Liberators: A Novel of the Coming Global Collapse

GLOSSARY

10/22: A semiautomatic .22-rimfire rifle made by Ruger.

1911: See M1911.

5Ws: Who, What, When Where, Why. (Intelligence report format.)

9/11: The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

AAA: Depending on context, American Automobile Association or Anti-Aircraft Artillery.

Accredited/Accreditation: The formal approval of a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) that meets prescribed physical, technical, and personnel security standards.

Acoustic Security: Security measures designed and used to deny aural access to classified information. See also SCIF.

ACP: Automatic Colt Pistol.

ACU: Army Combat Uniform. The U.S. Army’s predominantly gray “digital” pattern camouflage uniform that replaced the BDU.

AFB: Air Force Base.

AFCENT: Allied Forces Central Europe. (A military command.)

AGL: Above Ground Level.

AI: Artificial Intelligence.

Air Gap: See High Side and Low Side.

AK: Avtomat Kalashnikov. The gas-operated weapons family invented by Mikhail Timofeyevitch Kalashnikov, a Red Army sergeant. AKs are known for their robustness and were made in huge numbers, so that they are ubiquitous in much of Asia and the Third World. The best of the Kalashnikov variants are the Valmets that were made in Finland, the Galils that were made in Israel, and the R4s that are made in South Africa.

AK-47: The early generation Kalashnikov carbine with a milled receiver that shoots the intermediate 7.62x39mm cartridge. See also AKM.

AK-74: The later generation AK carbine that shoots the 5.45x39mm cartridge.

AKM: Avtomat Kalashnikova Modernizirovanniy. The later generation 7.62x39 AK with a stamped receiver.

ALAT: Aviation Légère de l’Armée de Terre. (Light Aviation of the Land Army.)

AM: Amplitude Modulation.

Ammo: Slang for ammunition.

AO: Area of Operations.

AP: Armor Piercing.

APC: Armored Personnel Carrier.

AR: Automatic Rifle. This is the generic term for semiauto variants of the Armalite family of rifles designed by Eugene Stoner (AR-10, AR-15, AR-180, etc.).

AR-7: The .22 LR semiautomatic survival rifle designed by Eugene Stoner. It weighs just two pounds when disassembled. Still in production, it has been manufactured by several American makers since the 1960s.

AR-10: The 7.62mm NATO predecessor of the M16 rifle, designed by Eugene Stoner. Early AR-10s (mainly Portuguese, Sudanese, and Cuban contract, from the late 1950s and early 1960s) are not to be confused with the present-day semiauto-only “AR-10” rifles that are more closely interchangeable with parts from the smaller-caliber AR-15. See also AR, AR-15, and LAR-8.

AR-15: The semiauto civilian variants of the U.S. Army M16 rifle.

ASA: Army Security Agency.

ASAP: As Soon As Possible.

ATC: Air Traffic Control.

ATF: See BATFE.

AUG: See Steyr AUG.

AUS-Steyr: See Steyr AUG.

Authorized Personnel: Those holders of active security clearances who are fully cleared and indoctrinated for SCI, have a valid need to know, and have been granted access to a SCIF. See also SAP and SCIF.

AVGAS or avgas: Aviation Gasoline. The most commonly used aviation gasoline is hundred-octane, low-lead (100LL).

AWOL: Absent Without Official Leave.

BAH: Basic Allowance for Housing.

BATFE: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (a U.S. federal government taxing agency).

BBC: British Broadcasting Corporation.

BC: British Columbia.

BCD: Bad Conduct Discharge. Also sometimes jokingly called a Big Chicken Dinner.

BDU: Battle Dress Uniform. Also called “camouflage utilities” by the USMC. Most BDUs were made in the woodland camouflage pattern.

Big Chicken Dinner: See BCD.

Black: Depending on context: either a classified program or a designation applied to information systems, and to associated areas, circuits, components, and equipment, in which national security information is encrypted or is not processed. See also Red and Red/Black.

Black Rifle/Black Gun: Generic terms for a modern battle rifle—typically equipped with a black plastic stock and forend, giving these guns an “all-black” appearance. Functionally, however, they are little different from earlier semiauto designs.

BLM: Bureau of Land Management (a U.S. federal government agency that administers public lands).

BMG: Browning Machine Gun. Usually refers to .50 BMG, the U.S. military’s standard heavy machine-gun cartridge since the early twentieth century. The .50 BMG cartridge is now often used for long-range precision countersniper rifles.

Body-Cam: A body-mounted camera, typically worn by law enforcement officers.

BUD/S: Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (school). See also SEAL.

BX: Base Exchange.

C1: The Canadian Army’s version of the L1A1 FAL variant.

C2: The Canadian Army’s version of the L2A1 heavy-barrel FAL variant.

C4: Composition 4. A plastic explosive.

C7: The Canadian Army’s version of the M16A4 rifle. Produced by Diemaco, and later by Colt Canada. Also issued by Denmark, Holland, and Sweden.

C8: The Canadian Army’s version of the M4 Carbine.

CAR-15: See M4.

CARB: California Air Resources Board.

Cat: Slang contraction for Caterpillar (tracked tractor).

CAT: Combat Application Tourniquet.

CB: Citizens Band radio. A VHF broadcasting band. No license is required for operation in the United States. Some desirable CB transceivers are capable of SSB operation. Originally twenty-three channels, the Citizens Band was later expanded to forty channels during the golden age of CB, in the 1970s.

CBC: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

CBLTV: Canadian Border Logistics and Training Volunteers network. Spoken “Cable TV.”

CBP: Customs & Border Protection.

CENTCOM: Central Command. Nicknamed SADCOM by its detractors.

CG: Center of Gravity.

CGF Gallet: The French manufacturer of SPECTRA ballistic helmets. See also SPECTRA.

CHU: Containerized Housing Unit.

CI: Counterintelligence. See also HUMINT.

CIA: Central Intelligence Agency.

CLEP: College-Level Examination Program.

Closed Storage: The storage of SCI material in properly secured GSA-approved security containers within an accredited SCIF. See also Open Storage and SCIF.

CLP: Cleaner, Lubricant, Protectant. A Mil-Spec lubricant, sold under the trade name “Break Free CLP.”

CM: Chinese Mandarin.

CMCS: COMSEC Material Control System.

CN: Canadian National (railroad).

CO: Commanding Officer.

CO₂: Carbon dioxide.

Collateral SCI: See SCI and SAP.

COMINT: Communications Intelligence.

COMSEC: Communications Security. The measures used to protect both classified and unclassified traffic on military communications and computing networks.

CONEX: CONtinental EXpress. The ubiquitous twenty-, thirty-, and forty-foot-long steel cargo containers used in multiple transportation modes.

CONFIDENTIAL: The security classification applied to information, the unauthorized disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to cause damage to national security.

Continuous Operation: This condition exists when a SCIF is staffed twenty-four hours every day.

Controlled Area/Compound: Any area to which entry is subject to restrictions or control for security reasons.

Controlled Building: A building to which entry is subject to restrictions or control for security reasons.

CONUS: Continental United States.

COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Co-Utilization: Two or more organizations sharing the same SCIF.

CP: Command Post.

CPR: Depending on context, Canadian Pacific Railway or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

CR1M: Combat Ration, One Man. (Spoken “Crim.”) The Australian equivalent of the U.S. MRE field ration. See also MRE and IMP.

CR5M: Combat Ration, Five Man.

CRKT: Columbia River Knife & Tool.

CRYPTO: The marking or designator identifying COMSEC keying material used to secure or authenticate telecommunications carrying classified or sensitive U.S. government or U.S. government–derived information.

CSA: Cognizant Security Authority. The single principal designated to serve as the responsible official for all aspects of security program management with respect to the protection of intelligence sources and methods.

CSIS: Canadian Security Intelligence Service.

CSS: Cyber Security Service.

CTS: Computerized Telephone System. Also referred to as a hybrid key system, business communication system, or office communications system.

CTTA: Certified TEMPEST Technical Authority.

CUT: Coordinated Universal Time.

Db.: Decibel. A measurement unit of sound intensity.

DC: Depending on context, Direct Current or District of Columbia (D.C.).

DCI: Director of Central Intelligence.

DCIPS: Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System.

DCS: Defense Clandestine Service.

DCS Task Group Tall Oak: Previously called DIA Project Tall Oak.

DD: Department of Defense (typically used as a prefix for form numbers). See also DOD.

Det Cord: Short for detonating cord—a plastic tube filled with PETN. It is typically used for connecting multiple explosive charges, so that they detonate almost simultaneously.

DF: Direction Finding.

DHS: Department of Homeland Security.

DIA: Defense Intelligence Agency. See also JBAB.

DIAC: Defense Intelligence Analysis Center.

DIAM: Defense Intelligence Agency Manual.

DIOCC: Defense Intelligence Operations Coordination Center. (Part of the DIAC.)

DJ: Disc Jockey.

DLI: Defense Language Institute.

DMV: Department of Motor Vehicles.

DMZ: Demilitarized Zone. In the context of a SCIF, the perimeter network segment that is logically between internal and external networks. Its purpose is to enforce the internal network’s IA policy for external information exchange and to provide external, untrusted sources with restricted access to releasable information while shielding the internal networks from outside attacks. A DMZ is also called a “screened subnet.” See also IA and SCIF.

Document: Any recorded information regardless of its physical form or characteristics, including, without limitation, written or printed matter, data-processing cards and tapes, maps, charts, paintings, drawings, photos, engravings, sketches, working notes and papers, reproductions of such things by any means or process; and sound, voice, magnetic, or electronic recordings in any form.

DOD or DoD: Department of Defense. See also DD.

DPM: Disruptive Pattern Material. A British military camouflage pattern, with colors similar to the U.S. Army’s defunct woodland BDU pattern.

DRM: Direction du Reseignement Militaire. The French Directorate of Military Intelligence.

DRSN: Defense Red Switch Network.

DSArms: An American gunmaking company, founded by Dave Selvaggio.

DShK: Degtyaryova-Shpagina Krupnokaliberny, or “Degtyaryov-Shpagin Large-Caliber”—a 12.7mm Russian machine gun, later produced in several other communist nations. Informally called a “Dashika” by some users.

DSS: Diplomatic Security Service.

E Division: The RCMP division that polices all of British Columbia except Vancouver.

E&E: Escape and Evasion.

ELINT: Electronic Intelligence.

ELT: Emergency Locator Transmitter.

EMSEC: Emissions Security. Protection resulting from measures taken to deny unauthorized individuals information derived from intercept and analysis of compromising emanations from crypto-equipment or an information system. See also TEMPEST.

EPA: Environmental Protection Agency.

EQ2050: A Chinese Humvee equivalent vehicle.

E-Tool: Entrenching tool. (A small folding shovel.)

ETS: Expiration of Term of Service.

FAA: Federal Aviation Administration.

FAL: See FN/FAL.

FAMAS: Fusil d’Assaut de la Manufacture d’Armes de Saint-Étienne. The French army’s standard-issue bullpup carbine, chambered in 5.56mm NATO. See also FÉLIN.

FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation.

FBO: Fixed Base Operator. Typically used to describe a small private airport’s refueling facility.

FÉLIN: Fantassin à Équipement et Liaisons Intégrés (Integrated Infantryman Equipment and Communications). The French infantry combat system of the 2000s. See also FAMAS.

FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Agency (a U.S. federal government agency). The acronym is also jokingly defined as: “Foolishly Expecting Meaningful Aid.”

FFL: Federal Firearms License.

FHJ: 84A twin-barrel 62mm incendiary rocket launcher used by the Chinese PLA.

Field SCIF: See Tactical SCIF.

FIST: Fire Support Team.

FLB: Forward Logistics Base.

FLIR: Forward-Looking Infrared. A camera that can detect body heat as well as the heat vehicle engines.

FNC: a 5.56mm NATO battle rifle originally made by the Belgian company Fabrique Nationale (FN). See also Pindad SS2.

FN/FAL: A 7.62mm NATO battle rifle originally made by the Belgian Company Fabrique Nationale (FN), issued to more than fifty countries in the 1960s and 1970s. Now made as semiauto-only “clones” by a variety of makers including DSArms. See also L1A1.

FN-MAG: A 7.62mm NATO belt-fed light machine gun developed by FN of Belgium. It has been issued by more than eighty countries. The U.S. military uses several variants of the gun, under the designation M240. See also M240.

FOB: Forward Operating Base.

FOUO: For Official Use Only.

FRS: Family Radio Service.

FS: Field Station.

FSB: Federalnaya Sluzhba Bezopasnosti. The main successor to the KGB.

FSMA: Food Safety and Modernization Act.

Galil: The Israeli battle rifle, based on Kalashnikov action. Most were made in 5.56mm NATO, but a variant was also made in 7.62mm NATO, in smaller numbers.

GAZ: Gorkovsky Avtomobilny Zavod. A Russian car and truck maker.

GB: Gigabyte.

GCA: The Gun Control Act of 1968. The law that first created FFLs and banned interstate transfers of post-1898 firearms, except “to or through” FFL holders.

GDP: Gross Domestic Product.

GG: The “Excepted Service” pay-grade category for intelligence and national security positions. (GG pay-grade numbers are roughly equivalent to General Schedule [GS] civil servant pay grades.)

Glock: The popular polymer-framed pistol design by Gaston Glock of Austria.

GMRS: General Mobile Radio Service. A licensed UHF-FM two-way radio service. See also FRS and MURS.

GMT: Greenwich Mean Time. Also known as Coordinated Universal Time (CUT).

GPS: Global Positioning System.

Green Door: Slang used in the intelligence community for restricted access to information and/or locations.

GS: General Schedule.

GTK: Gepanzertes Transport Kraftfahrzeug. A variant of the German eight-wheeled Boxer APC.

Ham: Slang for amateur radio operator.

HAROPA: The functionally combined ports of Le Havre, Rouen, and Paris.

H-E or HE: High Explosive.

HEI: High Energy Ignition.

Hesco: A military contractor best known for its prefabricated wire and fabric ballistic protection bastions.

HF: High Frequency. A radio band used by amateur radio operators.

High Side: A network for classified traffic. High-side networks are always physically disconnected (“air gapped”) from unclassified “low-side” networks. This prevents inadvertent or intentional “copy/paste” of classified information into low-side messages. See also Low Side.

HK or H&K: Heckler und Koch, the German gun maker.

HK91: Heckler und Koch Model 91. The civilian (semiautomatic-only) variant of the 7.62mm NATO G3 rifle.

HMMWV: High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, also commonly called a Humvee, or in civilian trim, a “Hummer.”

HQ: Headquarters.

HUMINT: Human Intelligence. See also CI.

Humvee: High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle spoken “Humvee.”

Hydro: Canadian slang for grid power or a power company, or a power bill. In Canada, all grid power is generically called “hydro” power, regardless of its actual origin.

IA: Depending on context, Information Architecture, Information Assurance, or Internal Affairs.

IBA: Interceptor Body Armor.

ICE: Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

ID: Identification.

IDS: Intrusion Detection System. A security alarm system to detect unauthorized entry to a secure facility.

IED: Improvised Explosive Device.

IFV: Infantry Fighting Vehicle.

IH: International Harvester.

IMP: Individual Meal Pack. Canada’s standard field ration containing precooked entree packed in heavy-duty plastic-foil retort pouch. The equivalent of a U.S. Military Meal Ready to Eat (MRE).

INFOSEC: Information Security.

Intel: Slang shorthand for intelligence.

IR: Depending on context, Infrared or Intelligence Requirement.

Isolator: A device or assembly of devices that isolates or disconnects a telephone or CTS from all wires that exit the SCIF and that has been accepted as effective for security purposes. See also KSU.

IV: Intravenous.

JAG: Judge Advocate General corps. (Military attorneys.)

JBAB: Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB), the headquarters of the DIA, in Washington, D.C.

JBLM: Joint Base Lewis-McChord. (Formerly, Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base, Washington.)

JP4: Jet Propellant 4, an aviation fuel.

JP5: Jet Propellant 5, an aviation fuel.

JWICS: Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System.

Kel-Tec: A Florida gun manufacturer specializing in polymer frame guns.

Kevlar: The material used in most body army and ballistic helmets. “Kevlar” is also the nickname for the standard U.S. Army helmet.

KIA: Killed in Action.

KJV: King James Version of the Bible.

KSU: Key Service Unit. An electromechanical switching device that controls routing and operation of an analog telephone system. See also Isolator and Red/Black.

KTM: An Austrian manufacturer of motorcycles. The K and T are for the surnames of the business founders, Kronreif and Trunkenpolz. The M is for Mattighofen, Austria, the name of the town where the motorcycles are built.

L1A1: The British army version of the FN/FAL, made to inch measurements.

LAR-8: A variant of the AR-10 rifle that accepts FN/FAL or L1A1 magazines.

LAW: Light Antitank Weapon.

LC-1: Load Carrying, Type 1. (U.S. Army Load Bearing Equipment, circa 1970s to 1990s.)

LDS: The Latter-day Saints, commonly called the Mormons. (Flawed doctrine, great preparedness.)

LDSH: Lord Strathcona’s Horse. A regular armored regiment of the Canadian army, headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Members of the regiment are commonly called Strathconas or Strats, for short.

LGP: Le Gouvernement du Peuple (The People’s Government).

Line Conditioning: Elimination of unintentional signals or noise induced or conducted on a telecommunications or information system signal, power, control, indicator, or other external interface line.

LLDR: Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinder.

LNO: Liaison Officer.

Low Side: An unclassified network. High-side (classified) networks are always physically disconnected (“air gapped”) from low-side networks. This prevents unintentional or intentional copying and pasting of classified information into low-side messages. See also High Side.

LP: Liquid Propane.

LPCs: Leather Personnel Carriers.

LP/OP: Listening Post/Observation Post.

LRRP: Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol.

LZ: Landing Zone.

M1 Abrams: The United States’ current main battle tank, with a 120mm cannon (“main gun”).

M1 Carbine: The U.S. Army semiauto carbine issued during World War II. Mainly issued to officers and second-echelon troops such as artillerymen, for self-defense. It fires .30 U.S. carbine, an intermediate (pistol-class) .30 caliber cartridge. More than six million were manufactured. The folding-stock version designed for use by paratroopers was designated M1A1. See also M2 Carbine.

M1 Garand: The U.S. Army’s primary battle rifle of World War II and the Korean conflict. It is semiautomatic, chambered in .30-06, and uses a top-loading, eight-round en bloc clip that ejects after the last round is fired. This rifle is commonly called the Garand (after the surname of its inventor, John Garand). Not to be confused with the U.S. M1 Carbine, another semiauto of the same era, which shoots a far less powerful pistol-class cartridge.

M1A: The civilian (semiauto only) version of the U.S. Army M14 7.62mm NATO rifle.

M1911: The Model 1911 Colt semiauto pistol (and clones thereof), usually chambered in .45 ACP.

M2 Carbine: The selective-fire (fully automatic) version of the U.S. Army semiauto carbine issued during World War II and the Korean conflict.

M4: The U.S. Army–issue 5.56mm NATO selective-fire carbine. (A shorter version of the M16, with a 14.5-inch barrel and collapsing stock.) Earlier issue M16 carbine variants had designations such as XM177E2 and CAR-15. Civilian semiauto-only variants often have these same designations, or are called “M4geries.”

M4gery: A civilian semiauto-only version of an M4 Carbine, with a sixteen-inch barrel instead of a 14.5-inch barrel.

M9: The U.S. Army–issue version of the Beretta M92 semiauto 9mm pistol.

M14: The U.S. Army–issue 7.62mm NATO selective-fire battle rifle. These rifles are still issued in small numbers, primarily to designated marksmen. The civilian semiauto-only equivalent of the M14 is called the M1A.

M16: The U.S. Army–issue 5.56mm NATO selective-fire battle rifle. The current standard variant is the M16A2, which has improved sight and three-shot burst control. See also M4.

M60: The obsolete U.S. Army–issue 7.62mm NATO belt-fed light machine gun that utilized some design elements of the German MG-42.

M240: The U.S. military variant of the 7.62mm NATO FN-MAG light machine gun. See also FN-MAG.

M249: The U.S. military variant of the 5.56mm NATO FN Minimi light machine gun.

MAG: See FN-MAG.

MAG-58: See FN-MAG.

Maglite: A popular American brand of sturdy flashlights with a machined aluminum casing.

MAPEX: Map Exercise.

MC: Master of Ceremonies.

MCRU: Mobile Control and Reporting Unit.

MG3: A German belt-fed light machine gun, chambered in 7.62mm NATO.

MG4: A German belt-fed light machine gun, chambered in 5.56mm NATO.

MI: Military Intelligence. See also CI, HUMINT, and SIGINT.

Mini-14: A 5.56mm NATO semiauto carbine made by Ruger.

Minimi: See M249.

MOIS: Ministry of Intelligence and Security, the Iranian spy agency. See also VEVAK.

MOLLE: Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment.

Molotov cocktail: A hand-thrown firebomb made from a glass container filled with gasoline or thickened gasoline (napalm).

MOS: Military Occupational Specialty.

MP: Military Police.

MRAP: Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (vehicle).

MRE: Meal Ready to Eat. See also IMP and CR1M.

MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

MSS: Depending on context, Ministry of State Security or Modular Sleep System.

MTBE: Methyl tert-butyl ether. An oxygenating additive for gasoline.

MultiCam: See OCP.

MURS: Multi Use Radio Service. A VHF two-way radio service that does not require a license. See also FRS and GMRS.

MVPA: Military Vehicle Preservation Association.

MWR: Morale, Welfare, and Recreation.

NAB: Naval Amphibious Base.

Napalm: Thickened gasoline, used in some flame weapons.

NATO: North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

NBC: Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical.

NCO: Noncommissioned Officer.

NFA: The National Firearms Act of 1934. The law that first imposed a two-hundred-dollar transfer tax on machine guns, suppressors (commonly called silencers), and short-barreled rifles and shotguns.

NiCd: Nickel cadmium (rechargeable battery).

NiMH: Nickel Metal Hydride (rechargeable battery) improvement of NiCd.

NIMTC: Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center.

NIPRnet: Nonclassified Internet Protocol Router Network. This network replaced MILNET. It is now known as the Unclassified but Sensitive Internet Protocol Router Network, but still commonly called “Nipper Net.”

NIST: National Institute of Standards and Technology.

NLR: Nous sommes la résistance. (Translated: “We are the resistance.”)

NOC: Nonofficial cover. (Clandestine agent.)

Nondiscussion Area: A clearly defined area within a SCIF where classified discussions are not authorized due to inadequate sound attenuation. See also Secure Working Area.

Norinco: The China North Industries Corporation. A weapons and military vehicle maker.

NRO: National Reconnaissance Office.

NSA: National Security Agency.

NSA-Net: The National Security Agency’s secure intranet. Commonly called “the high side.”

NSA-W: NSA Washington.

NSTS: National Secure Telephone System.

NSWC: Naval Special Warfare Center.

NWO: New World Order.

OB: Order of Battle.

OCONUS: Outside the Continental United States.

OCP: Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern, commonly called by its civilian trade name, MultiCam.

One-Time Pad: A manual one-time cryptosystem produced in pad form.

OP: Observation Post. See also LP/OP.

Open Storage: The storage of SCI material within an accredited SCIF in any configuration other than within GSA-approved security containers. Open storage is approved while the facility is unoccupied by authorized personnel. See also Closed Storage.

OPORD: Operations Order.

OPSEC: Operational Security. The systematic and proven process by which potential adversaries can be denied information about capabilities and intentions by identifying, controlling, and protecting generally unclassified evidence of the planning and execution of sensitive activities. The process involves five steps: identification of critical information, analysis of threats, analysis of vulnerabilities, assessment of risks, and application of appropriate countermeasures.

OSINT: Open Source Intelligence. Gathering intelligence from public, unclassified sources, such as periodicals. OSINT sources are unclassified, but once analyzed, they become classified, usually at low level.

P90: A bullpup 5.7x28 caliber personal defense weapon, manufactured by FN.

PAL: Possession and Acquisition License. (For firearms, in Canada.)

Paracord: A contraction for Parachute cord.

PCS: Permanent Change of Station.

PDD: Presidential Decision Document.

PEDs: Personal Electronic Devices.

PETN: Pentaerythritol tetranitrate.

PF-89: The Chinese 80mm equivalent of a LAW rocket.

P.I.: Philippine Islands.

Pindad SS2: The Pindad Senapan Serbu 2 Indonesian variant of the FN FNC 5.56mm battle rifle.

PLA: People’s Liberation Army (China).

PM: Prime Minister.

P-MAG: Polymer magazine.

POL: Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants.

POV: Privately Owned Vehicle.

PPCLI: Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. A Canadian army unit, headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Pre-1965: U.S. silver coins with 1964 or earlier mint dates, usually with little or no numismatic value. They are sold for the bullion content. These coins have 90 percent silver content. Well-worn pre-1965 coins are sometimes derisively called “junk” silver by rare coin dealers.

Project Tall Oak: A fictitious DIA working group, later renamed DCS Task Group Tall Oak.

ProvGov: Provisional Government (in the United States).

PSYOPS: Psychological Operations.

PV: Photovoltaic (solar power conversion cell or array). Used to convert solar power to DC electricity, typically for battery charging.

PVC: Depending on context, Poly-Vinyl Chloride (white plastic water pipe) or Progressive Voice of Canada.

PVCL: People’s Voice of Canadian Liberation.

QBZ-95: Bullpup-style assault rifle manufactured by Arsenal 266, part of Norinco and Arsenal 296, under Jianshe Corp., China South for the People’s Liberation Army. These bullpups shoot the Chinese 5.8x42mm cartridge, which was rarely exported, and only for military contracts.

QRF: Quick Reaction Force.

QSZ-92: A semiautomatic pistol designed by Norinco that shoots the 5.8x21mm cartridge.

RAC: Radio Amateurs of Canada.

RBC: Royal Bank of Canada.

RCG: Restoration of Constitution Government.

RCIED: Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device.

RCMP: Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

RDX: Research Department Explosive.

READOUT (Multi-Net): A classified acronym.

Red: Designation applied to an Information System(s), and associated areas, circuits, components, and equipment in which unencrypted national security information is being processed. See also DRSN.

Red/Black (Switch): Red commonly refers to clear text-sensitive information, while Black refers to either encrypted or unclassified signals. The Red/Black switching security requirements and their criteria were declassified in 1995.

Reg: Slang for regulation.

RFI: Request(s) for Intelligence.

RINT: Radiations Intelligence.

RORO: Roll-On-Roll-Off. A type of cargo ship designed for transporting vehicles.

RPG: Rocket-Propelled Grenade.

RPV: Remotely Piloted Vehicle. See also UAV.

RRSP: Registered Retirement Saving Plan.

RSOC: Regional Security Operations Center. (Formerly Regional SIGINT Operations Center.)

RTA: Radio Traffic Analyst. See also TA.

RTB: Return to Base.

RTV: Room Temperature Vulcanizing (silicone sealant).

RVCA: Resistance Veterans of Canada Association.

SAD: Special Activities Division.

SADCOM: See CENTCOM.

SAEDA: Subversion and Espionage Directed Against the U.S. Army.

SALT: Size, Activity, Location, Time. An intelligence report format. See also SALUTE.

SALUTE: Size, Activity, Location, Unit, Time & Duration, Equipment. An intelligence report format. See also SALT.

SAM: Depending on context, Surface-to-Air Missile or Sources and Methods.

SAP: Special Access Program. Any approved program that imposes need-to-know or access controls beyond those normally required for access to CONFIDENTIAL, SECRET, or TOP SECRET information. Commonly (and erroneously) called “above top secret,” SAP compartmented information is actually considered collateral to the TOP SECRET security level.

SBI: Special Background Investigation.

SCI: Sensitive Compartmented Information. This is classified information concerning or derived from intelligence sources, methods, or analytical processes, which is required to be handled exclusively within formal control systems established by the director of Central Intelligence. See also SAP and SCIF.

SCIF: Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility. An accredited area, room, group of rooms, building, or installation where SCI may be stored, used, discussed, and/or electronically processed. Also commonly called a vault.

SEAL: Sea-Air-Land (Team). The U.S. Navy Special Operations Force. See also BUD/S.

SEARCHLIGHT: An NSA administrative webpage.

SECRET: The security classification applied to information, the unauthorized disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to cause serious damage to national security.

Section: Depending on context, either a 640-acre area of land measuring one mile square, or an intelligence working group (or the telecommunications equipment thereof).

Secure Working Area: An accredited SCIF (or portion of a SCIF) used for handling, discussing, and/or processing of SCI, but where SCI will not be stored. See also Nondiscussion Area.

Secwepemc: A First Nations tribal group in British Columbia. Also known as the Shuswap.

SID: System Identification.

SIG: Schweizer Industrie Gesellschaft. A major Swiss gun maker.

SIGINT: Signals Intelligence.

SIN: Social Insurance Number. (The Canadian equivalent of a U.S. Social Security number.)

SIPRNet: Secure Internet Protocol Router Network.

SITTEMPS: Situational templates.

SMLE: Short Magazine Lee-Enfield. A British family of bolt-action rifles that were in service for more than seventy years. Most were chambered for the .303 British cartridge.

SMS: Short Message Service.

SOCC: Security Operations Control Center.

SOCOM: Special Operations Command.

SOP: Standard Operating Procedure.

SPECTRA: The synthetic material similar to Kevlar used in ballistic helmets issued to French, Canadian, and Danish military units. In France, the SPECTRA helmet is also known as the CGF Gallet Combat Helmet. See also CGF Gallet.

SQL: Structured Query Language. (Used with database software.)

SS2: See Pindad SS2.

SSB: Single Sideband (an operating mode for CB and amateur radio gear).

SSO: Special Security Officer.

STE: Section-Terminating Equipment. See also STU.

Steyr AUG: The Austrian Army’s 5.56mm bullpup infantry carbine. Also issued by the Australian Army as their replacement for the L1A1. Often called the AUS-Steyr by the Australians.

Strat: Slang for Strategic.

STU: Secure Telephone Unit. (Spoken “Stew.”) See also STE and NSTS.

STU-III: A third-generation STU phone. (Spoken “Stew Three.”) See also STE and NSTS.

SUV: Sport Utility Vehicle.

S&W: Smith and Wesson.

SWAT: Special Weapons and Tactics. (SWAT originally stood for Special Weapons Assault Team until that was deemed politically incorrect.)

TA: Traffic Analyst/Analysis. Study of communications patterns to determine unit relationships and dispositions. See also RTA.

Tactical SCIF: An accredited secure area used for actual or simulated war operations for a specified period of time.

Tall Oak: See Project Tall Oak. (Later renamed Task Group Tall Oak.)

TARP: Depending on context, Threat Awareness and Reporting Program or Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Task Group Tall Oak: See Project Tall Oak.

TAWS: Terrain Awareness and Warning System.

TBAS: Tiered Body Armor System (Australian army issue).

TBD: To Be Determined.

TDY: Temporary Duty.

Technical Truck: A pickup truck equipped with a pedestal-mounted machine gun.

TEMPEST: Telecommunications Electronics Material Protected from Emanating Spurious Transmissions. The now unclassified U.S. government code word for emanations security. See also EMSEC.

TEP: TEMPEST Endorsement Program.

Thermite: A mixture of aluminum powder and iron rust powder that, when ignited, causes a vigorous exothermic reaction. Used primarily for welding. Also used by military units as an incendiary for destroying equipment.

Third Department: The PLA’s signals intelligence-gathering and analysis arm.

TIG: Tungsten Inert Gas. (A welding method.)

TNT: 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene is a colorless or pale yellow and odorless crystalline high explosive.

TO: Tall Oak.

TOC: Tactical Operations Center.

TO&E: Table of Organization and Equipment.

Topo: Short for topographical.

TOP SECRET: The security classification applied to information, the unauthorized disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security. See also TS and SCI.

TPZ: Transportpanzer. A variant of the six-wheel Fuchs (Fox) APC.

TRU: Thompson Rivers University.

TS: Top Secret.

TSCM: Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (Surveys and Evaluations). A physical, electronic, and visual examination to detect technical surveillance devices, technical security hazards, and attempts at clandestine penetration. See also TEMPEST and EMSEC.

TSEC: The system for identifying the type and purpose of certain items of COMSEC material.

Type 92: See QSZ-92.

Type 95: See QBZ-95.

UAV: Unmanned aerial vehicle. See also RPV.

UDT: Underwater Demolition Team.

UN: United Nations.

UN-MNF: United Nations Multinational Force.

UNPROFOR: United Nations Protection Force (Security Assistance Command).

UPS: Uninterruptible Power Source.

U.S.: United States.

USB: Universal Serial Bus.

U.S.-Controlled Facility: A base or building to which access is physically controlled by U.S. individuals who are authorized U.S. government or U.S. government contractor employees.

USMC: United States Marine Corps.

VAB: Véhicule de l’Avant Blindé (Armored Vanguard Vehicle).

VAC: Volts, Alternating Current.

Valmet: The Finnish conglomerate that formerly made several types of firearms.

Vault: See SCIF.

VBCI: Véhicule Blindé de Combat d’Infanterie.

VBT: Very Bad Thing.

VCI: Véhicule de Combat d’Infanterie (infantry combat vehicle). A variant in the VBCI family of wheeled APCs.

VCP: Vehicle Control Point.

VDC: Volts, Direct Current.

VEVAK: Vezarat-e Ettela’at va Amniyat-e Keshvar. The Iranian intelligence service See also MOIS.

VPC: Véhicule Poste de Commandement (command post vehicle). A variant in the VBCI family of wheeled APCs.

VTT: Véhicule de Transport de Troupes (troop transport vehicle). A variant in the VBCI family of wheeled APCs.

VW: Volkswagen.

WAN: Wide Area Network.

WD-1: U.S. military-issue two-conductor insulated field telephone wire.

Wi-Fi: Wireless Fidelity.

XL: Extra Large.

Z-9: A Chinese military utility helicopter. It is a license-built version of the French Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin, manufactured by Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation. The attack variants have fixed-mount 23mm cannons.

Z-10: An attack helicopter developed by the People’s Republic of China.

Z-19: A Chinese reconnaissance/attack helicopter developed by Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force and the Ground Force Air Force.