Defence Terminology - Words of War

December 12, 2022 - Defence Stories

As with any profession, Canada’s profession of arms possesses a language of its own. You know, the military jargon (terms and acronyms) you use around your civilian family members and friends they often don’t understand.

Military terms and acronyms (terminology) are introduced and evolve over time as a means to accurately and effectively impart, comprehend or discuss military knowledge, skills, concepts, doctrine, plans, policies and orders. To that end, all CAF members should be aware of the Defence Terminology Programme and how the correct use of defence terminology contributes to our collective success while failing to use it (or using foreign terminology instead) causes confusion.

To effectively communicate in the language of our chosen profession we must correctly use approved terminology. That means knowing (not assuming) the meanings (definitions) of the terms we use. Fortunately, Canada is a world leader in defence terminology and Canada’s Defence Terminology Bank (DTB) (accessible only on the National Defence network) has no equal in either NATO or ABCANZ; in fact, it is in the envy of our allies. The DTB is to defence terminology as the Oxford English Dictionary is to English and Le Petit Robert to French. The DTB is our primary reference source for defence terminology. Another attribute that’s made us a leader in this field is the expertise and energy of those who form the various terminology panels bring to the table. The Defence Terminology Programme requires each L1 appoint a terminology representative to be their primary point of contact on defence terminology matters.

Within the Canadian Army (CA), the staff officer (SO) responsible for terminology is a member of the Army Doctrine Centre (ADC). One of that SO’s responsibilities is to maintain the CA's Terminology and Symbology site (accessible only on the National Defence network) on the ADC’s ACIMS (also accessible via a link in the CA’s Doctrine Library) (accessible only on the National Defence network). Amongst the relevant information and many useful links found on the CA’s Terminology and Symbology site are instructions on how to submit a terminology proposal to the Army Terminology Panel (ATP).

As with any language, defence terminology changes over time; new terms are added, obsolete terms are removed, and the meanings of many terms change. Through their respective panels, every soldier, sailor, aviator and public servant willing to make the effort to do so has the ability to contribute to the development of our profession’s language. For further information on the Defence Terminology Programme please email P-OTG.Terminology@intern.mil.ca. Any questions specific to Army terminology and symbology may be emailed to +armyterminology@cadtc hq-qg cdiac@kingston​.