US Army Dictionary of Military Terms

intermodal systems; Sealift Readiness Program. (JP 4-09)

voluntary tanker agreement — An agreement established by the Maritime Administration to provide for US commercial tanker owners and operators to voluntarily make their vessels available to satisfy Department of Defense needs. It is designed to meet contingency or war requirements for point-to-point petroleum, oils, and lubricants movements, and not to deal with capacity shortages in resupply operations. Also called VTA. (JP 4-01.2)

voluntary training — Training in a non-pay status for Individual Ready Reservists and active status Standby Reservists. Participation in voluntary training is for retirement points only and may be achieved by training with Selected Reserve or voluntary training units; by active duty for training; by completion of authorized military correspondence courses; by attendance at designated courses of instruction; by performing equivalent duty; by participation in special military and professional events designated by the Military Departments; or by participation in authorized Civil Defense activities. Retirees may voluntarily train with organizations to which they are properly preassigned by orders for recall to active duty in a national emergency or declaration of war. Such training shall be limited to that training made available within the resources authorized by the Secretary concerned.

voluntary training unit — A unit formed by volunteers to provide Reserve Component training in a non-pay status for Individual Ready Reservists and active status Standby Reservists attached under competent orders and participating in such units for retirement points. Also called reinforcement training unit.

VOR — (*) An air navigational radio aid which uses phase comparison of a ground transmitted signal to determine bearing. This term is derived from the words “very high frequency omnidirectional radio range.”

vulnerability — 1. The susceptibility of a nation or military force to any action by any means through which its war potential or combat effectiveness may be reduced or its will to fight diminished. 2. The characteristics of a system that cause it to suffer a definite degradation (incapability to perform the designated mission) as a result of having been subjected to a certain level of effects in an unnatural (manmade) hostile environment. 3. In information operations, a weakness in information system security design, procedures, implementation, or internal controls that could be exploited to gain unauthorized access to information or an information system. See also information; information operations; information system. (JP 3-13)

vulnerability analysis — In information operations, a systematic examination of an information system or product to determine the adequacy of security measures, identify security deficiencies, provide data from which to predict the effectiveness of proposed security measures, and confirm the adequacy of such measures after implementation. See also information operations; information system; security; vulnerability. (JP 3-13)

vulnerability assessment — A Department of Defense, command, or unit-level evaluation (assessment) to determine the vulnerability of a terrorist attack against an installation, unit, exercise, port, ship, residence, facility, or other site. Identifies areas of improvement to withstand, mitigate, or deter acts of violence or terrorism.

vulnerability program — A program to determine the degree of any existing susceptibility of nuclear weapon systems to enemy countermeasures, accidental fire, and accidental shock and to remedy these weaknesses insofar as possible.

vulnerability study — An analysis of the capabilities and limitations of a force in a

specific situation to determine vulnerabilities capable of exploitation by an opposing force.

vulnerable area — See vital area.

vulnerable node — See target stress point.

vulnerable point — See vital area.

wading crossing — See deep fording capability; shallow fording.

walking patient — A patient whose injuries and/or illness are relatively minor, permitting the patient to walk and not require a litter. See also litter; patient; slightly wounded. (JP 4-02)

wanted cargo — (*) In naval control of shipping, a cargo which is not immediately required by the consignee country but will be needed later.

warble — (*) In naval mine warfare, the process of varying the frequency of sound produced by a narrow band noisemaker to ensure that the frequency to which the mine will respond is covered.

warden system — An informal method of communication used to pass information to US citizens during emergencies. See also noncombatant evacuation operations.

(JP 3-07.5)

war game — A simulation, by whatever means, of a military operation involving two or more opposing forces using rules, data, and procedures designed to depict an actual or assumed real life situation.

warhead — That part of a missile, projectile, torpedo, rocket, or other munition which contains either the nuclear or thermonuclear system, high explosive system, chemical or biological agents, or inert materials intended to inflict damage.

warhead mating — The act of attaching a warhead section to a rocket or missile body, torpedo, airframe, motor, or guidance section.

warhead section — (*) A completely assembled warhead, including appropriate skin sections and related components.

war materiel procurement capability —

The quantity of an item that can be acquired by orders placed on or after the day an operation commences (D-day) from industry or from any other available source during the period prescribed for war materiel procurement planning purposes.

war materiel requirement — The quantity of an item required to equip and support the approved forces specified in the current Secretary of Defense guidance through the period prescribed for war materiel planning purposes.

warned exposed — (*) The vulnerability of friendly forces to nuclear weapon effects. In this condition, personnel are assumed to be prone with all skin covered and with thermal protection at least that provided by a two-layer summer uniform. See also unwarned exposed; warned protected.

warned protected — (*) The vulnerability of friendly forces to nuclear weapon effects. In this condition, personnel are assumed to have some protection against heat, blast, and radiation such as that afforded in closed armored vehicles or crouched in fox holes with improvised overhead shielding. See also unwarned exposed; warned exposed.

warning — 1. A communication and acknowledgment of dangers implicit in a wide spectrum of activities by potential opponents ranging from routine defense measures to substantial increases in readiness and force preparedness and to acts of terrorism or political, economic, or

military provocation. 2. Operating procedures, practices, or conditions that may result in injury or death if not carefully observed or followed. (JP 3-04.1)

warning area — See danger area.

warning net — A communication system established for the purpose of disseminating warning information of enemy movement or action to all interested commands.

warning of attack — A warning to national policymakers that an adversary is not only preparing its armed forces for war, but intends to launch an attack in the near future. See also tactical warning; warning; warning of war.

warning of war — A warning to national policymakers that a state or alliance intends war, or is on a course that substantially increases the risks of war and is taking steps to prepare for war. See also strategic warning; warning; warning of attack.

warning order — (*) 1. A preliminary notice of an order or action which is to follow. 2. (DOD only) A crisis action planning directive issued by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff that initiates the development and evaluation of courses of action by a supported commander and requests that a commander’s estimate be submitted. 3. (DOD only) A planning directive that describes the situation, allocates forces and resources, establishes command relationships, provides other initial planning guidance, and initiates subordinate unit mission planning. (JP 5-0)

vessel, or aircraft as a signal to immediately cease activity. Warning shots are one measure to convince a potentially hostile force to withdraw or cease its threatening actions.

warning white — See air defense warning conditions.

warning yellow — See air defense warning conditions.

warp — To haul a ship ahead by line or anchor. (JP 4-01.6)

war reserve materiel requirement — That portion of the war materiel requirement required to be on hand on D-day. This level consists of the war materiel requirement less the sum of the peacetime assets assumed to be available on D-day and the war materiel procurement capability.

war reserve materiel requirement, balance

— That portion of the war reserve materiel requirement that has not been acquired or funded. This level consists of the war reserve materiel requirement less the war reserve materiel requirement, protectable.

war reserve materiel requirement, protectable — That portion of the war reserve materiel requirement that is either on hand and/or previously funded that shall be protected; if issued for peacetime use, it shall be promptly reconstituted. This level consists of the pre-positioned war reserve materiel requirement, protectable, and the other war reserve materiel requirement, protectable.

war reserves — (*) Stocks of materiel amassed in peacetime to meet the increase in military requirements consequent upon an outbreak of war. War reserves are intended to provide the interim support essential to sustain operations until resupply can be effected.

war reserve stock — That portion of total materiel assets designated to satisfy the war reserve materiel requirement. Also called

WRS. See also reserve; war reserve materiel requirement; war reserves.

(JP 2-03)

war reserve stocks for allies — A Department of Defense program to have the Services procure or retain in their inventories those minimum stockpiles of materiel such as munitions, equipment, and combat-essential consumables to ensure support for selected allied forces in time of war until future in-country production and external resupply can meet the estimated combat consumption.

wartime load — The maximum quantity of supplies of all kinds which a ship can carry. The composition of the load is prescribed by proper authority.

wartime manpower planning system — A standardized Department of Defense (DOD)-wide procedure, structure, and database for computing, compiling, projecting, and portraying the time-phased wartime manpower requirements, demand, and supply of the DOD components. Also called WARMAPS. See also S-day.

wartime reserve modes — Characteristics and operating procedures of sensor, communications, navigation aids, threat recognition, weapons, and countermeasures systems that will contribute to military effectiveness if unknown to or misunderstood by opposing commanders before they are used, but could be exploited

or neutralized if known in advance. Wartime reserve modes are deliberately held in reserve for wartime or emergency use and seldom, if ever, applied or intercepted prior to such use. Also called

WARM.

watching mine — (*) In naval mine warfare, a mine secured to its mooring but showing on the surface, possibly only in certain tidal conditions. See also floating mine; mine.

watercraft — Any vessel or craft designed specifically and only for movement on the surface of the water. (JP 4-01.6)

waterspace management — The allocation of waterspace in terms of antisubmarine warfare attack procedures to permit the rapid and effective engagement of hostile submarines while preventing inadvertent attacks on friendly submarines.

water terminal — A facility for berthing ships simultaneously at piers, quays, and/ or working anchorages, normally located within sheltered coastal waters adjacent to rail, highway, air, and/or inland water transportation networks. (JP 4-01.5)

wave — (*) 1. A formation of forces, landing ships, craft, amphibious vehicles or aircraft, required to beach or land about the same time. Can be classified as to type, function or order as shown: a. assault wave; b. boat wave; c. helicopter wave; d. numbered wave; e. on-call wave; f. scheduled wave. 2. (DOD only) An undulation of water caused by the progressive movement of energy from point to point along the surface of the water. (JP 4-01.6)

wave crest — The highest part of a wave. See also crest; wave. (JP 4-01.6)

wave height — The vertical distance between trough and crest, usually expressed in feet. See also wave. (JP 4-01.6)

wave length — The horizontal distance between successive wave crests measured perpendicular to the crest, usually expressed in feet. See also crest; wave; wave crest.

(JP 4-01.6)

wave-off — An action to abort a landing, initiated by the bridge, primary flight control, landing safety officer or enlisted man, or pilot at his or her discretion. The response to a wave-off signal is mandatory. See also abort; primary flight control.

(JP 3-04.1)

wave period — The time it takes for two successive wave crests to pass a given point. See also wave; wave crest. (JP 4-01.6)

wave trough — The lowest part of the wave between crests. See also crest; wave. (JP 4-01.6)

wave velocity — The speed at which a wave form advances across the sea, usually expressed in knots. See also wave. (JP 4-01.6)

way point — 1. In air operations, a point or a series of points in space to which an aircraft, ship, or cruise missile may be vectored. 2. A designated point or series of points loaded and stored in a global positioning system or other electronic navigational aid system to facilitate movement.

W-day — See times.

weapon and payload identification — 1. The determination of the type of weapon being used in an attack. 2. The discrimination of a re-entry vehicle from penetration aids being utilized with the re-entry vehicle. See also attack assessment.

weapon debris (nuclear) — The residue of a nuclear weapon after it has exploded; that

is, materials used for the casing and other components of the weapon, plus unexpended plutonium or uranium, together with fission products.

weaponeering — The process of determining the quantity of a specific type of lethal or nonlethal weapons required to achieve a specific level of damage to a given target, considering target vulnerability, weapons effect, munitions delivery accuracy, damage criteria, probability of kill, and weapon reliability. (JP 2-0)

weapon engagement zone — In air defense, airspace of defined dimensions within which the responsibility for engagement of air threats normally rests with a particular weapon system. Also called WEZ. a. fighter engagement zone. In air defense, that airspace of defined dimensions within which the responsibility for engagement of air threats normally rests with fighter aircraft. Also called FEZ. b. high-altitude missile engagement zone. In air defense, that airspace of defined dimensions within which the responsibility for engagement of air threats normally rests with high-altitude surface-to-air missiles. Also called

HIMEZ. c. low-altitude missile engagement zone. In air defense, that airspace of defined dimensions within which the responsibility for engagement of air threats normally rests with lowto medium-altitude surface-to-air missiles. Also called LOMEZ. d. short-range air defense engagement zone. In air defense, that airspace of defined dimensions within which the responsibility for engagement of air threats normally rests with short-range air defense weapons. It may be established within a lowor high-altitude missile engagement zone. Also called

SHORADEZ. e. joint engagement zone.

In air defense, that airspace of defined dimensions within which multiple air defense systems (surface-to-air missiles and

aircraft) are simultaneously employed to engage air threats. Also called JEZ. (JP 3-52)

weapons assignment — (*) In air defense, the process by which weapons are assigned to individual air weapons controllers for use in accomplishing an assigned mission.

weapons free zone — An air defense zone established for the protection of key assets or facilities, other than air bases, where weapon systems may be fired at any target not positively recognized as friendly. (JP 3-52)

weapons of mass destruction — Weapons that are capable of a high order of destruction and/or of being used in such a manner as to destroy large numbers of people. Weapons of mass destruction can be high explosives or nuclear, biological, chemical, and radiological weapons, but exclude the means of transporting or propelling the weapon where such means is a separable and divisible part of the weapon. Also called WMD. See also destruction; special operations.

weapons readiness state — The degree of readiness of air defense weapons which can become airborne or be launched to carry out an assigned task. Weapons readiness states are expressed in numbers of weapons and numbers of minutes. Weapon readiness states are defined as follows: a. 2 minutes

— Weapons can be launched within two minutes. b. 5 minutes — Weapons can be launched within five minutes. c. 15 minutes — Weapons can be launched within fifteen minutes. d. 30 minutes — Weapons can be launched within thirty minutes. e. 1 hour — Weapons can be launched within one hour. f. 3 hours — Weapons can be launched within three hours. g. released — Weapons are released from defense commitment for a specified period of time.

weapons recommendation sheet — (*) A sheet or chart which defines the intention of the attack, and recommends the nature of weapons, and resulting damage expected, tonnage, fuzing, spacing, desired mean points of impact, and intervals of reattack.

weapons state of readiness — See weapons readiness state.

weapon(s) system — (*) A combination of one or more weapons with all related equipment, materials, services, personnel, and means of delivery and deployment (if applicable) required for self-sufficiency.

weapon system employment concept — (*)

A description in broad terms, based on established outline characteristics, of the application of a particular equipment or weapon system within the framework of tactical concept and future doctrines.

weapon-target line — An imaginary straight line from a weapon to a target.

weather central — An organization that collects, collates, evaluates, and disseminates meteorological information in such manner that it becomes a principal source of such information for a given area.

weather deck — A deck having no overhead protection; uppermost deck. (JP 4-01.6)

weather minimum — The worst weather conditions under which aviation operations may be conducted under either visual or instrument flight rules. Usually prescribed by directives and standing operating procedures in terms of minimum ceiling, visibility, or specific hazards to flight.

weight and balance sheet — (*) A sheet which records the distribution of weight in an aircraft and shows the center of gravity of an aircraft at takeoff and landing.

wellness — Force health protection program that consolidates and incorporates physical and mental fitness, health promotion, and environmental and occupational health. See also force health protection. (JP 4-02)

wharf — A structure built of open rather than solid construction along a shore or a bank that provides cargo-handling facilities. A similar facility of solid construction is called a quay. See also quay. (JP 4-01.5)

wheel load capacity — The capacity of airfield runways, taxiways, parking areas, or roadways to bear the pressures exerted by aircraft or vehicles in a gross weight static configuration.

white cap — A small wave breaking offshore as a result of the action of strong winds. See also wave. (JP 4-01.6)

whiteout — (*) Loss of orientation with respect to the horizon caused by sun reflecting on snow and overcast sky.

white propaganda — Propaganda disseminated and acknowledged by the sponsor or by an accredited agency thereof. See also propaganda.

Wilson cloud — See condensation cloud.

winch — A hoisting machine used for loading and discharging cargo and stores or for hauling in lines. See also stores. (JP4-01.6)

wind shear — A change of wind direction and magnitude.

wind velocity — (*) The horizontal direction and speed of air motion.

wing — 1. An Air Force unit composed normally of one primary mission group and the necessary supporting organizations, i.e., organizations designed to render supply, maintenance, hospitalization, and other

services required by the primary mission groups. Primary mission groups may be functional, such as combat, training, transport, or service. 2. A fleet air wing is the basic organizational and administrative unit for naval-, land-, and tender-based aviation. Such wings are mobile units to which are assigned aircraft squadrons and tenders for administrative organization control. 3. A balanced Marine Corps task organization of aircraft groups and squadrons, together with appropriate command, air control, administrative, service, and maintenance units. A standard Marine Corps aircraft wing contains the aviation elements normally required for the air support of a Marine division. 4. A flank unit; that part of a military force to the right or left of the main body.

wingman — An aviator subordinate to and in support of the designated section leader; also, the aircraft flown in this role.

withdrawal operation — A planned retrograde operation in which a force in contact disengages from an enemy force and moves in a direction away from the enemy.

withhold (nuclear) — The limiting of authority to employ nuclear weapons by denying their use within specified geographical areas or certain countries.

working anchorage — An anchorage where ships lie to discharge cargoes over-side to coasters or lighters. See also emergency anchorage.

working capital fund — A revolving fund established to finance inventories of supplies and other stores, or to provide working capital for industrial-type activities.

work order — A specific or blanket authorization to perform certain work —

usually broader in scope than a job order. It is sometimes used synonymously with job order.

world geographic reference system — See georef.

wounded — See seriously wounded; slightly wounded.

wounded in action — A casualty category applicable to a hostile casualty, other than the victim of a terrorist activity, who has incurred an injury due to an external agent or cause. The term encompasses all kinds of wounds and other injuries incurred in action, whether there is a piercing of the body, as in a penetration or perforated wound, or none, as in the contused wound. These include fractures, burns, blast

concussions, all effects of biological and chemical warfare agents, and the effects of an exposure to ionizing radiation or any other destructive weapon or agent. The hostile casualty’s status may be categorized as “very seriously ill or injured,” “seriously ill or injured,” “incapacitating illness or injury,” or “not seriously injured.” Also called WIA. See also casualty category.

wreckage locator chart — A chart indicating the geographic location of all known aircraft wreckage sites and all known vessel wrecks that show above low water or can be seen from the air. It consists of a visual plot of each wreckage, numbered in chronological order, and cross referenced with a wreckage locator file containing all pertinent data concerning the wreckage.