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1IC, 2IC, 3IC. – First In Command, etc. – see IC.

1LT – First Lieutenant – a commissioned officer rank.

1SGT – First Sergeant – an NCO rank. This rank is unique in that it is a regimental unit level appointment, thus there are only one per regiment. Their primary role is administrative, serving as an assistant to the regiment's S1.

2LT – Second Lieutenant – the lowest commissioned officer rank.

AA – Assembly Area – a specified location within base used for pre-launch checks. See Ready Line.

ABC – Alien Biological Contaminant – a virus like nanotech airborne agent, that causes severe behavioural changes. Of two types M1 and M2. Contamination by M1 produces the T1 set of behaviours, while M2 modifys the M1 nanites to produce T2 and above behaviours. These two groups are at war. T0 is a reference to uncontaminated personnel. T0's can only be infected by M1, and the M2 requires the host to be already contaminated with M1 nanites before conversion to T2+ can occur.

aka – also known as

AO – Area of Operations – the assigned fighting area defined by clear boundaries, of air, ground or sea, in which a unit is to operate.

AP – Assembly Point: Context defined as either – either:
1. The designated location outside of a base used to assemble personnel in the event of an emergency, such as fire. Ours is outside the upper tunnel.
2. The designated location where post landing forces are to assemble prior to the execution of the mission. Wherever possible a different AP location is selected for the return flight.

AS# – Alien Species # – the designation used for any alien species encountered or for which evidence exists. Currently there are only two known:
AS#1: "The Builders", who have never been encountered or identified, but who's existance is implied by the STAR GATE network.
AS#2: "The Worms" a semi-intelligent species naturally capable of interstella flight. Their life cycle involves moving from planet to planet consuming their biospheres. Circa 750~600 million years ago The Builders established a foothold in AS#2's home galaxy, providing them with access to a host of virgin worlds. Their young are small enough to traverse the GATES and have spread to about half the network. It is believed that The Builders have set their homeworld (P567) on a collision course with a super massive black hole in an attempt to impede AS#2's invaision of other galaxies by destroying all worlds on the network.

ATT. – Attached / Attachment – The specified unit or personnel are on attachment to the specified unit or task. Normally found on documents under the heading of Attachments/Detachments.

BGEN – Brigadier General – a commissioned officer rank. One star General. Normally referred to as just "Brigadier".

Blue On Blue – aka Friendly Fire. An event in which a friendly force shoots at another. Comes from the NATO practise of marking friendly forces on maps in blue, and enemy forces in red or orange. FYI yellow means Unknown, while green equals Neutral.

c. – circa – meaning about, roughly, approximate.

C# – Colony number – an obsolete reference used to identify off-world colonies/bases. The most famous of which was C105A, aka New Greenham Common. The term will be found in old records.

CASEVAC – Casualty Evacuation – the act of extracting the wounded or dead from the battlefield by unit members, WITHOUT the assistance of additional medical personnel, beyond those assigned. See MEDIVAC.

Chevron – a pointed NCO and Other Ranks stripe with its tip upwards. See also Rocker.

Civi – Civilian – when suffixed with a number, this is a form of rank related to pay grade and authority, within the UNSGC's civilian staff.

CLEGG – CONTACT Long Endurance Gate Group – the 50th Special Forces Regiment, a stay behind reconnaissance and raiding unit, based at AREA-50 USA.

CMO – Chief Medical Officer – the appointed senior terrestrial doctor at an SG base. See also MO.

CO – Commanding Officer – the officer appointed as the commander of an established formation. See also OC.

CO – Commissioned Officer – an officer, that is one holding a rank higher than NCO. The abbreviation is rarely used, except where its context is very clear.

COL – Colonel – a commissioned officer rank.

Committee 78 – the top secret sub-committee of the UN Security Council, tasked with the supervision and management of the CONTACT program, on behalf of the 5 permenant member states. Named for Base-78, the original source of the STAR GATES in Antarctica. See also ER.

CON-# – CONTACT-[number] – the reference number unique to a specific operation, as in "CON-100".

CONTACT – either:
1. The title of a UN academic program overseen by the UNMC.
2. The expression used after spotting any potential hostile forces.

CP – Command Post – the in-field/off-world unit headquarters.

CPL – Corporal – an NCO rank.

CPT – Captain – a commissioned officer rank.

CQB – Close Quarters Battle – urban combat, also known as FISH, Fighting In Someone's House, or FIBUA, Fighting In a Built Up Area.

CRE-WHX-# – Combat Readiness Exercise – pre-operation training events introduced in 2017, scheduled to occur between major operations. British CRE are identified by the WHX suffix (Worm Hole Xtreme). It is prefixed with the next scheduled CON-#, and suffixed with an exercise ordinal. Thus CON-099CRE-WHX-03 was the third such British exercise ever run, and took place prior to CON-099.

CSM – Command Sergeant Major – the highest NCO rank. The most senior CSM is typically appointed as the CSM for the Marine Corps, a ceramonial post. Often addressed as the Sergeant Major of the Corps.

DSTL – Defence Scientific Technical Laborotories – see Porton Down

DTG – Date Time Group – military time and date expressions. See Handout#2

E&OE – Errors And Ommissions Expected – marks a document which may contain errors or ommissions.

EPW – Enemy Prisoners of War – captured enemy forces personnel or those unidentified persons considered as potentially hostile.

ER – Executive Resourses – the Private Military Company (PMC) employed by the UN's Committee 78 to serve as the UNMC. All UNSGC personnel are contracted via ER to serve within this black ops unit, providing the UN with plausible deniability.

ERV – Emergency Rendezvous Point – a position within the AO used to assemble and reorganise the formation in the event of a loss of unit cohesion. Can be predesignated or improvised while on the march.

FC – Flight Crew – those personnel assigned to off-world missions. See also GC.

FM – Field Medic – a qualified Field Medic: a doctor trained to serve as a member of an off-world unit. Defined as either Class C or L. Class C is senior to Class L.

FM# – Field Manual# – a text book providing information to personnel for the conduct of military operations. They usually have a number and a title.

FOB – Forward Operating Base – a base camp established within the AO from which missions can be conducted.

FRAGO – Fragmentary Order – a change to a set of orders, issued at short notice during an operation or mission. Normally composed of just the relevant details. Often called a "FRAG Order" rather than FRAGO. See also "WARNO" and "Op.Order".

G1~G6 – The designated General Staff appointments, see S1~S6 for details.

G-# – GATE number – the reference number for an individual STAR GATE. The full designation includes the Spline prefix SG#. Thus the UK STAR GATE at RGHQ-51, has the reference SG51G-006. This system is used because planets typically have a large number of GATES, each serving different destinations. See also P-#.

GATE – an alternate term for a STAR GATE, the alien device used to move from one planet to another along fixed Worm Holes. NB: for clarity the term GATE or STAR GATE is always capitalised.

GC – Ground Crew – those personnel assigned to ground support during off-world missions. See also FC.

GDT – GATE Defence Team – a static, heavily armed unit tasked with overwatch and interdiction of traffic that may use an off-world STAR GATE during a mission. Often equipped with long range communications, additional medical supplies, munitions, and survival kit for all deployed units.

GEN – General – a commissioned officer rank. Four star General

GHQ – General Headquarters – the central command post for Corps. See HQ

GMC – General of the Marine Corps. – the highest commissioned officer rank. Five star General

HQ – Headquarters – the principle command post of a formation. See GHQ

IC – In Command – either:
1. When suffixed with a task, it means that the person so appointed is in charge of that task, regardless of rank.
2. When prefixed with a number, it indicates a persons position within the chain of command, for example: 2IC is the second in command.

KIA – Killed In Action – the term describing any dead person killed while in the combat zone, who's body has been returned to base as proof of status. See also MIA and WIA.

LGEN – Lieutenant General – a commissioned officer rank. Three star General.

Light Horizon – the visible edge of the known universe.

LTC – Lieutenant Colonel – a commissioned officer rank.

LZ – Landing Zone – the ground immediately in front of a STAR GATE, in to which units land, or from which they Return To Base (RTB).

M1 and M2 Nanite/Virus – the designations of the two types of nanite/virus like Alien Biological Contaminant, see ABC.

MAJ – Major – a commissioned officer rank.

MGEN – Major General – a commissioned officer rank. Two star General.

MEDIVAC – Medical Evacuation – the act of extracting the wounded or dead from the battlefield by a specialist medical unit called in to perform the task. Such units are predominently made up of paramedics, doctors and surgeons trained to care for the casualties during transit to a medical fascility. Such units release the combat unit to continue with its mission. See CASEVAC.

MIA – Missing In Action – the term describing any person living or dead who has NOT been returned to base. Without the body there is no proof of status. See also KIA and WIA.

Mission – a discrete action conducted within the framework of a Flight Operation. They are referred to by a numerical suffix to the CON number, for example: CON-0991 would be the first mission of CON-099. The principle mission types are:

• Ambush – the interception of a mobile enemy unit at a prepared location. They can be a point or area ambush, using either I, L, or Z formats.
  
• Overwatch – a static mission, wherein the unit provides security, intelligence, or fire support to other units in a specific part of the AO. See OP.
  
• Pathfinder – a special type of reconnaissance mission, in which a small team goes to an unvisited planet. Such missions are high risk, as it is not possible to use drones for this task, therefore there is always a significant probability of death involved in landing upon a world who's surface conditions are utterly unknown.
  
• Patrol – either a defensive security patrol intended to protect a given area from enemy incursion, or an offensive combat patrol wherein the objective is to seek contact with the enemy and engage them. Or finally a reconnaissance patrol, see below.
  
• Raid – an assault upon a specific enemy position, with specific objectives: destruction, EPWs, or intel.
  
• Reconnaissance – aka "recon", an intelligence gathering mission wherein stealth and not combat is the primary goal. Can be static from an OP, or mobile, aka a recon patrol, or even include the deployment of recon drones.
  
• SAR – the mission format usually carried out by Marine Cavalry units providing Search And Rescue support to off-world units who are overdue or in distress.
  
• Support – the provision of back-up in the form of logistics (supply), communications, medical, transport, or other services.

MO – Medical Officer – a terrestrial medical doctor assigned to a STAR GATE base.

Module – the term used for a non-functioning STAR GATE, in particular during its landing phase. Only after it is rooted in the planet's surface, and becomes active, is regarded as a STAR GATE.

MSGT – Master Sergeant – an NCO rank.

NCO – Non-Commissioned Officer – the military ranks above Other Ranks, and below Commissioned Officers.

OBJ. – Objective – the target, a location, or the specified purpose of the mission.

OC – Officer Commanding – any commissioned or non-commissioned officer appointed to command any ad-hoc formation. See also CO.

Op. – Operation – the overall event during which missions or formal training take place. Flight operations are unique in that they are assigned a name as well as a CON number. UK operations use the names of battles fought in the British Isles.

OP – Observation Post – a covert field position tasked with overwatch of an area of designated terrain.

Op.Order – Operations Order – the most detailed of orders which are usually issued on the day or shortly before it, and rarely if ever well in advance, as the military situation will change with time. See also "WARNO" and "FRAGO".

OR – Other Ranks – the lowest ranks that are below NCO's.

ORP – Objective Rallying Point – a prearranged defensive location close to the objective, where the unit can assemble and reorganise prior to execution of the primary mission.

P-# – Planet Number – the reference number for a particular planet. It is derived from the CON and mission number upon which it was first explored, for example: P567, the 7th mission of CON-056. A suffix letter is used to identify a particular GATE upon that planet, useful if no G-# is known. The initial GATE is always labelled "A", so for example P567A. To date no two worlds have been registared with the same reference, and so there has been no need to append the Spline reference. Currently it is estimated that on the entire network there are no more than c.100 planets, of which half are Snowball Earth's. The Earth's own reference is P-001. See also "G-#". This system is used because most planets typically have numerous GATES, each serving different destinations.

PF – Pathfinder – see Mission.

PFC – Private First Class – an Other Rank.

Phonetic Code – The NATO system of expressing letters and numbers as set words for clarity during communications. NB: the numbers 3, 5, and 9 are expressed with special words as they can be easily garbled in transmission:

Porton Down – the British government's biological and chemical warfare laborotories, more correctly called DSTL (Defence Scientific Technical Laborotories). Department 51 of which serves as the principle medical centre for RGHQ-51, as well as a holding station for EPWs.

POW – Prisoner Of War – friendly forces personnel captured by the enemy. See also EPW.

PVT – Private – an Other Rank. Of two types: Recruits, also known as PV1, wear no insignia, while PV2, where a single chevron.

Ready Line – the "line" immediately in front of a base's STAR GATE, where troops form up for a final equipment check, before launch.

RGHQ-51 – Originally RGHQ-5.1 was the UK designation for the Regional Government Headquarters 5.1, being the bunker from which British STAR GATE operations are conducted. The numeral "5.1" was amended to "51", as this was the designation of the GATE brought back from Base-78 in Antarctica. It now also defines our regimental identity.

Rocker – the curved stripe of an NCO rank insignia, set below a chevron. See Chevron.

RTB – Return To Base – the instruction to cease operations and return to the unit's home base on Earth.

RTO – Radio Telecommunications Operator – a qualified radio operator. They are either Class A (Advanced), I (intermediate), or F (foundation or basic) The "T" is often rendered as "Telephoney". They employ non-standard radio equipment for long range communications.

S1~S6 – The set of Regimental appointments. Each being a defined post as listed below. Note that at the level of the General Staff the "S" is replaced by "G", but the posts remain functionally the same. A G2 will outrank a S2, regardless of the holders actual rank.

S1 – the Regiment's appointed Admin Officer, responsible for all general admin for the unit.

S2 – the Regiment's appointed Intelligence Officer, responsible for the collection, analysis, and distribution of intelligence.

S3 – the Regiment's appointed Operations Officer, responsible for overseeing the planning and execution of off-world missions.

S4 – the Regiment's appointed Logistics Officer, aka the "supply officer" or "Quartermaster". Responsible for the issue and storage of unit kit.

S5 – the Regiment's appointed Civil Affairs Officer, responsible for management of the base-public interaction, including the base's Military Police Company.

S6 – the Regiment's appointed Communications Officer. The senior RTO.

SAR – see "Mission"

SFC – Sergeant First Class – an NCO rank.

SG# – STAR GATE [number] – either:
1. The designation number of a Spline derived from the original ID for the GATES found in Antarctica at Base 78 (Vostok). The UK Spline is number 51, the others being 50 and 52 (USA), 53 (French Republic), 54 (Russian Federation), and 55 (People's Republic of China). These numbers correspond to the Regiments operation via those GATES. The exception is the 56^th Regiment in New Zealand, which does not have a STAR GATE, being tasked with the recovery of the remaining Antarctic GATES. See also "G-#" and "P-#"
2. The ID of an off-world unit operating from a STAR GATE base during a specific operation. For example: SG991, the first mission of OP. 99. If required the unit's Regimental number is prefixed to this to further clarify unit identity, for example: 51SG991 is the same unit, but from the 51st Regiment (UK).

SGT – Sergeant – an NCO rank.

SITREP – Situation Report – a brief report detailing the condition, status, activities, and needs of a unit in the field.

SM – Sergeant Major – an NCO rank.

SMC – Sergeant Major of the Corps – see CSM.

Snowball Earth – any planet that has been attacked by AS#2 (The Worms), and having had it's biosphere stripped, has cooled, frozen over, burying it's GATES in ice or snow, rendering them inactive.

SO – Standing Orders – the default or 'assumed' orders that do not require repeating everytime a set of mission briefings or operational orders are put together. It is normal practise in such briefings to note any deviations from Standing Orders instead.

SOP – Standard Operating Procedures – the standard agreed procedures and techniques for the conduct of tasks.

SPEC# – Specialist – an Other Rank. In fact a civilian, who has received sufficient training to serve armed with a handgun, alongside regular military personnel. The number is used to resolve authority between Specialists. They outrank all civilians including VIP's.

Spline – a set of STAR GATES linked liniarly to form a structure that is space flight capable. On arrival at a suitable planet, a number of Modules are deposited. Several "ships" may visit one planet, creating a cross linked network. Faster Than Light travel is possible via the deposited STAR GATES through the liniar worm hole. However it is only possible to travel along one Spline. To land via another Spline's STAR GATE, it is necessary to change to that Spline. See SG#.

SSGT – Staff Sergeant – an NCO rank.

Starburst – a tactical SOP for launch and landings off-world. Designed to reduce the risks of an ambush within an LZ.

STAR GATE – an alien device resembling a stone monolith, through which Faster Than Light travel via a Worm Hole is possible. Laid out in single lines across the universe called Splines. Believed to have been built by an unknown species designated AS#1, around 3 billion years ago, and stretching far beyond the Light Horizon.

T0~T5 – Type number – the types of potential hostiles, classified by behaviour and perceived objectives. T0 is uncontaminated, T1 is contaminated with M1 ABC, T2 and above, are contaminated with both M2 and M1 ABC.

T2ID – Type 2 Incapacitation Device – the chemical light sticks designed to emit a select group of frequencies of UV light, that attracts M2 nanites within a host body, rendering the target incapacitated for as long as the device functions. Typically 5 minutes. It will work upon T2 and above, but NOT T1. WARNING: these devices must be stored in standard steel ammunition cans or the specially designed plastic carriers which hold 1 or 5 devices, when deployed, as they emit dangerous levels of UV radiation if accidentally activated. Severe exposure may kill a T0.

TANGO – meaning a potential target, used to describe any unknown forces encountered on the battlefield.

UNMC – United Nations Marine Corps – "officially" a small UN military think tank tasked with the study of a proposed UN standing force. See UNSGC

UNSGC – United Nations Star Gate Command – A division of the UNMC, "officially" the military element tasked with a remit of planetary defence in the event of contact with an extraterrestrial intelligence, part of what is known as the CONTACT Program. In practise it is the UN's deniable 'black ops' unit tasked with the conduct of covert off-world operations. Composed of less than 200 personnel worldwide, organised in to 6 platoon sized Regiments, and its GHQ unit.

VIP – Very Important Person – a high ranking civilian. A suffix number functions as a kind of rank to resolve issues of authority within our civilian staff. VIP's always outrank regular civilians. In the field they are outranked by any military personnel, including Specialists (SPEC#).

WARNO – Warning Order – a prelimenary set of orders, issued in advance of an operation, so that personnel have a rough idea of the types of mission, and therefore what kinds of kit to prepare. See also "FRAGO" and "Op.Order".

WHX – Worm Hole Xtreme – the codename for British Combat Readiness Exercises, see "CRE-WHX-#"

WIA – Wounded In Action – the term describing any living casualty who has been returned to base. See also KIA and MIA.

XAD1471 – Experimental Alien Derived (technology) #1471 – the system housed in the basement of the base designed to force the STAR GATE to forge a connection with another, for either outbound or inbound travel. Operated by engineers from the Star Labs corporation.

XO – the Regiment's appointed Executive Officer, who serves as 2IC to the Regiment's CO.

For a more comprehensive document, see the Abbreviations, Acronyms, & Glossary of Terms.

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