Military Terms

Alternate Supply Route (ASR) – A line of communication used when the Main Supply Route (MSR) has been destroyed or compromised. These routes may also be used to connect different MSRs. When the MSRs become congested, ASRs are often used. It is maintained and controlled just like the MSR by military police.

Ammunition Storage Points (ASP) [a] - ASPs receive, store, issue, account for,, combat configure, and prepare ammunition for ground or aerial transport to the ATPs and units operating in the division area. A non-division ammunition company (DS) operates three ASPS and a ATP in each division sector. METT-T may necessitate establishing an ASP behind the division boundary. Ammunition companies (DS) provide administration and logistics support of the ammunition supply platoons which run each ASP. The platoons receive their mission work loads and priorities of issue from the CMMC.

Employing three ASPs in a division allows for continuous support to advancing combat forces. One ammunition platoon can relocate to better support the combat forces while the other two continue their ASP operations. Depending upon the tactical situation, simultaneous relocations may be necessary.

Each ASP should maintain a one-to three-day supply of ammunition to meet routine, surge, and emergency requirements. The COSCOM sets the stockage objective based on projected battle intensity, tactical plans, unit types, ammunition availability, LOC vulnerability, and enemy disruption of resupply operations. Requirements to relocate rapidly may limit ASP stockage levels to two days of supply or less.

Under MOADS doctrine, ASPs receive ammunition replenishment stocks on theater and corps transportation assets. Half come from the TSA and port and half come from the CSAs. The ASPs receive all of their stocks from the CSAs and Theater/Port on PLS transportation assets. PLS is to be fielded in corps sets to corps truck units, GS and DS ammunition units, and self-propelled artillery units.

The corps allocates ground and air transportation for ammunition movement to committed divisions for specified periods of time or specific missions. Division transportation assets assist in emergency resupply of ammunition.

When the tactical situation disrupts shipments between the CSAs and the ATPs for 6 hours or more, ASPS ship emergency ammunition to the ATPs on available transportation until CSA operations resume or the MSR is reestablished. Such situations necessitate cross-leveling of personnel, equipment, and transportation assets to ensure that resulting increased work loads at the ASPs do not hinder support to the users.

Divisional - Forward ATPs provide ammunition support to their combat brigades and to other units that maybe operating in the brigade area. The FSBs operate the forward ATPs in or near the brigade support areas. The FSB's supply company provides administration and logistics support for the personnel and equipment in the ATP sections.

Although the forward ATPs are manned by elements from the FSBs, the DAO provides mission guidance through a representative located at each ATP. The respective combat brigade commanders establish shipment priorities.

At full authorized strength, forward ATP sections have a daily lift capability of 550 STONs, when organized to support heavy forces. When supporting light forces, this reduces to 350 STONs.

Non-Divisional - The ATP established by the non-division ammunition company (DS) supports corps units operating in the division area. This ATP supplies the high-volume, high-tonnage items used primarily by the corps artillery and aviation units. Its daily lift capability is 970 STONs. As a secondary function, it provides reinforcing support to the forward ATPs.

Though manned by an element from the non-division ammunition company (DS), the ATP receives mission guidance and shipment priorities from the DAO through his representative located at that ATP.

ATPs receive their ammunition loaded on corps transportation assets. The majority of ammunition comes from the CSAs, and the remainder comes from the ASPs. Ammunition should not be downloaded from corps trailers and flatracks for temporary storage at the ATPs. This defeats the ATPs' purpose, which is to provide the combat units a place to transfer pre-positioned, uploaded ammunition onto their unit support vehicles as quickly as possible.

ATPs must be prepared to stop operations and relocate whenever the brigades or divisions move. Moves must be carefully coordinated with the CMMC, DAO, customer units, and ATP parent units so that continuity of support and protection of assets are not compromised.

Brigade [c]- is a military echelon under a division, above a regiment where that exists as such, nowadays often a group of several battalions (typically two to four), and directly attached supporting units (normally including at least an artillery battery and additional logistic support). A brigade is usually commanded by a Brigadier General, Brigadier or a Full Colonel.

Combat Service Support (CSS) [d] - is a United States military term. It is defined as the essential capabilities, functions, activities, and tasks necessary to sustain all elements of operating forces in theater at all levels of war. Within the national and theater logistic systems, it includes but is not limited to that support rendered by service forces in ensuring the aspects of supply, maintenance, transportation, health services, and other services required by aviation and ground combat troops to permit those units to accomplish their missions in combat. Combat service support encompasses those activities at all levels of war that produce sustainment to all operating forces on the battlefield.

Combat Service Support is a subset of military Logistics. Combat Service Support is more limited than logistics in depth as it primarily addresses those factors directly influncing combat operations.

COMMZ [e] - The COMMZ extends from the corps rear boundary to the theater boundaries designated by higher authority. The COMMZ encompasses the area to the rear of the combat zone. It includes the lines of communication, means for supply and evacuation, and the area required by the agencies and facilities that provide support to elements in the combat zone.

The major functional and area commands of the theater army in the COMMZ provide combat support and combat service support to Army forces and other services and agencies as directed. Combat service support provided includes support to the COMMZ, rear area protection in conjunction with the host nation if viable within the COMMZ, and support to the combat zone as directed by Theater Army [TA] headquarters.

Controlled Supply Rates (CSR) - An ammunition term used to establish thee flow of ammunition. Once commanders establish their ammunition requirements it is passed up to the Corps Ammunition Officer (CAO). Using guidance from the Corps Commander and the CMMC, the CAO establishes the CSR. The CSR differs from the RSR, due ammunition availability coming into the Corps and the battle plans of the Corps. Units expecting heavy fighting may have requirements that exceed planning factors in the G1/G4 Battlebook. Units who are in reserve or not expecting heavy engagement will have ammunition requirements less than planning factors.

Corps [f] - corps refers to a unit of approximately 60,000 men, composed of usually three divisions, and typically commanded by a lieutenant general.

The first corps in the United States Army were legalized during the American Civil War by an Act of Congress on July 17, 1862, but Major General George B. McClellan designated six corps organizations within his Army of the Potomac that spring. Prior to this time, groupings of divisions were known by other names, such as "wings" and "grand divisions". The terminology "Army Corps" was often used. These organizations were much smaller than their modern counterparts. They were usually commanded by a major general, were composed of two to six divisions, although predominantly three, and typically included from 10,000 to 15,000 men. Although designated with numbers that are sometimes the same as modern U.S. Army corps, there is no direct lineage between the 43 U.S. corps of the Civil War and those with similar names in the 20th century. In the Confederate States Army, corps were authorized in November 1862. They were commanded by lieutenant generals and were usually larger than their Union Army counterparts because their divisions contained more brigades, each of which could contain more regiments. All of the Confederate corps at the Battle of Gettysburg, for instance, exceeded 20,000 men. However, for both armies, unit sizes varied dramatically with attrition throughout the war.

As of 2003, the United States Army has four field corps. The structure of a field corps is not permanent; many of the units that it commands are allocated to it as needed on an ad hoc basis. On the battlefield, the field corps is the highest level of the forces that is concerned with actually fighting and winning the war. (Higher levels of command are concerned with administration rather than operations, at least under current doctrine.) The corps provides operational direction for the forces under its command. Corps are designated by consecutive Roman numerals. The present active corps in the US Army are I Corps ("eye core"), III Corps, V Corps, and XVIII Airborne Corps; their numbers derive from four of the 30-odd corps that were formed during World War II. It also refers to a grouping of specialized troops such as the Army Corps of Engineers and the United States Marine Corps.

Corps Area – Looking at a battle map, this is the space that the Corps and it’s Divisions occupy. In The Corps Commander however, controls all the assets in the Corps Area through the CMMC and the CMCC. logistics for the most part this is the space immediately behind the division rear boundary.

Corps Material Management Center (CMMC) - The corps materiel management center (CMMMC) centrally manages and controls supply and maintenance. [g] The CMMC is a subordinate organization to the COSCOM [h], normally commanded by a Colonel (O-6).

CMMC performs integrated supply and maintenance management of corps support assets. The CMMC coordinates with the CMCC who provides centralized movement control and highway regulation for moving personnel and materiel into, within, or out of the corps rear area, ensuring effective and efficient use of available transportation capability. These centers keep the COSCOM commander and support operations staff officers informed of status and potential problem areas or trends that may impact on the readiness posture of the corps. Competent management of supplies, maintenance resources, and transportation assets ensures that corps forces remain combat ready to meet operational requirements. [i]

Corps Movement Control Center (CMCC). Coordinates and supervises organic transportation support to the Corps units in the sector involved. The CMCC also consolidates and coordinates transportation requirements beyond the capability of assigned and attached units. The CMCC provides centralized logistics movements management and highway regulating services in the Corps areas. [j]

Corps Storage Area (CSA) [k] - CSAs provide high tonnage ammunition for the divisions. They receive, store, issue, account for, inspect, combat configure, and prepare ammunition for shipment to the ASPs, ATPs, and units operating in the corps area. The rear CSG's transportation battalion supports ammunition shipments from the CSAs. Its medium truck companies collocate with or near the CSAs.

Depending upon the corps stockage objective and METT-T one or more ammunition companies (GS) operate one or more CSAs from semi fixed or field locations in the corps area. CSAs locate at former ASP locations when combat forces advance a significant distance and the former ASP locations facilitate continuous support to the users.

The ammunition companies (GS) are organic to the rear CSG's ammunition battalion, to a CSB, or to a S&S battalion. The parent battalion coordinates the administrative and logistics support of the personnel and equipment in the GS companies. The companies receive their mission work loads and priorities of issue from the CMMC.

A CSA should maintain a 7-10 day supply of ammunition following initial combat drawdown. The COSCOM sets CSA stockage objectives based on the tactical situation, weapon types and densities, storage space, transportation assets, and vulnerability of LOCs from the Theater Storage Area (TSA). In mature theaters of operation, initial CSA stockage comes from breakbulk pre-positioned war reserve stocks. CSAs then receive replenishment stocks on theater transportation assets, half from the TSA and half from the port, in either containerized or breakbulk form.

Corps Support Command (COSCOM) [l] - Prior to the establishment of a Theater, a Corps Support Command, as part of an independent corps, will be used in controlling logistics operations. Combat service support units, organized into brigades, groups, or battalions are directly responsible to the corps support command (COSCOM) commander, who is responsible to the Corps commander for providing adequate support to the Corps. Combat service units are structured to be responsive to Corps requirements for the item and services for which they are responsible. A fixed organization is not prescribed for the Corps; hence, number and types of logistical support units are determined by the mission, combat and combat support units, availability and use of nuclear weapons, terrain and weather within the areas of operations, and composition and capability of the probable hostile forces.

Direct Support (DS) - A mission requiring a force to support another specific force and authorizing it to answer directly to the supported force's request for assistance. [m] Corps support units provide DS support primarily to Corps units operating in their general area. The majority of the STONS issued are GS.

In logistics, it is support provided by a logistics unit directly to a customer unit at an echelon that is above their ability to perform internally. There are four main areas of logistic support:

Division Ammunition Officer (DAO) [n] - the DAO is the principal munitions stafff officer for the division. The DAO assists the DISCOM commander in all matters pertaining to division munitions support and represents the DISCOM commander on matters concerning munitions requirements and availability. The DAO also maintains direct liaison with the division G3/G4 within limits defined by the DISCOM commander or Division Materiel Management Center (DMMC) chief. Other DAO responsibilities are as follows:

Division Support Command [DISCOM] [o] - The Division Support Command [DISCOM] is the source of division-level logistics and HSS in the division. Although the division stresses area support, the DISCOM also provides CSS on a unit support basis and a task-support basis. The DISCOM, when augmented as required, may furnish area support to non-divisional units in the division area. Unit support is designated to a unit or units such as a maneuver brigade. In task support, the DISCOM furnishes a specific type or amount of a DISCOM element's support capability to designated units or an area to accomplish identified tasks. Communications systems are essential for gathering and disseminating data. Personnel need them to plan and execute operations. Commanders use them to perform Command and Control (C2) functions and to supervise performance.

Flatracks – Initially designed for the PLS vehicle and trailer, the flatrack is 8 feet wide and 20 feet long (see photo above) and has a capacity of 16.5 ton. [p] With a reduced loads of 8 metric tons the FMTV-LHS Stewart-Stevenson family of vehicles.[q] Oshkosh has also modified the HEMTT family of vehicles, adding the Load Handling System (LHS).[r]

Forward Edge of Battle Area (FEBA) – It is an imaginary line in the battle area where the opposing forces meet. Also known as front line is a line of confrontation in an armed conflict, most often a war. On either side of the front line stand the forces of the various combatants. In modern warfare, due to the broken nature of mechanized combat, front lines rarely form; instead a zone of confrontation comprises a wide band where forces engage in battle.[s] It is defined as "The foremost limits of a series of areas in which ground combat units are deployed, excluding the areas in which the covering or screening forces are operating, designated to coordinate fire support, the positioning of forces, or the maneuver of units".[t] It may or may not correspond with the forward line of own troops (FLOT).

Forward Line of Own Troops (FLOT) [u] - in military parlance, is the line of a force's forward-most reconnaissance troops. It may or may not correspond with the forward edge of battle area (FEBA).

Forward Support Battalions (FSB) - The DISCOM has one FSB to provide direct support to each division maneuver brigade. [v]

General Support (GS) - That support which is given to the supported force as a whole and not to any particular subdivision thereof. See also close support; direct support; mutual support; support. [w]

Intelligence Information Reports - reports of information responsive to identified intelligence collection requirements obtained from various sources including interviews of [x] ….detainees. Whenever possible, caveated intelligence information reports should include the identity and phone number of the organization authorized to approve further dissemination on a case-by-case basis. [y]

IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) Standard 802.1q [z] - The standard provides common interoperable solutions to the establishment of Virtual LAN Bridged infrastructures. Revision is needed in order to deal with editorial and technical corrections, to remove obsolete material, and also to reflect changes necessary as a result of enhancements to IEEE Std 802.1D - Standard for Local and Metropolitan Area Networks: Media Access Control (MAC) Bridges, upon which IEEE Std 802.1Q depends.

Line of Communication (LOC) – While this sounds like it should mean telephone wires, it actually is the routes of moving supplies. Normally, it is the road networks to move supplies from rear area to the front lines. These routes are classified as the Main Supply Route (MSR) and the Alternate Supply Routes (ASR). Since the LOC must connect to the supply units providing the supplies customer units, these lines are rarely straight. There are other LOCs than Land, e.g. Air LOC and Sea LOC.

Main Supply Route (MSR) – The Land Line of Communication that links supply and maintenance units from the rear support in the Theater Area to the Forward Support Battalions in the forward areas of the Division, and my even include the customer units at the forward edge of the battle area (FEBA). The route or routes designated within an operational area upon which the bulk of traffic flows in support of military operations. [aa] The MSR is secured by the military police (MP), who patrol the route frequently to keep it clear of enemy forces. The route contains Traffic Control Points (TCP) at major intersections, where the MP’s control the flow of equipment and materiels. Check points are established along the route, where units using the route can communicate their location on the route.

Main Support Battalion (MSB) - Main support battalions exist in four types of divisions. They are the armored, mechanized infantry, infantry, and heavy/light divisions. In each case, the role of the MSB is to support customers in the division rear and provide designated reinforcing support to the forward support battalions. MSB commanders and staffs must understand the composition, employment, and missions of the supported force. [bb]

The division has varying numbers and types of combat, combat support, and combat service support units. It is a self-sustaining force capable of independent operations. The division's main focus is to defeat the enemy by conducting close and deep operations while protecting its combat support, CSS, and command and control facilities with successful rear operations. [cc]

Maneuver-Oriented Ammunition. Distribution System (MOADS) – A system use to transport, store, and issue ammunition. Palletized loads are configured for the end user needs at either depot or theater storage area, then shipped forward using the Palletized Loading System and the new generation of vehicles with the Load Handling System (LHS) as directed by the theater ammunition officer.

METT-T [dd] – A military acronym that describes those elements that need to be addressed in an Operations Plan to ensure success.

Non-divisional – Just as the term implies these are units not assigned to a division, normally used to refer to Corps units. The operate throughout the Theater, to include inside the divisional are. When in the divisional, there may support agreements that place these units under the operational control (OPCON) of a divisional headquarters.

Ordnance Company, Ammunition, WHNS [ee] - These WHNS ammunition companies (TOE 09574LB00) provide operational control over US owned ammunition stocks which HN ammunition supply units maintain and issue to US combat units. The CMMC tasks Host Nation (HN) ammunition supply companies through these WHNS ammunition companies. They serve as the interface between US forces and HN ammunition supply companies. They perform the following functions:

Palletized Loading System (PLS) [ff] - PLS is a tactical wheeled truck and traiiler combination with integral self load and unload capability using demountable cargo beds (flatracks), made by Oshkosh. The primary mission of the system is the movement of conventional and special ammunition by field artillery and their supportive transportation units. The PLS facilitates the relocation of ammunition stocks by combining the use of flatracks and vehicles in ammunition supply points. PLS supports the ammunition distribution concept called "Maneuver-Oriented Ammunition Distribution System" (MOADS) in the US Army corps area.

Required Supply Rates (RSR) - An ammunition term where commanderrs establish their ammunition requirements using their MTOE (listing authorized weapons systems) and the G1/G4 battlebook (listing the rate of fire for each weapons system).

Short Ton (STON) – Most military weight for goods shipped or stored is in Short Tons, This is equivalent to 2,000 lbs (US) or 907.184 74 kilograms. [gg]

Staff Organization – Regardless of mission, every Army staff has common broad fields of interest that determine how the commander divides duties and responsibilities. The duties and responsibilities inherent in a field of interest are called functional responsibilities. Grouping related activities allows an effective span of control and unified effort. Fields of interest may vary slightly, depending on the echelon of command, mission, and environment. For example, at battalion level there is no resource manager, while certain logistic units combine the intelligence and operations functions. [hh] The staff sections are numbered with an alpha designator followed by a number designator. The alpha designator “S”, i.e. S1/S2/S3/S4 staff is a section in a headquarters whose commander is Colonel or lower. “G” staffs of the General Officer commands made up of the same service, i.e. Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine. The “J” staff are in organizations comprised of multiple services or a Joint command. The number designator following the alpha designator, i.e. S, G or J, are described below:

The Table of Organization and Equipment (TOE) [ss] - The Table of Organization and Equipment is a document that prescribes the wartime mission, capabilities, organizational structure, and mission essential personnel and equipment requirements for military units. It portrays the doctrinal modernization path (MODPATH) of a unit over time from the least modernized configuration (base TOE) to the most modernized (objective TOE).

Each TOE is identified by a unique number that should remain the same throughout the life of the organization. TOE developers, in coordination with the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) force designers, are responsible for developing the proposed TOE number. U.S. Army Force Management Support Agency (USAFMSA) Requirements Documentation Directorate (RDD) approves the TOE number.

This number is also the first nine digits of the Standard Requirements Code SRC.

Theater Army (TA) [tt] - Echelon Above Corps [EAC] command levelss are not easily distinguished, and may include both the Theater Army and the Numbered Field Army as separate headquarters. The Theater Army is primarily a departmental support headquarters, while the Numbered Field Army is a theater operational headquarters.

The Theater Army (TA) is normally the Army service component command in a unified command. The TA as the service component has both operational and support responsibilities. Its exact tasks are assigned by the theater Commander in Chief (CINC). These tasks may be exclusively operational missions, solely logistics tasks, or a combination of both types of responsibility.

The Theater Army commander is responsible to the unified commander for recommending how assigned US Army forces should be allocated and employed. The Theater Army commander's support responsibilities include the requirements to organize, equip, train, and maintain Army forces in the theater.

The organization of a Theater Army is not standard. It varies between theaters according to the size of the US Army component in a force. It also varies with the factors of mission, enemy, terrain, troops, and time available (METT-T). Other levels of command can also perform TA functions. For example, a corps staff could perform the TA function if only a single corps were committed to a contingency area. On the other hand, a larger separate staff may be necessary to handle the administrative, legal, logistics, personnel, intelligence, operations, and communications tasks of a large force deployed overseas. Liaison between a Theater Army and another headquarters employing its forces must be performed whenever theater armies release operational control of their units.

A theater of operations is normally divided into a combat zone and a communications zone. However, the situation and international agreements might dictate further breakdown of the combat zone into a forward and a rear combat zone.

There are five major subordinate commands that perform most of these functions. These commands are the personnel command, engineer command, transportation command, medical command, and TAACOM. The first four are functional commands that provide theaterwide combat service support to the theater army and other forces and activities as directed. The fifth subordinate command, formerly the TAACOM, has been redesignated the Theater Support Command.

Theater of War (Theater) [uu]- is normally used to define a specific geographic area within which armed conflict occurs. A war would have to occur over a large portion of the globe in order to be considered large enough to have separate theaters, and the term is not used in the singular. Typically, each theater would be distinct and separate from other theaters. Very often, the delineation occurs along continental boundaries or in separate oceans. Typically, in order to be considered multiple theaters in a single conflict, at least one of the nations involved must be participating in multiple theaters; without this, each area is considered a separate war.

The best (but not first) example of a war with several large and distinct theaters is World War II. This war had at least three separate theaters: European, Pacific, and African, though the last is considered by some military historians to be an adjunct of the European Theater.

Theater Storage Area (TSA) - The initial storage area for Class V (Ammunition). Ammunition is off loaded from the port and half is sent to the TSA, the other half is sent directly to the appropriate CSA.