, NATO) Any missile which does not rely upon aerodynamic surfaces to produce lift and consequently follows a ballistic trajectory when thrust is terminated (FM 44‑100)

BALLWIN                                    ballistic winds

BAMC                                         Brooke Army Medical Center

BANDIT                                      An aircraft identified as an enemy in accordance with theater ID criteria. The term does not necessarily imply direction or authority to engage)

bangalore torpedo                        (1) A manually emplaced, explosive‑filled pipe that was designed as a wire breaching device, but is also effective against simple pressure activated antipersonnel mines. It is issued as a demolition kit and consists of ten 1.5‑meter tubes. Each tube contains 4 kilograms of high explosives and weighs 6 kilograms. A kit clears a 1‑meter by 15‑meter lane (FM 3‑34.2; 2) A metal tube containing explosives and a firing mechanism often designed so that it can be joined to other such tubes and used to cut wire entanglements and detonate buried mines by being exploded flat on the ground (Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam‑Webster, 2002. http://unabridged.merriam‑webster.com [29 Jun. 2006]); (3) A manually emplaced, 1.5‑meter long explosive‑filled tube used to breach wire and detonate simple, pressure‑activated antipersonnel mines. Ten tubes clears a 1‑ by 15‑meter lane (adapted for use in the Ranger Handbook glossary)

BANZAI                                      Informative/directive call to execute launch and decide tactics)

BAPREPT                                    beds and patient report

BAQ                                           basic allowance for quarters

BAR                                           battery acquisition radar; Browning automatic rifle (FM 3‑21.20, FM 3‑90.6)

barrage                                      (DOD) 1. A prearranged barrier of fires, except that delivered by small arms, designed to protect friendly troops and installations by impeding enemy movements across defensive lines or areas (FM 6‑30. 2. A protective screen of balloons that is moored to the ground and kept at given heights to prevent or hinder operations by enemy aircraft. This meaning also called barrage balloon. 3. A type of electronic attack intended for simultaneous jamming over a wide area of frequency spectrum (FM 34‑45)

barrage fire                                 (DOD, NATO) Fire which is designed to fill a volume of space or an area rather than aimed specifically at a given target, also call for fire (FM 6‑30)

barrage jamming                          (DOD) Simultaneous electromagnetic jamming over a broad band of frequencies, also jamming, FM 2‑0)

barrier                                        (DOD) A coordinated series of obstacles designed or employed to channel, direct, restrict, delay, or stop the movement of an opposing force and to impose additional losses in personnel, time, and equipment on the opposing force. Barriers can exist naturally, be manmade, or a combination of both, also abatis; countermobility operations; obstacle (FM 3‑34)

BAS                                           battalion aid station (FM 1‑02); basic allowance for subsistence

BASD                                         basic active service date

BASE                                         basic Army strategic estimates

base                                          (DOD, NATO) 1. A locality from which operations are projected or supported. 2. An area or locality containing installations which provide logistic or other support. 3 (DOD only) Home airfield or home carrier, FM 3‑90)

BASE (+/‑ number)                       Reference number used to indicate such information as headings, altitude, fuels, and so on)

base cluster                                (DOD) In base defense operations, a collection of bases, geographically grouped for mutual protection and ease of command and control, also base, FM 3‑90)

base cluster operations center       (DOD) A command and control facility that serves as the base cluster commander's focal point for defense and security of the base cluster. Also called BCOC, also base cluster, FM 3‑90)

base defense                              (DOD) The local military measures, both normal and emergency, required to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of enemy attacks on, or sabotage of, a base, to ensure that the maximum capacity of its facilities is available to US forces, FM 3‑90)

base defense operations center      (DOD) A command and control facility established by the base commander to serve as the focal point for base security and defense. It plans, directs, integrates, coordinates, and controls all base defense efforts, and coordinates and integrates into area security operations with the rear area operations center/rear tactical operations center. Also called BDOC, FM 3‑90. (See Table 5‑8 for symbol)

base defense reaction forces         Forces comprised of personnel or elements of units assigned to a specific base with the responsibility to rapidly bolster base defenses or react to an unforeseen threat (FM 3‑90)

base defense zone                       (DOD) An air defense zone established around an air base and limited to the engagement envelope or short‑range air defense weapons systems defending that base. Base defense zones have specific entry, exit, and identification, friend or foe procedures established. Also called BDZ, also air defense; base defense, FM 44‑100)

base development (less force beddown)     (DOD) The acquisition, development, expansion, improvement, and construction and/or replacement of the facilities and resources of an area or location to support forces employed in military operations or deployed in accordance with strategic plans (NATO) The improvement or expansion of the resources and facilities of an area or a location to support military operations, also base (FM 3‑34.15, FM 1‑02)

base element                              See base unit (FM 1‑02)

base of fire                                 (Army/Marine Corps) Fire [Note: the Army definition specifies "direct fire" here] placed on an enemy force or position to reduce or eliminate the enemy's capability to interfere by fire and/or movement with friendly maneuver element(s) It may be provided by a single weapon or a grouping of weapons systems, also overwatch; support by fire, FM 3‑21.20)

base unit                                    (DOD) Unit of organization in a tactical operation around which a movement or maneuver is planned and performed, FM 3‑90)

baseline intelligence capabilities      Operational capabilities of fielded Army intelligence and electronic warfare systems to detect intelligence targets, collect and process information, and produce and disseminate intelligence on a threat. These system capabilities should be grouped by discipline and assessed across all disciplines when evaluating detection, collection, and processing capabilities against a threat (FM 2‑0)

base‑of‑fire element                     (for spelling or hyphenation only)

basic load                                   (DOD, NATO) The quantity of supplies required to be on hand within, and which can be moved by, a unit or formation. It is expressed according to the wartime organization of the unit or formation and maintained at the prescribed levels, FM 10‑27)

basis of issue plan                        (BOIP) A document prescribing the number of items issued to an individual, unit, or military activity, (TRADOC Pam 350‑70‑2)

BASOPS                                     Base Operating Information System

bate                                          (verb, Merriam‑Webster online 2002) to reduce in force or intensity; to restrain; to take away or deduct

BATS                                         Bradley advanced training system (FM 3‑22.1); Ballistic Aerial Target System

batt                                          battery (use abbreviations in graphics only)

battalion                                    A unit consisting of two or more company‑, battery‑, or troop‑sized units and a headquarters. Also called bn (FM 3‑90; see Table 5‑6 for symbol)

battery                                      (DOD, NATO) 1. Tactical and administrative artillery unit or subunit corresponding to a company or similar unit in other branches of the Army, FM 6‑20. 2. All guns, torpedo tubes, searchlights, or missile launchers of the same size or caliber or used for the same purpose, either installed in one ship or otherwise operating as an entity. (See Table 5‑6 for symbol)

battle                                        A set of related engagements that lasts longer and involves larger forces than an engagement, also campaign; engagement; major operation (FM 3‑0)

battle captain                             The shift officer in charge within a command post, associated by position and not rank. The battle captain is located in the operations section of a command post and oversees the conduct of command post operations during his shift. The battle captain ensures that relevant information is given to decisionmakers and works closely with all members of the command group and staff (FM 1‑02)

battle command                           The exercise of command in operations against a hostile, thinking enemy (FM 3‑0)

battle damage assessment             (DOD) The timely and accurate estimate of damage resulting from the application of military force, either lethal or nonlethal, against a predetermined objective. Battle damage assessment can be applied to the employment of all types of weapon systems (air, ground, naval, and special forces weapons systems) throughout the range of military operations. Battle damage assessment is primarily an intelligence responsibility with required inputs and coordination from the operators. Battle damage assessment is composed of physical damage assessment, functional damage assessment, and target system assessment, FM 2‑0 In Marine Corps usage, the timely and accurate estimate of the damage resulting from the application of military force. Battle damage assessment estimates physical damage to a particular target, functional damage to that target, and the capability of the entire target system to continue its operations. Also called BDA (FM 1‑02)

battle damage repair                     (DOD) Essential repair, which may be improvised, carried out rapidly in a battle environment in order to return damaged or disabled equipment to temporary service. Also called BDR, also cannibalize, FM 4‑30.3)

battle drill                                   Standardized actions made in response to common battlefield occurrences. They are designed for rapid reaction situations (FM 3‑21.10)

battle handover                           (adj + noun)

battle handover line                      (no hyphen, not a unit modifier)A designated phase line on the ground where responsibility transitions from the stationary force to the moving force and vice versa. Also called BHL, also handover line (FM 3‑90)

battle position                             (Army) 1. A defensive location oriented on a likely enemy avenue of approach (FM 3‑90) 2. For attack helicopters, an area designated in which they can maneuver and fire into a designated engagement area or engage targets of opportunity (FM 1‑112; Marine Corps) 1. In ground operations, a defensive location oriented on an enemy avenue of approach from which a unit may defend. 2. In air operations, an airspace coordination area containing fire points for attack helicopters. Also called BP. (See Table 7‑9 for symbol)

battle staff                                 (noun)

battlecarry                                 [Used in FM 3‑22.1 as a single word; cannot find it in any dictionaries] (FM 3‑20.8 (17‑12‑8)

battlefield areas of influence, interest   battlespace has an associated area of influence and area of interest. An area of influence is a geographical area in which a commander can directly influence operations by maneuver or fire support systems normally under the commander’s command or control. Areas of influence surround and include the associated AO. The extent of subordinate units’ areas of influence normally guides higher commanders in assigning subordinate AOs. An AO should not be substantially larger than the unit’s area of influence. An area of interest is that area of concern to the commander, including the area of influence and areas adjacent to it. It extends into enemy territory, to the objectives of current or planned operations. This area also includes areas occupied by enemy forces that could jeopardize the accomplishment of the mission. Areas of interest serve to focus intelligence development and IO directed at factors outside the AO that may affect the operation (FM 3‑0, 2001)

battlefield coordination detachment (DOD) An Army liaison provided by the Army component or force commander to the air operations center (AOC) and/or to the component designated by the joint force commander to plan, coordinate, and deconflict air operations. The battlefield coordination detachment processes Army requests for air support, monitors and interprets the land battle situation for the AOC, and provides the interface for exchange of current intelligence and operational data. Also called BCD, FM 100‑13)

battlefield information coordination center  A subsection of the battalion and brigade S‑2 section. It provides detailed control and coordination of intelligence collection, production, and dissemination, thus freeing the S‑2 from routine tasks so that he can better manage the overall intelligence effort. Also called BICC (FM 2‑0)

Battlefield Operating Systems      OBSOLETE; see warfighting functions (WFF)

battlefield organization                  The allocation of forces in the area of operations by purpose. It consists of three all‑encompassing categories of operations: decisive, shaping, and sustaining, also decisive operations; shaping operations; sustaining operations (FM 3‑0)

battlefield psychological activities   (DOD, NATO) Planned psychological activities conducted as an integral part of combat operations and designed to bring psychological pressure to bear on enemy forces and civilians under enemy control in the battle area, to assist in the achievement of operational and tactical objectives, FM 3‑05.20)

battle‑focused training                  (for spelling or hyphenation only)

battlesight                                  (noun, Infantry Vocabulary List)

battlespace                                (DOD) The environment, factors, and conditions that must be understood to successfully apply combat power, protect the force, or complete the mission. This includes air, land, sea, space, and the included enemy and friendly forces; facilities; weather; terrain; the electromagnetic spectrum; and the information environment within the operational areas and areas of interest, also electromagnetic spectrum; information environment; intelligence preparation of the battlefield; intelligence preparation of the battlespace, FM 3‑0.

The environment, factors, and conditions commanders must understand to successfully apply combat power, protect the force, or complete the mission. This includes the air, land, sea, space, and the included enemy and friendly forces, facilities, weather, terrain, the electromagnetic spectrum, and the information environment within the operational areas and areas of interest (Figure 4‑5, FM 3‑0, 2001) Battlespace is conceptual—a higher commander does not assign it. Commanders determine their battlespace based on their concept of operations, accomplishing the mission, and protecting the force. Commanders use their experience, professional knowledge, and understanding of the situation to visualize and change their battlespace as current operations transition to future operations (FM 3‑0, 2001)

Battlespace is not synonymous with AO. However, because battlespace is conceptual, Army forces conduct operations only within that portion of it delineated by their AO (FM 3‑90.1 [71‑1] and FM 3‑91 [71‑100]), the volume in which the commander seeks to dominate the enemy.

It is through his battlefield visualization that a commander decides where, when, and how he will dominate the enemy within his battlespace.

A commander's battlespace expands and contracts in relation to the ability to acquire and engage the enemy with joint or multinational forces. It can change as the commander's vision of the battlefield changes. It is influenced by time, tempo, depth, and synchronization.

Battlespace is not assigned by a higher commander. Although not shown on a map or on a computer monitor, it usually extends beyond the commander's area of operations, and may overlap with the battlespace of other commanders.

At the tactical level, the area in which a commander dominates an enemy, his battlespace, is normally smaller than his area of interest.

Key considerations in determining the size of battlespace include the depth and resolution of supporting intelligence, the commander's concept for employing both organic and supporting weapons, and the disposition of the opposing force. (See also battlefield areas of influence, interest; battlespace logistics ; commander’s battlespace; force projection bases; Top station; FM 3‑04.100 [1‑100]; FM 3‑01.12 [100‑12]; (TRADOC Pam 525‑5; and TRADOC Reg 350‑70)

Military Acronyms, Initialisms, and Abbreviation's definition matches that of its claimed source only so far. Both begin by defining battlespace this way:

"Components of this space are determined by the maximum capabilities of friendly and enemy forces to acquire and dominate each other by fires and maneuver."

MMAIA completes the definition with "…and in the electromagnetic spectrum…" whereas, its cited source, TP 525‑75, completes the definition with—"Components of this space are determined by the maximum capabilities of friendly and enemy forces to acquire and dominate each other's fires and maneuver. It includes width, depth, height, time, the electromagnetic spectrum, and human factors."

battlespace logistics                     Battlespace logistics perception is derived from the basic doctrine, terminology, and operational concepts for Force XXI as given in (TRADOC Pamphlet 525‑5. Battlespace logistics consorts to a logistics continuum consisting of soldiers, civilians (DOD and contractors), organizations, modular support forces, and an integrated, intelligent, and networked information system (FM 42‑414)

BAY                                           [NATO] (EW) Carry out deception plan indicated or in accordance with previous orders)

BBS                                           brigade battalion simulation (FM 7‑1, ARTEP 7‑30-MTP); need definition (TC 90‑1)

BBSAAR                                     need definition (TC 90‑1)

BC                                             battery commander; Bradley commander (ARTEP 7‑7J‑DRILL (FM 3‑21.71, FM 3‑22.1, STP 7‑11M14‑SM‑TG)

BCA                                           battery control area

BCAT                                         base camp assistance/assessment team (FM 1‑02)

BCC                                           battlefield circulation control (FM 3‑90.6); battlefield coordination center (FM 90‑26; battery control central

BCD                                           battlefield coordination detachment (FM 1‑02); bad conduct discharge; binary coded decimal

BCE                                           baseline cost estimate; Bradley crew evaluator (FM 3‑22.1)

BCIS                                          Battlefield combat identification system (FM 3‑22.1)

BCLS                                         basic cardiac life support

BCOC                                         base camp operations center; base cluster operations center (FM 1‑02)

BCPC                                         Bradley crew proficiency course (FM 3‑22.1, FM 7‑1)

BCS                                           Battery Computer System

BCS3                                         Battle Command Sustainment and Support System (FM 3‑21.20)

BCT                                           basic combat training; brigade combat team, of which there are three types: the Infantry brigade combat team (IBCT), the Heavy brigade combat team (HBCT), and the Stryker brigade combat team (SBCT; FM 3‑21.20)

BCTB                                         Basic Combat Training Brigade

BCTP                                         battle command training program (FM 1‑02)

BD                                             battle drill (ARTEP 7‑92-MTP); biocular display (FM 3‑22.1); bomb disposal

BDA                                           battle damage assessment (FM 1‑02)

BDAR                                         battle damage assessment and repair (FM 3‑21.20, FM 7‑98, FM 3‑06.11, ARTEP 7‑94-MTP); battlefield damage assessment and repair

BDB                                           Base Development Board

BDC                                           brigade data center

BDD                                           blanket delivery date

bde                                           brigade (FM 1‑02, FM 7‑0, FM 7‑1 (25‑101); use abbreviations only in graphics)

BDE                                           base defensive effort (FM 7‑98)

BDELT                                        brigade landing team

BDF                                           base defensive force (FM 7‑98)

BDFA                                         basic daily food allowance

BDL                                           battery data link

BDO                                           battle dress overgarments (FM 3‑21.10)

BDOC                                         base defense operations center (FM 1‑02)

BDP                                           base development plan

BDR                                           battle damage repair (FM 1‑02)

bdry                                          boundary (use abbreviations only in graphics)

BDS                                           British Defense Staff

BDU                                           battle dress uniform (FM 1‑02, obsolete; see/use ACU); battery display unit (FM 3‑06.11, ARTEP 7‑94‑MTP)

BDZ                                           base defense zone (FM 1‑02)

beach capacity                            (DOD, NATO) An estimate, expressed in terms of measurement tons, or weight tons, of cargo that may be unloaded over a designated strip of shore per day, FM 55‑60)

beach group                                See shore party (FM 1‑02)

beachhead                                  (DOD, NATO) A designated area on a hostile or potentially hostile shore that, when seized and held, ensures the continuous landing of troops and materiel, and provides maneuver space requisite for subsequent projected operations ashore, also amphibious operation, FM 3‑21.10)

bead window                               Last transmission potentially disclosed unauthorized information)

beam (w/cardinal direction)*          Contact stabilized within 70 to 110 degrees of aspect (NOTE: NATO = 60 to 120 degrees of aspect.)

beanstalk                                   [NATO] Information call advising datalink users to check equipment for spurious tracks)

bearing ** (w/subcardinal direction)     Inner group formation with the trailer displaced approximately 45 degrees behind the leader)

beaten zone                                (DOD) The area on the ground upon which the cone of fire falls, also cone of fire, FM 3‑22.68)

BECAMP                                     Ballistic Environmental Characteristics and Measurement Program

BECOORD                                    brigade effects coordinator

BEFOURRA                                  Belgian Fourragere

begin morning civil twilight             (DOD) The period of time at which the sun is halfway between beginning morning and nautical twilight and sunrise, when there is enough light to see objects clearly with the unaided eye. At this time, light intensification devices are no longer effective, and the sun is six degrees below the eastern horizon. Also called BMCT, also begin morning nautical twilight; end evening civil twilight; end of evening nautical twilight, FM 2‑030)

begin morning nautical twilight        (DOD) The start of that period where, in good conditions and in the absence of other illumination, enough light is available to identify the general outlines of ground objects and conduct limited military operations. Light intensification devices are still effective and may have enhanced capabilities. At this time the sun is 12 degrees below the eastern horizon. Also called BMNT, also begin morning civil twilight; end evening civil twilight; end of evening nautical twilight, FM 2‑030)

belay                                         any action taken to stop a climber's fall or to control the rate a load descends

beleaguered                                (DOD) A casualty who is a member of an organized element that has been surrounded by a hostile force to prevent escape of its members, also missing, FM 4‑02)

BELRF                                        Bradley eye‑safe laser range finder (FM 3‑22.1)

BEMAR                                       backlog of essential maintenance and repair

BENELUX                                    Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg

BENT                                         beginning evening nautical twilight

bent (system)                             System indicated is inoperative. Cancelled by OKAY)

BEP                                           ballistic eye protection; Budget Execution Plan

be‑prepared mission                     A mission assigned to a unit that might be executed. It is generally a contingency mission which will be executed because something planned has or has not been successful. In planning priorities, it is planned after any on‑order missions, also on‑order mission (FM 5-0)

BEQ                                           bachelor enlisted quarters

BER                                           budget execution review

BERADEV                                    Berlin Airlift Device

BERH                                         Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors

BESD                                         basic enlisted service date

besieged                                    (DOD) A casualty who is a member of an organized element that has been surrounded by a hostile force, compelling it to surrender, also missing, FM 4‑02)

BESRL                                        Behavior and Systems Research Laboratory

BEWSS                                       battlefield effects weapons simulation system

BEXEC                                        budget execution

BF                                             battle fatigue; beginning of radioactive fallout (FM 1‑02)

BFA                                           blank firing attachment; blank firing adapter

BFD                                           Budget Formulation Directive

bfg                                            briefing (use abbreviations only in graphics)

BFM                                           battlefield forecast model (ARTEP 71‑2‑MTP)

BFO                                           beat frequency oscillator

BFORM                                       budget formulation

BFSB                                         battlefield surveillance brigade (FM 3‑21.20)

BFT                                           blue force tracking (FM 3‑21.20)

BFV                                           Bradley fighting vehicle (FM 1‑02)

BFV‑ODS‑ST                               BFV Operation Desert Storm Sustainment Training, BELRF and Dcsig01.htm

BFVS                                         Bradley fighting vehicle systems

BG                                             brigadier general (FM 1‑02); beach group

BGDA                                         Blue Grass Depot Activity

BGM                                          basic guided missile (FM 3‑22.1)

BGSS                                         battalion ground surveillance section

BGST                                         Bradley Gunnery Skills Test (FM 3‑22.1); Bradley Gunner's Skill Test (FM 3‑22.34 (23‑34, FM 7‑1)

bhd                                           beachhead (use abbreviations in graphics only)

BHL                                           battle handover line (FM 1‑02)

BI<