Let's face it, the Military loves their acronyms. It doesn't matter if you're a new recruit, seasoned operator or the spouse of a soldier, you're going to eventually come up against a term you haven't encountered before. Don't sweat it, we've got you covered with our Military Acronym Finder. If you've got some time to kill, browse through the acronym's letter by letter. If you just need to find a definition for an acronym real quick, use the handy search box. If we missed an Acronym in our database, send it to us!
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| Acronym | Definition |
| D | total drift, data |
| D | total drift, data |
| d | surface drift |
| D&D | denial and deception |
| D&D | denial and deception |
| D&F | determinations and findings |
| D&F | determinations and findings |
| D&M | detection and monitoring |
| D&M | detection and monitoring |
| D&R | debrief and reintegrate |
| D&R | debrief and reintegrate |
| D-cell | deployment cell |
| D-cell | deployment cell |
| D-day | (DOD) See times. |
| D-day | unnamed day on which operations commence or are scheduled to commence |
| D-day | (DOD) See times. |
| D-day | unnamed day on which operations commence or are scheduled to commence |
| D-day consumption/production differential assets | (DOD) As applied to the D-to-P concept, these assets are required to compensate for the inability of the production base to meet expenditure (consumption) requirements during the D-to-P period. |
| D-day consumption/production differential assets | (DOD) As applied to the D-to-P concept, these assets are required to compensate for the inability of the production base to meet expenditure (consumption) requirements during the D-to-P period. |
| D-day materiel readiness gross capability | (DOD) As applied to the D-to-P concept, this capability represents the sum of all assets on hand on D-day and the gross production capability (funded and unfunded) between D-day and P-day. When this capability equals the D-to-P materiel readiness gross requirement, requirements and capabilities are in balance. |
| D-day materiel readiness gross capability | (DOD) As applied to the D-to-P concept, this capability represents the sum of all assets on hand on D-day and the gross production capability (funded and unfunded) between D-day and P-day. When this capability equals the D-to-P materiel readiness gross requirement, requirements and capabilities are in balance. |
| D-day pipeline assets | (DOD) As applied to the D-to-P concept, these assets represent the sum of continental United States and overseas operating and safety levels and intransit levels of supply. |
| D-day pipeline assets | (DOD) As applied to the D-to-P concept, these assets represent the sum of continental United States and overseas operating and safety levels and intransit levels of supply. |
| D/A | digital-to-analog |
| D/A | digital-to-analog |
| D/C | downconverter |
| D/C | downconverter |
| D/CI&SP | Director, Counterintelligence and Security Programs |
| D/CI&SP | Director, Counterintelligence and Security Programs |
| D/CIA | Director, Central Intelligence Agency |
| D/CIA | Director, Central Intelligence Agency |
| D3A | decide, detect, deliver, and assess |
| D3A | decide, detect, deliver, and assess |
| DA | data adapter aerospace drift; data administrator; Department of the Army; Development Assistance; direct action; Directorate for Administration (DIA); double agent |
| Da | aerospace drift; Development Assistance |
| DA | data adapter aerospace drift; data administrator; Department of the Army; Development Assistance; direct action; Directorate for Administration (DIA); double agent |
| Da | aerospace drift; Development Assistance |
| DA&M | Director of Administration and Management |
| DA&M | Director of Administration and Management |
| DAA | designated approving authority; display alternate area routing lists |
| DAA | designated approving authority; display alternate area routing lists |
| DAADC(AMD) | deputy area air defense commander for air and missile defense |
| DAADC(AMD) | deputy area air defense commander for air and missile defense |
| DAAS | defense automatic addressing system |
| DAAS | defense automatic addressing system |
| DAASO | defense automatic addressing system office |
| DAASO | defense automatic addressing system office |
| DAB | Defense Acquisition Board |
| DAB | Defense Acquisition Board |
| DAC | Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) counterintelligence and security activity; Department of Army civilians |
| DAC | Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) counterintelligence and security activity; Department of Army civilians |
| DACB | data adapter control block |
| DACB | data adapter control block |
| DACG | departure airfield control group |
| DACG | departure airfield control group |
| DACM | data adapter control mode |
| DACM | data adapter control mode |
| DADCAP | dawn and dusk combat air patrol |
| DADCAP | dawn and dusk combat air patrol |
| DAF | Department of the Air Force |
| DAF | Department of the Air Force |
| DAFL | directive authority for logistics |
| DAFL | directive authority for logistics |
| DAICC | domestic air interdiction coordinator center |
| DAICC | domestic air interdiction coordinator center |
| daily intelligence summary | (DOD) A report prepared in message form at the joint force headquarters that provides higher, lateral, and subordinate headquarters with a summary of all significant intelligence produced during the previous 24-hour period. The "as of" time for information, content, and submission time for the report will be as specified by the joint force commander. Also called DISUM. |
| DAL | defended asset list |
| DAL | defended asset list |
| DALIS | Disaster Assistance Logistics Information System |
| DALIS | Disaster Assistance Logistics Information System |
| DALS | downed aviator locator system |
| DALS | downed aviator locator system |
| DAMA | demand assigned multiple access |
| DAMA | demand assigned multiple access |
| damage area | (DOD,NATO) In naval mine warfare, the plan area around a minesweeper inside which a mine explosion is likely to interrupt operations. |
| damage assessment | (DOD) 1. The determination of the effect of attacks on targets. |
| damage assessment | (DOD) 2. A determination of the effect of a compromise of classified information on national security. |
| damage criteria | (DOD) The critical levels of various effects, such as blast pressure and thermal radiation, required to achieve specified levels of damage. |
| damage estimation | (DOD) A preliminary appraisal of the potential effects of an attack. See also attack assessment. |
| damage expectancy (nuclear) | (DOD) The probability that a weapon will arrive, detonate, and achieve at least a specified level of damage (severe or moderate) against a given target. Damage expectancy is a function of both probability of arrival and probability of damage of a weapon. |
| damage radius | (DOD,NATO) In naval mine warfare, the average distance from a ship within which a mine containing a given weight and type of explosive must detonate if it is to inflict a specified amount of damage. |
| damage threat | (DOD,NATO) The probability that a target ship passing once through a minefield will explode one or more mines and sustain a specified amount of damage. |
| DAMES | defense automatic addressing system (DAAS) automated message exchange system |
| DAMES | defense automatic addressing system (DAAS) automated message exchange system |
| DAN | Diver's Alert Network |
| DAN | Diver's Alert Network |
| danger area | (DOD,NATO) 1. In air traffic control, an airspace of defined dimensions within which activities dangerous to the flight of aircraft may exist at specified times. |
| danger area | (DOD only) 2. A specified area above, below, or within which there may be potential danger. See also closed area; prohibited area; restricted area. |
| danger close | (DOD) In close air support, artillery, mortar, and naval gunfire support fires, it is the term included in the method of engagement segment of a call for fire which indicates that friendly forces are within close proximity of the target. The close proximity distance is determined by the weapon and munition fired. See also final protective fire. |
| dangerous cargo | (DOD,NATO) Cargo which, because of its dangerous properties, is subject to special regulations for its transport. |
| DAO | defense attache office; defense attache officer; department/agency/organization |
| DAO | defense attache office; defense attache officer; department/agency/organization |
| DAP | designated acquisition program |
| DAP | designated acquisition program |
| DAR | Defense Acquisition Regulation; distortion adaptive receiver |
| DAR | Defense Acquisition Regulation; distortion adaptive receiver |
| DARO | Defense Airborne Reconnaissance Office |
| DARO | Defense Airborne Reconnaissance Office |
| DARPA | Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency |
| DARPA | Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency |
| DART | disaster assistance response team; downed aircraft recovery team; dynamic analysis and replanning tool |
| DART | disaster assistance response team; downed aircraft recovery team; dynamic analysis and replanning tool |
| DAS | deep air support (USMC); defense attache system; direct access subscriber; direct air support |
| DAS | deep air support (USMC); defense attache system; direct access subscriber; direct air support |
| DAS3 | decentralized automated service support system |
| DAS3 | decentralized automated service support system |
| DASA | Department of the Army (DA) staff agencies |
| DASA | Department of the Army (DA) staff agencies |
| DASC | direct air support center |
| DASC | direct air support center |
| DASC(A) | direct air support center (airborne) |
| DASC(A) | direct air support center (airborne) |
| DASD | Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense |
| DASD | Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense |
| DASD(H&RA) | Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Humanitarian & Refugee Affairs) |
| DASD(H&RA) | Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Humanitarian & Refugee Affairs) |
| DASD(I) | Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Intelligence) |
| DASD(I) | Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Intelligence) |
| DASD(P&HA) | Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Affairs) |
| DASD(P&HA) | Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Affairs) |
| DASD(S&IO) | Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Security and Information Operations) |
| DASD(S&IO) | Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Security and Information Operations) |
| DASD-CN | Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Counternarcotics |
| DASD-CN | Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Counternarcotics |
| DASSS | decentralized automated service support system |
| DASSS | decentralized automated service support system |
| DAT | deployment action item |
| DAT | deployment action item |
| data | (DOD) Representation of facts, concepts, or instructions in a formalized manner suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing by humans or by automatic means. Any representations such as characters or analog quantities to which meaning is or might be assigned. |
| data element | (DOD) 2. In electronic recordkeeping, a combination of characters or bytes referring to one separate item of information, such as name, address, or age. |
| data element | (DOD) 1. A basic unit of information built on standard structures having a unique meaning and distinct units or values. |
| data item | (DOD) A subunit of descriptive information or value classified under a data element. For example, the data element "military personnel grade" contains data items such as sergeant, captain, and colonel. |
| database | (DOD) Information that is normally structured and indexed for user access and review. Databases may exist in the form of physical files (folders, documents, etc.) or formatted automated data processing system data files. |
| date line | (DOD,NATO) See international date line. |
| date-time group | (DOD) The date and time, expressed in digits and time zone suffix, at which the message was prepared for transmission. (Expressed as six digits followed by the time zone suffix; first pair of digits denotes the date, second pair the hours, third pair the minutes, followed by a three-letter month abbreviation and two-digit year abbreviation.) Also called DTG. |
| DATT | defense attache |
| DATT | defense attache |
| DATU | data adapter termination unit |
| DATU | data adapter termination unit |
| datum | (DOD,NATO) Any numerical or geometrical quantity or set of such quantities which may serve as reference or base for other quantities. Where the concept is geometric, the plural form is "datums" in contrast to the normal plural "data." |
| datum (geodetic) | (DOD) 2. The mathematical model of the earth used to calculate the coordinates on any map. Different nations use different datums for printing coordinates on their maps. The datum is usually referenced in the marginal information of each map. |
| datum (geodetic) | (DOD) 1. A reference surface consisting of five quantities: the latitude and longitude of an initial point, the azimuth of a line from that point, and the parameters of the reference ellipsoid. |
| datum level | (DOD,NATO) A surface to which elevations, heights, or depths on a map or chart are related. See also altitude. |
| datum point | (DOD,NATO) Any reference point of known or assumed coordinates from which calculation or measurements may be taken. See also pinpoint. |
| davit | (DOD) A small crane on a vessel that is used to raise and lower small boats, such as lifeboats, side loadable warping tugs, or causeway sections. |
| day of supply | (DOD,NATO) See one day's supply. |
| dB | decibel |
| DBA | database administrator |
| DBA | database administrator |
| DBDB | digital bathymetric database |
| DBDB | digital bathymetric database |
| DBG | database generation |
| DBG | database generation |
| DBI | defense budget issue |
| DBI | defense budget issue |
| DBMS | database management system; Defense-Business Management System |
| DBMS | database management system; Defense-Business Management System |
| DBSS | Defense Blood Standard System |
| DBSS | Defense Blood Standard System |
| DBT | design basis threat |
| DBT | design basis threat |
| DC | Deputies Committee; direct current; dislocated civilian |
| DC | Deputies Committee; direct current; dislocated civilian |
| DC/S for RA | Deputy Chief of Staff for Reserve Affairs |
| DC/S for RA | Deputy Chief of Staff for Reserve Affairs |
| DCA | Defense Communications Agency; Defense Cooperation Agreements; defensive counterair; dual-capable aircraft |
| DCA | Defense Communications Agency; Defense Cooperation Agreements; defensive counterair; dual-capable aircraft |
| DCAA | Defense Contract Audit Agency |
| DCAA | Defense Contract Audit Agency |
| DCAM | Defense Medical Logistics Standard Support (DMLSS) customer assistance module |
| DCAM | Defense Medical Logistics Standard Support (DMLSS) customer assistance module |
| DCAPES | Deliberate and Crisis Action Planning and Execution Segments |
| DCAPES | Deliberate and Crisis Action Planning and Execution Segments |
| DCC | damage control center; deployment control center |
| DCC | damage control center; deployment control center |
| DCCC | defense collection coordination center |
| DCCC | defense collection coordination center |
| DCCEP | developing country combined exercise program |
| DCCEP | developing country combined exercise program |
| DCD | data collection device |
| DCD | data collection device |
| DCE | defense coordinating element |
| DCE | defense coordinating element |
| DCGS | distributed common ground/surface system |
| DCGS | distributed common ground/surface system |
| DCHA | Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance |
| DCHA | Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance |
| DCI | defense critical infrastructure; Director of Central Intelligence; dual channel interchange |
| DCI | defense critical infrastructure; Director of Central Intelligence; dual channel interchange |
| DCID | Director of Central Intelligence directive |
| DCID | Director of Central Intelligence directive |
| DCIIS | Defense Counterintelligence Information System |
| DCIIS | Defense Counterintelligence Information System |
| DCIO | defense criminal investigative organization |
| DCIO | defense criminal investigative organization |
| DCIP | Defense Critical Infrastructure Program |
| DCIP | Defense Critical Infrastructure Program |
| DCIS | Defense Criminal Investigative Services |
| DCIS | Defense Criminal Investigative Services |
| DCJTF | deputy commander, joint task force |
| DCJTF | deputy commander, joint task force |
| DCM | data channel multiplexer; deputy chief of mission |
| DCM | data channel multiplexer; deputy chief of mission |
| DCMA | Defense Contract Management Agency |
| DCMA | Defense Contract Management Agency |
| DCMC | Office of Deputy Chairman, Military Committee |
| DCMC | Office of Deputy Chairman, Military Committee |
| DCMO | deputy chief military observer |
| DCMO | deputy chief military observer |
| DCNO | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations |
| DCNO | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations |
| DCO | Defense Connect Online; defense coordinating officer; dial central office |
| DCO | Defense Connect Online; defense coordinating officer; dial central office |
| DCP | Defense Continuity Program; detainee collection point |
| DCP | Defense Continuity Program; detainee collection point |
| DCPA | Defense Civil Preparedness Agency |
| DCPA | Defense Civil Preparedness Agency |
| DCPG | digital clock pulse generator |
| DCPG | digital clock pulse generator |
| DCR | DOTMLPF change recommendation |
| DCR | DOTMLPF change recommendation |
| DCS | Defense Communications System; Defense Courier Service; deputy chief of staff; digital computer system |
| DCS | Defense Communications System; Defense Courier Service; deputy chief of staff; digital computer system |
| DCSCU | dual capability servo control unit |
| DCSCU | dual capability servo control unit |
| DCSINT | Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence |
| DCSINT | Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence |
| DCSLOG | Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, US Army |
| DCSLOG | Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, US Army |
| DCSOPS | Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, United States Army |
| DCSOPS | Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, United States Army |
| DCSPER | Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, United States Army |
| DCSPER | Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, United States Army |
| DCST | Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) contingency support team |
| DCST | Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) contingency support team |
| DCTS | Defense Collaboration Tool Suite |
| DCTS | Defense Collaboration Tool Suite |
| DD | Department of Defense (form); destroyer (Navy ship) |
| DD | Department of Defense (form); destroyer (Navy ship) |
| DDA | Deputy Director for Administration (CIA); designated development activity |
| DDA | Deputy Director for Administration (CIA); designated development activity |
| DDC | data distribution center; defense distribution center |
| DDC | data distribution center; defense distribution center |
| DDCI | Deputy Director of Central Intelligence (CIA) |
| DDCI | Deputy Director of Central Intelligence (CIA) |
| DDCI/CM | Deputy Director of Central Intelligence for Community Management |
| DDCI/CM | Deputy Director of Central Intelligence for Community Management |
| DDED | defense distribution expeditionary depot |
| DDED | defense distribution expeditionary depot |
| DDG | guided missile destroyer |
| DDG | guided missile destroyer |
| DDI | Deputy Director of Intelligence (CIA) |
| DDI | Deputy Director of Intelligence (CIA) |
| DDL | digital data link |
| DDL | digital data link |
| DDM | digital data modem |
| DDM | digital data modem |
| DDMA | Defense Distribution Mapping Activity |
| DDMA | Defense Distribution Mapping Activity |
| DDMS | Deputy Director for Military Support |
| DDMS | Deputy Director for Military Support |
| DDN | Defense Data Network |
| DDN | Defense Data Network |
| DDO | Deputy Director of Operations (CIA) |
| DDO | Deputy Director of Operations (CIA) |
| DDOC | Deployment and Distribution Operations Center (USTRANSCOM) |
| DDOC | Deployment and Distribution Operations Center (USTRANSCOM) |
| DDP | detailed deployment plan |
| DDP | detailed deployment plan |
| DDR | disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration |
| DDR | disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration |
| DDR&E | director of defense research and engineering |
| DDR&E | director of defense research and engineering |
| DDRRR | disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, reintegration, and resettlement |
| DDRRR | disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, reintegration, and resettlement |
| DDS | defense dissemination system; Deployable Disbursing System; dry deck shelter |
| DDS | defense dissemination system; Deployable Disbursing System; dry deck shelter |
| DDS&T | Deputy Director for Science & Technology (CIA) |
| DDS&T | Deputy Director for Science & Technology (CIA) |
| DDSM | Defense Distinguished Service Medal |
| DDSM | Defense Distinguished Service Medal |
| DDWSO | Deputy Director for Wargaming, Simulation, and Operations |
| DDWSO | Deputy Director for Wargaming, Simulation, and Operations |
| DE | damage expectancy; delay equalizer; directed energy |
| De | total drift error |
| DE | damage expectancy; delay equalizer; directed energy |
| De | total drift error |
| de | individual drift error |
| de facto boundary | (DOD,NATO) An international or administrative boundary whose existence and legality is not recognized, but which is a practical division between separate national and provincial administering authorities. |
| de jure boundary | (DOD,NATO) An international or administrative boundary whose existence and legality is recognized. |
| de max | maximum drift error |
| de min | minimum drift error |
| de minimax | minimax drift error |
| de-arming | (DOD) An operation in which a weapon is changed from a state of readiness for initiation to a safe condition. Also called safing. See also arm or de-arm. |
| DEA | Drug Enforcement Administration |
| DEA | Drug Enforcement Administration |
| dea | aerospace drift error |
| DEACN | Drug Enforcement Administration Communications Network |
| DEACN | Drug Enforcement Administration Communications Network |
| dead mine | (DOD,NATO) A mine which has been neutralized, sterilized, or rendered safe. See also mine. |
| dead space | (DOD,NATO) 2. An area or zone which is within range of a radio transmitter, but in which a signal is not received. |
| dead space | (DOD,NATO) 1. An area within the maximum range of a weapon, radar, or observer, which cannot be covered by fire or observation from a particular position because of intervening obstacles, the nature of the ground, or the characteristics of the trajectory, or the limitations of the pointing capabilities of the weapon. |
| dead space | (DOD,NATO) 3. The volume of space above and around a gun or guided missile system into which it cannot fire because of mechanical or electronic limitations. |
| DEAR | disease and environmental alert report |
| DEAR | disease and environmental alert report |
| DEARAS | Department of Defense (DOD) Emergency Authorities Retrieval and Analysis System |
| DEARAS | Department of Defense (DOD) Emergency Authorities Retrieval and Analysis System |
| debarkation | (DOD) The unloading of troops, equipment, or supplies from a ship or aircraft. |
| debarkation net | (DOD) A specially prepared type of cargo net employed for the debarkation of troops over the side of a ship. |
| debarkation schedule | (DOD,NATO) A schedule which provides for the timely and orderly debarkation of troops and equipment and emergency supplies for the waterborne ship-to-shore movement. |
| DeCA | Defense Commissary Agency |
| DeCA | Defense Commissary Agency |
| deceased | (DOD) A casualty status applicable to a person who is either known to have died, determined to have died on the basis of conclusive evidence, or declared to be dead on the basis of a presumptive finding of death. The recovery of remains is not a prerequisite to determining or declaring a person deceased. See also casualty status. |
| decentralized control | (DOD) In air defense, the normal mode whereby a higher echelon monitors unit actions, making direct target assignments to units only when necessary to ensure proper fire distribution or to prevent engagement of friendly aircraft. See also centralized control. |
| decentralized execution | (DOD) Delegation of execution authority to subordinate commanders. |
| deception | (DOD) Those measures designed to mislead the enemy by manipulation, distortion, or falsification of evidence to induce the enemy to react in a manner prejudicial to the enemy's interests. See also counterdeception; military deception. |
| deception action | (DOD) A collection of related deception events that form a major component of a deception operation. |
| deception concept | (DOD) The deception course of action forwarded to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for review as part of the combatant commander's strategic concept. |
| deception course of action | (DOD) A deception scheme developed during the estimate process in sufficient detail to permit decisionmaking. At a minimum, a deception course of action will identify the deception objective, the deception target, the desired perception, the deception story, and tentative deception means. |
| deception event | (DOD) A deception means executed at a specific time and location in support of a deception operation. |
| deception means | (DOD) Methods, resources, and techniques that can be used to convey information to the deception target. There are three categories of deception means: a. physical means. Activities and resources used to convey or deny selected information to a foreign power. b. technical means. Military material resources and their associated operating techniques used to convey or deny selected information to a foreign power. c. administrative means. Resources, methods, and techniques to convey or deny oral, pictorial, documentary, or other physical evidence to a foreign power. |
| deception objective | (DOD) The desired result of a deception operation expressed in terms of what the adversary is to do or not to do at the critical time and/or location. |
| deception story | (DOD) A scenario that outlines the friendly actions that will be portrayed to cause the deception target to adopt the desired perception. |
| deception target | (DOD) The adversary decisionmaker with the authority to make the decision that will achieve the deception objective. |
| decision | (DOD) In an estimate of the situation, a clear and concise statement of the line of action intended to be followed by the commander as the one most favorable to the successful accomplishment of the assigned mission. |
| decision point | (DOD) A point in space and time when the commander or staff anticipates making a key decision concerning a specific course of action. See also course of action; decision support template; target area of interest. |
| decision support template | (DOD) A combined intelligence and operations graphic based on the results of wargaming. The decision support template depicts decision points, timelines associated with movement of forces and the flow of the operation, and other key items of information required to execute a specific friendly course of action. See also course of action; decision point. |
| decisive engagement | (DOD) In land and naval warfare, an engagement in which a unit is considered fully committed and cannot maneuver or extricate itself. In the absence of outside assistance, the action must be fought to a conclusion and either won or lost with the forces at hand. |
| decisive point | (DOD) A geographic place, specific key event, critical factor, or function that, when acted upon, allows commanders to gain a marked advantage over an adversary or contribute materially to achieving success. See also center of gravity. |
| deck alert | (DOD,NATO) See ground alert. |
| deck status light | (DOD) A three-colored light (red, amber, green) controlled from the primary flight control. Navy - The light displays the status of the ship to support flight operations. United States Coast Guard - The light displays clearance for a helicopter to conduct a given evolution. |
| DECL | declassify |
| DECL | declassify |
| declassification | (DOD) The determination that, in the interests of national security, classified information no longer requires any degree of protection against unauthorized disclosure, coupled with removal or cancellation of the classification designation. |
| declassify | (DOD,NATO) To cancel the security classification of an item of classified matter. Also called DECL. See also downgrade. |
| declination | (DOD,NATO) The angular distance to a body on the celestial sphere measured north or south through 90 degrees from the celestial equator along the hour circle of the body. Comparable to latitude on the terrestrial sphere. See also magnetic declination; magnetic variation. |
| decompression | (DOD) In personnel recovery, the process of normalizing psychological and behavioral reactions that recovered isolated personnel experienced or are currently experiencing as a result of their isolation and recovery. |
| decompression chamber | (DOD,NATO) See hyperbaric chamber. |
| decontamination | (DOD) The process of making any person, object, or area safe by absorbing, destroying, neutralizing, making harmless, or removing chemical or biological agents, or by removing radioactive material clinging to or around it. |
| decontamination station | (DOD,NATO) A building or location suitably equipped and organized where personnel and materiel are cleansed of chemical, biological, or radiological contaminants. |
| decoy | (DOD) An imitation in any sense of a person, object, or phenomenon which is intended to deceive enemy surveillance devices or mislead enemy evaluation. Also called dummy. |
| decoy ship | (DOD,NATO) A ship camouflaged as a noncombatant ship with its armament and other fighting equipment hidden and with special provisions for unmasking its weapons quickly. Also called Q-ship. |
| deep fording capability | (DOD,NATO) The characteristic of a self-propelled gun or ground vehicle equipped with built-in waterproofing and/or a special waterproofing kit, to negotiate a water obstacle with its wheels or tracks in contact with the ground. |
| deep minefield | (DOD,NATO) An antisubmarine minefield which is safe for surface ships to cross. See also minefield. |
| DEFCON | defense readiness condition |
| DEFCON | defense readiness condition |
| defended asset list | (DOD) In defensive counterair operations, a listing of those assets from the critical asset list prioritized by the joint force commander to be defended with the resources available. Also called DAL. |
| defense area | (DOD,NATO) For any particular command, the area extending from the forward edge of the battle area to its rear boundary. It is here that the decisive defensive battle is fought. |
| Defense Communications System | (DOD) Department of Defense long-haul voice, data, and record traffic system which includes the Defense Data Network, Defense Satellite Communications System, and Defense Switched Network. Also called DCS. See also Defense Switched Network. |
| Defense Communications System | (DOD) Department of Defense long-haul voice, data, and record traffic system which includes the Defense Data Network, Defense Satellite Communications System, and Defense Switched Network. Also called DCS. See also Defense Switched Network. |
| defense coordinating element | (DOD) A staff and military liaison officers who assist the defense coordinating officer in facilitating coordination and support to activated emergency support functions. Also called DCE. |
| defense coordinating officer | (DOD) Department of Defense single point of contact for domestic emergencies. Assigned to a joint field office to process requirements for military support, forward mission assignments through proper channels to the appropriate military organizations, and assign military liaisons, as appropriate, to activated emergency support functions. Also called DCO. |
| defense critical infrastructure | (DOD) Department of Defense and non-Department of Defense networked assets and essential to project, support, and sustain military forces and operations worldwide. Also called DCI. |
| defense emergency | (DOD) An emergency condition that exists when: a. a major attack is made upon US forces overseas or on allied forces in any theater and is confirmed by either the commander of a command established by the Secretary of Defense or higher authority; or b. an overt attack of any type is made upon the United States and is confirmed either by the commander of a command established by the Secretary of Defense or higher authority. |
| defense in depth | (DOD) The siting of mutually supporting defense positions designed to absorb and progressively weaken attack, prevent initial observations of the whole position by the enemy, and to allow the commander to maneuver the reserve. |
| defense industrial base | (DOD) The Department of Defense, government, and private sector worldwide industrial complex with capabilities to perform research and development, design, produce, and maintain military weapon systems, subsystems, components, or parts to meet military requirements. |
| defense information infrastructure | (DOD) The shared or interconnected system of computers, communications, data applications, security, people, training, and other support structures serving Department of Defense (DOD) local, national, and worldwide information needs. The defense information infrastructure connects DOD mission support, command and control, and intelligence computers through voice, telecommunications, imagery, video, and multimedia services. It provides information processing and services to subscribers over the Defense Information Systems Network and includes command and control, tactical, intelligence, and commercial communications systems used to transmit DOD information. Also called DII. See also global information infrastructure; information; infrastructure; national information infrastructure. |
| Defense Information Systems Network | (DOD) Integrated network, centrally managed and configured to provide long-haul information transfer services for all Department of Defense activities. It is an information transfer utility designed to provide dedicated point-to-point, switched voice and data, imagery, and video teleconferencing services. Also called DISN. |
| Defense Information Systems Network | (DOD) Integrated network, centrally managed and configured to provide long-haul information transfer services for all Department of Defense activities. It is an information transfer utility designed to provide dedicated point-to-point, switched voice and data, imagery, and video teleconferencing services. Also called DISN. |
| defense message system | (DOD) Consists of all hardware, software, procedures, standards, facilities, and personnel used to exchange messages electronically. |
| Defense Meteorological Satellite Program | (DOD) Military weather satellite controlled by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Also called DMSP. |
| Defense Meteorological Satellite Program | (DOD) Military weather satellite controlled by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Also called DMSP. |
| Defense Planning Guidance | (DOD) This document, issued by the Secretary of Defense, provides firm guidance in the form of goals, priorities, and objectives, including fiscal constraints, for the development of the Program Objective Memorandums by the Military Departments and Defense agencies. Also called DPG. |
| Defense Planning Guidance | (DOD) This document, issued by the Secretary of Defense, provides firm guidance in the form of goals, priorities, and objectives, including fiscal constraints, for the development of the Program Objective Memorandums by the Military Departments and Defense agencies. Also called DPG. |
| defense readiness condition | (DOD) A uniform system of progressive alert postures for use between the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the commanders of unified and specified commands and for use by the Services. Defense readiness conditions are graduated to match situations of varying military severity (status of alert). Defense readiness conditions are identified by the short title DEFCON (5), (4), (3), (2), and (1), as appropriate. Also called DEFCON. |
| Defense Satellite Communications System | (DOD) Geosynchronous military communications satellites that provide high data rate communications for military forces, diplomatic corps, and the White House. The Defense Satellite Communications System provides long-haul super-high frequency 7/8 gigahertz voice and high data rate communications for fixed and transportable terminals, and extends mobile service to a limited number of ships and aircraft. Also called DSCS. |
| Defense Satellite Communications System | (DOD) Geosynchronous military communications satellites that provide high data rate communications for military forces, diplomatic corps, and the White House. The Defense Satellite Communications System provides long-haul super-high frequency 7/8 gigahertz voice and high data rate communications for fixed and transportable terminals, and extends mobile service to a limited number of ships and aircraft. Also called DSCS. |
| defense support of civil authorities | (DOD) Civil support provided under the auspices of the National Response Plan. Also called DSCA. |
| Defense Support Program | (DOD) Satellites that provide early warning of missile launches; the first line of defense against missile attack against North America. Also called DSP. |
| Defense Support Program | (DOD) Satellites that provide early warning of missile launches; the first line of defense against missile attack against North America. Also called DSP. |
| defense support to public diplomacy | (DOD) Those activities and measures taken by the Department of Defense components to support and facilitate public diplomacy efforts of the United States Government. Also called DSPD. |
| Defense Switched Network | (DOD) Component of the Defense Communications System that handles Department of Defense voice, data, and video communications. Also called DSN. See also Defense Communications System. |
| Defense Switched Network | (DOD) Component of the Defense Communications System that handles Department of Defense voice, data, and video communications. Also called DSN. See also Defense Communications System. |
| Defense Transportation System | (DOD) That portion of the Nation's transportation infrastructure that supports Department of Defense common-user transportation needs across the range of military operations. It consists of those common-user military and commercial assets, services, and systems organic to, contracted for, or controlled by the Department of Defense. Also called DTS. See also common-user transportation; transportation system. |
| Defense Transportation System | (DOD) That portion of the Nation's transportation infrastructure that supports Department of Defense common-user transportation needs across the range of military operations. It consists of those common-user military and commercial assets, services, and systems organic to, contracted for, or controlled by the Department of Defense. Also called DTS. See also common-user transportation; transportation system. |
| defensive coastal area | (DOD,NATO) A part of a coastal area and of the air, land, and water area adjacent to the coastline within which defense operations may involve land, sea, and air forces. |
| defensive counterair | (DOD) All defensive measures designed to detect, identify, intercept, and destroy or negate enemy forces attempting to penetrate or attack through friendly airspace. Also called DCA. See also counterair; offensive counterair. |
| defensive minefield | (DOD,NATO) 1. In naval mine warfare, a minefield laid in international waters or international straits with the declared intention of controlling shipping in defense of sea communications. |
| defensive minefield | (DOD only) 2. In land mine warfare, a minefield laid in accordance with an established plan to prevent a penetration between positions and to strengthen the defense of the positions themselves. See also minefield. |
| defensive sea area | (DOD) A sea area, usually including the approaches to and the waters of important ports, harbors, bays, or sounds, for the control and protection of shipping; for the safeguarding of defense installations bordering on waters of the areas; and for provision of other security measures required within the specified areas. It does not extend seaward beyond the territorial waters. See also maritime control area. |
| defensive space control | (DOD) Operations conducted to preserve the ability to exploit space capabilities via active and passive actions, while protecting friendly space capabilities from attack, interference, or unintentional hazards. |
| defilade | (DOD) 3. To shield from enemy fire or observation by using natural or artificial obstacles. |
| defilade | (DOD) 2. A vertical distance by which a position is concealed from enemy observation. |
| defilade | (DOD) 1. Protection from hostile observation and fire provided by an obstacle such as a hill, ridge, or bank. |
| definitive care | (DOD) Care rendered to conclusively manage a patient's condition. It includes the full range of preventive, curative acute, convalescent, restorative, and rehabilitative medical care. This normally leads to rehabilitation, return to duty, or discharge from the Service. |
| defoliant operation | (DOD,NATO) The employment of defoliating agents on vegetated areas in support of military operations. |
| defoliating agent | (DOD,NATO) A chemical which causes trees, shrubs, and other plants to shed their leaves prematurely. |
| DEFSMAC | Defense Special Missile and Aerospace Center |
| DEFSMAC | Defense Special Missile and Aerospace Center |
| degaussing | (DOD) The process whereby a ship's magnetic field is reduced by the use of electromagnetic coils, permanent magnets, or other means. |
| degree of risk | (DOD) As specified by the commander, the risk to which friendly forces may be subjected from the effects of the detonation of a nuclear weapon used in the attack of a close-in enemy target; acceptable degrees of risk under differing tactical conditions are emergency, moderate, and negligible. See also negligible risk (nuclear). |
| DEL | deployable equipment list |
| DEL | deployable equipment list |
| delay release sinker | (DOD,NATO) A sinker which holds a moored mine on the sea-bed for a predetermined time after laying. |
| delayed entry program | (DOD) A program under which an individual may enlist in a Reserve Component of a military service and specify a future reporting date for entry on active duty that would coincide with availability of training spaces and with personal plans such as high school graduation. Also called DEP. See also active duty. |
| delaying action | (DOD,NATO) See delaying operation. |
| delaying operation | (DOD) An operation in which a force under pressure trades space for time by slowing down the enemy's momentum and inflicting maximum damage on the enemy without, in principle, becoming decisively engaged. |
| delegation of authority | (DOD) The action by which a commander assigns part of his or her authority commensurate with the assigned task to a subordinate commander. While ultimate responsibility cannot be relinquished, delegation of authority carries with it the imposition of a measure of responsibility. The extent of the authority delegated must be clearly stated. |
| deliberate attack | (DOD,NATO) A type of offensive action characterized by preplanned coordinated employment of firepower and maneuver to close with and destroy or capture the enemy. |
| deliberate breaching | (DOD,NATO) The creation of a lane through a minefield or a clear route through a barrier or fortification, which is systematically planned and carried out. |
| deliberate crossing | (DOD,NATO) The crossing of an inland water obstacle that requires extensive planning and detailed preparations. See also hasty crossing. |
| deliberate defense | (DOD,NATO) A defense normally organized when out of contact with the enemy or when contact with the enemy is not imminent and time for organization is available. It normally includes an extensive fortified zone incorporating pillboxes, forts, and communications systems. See also hasty defense. |
| delivery error | (DOD,NATO) The inaccuracy associated with a given weapon system resulting in a dispersion of shots about the aiming point. See also circular error probable; deviation; dispersion; dispersion error; horizontal error. |
| DEMARC | demarcation |
| DEMARC | demarcation |
| DEMIL | demilitarization |
| DEMIL | demilitarization |
| demilitarized zone | (DOD) A defined area in which the stationing or concentrating of military forces, or the retention or establishment of military installations of any description, is prohibited. |
| demobilization | (DOD) The process of transitioning a conflict or wartime military establishment and defense-based civilian economy to a peacetime configuration while maintaining national security and economic vitality. See also mobilization. |
| demolition chamber | (DOD,NATO) Space intentionally provided in a structure for the emplacement of explosive charges. |
| demolition kit | (DOD,NATO) The demolition tool kit complete with explosives. See also demolition tool kit. |
| demolition target | (DOD,NATO) A target of known military interest identified for possible future demolition. See also charged demolition target; preliminary demolition target; uncharged demolition target. |
| demolition tool kit | (DOD,NATO) The tools, materials and accessories of a nonexplosive nature necessary for preparing demolition charges. See also demolition kit. |
| demonstration | (DOD) 2. In military deception, a show of force in an area where a decision is not sought that is made to deceive an adversary. It is similar to a feint but no actual contact with the adversary is intended. |
| demonstration | (DOD) 1. An attack or show of force on a front where a decision is not sought, made with the aim of deceiving the enemy. See also amphibious demonstration; diversion; diversionary attack. |
| DeMS | deployment management system |
| DeMS | deployment management system |
| DEMUX | demultiplex |
| DEMUX | demultiplex |
| denial measure | (DOD) An action to hinder or deny the enemy the use of territory, personnel, or facilities. It may include destruction, removal, contamination, or erection of obstructions. |
| denied area | (DOD) An area under enemy or unfriendly control in which friendly forces cannot expect to operate successfully within existing operational constraints and force capabilities. |
| DEP | Delayed Entry Program; deployed |
| DEP | Delayed Entry Program; deployed |
| DEP&S | Drug Enforcement Plans and Support |
| DEP&S | Drug Enforcement Plans and Support |
| Department of Defense civilian | (DOD) A Federal civilian employee of the Department of Defense directly hired and paid from appropriated or nonappropriated funds, under permanent or temporary appointment. Specifically excluded are contractors and foreign host nationals as well as third country civilians. |
| Department of Defense civilian | (DOD) A Federal civilian employee of the Department of Defense directly hired and paid from appropriated or nonappropriated funds, under permanent or temporary appointment. Specifically excluded are contractors and foreign host nationals as well as third country civilians. |
| Department of Defense components | (DOD) The Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Military Departments, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the combatant commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Department of Defense Agencies, field activities, and all other organizational entities in the Department of Defense. |
| Department of Defense components | (DOD) The Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Military Departments, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the combatant commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Department of Defense Agencies, field activities, and all other organizational entities in the Department of Defense. |
| Department of Defense construction agent | (DOD) The Corps of Engineers, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, or other such approved Department of Defense activity, that is assigned design or execution responsibilities associated with military construction programs, facilities support, or civil engineering support to the combatant commanders in contingency operations. See also contingency operation. |
| Department of Defense construction agent | (DOD) The Corps of Engineers, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, or other such approved Department of Defense activity, that is assigned design or execution responsibilities associated with military construction programs, facilities support, or civil engineering support to the combatant commanders in contingency operations. See also contingency operation. |
| Department of Defense container system | (DOD) All Department of Defense owned, leased, and controlled 20- or 40-foot intermodal International Organization for Standardization containers and flatracks, supporting equipment such as generator sets and chassis, container handling equipment, information systems, and other infrastructure that supports Department of Defense transportation and logistic operations, including commercially provided transportation services. This also includes 463L pallets, nets, and tie down equipment as integral components of the Department of Defense container system. See also container-handling equipment; containerization; International Organization for Standardization. |
| Department of Defense container system | (DOD) All Department of Defense owned, leased, and controlled 20- or 40-foot intermodal International Organization for Standardization containers and flatracks, supporting equipment such as generator sets and chassis, container handling equipment, information systems, and other infrastructure that supports Department of Defense transportation and logistic operations, including commercially provided transportation services. This also includes 463L pallets, nets, and tie down equipment as integral components of the Department of Defense container system. See also container-handling equipment; containerization; International Organization for Standardization. |
| Department of Defense Intelligence Information System | (DOD) The combination of Department of Defense personnel, procedures, equipment, computer programs, and supporting communications that support the timely and comprehensive preparation and presentation of intelligence and information to military commanders and national-level decision makers. Also called DODIIS. |
| Department of Defense Intelligence Information System | (DOD) The combination of Department of Defense personnel, procedures, equipment, computer programs, and supporting communications that support the timely and comprehensive preparation and presentation of intelligence and information to military commanders and national-level decision makers. Also called DODIIS. |
| Department of Defense Intelligence Information System Enterprise | (DOD) The global set of resources (people, facilities, hardware, software and processes) that provide information technology and information management services to the military intelligence community through a tightly-integrated, interconnected and geographically distributed regional service center architecture. |
| Department of Defense Intelligence Information System Enterprise | (DOD) The global set of resources (people, facilities, hardware, software and processes) that provide information technology and information management services to the military intelligence community through a tightly-integrated, interconnected and geographically distributed regional service center architecture. |
| Department of Defense intelligence production | (DOD) The integration, evaluation, analysis, and interpretation of information from single or multiple sources into finished intelligence for known or anticipated military and related national security consumer requirements. |
| Department of Defense intelligence production | (DOD) The integration, evaluation, analysis, and interpretation of information from single or multiple sources into finished intelligence for known or anticipated military and related national security consumer requirements. |
| Department of Defense support to counterdrug operations | (DOD) Support provided by the Department of Defense to law enforcement agencies to detect, monitor, and counter the production, trafficking, and use of illegal drugs. See also counterdrug operations. |
| Department of Defense support to counterdrug operations | (DOD) Support provided by the Department of Defense to law enforcement agencies to detect, monitor, and counter the production, trafficking, and use of illegal drugs. See also counterdrug operations. |
| Department of the Air Force | (DOD) The executive part of the Department of the Air Force at the seat of government and all field headquarters, forces, Reserve Components, installations, activities, and functions under the control or supervision of the Secretary of the Air Force. Also called DAF. See also Military Department. |
| Department of the Air Force | (DOD) The executive part of the Department of the Air Force at the seat of government and all field headquarters, forces, Reserve Components, installations, activities, and functions under the control or supervision of the Secretary of the Air Force. Also called DAF. See also Military Department. |
| Department of the Army | (DOD) The executive part of the Department of the Army at the seat of government and all field headquarters, forces, Reserve Components, installations, activities, and functions under the control or supervision of the Secretary of the Army. Also called DA. See also Military Department. |
| Department of the Army | (DOD) The executive part of the Department of the Army at the seat of government and all field headquarters, forces, Reserve Components, installations, activities, and functions under the control or supervision of the Secretary of the Army. Also called DA. See also Military Department. |
| Department of the Navy | (DOD) The executive part of the Department of the Navy at the seat of government; the headquarters, US Marine Corps; the entire operating forces of the United States Navy and of the US Marine Corps, including the Reserve Components of such forces; all field activities, headquarters, forces, bases, installations, activities, and functions under the control or supervision of the Secretary of the Navy; and the US Coast Guard when operating as a part of the Navy pursuant to law. Also called DON. See also Military Department. |
| Department of the Navy | (DOD) The executive part of the Department of the Navy at the seat of government; the headquarters, US Marine Corps; the entire operating forces of the United States Navy and of the US Marine Corps, including the Reserve Components of such forces; all field activities, headquarters, forces, bases, installations, activities, and functions under the control or supervision of the Secretary of the Navy; and the US Coast Guard when operating as a part of the Navy pursuant to law. Also called DON. See also Military Department. |
| departmental intelligence | (DOD) Intelligence that any department or agency of the Federal Government requires to execute its own mission. |
| departure airfield | (DOD) An airfield on which troops and/or materiel are enplaned for flight. See also airfield. |
| departure end | (DOD,NATO) That end of a runway nearest to the direction in which initial departure is made. |
| departure point | (DOD) 1. A navigational check point used by aircraft as a marker for setting course. |
| departure point | (DOD) 2. In amphibious operations, an air control point at the seaward end of the helicopter approach lane system from which helicopter waves are dispatched along the selected helicopter approach lane to the initial point. |
| DEPCJTF | deputy commander, joint task force |
| DEPCJTF | deputy commander, joint task force |
| dependents/immediate family | (DOD) An employee's spouse; children who are unmarried and under age 21 years or who, regardless of age, are physically or mentally incapable of self-support; dependent parents, including step and legally adoptive parents of the employee's spouse; and dependent brothers and sisters, including step and legally adoptive brothers and sisters of the employee's spouse who are unmarried and under 21 years of age or who, regardless of age, are physically or mentally incapable of self support. |
| DEPID | deployment indicator code |
| DEPID | deployment indicator code |
| deployable joint task force augmentation cell | (DOD) A combatant commander asset composed of personnel from the combatant command and components' staffs. The members are a joint, multidisciplined group of planners and operators who operationally report to the combatant commander's operations directorate until deployed to a joint task force. Also called DJTFAC. |
| deployed nuclear weapons | (DOD) 1. When used in connection with the transfer of weapons between the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense, this term describes those weapons transferred to and in the custody of the Department of Defense. |
| deployed nuclear weapons | (DOD) 2. Those nuclear weapons specifically authorized by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to be transferred to the custody of the storage facilities or carrying or delivery units of the Armed Forces. |
| deployment | (DOD) 4. The relocation of forces and materiel to desired operational areas. Deployment encompasses all activities from origin or home station through destination, specifically including intra-continental United States, intertheater, and intratheater movement legs, staging, and holding areas. See also deployment order; deployment planning; prepare to deploy order. |
| deployment | (DOD) 3. The positioning of forces into a formation for battle. |
| deployment | (DOD) 1. In naval usage, the change from a cruising approach or contact disposition to a disposition for battle. |
| deployment | (DOD) 2. The movement of forces within operational areas. |
| deployment database | (DOD) The Joint Operation Planning and Execution System database containing the necessary information on forces, materiel, and filler and replacement personnel movement requirements to support execution. The database reflects information contained in the refined time-phased force and deployment data from the contingency planning process or developed during the various phases of the crisis action planning process, and the movement schedules or tables developed by the transportation component commands to support the deployment of required forces, personnel, and materiel. See also time-phased force and deployment data. |
| deployment health surveillance | (DOD) The regular or repeated collection, analysis, archiving, interpretation, and distribution of health-related data used for monitoring the health of a population or of individuals, and for intervening in a timely manner to prevent, treat, or control the occurrence of disease or injury. It includes occupational and environmental health surveillance and medical surveillance subcomponents. |
| deployment order | (DOD) A planning directive from the Secretary of Defense, issued by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, that authorizes and directs the transfer of forces between combatant commands by reassignment or attachment. A deployment order normally specifies the authority that the gaining combatant commander will exercise over the transferred forces. Also called DEPORD. See also deployment; deployment planning; prepare to deploy order. |
| deployment planning | (DOD) Operational planning directed toward the movement of forces and sustainment resources from their original locations to a specific operational area for conducting the joint operations contemplated in a given plan. Encompasses all activities from origin or home station through destination, specifically including intra-continental United States, intertheater, and intratheater movement legs, staging areas, and holding areas. See also deployment; deployment order; prepare to deploy order. |
| DEPMEDS | deployable medical systems |
| DEPMEDS | deployable medical systems |
| DepOpsDeps | Service deputy operations deputies |
| DepOpsDeps | Service deputy operations deputies |
| DEPORD | deployment order |
| DEPORD | deployment order |
| depot | (DOD) 1. supply--An activity for the receipt, classification, storage, accounting, issue, maintenance, procurement, manufacture, assembly, research, salvage, or disposal of material. |
| depot | (DOD) 2. personnel--An activity for the reception, processing, training, assignment, and forwarding of personnel replacements. |
| depot maintenance | (DOD) That maintenance performed on materiel requiring major overhaul or a complete rebuild of parts, assemblies, subassemblies, and end-items, including the manufacture of parts, modifications, testing, and reclamation as required. Depot maintenance serves to support lower categories of maintenance by providing technical assistance and performing that maintenance beyond their responsibility. Depot maintenance provides stocks of serviceable equipment by using more extensive facilities for repair than are available in lower level maintenance activities. |
| depth | (DOD,NATO) In maritime/hydrographic use, the vertical distance from the plane of the hydrographic datum to the bed of the sea, lake, or river. |
| depth contour | (DOD,NATO) A line connecting points of equal depth below the hydrographic datum. Also called bathymetric contour or depth curve. |
| depth curve | (DOD,NATO) See depth contour. |
| DESC | Defense Energy Support Center |
| DESC | Defense Energy Support Center |
| DESCOM | Depot System Command (Army) |
| DESCOM | Depot System Command (Army) |
| descriptive name | (DOD,NATO) Written indication on maps and charts, used to specify the nature of a feature (natural or artificial) shown by a general symbol. |
| DESIGAREA | designated area message |
| DESIGAREA | designated area message |
| design basis threat | (DOD) The threat against which an asset must be protected and upon which the protective system's design is based. It is the baseline type and size of threat that buildings or other structures are designed to withstand. The design basis threat includes the tactics aggressors will use against the asset and the tools, weapons, and explosives employed in these tactics. Also called DBT. |
| designated planning agent | (DOD) The commander responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing military taskings in civil emergencies for a particular branch or agency of the Department of Defense. |
| desired effects | (DOD) The damage or casualties to the enemy or materiel that a commander desires to achieve from a nuclear weapon detonation. Damage effects on materiel are classified as light, moderate, or severe. Casualty effects on personnel may be immediate, prompt, or delayed. |
| desired ground zero | (DOD,NATO) The point on the surface of the Earth at, or vertically below or above, the center of a planned nuclear detonation. See also actual ground zero; ground zero. |
| desired mean point of impact | (DOD) A precise point, associated with a target, and assigned as the center for impact of multiple weapons or area munitions to create a desired effect. May be defined descriptively, by grid reference, or by geolocation. Also called DMPI. See also aimpoint; desired point of impact. |
| desired perception | (DOD) In military deception, what the deception target must believe for it to make the decision that will achieve the deception objective. |
| desired point of impact | (DOD) A precise point, associated with a target, and assigned as the impact point for a single unitary weapon to create a desired effect. May be defined descriptively, by grid preferences, or geolocation. Also called DPI. See also aimpoint; desired mean point of impact. |
| DEST | destination; domestic emergency support team |
| DEST | destination; domestic emergency support team |
| destroyed | (DOD) A condition of a target so damaged that it can neither function as intended nor be restored to a usable condition. In the case of a building, all vertical supports and spanning members are damaged to such an extent that nothing is salvageable. In the case of bridges, all spans must have dropped and all piers must require replacement. |
| destruction fire | (DOD) Fire delivered for the sole purpose of destroying material objects. |
| destruction fire mission | (DOD,NATO) In artillery, fire delivered for the purpose of destroying a point target. |
| destruction radius | (DOD,NATO) In mine warfare, the maximum distance from an exploding charge of stated size and type at which a mine will be destroyed by sympathetic detonation of the main charge, with a stated probability of destruction, regardless of orientation. |
| DET | detachment; detainee |
| DET | detachment; detainee |
| detachment | (DOD,NATO) 1. A part of a unit separated from its main organization for duty elsewhere. |
| detachment | (DOD,NATO) 2. A temporary military or naval unit formed from other units or parts of units. Also called DET. |
| detailed photographic report | (DOD,NATO) A comprehensive, analytical, intelligence report written as a result of the interpretation of photography usually covering a single subject, a target, target complex, and of a detailed nature. |
| detained | (DOD) See missing. |
| detainee | (DOD) A term used to refer to any person captured or otherwise detained by an armed force. |
| detainee collecting point | (DOD) A facility or other location where detainees are assembled for subsequent movement to a detainee processing station. |
| detainee processing station | (DOD) A facility or other location where detainees are administratively processed and provided custodial care pending disposition and subsequent release, transfer, or movement to a prisoner-of-war or civilian internee camp. |
| detecting circuit | (DOD.NATO) The part of a mine firing circuit which responds to the influence of a target. |
| detection | (DOD) 1. In tactical operations, the perception of an object of possible military interest but unconfirmed by recognition. |
| detection | (DOD) 2. In surveillance, the determination and transmission by a surveillance system that an event has occurred. |
| detection | (DOD) 3. In arms control, the first step in the process of ascertaining the occurrence of a violation of an arms control agreement. |
| detection | (DOD) 4. In chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear environments, the act of locating chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear hazards by use of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear detectors or monitoring and/or survey teams. See also hazard; monitoring. |
| deterioration limit | (DOD,NATO) A limit placed on a particular product characteristic to define the minimum acceptable quality requirement for the product to retain its NATO code number. |
| deterrence | (DOD) The prevention from action by fear of the consequences. Deterrence is a state of mind brought about by the existence of a credible threat of unacceptable counteraction. |
| deterrent options | (DOD) A course of action, developed on the best economic, diplomatic, political, and military judgment, designed to dissuade an adversary from a current course of action or contemplated operations. (In constructing an operation plan, a range of options should be presented to effect deterrence. Each option requiring deployment of forces should be a separate force module.) |
| detonating cord | (DOD,NATO) A waterproof, flexible fabric tube containing a high explosive designed to transmit the detonation wave. |
| detonator | (DOD,NATO) A device containing a sensitive explosive intended to produce a detonation wave. |
| DETRESFA | distress phase (lCAO) |
| DETRESFA | distress phase (lCAO) |
| developmental assistance | (DOD) US Agency for International Development function chartered under chapter one of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, primarily designed to promote economic growth and the equitable distribution of its benefits. |
| deviation | (DOD,NATO) 1. The distance by which a point of impact or burst misses the target. See also circular error probable; delivery error; dispersion error; horizontal error. |
| deviation | (DOD,NATO) 2. The angular difference between magnetic and compass headings. |
| DEW | directed-energy warfare |
| DEW | directed-energy warfare |
| DF | direction finding; dispersion factor; disposition form |
| DF | direction finding; dispersion factor; disposition form |
| DFARS | Department of Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement |
| DFARS | Department of Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement |
| DFAS | Defense Finance and Accounting Service |
| DFAS | Defense Finance and Accounting Service |
| DFAS-DE | Defense Finance and Accounting Service-Denver |
| DFAS-DE | Defense Finance and Accounting Service-Denver |
| DFC | deputy force commander; detention facility commander |
| DFC | deputy force commander; detention facility commander |
| DFE | Defense Joint Intelligence Operations Center forward element; division force equivalent |
| DFE | Defense Joint Intelligence Operations Center forward element; division force equivalent |
| DFGL | DFGL Distinct Faith Group Leader |
| DFM | deterrent force module |
| DFM | deterrent force module |
| DFO | disaster field office (FEMA) |
| DFO | disaster field office (FEMA) |
| DFR | Defense Fuel Region |
| DFR | Defense Fuel Region |
| DFR/E | Defense Fuel Region, Europe |
| DFR/E | Defense Fuel Region, Europe |
| DFR/ME | Defense Fuel Region, Middle East |
| DFR/ME | Defense Fuel Region, Middle East |
| DFRIF | Defense Freight Railway Interchange Fleet |
| DFRIF | Defense Freight Railway Interchange Fleet |
| DFSC | Defense Fuel Supply Center |
| DFSC | Defense Fuel Supply Center |
| DFSP | Defense Fuel Support Point |
| DFSP | Defense Fuel Support Point |
| DFT | deployment for training |
| DFT | deployment for training |
| DG | defense guidance |
| DG | defense guidance |
| DGIAP | Defense General Intelligence and Applications Program |
| DGIAP | Defense General Intelligence and Applications Program |
| DGM | digital group multiplex |
| DGM | digital group multiplex |
| DH | death due to hostilities; Directorate for Human Intelligence (DIA) |
| DH | death due to hostilities; Directorate for Human Intelligence (DIA) |
| DHA | detainee holding area |
| DHA | detainee holding area |
| DHB | Defense Health Board |
| DHB | Defense Health Board |
| DHE | Department of Defense (DOD) human intelligence (HUMINT) element |
| DHE | Department of Defense (DOD) human intelligence (HUMINT) element |
| DHHS | Department of Health and Human Services |
| DHHS | Department of Health and Human Services |
| DHM | Department of Defense human intelligence manager |
| DHM | Department of Defense human intelligence manager |
| DHMO | Department of Defense human intelligence management office |
| DHMO | Department of Defense human intelligence management office |
| DHS | Defense Human Intelligence (HUMINT) Service; Department of Homeland Security; Director of Health Services |
| DHS | Defense Human Intelligence (HUMINT) Service; Department of Homeland Security; Director of Health Services |
| DI | Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Directorate for Analysis; DIA Directorate for Intelligence Production; discrete identifier; dynamic interface |
| DI | Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Directorate for Analysis; DIA Directorate for Intelligence Production; discrete identifier; dynamic interface |
| DIA | Defense Intelligence Agency |
| DIA | Defense Intelligence Agency |
| DIA/DHX | Defense Intelligence Agency, Directorate of Human Intelligence, Office of Document and Media Operations |
| DIA/DHX | Defense Intelligence Agency, Directorate of Human Intelligence, Office of Document and Media Operations |
| DIAC | Defense Intelligence Analysis Center |
| DIAC | Defense Intelligence Analysis Center |
| DIAM | Defense Intelligence Agency manual; Defense Intelligence Agency memorandum |
| DIAM | Defense Intelligence Agency manual; Defense Intelligence Agency memorandum |
| DIAP | Defense Intelligence Analysis Program; Drug Interdiction Assistance Program |
| DIAP | Defense Intelligence Analysis Program; Drug Interdiction Assistance Program |
| diapositive | (DOD,NATO) A positive photograph on a transparent medium. |
| DIAR | Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) regulation |
| DIAR | Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) regulation |
| DIB | defense industrial base |
| DIB | defense industrial base |
| DIBITS | digital in-band interswitch trunk signaling |
| DIBITS | digital in-band interswitch trunk signaling |
| DIBRS | defense incident-based reporting system |
| DIBRS | defense incident-based reporting system |
| DIBTS | digital in-band trunk signaling |
| DIBTS | digital in-band trunk signaling |
| DICO | Data Information Coordination Office |
| DICO | Data Information Coordination Office |
| DIDHS | Deployable Intelligence Data Handling System |
| DIDHS | Deployable Intelligence Data Handling System |
| DIDO | designated intelligence disclosure official |
| DIDO | designated intelligence disclosure official |
| DIDS | Defense Intelligence Dissemination System |
| DIDS | Defense Intelligence Dissemination System |
| DIEB | Defense Intelligence Executive Board |
| DIEB | Defense Intelligence Executive Board |
| died of wounds received in action | (DOD) A casualty category applicable to a hostile casualty, other than the victim of a terrorist activity, who dies of wounds or other injuries received in action after having reached a medical treatment facility. Also called DWRIA. See also casualty category. |
| DIEPS | Digital Imagery Exploitation Production System |
| DIEPS | Digital Imagery Exploitation Production System |
| differential ballistic wind | (DOD,NATO) In bombing, a hypothetical wind equal to the difference in velocity between the ballistic wind and the actual wind at a release altitude. |
| diffraction loading | (DOD,NATO) The total force which is exerted on the sides of a structure by the advancing shock front of a nuclear explosion. |
| DIG | digital |
| DIG | digital |
| DIGO | Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation |
| DIGO | Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation |
| DII | defense information infrastructure |
| DII | defense information infrastructure |
| DII-COE | defense information infrastructure-common operating environment |
| DII-COE | defense information infrastructure-common operating environment |
| DIILS | Defense Institute of International Legal Studies |
| DIILS | Defense Institute of International Legal Studies |
| DIJE | Defense Intelligence Joint Environment |
| DIJE | Defense Intelligence Joint Environment |
| DILPA | diphase loop modem-A |
| DILPA | diphase loop modem-A |
| DIMA | drilling individual mobilization augmentee |
| DIMA | drilling individual mobilization augmentee |
| DIMOC | Defense Imagery Management Operations Center |
| DIMOC | Defense Imagery Management Operations Center |
| DIN | defense intelligence notice |
| DIN | defense intelligence notice |
| DINET | Defense Industrial Net |
| DINET | Defense Industrial Net |
| DINFOS | Defense Information School |
| DINFOS | Defense Information School |
| DIOC | drug interdiction operations center |
| DIOC | drug interdiction operations center |
| DIOCC | Defense Intelligence Operations Coordination Center |
| DIOCC | Defense Intelligence Operations Coordination Center |
| dip | (DOD,NATO) In naval mine warfare, the amount by which a moored mine is carried beneath its set depth by a current or tidal stream acting on the mine casing and mooring. |
| dip needle circuit | (DOD,NATO) In naval mine warfare, a mechanism which responds to a change in the magnitude of the vertical component of the total magnetic field. |
| DIPC | defense industrial plant equipment center |
| DIPC | defense industrial plant equipment center |
| DIPFAC | diplomatic facility |
| DIPFAC | diplomatic facility |
| DIPGM | diphase supergroup modem |
| DIPGM | diphase supergroup modem |
| diplomatic authorization | (DOD,NATO) Authority for overflight or landing obtained at government-to-government level through diplomatic channels. |
| direct action | (DOD) Short-duration strikes and other small-scale offensive actions conducted as a special operation in hostile, denied, or politically sensitive environments and which employ specialized military capabilities to seize, destroy, capture, exploit, recover, or damage designated targets. Direct action differs from conventional offensive actions in the level of physical and political risk, operational techniques, and the degree of discriminate and precise use of force to achieve specific objectives. Also called DA. See also special operations; special operations forces. |
| direct action fuze | (DOD,NATO) See impact action fuze; proximity fuze; self-destroying fuse; time fuze. |
| direct air support center | (DOD) The principal air control agency of the US Marine air command and control system responsible for the direction and control of air operations directly supporting the ground combat element. It processes and coordinates requests for immediate air support and coordinates air missions requiring integration with ground forces and other supporting arms. It normally collocates with the senior fire support coordination center within the ground combat element and is subordinate to the tactical air command center. Also called DASC. See also Marine air command and control system; tactical air operations center. |
| direct air support center (airborne) | (DOD) An airborne aircraft equipped with the necessary staff personnel, communications, and operations facilities to function as a direct air support center. Also called DASC(A). See also direct air support center. |
| direct fire | (DOD) Fire delivered on a target using the target itself as a point of aim for either the weapon or the director. |
| direct illumination | (DOD,NATO) Illumination provided by direct light from pyrotechnics or searchlights. |
| direct laying | (DOD,NATO) Laying in which the sights of weapons are aligned directly on the target. Normally used in conjunction with mortars and sometimes artillery. See also lay. |
| direct liaison authorized | (DOD) That authority granted by a commander (any level) to a subordinate to directly consult or coordinate an action with a command or agency within or outside of the granting command. Direct liaison authorized is more applicable to planning than operations and always carries with it the requirement of keeping the commander granting direct liaison authorized informed. Direct liaison authorized is a coordination relationship, not an authority through which command may be exercised. Also called DIRLAUTH. |
| direct support | (DOD) A mission requiring a force to support another specific force and authorizing it to answer directly to the supported force's request for assistance. Also called DS. See also close support; general support; mission; mutual support; support. |
| direct supporting fire | (DOD,NATO) Fire delivered in support of part of a force, as opposed to general supporting fire which is delivered in support of the force as a whole. See also supporting fire. |
| directed energy | (DOD) An umbrella term covering technologies that relate to the production of a beam of concentrated electromagnetic energy or atomic or subatomic particles. Also called DE. See also directed-energy device; directed-energy weapon. |
| directed-energy device | (DOD) A system using directed energy primarily for a purpose other than as a weapon. Directed-energy devices may produce effects that could allow the device to be used as a weapon against certain threats; for example, laser rangefinders and designators used against sensors that are sensitive to light. See also directed energy; directed-energy weapon. |
| directed-energy protective measures | (DOD) That division of directed-energy warfare involving actions taken to protect friendly equipment, facilities, and personnel to ensure friendly effective uses of the electromagnetic spectrum that are threatened by hostile directed-energy weapons and devices. |
| directed-energy warfare | (DOD) Military action involving the use of directed-energy weapons, devices, and countermeasures to either cause direct damage or destruction of enemy equipment, facilities, and personnel, or to determine, exploit, reduce, or prevent hostile use of the electromagnetic spectrum through damage, destruction, and disruption. It also includes actions taken to protect friendly equipment, facilities, and personnel and retain friendly use of the electromagnetic spectrum. Also called DEW. See also directed energy; directed-energy device; directed-energy weapon; electromagnetic spectrum; electronic warfare. |
| directed-energy weapon | (DOD) A system using directed energy primarily as a direct means to damage or destroy enemy equipment, facilities, and personnel. See also directed energy; directed-energy device. |
| directing staff | (DOD,NATO) See exercise directing staff. |
| direction | (DOD) In artillery and naval gunfire support, a term used by a spotter and/or observer in a call for fire to indicate the bearing of the spotting line. See also bearing; naval gunfire support; spotter; spotting line. |
| direction finding | (DOD) A procedure for obtaining bearings of radio frequency emitters by using a highly directional antenna and a display unit on an intercept receiver or ancillary equipment. |
| direction of attack | (DOD) A specific direction or route that the main attack or center of mass of the unit will follow. The unit is restricted, required to attack as indicated, and is not normally allowed to bypass the enemy. The direction of attack is used primarily in counterattacks or to ensure that supporting attacks make maximal contribution to the main attack. |
| directional gyro indicator | (DOD,NATO) An azimuth gyro with a direct display and means for setting the datum to a specified compass heading. |
| directive | (DOD,NATO) 3. Broadly speaking, any communication which initiates or governs action, conduct, or procedure. |
| directive | (DOD,NATO) 2. A plan issued with a view to putting it into effect when so directed, or in the event that a stated contingency arises. |
| directive | (DOD,NATO) 1. A military communication in which policy is established or a specific action is ordered. |
| directive authority for logistics | (DOD) Combatant commander authority to issue directives to subordinate commanders, including peacetime measures, necessary to ensure the effective execution of approved operation plans. Essential measures include the optimized use or reallocation of available resources and prevention or elimination of redundant facilities and/or overlapping functions among the Service component commands. Also called DAFL. See also combatant command (command authority); logistics. |
| director of mobility forces | (DOD) Normally a senior officer who is familiar with the area of responsibility or joint operations area and possesses an extensive background in air mobility operations. When established, the director of mobility forces serves as the designated agent for all air mobility issues in the area of responsibility or joint operations area, and for other duties as directed. The director of mobility forces exercises coordinating authority between the air operations center (or appropriate theater command and control node), the tanker airlift control center, the air mobility operations control center (when established and when supporting subordinate command objectives), and the joint movement center, in order to expedite the resolution of air mobility issues. The director of mobility forces may be sourced from the theater's organizations or US Transportation Command. Additionally, the director of mobility forces, when designated, will ensure the effective integration of intertheater and intratheater air mobility operations, and facilitate the conduct of intratheater air mobility operations. Also called DIRMOBFOR. See also air and space operations center; coordinating authority; joint movement center; 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center. |
| DIRINT | Director of Intelligence (USMC) |
| DIRINT | Director of Intelligence (USMC) |
| DIRJIATF | director, joint inter-agency task force |
| DIRJIATF | director, joint inter-agency task force |
| DIRLAUTH | direct liaison authorized |
| DIRLAUTH | direct liaison authorized |
| DIRM | Directorate for Information and Resource Management |
| DIRM | Directorate for Information and Resource Management |
| DIRMOBFOR | director of mobility forces |
| DIRMOBFOR | director of mobility forces |
| DIRNSA | Director, National Security Agency |
| DIRNSA | Director, National Security Agency |
| DIRSPACEFOR | director of space forces (USAF) |
| DIRSPACEFOR | director of space forces (USAF) |
| DIS | daily intelligence summary; defense information system; Defense Investigative Service; distributed interactive simulation |
| DIS | daily intelligence summary; defense information system; Defense Investigative Service; distributed interactive simulation |
| DISA | Defense Information Systems Agency |
| DISA | Defense Information Systems Agency |
| DISA-LO | Defense Information Systems Agency - liaison officer |
| DISA-LO | Defense Information Systems Agency - liaison officer |
| disabling fire | (DOD) The firing of ordnance by ships or aircraft at the steering or propulsion system of a vessel. The intent is to disable with minimum injury to personnel or damage to vessel. |
| disaffected person | (DOD) A person who is alienated or estranged from those in authority or lacks loyalty to the government; a state of mind. |
| DISANMOC | Defense Information Systems Agency Network Management and Operations Center |
| DISANMOC | Defense Information Systems Agency Network Management and Operations Center |
| disarmament | (DOD) The reduction of a military establishment to some level set by international agreement. See also arms control agreement. |
| disarmed mine | (DOD,NATO) A mine for which the arming procedure has been reversed, rendering the mine inoperative. It is safe to handle and transport and can be rearmed by simple action. |
| disaster assistance response team | (DOD) United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) Office of United States Foreign Disaster Assistance provides this rapidly deployable team in response to international disasters. A disaster assistance response team provides specialists, trained in a variety of disaster relief skills, to assist US embassies and USAID missions with the management of US Government response to disasters. Also called DART. See also foreign disaster; foreign disaster relief. |
| disaster control | (DOD) Measures taken before, during, or after hostile action or natural or manmade disasters to reduce the probability of damage, minimize its effects, and initiate recovery. See also area damage control. |
| DisasterAWARE | Disaster All-Hazard Warnings, Analysis, and Risk Evaluation System |
| DisasterAWARE | Disaster All-Hazard Warnings, Analysis, and Risk Evaluation System |
| DISCOM | division support command (Army) |
| DISCOM | division support command (Army) |
| discriminating circuit | (DOD,NATO) That part of the operating circuit of a sea mine which distinguishes between the response of the detecting circuit to the passage of a ship and the response to other disturbances (e.g., influence sweep, countermining, etc.) |
| disease and nonbattle injury | (DOD) All illnesses and injuries not resulting from enemy or terrorist action or caused by conflict. Indigenous disease pathogens, biological warfare agents, heat and cold, hazardous noise, altitude, environmental, occupational, and industrial exposures, and other naturally occurring disease agents may cause disease and nonbattle injury. Disease and nonbattle injuries include injuries and illnesses resulting from training or from occupational, environmental, or recreational activities, and may result in short- or long-term, acute, or delayed illness, injury, disability, or death. Also called DNBI. |
| disease and nonbattle injury casualty | (DOD) A person who is not a battle casualty but who is lost to the organization by reason of disease or injury, including persons dying of disease or injury, by reason of being missing where the absence does not appear to be voluntary, or due to enemy action or being interned. Also called DNBI casualty. |
| disembarkation schedule | (DOD,NATO) See debarkation schedule. |
| disengagement | (DOD) In arms control, a general term for proposals that would result in the geographic separation of opposing nonindigenous forces without directly affecting indigenous military forces. |
| DISGM | diphase supergroup |
| DISGM | diphase supergroup |
| dislocated civilian | (DOD) A broad term primarily used by the Department of Defense that includes a displaced person, an evacuee, an internally displaced person, a migrant, a refugee, or a stateless person. Also called DC. See also displaced person; evacuee; internally displaced person; migrant; refugee; stateless person. |
| DISN | Defense Information Systems Network |
| DISN | Defense Information Systems Network |
| DISN-E | Defense Information Systems Network - Europe |
| DISN-E | Defense Information Systems Network - Europe |
| DISO | defense intelligence support office |
| DISO | defense intelligence support office |
| DISP | drug investigation support program (FAA) |
| DISP | drug investigation support program (FAA) |
| dispatch route | (DOD,NATO) In road traffic, a roadway over which full control, both as to priorities of use and the regulation of movement of traffic in time and space, is exercised. Movement authorization is required for its use, even by a single vehicle. See also route. |
| dispenser | (DOD,NATO) In air armament, a container or device which is used to carry and release submunitions. See also cluster bomb unit. |
| dispersal | (DOD) Relocation of forces for the purpose of increasing survivability. See also dispersion. |
| dispersal airfield | (DOD) An airfield, military or civil, to which aircraft might move before H-hour on either a temporary duty or permanent change of station basis and be able to conduct operations. See also airfield. |
| dispersed movement pattern | (DOD,NATO) A pattern for ship-to-shore movement which provides additional separation of landing craft both laterally and in depth. This pattern is used when nuclear weapon threat is a factor. |
| dispersed site | (DOD,NATO) A site selected to reduce concentration and vulnerability by its separation from other military targets or a recognized threat area. |
| dispersion | (DOD) 6. In naval control of shipping, the reberthing of a ship in the periphery of the port area or in the vicinity of the port for its own protection in order to minimize the risk of damage from attack. See also circular error probable; convoy dispersal point; delivery error; deviation; dispersion error; horizontal error. |
| dispersion | (DOD,NATO) 1. A scattered pattern of hits around the mean point of impact of bombs and projectiles dropped or fired under identical conditions. |
| dispersion | (DOD,NATO) 2. In antiaircraft gunnery, the scattering of shots in range and deflection about the mean point of explosion. |
| dispersion | (DOD,NATO) 5. In airdrop operations, the scatter of personnel and/or cargo on the drop zone. |
| dispersion | (DOD,NATO) 4. In chemical and biological operations, the dissemination of agents in liquid or aerosol form. |
| dispersion | (DOD,NATO) 3. The spreading or separating of troops, materiel, establishments, or activities which are usually concentrated in limited areas to reduce vulnerability. |
| dispersion error | (DOD,NATO) The distance from the point of impact or burst of a round to the mean point of impact or burst. |
| dispersion pattern | (DOD,NATO) The distribution of a series of rounds fired from one weapon or a group of weapons under conditions as nearly identical as possible; the points of burst or impact being dispersed about a point called the mean point of impact. |
| displaced person | (DOD) A broad term used to refer to internally and externally displaced persons collectively. See also evacuee; refugee. |
| display | (DOD) In military deception, a static portrayal of an activity, force, or equipment intended to deceive the adversary's visual observation. |
| disposition | (DOD,NATO) 1. Distribution of the elements of a command within an area; usually the exact location of each unit headquarters and the deployment of the forces subordinate to it. |
| disposition | (DOD,NATO) 2. A prescribed arrangement of the stations to be occupied by the several formations and single ships of a fleet, or major subdivisions of a fleet, for any purpose, such as cruising, approach, maintaining contact, or battle. |
| disposition | (DOD,NATO) 3. A prescribed arrangement of all the tactical units composing a flight or group of aircraft. See also deployment; dispersion. |
| disruptive pattern | (DOD,NATO) In surveillance, an arrangement of suitably colored irregular shapes which, when applied to the surface of an object, is intended to enhance its camouflage. |
| dissemination and integration | (DOD) In intelligence usage, the delivery of intelligence to users in a suitable form and the application of the intelligence to appropriate missions, tasks, and functions. See also intelligence process. |
| distant retirement area | (DOD) In amphibious operations, the sea area located to seaward of the landing area. This area is divided into a number of operating areas to which assault ships may retire and operate in the event of adverse weather or to prevent concentration of ships in the landing area. See also amphibious operation; landing area; retirement. |
| distressed person | (DOD) An individual who requires search and rescue assistance to remove he or she from life-threatening or isolating circumstances in a permissive environment. |
| distributed fire | (DOD,NATO) Fire so dispersed as to engage most effectively an area target. |
| distribution | (DOD) 6. The process of assigning military personnel to activities, units, or billets. |
| distribution | (DOD) 5. The operational process of synchronizing all elements of the logistic system to deliver the "right things" to the "right place" at the "right time" to support the geographic combatant commander. |
| distribution | (DOD) 1. The arrangement of troops for any purpose, such as a battle, march, or maneuver. |
| distribution | (DOD) 2. A planned pattern of projectiles about a point. |
| distribution | (DOD) 3. A planned spread of fire to cover a desired frontage or depth. |
| distribution | (DOD) 4. An official delivery of anything, such as orders or supplies. |
| distribution manager | (DOD) The executive agent for managing distribution with the combatant commander's area of responsibility. See also area of responsibility; distribution. |
| distribution pipeline | (DOD) Continuum or channel through which the Department of Defense conducts distribution operations. The distribution pipeline represents the end-to-end flow of resources from supplier to consumer and, in some cases, back to the supplier in retrograde activities. See also distribution; pipeline. |
| distribution plan | (DOD) A reporting system comprising reports, updates, and information systems feeds that articulate the requirements of the theater distribution system to the strategic and operational resources assigned responsibility for support to the theater. It portrays the interface of the physical, financial, information and communications networks for gaining visibility of the theater distribution system and communicates control activities necessary for optimizing capacity of the system. It depicts, and is continually updated to reflect changes in, infrastructure, support relationships, and customer locations to all elements of the distribution system (strategic, operational, and tactical). See also distribution; distribution system; theater distribution; theater distribution system. |
| distribution point | (DOD) A point at which supplies and/or ammunition, obtained from supporting supply points by a division or other unit, are broken down for distribution to subordinate units. Distribution points usually carry no stocks; items drawn are issued completely as soon as possible. |
| distribution system | (DOD) That complex of facilities, installations, methods, and procedures designed to receive, store, maintain, distribute, and control the flow of military materiel between the point of receipt into the military system and the point of issue to using activities and units. |
| DISUM | daily intelligence summary |
| DISUM | daily intelligence summary |
| ditching | (DOD) Controlled landing of a distressed aircraft on water. |
| DITDS | defense information threat data system; defense intelligence threat data system |
| DITDS | defense information threat data system; defense intelligence threat data system |
| DITSUM | defense intelligence terrorist summary |
| DITSUM | defense intelligence terrorist summary |
| diversion | (DOD) 2. A change made in a prescribed route for operational or tactical reasons. A diversion order will not constitute a change of destination. |
| diversion | (DOD) 3. A rerouting of cargo or passengers to a new transshipment point or destination or on a different mode of transportation prior to arrival at ultimate destination. |
| diversion | (DOD) 4. In naval mine warfare, a route or channel bypassing a dangerous area. A diversion may connect one channel to another or it may branch from a channel and rejoin it on the other side of the danger. See also demonstration. |
| diversion | (DOD) 1. The act of drawing the attention and forces of an enemy from the point of the principal operation; an attack, alarm, or feint that diverts attention. |
| diversion airfield | (DOD,NATO) An airfield with at least minimum essential facilities, which may be used as an emergency airfield or when the main or redeployment airfield is not usable or as required to facilitate tactical operations. See also airfield; departure airfield; main airfield; redeployment airfield. |
| diversionary attack | (DOD,NATO) An attack wherein a force attacks, or threatens to attack, a target other than the main target for the purpose of drawing enemy defenses away from the main effort. See also demonstration. |
| diversionary landing | (DOD) An operation in which troops are actually landed for the purpose of diverting enemy reaction away from the main landing. |
| diving chamber | (DOD,NATO) See hyperbaric chamber. |
| division | (DOD,NATO) 2. An organizational part of a headquarters that handles military matters of a particular nature, such as personnel, intelligence, plans, and training, or supply and evacuation. |
| division | (DOD,NATO) 1. A tactical unit/formation as follows: a. A major administrative and tactical unit/formation which combines in itself the necessary arms and services required for sustained combat, larger than a regiment/brigade and smaller than a corps. b. A number of naval vessels of similar type grouped together for operational and administrative command, or a tactical unit of a naval aircraft squadron, consisting of two or more sections. c. An air division is an air combat organization normally consisting of two or more wings with appropriate service units. The combat wings of an air division will normally contain similar type units. |
| DJIOC | Defense Joint Intelligence Operations Center |
| DJIOC | Defense Joint Intelligence Operations Center |
| DJS | Director, Joint Staff |
| DJS | Director, Joint Staff |
| DJSM | Director, Joint Staff, memorandum |
| DJSM | Director, Joint Staff, memorandum |
| DJTFAC | deployable joint task force augmentation cell |
| DJTFAC | deployable joint task force augmentation cell |
| DJTFS | deputy joint task force surgeon |
| DJTFS | deputy joint task force surgeon |
| DLA | Defense Logistics Agency |
| DLA | Defense Logistics Agency |
| DLAM | Defense Logistics Agency manual |
| DLAM | Defense Logistics Agency manual |
| DLAR | Defense Logistics Agency regulation |
| DLAR | Defense Logistics Agency regulation |
| DLD | digital liaison detachment |
| DLD | digital liaison detachment |
| DLEA | drug law enforcement agency |
| DLEA | drug law enforcement agency |
| DLED | dedicated loop encryption device |
| DLED | dedicated loop encryption device |
| DLIS | Defense Logistics Information Service |
| DLIS | Defense Logistics Information Service |
| DLP | data link processor |
| DLP | data link processor |
| DLPMA | diphase loop modem A |
| DLPMA | diphase loop modem A |
| DLQ | deck landing qualification |
| DLQ | deck landing qualification |
| DLR | depot-level repairable |
| DLR | depot-level repairable |
| DLSA | Defense Legal Services Agency |
| DLSA | Defense Legal Services Agency |
| DLSS | Defense Logistics Standard Systems |
| DLSS | Defense Logistics Standard Systems |
| DLTM | digital line termination module |
| DLTM | digital line termination module |
| DLTU | digital line termination unit |
| DLTU | digital line termination unit |
| DM | detection and monitoring |
| DM | detection and monitoring |
| DMA | Defense Media Activity |
| DMA | Defense Media Activity |
| dmax | maximum drift distance |
| DMB | datum marker buoy |
| DMB | datum marker buoy |
| DMC | data mode control |
| DMC | data mode control |
| DMD | digital message device |
| DMD | digital message device |
| DMDC | defense management data center; defense manpower data center |
| DMDC | defense management data center; defense manpower data center |
| DME | distance measuring equipment |
| DME | distance measuring equipment |
| DMHS | Defense Message Handling System |
| DMHS | Defense Message Handling System |
| DMI | director military intelligence |
| DMI | director military intelligence |
| DMIGS | Domestic Mobile Integrated Geospatial-Intelligence System |
| DMIGS | Domestic Mobile Integrated Geospatial-Intelligence System |
| dmin | minimum drift distance |
| DML | data manipulation language |
| DML | data manipulation language |
| DMLSS | Defense Medical Logistics Standard Support |
| DMLSS | Defense Medical Logistics Standard Support |
| DMO | directory maintenance official |
| DMO | directory maintenance official |
| DMOS | duty military occupational specialty |
| DMOS | duty military occupational specialty |
| DMPI | designated mean point of impact; desired mean point of impact |
| DMPI | designated mean point of impact; desired mean point of impact |
| DMRD | defense management resource decision |
| DMRD | defense management resource decision |
| DMRIS | defense medical regulating information system |
| DMRIS | defense medical regulating information system |
| DMS | defense message system; defense meteorological system; director of military support |
| DMS | defense message system; defense meteorological system; director of military support |
| DMSB | Defense Medical Standardization Board |
| DMSB | Defense Medical Standardization Board |
| DMSM | Defense Meritorious Service Medal |
| DMSM | Defense Meritorious Service Medal |
| DMSO | Defense Modeling and Simulation Office; director of major staff office; Division Medical Supply Office |
| DMSO | Defense Modeling and Simulation Office; director of major staff office; Division Medical Supply Office |
| DMSP | Defense Meteorological Satellite Program |
| DMSP | Defense Meteorological Satellite Program |
| DMSSC | defense medical system support center |
| DMSSC | defense medical system support center |
| DMT | disaster management team (UN) |
| DMT | disaster management team (UN) |
| DMU | disk memory unit |
| DMU | disk memory unit |
| DMZ | demilitarized zone |
| DMZ | demilitarized zone |
| DN | digital nonsecure |
| DN | digital nonsecure |
| DNA | Defense Nuclear Agency; deoxyribonucleic acid |
| DNA | Defense Nuclear Agency; deoxyribonucleic acid |
| DNAT | defense nuclear advisory team |
| DNAT | defense nuclear advisory team |
| DNBI | disease and nonbattle injury |
| DNBI | disease and nonbattle injury |
| DNBI casualty | disease and nonbattle injury casualty |
| DNBI casualty | disease and nonbattle injury casualty |
| DNC | digital nautical chart |
| DNC | digital nautical chart |
| DND | Department of National Defence |
| DND | Department of National Defence |
| DNDO | Domestic Nuclear Detection Office |
| DNDO | Domestic Nuclear Detection Office |
| DNGA | Director of National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency |
| DNGA | Director of National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency |
| DNI | Director of National Intelligence; Director of Naval Intelligence |
| DNI | Director of National Intelligence; Director of Naval Intelligence |
| DNIF | duty not involving flying |
| DNIF | duty not involving flying |
| DNMSP | driftnet monitoring support program |
| DNMSP | driftnet monitoring support program |
| DNSO | Defense Network Systems Organization |
| DNSO | Defense Network Systems Organization |
| DNVT | digital nonsecure voice terminal |
| DNVT | digital nonsecure voice terminal |
| DNY | display area code (NYX) routing |
| DNY | display area code (NYX) routing |
| DOA | dead on arrival; director of administration |
| DOA | dead on arrival; director of administration |
| DOB | date of birth; dispersal operating base |
| DOB | date of birth; dispersal operating base |
| DOC | Department of Commerce; designed operational capability |
| DOC | Department of Commerce; designed operational capability |
| DOCC | deep operations coordination cell |
| DOCC | deep operations coordination cell |
| DOCDIV | documents division |
| DOCDIV | documents division |
| DOCEX | document exploitation |
| DOCEX | document exploitation |
| dock landing ship | (DOD) A ship designed to transport and launch loaded amphibious craft and/or amphibian vehicles with their crews and embarked personnel and/or equipment and to render limited docking and repair services to small ships and craft. Also called LSD. |
| DOCNET | Doctrine Networked Education and Training |
| DOCNET | Doctrine Networked Education and Training |
| doctrine | (DOD) Fundamental principles by which the military forces or elements thereof guide their actions in support of national objectives. It is authoritative but requires judgment in application. See also multinational doctrine; joint doctrine; multi-Service doctrine. |
| DOD | Department of Defense |
| DOD-JIC | Department of Defense Joint Intelligence Center |
| DOD-JIC | Department of Defense Joint Intelligence Center |
| DODAAC | Department of Defense activity address code |
| DODAAC | Department of Defense activity address code |
| DODAAD | Department of Defense Activity Address Directory |
| DODAAD | Department of Defense Activity Address Directory |
| DODAC DOD | ammunition code |
| DODAC DOD | ammunition code |
| DODD | Department of Defense directive |
| DODD | Department of Defense directive |
| DODDS | Department of Defense Dependent Schools |
| DODDS | Department of Defense Dependent Schools |
| DODEX | Department of Defense intelligence system information system extension |
| DODEX | Department of Defense intelligence system information system extension |
| DODFMR | Department of Defense Financial Management Regulation |
| DODFMR | Department of Defense Financial Management Regulation |
| DODI | Department of Defense instruction |
| DODI | Department of Defense instruction |
| DODIC | Department of Defense identification code |
| DODIC | Department of Defense identification code |
| DODID | Department of Defense Intelligence Digest |
| DODID | Department of Defense Intelligence Digest |
| DODIIS | Department of Defense Intelligence Information System |
| DODIIS | Department of Defense Intelligence Information System |
| DODIPC | Department of Defense intelligence production community |
| DODIPC | Department of Defense intelligence production community |
| DODIPP | Department of Defense Intelligence Production Program |
| DODIPP | Department of Defense Intelligence Production Program |
| DODM | data orderwire diphase modem |
| DODM | data orderwire diphase modem |
| DOE | Department of Energy |
| DOE | Department of Energy |
| DOF | degree of freedom |
| DOF | degree of freedom |
| DOI | Defense Special Security Communications System (DSSCS) Operating Instructions; Department of Interior |
| DOI | Defense Special Security Communications System (DSSCS) Operating Instructions; Department of Interior |
| DOJ | Department of Justice |
| DOJ | Department of Justice |
| DOL | Department of Labor |
| DOL | Department of Labor |
| DOM | day of month |
| DOM | day of month |
| dome | (DOD,NATO) See spray dome. |
| domestic emergencies | (DOD) Emergencies affecting the public welfare and occurring within the 50 states, District of Columbia, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, US possessions and territories, or any political subdivision thereof, as a result of enemy attack, insurrection, civil disturbance, earthquake, fire, flood, or other public disasters or equivalent emergencies that endanger life and property or disrupt the usual process of government. Domestic emergencies include civil defense emergencies, civil disturbances, major disasters, and natural disasters. See also civil defense emergency; civil disturbance; major disaster; natural disaster. |
| domestic intelligence | (DOD) Intelligence relating to activities or conditions within the United States that threaten internal security and that might require the employment of troops; and intelligence relating to activities of individuals or agencies potentially or actually dangerous to the security of the Department of Defense. |
| dominant user | (DOD) The Service or multinational partner who is the principal consumer of a particular common-user logistic supply or service within a joint or multinational operation. The dominant user will normally act as the lead Service to provide this particular common-user logistic supply or service to other Service components, multinational partners, other governmental agencies, or nongovernmental agencies as directed by the combatant commander. See also common-user logistics; lead Service or agency for common-user logistics. |
| dominant user concept | (DOD) The concept that the Service that is the principal consumer will have the responsibility for performance of a support workload for all using Services. |
| DOMS | director of military support |
| DOMS | director of military support |
| DON | Department of the Navy |
| DON | Department of the Navy |
| DOPMA | Defense Officer Personnel Management Act |
| DOPMA | Defense Officer Personnel Management Act |
| doppler effect | (DOD,NATO) The phenomenon evidenced by the change in the observed frequency of a sound or radio wave caused by a time rate of change in the effective length of the path of travel between the source and the point of observation. |
| DOR | date of rank |
| DOR | date of rank |
| dormant | (DOD) In mine warfare, the state of a mine during which a time delay feature in a mine prevents it from being actuated. |
| DOS | date of separation; days of supply; denial of service; Department of State; disk operating system |
| DOS | date of separation; days of supply; denial of service; Department of State; disk operating system |
| dose rate contour line | (DOD,NATO) A line on a map, diagram, or overlay joining all points at which the radiation dose rate at a given time is the same. |
| dosimetry | (DOD,NATO) The measurement of radiation doses. It applies to both the devices used (dosimeters) and to the techniques. |
| DOT | Department of Transportation |
| DOT | Department of Transportation |
| DOTEO | Department of Transportation emergency organization |
| DOTEO | Department of Transportation emergency organization |
| DOTMLPF | doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel, and facilities |
| DOTMLPF | doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel, and facilities |
| double agent | (DOD) Agent in contact with two opposing intelligence services, only one of which is aware of the double contact or quasi-intelligence services. |
| double flow route | (DOD,NATO) A route of at least two lanes allowing two columns of vehicles to proceed simultaneously, either in the same direction or in opposite directions. See also single flow route. |
| DOW | data orderwire; died of wounds |
| DOW | data orderwire; died of wounds |
| downgrade | (DOD) To determine that classified information requires, in the interests of national security, a lower degree of protection against unauthorized disclosure than currently provided, coupled with a changing of the classification designation to reflect such a lower degree. |
| downloading | (DOD) An operation that removes airborne weapons or stores from an aircraft. |
| DOX-T | direct operational exchange-tactical |
| DOX-T | direct operational exchange-tactical |
| DOY | day of year |
| DOY | day of year |
| DP | Air Force component plans officer (staff); decisive point; Directorate for Policy Support (DIA); displaced person |
| DP | Air Force component plans officer (staff); decisive point; Directorate for Policy Support (DIA); displaced person |
| dp | parachute drift |
| DPA | Defense Production Act |
| DPA | Defense Production Act |
| DPAP | Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy |
| DPAP | Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy |
| DPAS | Defense Priorities and Allocation System |
| DPAS | Defense Priorities and Allocation System |
| DPC | deception planning cell; Defense Planning Committee (NATO) |
| DPC | deception planning cell; Defense Planning Committee (NATO) |
| DPEC | displaced person exploitation cell |
| DPEC | displaced person exploitation cell |
| DPG | Defense Planning Guidance |
| DPG | Defense Planning Guidance |
| DPI | desired point of impact |
| DPI | desired point of impact |
| dpi | dots per inch |
| DPICM | dual purpose improved conventional munitions |
| DPICM | dual purpose improved conventional munitions |
| DPKO | Department of Peacekeeping Operations |
| DPKO | Department of Peacekeeping Operations |
| DPLSM | dipulse group modem |
| DPLSM | dipulse group modem |
| DPM | dissemination program manager |
| DPM | dissemination program manager |
| DPMO | Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office |
| DPMO | Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office |
| DPO | distribution process owner |
| DPO | distribution process owner |
| DPP | data patch panel; distributed production program |
| DPP | data patch panel; distributed production program |
| DPPDB | digital point positioning database |
| DPPDB | digital point positioning database |
| DPQ | defense planning questionnaire (NATO) |
| DPQ | defense planning questionnaire (NATO) |
| DPR | display non-nodal routing |
| DPR | display non-nodal routing |
| DPRB | Defense Planning and Resources Board |
| DPRB | Defense Planning and Resources Board |
| DPRE | displaced persons, refugees, and evacuees |
| DPRE | displaced persons, refugees, and evacuees |
| DPS | data processing system |
| DPS | data processing system |
| DPSC | Defense Personnel Support Center |
| DPSC | Defense Personnel Support Center |
| DPSK | differential phase shift keying |
| DPSK | differential phase shift keying |
| DR | dead reckoning; digital receiver; disaster relief |
| DR | dead reckoning; digital receiver; disaster relief |
| draft | (DOD) 1. The conscription of qualified citizens in military service. See also active duty; Military Service. |
| draft | (DOD) 2. The depth of water that a vessel requires to float freely; the depth of a vessel from the water line to the keel. See also watercraft. |
| draft plan | (DOD,NATO) A plan for which a draft plan has been coordinated and agreed with the other military headquarters and is ready for coordination with the nations involved, that is those nations who would be required to take national actions to support the plan. It may be used for future planning and exercises and may form the basis for an operation order to be implemented in time of emergency. See also coordinated draft plan; final plan; initial draft plan; operation plan. |
| DRB | Defense Resources Board |
| DRB | Defense Resources Board |
| DRe | dead reckoning error |
| DRe | dead reckoning error |
| drift | (DOD,NATO) In ballistics, a shift in projectile direction due to gyroscopic action which results from gravitational and atmospherically induced torques on the spinning projectile. |
| drill mine | (DOD,NATO) An inert filled mine or mine-like body, used in loading, laying, or discharge practice and trials. See also mine. |
| DRMD | deployments requirements manning document |
| DRMD | deployments requirements manning document |
| DRMO | Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office |
| DRMO | Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office |
| DRMS | Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service; distance root-mean-square |
| DRMS | Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service; distance root-mean-square |
| DRN | Disaster Response Network |
| DRN | Disaster Response Network |
| DRO | departmental requirements office |
| DRO | departmental requirements office |
| drop altitude | (DOD) The altitude above mean sea level at which airdrop is executed. See also altitude; drop height. |
| drop height | (DOD) The vertical distance between the drop zone and the aircraft. See also altitude; drop altitude. |
| drop message | (DOD,NATO) A message dropped from an aircraft to a ground or surface unit. |
| drop zone | (DOD) A specific area upon which airborne troops, equipment, or supplies are airdropped. Also called DZ. |
| DRRS | Defense Readiness Reporting System |
| DRRS | Defense Readiness Reporting System |
| DRS | detainee reporting system |
| DRS | detainee reporting system |
| DRSN | Defense Red Switched Network |
| DRSN | Defense Red Switched Network |
| DRT | dead reckoning tracer |
| DRT | dead reckoning tracer |
| DRTC | designated reporting technical control |
| DRTC | designated reporting technical control |
| drug interdiction | (DOD) A continuum of events focused on interrupting illegal drugs smuggled by air, sea, or land. Normally consists of several phases - cueing, detection, sorting, monitoring, interception, handover, disruption, endgame, and apprehension - some which may occur simultaneously. See also counterdrug operations. |
| dry deck shelter | (DOD) A shelter module that attaches to the hull of a specially configured submarine to provide the submarine with the capability to launch and recover special operations personnel, vehicles, and equipment while submerged. The dry deck shelter provides a working environment at one atmosphere for the special operations element during transit and has structural integrity to the collapse depth of the host submarine. Also called DDS. |
| DS | Directorate for Information Systems and Services (DIA); direct support; doctrine sponsor |
| DS | Directorate for Information Systems and Services (DIA); direct support; doctrine sponsor |
| DSA | defense special assessment (DIA); defensive sea area |
| DSA | defense special assessment (DIA); defensive sea area |
| DSAA | Defense Security Assistance Agency |
| DSAA | Defense Security Assistance Agency |
| DSAR | Defense Supply Agency regulation |
| DSAR | Defense Supply Agency regulation |
| DSB | digital in-band trunk signaling (DIBTS) signaling buffer |
| DSB | digital in-band trunk signaling (DIBTS) signaling buffer |
| DSC | defensive space control; digital selective calling |
| DSC | defensive space control; digital selective calling |
| DSCA | Defense Security Cooperation Agency; defense support of civil authorities |
| DSCA | Defense Security Cooperation Agency; defense support of civil authorities |
| DSCP | Defense Supply Center Philadelphia |
| DSCP | Defense Supply Center Philadelphia |
| DSCR | Defense Supply Center Richmond |
| DSCR | Defense Supply Center Richmond |
| DSCS | Defense Satellite Communications System |
| DSCS | Defense Satellite Communications System |
| DSCSOC | Defense Satellite Communications System operations center |
| DSCSOC | Defense Satellite Communications System operations center |
| DSDI | digital simple data interface |
| DSDI | digital simple data interface |
| DSG | digital signal generator |
| DSG | digital signal generator |
| DSI | defense simulation internet |
| DSI | defense simulation internet |
| DSL | display switch locator (SL) routing |
| DSL | display switch locator (SL) routing |
| DSMAC | digital scene-matching area correlation |
| DSMAC | digital scene-matching area correlation |
| DSN | Defense Switched Network |
| DSN | Defense Switched Network |
| DSNET | Defense Secure Network |
| DSNET | Defense Secure Network |
| DSNET-2 | Defense Secure Network-2 |
| DSNET-2 | Defense Secure Network-2 |
| DSO | defensive systems officer |
| DSO | defensive systems officer |
| DSOE | deployment schedule of events |
| DSOE | deployment schedule of events |
| DSP | Defense Satellite Program; Defense Support Program |
| DSP | Defense Satellite Program; Defense Support Program |
| DSPD | defense support to public diplomacy |
| DSPD | defense support to public diplomacy |
| DSPL | display system programming language |
| DSPL | display system programming language |
| DSPS | Director, Security Plans and Service |
| DSPS | Director, Security Plans and Service |
| DSR | defense source registry |
| DSR | defense source registry |
| DSS | Defense Security Service; Distribution Standard System |
| DSS | Defense Security Service; Distribution Standard System |
| DSS/ALOC | direct support system/air line of communications |
| DSS/ALOC | direct support system/air line of communications |
| DSSCS | Defense Special Security Communications System |
| DSSCS | Defense Special Security Communications System |
| DSSM | Defense Superior Service Medal |
| DSSM | Defense Superior Service Medal |
| DSSO | data system support organization; defense systems support organization |
| DSSO | defense sensitive support office |
| DSSO | data system support organization; defense systems support organization |
| DSSO | defense sensitive support office |
| DSSR | Department of State Standardized Regulation |
| DSSR | Department of State Standardized Regulation |
| DST | Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) support team; deployment support team |
| DST | Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) support team; deployment support team |
| DSTP | Director of Strategic Target Planning |
| DSTP | Director of Strategic Target Planning |
| DSTR | destroy |
| DSTR | destroy |
| DSTS-G | Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) Satellite Transmission Services - Global |
| DSTS-G | Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) Satellite Transmission Services - Global |
| DSVL | doppler sonar velocity log |
| DSVL | doppler sonar velocity log |
| DSVT | digital subscriber voice terminal |
| DSVT | digital subscriber voice terminal |
| DT | Directorate for MASINT and Technical Collection (DIA) |
| DT | Directorate for MASINT and Technical Collection (DIA) |
| DTA | Defense Threat Assessment; dynamic threat assessment |
| DTA | Defense Threat Assessment; dynamic threat assessment |
| DTAM | defense terrorism awareness message |
| DTAM | defense terrorism awareness message |
| DTCI | Defense Transportation Coordination Initiative |
| DTCI | Defense Transportation Coordination Initiative |
| DTD | detailed troop decontamination |
| DTD | detailed troop decontamination |
| DTE | data terminal equipment; developmental test and evaluation |
| DTE | data terminal equipment; developmental test and evaluation |
| DTED | digital terrain elevation data |
| DTED | digital terrain elevation data |
| DTG | date-time group; digital trunk group (digital transmission group) |
| DTG | date-time group; digital trunk group (digital transmission group) |
| DTIP | Disruptive Technology Innovations Partnership (DIA) |
| DTIP | Disruptive Technology Innovations Partnership (DIA) |
| DTL | designator target line |
| DTL | designator target line |
| DTMF | dual tone multi-frequency |
| DTMF | dual tone multi-frequency |
| DTMR | defense traffic management regulation |
| DTMR | defense traffic management regulation |
| DTO | division transportation office; drug trafficking organization |
| DTO | division transportation office; drug trafficking organization |
| DTOC | division tactical operations center |
| DTOC | division tactical operations center |
| DTR | defense transportation regulation |
| DTR | defense transportation regulation |
| DTRA | Defense Threat Reduction Agency |
| DTRA | Defense Threat Reduction Agency |
| DTRACS | Defense Transportation Reporting and Control System |
| DTRACS | Defense Transportation Reporting and Control System |
| DTRATCA | Defense Threat Reduction and Treaty Compliance Agency |
| DTRATCA | Defense Threat Reduction and Treaty Compliance Agency |
| DTS | Defense Transportation System; Defense Travel System; diplomatic telecommunications service |
| DTS | Defense Transportation System; Defense Travel System; diplomatic telecommunications service |
| DTTS | Defense Transportation Tracking System |
| DTTS | Defense Transportation Tracking System |
| DU | depleted uranium |
| DU | depleted uranium |
| dual (multi)-purpose weapons | (DOD) Weapons which possess the capability for effective application in two or more basically different military functions and/or levels of conflict. |
| dual agent | (DOD) One who is simultaneously and independently employed by two or more intelligence agencies, covering targets for both. |
| dual capable unit | (DOD,NATO) A nuclear certified delivery unit capable of executing both conventional and nuclear missions. |
| dual-capable aircraft | (DOD) Allied and US fighter aircraft tasked and configured to perform either conventional or theater nuclear missions. Also called DCA. |
| dual-firing circuit | (DOD,NATO) An assembly comprising two independent firing systems, both electric or both non-electric, so that the firing of either system will detonate all charges. |
| dual-purpose weapon | (DOD) A weapon designed for delivering effective fire against air or surface targets. |
| dual-role tanker | (DOD) Dual-role tankers carry support personnel, supplies, and equipment for the deploying force while escorting and/or refueling combat aircraft to the area of responsibility. Dual-role tankers can minimize the total lift requirement while providing critical cargo and personnel at the combat aircraft's time of arrival. See also air refueling. |
| dud | (DOD,NATO) Explosive munition which has not been armed as intended or which has failed to explode after being armed. |
| due in | (DOD) Quantities of materiel scheduled to be received from vendors, repair facilities, assembly operation, interdepot transfers, and other sources. |
| dummy | (DOD,NATO) See decoy. |
| dummy message | (DOD,NATO) A message sent for some purpose other than its content, which may consist of dummy groups or may have a meaningless text. |
| dummy minefield | (DOD,NATO) In naval mine warfare, a minefield containing no live mines and presenting only a psychological threat. |
| dump | (DOD,NATO) A temporary storage area, usually in the open, for bombs, ammunition, equipment, or supplies. |
| duplicate negative | (DOD,NATO) A negative reproduced from a negative or diapositive. |
| DUSD (CI&S) | Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Counterintelligence and Security |
| DUSD (CI&S) | Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Counterintelligence and Security |
| DUSD(L&MR) | Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Logistics and Materiel Readiness |
| DUSD(L&MR) | Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Logistics and Materiel Readiness |
| DUSDL | Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Logistics |
| DUSDL | Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Logistics |
| DUSDP | Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy |
| DUSDP | Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy |
| DUSTWUN | duty status-whereabouts unknown. |
| DUSTWUN | duty status-whereabouts unknown. |
| duty status - whereabouts unknown | (DOD) A transitory casualty status, applicable only to military personnel, that is used when the responsible commander suspects the member may be a casualty whose absence is involuntary, but does not feel sufficient evidence currently exists to make a definite determination of missing or deceased. Also called DUSTWUN. See also casualty status. |
| DV | distinguished visitor |
| DV | distinguished visitor |
| DVA | Department of Veterans Affairs |
| DVA | Department of Veterans Affairs |
| DVD | digital video device; digital video disc |
| DVD | digital video device; digital video disc |
| DVITS | Digital Video Imagery Transmission System |
| DVITS | Digital Video Imagery Transmission System |
| DVOW | digital voice orderwire |
| DVOW | digital voice orderwire |
| DVT | deployment visualization tool |
| DVT | deployment visualization tool |
| DWAS | Defense Working Capital Accounting System |
| DWAS | Defense Working Capital Accounting System |
| dwell time | (DOD) 1. The time cargo remains in a terminal’s in-transit storage area while awaiting shipment by clearance transportation. |
| dwell time | (DOD) 3. The period of time between the release from involuntary active and the reporting date for a subsequent tour of active duty pursuant to Title 10, United States Code, Section 12302. Such time includes any voluntary active duty performed between two periods of involuntary active duty pursuant to Title 10, United States Code, Section 12302. |
| dwell time | (DOD) 2. The length of time a target is expected to remain in one location. |
| DWMCF | double-wide modular causeway ferry |
| DWMCF | double-wide modular causeway ferry |
| DWRIA | died of wounds received in action |
| DWRIA | died of wounds received in action |
| DWT | deadweight tonnage |
| DWT | deadweight tonnage |
| DWTS | Digital Wideband Transmission System |
| DWTS | Digital Wideband Transmission System |
| DX | Directorate for External Relations (DIA) |
| DX | Directorate for External Relations (DIA) |
| dynamic targeting | (DOD) Targeting that prosecutes targets identified too late, or not selected for action in time to be included in deliberate targeting. |
| dynamic threat assessment | (DOD) An intelligence assessment developed by the Defense Intelligence Agency that details the threat, capabilities, and intentions of adversaries in each of the priority plans in the Contingency Planning Guidance. Also called DTA. |
| DZ | drop zone |
| DZ | drop zone |
| DZC | drop zone controller |
| DZC | drop zone controller |
| DZCO | drop zone control officer |
| DZCO | drop zone control officer |
| DZSO | drop zone safety officer |
| DZSO | drop zone safety officer |
| DZST | drop zone support team |
| DZST | drop zone support team |
| DZSTL | drop zone support team leader |
| DZSTL | drop zone support team leader |
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