Military Acronyms

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
M&S	modeling and simulation
M-DARC	military direct access radar channel
M-day	(DOD) See times.
M-day	mobilization day; unnamed day on which mobilization of forces begins
M-Kill	mobility kill
M/ATMP	Missiles/Air Target Materials Program
M/CM/S	mobility, countermobility, and/or survivability
M/T	measurement ton
M88A1	recovery vehicle
MA	master; medical attendant; military action; mortuary affairs
mA	military action; milliampere(s)
MAAG	military assistance advisory group
MAAP	master air attack plan
MAC	Mortuary Affairs Center
MACA	military assistance to civil authorities
MACB	multinational acquisition and contracting board
MACCS	Marine air command and control system
MACDIS	military assistance for civil disturbances
MACG	Marine air control group
MACOM	major command (Army)
MACP	mortuary affairs collection point
MACSAT	multiple access commercial satellite
MAD	Milit�rischer Abschirmdienst (military protection service); military air distress
MADCP	mortuary affairs decontamination collection point
MAEB	mean area of effectiveness for blast
MAEF	mean area of effectiveness for fragments
MAF	mobility air forces
MAFC	Marine air-ground task force (MAGTF) all-source fusion center
MAG	Marine aircraft group
magnetic bearing	(DOD,NATO) See bearing.
magnetic circuit	(DOD,NATO) See magnetic mine.
magnetic compass	(DOD,NATO) An instrument containing a freely suspended magnetic element which displays the direction of the horizontal component of the Earth's magnetic field at the point of observation.
magnetic declination	(DOD,NATO) The angle between the magnetic and geographical meridians at any place, expressed in degrees east or west to indicate the direction of magnetic north from true north. In nautical and aeronautical navigation, the term magnetic variation is used instead of magnetic declination and the angle is termed variation of the compass or magnetic variation. Magnetic declination is not otherwise synonymous with magnetic variation which refers to regular or irregular change with time of the magnetic declination, dip, or intensity. See also magnetic variation.
magnetic equator	(DOD,NATO) A line drawn on a map or chart connecting all points at which the magnetic inclination (dip) is zero for a specified epoch. Also called aclinic line.
magnetic mine	(DOD) A mine which responds to the magnetic field of a target.
magnetic north	(DOD,NATO) The direction indicated by the north seeking pole of a freely suspended magnetic needle, influenced only by the Earth's magnetic field.
magnetic variation	(DOD,NATO) 2. In cartography, the annual change in direction of the horizontal component of the Earth's magnetic field.
magnetic variation	(DOD,NATO) 1. In navigation, at a given place and time, the horizontal angle between the true north and magnetic north measured east or west according to whether magnetic north lies east or west of true north. See also magnetic declination.
MAGTF	Marine air-ground task force
MAGTFACE	Marine air-ground task force aviation combat element
mail embargo	(DOD) A temporary shutdown or redirection of mail flow to or from a specific location.
main airfield	(DOD,NATO) An airfield planned for permanent occupation in peacetime, also suitable for use in wartime and having sufficient operational facilities for full use of its combat potential. See also airfield; departure airfield; diversion airfield; redeployment airfield.
main attack	(DOD,NATO) The principal attack or effort into which the commander throws the full weight of the offensive power at his disposal. An attack directed against the chief objective of the campaign, major operation, or battle.
main battle area	(DOD) That portion of the battlefield in which the decisive battle is fought to defeat the enemy. For any particular command, the main battle area extends rearward from the forward edge of the battle area to the rear boundary of the command's subordinate units.
main convoy	(DOD,NATO) The convoy as a whole which sails from the convoy assembly port/anchorage to its destination. It may be supplemented by joiners or joiner convoys, and leavers or leaver convoys may break off.
main deck	(DOD) The highest deck running the full length of a vessel (except for an aircraft carrier's hanger deck). See also watercraft.
main detonating line	(DOD,NATO) In demolition, a line of detonating cord used to transmit the detonation wave to two or more branches.
main operating base	(DOD) A facility outside the United States and US territories with permanently stationed operating forces and robust infrastructure. Main operating bases are characterized by command and control structures, enduring family support facilities, and strengthened force protection measures. Also called MOB. See also cooperative security location; forward operating site.
main operations base	(DOD) In special operations, a base established by a joint force special operations component commander or a subordinate special operations component commander in friendly territory to provide sustained command and control, administration, and logistic support to special operations activities in designated areas. Also called MOB. See also advanced operations base; forward operations base.
main supply route	(DOD) The route or routes designated within an operational area upon which the bulk of traffic flows in support of military operations. Also called MSR.
maintenance (materiel)	(DOD) 3. The routine recurring work required to keep a facility (plant, building, structure, ground facility, utility system, or other real property) in such condition that it may be continuously used at its original or designed capacity and efficiency for its intended purpose.
maintenance (materiel)	(DOD) 2. All supply and repair action taken to keep a force in condition to carry out its mission.
maintenance (materiel)	(DOD) 1. All action taken to retain materiel in a serviceable condition or to restore it to serviceability. It includes inspection, testing, servicing, classification as to serviceability, repair, rebuilding, and reclamation.
maintenance area	(DOD) A general locality in which are grouped a number of maintenance activities for the purpose of retaining or restoring materiel to a serviceable condition.
maintenance status	(DOD) 2. That condition of materiel that is in fact, or is administratively classified as, unserviceable, pending completion of required servicing or repairs.
maintenance status	(DOD) 3. A condition of materiel readiness that reports the level of operational readiness for a piece of equipment.
maintenance status	(DOD) 1. A nonoperating condition, deliberately imposed, with adequate personnel to maintain and preserve installations, materiel, and facilities in such a condition that they may be readily restored to operable condition in a minimum time by the assignment of additional personnel and without extensive repair or overhaul.
MAJCOM	major command (USAF)
major combat element	(DOD) Those organizations and units described in the Joint Strategic Capabilities Plan that directly produce combat capability. The size of the element varies by Service, force capability, and the total number of such elements available. Examples are Army divisions and separate brigades, Air Force squadrons, Navy task forces, and Marine expeditionary forces. See also major force.
major disaster	(DOD) See domestic emergencies.
major fleet	(DOD) A principal, permanent subdivision of the operating forces of the Navy with certain supporting shore activities. Presently there are two such fleets: the Pacific Fleet and the Atlantic Fleet. See also fleet.
major force	(DOD) A military organization comprised of major combat elements and associated combat support, combat service support, and sustainment increments. The major force is capable of sustained military operations in response to plan employment requirements. See also major combat element.
major nuclear power	(DOD,NATO) Any nation that possesses a nuclear striking force capable of posing a serious threat to every other nation.
major operation	(DOD) A series of tactical actions (battles, engagements, strikes) conducted by combat forces of a single or several Services, coordinated in time and place, to achieve strategic or operational objectives in an operational area. These actions are conducted simultaneously or sequentially in accordance with a common plan and are controlled by a single commander. For noncombat operations, a reference to the relative size and scope of a military operation. See also operation.
make safe	(DOD) One or more actions necessary to prevent or interrupt complete function of the system (traditionally synonymous with "dearm," "disarm," and "disable"). Among the necessary actions are: (1) install (safety devices such as pins or locks); (2) disconnect (hoses, linkages, batteries); (3) bleed (accumulators, reservoirs); (4) remove (explosive devices such as initiators, fuzes, detonators); and (5) intervene (as in welding, lockwiring).
man portable	(DOD) Capable of being carried by one man. Specifically, the term may be used to qualify: 1. Items designed to be carried as an integral part of individual, crew-served, or team equipment of the dismounted soldier in conjunction with assigned duties. Upper weight limit: approximately 14 kilograms (31 pounds.) 2. In land warfare, equipment which can be carried by one man over long distance without serious degradation of the performance of normal duties.
maneuver	(DOD) 4. Employment of forces in the operational area through movement in combination with fires to achieve a position of advantage in respect to the enemy in order to accomplish the mission. See also mission; operation.
maneuver	(DOD) 3. The operation of a ship, aircraft, or vehicle, to cause it to perform desired movements.
maneuver	(DOD) 2. A tactical exercise carried out at sea, in the air, on the ground, or on a map in imitation of war.
maneuver	(DOD) 1. A movement to place ships, aircraft, or land forces in a position of advantage over the enemy.
maneuverable reentry vehicle	(DOD) A reentry vehicle capable of performing preplanned flight maneuvers during the reentry phase. See also multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle; multiple reentry vehicle; reentry vehicle.
MANFOR	manpower force packaging system
manifest	(DOD) A document specifying in detail the passengers or items carried for a specific destination.
manipulative electromagnetic deception	(DOD) See electromagnetic deception.
MANPADS	man-portable air defense system
MANPER	manpower and personnel module
manpower	(DOD) See manpower requirements; manpower resources.
manpower management	(DOD,NATO) The means of manpower control to ensure the most efficient and economical use of available manpower.
manpower management survey	(DOD,NATO) Systematic evaluation of a functional area, utilizing expert knowledge, manpower scaling guides, experience, and other practical considerations in determining the validity and managerial efficiency of the function's present or proposed manpower establishment.
manpower requirements	(DOD) Human resources needed to accomplish specified work loads of organizations.
manpower resources	(DOD) Human resources available to the Services that can be applied against manpower requirements.
MAOC-N	Maritime Analysis and Operations Center-Narcotics
MAP	Military Assistance Program; missed approach point; missed approach procedure
map	(DOD,NATO) A graphic representation, usually on a plane surface and at an established scale, of natural or artificial features on the surface of a part or the whole of the Earth or other planetary body. The features are positioned relative to a coordinate reference system. See also chart index; chart series; chart sheet; large-scale map; map chart; map index; map series; map sheet; medium-scale map; situation map; small-scale map; tactical map; topographic map.
map chart	(DOD) A representation of a land-sea area, using the characteristics of a map to represent the land area and the characteristics of a chart to represent the sea area, with such special characteristics as to make the map-chart most useful in military operations, particularly amphibious operations. See also map.
map convergence	(DOD,NATO) The angle at which one meridian is inclined to another on a map or chart. See also convergence.
map index	(DOD,NATO) Graphic key primarily designed to give the relationship between sheets of a series, their coverage, availability, and further information on the series. See also map.
map reference	(DOD,NATO) A means of identifying a point on the surface of the Earth by relating it to information appearing on a map, generally the graticule or grid.
map reference code	(DOD,NATO) A code used primarily for encoding grid coordinates and other information pertaining to maps. This code may be used for other purposes where the encryption of numerals is required.
map series	(DOD,NATO) A group of maps or charts usually having the same scale and cartographic specifications, and with each sheet appropriately identified by producing agency as belonging to the same series.
map sheet	(DOD,NATO) An individual map or chart either complete in itself or part of a series. See also map.
mapping camera	(DOD,NATO) See air cartographic camera.
MAR	METOC assistance request
MARAD	Maritime Administration
MARCORMATCOM	Marine Corps Materiel Command
MARCORSYSCOM	Marine Corps Systems Command
MARDIV	Marine division
MARFOR	Marine Corps forces
MARFOREUR	Marine Corps Forces, Europe
MARFORLANT	Marine Forces, Atlantic
MARFORNORTH	Marine Corps Forces, North
MARFORPAC	Marine Forces, Pacific
MARFORSOUTH	Marine Corps Forces, South
MARFORSTRAT	United States Marine Corps Forces, United States Strategic Command
margin	(DOD,NATO) In cartography, the area of a map or chart lying outside the border.
marginal data	(DOD,NATO) All explanatory information given in the margin of a map or chart which clarifies, defines, illustrates, and/or supplements the graphic portion of the sheet.
marginal information	(DOD,NATO) See marginal data.
MARINCEN	Maritime Intelligence Center
Marine air command and control system	(DOD) A system that provides the aviation combat element commander with the means to command, coordinate, and control all air operations within an assigned sector and to coordinate air operations with other Services. It is composed of command and control agencies with communications-electronics equipment that incorporates a capability from manual through semiautomatic control. Also called MACCS. See also direct air support center; tactical air operations center.
Marine air-ground task force	(DOD) The Marine Corps principal organization for all missions across the range of military operations, composed of forces task-organized under a single commander capable of responding rapidly to a contingency anywhere in the world. The types of forces in the Marine air-ground task force (MAGTF) are functionally grouped into four core elements: a command element, an aviation combat element, a ground combat element, and a combat service support element. The four core elements are categories of forces, not formal commands. The basic structure of the MAGTF never varies, though the number, size, and type of Marine Corps units comprising each of its four elements will always be mission dependent. The flexibility of the organizational structure allows for one or more subordinate MAGTFs to be assigned. Also called MAGTF. See also aviation combat element; combat service support element; command element; ground combat element; Marine expeditionary force; Marine expeditionary unit; special purpose Marine air-ground task force; task force.
Marine Corps special operations forces	(DOD) Those Active Component Marine Corps forces designated by the Secretary of Defense that are specifically organized, trained, and equipped to conduct and support special operations. Also called MARSOF.
marine environment	(DOD) The oceans, seas, bays, estuaries, and other major water bodies, including their surface interface and interaction, with the atmosphere and with the land seaward of the mean high water mark.
Marine expeditionary brigade	(DOD) A Marine air-ground task force that is constructed around a reinforced infantry regiment, a composite Marine aircraft group, and a combat logistics regiment. The Marine expeditionary brigade, commanded by a general officer, is task-organized to meet the requirements of a specific situation. It can function as part of a joint task force, as the lead echelon of the Marine expeditionary force, or alone. It varies in size and composition, and is larger than a Marine expeditionary unit but smaller than a Marine expeditionary force. The Marine expeditionary brigade is capable of conducting missions across the full range of military operations. Also called MEB. See also brigade; Marine air-ground task force; Marine expeditionary force.
Marine expeditionary force	(DOD) The largest Marine air-ground task force (MAGTF) and the Marine Corps principal warfighting organization, particularly for larger crises or contingencies. It is task-organized around a permanent command element and normally contains one or more Marine divisions, Marine aircraft wings, and Marine force service support groups. The Marine expeditionary force is capable of missions across the range of military operations, including amphibious assault and sustained operations ashore in any environment. It can operate from a sea base, a land base, or both. Also called MEF. See also aviation combat element; combat service support element; command element; ground combat element; Marine air-ground task force; Marine expeditionary unit; special purpose Marine air-ground task force; task force.
Marine expeditionary unit	(DOD) A Marine air-ground task force (MAGTF) that is constructed around an infantry battalion reinforced, a helicopter squadron reinforced, and a task-organized combat service support element. It normally fulfills Marine Corps forward sea-based deployment requirements. The Marine expeditionary unit provides an immediate reaction capability for crisis response and is capable of limited combat operations. Also called MEU. See also aviation combat element; combat service support element; command element; ground combat element; Marine air-ground task force; Marine expeditionary force; Marine expeditionary unit (special operations capable); special purpose Marine air-ground task force; task force.
Marine expeditionary unit (special operations capable)	(DOD) The Marine Corps standard, forward-deployed, sea-based expeditionary organization. The Marine expeditionary unit (special operations capable) (MEU[SOC]) is a Marine expeditionary unit, augmented with selected personnel and equipment, that is trained and equipped with an enhanced capability to conduct amphibious operations and a variety of specialized missions of limited scope and duration. These capabilities include specialized demolition, clandestine reconnaissance and surveillance, raids, in-extremis hostage recovery, and enabling operations for follow-on forces. The MEU(SOC) is not a special operations force but, when directed by the Secretary of Defense, the combatant commander, and/or other operational commander, may conduct limited special operations in extremis, when other forces are inappropriate or unavailable. Also called MEU(SOC). See also aviation combat element; combat service support element; command element; ground combat element; Marine air-ground task force; Marine expeditionary force; Marine expeditionary unit; special purpose Marine air-ground task force; task force.
Maritime Administration Ready Reserve Force	(DOD) The Maritime Administration (MARAD) Ready Reserve Force is composed of 68 surge sealift assets owned and operated by the US Department of Transportation/MARAD and crewed by civilian mariners. In time of contingency or exercises, the ships are placed under the operational command of the Military Sealift Command. See also National Defense Reserve Fleet.
maritime control area	(DOD) An area generally similar to a defensive sea area in purpose except that it may be established any place on the high seas. Maritime control areas are normally established only in time of war. See also defensive sea area.
maritime defense sector	(DOD,NATO) One of the subdivisions of a coastal area.
maritime domain	(DOD) The oceans, seas, bays, estuaries, islands, coastal areas, and the airspace above these, including the littorals.
maritime domain awareness	(DOD) The effective understanding of anything associated with the maritime domain that could impact the security, safety, economy, or environment of a nation.
maritime environment	(DOD) The complex union and interaction between oceans, seas, bays, estuaries, and other major water bodies, with the atmosphere and land seaward of the mean high water mark.
maritime forces	(DOD) Forces that operate on, under, or above the sea to gain or exploit command of the sea, sea control, or sea denial and/or to project power from the sea.
maritime interception operations	(DOD) Efforts to monitor, query, and board merchant vessels in international waters to enforce sanctions against other nations such as those in support of United Nations Security Council Resolutions and/or prevent the transport of restricted goods. Also called MIO.
maritime power projection	(DOD) Power projection in and from the maritime environment, including a broad spectrum of offensive military operations to destroy enemy forces or logistic support or to prevent enemy forces from approaching within enemy weapons' range of friendly forces. Maritime power projection may be accomplished by amphibious assault operations, attack of targets ashore, or support of sea control operations.
maritime pre-positioning force operation	(DOD) A rapid deployment and assembly of a Marine expeditionary force in a secure area using a combination of intertheater airlift and forward-deployed maritime pre-positioning ships. See also Marine expeditionary force; maritime pre-positioning ships.
maritime pre-positioning ships	(DOD) Civilian-crewed, Military Sealift Command-chartered ships that are organized into three squadrons and are usually forward-deployed. These ships are loaded with pre-positioned equipment and 30 days of supplies to support three Marine expeditionary brigades. Also called MPS. See also Navy cargo handling battalion.
maritime search and rescue region	(DOD) The waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; the territories and possessions of the United States (except Canal Zone and the inland area of Alaska), and designated areas of the high seas. See also search and rescue region.
maritime superiority	(DOD) That degree of dominance of one force over another that permits the conduct of maritime operations by the former and its related land, maritime, and air forces at a given time and place without prohibitive interference by the opposing force.
maritime supremacy	(DOD) That degree of maritime superiority wherein the opposing force is incapable of effective interference.
marker	(DOD,NATO) 2. In land mine warfare: See gap marker; intermediate marker; lane marker; row marker; strip marker.
marker	(DOD,NATO) 1. A visual or electronic aid used to mark a designated point.
marker	(DOD,NATO) 3. In naval operations, a maritime unit which maintains an immediate offensive or obstructive capability against a specified target.
marking	(DOD) To maintain contact on a target from such a position that the marking unit has an immediate offensive capability.
marking error	(DOD,NATO) In naval mine warfare, the distance and bearing of a marker from a target.
marking fire	(DOD,NATO) Fire placed on a target for the purpose of identification.
marking panel	(DOD,NATO) A sheet of material displayed for visual communication, usually between friendly units. See also panel code.
MARLE	Marine liaison element
MARLO	Marine liaison officer
MAROP	marine operators
MARPOL	International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
married failure	(DOD,NATO) In naval mine warfare, a moored mine lying on the seabed connected to its sinker from which it has failed to release owing to defective mechanism.
MARS	Military Auxiliary Radio System
MARSA	military assumes responsibility for separation of aircraft
marshalling	(DOD) 2. The process of assembling, holding, and organizing supplies and/or equipment, especially vehicles of transportation, for onward movement. See also stage; staging area.
marshalling	(DOD) 1. The process by which units participating in an amphibious or airborne operation group together or assemble when feasible or move to temporary camps in the vicinity of embarkation points, complete preparations for combat, or prepare for loading.
marshalling area	(DOD) A location in the vicinity of a reception terminal or pre-positioned equipment storage site where arriving unit personnel, equipment, materiel, and accompanying supplies are reassembled, returned to the control of the unit commander, and prepared for onward movement. The joint complex commander designating the location will coordinate the use of the facilities with other allied commands and the host nation, and will provide life support to the units while in the marshalling area. See also marshalling.
MARSOC	Marine Corps special operations command
MARSOF	Marine Corps special operations forces
MART	mobile Automatic Digital Network (AUTODIN) remote terminal
MASCAL	mass casualty
MASF	mobile aeromedical staging facility
MASH	mobile Army surgical hospital
MASINT	measurement and signature intelligence
MASLO	measurement and signature intelligence (MASINT) liaison officer
mass	(DOD,NATO) 1. The concentration of combat power.
mass	(DOD,NATO) 2. The military formation in which units are spaced at less than the normal distances and intervals.
mass casualty	(DOD) Any large number of casualties produced in a relatively short period of time, usually as the result of a single incident such as a military aircraft accident, hurricane, flood, earthquake, or armed attack that exceeds local logistic support capabilities. See also casualty.
massed fire	(DOD) 1. The fire of the batteries of two or more ships directed against a single target.
massed fire	(DOD) 2. Fire from a number of weapons directed at a single point or small area.
MAST	military assistance to safety and traffic; mobile ashore support terminal
master	(DOD) The commanding officer of a United States Naval Ship, a commercial ship, or a government-owned general agency agreement ship operated for the Military Sealift Command by a civilian company to transport Department of Defense cargo. Also called MA.
master air attack plan	(DOD) A plan that contains key information that forms the foundation of the joint air tasking order. Sometimes referred to as the air employment plan or joint air tasking order shell. Information that may be found in the plan includes joint force commander guidance, joint force air component commander guidance, support plans, component requests, target update requests, availability of capabilities and forces, target information from target lists, aircraft allocation, etc. Also called MAAP. See also target.
master film	(DOD,NATO) The earliest generation of imagery (negative or positive) from which subsequent copies are produced.
master plot	(DOD,NATO) A portion of a map or overlay on which are drawn the outlines of the areas covered by an air photographic sortie. Latitude and longitude, map, and sortie information are shown.
MAT	medical analysis tool
MATCALS	Marine air traffic control and landing system
MATCS	Marine air traffic control squadron
materials handling	(DOD,NATO) The movement of materials (raw materials, scrap, semifinished, and finished) to, through, and from productive processes; in warehouses and storage; and in receiving and shipping areas.
materials handling equipment	(DOD) Mechanical devices for handling of supplies with greater ease and economy. See also materials handling.
materiel	(DOD) All items (including ships, tanks, self-propelled weapons, aircraft, etc., and related spares, repair parts, and support equipment, but excluding real property, installations, and utilities) necessary to equip, operate, maintain, and support military activities without distinction as to its application for administrative or combat purposes. See also equipment; personal property.
materiel control	(DOD,NATO) See inventory control.
materiel inventory objective	(DOD) The quantity of an item required to be on hand and on order on M-day in order to equip, provide a materiel pipeline, and sustain the approved US force structure (active and reserve) and those Allied forces designated for US materiel support, through the period prescribed for war materiel planning purposes. It is the quantity by which the war materiel requirement exceeds the war materiel procurement capability and the war materiel requirement adjustment. It includes the M-day force materiel requirement and the war reserve materiel requirement.
materiel management	(DOD,NATO) See inventory control.
materiel planning	(DOD) A subset of logistic planning consisting of a four-step process. a. requirements definition. Requirements for significant items must be calculated at item level detail (i.e., National Stock Number) to support sustainability planning and analysis. Requirements include unit roundout, consumption and attrition replacement, safety stock, and the needs of allies. b. apportionment. Items are apportioned to the combatant commanders based on a global scenario to avoid sourcing of items to multiple theaters. The basis for apportionment is the capability provided by unit stocks, host-nation support, theater pre-positioned war reserve stocks and industrial base, and continental United States Department of Defense stockpiles and available production. Item apportionment cannot exceed total capabilities. c. sourcing. Sourcing is the matching of available capabilities on a given date against item requirements to support sustainability analysis and the identification of locations to support transportation planning. Sourcing of any item is done within the combatant commander's apportionment. d. documentation. Sourced item requirements and corresponding shortfalls are major inputs to the combatant commander's sustainability analysis. Sourced item requirements are translated into movement requirements and documented in the Joint Operation Planning and Execution System database for transportation feasibility analysis. Movement requirements for nonsignificant items are estimated in tonnage.
materiel readiness	(DOD) The availability of materiel required by a military organization to support its wartime activities or contingencies, disaster relief (flood, earthquake, etc.), or other emergencies.
materiel release order	(DOD) An order issued by an accountable supply system manager (usually an inventory control point or accountable depot or stock point) directing a non-accountable activity (usually a storage site or materiel drop point) within the same supply distribution complex to release and ship materiel. Also called MRO.
materiel requirements	(DOD) Those quantities of items of equipment and supplies necessary to equip, provide a materiel pipeline, and sustain a Service, formation, organization, or unit in the fulfillment of its purposes or tasks during a specified period.
MAW	Marine aircraft wing
MAX	maximum
maximum effective range	(DOD) The maximum distance at which a weapon may be expected to be accurate and achieve the desired effect.
maximum elevation figure	(DOD,NATO) A figure, shown in each quadrangle bounded by ticked graticule lines on aeronautical charts, which represents the height in thousands and hundreds of feet, above mean sea level, of the highest known natural or manmade feature in that quadrangle, plus suitable factors to allow for inaccuracy and incompleteness of the topographical heighting information.
maximum enlisted amount	(DOD) For any month, the sum of: a. the highest rate of basic pay payable for such month to any enlisted member of the Armed Forces of the United States at the highest pay grade applicable to enlisted members; and b. in the case of officers entitled to special pay under Title 37, United States Code, for such month, the amount of such special pay payable to such officers for such month.
maximum landing weight	(DOD,NATO) The maximum gross weight due to design or operational limitations at which an aircraft is permitted to land.
maximum ordinate	(DOD,NATO) In artillery and naval gunfire support, the height of the highest point in the trajectory of a projectile above the horizontal plane passing through its origin. Also called vertex height.
maximum permissible concentration	(DOD,NATO) See radioactivity concentration guide.
maximum permissible dose	(DOD,NATO) That radiation dose which a military commander or other appropriate authority may prescribe as the limiting cumulative radiation dose to be received over a specific period of time by members of the command, consistent with current operational military considerations.
maximum range	(DOD,NATO) The greatest distance a weapon can fire without consideration of dispersion.
maximum sustained speed	(DOD,NATO) In road transport, the highest speed at which a vehicle, with its rated payload, can be driven for an extended period on a level first-class highway without sustaining damage.
maximum take-off weight	(DOD,NATO) The maximum gross weight due to design or operational limitations at which an aircraft is permitted to take off.
MAXORD	maximum ordinate
mayday	(DOD) Distress call.
MB	medium boat; megabyte
MBA	main battle area
MBBLs	thousands of barrels
MBCDM	medical biological chemical defense materiel
MBI	major budget issue
Mbps	megabytes per second
Mbs	megabits per second
MC	Military Committee (NATO); military community; mission-capable
MC-130	Combat Talon (I and II)
MC/FI	mass casualty/fatality incident
MCA	mail control activity; maximum calling area; military civic action; mission concept approval; movement control agency
MCAG	maritime civil affairs group
MCAP	maximum calling area precedence
MCAS	Marine Corps air station
MCAT	maritime civil affairs team
MCB	movement control battalion
MCBAT	medical chemical biological advisory team
MCC	Marine component commander; maritime component commander; master control center; military cooperation committee; military coordinating committee; mission control center; mobility control center; movement control center
MCCC	mobile consolidated command center
MCCDC	Marine Corps Combat Development Command
MCCISWG	military command, control, and information systems working group
MCD	medical crew director
MCDA	military and civil defense assets (UN)
MCDP	Marine Corps doctrine publication
MCDS	modular cargo delivery system
MCEB	Military Communications-Electronics Board
MCEWG	Military Communications-Electronics Working Group
MCIA	Marine Corps Intelligence Activity
MCIO	military criminal investigative organization
MCIOC	Marine Corps Information Operations Center
MCIP	Marine Corps information publication; military command inspection program
MCJSB	Military Committee Joint Standardization Board
MCM	Manual for Courts-Martial; military classification manual; mine countermeasures
MCMC	mine countermeasures commander
MCMG	Military Committee Meteorological Group (NATO)
MCMO	medical civil-military operations
MCMOPS	mine countermeasures operations
MCMREP	mine countermeasure report
MCO	Mapping Customer Operations; Marine Corps order
MCOO	modified combined obstacle overlay
MCPO	Master Chief Petty Officer
MCPON	Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
MCRP	Marine Corps reference publication
MCS	maneuver control system; Military Capabilities Study; mine countermeasures ship; modular causeway system
MCSF	mobile cryptologic support facility
MCSFB	Marine Corps security force battalion
MCT	movement control team
MCTC	Midwest Counterdrug Training Center
MCTFT	Multijurisdictional Counterdrug Task Force Training
MCU	maintenance communications unit
MCW	modulated carrier wave
MCWP	Marine Corps warfighting publication
MCX	Marine Corps Exchange
MDA	Magen David Adom (Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross); maritime domain awareness
MDCI	multidiscipline counterintelligence
MDDOC	Marine air-ground task force (MAGTF) deployment and distribution operations center
MDF	Main Defense Forces (NATO); main distribution frame
MDITDS	migration defense intelligence threat data system; Modernized Defense Intelligence Threat Data System
MDMA	methylenedioxymethamphetamine
MDR	medium data rate
MDRO	mission disaster response officer
MDS	Message Dissemination Subsystem; mission design series
MDSS II	Marine air-ground task force (MAGTF) Deployment Support System II
MDSU	mobile diving and salvage unit
MDW	Military District of Washington
MDZ	maritime defense zone
ME/C	medical examiner and/or coroner
MEA	munitions effect assessment; munitions effectiveness assessment
meaconing	(DOD) A system of receiving radio beacon signals and rebroadcasting them on the same frequency to confuse navigation. The meaconing stations cause inaccurate bearings to be obtained by aircraft or ground stations.
mean lethal dose	(DOD,NATO) 1. The amount of nuclear irradiation of the whole body which would be fatal to 50 percent of the exposed personnel in a given period of time.
mean lethal dose	(DOD,NATO) 2. The dose of chemical agent that would kill 50 percent of exposed, unprotected, and untreated personnel.
mean point of burst	(DOD,NATO) See mean point of impact.
mean point of impact	(DOD,NATO) The point whose coordinates are the arithmetic means of the coordinates of the separate points of impact/burst of a finite number of projectiles fired or released at the same aiming point under a given set of conditions.
means of transport	(DOD) See mode of transport.
measure of effectiveness	(DOD) A criterion used to assess changes in system behavior, capability, or operational environment that is tied to measuring the attainment of an end state, achievement of an objective, or creation of an effect. Also called MOE. See also combat assessment; mission.
measure of performance	(DOD) A criterion used to assess friendly actions that is tied to measuring task accomplishment. Also called MOP.
measured mile	(DOD,NATO) In maritime navigation, distance precisely measured and marked, used by a vessel to calibrate its log.
measurement and signature intelligence	(DOD) Intelligence obtained by quantitative and qualitative analysis of data (metric, angle, spatial, wavelength, time dependence, modulation, plasma, and hydromagnetic) derived from specific technical sensors for the purpose of identifying any distinctive features associated with the emitter or sender, and to facilitate subsequent identification and/or measurement of the same. The detected feature may be either reflected or emitted. Also called MASINT. See also intelligence; scientific and technical intelligence.
Measurement and Signature Intelligence Requirements System	(DOD) A system for the management of theater and national measurement and signature intelligence (MASINT) collection requirements. It provides automated tools for users in support of submission, review, and validation of MASINT nominations of requirements to be tasked for national and Department of Defense MASINT collection, production, and exploitation resources. Also called MRS. See also measurement and signature intelligence.
measurement ton	(DOD) The unit of volumetric measurement of equipment associated with surface-delivered cargo. Measurement tons equal total cubic feet divided by 40 (1MTON = 40 cubic feet). Also called M/T, MT, MTON.
MEB	Marine expeditionary brigade
MEBU	mission essential backup
MEC	medium endurance cutter
mechanical sweep	(DOD,NATO) In naval mine warfare, any sweep used with the object of physically contacting the mine or its appendages.
MED	manipulative electronic deception
MEDAL	Mine Warfare Environmental Decision Aids Library
MEDCAP	medical civic action program
MEDCC	medical coordination cell
MEDCOM	medical command; US Army Medical Command
MEDEVAC	medical evacuation
media operations center	(DOD) A facility established by the joint force commander to serve as the focal point for the interface between the military and the media during the conduct of joint operations. Also called MOC.
media pool	(DOD) A limited number of news media who represent a larger number of news media organizations for purposes of news gathering and sharing of material during a specified activity. Pooling is typically used when news media support resources cannot accommodate a large number of journalists. See also news media representative; public affairs.
median incapacitating dose	(DOD,NATO) The amount or quantity of chemical agent which when introduced into the body will incapacitate 50 percent of exposed, unprotected personnel.
medical civil-military operations	(DOD) All military health-related activities in support of a joint force commander that establish, enhance, maintain or influence relations between the joint or multinational force and host nation, multinational governmental and nongovernmental civilian organizations and authorities, and the civilian populace in order to facilitate military operations, achieve US operational objectives, and positively impact the health sector. Also called MCMO.
medical contingency file	(DOD) A web-based database within the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia's Readiness Management Application that identifies and manages Department of Defense medical contingency materiel requirements.
medical evacuees	(DOD) Personnel who are wounded, injured, or ill and must be moved to or between medical facilities.
medical intelligence	(DOD) That category of intelligence resulting from the collection, evaluation, analysis, and interpretation of foreign medical, bio-scientific, and environmental information that is of interest to strategic planning and to military medical planning and operations for the conservation of the fighting strength of friendly forces and the formation of assessments of foreign medical capabilities in both military and civilian sectors. Also called MEDINT. See also intelligence.
medical intelligence preparation of the operational environment	(DOD) A systematic continuing process that analyzes information on medical and disease threats, enemy capabilities, terrain, weather, local medical infrastructure, potential humanitarian and refugee situations, transportation issues, and political, religious and social issues for all types of operations. Medical intelligence preparation of the operational environment is a component of the health service support mission analysis process, and the resulting statistics serves as a basis for developing health service support estimates and plans. It includes: defining the operational environment, describing the operational environment effects on health service support operations, evaluating the operational environmental threats, and determining courses of action to meet actual and potential threats. Also called MIPOE.
medical officer	(DOD,NATO) Physician with officer rank. Also called MO.
medical protocols	(DOD) Directives issued by competent military authority that delineate the circumstances and limitations under which United States medical forces will initiate medical care and support to those individuals that are not Department of Defense health care beneficiaries or designated eligible for care in a military medical treatment facility by the Secretary of Defense.
medical regulating	(DOD) The actions and coordination necessary to arrange for the movement of patients through the levels of care. This process matches patients with a medical treatment facility that has the necessary health service support capabilities and available bed space. See also health service support; medical treatment facility.
medical surveillance	(DOD) The ongoing, systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of data derived from instances of medical care or medical evaluation, and the reporting of population-based information for characterizing and countering threats to a population's health, well-being and performance. See also surveillance.
medical treatment facility	(DOD) A facility established for the purpose of furnishing medical and/or dental care to eligible individuals. Also called MTF.
MEDINT	medical intelligence
medium-range transport aircraft	(DOD,NATO) See transport aircraft.
medium-scale map	(DOD) A map having a scale larger than 1:600,000 and smaller than 1:75,000. See also map.
MEDLOG	medical logistics (USAF AIS)
MEDLOG JR	medical logistics, junior (USAF)
MEDLOGCO	medical logistics company
MEDMOB	Medical Mobilization Planning and Execution System
MEDNEO	medical noncombatant evacuation operation
MEDREG	medical regulating
MEDREGREP	medical regulating report
MEDRETE	medical readiness training exercise
MEDS	meteorological data system
MEDSOM	medical supply, optical, and maintenance unit
MEDSTAT	medical status
meeting engagement	(DOD,NATO) A combat action that occurs when a moving force, incompletely deployed for battle, engages an enemy at an unexpected time and place.
MEF	Marine expeditionary force
MEFPAKA	manpower and equipment force packaging
megaton weapon	(DOD,NATO) A nuclear weapon, the yield of which is measured in terms of millions of tons of trinitrotoluene explosive equivalents. See also kiloton weapon; nominal weapon; subkiloton weapon.
MEL	maintenance expenditure limit; minimum equipment list
mensuration	(DOD) The process of measurement of a feature or location on the earth to determine an absolute latitude, longitude, and elevation. For targeting applications, the errors inherent in both the source for measurement as well as the measurement processes must be understood and reported.
MEO	medium Earth orbit; military equal opportunity
MEP	mobile electric power
MEPCOM	military entrance processing command
MEPES	Medical Planning and Execution System
MEPRS	Military Entrance Processing and Reporting System
merchant convoy	(DOD,NATO) A convoy consisting primarily of merchant ships controlled by the naval control of shipping organization.
merchant ship	(DOD,NATO) A vessel engaged in mercantile trade except river craft, estuarial craft, or craft which operate solely within harbor limits.
merchant ship communications system	(DOD,NATO) A worldwide system of communications to and from merchant ships using the peacetime commercial organization as a basis but under operational control authority, with the ability to employ the broadcast mode to ships when the situation makes radio silence necessary. Also called mercomms system.
merchant ship control zone	(DOD,NATO) A defined area of sea or ocean inside which it may be necessary to offer guidance, control, and protection to Allied shipping.
merchant ship reporting and control message system	(DOD,NATO) A worldwide message system for reporting the movements of and information relating to the control of merchant ships.
MERCO	merchant ship reporting and control
mercomms system	(DOD,NATO) See merchant ship communications system.
MERSHIPS	merchant ships
MES	medical equipment set
MESAR	minimum-essential security assistance requirements
MESF	maritime expeditionary security force
message	(DOD) 2. A narrowly focused communication directed at a specific audience to support a specific theme.
message	(DOD) 1. Any thought or idea expressed briefly in a plain or secret language and prepared in a form suitable for transmission by any means of communication.
MET	medium equipment transporter; mobile environmental team
METAR	meteorological airfield report; meteorological aviation report
METARS	routine aviation weather report (roughly translated from French; international standard code format for hourly surface weather observations)
METCON	control of meteorological information (roughly translated from French); meteorological control (Navy)
meteorological and oceanographic	(DOD) A term used to convey all meteorological, oceanographic, and space environmental factors as provided by Services, support agencies, and other sources. These factors include the whole range of atmospheric (weather) and oceanographic phenomena, from the sub-bottom of the earth's oceans up to the space environment (space weather). Also called METOC.
meteorological and oceanographic data	(DOD) Measurements or observations of meteorological and oceanographic variables.
meteorological and oceanographic environment	(DOD) The surroundings, which include conditions, resources, and natural phenomena, in and through which the joint force operates. The complete environment extends from the sub-bottom of the Earth's oceans, through maritime, land areas, airspace, ionosphere, and outward into space.
meteorological and oceanographic operations support community	(DOD) The collective of electronically connected, shore-based meteorological and oceanographic production facilities/centers, theater and/or regional meteorological and oceanographic production activities. Also called MOSC. See also meteorological and oceanographic.
meteorology	(DOD) The study dealing with the phenomena of the atmosphere including the physics, chemistry, and dynamics extending to the effects of the atmosphere on the Earth's surface and the oceans.
METL	mission-essential task list
METMF	meteorological mobile facility
METMF(R)	meteorological mobile facility (replacement)
METOC	meteorological and oceanographic
METSAT	meteorological satellite
METT-T	mission, enemy, terrain and weather, troops and support available--time available
METT-TC	mission, enemy, terrain and weather, troops and support available-time available and civil considerations (Army)
MEU	Marine expeditionary unit
MEU(SOC)	Marine expeditionary unit (special operations capable)
MEVA	mission essential vulnerable area
MEWSG	Multi-Service Electronic Warfare Support Group (NATO)
MEZ	missile engagement zone
MF	medium frequency; mobile facility; multi-frequency
MFC	multinational force commander
MFDS	Modular Fuel Delivery System
MFE	manpower force element
MFFIMS	mass fatality field information management system
MFO	multinational force and observers
MFP	major force program
MFPC	maritime future plans center
MFPF	minefield planning folder
MFS	multifunction switch
MGB	medium girder bridge
MGM	master group multiplexer
MGRS	military grid reference system
MGS	mobile ground system
MGT	management
MGW	maximum gross weight
MHC	management headquarters ceiling
MHE	materials handling equipment
MHU	modular heat unit
MHW	mean high water
MHz	megahertz
MI	military intelligence; movement instructions
MIA	missing in action
MIAC	maritime intelligence and analysis center
MIB	Military Intelligence Board
MIC	Multinational Interoperability Council
MICAP	mission capable/mission capability
MICON	mission concept
MICRO-MICS	micro-medical inventory control system
MICRO-SNAP	micro-shipboard non-tactical automated data processing system
microform	(DOD,NATO) A generic term for any form, whether film, video tape, paper, or other medium, containing miniaturized or otherwise compressed images which cannot be read without special display devices.
MIDAS	model for intertheater deployment by air and sea
MIDB	modernized integrated database; modernized intelligence database
midcourse guidance	(DOD) The guidance applied to a missile between termination of the boost phase and the start of the terminal phase of flight.
midcourse phase	(DOD) That portion of the flight of a ballistic missile between the boost phase and the terminal phase. See also ballistic trajectory; boost phase; terminal phase.
MIDDS-T	Meteorological and Oceanographic (METOC) Integrated Data Display System-Tactical
MIF	maritime interception force
migrant	(DOD) A person who (1) belongs to a normally migratory culture who may cross national boundaries, or (2) has fled his or her native country for economic reasons rather than fear of political or ethnic persecution.
MIJI	meaconing, interference, jamming, and intrusion
MIL-STD	military standard
MILALOC	military air line of communications
MILCON	military construction
MILDEC	military deception
MILDEP	Military Department
MILGP	military group (assigned to American Embassy in host nation)
militarily significant fallout	(DOD) Radioactive contamination capable of inflicting radiation doses on personnel which may result in a reduction of their combat effectiveness.
Military Affiliate Radio System	(DOD) A program conducted by the Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force in which amateur radio stations and operators participate in and contribute to the mission of providing auxiliary and emergency communications on a local, national, or international basis as an adjunct to normal military communications. Also called MARS.
military assistance advisory group	(DOD) A joint Service group, normally under the military command of a commander of a unified command and representing the Secretary of Defense, which primarily administers the US military assistance planning and programming in the host country. Also called MAAG.
military assistance for civil disturbances	(DOD) A mission of civil support involving Department of Defense support, normally based on the direction of the President, to suppress insurrections, rebellions, and domestic violence, and provide federal supplemental assistance to the states to maintain law and order. Also called MACDIS.
Military Assistance Program	(DOD) That portion of the US security assistance authorized by the Foreign Assistance Act of l961, as amended, which provides defense articles and services to recipients on a nonreimbursable (grant) basis. Also called MAP.
military assistance to civil authorities	(DOD) The broad mission of civil support consisting of the three mission subsets of military support to civil authorities, military support to civilian law enforcement agencies, and military assistance for civil disturbances. Also called MACA.
military capability	(DOD) The ability to achieve a specified wartime objective (win a war or battle, destroy a target set). It includes four major components: force structure, modernization, readiness, and sustainability. a. force structure--Numbers, size, and composition of the units that comprise US defense forces; e.g., divisions, ships, air wings. b. modernization--Technical sophistication of forces, units, weapon systems, and equipments. c. unit readiness--The ability to provide capabilities required by the combatant commanders to execute their assigned missions. This is derived from the ability of each unit to deliver the outputs for which it was designed. d. sustainability--The ability to maintain the necessary level and duration of operational activity to achieve military objectives. Sustainability is a function of providing for and maintaining those levels of ready forces, materiel, and consumables necessary to support military effort. See also readiness.
military characteristics	(DOD) Those characteristics of equipment upon which depends its ability to perform desired military functions. Military characteristics include physical and operational characteristics but not technical characteristics.
military civic action	(DOD) The use of preponderantly indigenous military forces on projects useful to the local population at all levels in such fields as education, training, public works, agriculture, transportation, communications, health, sanitation, and others contributing to economic and social development, which would also serve to improve the standing of the military forces with the population. (US forces may at times advise or engage in military civic actions in overseas areas.)
military construction	(DOD) Any construction, alteration, development, conversion, or extension of any kind carried out with respect to a military installation. Also called MILCON.
military convoy	(DOD,NATO) A land or maritime convoy that is controlled and reported as a military unit. A maritime convoy can consist of any combination of merchant ships, auxiliaries, or other military units.
military currency	(DOD,NATO) Currency prepared by a power and declared by its military commander to be legal tender for use by civilian and/or military personnel as prescribed in the areas occupied by its forces. It should be of distinctive design to distinguish it from the official currency of the countries concerned, but may be denominated in the monetary unit of either.
military deception	(DOD) Actions executed to deliberately mislead adversary military decision makers as to friendly military capabilities, intentions, and operations, thereby causing the adversary to take specific actions (or inactions) that will contribute to the accomplishment of the friendly mission. Also called MILDEC. See also deception.
Military Department	(DOD) One of the departments within the Department of Defense created by the National Security Act of 1947, as amended. Also called MILDEP. See also Department of the Air Force; Department of the Army; Department of the Navy.
military education	(DOD) The systematic instruction of individuals in subjects that will enhance their knowledge of the science and art of war. See also military training.
military engagement	(DOD) Routine contact and interaction between individuals or elements of the Armed Forces of the United States and those of another nation's armed forces, or foreign and domestic civilian authorities or agencies to build trust and confidence, share information, coordinate mutual activities, and maintain influence.
military geography	(DOD) The specialized field of geography dealing with natural and manmade physical features that may affect the planning and conduct of military operations.
military government	(DOD) See civil affairs.
military governor	(DOD,NATO) The military commander or other designated person who, in an occupied territory, exercises supreme authority over the civil population subject to the laws and usages of war and to any directive received from the commander's government or superior.
military grid	(DOD,NATO) Two sets of parallel lines intersecting at right angles and forming squares; the grid is superimposed on maps, charts, and other similar representations of the surface of the Earth in an accurate and consistent manner to permit identification of ground locations with respect to other locations and the computation of direction and distance to other points. See also military grid reference system.
military grid reference system	(DOD,NATO) A system which uses a standard-scaled grid square, based on a point of origin on a map projection of the surface of the Earth in an accurate and consistent manner to permit either position referencing or the computation of direction and distance between grid positions. Also called MGRS. See also military grid.
military health system	(DOD) A health system that supports the military mission by fostering, protecting, sustaining, and restoring health. It also provides the direction, resources, health care providers, and other means necessary for promoting the health of the beneficiary population. These include developing and promoting health awareness issues to educate customers, discovering and resolving environmentally based health threats, providing health services, including preventive care and problem intervention, and improving the means and methods for maintaining the health of the beneficiary population, by constantly evaluating the performance of the health care services system.
military independent	(DOD,NATO) A merchant ship or auxiliary sailed singly but controlled and reported as a military unit. See also independent.
military intelligence	(DOD) Intelligence on any foreign military or military-related situation or activity which is significant to military policymaking or the planning and conduct of military operations and activities. Also called MI.
Military Intelligence Board	(DOD) A decision-making forum which formulates Department of Defense intelligence policy and programming priorities. Also called MIB. See also intelligence; military intelligence.
military intervention	(DOD) The deliberate act of a nation or a group of nations to introduce its military forces into the course of an existing controversy.
military journalist	(DOD) A US Service member or Department of Defense civilian employee providing photographic, print, radio, or television command information for military internal audiences. See also command information.
military load classification	(DOD,NATO) A standard system in which a route, bridge, or raft is assigned class number(s) representing the load it can carry. Vehicles are also assigned number(s) indicating the minimum class of route, bridge, or raft they are authorized to use. See also route classification.
military necessity	(DOD,NATO) The principle whereby a belligerent has the right to apply any measures which are required to bring about the successful conclusion of a military operation and which are not forbidden by the laws of war.
military nuclear power	(DOD,NATO) A nation which has nuclear weapons and the capability for their employment.
military occupation	(DOD) A condition in which territory is under the effective control of a foreign armed force. See also occupied territory.
military options	(DOD) A range of military force responses that can be projected to accomplish assigned tasks. Options include one or a combination of the following: civic action, humanitarian assistance, civil affairs, and other military activities to develop positive relationships with other countries; confidence building and other measures to reduce military tensions; military presence; activities to convey threats to adversaries as well as truth projections; military deceptions and psychological operations; quarantines, blockades, and harassment operations; raids; intervention operations; armed conflict involving air, land, maritime, and strategic warfare operations; support for law enforcement authorities to counter international criminal activities (terrorism, narcotics trafficking, slavery, and piracy); support for law enforcement authorities to suppress domestic rebellion; and support for insurgency, counterinsurgency, and civil war in foreign countries. See also civil affairs; foreign humanitarian assistance; military civic action.
military post office	(DOD) A branch of a designated US-based post office such as New York, San Francisco, Miami, or Seattle established by US Postal Service authority and operated by one of the Military Services. The term includes Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and established Coast Guard post offices. Also called MPO.
Military Postal Service	(DOD) The command, organization, personnel, and facilities established to provide, through military post offices, a means for the transmission of mail to and from the Department of Defense, members of the US Armed Forces, and other authorized agencies and individuals. Also called MPS.
Military Postal Service Agency	(DOD) The single manager operating agency established to manage the Military Postal Service. Also called MPSA.
military posture	(DOD) The military disposition, strength, and condition of readiness as it affects capabilities.
military requirement	(DOD,NATO) An established need justifying the timely allocation of resources to achieve a capability to accomplish approved military objectives, missions, or tasks. Also called operational requirement.
military resources	(DOD) Military and civilian personnel, facilities, equipment, and supplies under the control of a Department of Defense component.
Military Sealift Command	(DOD) A major command of the US Navy reporting to Commander Fleet Forces Command, and the US Transportation Command's component command responsible for designated common-user sealift transportation services to deploy, employ, sustain, and redeploy US forces on a global basis. Also called MSC. See also transportation component command.
Military Sealift Command force	(DOD) The Military Sealift Command force common-user sealift consists of three subsets: the Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force, common-user ocean transportation, and the special mission support force. These ship classes include government-owned ships (normally civilian-manned) and ships acquired by Military Sealift Command charter or allocated from other government agencies. See also common-user sealift; Military Sealift Command.
Military Service	(DOD) A branch of the Armed Forces of the United States, established by act of Congress, in which persons are appointed, enlisted, or inducted for military service, and which operates and is administered within a military or executive department. The Military Services are: the United States Army, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force, the United States Marine Corps, and the United States Coast Guard.
military source operations	(DOD) Refers to the collection, from, by and/or via humans, of foreign and military and military-related intelligence.
military specification container	(DOD) A container that meets specific written standards. Also called MILSPEC container.
military standard requisitioning and issue procedure	(DOD) A uniform procedure established by the Department of Defense for use within the Department of Defense to govern requisition and issue of materiel within standardized priorities. Also called MILSTRIP.
military standard transportation and movement procedures	(DOD) Uniform and standard transportation data, documentation, and control procedures applicable to all cargo movements in the Department of Defense transportation system. Also called MILSTAMP.
military support to civil authorities	(DOD) A mission of civil support consisting of support for natural or man-made disasters, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or high-yield explosive consequence management, and other support as required. Also called MSCA.
military support to civilian law enforcement agencies	(DOD) A mission of civil support that includes support to civilian law enforcement agencies. This includes but is not limited to: combating terrorism, counterdrug operations, national security special events, and national critical infrastructure and key asset protection. Also called MSCLEA.
military symbol	(DOD,NATO) A graphic sign used, usually on map, display or diagram, to represent a particular military unit, installation, activity, or other item of military interest.
military technician	(DOD) A Federal civilian employee providing full-time support to a National Guard, Reserve, or Active Component organization for administration, training, and maintenance of the Selected Reserve. Also called MILTECH.
military training	(DOD) 1. The instruction of personnel to enhance their capacity to perform specific military functions and tasks.
military training	(DOD) 2. The exercise of one or more military units conducted to enhance their combat readiness. See also military education.
military van (container)	(DOD) Military-owned, demountable container, conforming to US and international standards, operated in a centrally controlled fleet for movement of military cargo. Also called MILVAN.
MILOB	military observer
MILOC	military oceanography group (NATO)
MILPERS	military personnel
MILSATCOM	military satellite communications
MILSPEC	military specification
MILSPEC container	(DOD) See military specification container.
MILSTAMP	military standard transportation and movement procedures
MILSTAR	military strategic and tactical relay system
MILSTRAP	military standard transaction reporting and accounting procedure
MILSTRIP	military standard requisitioning and issue procedure
MILTECH	military technician
MILU	multinational integrated logistic support unit
MILVAN	(DOD) See military van (container).
MILVAN	military van (container)
MIM	maintenance instruction manual
MIMP	Mobilization Information Management Plan
mine	(DOD) 1. In land mine warfare, an explosive or other material, normally encased, designed to destroy or damage ground vehicles, boats, or aircraft, or designed to wound, kill, or otherwise incapacitate personnel. It is designed to be detonated by the action of its victim, by the passage of time, or by controlled means.
mine	(DOD) 2. In naval mine warfare, an explosive device laid in the water with the intention of damaging or sinking ships or of deterring shipping from entering an area. See also land mine warfare; mine warfare.
mine clearance	(DOD,NATO) The process of removing all mines from a route or area.
mine countermeasures	(DOD) All methods for preventing or reducing damage or danger from mines. Also called MCM.
mine defense	(DOD,NATO) The defense of a position, area, etc., by land or underwater mines. A mine defense system includes the personnel and equipment needed to plant, operate, maintain, and protect the minefields that are laid.
mine disposal	(DOD) The operation by suitably qualified personnel designed to render safe, neutralize, recover, remove, or destroy mines.
mine row	(DOD,NATO) A single row of mines or clusters of mines. See also mine strip.
mine strip	(DOD,NATO) In land mine warfare, two parallel mine rows laid simultaneously six meters or six paces apart. See also mine row.
mine warfare	(DOD) The strategic, operational, and tactical use of mines and mine countermeasures. Mine warfare is divided into two basic subdivisions: the laying of mines to degrade the enemy's capabilities to wage land, air, and maritime warfare; and the countering of enemy-laid mines to permit friendly maneuver or use of selected land or sea areas. Also called MIW.
mine warfare chart	(DOD,NATO) A special naval chart, at a scale of 1:50,000 or larger (preferably 1:25,000 or larger) designed for planning and executing mine warfare operations, either based on an existing standard nautical chart, or produced to special specifications.
mine warfare group	(DOD,NATO) A task organization of mine warfare units for the conduct of minelaying and/or mine countermeasures in maritime operations.
mine weapons	(DOD,NATO) The collective term for all weapons which may be used in mine warfare.
mine-cluster	(DOD) A number of mines (not to exceed five) laid within a two-meter semicircle of the central mine.
mineable waters	(DOD,NATO) Waters where naval mines of any given type may be effective against any given target.
mined area	(DOD,NATO) An area declared dangerous due to the presence or suspected presence of mines.
minefield	(DOD) 2. In naval warfare, an area of water containing mines laid with or without a pattern. See also land mine warfare; mine; mine warfare.
minefield	(DOD) 1. In land warfare, an area of ground containing mines emplaced with or without a pattern.
minefield breaching	(DOD,NATO) In land mine warfare, the process of clearing a lane through a minefield under tactical conditions. See also minefield lane.
minefield density	(DOD) In land mine warfare, the average number of mines per meter of minefield front, or the average number of mines per square meter of minefield. In naval warfare, the average number of mines per nautical mile.
minefield lane	(DOD) A marked lane, unmined, or cleared of mines, leading through a minefield.
minefield marking	(DOD) Visible marking of all points required in laying a minefield and indicating the extent of such minefields.
minefield record	(DOD) A complete written record of all pertinent information concerning a minefield, submitted on a standard form by the officer in charge of the laying operations.
minefield report	(DOD) An oral, electronic, or written communication concerning mining activities (friendly or enemy) submitted in a standard format by the fastest secure means available.
minehunting	(DOD) Employment of sensor and neutralization systems, whether air, surface, or subsurface, to locate and dispose of individual mines. Minehunting is conducted to eliminate mines in a known field when sweeping is not feasible or desirable, or to verify the presence or absence of mines in a given area. See also minesweeping.
MINEOPS	joint minelaying operations
minesweeping	(DOD) The technique of clearing mines using either mechanical, explosive, or influence sweep equipment. Mechanical sweeping removes, disturbs, or otherwise neutralizes the mine; explosive sweeping causes sympathetic detonations in, damages, or displaces the mine; and influence sweeping produces either the acoustic and/or magnetic influence required to detonate the mine. See also minehunting.
minewatching	(DOD,NATO) In naval mine warfare, the mine countermeasures procedure to detect, record and, if possible, track potential minelayers and to detect, find the position of, and/or identify mines during the actual minelaying.
minimize	(DOD) A condition wherein normal message and telephone traffic is drastically reduced in order that messages connected with an actual or simulated emergency shall not be delayed.
minimum aircraft operating surface	(DOD,NATO) The minimum surface on an airfield which is essential for the movement of aircraft. It includes the aircraft dispersal areas, the minimum operating strip, and the taxiways between them. See also minimum operating strip.
minimum force	(DOD) Those minimum actions, including the use of armed force, sufficient to bring a situation under control or to defend against hostile act or hostile intent. All actions must cease as soon as the target complies with instructions or ceases hostile action. The firing of weapons is to be considered as a means of last resort.
minimum nuclear safe distance	(DOD,NATO) The sum of the radius of safety and the buffer distance.
minimum nuclear warning time	(DOD,NATO) The sum of system reaction time and personnel reaction time.
minimum obstruction clearance altitude	(DOD) The specified altitude in effect between radio fixes on very high frequency omnirange airways, off-airway routes, or route segments, which meets obstruction clearance requirements for the entire route segment, and that assures acceptable navigational signal coverage only within 22 miles of a very high frequency omnirange.
minimum operating strip	(DOD,NATO) A runway which meets the minimum requirements for operating assigned and/or allocated aircraft types on a particular airfield at maximum or combat gross weight. See also minimum aircraft operating surface.
minimum range	(DOD) 3. The range at which a projectile or fuse will be armed.
minimum range	(DOD) 2. Shortest distance to which a gun can fire from a given position.
minimum range	(DOD) 1. Least range setting of a gun at which the projectile will clear an obstacle or friendly troops between the gun and the target.
minimum reception altitude	(DOD) The lowest altitude required to receive adequate signals to determine specific very high frequency omnirange and tactical air navigation fixes.
minimum residual radioactivity weapon	(DOD,NATO) A nuclear weapon designed to have optimum reduction of unwanted effects from fallout, rainout, and burst site radioactivity. See also salted weapon.
minimum safe altitude	(DOD,NATO) The altitude below which it is hazardous to fly owing to presence of high ground or other obstacles.
minimum-risk route	(DOD) A temporary corridor of defined dimensions recommended for use by high-speed, fixed-wing aircraft that presents the minimum known hazards to low-flying aircraft transiting the combat zone. Also called MRR.
minor control	(DOD,NATO) See photogrammetric control.
minor port	(DOD,NATO) A port having facilities for the discharge of cargo from coasters or lighters only.
MIO	maritime interception operations
MIO-9	information operations threat analysis division (DIA)
MIP	Military Intelligence Program
MIPE	mobile intelligence processing element
MIPOE	medical intelligence preparation of the operational environment
MIPR	military interdepartmental purchase request
MIS	maritime intelligence summary
MISCAP	mission capability
misfire	(DOD,NATO) 1. Failure to fire or explode properly.
misfire	(DOD,NATO) 2. Failure of a primer or the propelling charge of a round or projectile to function wholly or in part.
MISREP	mission report
MISS	missing
missed approach	(DOD,NATO) An approach which is not completed by landing.
missile control system	(DOD,NATO) A system that serves to maintain attitude stability and to correct deflections. See also missile guidance system.
missile defense	(DOD) Defensive measures designed to destroy attacking enemy missiles, or to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of such attack.
missile destruct	(DOD,NATO) Intentional destruction of a missile or similar vehicle for safety or other reasons.
missile destruct system	(DOD,NATO) A system which, when operated by external command or preset internal means, destroys the missile or similar vehicle.
missile guidance system	(DOD,NATO) A system which evaluates flight information, correlates it with target data, determines the desired flight path of a missile, and communicates the necessary commands to the missile flight control system. See also missile control system.
missing	(DOD) A casualty status for which the United States Code provides statutory guidance concerning missing members of the Military Services. Excluded are personnel who are in an absent without leave, deserter, or dropped-from-rolls status. A person declared missing is categorized as follows. a. beleaguered--The casualty is a member of an organized element that has been surrounded by a hostile force to prevent escape of its members. b. captured--The casualty has been seized as the result of action of an unfriendly military or paramilitary force in a foreign country. c. detained--The casualty is prevented from proceeding or is restrained in custody for alleged violation of international law or other reason claimed by the government or group under which the person is being held. d. interned--The casualty is definitely known to have been taken into custody of a nonbelligerent foreign power as the result of and for reasons arising out of any armed conflict in which the Armed Forces of the United States are engaged. e. missing--The casualty is not present at his or her duty location due to apparent involuntary reasons and whose location is unknown. f. missing in action--The casualty is a hostile casualty, other than the victim of a terrorist activity, who is not present at his or her duty location due to apparent involuntary reasons and whose location is unknown. Also called MIA. See also casualty category; casualty status.
missing in action	(DOD) See missing.
mission	(DOD) 1. The task, together with the purpose, that clearly indicates the action to be taken and the reason therefore.
mission	(DOD) 2. In common usage, especially when applied to lower military units, a duty assigned to an individual or unit; a task.
mission	(DOD) 3. The dispatching of one or more aircraft to accomplish one particular task.
mission assignment	(DOD) The vehicle used by the Department of Homeland Security/Emergency Preparedness and Response/Federal Emergency Management Agency to support federal operations in a Stafford Act major disaster or emergency declaration that orders immediate, short-term emergency response assistance when an applicable state or local government is overwhelmed by the event and lacks the capability to perform, or contract for, the necessary work.
mission command	(DOD) The conduct of military operations through decentralized execution based upon mission-type orders.
mission needs statement	(DOD) A formatted non-system-specific statement containing operational capability needs and written in broad operational terms. It describes required operational capabilities and constraints to be studied during the Concept Exploration and Definition Phase of the Requirements Generation Process. Also called MNS.
mission specific data sets	(DOD) Further densification of global geospatial foundation data. Information created to support specific operations, operation plans, training, or system development. Information conforms to established Department of Defense data specifications. Also called MSDS. See also geospatial information and services.
mission statement	(DOD) A short sentence or paragraph that describes the organization's essential task (or tasks) and purpose-a clear statement of the action to be taken and the reason for doing so. The mission statement contains the elements of who, what, when, where, and why, but seldom specifies how. See also mission.
mission type order	(DOD) 2. An order to a unit to perform a mission without specifying how it is to be accomplished.
mission type order	(DOD) 1. An order issued to a lower unit that includes the accomplishment of the total mission assigned to the higher headquarters.
mission-capable	(DOD) Material condition of an aircraft indicating it can perform at least one and potentially all of its designated missions. Mission-capable is further defined as the sum of full mission-capable and partial mission-capable. Also called MC.
mission-oriented protective posture	(DOD) A flexible system of protection against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear contamination. This posture requires personnel to wear only that protective clothing and equipment (mission-oriented protective posture gear) appropriate to the threat level, work rate imposed by the mission, temperature, and humidity. Also called MOPP. See also mission-oriented protective posture gear.
mission-oriented protective posture gear	(DOD) Military term for individual protective equipment including suit, boots, gloves, mask with hood, first aid treatments, and decontamination kits issued to military members. Also called MOPP gear. See also decontamination; mission-oriented protective posture.
MIST	military information support team
MITASK	mission tasking
MITO	minimum interval takeoff
MITT	mobile integrated tactical terminal
MIUW	mobile inshore undersea warfare
MIUWU	mobile inshore undersea warfare unit
MIW	mine warfare
mixed	(DOD,NATO) In artillery and naval gunfire support, a spotting, or an observation, by a spotter or an observer to indicate that the rounds fired resulted in an equal number of air and impact bursts.
mixed bag	(DOD,NATO) In naval mine warfare, a collection of mines of various types, firing systems, sensitivities, arming delays and ship counter settings.
mixed minefield	(DOD,NATO) A minefield containing both antitank and antipersonnel mines. See also minefield.
MJCS	Joint Chiefs of Staff memorandum
MJLC	multinational joint logistic center
MLA	mission load allowance
MLAYREP	mine laying report
MLE	maritime law enforcement
MLEA	Maritime Law Enforcement Academy
MLG	Marine logistics group
MLI	munitions list item
MLMC	medical logistics management center
MLO	military liaison office
MLP	message load plan
MLPP	multilevel precedence and preemption
MLPS	Medical Logistics Proponent Subcommittee
MLRS	Multiple Launch Rocket System
MLS	microwave landing system; multilevel security
MLSA	mutual logistics support agreement
MLW	mean low water
MMA	military mission area
MMAC	military mine action center
MMC	materiel management center
MMG	DOD Master Mobilization Guide
MMI	man/machine interface
MMLS	mobile microwave landing system
MMS	mast-mounted sight
MMT	military mail terminal
MNCC	multinational coordination center
MNF	multinational force
MNFACC	multinational force air component commander
MNFC	multinational force commander
MNFLCC	multinational force land component commander
MNFMCC	multinational force maritime component commander
MNFSOCC	multinational force special operations component commander
MNJLC	multinational joint logistics component
MNL	multinational logistics
MNLC	multinational logistic center
MNP	master navigation plan
MNS	mine neutralization system (USN); mission needs statement
MNTF	multinational task force
MO	medical officer; month
MOA	memorandum of agreement; military operating area
MOADS	maneuver-oriented ammunition distribution system
MOB	main operations base; mobilization
MOBCON	mobilization control
mobile inshore undersea warfare unit	(DOD) A Navy surveillance unit that provides seaward security to joint logistics over-the-shore operations from either a port or harbor complex or unimproved beach sites. The mobile inshore undersea warfare unit is equipped with mobile radar, sonar, and communications equipment located within a mobile van. Also called MIUWU. See also joint logistics over-the-shore operations.
mobile mine	(DOD,NATO) In naval mine warfare, a mine designed to be propelled to its proposed laying position by propulsion equipment like a torpedo. It sinks at the end of its run and then operates like a mine. See also mine.
mobile security force	(DOD) A dedicated security force designed to defeat Level I and II threats on a base and/or base cluster. Also called MSF.
mobile training team	(DOD) A team consisting of one or more US military or civilian personnel sent on temporary duty, often to a foreign nation, to give instruction. The mission of the team is to train indigenous personnel to operate, maintain, and employ weapons and support systems, or to develop a self-training capability in a particular skill. The Secretary of Defense may direct a team to train either military or civilian indigenous personnel, depending upon host-nation requests. Also called MTT.
mobility	(DOD) A quality or capability of military forces which permits them to move from place to place while retaining the ability to fulfill their primary mission.
mobility air forces	(DOD) The mobility air forces are comprised of those air components and Service components that are assigned air mobility forces and/or that routinely exercise command authority over their operations. Also called MAF.
mobility analysis	(DOD) An in-depth examination of all aspects of transportation planning in support of operation plan and operation order development.
mobility corridor	(DOD) Areas where a force will be canalized due to terrain restrictions. They allow military forces to capitalize on the principles of mass and speed and are therefore relatively free of obstacles.
mobility echelon	(DOD) A subordinate element of a unit that is scheduled for deployment separately from the parent unit.
mobilization	(DOD) 1. The act of assembling and organizing national resources to support national objectives in time of war or other emergencies. See also industrial mobilization.
mobilization	(DOD) 2. The process by which the Armed Forces or part of them are brought to a state of readiness for war or other national emergency. This includes activating all or part of the Reserve Component as well as assembling and organizing personnel, supplies, and materiel. Mobilization of the Armed Forces includes but is not limited to the following categories: a. selective mobilization - Expansion of the active Armed Forces resulting from action by Congress and/or the President to mobilize Reserve Component units, Individual Ready Reservists, and the resources needed for their support to meet the requirements of a domestic emergency that is not the result of an enemy attack. b. partial mobilization - Expansion of the active Armed Forces resulting from action by Congress (up to full mobilization) or by the President (not more than 1,000,000 for not more than 24 consecutive months) to mobilize Ready Reserve Component units, individual reservists, and the resources needed for their support to meet the requirements of a war or other national emergency involving an external threat to the national security. c. full mobilization - Expansion of the active Armed Forces resulting from action by Congress and the President to mobilize all Reserve Component units and individuals in the existing approved force structure, as well as all retired military personnel, and the resources needed for their support to meet the requirements of a war or other national emergency involving an external threat to the national security. Reserve personnel can be placed on active duty for the duration of the emergency plus six months. d. total mobilization - Expansion of the active Armed Forces resulting from action by Congress and the President to organize and/or generate additional units or personnel beyond the existing force structure, and the resources needed for their support, to meet the total requirements of a war or other national emergency involving an external threat to the national security. Also called MOB.
mobilization base	(DOD) The total of all resources available, or that can be made available, to meet foreseeable wartime needs. Such resources include the manpower and materiel resources and services required for the support of essential military, civilian, and survival activities, as well as the elements affecting their state of readiness, such as (but not limited to) the following: manning levels, state of training, modernization of equipment, mobilization materiel reserves and facilities, continuity of government, civil defense plans and preparedness measures, psychological preparedness of the people, international agreements, planning with industry, dispersion, and standby legislation and controls.
mobilization exercise	(DOD) An exercise involving, either completely or in part, the implementation of mobilization plans.
mobilization reserves	(DOD,NATO) Not to be used. See war reserves.
mobilization site	(DOD) The designated location where a Reserve Component unit or individual mobilizes or moves after mobilization for further processing, training, and employment. This differs from a mobilization station in that it is not necessarily a military installation. See also mobilization; mobilization station; Reserve Component.
mobilization staff officer	(DOD) The action officer assigned the principle responsibility or additional duties related to Reserve Component mobilization actions. See also mobilization; Reserve Component.
mobilization station	(DOD) The designated military installation to which a Reserve Component unit or individual is moved for further processing, organizing, equipping, training, and employment and from which the unit or individual may move to an aerial port of embarkation or seaport of embarkation. See also mobilization; mobilization site; Reserve Component.
MOBREP	military manpower mobilization and accession status report; mobilization report
MOC	maritime operations center; media operations center
MOCC	measurement and signature intelligence (MASINT) operations coordination center; mobile operations control center
mock-up	(DOD,NATO) A model, built to scale, of a machine, apparatus, or weapon, used in studying the construction of, and in testing a new development, or in teaching personnel how to operate the actual machine, apparatus, or weapon.
MOD	Minister (Ministry) of Defense
MOD T-AGOS	modified tactical auxiliary general ocean surveillance
mode (identification, friend or foe)	(DOD) The number or letter referring to the specific pulse spacing of the signals transmitted by an interrogator or transponder.
mode of transport	(DOD) One of the various modes used for a movement. For each mode, there are several means of transport. They are: a. inland surface transportation (rail, road, and inland waterway); b. sea transport (coastal and ocean); c. air transportation; and d. pipelines.
MODEM	modulator/demodulator
modernization	(DOD) See military capability.
Modernized Integrated Database	(DOD) The national level repository for the general military intelligence available to the entire Department of Defense Intelligence Information System community and, through Global Command and Control System integrated imagery and intelligence, to tactical units. This data is maintained and updated by the Defense Intelligence Agency. Commands and Services are delegated responsibility to maintain their portion of the database. Also known as MIDB. See also database.
modified combined obstacle overlay	(DOD) A joint intelligence preparation of the operational environment product used to portray the militarily significant aspects of the operational environment, such as obstacles restricting military movement, key geography, and military objectives. Also called MCOO. See also joint intelligence preparation of the operational environment.
MODLOC	miscellaneous operational details, local operations
MOE	measure of effectiveness
MOG	maximum (aircraft) on ground; movement on ground (aircraft); multinational observer group
MOGAS	motor gasoline
MOLE	multichannel operational line evaluator
MOLLE or M.O.L.L.E.	MOdular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment
MOMAT	mobility matting
moment	(DOD,NATO) In air transport, the weight of a load multiplied by its distance from a reference point in the aircraft.
MOMSS	mode and message selection system
monitoring	(DOD,NATO) 3. The act of detecting the presence of radiation and the measurement thereof with radiation measuring instruments. Also called radiological monitoring.
monitoring	(DOD,NATO) 2. The act of listening, carrying out surveillance on, and/or recording of enemy emissions for intelligence purposes.
monitoring	(DOD,NATO) 1. The act of listening, carrying out surveillance on, and/or recording the emissions of one's own or allied forces for the purposes of maintaining and improving procedural standards and security, or for reference, as applicable.
moored	(DOD) Lying with both anchors down or tied to a pier, anchor buoy, or mooring buoy.
moored mine	(DOD) A contact or influence-operated mine of positive buoyancy held below the surface by a mooring attached to a sinker or anchor on the bottom. See also mine.
MOP	measure of performance; memorandum of policy
MOPP	mission-oriented protective posture
mopping up	(DOD,NATO) The liquidation of remnants of enemy resistance in an area that has been surrounded or isolated, or through which other units have passed without eliminating all active resistance.
MOR	memorandum of record
mortar	(DOD) A muzzle-loading, indirect fire weapon with either a rifled or smooth bore. It usually has a shorter range than a howitzer, employs a higher angle of fire, and has a tube with a length of 10 to 20 calibers. See also gun; howitzer.
mortuary affairs	(DOD) Covers the search for, recovery, identification, preparation, and disposition of remains of persons for whom the Services are responsible by status and Executive Order. See also joint mortuary affairs office.
MOS	Military Occupational Specialty
mosaic	(DOD,NATO) An assembly of overlapping photographs that have been matched to form a continuous photographic representation of a portion of the surface of the Earth. See also controlled mosaic; semi-controlled mosaic.
MOSC	meteorological and oceanographic operations support community
most capable Service or agency	(DOD) The organization that is best suited to provide common supply commodity or logistic service support within a specific joint operation. In this context, "best suited" could mean the Service or agency that has required or readily available resources and/or expertise. The most capable Service may or may not be the dominant user in any particular operation. See also agency.
motorized unit	(DOD,NATO) A unit equipped with complete motor transportation that enables all of its personnel, weapons, and equipment to be moved at the same time without assistance from other sources.
MOTR	maritime operational threat response
MOU	memorandum of understanding
mounting	(DOD,NATO) All preparations made in areas designated for the purpose, in anticipation of an operation. It includes the assembly in the mounting area, preparation and maintenance within the mounting area, movement to loading points, and subsequent embarkation into ships, craft, or aircraft if applicable.
mounting area	(DOD) A general locality where assigned forces of an amphibious or airborne operation, with their equipment, are assembled, prepared, and loaded in shipping and/or aircraft preparatory to an assault. See also embarkation area.
MOUT	military operations in urban terrain; military operations on urbanized terrain
movement control	(DOD) 1. The planning, routing, scheduling, and control of personnel and cargo movements over lines of communications.
movement control	(DOD) 2. An organization responsible for the planning, routing, scheduling, and control of personnel and cargo movements over lines of communications. Also called movement control center or MCC. See also consumer logistics; line of communications; movement control center; movement control teams; non-unit-related cargo; non-unit-related personnel.
movement control center	(DOD,NATO) See movement control.
movement control post	(DOD,NATO) The post through which the control of movement is exercised by the commander, depending on operational requirements.
movement control team	(DOD) An Army team used to decentralize the execution of movement responsibilities on an area basis or at key transportation nodes. Also called MCT.
movement credit	(DOD,NATO) The allocation granted to one or more vehicles in order to move over a controlled route in a fixed time according to movement instructions.
movement data	(DOD) Those essential elements of information to schedule lift, obtain transportation assets, manage movement of forces, and report in-transit visibility of movements and associated forces (people, equipment, and supplies).
movement directive	(DOD) The basic document published by the Department of the Army or the Department of the Air Force (or jointly) that authorizes a command to take action to move a designated unit from one location to another.
movement group	(DOD) Those ships and embarked units that load out and proceed to rendezvous in the objective area.
movement order	(DOD) An order issued by a commander covering the details for a move of the command.
movement phase	(DOD) In amphibious operations, the period during which various elements of the amphibious force move from points of embarkation to the operational area. This move may be via rehearsal, staging, or rendezvous areas. The movement phase is completed when the various elements of the amphibious force arrive at their assigned positions in the operational area. See also amphibious force; amphibious operation.
movement plan	(DOD) In amphibious operations, the naval plan providing for the movement of the amphibious task force to the objective area. It includes information and instructions concerning departure of ships from embarkation points, the passage at sea, and the approach to and arrival in assigned positions in the objective area. See also amphibious operation; amphibious task force.
movement requirement	(DOD) A stated movement mode and time-phased need for the transport of units, personnel, and/or materiel from a specified origin to a specified destination.
movement restriction	(DOD,NATO) A restriction temporarily placed on traffic into and/or out of areas to permit clearance of or prevention of congestion.
movement schedule	(DOD) A schedule developed to monitor or track a separate entity, whether it is a force requirement, cargo or personnel increment, or lift asset. The schedule reflects the assignment of specific lift resources (such as an aircraft or ship) that will be used to move the personnel and cargo included in a specific movement increment. Arrival and departure times at ports of embarkation, etc., are detailed to show a flow and workload at each location. Movement schedules are detailed enough to support plan implementation.
movement table	(DOD) A table giving detailed instructions or data for a move. When necessary it will be qualified by the words road, rail, sea, air, etc., to signify the type of movement. Normally issued as an annex to a movement order or instruction.
movement to contact	(DOD) A form of the offense designed to develop the situation and to establish or regain contact. See also meeting engagement; reconnaissance in force.
moving map display	(DOD,NATO) A display in which a symbol, representing the vehicle, remains stationary while the map or chart image moves beneath the symbol so that the display simulates the horizontal movement of the vehicle in which it is installed. Occasionally the design of the display is such that the map or chart image remains stationary while the symbol moves across a screen. See also projected map display.
moving mine	(DOD,NATO) The collective description of mines, such as drifting, oscillating, creeping, mobile, rising, homing, and bouquet mines.
moving target indicator	(DOD,NATO) A radar presentation which shows only targets which are in motion. Signals from stationary targets are subtracted out of the return signal by the output of a suitable memory circuit.
MOVREP	movement report
MOW	maintenance orderwire
MP	military police (Army and Marine); multinational publication
MPA	maritime patrol aircraft; mission and payload assessment; mission planning agent
MPAT	military patient administration team; Multinational Planning Augmentation Team
MPC	mid-planning conference; military personnel center
MPE/S	maritime pre-positioning equipment and supplies
MPF	maritime pre-positioning force
MPG	maritime planning group; mensurated point graphic
mph	miles per hour
MPLAN	Marine Corps Mobilization Management Plan
MPM	medical planning module
MPNTP	Master Positioning Navigation and Timing Plan
MPO	military post office
MPP	maritime procedural publication
MPR	maritime patrol and reconnaissance
MPRS	multi-point refueling system
MPS	maritime pre-positioning ship; message processor shelter; Military Postal Service
MPSA	Military Postal Service Agency
MPSRON	maritime pre-positioning ships squadron
MR	milliradian; mobile reserve
MRAALS	Marine remote area approach and landing system
MRAT	medical radiobiology advisory team
MRCI	maximum rescue coverage intercept
MRE	meal, ready to eat
MRG	movement requirements generator
MRI	magnetic resonance imaging
MRMC	US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command
MRO	mass rescue operation; materiel release order; medical regulating office; medical regulating officer
MROC	multicommand required operational capability
MRR	minimum-risk route
MRRR	mobility requirement resource roster
MRS	measurement and signature intelligence (MASINT) requirements system; meteorological radar subsystem; movement report system
MRSA	Materiel Readiness Support Agency
MRT	maintenance recovery team
MRU	mountain rescue unit
MS	message switch
ms	millisecond
MS-DOS	Microsoft disk operating system
MSC	major subordinate command; maritime support center; Military Sealift Command; military staff committee; mission support confirmation
MSCA	military support to civil authorities; military support to civilian authorities
MSCD	military support to civil defense
MSCLEA	military support to civilian law enforcement agencies
MSCO	Military Sealift Command Office
MSD	marginal support date; mobile security division
MSDS	mission specific data set
MSE	mission support element; mobile subscriber equipment
MSECR	HIS 6000 security module
MSEL	master scenario events list
MSF	Medicins Sans Frontieres ("Doctors Without Borders"); mission support force; mobile security force; multiplex signal format
MSG	Marine Security Guard; message
MSGID	message identification
MSHARPP	mission, symbolism, history, accessibility, recognizability, population, and proximity
MSI	modified surface index; multispectral imagery
MSIC	Missile and Space Intelligence Center
MSIS	Marine safety information system
MSK	mission support kit
MSL	master station log
MSNAP	merchant ship naval augmentation program
MSO	map support office; marine safety office(r); maritime security operations; military satellite communications (MILSATCOM) systems organization; military source operation; military strategic objective; military support operations; mobilization staff officer
MSO	Military Service Obligation
MSOAG	Marine special operations advisor group
MSOC	Marine special operations company
MSP	mission support plan; mobile sensor platform
MSPES	mobilization stationing, planning, and execution system
MSPS	mobilization stationing and planning system
MSR	main supply route; maritime support request; mission support request
MSRON	maritime expeditionary security squadron
MSRR	modeling and simulation resource repository
MSRV	message switch rekeying variable
MSS	medical surveillance system; meteorological satellite subsystem
MSSG	Marine expeditionary unit (MEU) service support group
MST	Marine expeditionary force (MEF) weather support team; meteorological and oceanographic support team; mission support team
MT	measurement ton; military technician; ministry team
MT Bn	motor transport battalion
MT/D	measurement tons per day
MTA	military training agreement
MTAC	Multiple Threat Alert Center
MTBF	mean time between failures
MTCR	missile technology control regime
MTF	medical treatment facility; message text format
MTG	master timing generator
MTI	moving target indicator
MTIC	Military Targeting Intelligence Committee
MTL	mission tasking letter
MTMS	maritime tactical message system
MTN	multi-tactical data link network
MTO	message to observer; mission type order
MTOE	modified table of organization and equipment
MTON	measurement ton
MTP	maritime task plan; mission tasking packet
MTS	Movement Tracking System
MTS/SOF-IRIS	multifunction system
MTT	magnetic tape transport; mobile training team
MTTP	multi-Service tactics, techniques, and procedures
MTW	major theater war
MTX	message text format
MU	marry up
MUL	master urgency list (DOD)
MULE	modular universal laser equipment
multi-modal	(DOD,NATO) In transport operations, a term applied to the movement of passengers and cargo by more than one method of transport.
multi-point refueling system	(DOD) A limited number of KC-135 aircraft can be equipped with external wing-mounted pods to conduct drogue air refueling, while still maintaining boom air refueling capability on the same mission. This dual refueling capability makes KC-135s with multi-point refueling systems ideal for use as ground alert aircraft. Also known as MPRS. See also air refueling.
multi-spot ship	(DOD) Those ships certified to have two or more adjacent landing areas. See also spot.
multichannel	(DOD) Pertaining to communications, usually full duplex, on more than one channel simultaneously. Multichannel transmission may be accomplished by either time-, frequency-, code-, and phase-division multiplexing or space diversity.
multinational	(DOD) Between two or more forces or agencies of two or more nations or coalition partners. See also alliance; coalition.
multinational doctrine	(DOD) Fundamental principles that guide the employment of forces of two or more nations in coordinated action toward a common objective. It is ratified by participating nations. See also doctrine; joint doctrine; multi-Service doctrine.
multinational exercise	(DOD) An exercise containing one or more non-US participating force(s). See also exercise.
multinational force	(DOD) A force composed of military elements of nations who have formed an alliance or coalition for some specific purpose. Also called MNF. See also multinational force commander; multinational operations.
multinational force commander	(DOD) A general term applied to a commander who exercises command authority over a military force composed of elements from two or more nations. The extent of the multinational force commander's command authority is determined by the participating nations. Also called MNFC. See also multinational force.
multinational integrated logistic support	(DOD) Two or more nations agree to provide logistic assets to a multinational force under operational control of a multinational force commander for the logistic support of a multinational force. See also logistic support; multinational integrated logistic support unit; multinational logistics; multinational logistic support arrangement.
multinational integrated logistic support unit	(DOD) An organization resulting when two or more nations agree to provide logistics assets to a multinational logistic force under the operational control of a multinational commander for the logistic support of a multinational force. Also called MILU. See also logistic support; multinational; multinational integrated logistic support.
multinational logistic support arrangement	(DOD) Any arrangement involving two or more nations that facilitates the logistic support of a force (either the forces of the countries participating in the arrangement or other countries). See also logistic support; multinational; multinational logistics.
multinational logistics	(DOD) Any coordinated logistic activity involving two or more nations supporting a multinational force conducting military operations under the auspices of an alliance or coalition, including those conducted under United Nations mandate. Multinational logistics includes activities involving both logistic units provided by participating nations designated for use by the multinational force commander as well as a variety of multinational logistic support arrangements that may be developed and used by participating forces. See also logistics; multinational; multinational logistic support arrangement.
multinational operations	(DOD) A collective term to describe military actions conducted by forces of two or more nations, usually undertaken within the structure of a coalition or alliance. See also alliance; coalition; coalition action.
multinational staff	(DOD) A staff composed of personnel of two or more nations within the structure of a coalition or alliance. See also integrated staff; joint staff; parallel staff.
multinational warfare	(DOD) Warfare conducted by forces of two or more nations, usually undertaken within the structure of a coalition or alliance.
multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle	(DOD) A reentry vehicle carried by a delivery system that can place one or more reentry vehicles over each of several separate targets. See also maneuverable reentry vehicle; multiple reentry vehicle; reentry vehicle.
multiple reentry vehicle	(DOD) The reentry vehicle of a delivery system that places more than one reentry vehicle over an individual target. See also maneuverable reentry vehicle; multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle; reentry vehicle.
multiple warning phenomenology	(DOD) Deriving warning information from two or more systems observing separate physical phenomena associated with the same events to attain high credibility while being less susceptible to false reports or spoofing.
multiplexer	(DOD) A device that combines (multiplexes) multiple input signals (information channels) into an aggregate signal (common channel) for transmission.
multispectral imagery	(DOD) The image of an object obtained simultaneously in a number of discrete spectral bands. Also called MSI.
munition	(DOD,NATO) A complete device charged with explosives, propellants, pyrotechnics, initiating composition, or nuclear, biological, or chemical material for use in military operations, including demolitions. Certain suitably modified munitions can be used for training, ceremonial, or nonoperational purposes. Also called ammunition. (Note: In common usage, "munitions" [plural] can be military weapons, ammunition, and equipment.) See also explosive ordnance.
munitions effectiveness assessment	(DOD) Conducted concurrently and interactively with battle damage assessment, the assessment of the military force applied in terms of the weapon system and munitions effectiveness to determine and recommend any required changes to the methodology, tactics, weapon system, munitions, fusing, and/or weapon delivery parameters to increase force effectiveness. Munitions effectiveness assessment is primarily the responsibility of operations with required inputs and coordination from the intelligence community. Also called MEA. See also assessment; battle damage assessment; munition.
MUREP	munitions report
MUSARC	major United States Army reserve commands
MUSE	mobile utilities support equipment
MUST	medical unit, self contained, transportable
mutual support	(DOD) That support which units render each other against an enemy, because of their assigned tasks, their position relative to each other and to the enemy, and their inherent capabilities. See also close support; direct support; support.
MUX	multiplex
MV	merchant vessel; motor vessel
mV	millivolt
MWBP	missile warning bypass
MWC	Missile Warning Center (NORAD)
MWD	military working dog
MWDT	military working dog team
MWF	medical working file
MWG	mobilization working group
MWOD	multiple word-of-day
MWR	missile warning receiver; morale, welfare, and recreation
MWSG	Marine wing support group
MWSS	Marine wing support squadron