US Army Dictionary of Military Terms

national emergency — A condition declared by the President or the Congress by virtue of powers previously vested in them that authorize certain emergency actions to be undertaken in the national interest. Action to be taken may include partial, full, or total mobilization of national resources. See also mobilization.

national information infrastructure — The n a t i o n w i d e i n t e r c o n n e c t i o n o f communications networks, computers, databases, and consumer electronics that make vast amounts of information available to users. The national information infrastructure encompasses a wide range of equipment, including cameras, scanners, keyboards, facsimile machines, computers, switches, compact disks, video and audio tape, cable, wire, satellites, fiber-optic transmission lines, networks of all types, televisions, monitors, printers, and much more. The friendly and adversary personnel who make decisions and handle the transmitted information constitute a critical component of the national information infrastructure. Also called NII. See also defense information infrastructure; global information infrastructure; information. (JP 3-13)

national infrastructure — (*) Infrastructure provided and financed by a NATO member in its own territory solely for its own forces (including those forces assigned to or designated for NATO). See also infrastructure.

national intelligence — Integrated departmental intelligence that covers the broad aspects of national policy and national security, is of concern to more than one department or agency, and transcends the exclusive competence of a single department or agency.

national intelligence estimate — A strategic estimate of the capabilities, vulnerabilities,

and probable courses of action of foreign nations produced at the national level as a composite of the views of the intelligence community. Also called NIE.

national intelligence support team — A nationally sourced team composed of intelligence and communications experts from either Defense Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, or any combination of these agencies. Also called NIST. See also intelligence; national intelligence. (JP 2-0)

national intelligence surveys — Basic intelligence studies produced on a coordinated interdepartmental basis and concerned with characteristics, basic resources, and relatively unchanging natural features of a foreign country or other area.

National Military Command System —

The priority component of the Global Command and Control System designed to support the National Command Authorities and Joint Chiefs of Staff in the exercise of their responsibilities. Also called NMCS.

National Military Joint Intelligence Center

— National-level focal point for all defense intelligence activities in support of joint operations. Also called NMJIC. See also intelligence; joint intelligence center.

(JP 3-33)

national military strategy — The art and science of distributing and applying military power to attain national objectives in peace and war. Also called NMS. See also military strategy; national security strategy; strategy; theater strategy.

(JP 3-0)

national objectives — The aims, derived from national goals and interests, toward which a national policy or strategy is directed and efforts and resources of the

nation are applied. See also military objective.

national policy — A broad course of action or statements of guidance adopted by the government at the national level in pursuit of national objectives.

National Reconnaissance Office — A Department of Defense agency tasked to ensure that the United States has the technology and spaceborne and airborne assets needed to acquire intelligence worldwide, including support to such functions as monitoring of arms control agreements, indications and warning, and the planning and conducting of military operations. This mission is accomplished through research and development, acquisition, and operation of spaceborne and airborne intelligence data collection systems. Also called NRO. (JP 2-0)

national security — A collective term encompassing both national defense and foreign relations of the United States. Specifically, the condition provided by: a. a military or defense advantage over any foreign nation or group of nations; b. a favorable foreign relations position; or c. a defense posture capable of successfully resisting hostile or destructive action from within or without, overt or covert. See also security.

National Security Agency/Central Security Service Representative — The senior theater or military command representative of the Director, National Security Agency/ Chief, Central Security Service in a specific country or military command headquarters who provides the Director, National Security Agency, with information on command plans requiring cryptologic support. The National Security Agency/ Central Security Service representative serves as a special advisor to the combatant commander for cryptologic matters,

t o include signals intelligence, communications security, and computer security. Also called NCR. See also counterintelligence. (JP 2-01.2)

National Security Council — A governmental body specifically designed to assist the President in integrating all spheres of national security policy. The President, Vice President, Secretary of State, and Secretary of Defense are statutory members. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Director, Central Intelligence Agency; and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs serve as advisers. Also called NSC.

national security interests — The foundation for the development of valid national objectives that define US goals or purposes. National security interests include preserving US political identity, framework, and institutions; fostering economic well-being; and bolstering international order supporting the vital interests of the United States and its allies.

national security strategy — The art and science of developing, applying, and coordinating the instruments of national power (diplomatic, economic, military, and informational) to achieve objectives that contribute to national security. Also called national strategy or grand strategy. See also military strategy; national military strategy; strategy; theater strategy.

(JP 3-0)

national shipping authority — (*) The organization within each Allied government responsible in time of war for the direction of its own merchant shipping. Also called NSA. (JP 4-01.2)

National Stock Number — The 13-digit stock number replacing the 11-digit Federal Stock Number. It consists of the 4-digit Federal Supply Classification code and the

9-digit National Item Identification Number. The National Item Identification Number consists of a 2-digit National Codification Bureau number designating the central cataloging office (whether North Atlantic Treaty Organization or other friendly country) that assigned the number and a 7-digit (xxx-xxxx) nonsignificant number. The number shall be arranged as follows: 9999-00-999-9999. Also called

NSN.

national strategy — The art and science of developing and using the diplomatic, economic, and informational powers of a nation, together with its armed forces, during peace and war to secure national objectives. Also called national security strategy or grand strategy. See also strategy.

national support element — Any national organization or activity that supports national forces that are a part of a multinational force. Their mission is nation-specific support to units and common support that is retained by the nation. Also called NSE. See also multinational force; support. (JP 0-2)

nation assistance — Civil and/or military assistance rendered to a nation by foreign forces within that nation’s territory during peacetime, crises or emergencies, or war based on agreements mutually concluded between nations. Nation assistance programs include, but are not limited to, security assistance, foreign internal defense, other US Code title 10 (DOD) programs, and activities performed on a reimbursable basis by Federal agencies or international organizations. (JP 3-57)

natural disaster — An emergency situation posing significant danger to life and property that results from a natural cause. See also domestic emergencies. (JP 3-07.6)

nautical chart — See hydrographic chart.

nautical mile — A measure of distance equal to one minute of arc on the Earth’s surface. The United States has adopted the international nautical mile equal to 1,852 meters or 6,076.11549 feet. Also called nm.

nautical plotting chart — (*) An outline chart, devoid of hydrographic information, of a specific scale and projection, usually portraying a graticule and compass rose, designed to be ancillary to standard nautical charts, and produced either as an individual chart or a part of a coordinated series.

naval advanced logistic support site — An overseas location used as the primary transshipment point in the theater of operations for logistic support. A naval advanced logistic support site possesses full capabilities for storage, consolidation, and transfer of supplies and for support of forward-deployed units (including replacements units) during major contingency and wartime periods. Naval advanced logistic support sites, with port and airfield facilities in close proximity, are located within the theater of operations but not near the main battle areas, and must possess the throughput capacity required to accommodate incoming and outgoing intertheater airlift and sealift. When fully activated, the naval advanced logistic support site should consist of facilities and services provided by the host nation, augmented by support personnel located in the theater of operations, or both. Also called NALSS or Naval ALSS. See also logistic support; naval forward logistic site; support; theater of operations.

(JP 3-35)

naval base — A naval base primarily for support of the forces afloat, contiguous to a port or anchorage, consisting of activities or facilities for which the Navy has

operating responsibilities, together with interior lines of communications and the minimum surrounding area necessary for local security. (Normally, not greater than an area of 40 square miles.) See also base complex.

naval beach group — A permanently organized naval command within an amphibious force comprised of a commander and staff, a beachmaster unit, an amphibious construction battalion, and assault craft units, designed to provide an administrative group from which required naval tactical components may be made available to the attack force commander and to the amphibious landing force commander. Also called NBG. See also shore party.

naval coastal warfare — Coastal sea control, harbor defense, and port security, executed both in coastal areas outside the United States in support of national policy and in the United States as part of this Nation’s defense. Also called NCW. (JP 3-10)

naval coastal warfare area — An assigned geographic area of operations which includes offshore waters, harbor approaches, harbors, ports, waterfront facilities, and those internal waters and rivers which provide access to port facilities. See also area of operations; naval coastal warfare. (JP 3-10)

naval coastal warfare commander — An officer designated to conduct naval coastal warfare missions within a designated naval coastal geographic area. Also called NCWC. (JP 3-10)

naval construction force — The combined construction units of the Navy, including primarily the mobile construction battalions and the amphibious construction battalions. These units are part of the operating forces and represent the Navy’s capability for

advanced base construction. Also called

NCF.

naval control of shipping — (*) Control exercised by naval authorities of movement, routing, reporting, convoy organization, and tactical diversion of allied merchant shipping. It does not include the employment or active protection of such shipping.

naval control of shipping officer — A naval officer appointed to form merchant convoys and control and coordinate the routing and movements of such convoys, independently sailed merchant ships, and hospital ships in and out of a port or base, subject to the directions of the operational control authority.

naval control of shipping organization —

The organization within the Navy that carries out the specific responsibilities of the Chief of Naval Operations to provide for the control and protection of movements of merchant ships in time of war. Also called NCSORG.

naval expeditionary warfare — Military operations mounted from the sea, usually on short notice, consisting of forward deployed, or rapidly deployable, selfsustaining naval forces tailored to achieve a clearly stated objective. Also called

NEW. See also expedition. (JP 3-33)

naval forward logistic site — An overseas location, with port and airfield facilities nearby, which provides logistic support to naval forces within the theater of operations during major contingency and wartime periods. Naval forward logistic sites may be located in close proximity to main battle areas to permit forward staging of services, throughput of high priority cargo, advanced maintenance, and battle damage repair. Naval forward logistic sites are linked to in-theater naval advanced logistic support

sites by intratheater airlift and sealift, but may also serve as transshipment points for intertheater movement of high-priority cargo into areas of direct combat. In providing fleet logistic support, naval forward logistic site capabilities may range from very austere to near those of a naval advanced logistic support site. Also called

NFLS or Naval FLS. See also logistic support; naval advanced logistic support site; staging. (JP 3-35)

naval gunfire operations center — (*) The agency established in a ship to control the execution of plans for the employment of naval gunfire, process requests for naval gunfire support, and to allot ships to forward observers. Ideally located in the same ship as the supporting arms coordination center.

naval gunfire spotting team — The unit of a shore fire control party that designates targets; controls commencement, cessation, rate, and types of fire; and spots fire on the target. See also field artillery observer; spotter.

naval gunfire support — Fire provided by Navy surface gun systems in support of a unit or units tasked with achieving the commander’s objectives. A subset of naval surface fire support. Also called NGFS.

See also naval surface fire support.

(JP 3-09.2)

naval mobile environmental team — A team of naval personnel organized, trained, and equipped to support maritime special operations by providing weather, oceanography, mapping, charting, and geodesy support. Also called NMET. (JP 3-05)

naval operation — 1. A naval action (or the performance of a naval mission) that may be strategic, operational, tactical, logistic, or training. 2. The process of carrying on

or training for naval combat in order to gain the objectives of any battle or campaign.

naval or Marine (air) base — An air base for support of naval or Marine air units, consisting of landing strips, seaplane alighting areas, and all components of related facilities for which the Navy or Marine Corps has operating responsibilities, together with interior lines of communications and the minimum surrounding area necessary for local security. (Normally, not greater than an area of 20 square miles.) See also base complex.

naval port control office — The authority established at a port or port complex to coordinate arrangements for logistic support and harbor services to ships under naval control and to otherwise support the naval control of shipping organization.

naval special warfare — A designated naval warfare specialty that conducts operations in the coastal, riverine, and maritime environments. Naval special warfare emphasizes small, flexible, mobile units operating under, on, and from the sea. These operations are characterized by stealth, speed, and precise, violent application of force. Also called NSW. (JP 3-05)

naval special warfare forces — Those Active and Reserve Component Navy forces designated by the Secretary of Defense that are specifically organized, trained, and equipped to conduct and support special operations. Also called

NSW forces or NAVSOF. (JP 3-05.5)

naval special warfare group — Apermanent Navy echelon III major command to which most naval special warfare forces are assigned for some operational and all administrative purposes. It consists of a group headquarters with command and

control, communications, and support staff; sea-air-land teams; and sea-air-land team delivery vehicle teams. Also called NSWG. (JP 3-05.3)

naval special warfare special operations component — The Navy special operations component of a unified or subordinate unified command or joint special operations task force. Also called NAVSOC. (JP 3-05)

naval special warfare task element — A provisional subordinate element of a naval special warfare task unit, employed to extend the command and control and support capabilities of its parent task unit. Also called NSWTE. See also naval special warfare task unit. (JP 3-05.3)

naval special warfare task group — A provisional naval special warfare organization that plans, conducts, and supports special operations in support of fleet commanders and joint force special operations component commanders. Also called NSWTG. (JP 3-05.3)

naval special warfare task unit — A provisional subordinate unit of a naval special warfare task group. Also called

NSWTU. See also naval special warfare task group. (JP 3-05.3)

naval special warfare unit — A permanent Navy organization forward based to control and support attached naval special warfare forces. Also called NSWU. (JP 3-05.3)

naval stores — (*) Any articles or commodities used by a naval ship or station, such as equipment; consumable supplies; clothing; petroleum, oils, and lubricants; medical supplies; and ammunition.

naval support area — (*) A sea area assigned to naval ships detailed to support

an amphibious operation. See also fire support area.

naval surface fire support — Fire provided by Navy surface gun and missile systems in support of a unit or units tasked with achieving the commander’s objectives. Also called NSFS. See also fire support. (JP 3-02)

naval tactical data system — A complex of data inputs, user consoles, converters, adapters, and radio terminals interconnected with high-speed, general-purpose computers and its stored programs. Combat data is collected, processed, and composed into a picture of the overall tactical situation that enables the force commander to make rapid, accurate evaluations and decisions.

navigational grid — (*) A series of straight lines, superimposed over a conformal projection and indicating grid north, used as an aid to navigation. The interval of the grid lines is generally a multiple of 60 or 100 nautical miles. See also military grid.

navigation head — A transshipment point on a waterway where loads are transferred between water carriers and land carriers. A navigation head is similar in function to a railhead or truckhead.

navigation mode — In a flight control system, a control mode in which the flight path of an aircraft is automatically maintained by signals from navigation equipment.

Navy cargo handling battalion — A mobile logistic support unit capable of worldwide deployment in its entirety or in specialized detachments. It is organized, trained, and equipped to: a. load and off-load Navy and Marine Corps cargo carried in maritime prepositioning ships and merchant breakbulk or container ships in all environments; b.

operate an associated temporary ocean cargo terminal; c. load and offload Navy and Marine Corps cargo carried in military-controlled aircraft; and d. operate an associated expeditionary air cargo terminal. Also called NCHB or Navy CHB. Three sources of Navy cargo handling battalions are: a. Navy cargo handling and port group — The active duty, cargo handling, battalion-sized unit composed solely of active duty personnel. Also called NAVCHAPGRU. b. Naval

Reserve cargo handling training battalion — The active duty, cargo handling training battalion composed of both active duty and reserve personnel. Also called NRCHTB. c. Naval Reserve cargo handling battalion — A reserve cargo handling battalion composed solely of selected reserve personnel. Also called

NRCHB. See also maritime prepositioning ships.

Navy cargo handling force — The combined cargo handling units of the Navy, including primarily the Navy cargo handling and port group, the Naval Reserve cargo handling training battalion, and the Naval Reserve cargo handling battalion. These units are part of the operating forces and represent the Navy’s capability for open ocean cargo handling. Also called NCHF. See also

Navy cargo handling battalion.

Navy special operations component — The Navy component of a joint force special operations component. Also called

NAVSOC. See also Air Force special operations component; Army special operations component. (JP 3-05.3)

Navy support element — The maritime prepositioning force element that is composed of naval beach group staff and subordinate unit personnel, a detachment of Navy cargo handling force personnel, and other Navy components, as required. It is tasked with conducting the off-load and ship-to-shore

movement of maritime pre-positioned equipment and/or supplies. Also called NSE. (JP 3-02.2)

Navy tactical air control center — See tactical air control center. (JP 3-09.3)

N-day — See times.

near miss (aircraft) — Any circumstance in flight where the degree of separation between two aircraft is considered by either pilot to have constituted a hazardous situation involving potential risk of collision.

near real time — (*) Pertaining to the timeliness of data or information which has been delayed by the time required for electronic communication and automatic data processing. This implies that there are no significant delays. Also called NRT.

See also real time.

neatlines — (*) The lines that bound the body of a map, usually parallels and meridians. See also graticule.

need to know — A criterion used in security procedures that requires the custodians of classified information to establish, prior to disclosure, that the intended recipient must have access to the information to perform his or her official duties.

negative phase of the shock wave — The period during which the pressure falls below ambient and then returns to the ambient value. See also positive phase of the shock wave.

negative photo plane — (*) The plane in which a film or plate lies at the moment of exposure.

negligible risk (nuclear) — A degree of risk where personnel are reasonably safe, with the exceptions of dazzle or temporary loss

of night vision. See also emergency risk

(nuclear).

negotiations — A discussion between authorities and a barricaded offender or terrorist to effect hostage release and terrorist surrender. See also antiterrorism. (JP 3-07.2)

NEOPACK — Preassembled package of selected maps, charts, and other geographic materials of various scales to support the planning and conduct of noncombatant evacuation operations in selected countries or areas. See also noncombatant evacuation operations; noncombatant evacuees. (JP 3-07.5)

nerve agent — (*) A potentially lethal chemical agent which interferes with the transmission of nerve impulses.

net call sign — (*) A call sign which represents all stations within a net. See also call sign.

net, chain, cell system — Patterns of clandestine organization, especially for operational purposes. Net is the broadest of the three; it usually involves: a. a succession of echelons; and b. such functional specialists as may be required to accomplish its mission. When it consists largely or entirely of nonstaff employees, it may be called an agent net. Chain focuses attention upon the first of these elements; it is commonly defined as a series of agents and informants who receive instructions from and pass information to a principal agent by means of cutouts and couriers. Cell system emphasizes a variant of the first element of net; its distinctive feature is the grouping of personnel into small units that are relatively isolated and self-contained. In the interest of maximum security for the organization as a whole, each cell has contact with the rest of the organization only through an agent of the organization and a

single member of the cell. Others in the cell do not know the agent, and nobody in the cell knows the identities or activities of members of other cells.

net (communications) — An organization of stations capable of direct communications on a common channel or frequency.

net control station — A communications station designated to control traffic and enforce circuit discipline within a given net. Also called NCS.

net explosive weight — The actual weight in pounds of explosive mixtures or compounds, including the trinitrotoluene equivalent of energetic material, that is used in determination of explosive limits and explosive quantity data arcs. Also called NEW. (JP 4-09)

net inventory assets — That portion of the total materiel assets that is designated to meet the materiel inventory objective. It consists of the total materiel assets less the peacetime materiel consumption and losses through normal appropriation and procurement leadtime periods.

net sweep — (*) In naval mine warfare, a two-ship sweep, using a netlike device, designed to collect drifting mines or scoop them up from the sea bottom.

net weight — Weight of a ground vehicle without fuel, engine oil, coolant, on-vehicle materiel, cargo, or operating personnel.

neutral — In combat and combat support operations, an identity applied to a track whose characteristics, behavior, origin, or nationality indicate that it is neither supporting nor opposing friendly forces. See also hostile; suspect; unknown.

neutrality — In international law, the attitude of impartiality during periods of war

adopted by third states toward a belligerent and subsequently recognized by the belligerent, which creates rights and duties between the impartial states and the belligerent. In a United Nations enforcement action, the rules of neutrality apply to impartial members of the United Nations except so far as they are excluded by the obligation of such members under the United Nations Charter.

neutralization — (*) In mine warfare, a mine is said to be neutralized when it has been rendered, by external means, incapable of firing on passage of a target, although it may remain dangerous to handle.

neutralization fire — Fire which is delivered to render the target ineffective or unusable. See also fire.

neutralize — 1. As pertains to military operations, to render ineffective or unusable. 2. To render enemy personnel or material incapable of interfering with a particular operation. 3. To render safe mines, bombs, missiles, and boobytraps. 4. To make harmless anything contaminated with a chemical agent.

neutral state — In international law, a state that pursues a policy of neutrality during war. See also neutrality.

neutron induced activity — (*)

Radioactivity induced in the ground or an object as a result of direct irradiation by neutrons.

news media representative — An individual employed by a civilian radio or television station, newspaper, newsmagazine, periodical, or news agency to gather and report on a newsworthy event. Also called

NMR. See also public affairs. (JP 3-61)

nickname — A combination of two separate unclassified words that is assigned an

unclassified meaning and is employed only for unclassified administrative, morale, or public information purposes.

night effect — (*) An effect mainly caused by variations in the state of polarization of reflected waves, which sometimes result in errors in direction finding bearings. The effect is most frequent at nightfall.

night vision device — Any electro-optical device that is used to detect visible and infrared energy and provide a visible image. Night vision goggles, forward-looking infrared, thermal sights, and low-light level television are night vision devices. Also called NVD. See also forward-looking infrared; night vision goggles(s). (JP3-09.3)

night vision goggle(s) — An electro-optical image intensifying device that detects visible and near-infrared energy, intensifies the energy, and provides a visible image for night viewing. Night vision goggles can be either hand-held or helmet-mounted. Also called NVG. See also night vision device. (JP 3-09.3)

node — A location in a mobility system where a movement requirement is originated, processed for onward movement, or terminated.

node/command, control, communications, and computers node — The physical and functional grouping of communications and computer systems that provide terminating, switching, and gateway access services to support information exchange. See also common operating environment; global grid. (JP 6-02)

no-fire area — A land area designated by the appropriate commander into which fires or their effects are prohibited. Also called NFA. See also fires. (JP 3-09)

no-fire line — (*) A line short of which artillery or ships do not fire except on request or approval of the supported commander, but beyond which they may fire at any time without danger to friendly troops.

nominal filter — (*) A filter capable of cutting off a nominated minimum percentage by weight of solid particles greater than a stated micron size.

nominal focal length — (*) An approximate value of the focal length, rounded off to some standard figure, used for the classification of lenses, mirrors, or cameras.

nominal scale — See principal scale; scale.

nominal weapon — (*) A nuclear weapon producing a yield of approximately 20 kilotons. See also kiloton weapon; megaton weapon; subkiloton weapon.

nonair transportable — That which is not transportable by air by virtue of dimension, weight, or special characteristics or restrictions.

nonaligned state — A state that pursues a policy of nonalignment.

nonalignment — The political attitude of a state that does not associate or identify itself with the political ideology or objective espoused by other states, groups of states, or international causes, or with the foreign policies stemming therefrom. It does not preclude involvement, but expresses the attitude of no precommitment to a particular state (or block) or policy before a situation arises.

nonappropriated funds — Funds generated by DOD military and civilian personnel and their dependents and used to augment funds appropriated by the Congress to provide a comprehensive, morale-building welfare,

religious, educational, and recreational program, designed to improve the well-being of military and civilian personnel and their dependents.

nonbattle injury — A person who becomes a casualty due to circumstances not directly attributable to hostile action or terrorist activity. Also called NBI.

noncombatant evacuation operations —

Operations directed by the Department of State, the Department of Defense, or other appropriate authority whereby noncombatants are evacuated from foreign countries when their lives are endangered by war, civil unrest, or natural disaster to safe havens or to the United States. Also called NEOs. See also evacuation;

NEOPACK; noncombatant evacuees; operation; safe haven. (JP 3-07)

noncombatant evacuees — 1. US citizens who may be ordered to evacuate by competent authority include: a. civilian employees of all agencies of the US Government and their dependents, except as noted in 2a below; b. military personnel of the US Armed Forces specifically designated for evacuation as noncombatants; and c. dependents of members of the US Armed Forces. 2. US (and non-US) citizens who may be authorized or assisted (but not necessarily ordered to evacuate) by competent authority include: a. civilian employees of US Government agencies and their dependents, who are residents in the country concerned on their own volition, but express the willingness to be evacuated; b. private US citizens and their dependents; c. military personnel and dependents of members of the US Armed Forces outlined in 1c above, short of an ordered evacuation; and d. designated aliens, including dependents of persons listed in 1a through 1c above, as prescribed by the Department of State. See