U.S. Department of Defence

national support element (NSE)

Any national organization or activity that supports national forces that are a part of a multinational force. Their mission is nation-specific support to units and common support that is retained by the nation.

Industry:Military

ballistic missile

Any missile which does not rely upon aerodynamic surfaces to produce lift and consequently follows a ballistic trajectory when thrust is terminated.

Industry:Military

health care provider

Any member of the Armed Forces, civilian employee of the Department of Defense, or personal services contract employee under Title 10 United States Code Section 1091 authorized by the Department of Defense to perform health care functions. The term does not include any contract provider who is not a personal services contract employee.

Industry:Military

alternate command post

Any location designated by a commander to assume command post functions in the event the command post becomes inoperative. It may be partially or fully equipped and manned or it may be the command post of a subordinate unit.

Industry:Military

key terrain

Any locality, or area, the seizure or retention of which affords a marked advantage to either combatant.

Industry:Military

mass casualty

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.

Industry:Military

training aids

Any item developed or procured with the primary intent that it shall assist in training and the process of learning.

Industry:Military

critical sustainability item (CSI)

Any item described at National Stock Number level of detail, by federal supply class, as part of the logistic factors file, that significantly affect the commander’s ability to execute an operation plan.

Industry:Military

purchasing office

Any installation or activity, or any division, office, branch, section, unit, or other organizational element of an installation or activity charged with the functions of procuring supplies or services.

Industry:Military

collection agency

Any individual, organization, or unit that has access to sources of information and the capability of collecting information from them.

Industry:Military