Basic Military Science Reviewer

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering basic signal communication, arm-and-hand signals, radio telephone procedures, map reading, survival techniques, and combat formations.

Whistle

An excellent signal device used by small unit leaders, effective for instant messages to a large group, but may confuse men from adjacent units and is affected by normal battlefield noise.

Semaphore

A visual communication means rarely used today except in the Navy as a back-up communication means between ships at sea.

Morse Code

An internationally known communication code used as an alternate to voice-radio communication; slower but reliable, utilizing dots and dashes or short and long flashes on signal lights.

Special Signal

Special methods or devices to transmit commands or information, such as taps on a helmet or rifle stock, pyrotechnic devices, and smoke signals.

Arm and Hand Signal

A silent means of relaying commands, often part of a unit's SOP, used during patrols or infiltration missions when silence is important.

Decrease Speed (Signal)

An arm and hand signal executed by extending the arm horizontally sideward with palm to the front, and waving the straight arm downward several times.

Increase Speed or Double Time (Signal)

An arm and hand signal executed by bringing a closed fist to the shoulder, then thrusting the fist upward vertically and back several times.

Enemy in Sight (Signal)

An arm and hand signal executed by holding the rifle horizontally with the butt in the shoulder and the muzzle pointing toward the enemy.

Commence Firing (Signal)

An arm and hand signal executed by extending the arm in front at hip height with the palm down, moving it through a wide horizontal arc several times.

Cease Firing (Signal)

An arm and hand signal executed by placing a hand in front of the forehead with palm to the front, swinging the hand and forearm up and down.

Assemble (Signal)

An arm and hand signal executed by raising the hand vertically with fingers extended and joined, palm facing front, waving in large horizontal circles.

Form into Wedge (Signal)

An arm and hand signal executed by extending both arms downward and to the side at $45^\circ$ below horizontal, palms facing front.

Form into Vee (Signal)

An arm and hand signal executed by extending arms at $45^\circ$ above horizontal, forming the letter 'V' with arms and torso.

Halt (Signal)

An arm and hand signal executed by placing the hand to the shoulder with palm forward, then thrusting the hand vertically upward and holding.

Freeze (Signal)

An arm and hand signal executed by making the 'halt' signal and clinching the hand into a fist.

Down and Take Cover (Signal)

An arm and hand signal executed by extending the arm sideward $45^\circ$ above horizontal with palm down, then lowering the hand to the side.

Prowords

Assigned meanings used as substitutes for long sentences to keep voice transmissions short and clear.

Call Signs

Identifiers for each station within a radio net designed to establish identity and prevent unauthorized entry.

OVER

A proword meaning: 'My transmission is ended and I expect a response from you.'

OUT

A proword meaning: 'My transmission is ended and I expect no response from you.'

ROGER

A proword meaning: 'I have received your last transmission satisfactorily.'

WILCO

A proword meaning: 'I will comply to your instruction.'

LIMA CHARLIE

A proword phrase meaning: 'I received your message loud and clear.'

SAY AGAIN

A proword meaning: 'I did not understand your transmission; request repeat your transmission.'

WAIT ONE

A proword phrase meaning: 'Request that you wait for about one minute.'

BREAK… BREAK

A proword call meaning: 'Emergency; stop your conversation and allow urgent transmission.'

Map

A geographic representation of the earth's surface drawn to scale, as seen from above.

Scale

The ratio of map distance to ground distance, expressed as a fraction (e.g., $1:50{,}000$ means $1\text{ cm}$ on the map equals $50{,}000\text{ cm}$ in real life).

Small Scale Map

A map with a scale of $1:600{,}000$ and smaller, used for general planning and strategic studies at higher echelon.

Medium Scale Map

A map with a scale larger than $1:600{,}000$ but smaller than $1:75{,}000$, used for operation planning, movement, and concentration of troops and supplies.

Large Scale Map

A map with a scale of $1:75{,}000$ and larger, used for tactical, technical, and administrative needs of field units.

Planimetric Map

A line map that presents only horizontal positions and omits relief, which is normally represented by contour lines.

Topographic Map

A map that portrays terrain features and horizontal positions, with vertical positions or relief normally represented by contour lines.

Photomap

A reproduction of an aerial photograph with grid lines, marginal data, place names, route numbers, important elevations, boundaries, approximate scale, and direction.

Joint Operations Map

A map based on standard $1:250{,}000$ medium-scale military topographic maps containing additional information for joint air-ground operations.

Photomosaic

An assembly of aerial photographs useful when time does not permit the compilation of a more accurate map.

Military City Map

A map delineating streets, street names, important buildings, and other urban landscape elements important to navigation and military operations in urban terrain.

Marginal Information

Printed notes outside the printed diagram of a map, used as an instructional guide in reading a map.

Bar Scale

Rulers located at the center of the lower margin used to convert map distance to ground distance.

Declination Diagram

Diagram on the lower margin of large-scale maps indicating the angular relationships of true north, grid north, and magnetic north.

Contour Interval Note

A note located in the center of the lower margin (normally below bar scales) indicating the vertical distance between adjacent contour lines.

Black (Topographic Color)

Topographic map color used to identify cultural and manmade features such as buildings and roads.

Blue (Topographic Color)

Topographic map color used to identify hydrography or water features such as lakes, swamps, rivers, and drainage.

Brown (Topographic Color)

Topographic map color used to identify land forms, including contours, cuts, and fills.

Green (Topographic Color)

Topographic map color used to identify vegetation, such as forests, orchards, and hide grass jungles.

Red (Topographic Color)

Topographic map color used to identify main roads, built-up areas, and special information.

Grids

Parallel lines running from east to west and north to south that form a square used as a reference system to locate areas quickly.

Grid Coordinates

A military coordinate system dividing the earth's surface into $100{,}000\text{ meter}$ squares, each subdivided into $1{,}000\text{ meter}$ squares which serve as the basis of the system.

Lensatic Compass

The most commonly used and simplest instrument for measuring direction and angles in the field.

Hill

An area of high ground from which the ground slopes down in all directions.

Valley

A stretched-out groove in the land, usually formed by streams or rivers.

Ridge

A sloping line of high ground.

Saddle

A deep or low point between two areas of higher ground between two hilltops.

Depression

A low point in the ground or sinkhole, shown by closed contour lines with tick marks pointing toward low ground.

Draw

A less developed stream course than a valley, possessing essentially no level ground and little or no maneuver room.

Spur

A short, continuous sloping line of higher ground, normally jutting out from the side of a ridge.

Cliff

A vertical or near-vertical feature and abrupt change of land where contour lines converge into one line or the last contour line has tick marks pointing to low ground.

Cut

A man-made feature resulting from cutting through raised ground, usually to form a level bed for a road or railroad track.

Fill

A man-made feature resulting from filling a low area, usually to form a level bed for a road or railroad track.

Survival

The action of staying alive in the field with limited resources when separated from a unit, evading the enemy, or during time as a prisoner.

Snare

A noose that will slip and strangle or hold any animal caught, used to obtain animal food without using a rifle.

Fire Team Column

A fire team formation permitting rapid controlled movement and favoring flank fire and maneuver, but vulnerable to fire from the front and providing the least forward fire.

Fire Team Wedge

A fire team formation permitting good all-around control and security, offering flexibility and adequate fire support in all directions.

Fire Team Skirmishers Right / Left

A fire team formation providing maximum firepower to the front; used during assaults, mopping up, crossing short open areas, and when enemy location and strength are known.

Fire Team Echelon Right / Left

A fire team formation that is slow and difficult to control, but provides heavy firepower to the front and in the direction of the echelon to protect an open flank.

Squad Column

A squad formation with fire teams arranged in succession, one behind the other; excellent for speed and night operations, but vulnerable to frontal enemy fire.

Squad Line

A squad formation providing maximum firepower to the front, though difficult to control due to wide dispersion; used when enemy strength and location are known.

Squad Wedge

A flexible squad formation providing all-around security and adequate fire in all directions, used when the enemy situation is generally unknown.

Squad Vee

A squad formation facilitating movement into a squad line, providing all-around security and excellent firepower to front and flanks; used when crossing large open areas.