Terminology List

[LyfTaker]

Hi all
I've been working a list of terms one might see or use in PR. Would you please see if my definitions are close, and if there are other terms that should be added?



Advance- go towards objective

Fall Back- go away from objective

Confirm- an affirmation or clarification

Affirmative- another word for yes

Negative- another word for no

Tatical column- Formation used for rapid advance. Vulnerable to frontal or flank attacks. Good for speed, but not for stealth.

Line of departure- the area between the assembly area and the assault position, a military term used to denote the starting position for an attack on enemy positions. Strictly speaking, the line of departure is the point at which the attacking element crosses from friendly-held ground into unsecured ground. This is not to be confused with an Assembly Area(AA), which is the secure area in which the attacking force prepares for an attack. Once ready, the force leaves the assembly area and crosses the line of departure.

Base of fire-A base of fire is a military term for a supporting force that provides overwatch and covering fire to other advancing units while they are executing fire and movement tactics. A base of fire can be a platoon during company fire and movement, by individual armoured fighting vehicles (esp. tanks) or infantry sections, in platoon fire and movement, or even by fireteams or individual soldiers, in the final stages of an assault.

Suppressive fire-A type of fire support. Fire delivered to render a target temporarily ineffective or unusable. The effect of suppressive fire is psychological. Therefore it is targeting soldiers not their equipment. However, depending on the type of ammunition and the target’s protection it may cause some casualties and damage and therefore some neutralization. In essence the purpose of suppression is to stop a target observing, shooting or moving.

Covering fire- A type of fire support intended to protect an individual or formation making a movement by forcing the enemy to take cover

Fire and maneuver team- A fire and maneuver team is the smallest unit above the individual soldier. It consists of two soldiers with one soldier acting as senior of the two fighters (decided amongst the two or their superior). A fireteam in turn consists of at least two fire and maneuver teams and a squad of two or more fireteams.

Assembly Area- An area in which a command is assembled preparatory to further action. The gross area used for collecting and combining components into complete units, kits, or assemblies.

Intel- Short for intelligence. Information relating to the armed forces of the opposition that is significant to the planning and conduct of operations.

Recon(scouting)-is a military and medical term denoting exploration conducted to gain information. Reconnaissance is actively seeking to determine a foe's intentions by collecting and gathering information about an enemy's composition and capabilities along with pertinent environmental conditions, via direct observation, usually by scouts.

Search & Destroy- or even simply S&D, refers to a military strategy that entails to search out the enemy, destroy them, and withdraw immediately afterwards. A strategy that was the result of a new weapon, the helicopter; which resulted into a new form of warfare, the fielding of air cavalry, a strategy to be ideally suited for counter-guerrilla / jungle warfare. The complementary conventional strategy, which entailed attacking and conquering an enemy position, then fortifying and holding it indefinitely, was known as Clear and Hold or Clear and Secure.

Defend- Deny the enemy

Inch worm- (Tactic)- A movement tactic, by which the squad moves slowly, usually through enemy territory. The member's position in the formation will never change except where required. Example: Player 1 (p1) and player 2 (p2) move forward 10m, stop and set to fire. Then p3 and p4 move forward 10m, do not pass p1 and p2, but take up position behind p1 and p2. This tactic keeps the squad in a relatively tight formation, maintains fields of fire, and helps provide a measure of stealth.

Leap frog- In armor, it means a Bounding-overwatch tactic. For infantry, a squad or element advances, then stops to cover the advance of another squad or element (ready to provide suppressive or covering fire). The advancing squad or element passing the stationary squad/element, advances, then takes up a forward stationary position so the first squad/element can advance past them.

Flanking- The flanking maneuver is a basic military tactic, with several variations. Flanking an enemy often refers to staying back and not risking yourself, while at the same time gradually weakening enemy forces. Of course, it may not always work (especially if outnumbered), but for the most part can prove to be very useful as well as effective. One type is employed in a hobo, where a friendly unit performs a surprise attack from a concealed position. Other units may be hidden to the sides of the ambush site to surround the enemy, but care must be taken in setting up fields of fire to avoid friendly fire. Another type is used in the attack, where a unit encounters an enemy defensive position. Upon receiving fire from the enemy, the unit commander may decide to order a flank attack. A part of the attacking unit "fixes" the enemy with suppressive fire, preventing them from returning fire, retreating or changing position to meet the flank attack. The flanking force then advances to the enemy flank and attacks them at close range. Coordination to avoid friendly fire is also important in this situation.

The most effective form of flanking maneuver is the double envelopment, which involves simultaneous flank attacks on both sides of the enemy.

Envelop- Moving to surround the enemy.

Holding attack - to hold the enemy in position while other offensive or defensive activity takes place.

Penetrate- infiltration tactics involve small, lightly-equipped infantry forces attacking enemy rear areas while bypassing enemy front line strongpoints and isolating them for attack by follow-up troops with heavier weapons.

Engaged- the act of battling opponents

Target- an opponent or objective

Tango- Potential or possible opponent. Target of unknown status (could be friendly).

Scouting- Also see Recon- actively and clandestinely collecting data and information by people and with technology behind enemy lines.

Reconnoiter-(verb) the word from which 'Recon' comes from. Another word for Reconnaissance.

Support- the act of contributing to the success of the mission, either by providing material, manpower, or psychological backing. An act of contribution to combat efforts, sometimes but not always including combative actions.

Assault position- The area from which the assault will originate. Lies between the line-of-departure/fall-back position, and the objective.

Objective- the goal of which is the desired end result or particular outcome.

Exploitation- Tactical point at which the enemy is at a disadvantage, where the decision could be made to pursue, destroy, or reorganize.

Ambush- Attack from a concealed position.

Pursuit-means actively trying or looking to catch something or somebody

Reorganize- taking time to heal, re-equip, and/or plan.

Drill- several meanings; to train in a tactic; to perfrom a tactic (ex: contact drill)

Contact level-
Contact remote- currently small or no danger of enemy contact
Contact possible- enemy patroling near, near FOB or RP or cache
Contact immenent- enemy incoming or spotted, pending approach (no contact)
Contact/Engaged/Engaging- Game on!



Basic Drill- The basic drill is:
Double tap (shoot a few times)
Run two or three steps
Drop to the ground or into cover
Crawl a few yards (or move under concealment/cover)
Observe
Shoot (identified targets of opportunity within effective range)
Move
Observe
Shoot
Repeat until issued orders or killed.
The basic drill is designed to provide a soldier with simple steps to follow under the stress of combat. The essential goal of the basic drill is to move the soldier into cover, remove him from the last position where he was likely to be seen by the enemy, and keep him positively engaged by identifying and shooting any targets in range until his commander makes an appraisal and issues instructions.

Contact drills- If, despite all precautions, the lead scout is surprised by an enemy force, or the team walks into the “killing ground” of an ambush, he who thinks, shoots and moves first has the best chance of survival. The most important rule is that the small patrol or team must seek to break the contact and disappear back into the landscape, with the minimum of casualties. In response, the experienced enemy will attempt to outflank and encircle the smaller force to prevent their escape. The well-rehearsed escape routines are known as ‘contact drills’. These are divided into three phases: immediate action drills, delaying actions and evasion.

A contact to the front is met by the scout who lays down a brief burst of suppressive fire, while the other team members cover arcs of fire on the flanks. After firing, the scout withdraws to the rear of the team and team leader opens fire to the front. The sequences repeated as the men move to the rear in successive bounds, either individually or in pairs. Eventually the flank scouts bring their machine-guns and light-support weapons into play. This backwards ‘rippling’ movement is continued until contact is finally broken. The reverse technique is used in the event of a contact to the rear.

A contact to the side is met initially by one of the flank scouts, whose support weapon provides security for the rest of the team withdrawing from the contact. This delaying action allows the other team members to retreat a short distance and construct a screen of suppressive fire. As the scouts rejoin the team, the soldiers continue to move away from the contact. In twos and threes, the soldiers move to the rear in short bounds, while the other members of the team lay down covering fire. However, if the team finds themselves caught in the ‘killing ground’ of an ambush, casualties may be minimized by breaking through and reforming behind the enemy positions.

Formation- to physically organize into predetermined positions in relation to other teammates.

Location- presense on the map grid, usually denoted by "Quadrant"+"keypad". Ex: H2k6

Buddy system- denotes pairs or teams-of-two principle. The most basic element of an organized squad.

Danger areas- Corners, doorways, walls, balconies....anywhere an opponent can observe, approach, or attack from.

Security- Watchful alertness, observing danger areas, when moving or stationary, whether on foot or in a vehicle.

Eye contact- having constant visualization. To remain within one's field of vision or hearing.

Call-sign- a unique identifier, usually indicating a player's role or function in the squad (Medic, Hook, AR, etc.)

Element- squad or squad members of a specific function (support, recon, security, etc). Support element typically includes AR, grenadier, Engineer and Marksman kits: Primary foci is maintaining an effective base of fire. Recon element typically includes Sniper, marksmen, specialist and engineer kits. Primary foci included intel. Security element kits may include AR, medic, specialist.

Line of movement

LSAR- (Locate, suppress, assault, reorganize)

[Thermis]

If you want a good reference to develop tactics and such, but dont want to troll though Army field manuals, read Dslyecxi's Arma II guide, it wasn't made for PR but the tactics translate for the most part. You'll be able to see were certain things can't be done in PR but its a good starting point.

Dslyecxi's ArmA2 Tactics, Techniques, & Procedures Guide

Also a tip on terminology, just because you're using military tactics doesn't mean you need to throw in military words, like envelope, flank, tango...ect. Play with the same guys long enough you'll develop you're own way of communicating that is often far better than trying to play it by the military book.

Best of luck on your project.

[Herbiie]

If I'm honest alot of these are only by used by a few SLs - for Example I've never heard a SL say Tactical Column, and I also dislike your Drill xD

It's a very specialised list rather than a general list.

[Meza82]

RTB - return to base. usually used by vehicle crewman/pilots.
"we took an RPG. im gonna RTB"

rally - location for friendly forces to meet at
"squad, lets rally at the bridge. we too far apart."

take point - preferably a rifleman who is the one in front of a moving column
"Medic stay behind with me (SL), the riflemen take point. ok now cross the street."

light up - putting lots of fire on a location or enemy.
"light up the second floor. alpha squad is reporting enemy machinegun fire"

perimeter - making a defensive position cover 360 degrees
"squad, lets make a defensive perimeter. hold here while were securing govt. office."

[Herbiie]

FB/FOB - Fire base

RP - Rally Point

Supress - Keep shooting until told to stop (even if you can't see anything)

Cap Zone - The area in which your squad will count towards Capturing the Flag.

[Jaymz]

One big misused term in PR currently is "FOB". People are using that to refer to forward outposts. "FOB" means Forward Operating Base. The only things that can be considered FOB's in PR are the conventional main base spawn areas.

[dtacs]

One big misused term in PR currently is "FOB". People are using that to refer to forward outposts. "FOB" means Forward Operating Base. The only things that can be considered FOB's in PR are the conventional main base spawn areas.

People shouldn't be saying dogboxes either, there is no dog that lives in them.

Doesn't change the fact that noone really cares about correct terminology if everybody understands the point.

[Herbiie]

One big misused term in PR currently is "FOB". People are using that to refer to forward outposts. "FOB" means Forward Operating Base. The only things that can be considered FOB's in PR are the conventional main base spawn areas.

I know - but it's still used.

Also FOB isn't pronounced F.O.B but Fob (Like Fob Rob).

[UKrealplayER666]

What about fire control orders? Delibrate, Rapid and Point and shoot?

Most of this is for them what take it to seriously

"OH S**T!!! ENEMY, KILL THEMZ!!!!!!" works very well in PR

[Darkpowder]

Glad to see this chap is enjoying his tactical commands etc, generally they are varied depending on the country's army, though the military advisors in PR will be able to advise better than I.

My advice, call it a "Glossary of Terms" and just keep it to an alphabetical order rather than trying to catagorise it.

Much of the terminology that i hear is USA-centric, but there are plenty ways to make yourself understood. In general using very specific terminology is not worth the chance that it can be mis-communicated.

KISS. is the best policy i find. Think who you are talking to, but if you enjoy a lot of mission planning you may enjoy the tournament. I wrote a lot of tactics stuff for NATO when i was playing.

You may enjoy my VOIP guide too, and some of the other posts on that thread.

Recon is the classic example, where the composition of a recon element can be radically different given a situation, or the national military involved.

[sniperrocks]

And in case anyone needs the phonetic alphabet:

Alpha Bravo Charlie Delta Echo Foxtrot Golf Hotel India
Juliet Kilo Lima Mike November Oscar Papa Quebec Romeo
Sierra Tango Uniform Victor Whiskey Xray Yankee Zulu

[LyfTaker]

My advice, call it a "Glossary of Terms" and just keep it to an alphabetical order rather than trying to catagorise it.

Gets my vote for "best suggestion"

Wow! Thanks for the input, especially Thermis, Herbie, Meza82, Realplay, and DarkPowder. I can appreciate any help or critisism I never heard these words until I started playin' PR.

FYI, I don't take playing games too seriously..that would take the fun out of it. But I am always looking to improve the things I love. I may not always play PR, and I'd like to leave it better than I found it. Anything to help the community.

The project is leaning towards info to train the trainer, as well as hopefully give the newer player a mental shove in the right direction. It's just starting out, so wish me luck. It might include distilled versions of the best-of-the-best-info I can find for PR. Thanks for your help players!