W

w with (use abbreviations in graphics only, FM 3‑21.8, FM 90‑26, ARTEP 7‑91‑MTP)

W West (use abbreviations in graphics only)

w/o without (use abbreviations in graphics only, ARTEP 7‑91‑MTP (FM 90‑26)

WACB Women's Army Classification Battery

WACO written advice of contracting officer

WACSM Women's Army Corps Service Medal

WADS wide area data service

wait A procedure word meaning, "I must pause for a few seconds." (FM 24‑19)

wait out A procedure word meaning, "I must wait for longer than a few seconds." (FM 24‑19)

waiting area A location adjacent to the route or axis that may be used for the concealment of vehicles, troops, and equipment while an element is waiting to resume movement. Waiting areas are normally located on both banks close to crossing areas (FM 90‑13)

walking patient (DOD) A patient whose injuries and/or illness are relatively minor, permitting the patient to walk and not require a litter (NATO) A patient not requiring litter while in transit, also casualty; patient (FM 4‑02)

wall Picture label with three or more groups primarily split in azimuth. *Group names should be NORTH group, MIDDLE group, SOUTH group or WEST group, MIDDLE group, EAST group)

WAM wide area minefield

WAN wide area network (TRADOC Pam 350‑70‑2)

war game (DOD) A simulation, by whatever means, of a military operation involving two or more opposing forces, using rules, data, and procedures designed to depict an actual or assumed real life situation. [Note: see AAP‑6.] (FM 5-0)

war gaming (noun [when has no direct object; with direct object, becomes a gerund, and should be hyphenated])

WARF wartime active replacement factors

warfighting function a group of tasks and systems (people, organization, information, and processes) united by a common purpose that commanders use to accomplish missions and training objectives. The warfighting functions are intelligence, movement and maneuver, fire support, protection, sustainment, and command and control. These warfighting functions replace the battlefield operating systems (FM 3‑21.10)

wargame A simulated battle or campaign to test military concepts using a terrain board, map computer simulation, or available method (TRADOC Pam 350‑70‑1)

war‑game (verb, transitive, Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition) to plan or conduct in the manner of a war game <war‑gamed an invasion — Newsweek(intransitive verb) to conduct a war game

wargaming A step‑by‑step process of action, reaction, and counteraction for visualizing the execution of each friendly course of action (COA) in relation to enemy COAs and reactions. It explores the possible branches and sequels to the primary plan resulting in a final plan and decision points for critical actions, also commander's visualization (FM 5-0)

war‑gaming (adj or, gerund; if it has no direct object, and is used as the subject of a sentence, phrase, or clause, or if it is the object of a preposition, for example, "for war gaming" or "in war gaming," then it is a noun.)

WARLOG wartime logistics

warned exposed (DOD, NATO) The vulnerability of friendly forces to nuclear weapon effects. In this condition, personnel are assumed to be prone with all skin covered and with thermal protection, at least that provided by a two‑layer summer uniform, also unwarned exposed; warned protected (FM 100‑30)

warned protected (DOD, NATO) The vulnerability of friendly forces to nuclear weapon effects. In this condition, personnel are assumed to have some protection against heat, blast, and radiation such as that afforded in enclosed armored vehicles or crouched in fox holes with improvised overhead shielding, also unwarned exposed; warned exposed (FM 100‑30)

warning (color) Hostile attack is‑‑
(RED) Imminent or in progress.
(YELLOW) Probable.
(WHITE) Improbable (all clear)

warning order (DOD, NATO) 1. A preliminary notice of an order or action which is to follow. 2 (DOD only) A crisis action planning directive issued by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff that initiates the development and evaluation of courses of action by a supported commander and requests that a commander's estimate be submitted. 3. A planning directive that describes the situation, allocates forces and resources, establishes command relationships, provides other initial planning guidance, and initiates subordinate unit mission planning. Also called WARNO (FM 5-0)

WARNO WARNORD warning order (FM 1‑02, use WARNO to parallel FRAGO‑‑SMEs prefer WARNO, anyway)

warrior a person engaged or experienced in warfare, struggle, or conflict (MWOL'03)

WARS Worldwide Ammunition Reporting System

WASAC Working Group of Army Study Advisory Committee

wash‑down (noun)

WASP war air service program

waste Any discarded material, also hazardous waste; medical waste; solid waste (FM 3‑100.4)

watchpoint stops action when the value of an expression changes, also breakpoint and catchpoint)

water terminal (DOD) A facility for berthing ships simultaneously at piers, quays, and/or working anchorages, normally located within sheltered coastal waters adjacent to rail, highway, air, and/or inland water transportation networks (FM 55‑60)

waterborne (adj, Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition)

waterline (noun, Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition)

waterway (noun, Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition)

wave (DOD, NATO) 1. A formation of forces, landing ships, craft, amphibious vehicles, or aircraft required to beach or land about the same time. [Note: the NATO definition begins with "In amphibious operations."] Can be classified as to type, function, or order as shown: a. assault wave; b. boat wave; c. helicopter wave; d. numbered wave; e. on‑call wave; f. scheduled wave. 2 (DOD only) An undulation of water caused by the progressive movement of energy from point to point along the surface of the water (FM 1‑02)

way point (noun, Merriam Webster online 2002) : an intermediate point on a route or line of travel; way station (DOD) 1. In air operations, a point or a series of points in space to which an aircraft, ship, or cruise missile may be vectored (FM 3‑04.111). 2. A designated point or series of points loaded and stored in a global positioning system or other electronic navigational aid system to facilitate movement (FM 3‑25.26, see Table 7‑13 for symbol)

WB Weather Bureau; weekly bulletin

WBAMC William Beaumont Army Medical Center

WBAWS Weather Briefing Advisory and Warning Service

WBGT wet bulb globe temperature

WBS work breakdown structure

WBSCB Work Breakdown Structure Control Board

WBT web‑based training, (TRADOC Pam 350‑70‑2)

WCB weapons control box (FM 3‑22.1)

WCS weapons control status (FM 1‑02)

wd withdrawn (use abbreviations in graphics only)

WDA weapons defended area

W‑Day (DOD) Declared by the President and the Secretary of Defense or their duly deputized alternates or successors, W‑day is associated with an adversary decision to prepare for war (unambiguous strategic warning), also times (FM 5-0)

WDL weapons density list

WDZ water drop zone (FM 3‑21.220)

WDZSO water drop zone safety officer (FM 3‑21.220)

WDZSTL water drop zone support team leader (FM 3‑21.220)

WE with equipment; withholding exemptions

weapon control status Weapon control statuses (weapons free, weapons tight, weapons hold) describe the relative degree of control of air defense fires. Weapon control statuses apply to weapon systems, volumes of airspace, or types of air platforms. The degree or extent of control varies depending on the tactical situation. Weapons Free—Weapons can fire at any air target not positively identified as friendly. This is the least restrictive weapon control status. Weapons Tight—Fire only at air targets that are identified as hostile according to the prevailing hostile criteria. Identification can be effected by a number of means to include visual identification (aided or unaided), electronic, or procedural means. Capabilities dictate that air defense artillery units engage threatening ballistic missiles and ASMs based on classification, not identification. Weapons Hold—Do not fire except in self‑defense or in response to a formal order. This is the most restrictive weapon control status. [Note: see AAP‑6.] (FM 44‑100) The three levels of weapons control status, in descending order of restriction, are as follows:
Engage only if engaged or ordered to engage;
Engage only those targets positively identified as enemy; and
Engage any targets not positively identified as friendly)

weapon engagement zone (DOD) In air defense, airspace of defined dimensions within which the responsibility for engagement of air threats normally rests with a particular weapon system. Also called WEZ. a. fighter engagement zone. In air defense, that airspace of defined dimensions within which the responsibility for engagement of air threats normally rests with fighter aircraft. Also called FEZ. b. high‑altitude missile engagement zone. In air defense, that airspace of defined dimensions within which the responsibility for engagement of air threats normally rests with high‑altitude surface‑to‑air missiles. Also called HIMEZ. c. low‑altitude missile engagement zone. In air defense, that airspace of defined dimensions within which the responsibility for engagement of air threats normally rests with low‑ to medium‑altitude surface‑to‑air missiles. Also called LOMEZ. d. short‑range air defense engagement zone. In air defense, that airspace of defined dimensions within which the responsibility for engagement of air threats normally rests with short‑range air defense weapons. It may be established within a low‑ or high‑altitude missile engagement zone. Also called SHORADEZ. e. joint engagement zone. In air defense, that airspace of defined dimensions within which multiple air defense systems (surface‑to‑air missiles and aircraft) are simultaneously employed to engage air threats. Also called JEZ (FM 3‑52)

weapons (S/A) Fire only:
1.   (FREE)—at targets not identified as friendly IAW current ROE.
2.   (TIGHT)—at targets positively identified as HOSTILE IAW current ROE.
3.   (HOLD/SAFE)—in self‑defense or in response to a formal order)

weapons free zone (DOD) An air defense zone established for the protection of key assets or facilities, other than air bases, where weapon systems may be fired at any target not positively recognized as friendly, also air defense weapon control status (FM 44‑100, see Table 7‑8 for symbol)

weapons of mass destruction (DOD) Weapons that are capable of a high order of destruction and/or of being used in such a manner as to destroy large numbers of people. Weapons of mass destruction can be high explosives or nuclear, biological, chemical, and radiological weapons, but exclude the means of transporting or propelling the weapon where such means is a separable and divisible part of the weapon. Also called WMD (FM 3‑11.21)

wedge formation A unit formation with subordinate elements in a vee formation with the point toward the suspected or templated enemy positions. This facilitates control and transition to the assault (line formation) The wedge provides maximum firepower forward and good firepower to the flanks, also formation; vee formation (FM 3‑90)

wedge** Three‑ship inner group formation with a single CONTACT closest in range and two trail CONTACTs line abreast)

weeds Indicates that aircraft are operating close to the surface)

weighted (cardinal direction)** Descriptive term used for a multiple group formation (WALL LADDER, VIC, CHAMPAGNE) that is offset in one direction)

well‑informed (adj, Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition)

WESS weapons‑effect signature simulator

WESTCOM United States Army Western Command

WESTPAC Western Pacific

WETS week‑end training site

WEU Western European Union

WEZ weapon engagement zone (FM 1‑02)

WFCMV wheeled fuel consuming motor vehicle

WFF warfighting function (FM 3‑21.10)

WFOV wide field of view (FM 3‑21.20)

WFZ weapons free zone (FM 1‑02)

WG working group; wage grade (DA Civilian employees)

WGS world geodetic system (FM 1‑02)

what luck Request for results of missions or tasks)

what state Request for amount of fuel and missiles remaining. Response to WHAT STATE is—

1.* (US response)
(1st number) number of active radar missiles remaining.
(2nd number) number of semi‑active radar missiles remaining.
(3rd number) number of IR missiles remaining.
BY
(4th number) thousands of pounds of fuel (given to one decimal point) or time remaining.
Example response to WHAT STATE: "BLUE TWO IS 3‑1‑2 BY 7 POINT 5" is equivalent
to 3 AIM‑120s, 1 AIM‑7, 2 AIM‑9s and 7,500 lbs of fuel remaining.

2.   (item) Ammunition and oxygen are reported only when specifically requested or critical.

3.   [NATO response]

WHCA White House Communications Agency

whd warhead (use abbreviations in graphics only)

WHD western hemisphere defense

WHDS warhead section

WHINSEC Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation

WHIST Worldwide Household Goods Information System for Traffic Management

white propaganda (DOD, NATO) Propaganda disseminated and acknowledged by the sponsor or by an accredited agency thereof, also black propaganda; grey propaganda; propaganda (FM 3‑05.20)

WHO World Health Organization

WHR western hemisphere reserve

whs warehouse (use abbreviations in graphics only)

whsmn warehouseman (use abbreviations in graphics only)

WIA wounded in action (FM 1‑02)

wide** Descriptive term used to indicate the separation between the farthest groups in azimuth in a relative formation of three or more groups, used to describe a WALL, VIC, CHAMPAGNE, or BOX)

wilco 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 (FM 24‑19)

willpower (Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition)

WIMI watercraft intensively managed items

WINCATS Windows cartographic analyst tool set (www.fas.org)

Winchester No ordnance remaining)

wind speed (noun)

windbreak (Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition) a shelter from the wind

windbreaker (Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition) from a trademark; an outer jacket made of wind‑resistant material

wing nut (noun, Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition)

wingman (noun, 1942, Merriam Webster's [Online] Collegiate Dictionary) A pilot who flies behind and outside the leader of a flying formation

WIN MS Warfighter Network Information Management System (FM 3‑90.61)

WIN-T warrior information network-tactical

WIP work in place

wipe down‑(noun, Lee Capraro, C, TMISD, DOT/G‑3, USAIS 8/16/90)

WIR Weekly Intelligence Review

wire bound‑(noun + adj, Gregg 821, like "smoke‑filled")

wire line (not "wireline")

withdrawal operation (DOD, NATO) A planned retrograde operation in which a force in contact disengages from an enemy force and moves in a direction away from the enemy. [Note: see AAP‑6.] See also retrograde (FM 3‑0)

witting actor An individual participating in the conduct of a military deception operation who is fully aware of the facts of the deception (FM 3‑13)

wl workload (use abbreviations in graphics only)

WLB weapons logbook

WLCS Workload and Cost Schedule

WLD west longitude date

WLR weapons locating radar

WM work measurement

WMC weapons monitoring center

WMD weapons of mass destruction (FM 1‑02)

WME warfighting mass effect (FM 1‑02); weapons of mass effect (FM 3‑01.12 [100‑12])

WMIP weapons management improvement program

WMO World Meteorological Organization

WN will not

WNB will not be

WNP will not proceed

WNRC Washington National Records Center

WNW west‑northwest

WNY Washington Navy Yard

wo without (use abbreviations in graphics only)

WO warrant officer (FM 3‑21.220, FM 3‑90.6); warning order (incorrect usage; see "WARNORD," FM 3‑21.20, FM 90‑26, ARTEP 7‑8‑MTP, ARTEP 7‑20‑MTP, ARTEP 7‑94‑MTP)

WO1 warrant officer, W‑1)

WOC without compensation; wing operations center (FM 90‑26)

WOD word‑of‑the‑day (ARTEP 71‑2‑MTP)

wood line (not "woodline")

woofer [NATO] (EW) Off board active radar decoy)

WOQT Warrant Officer Qualification Test

word after A procedure word meaning, "The word of the message to which I have reference is that which follows (insert text)" (FM 24‑19)

word before A procedure word meaning, "The word of the message to which I have reference is that which precedes (insert text)" (FM 24‑19)

words Directive or interrogative call regarding further information or directives pertinent to the mission)

words twice A procedure word meaning, "Communication is difficult. Transmit (ring) each phrase (or each code group) twice." May be used as an order, request, or as information (FM 24‑19)

working 1 (system w/location) Platform gathering EOB on a designated emitter.
2. Platform executing EID on a specific aircraft/group to obtain identification necessary for BVR employment)

working path The subdirectory in an MS‑DOS file system into which the user is logged when a process is initiated)

workload (noun, Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition)

world geographic reference system See georef (FM 1‑02)

WORSAMS Worldwide Organization Structure for Army Medical Support

WOSB weather observation site building

wounded in action (DOD) A casualty category applicable to a hostile casualty, other than the victim of a terrorist activity, who has incurred an injury due to an external agent or cause. The term encompasses all kinds of wounds and other injuries incurred in action, whether there is a piercing of the body, as in a penetration or perforated wound, or none, as in the contused wound. These include fractures, burns, blast concussions, all effects of biological and chemical warfare agents, and the effects of an exposure to ionizing radiation or any other destructive weapon or agent. The hostile casualty's status may be categorized as "very seriously ill or injured," "seriously ill or injured," "incapacitating illness or injury," or "not seriously injured." Also called WIA, FM 4‑02)

WOWN without winch

WP Warsaw Pact; white phosphorous; will proceed; working party

WPE word processing equipment

WPM words per minute

wpn(s) weapon(s; use abbreviations in graphics only, FM 7‑1)

WPP weapons‑production program

WPS with prior service

WP‑T white phosphorus‑tracer (ammunition, FM 3‑90.1)

WPWOD will proceed without delay

wr water‑rail (use abbreviations in graphics only)

WR war reserve; when ready (FM 3‑22.91)

WRAIN Walter Reed Army Institute of Nursing

WRAIR Walter Reed Army Institute of Research

WRAMC Walter Reed Army Medical Center

wrmn wireman (use abbreviations in graphics only)

wrong A procedure word meaning, "Your last transmission was incorrect, the correct version is (insert text)" (FM 24‑19)

WRP weapon(s) reference point

WRS war reserve stocks

WRSA war reserve stocks for allies

WSA weapons systems analysis

WSEG Weapons Systems Evaluation Group

WSMR White Sands Missile Range

WSO Washington Standardization Officers; Weapons System Officer (FM 3‑21.20)

WSP water supply point; Work Simplification Program

WSRO weapon system replacement operations (FM 3‑90.1); not "weapons")

WSRP weapon system requisitioning procedure

WSTF White Sands Test Facilities

WSTM White Sands Transverse Mercator

WSVC wind streamer vector count (FM 3‑21.220)

WSW west‑southwest

wt weight (use abbreviations in graphics only)

WTCA Water Terminal Clearance Authority

WTR Western Test Range

WU weapons and utilities maintenance

WUIS work unit information system

WVA Watervliet Arsenal

WVEH wheel vehicle

ww worldwide (use abbreviations in graphics only)

WWAP Worldwide Asset Position

WWII World War II

WWIIVM World War II Victory Medal

WWIO worldwide inventory objective

WWIVM World War I Victory Medal

WWMCCS worldwide military command and control system

WWN with winch

WWW world wide web, (TRADOC Pam 350‑70‑2