The Army and DOD Definitions of Military and Associated Terms
Consolidate Gains: The activities to make enduring any temporary operational success and set the conditions for a stable environment allowing for a transition of control to legitimate authorities
(ADRP 3-0).
Defense Support Of Civil Authorities (DSCA): Support provided by U.S. Federal military forces, DoD civilians, DoD contract personnel, DoD Component assets, and National Guard forces (when the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Governors of the affected States, elects and requests to use those forces in title 32, U.S.C., status) in response to requests for assistance from civil authorities for domestic emergencies, law enforcement support, and other domestic activities, or from qualifying entities for special events.Also known as civil support. (DODD 3025.18)
Defensive Task: A task conducted to defeat an enemy attack, gain time, economize forces, and develop conditions favorable for offensive or stability tasks (ADRP 3-0).Characteristics of the defense include disruption, flexibility, maneuver, mass and concentration, operations in depth, preparation, and security. (FM 3-0)
Foreign Disaster Relief — Assistance that can be used immediately to alleviate the suffering of foreign disaster victims that normally includes services and commodities as well as the rescue and evacuation of victims; the provision and transportation of food, water, clothing, medicines, beds, bedding, and temporary shelter; the furnishing of medical equipment, medical and technical personnel; and making repairs to essential services. Also called FDR. See also foreign disaster. (JP 3-29)
Humanitarian Assistance function includes programs conducted to meet basic human needs to ensure the well-being of the population. Well-being is characterized by access to and delivery of basic needs and services (i.e., water, food, shelter, sanitation, and health services), the provision of primary and secondary education, the return or voluntary resettlement of those displaced by violent conflict, and the restoration of a social fabric and community life.(JP 3-07.3)
Information Operations: The integrated employment, during military operations, of information-related capabilities in concert with other lines of operation to influence, disrupt, corrupt, or usurp the decision-making of adversaries and potential adversaries while protecting our own. (JP 3-13)
Large-Scale Combat Operations. The nature and scope of some missions may require joint forces to conduct large-scale combat operations to achieve national strategic objectives or protect national interests. Such combat typically occurs within the framework of a major operation or campaign. A major operation is 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 OA. The term can also refer to a noncombat operations of significant size and scope. A campaign is a series of related major operations aimed at achieving strategic and operational objectives within a given time and space. Usually associated with large-scale combat, a campaign also can comprise predominately limited combat and noncombat operations of extended duration to achieve theater and national strategic objectives. See Chapter VIII, “Major Operations and Campaigns.” (JP 3-0)
Offensive Operations: Destroy or defeat an enemy. Their purpose is to impose U.S. will on the enemy and to achieve decisive victory. (FM 3-05)
Offensive Task: A task conducted to defeat and destroy enemy forces and seize terrain, resources, and population centers (ADRP 3-0). Offensive tasks impose the commander’s will on the enemy.A commander may also conduct offensive tasks to deprive the enemy of resources, seize decisive terrain, deceive or divert the enemy, develop intelligence, or hold an enemy in position. (FM 3-0)
Security Force Assistance: Security force assistance is the Department of Defense activities that contribute to unified action by the United States Government to support the development of the capacity and capability of foreign security forces and their supporting institutions (JP 3-22).Army forces may also conduct SFA to assist partners to contribute to multinational operations; or organize, train, equip, and advise a nation’s security forces and supporting institutions.
Special Operations: Operations requiring unique modes of employment, tactical techniques, equipment and training often conducted in hostile, denied, or politically sensitive environments and characterized by one or more of the following: time sensitive, clandestine, low visibility, conducted with and/or through indigenous forces, requiring regional expertise, and/or a high degree of risk. (JP 3-05)
Stability Tasks: Tasks conducted as part of operations outside the United States in coordination with other instruments of national power to maintain or reestablish a safe and secure environment and provide essential governmental services, emergency infrastructure reconstruction, and humanitarian relief. (ADRP 3-07).