Operational Terms and Symbols Vocabulary

Flashcards providing key definitions and concepts for military operational terms, symbol construction, building graphics fields, and control measures.

Operational Terms

Common tactical concepts and definitions used by the military profession in the conduct of operations.

Military Symbol

A graphic representation of a unit, equipment, installation, activity, control measure, or tactical task relevant to military operations that is used for planning or to represent the common operational picture on a map, display, or overlay.

Framed Symbols

Military symbols with a border drawn around them, used to represent units, equipment, installations, and activities.

Unframed Symbols

Military symbols drawn without a border frame, used to depict control measures and tactical symbols.

Unit Symbol Components

The four main elements that compose a unit symbol: 1. Frame (depicts affiliation), 2. Color (depicts affiliation), 3. Branch or functional icon (shows warfighting function), 4. Text or other modifiers and amplifiers.

Field A (Building Graphics)

The innermost part of a symbol containing main and modifier icons that represent the unit's main function and its capabilities.

Field B (Building Graphics)

A graphic amplifier field in a unit symbol that identifies the command level or echelon.

Field F (Building Graphics)

A text amplifier field in a unit symbol displaying (+) for reinforced, (-) for reduced, or (+/-) for reinforced and reduced.

Field M (Building Graphics)

A text amplifier field for units indicating the number or title of the higher echelon command.

Field W (Building Graphics)

An alphanumeric designator field used for displaying a date-time group (DDHHMMSSZMONYYYY) or 'O/O' for an order.

Equipment

All nonexpendable items needed to outfit or equip an individual or organization.

Weapon Capability Lines

Horizontal lines on equipment symbols indicating size and capability: no lines for basic equipment, one line for light/short-range, two lines for medium, and three lines for heavy/long-range.

Installations

Sites incorporating permanent, semi-permanent, and temporary structures, depicted on graphic overlays with a solid black rectangle in the upper amplifier field.

Activity Symbols

Symbols focusing normally on stability activities and defense support of civil authorities' activities, usually involving parties other than friendly forces.

Control Measure Symbols

Graphics used on maps and displays to regulate forces and warfighting functions, categorized as points, lines, or areas.

Point Control Measure

A control measure symbol anchored to only one set of coordinates on a map, such as a supply point.

Line Control Measure

A control measure symbol anchored by multiple sets of coordinates, such as a phase line or supply route.

Area Control Measure

A specified geographic surface enclosed within a set of coordinates that start and finish at the same point.

Boundary Line

A line delineating surface areas to facilitate coordination and deconfliction of operations between adjacent units, formations, or areas.

Tactical Mission Task

A specific activity performed by a unit while executing a form of tactical operation or maneuver to describe the results or effects desired by the commander.

Tactical Mission Graphics

Visual representations of tactical mission tasks used for course of action sketches, synchronization matrixes, and maneuver sketches.

Main Supply Route (MSR)

A designated route along which the bulk of traffic flows in support of military operations.

Casualty Collection Point (CCP)

A designated point control measure where casualties are assembled to be treated or evacuated.

Brigade Support Area (BSA)

A designated sustainment area symbol representing the operational area allocated to a brigade support battalion.

Forward Arming and Refuel Point (FARP)

A temporary sustainment area set up to provide fuel and ammunition necessary for rapid turnaround of aviation or ground combat units.