Level IIIA (High Velocity .44 Magnum, Submachine Gun 9mm)
This armor protects against .44 Magnum, Semi-Jacketed Hollow-Point (SJHP) bullets with nominal masses of 15.55 gram (240 grain) impacting at a velocity of 426 m/s (1,400 ft/s) or less and against 9mm full-metal-jacketed bullets with nominal masses of 8 grams (124 grain) impacting at a velocity of 426 m/s (1,400 ft/s) or less. It also provides protection against most handgun threats, as well as the Level I, IIA, and II threats. Level IIIA body armor provides the highest level of protection currently available from concealable body armor and is generally suitable for routine wear in many situations. However, departments located in hot, humid climates may need to evaluate the use of Level IIIA armor carefully.
Level III (High-Powered Rifle)
This armor, normally of hard or semi-rigid construction, protects against 7.62mm FMJ bullets (US military designation M80) with nominal masses of 9.7 grams (150 grain) impacting at a velocity of 838 m/s (2,750 ft/s) or less. It also provides protection against threats such as .223 Remington (5.56x45mm FMJ), .30 Carbine FMJ, and 12-gauge rifled slug, as well as Level I through IIIA threats. Level III body armor is clearly intended only for tactical situations when the threat warrants such protection, such as barricade confrontations involving sporting rifles.
Level IV (Armor-Piercing Rifle)
This armor protects against .30-06-caliber armor-piercing bullets (US military designation AP-M2) with nominal masses of 10.8 grams (166 grain) impacting at a velocity of 868 m/s (2,850 ft/s) or less. It also provides at least single-hit protection against the Level I through III threats.
Level IV body armor provides the highest level of protection currently available. Because this armor is intended to resist “armor piercing” bullets, it often uses ceramic materials. Such materials are brittle in nature and may provide only single-shot protection since the ceramic tends to break up when struck. As with Level III armor, Level IV armor is clearly intended only for tactical situations when the threat warrants such protection.
Appendix H
Acronyms and Abbreviations
AA
assembly area; avenue of approach
AAR
After Action Report
A/C
aircraft
ACE
ammo, casualties, and equipment report
ACL
allowable cargo load
ACP
air space control plan
AD
accidental discharge
ADA
air defense artillery
AFO
advance force operations
AG
adjutant general
AGL
above ground level
AH
attack helicopter
ALICE
all-purpose lightweight individual carrying equipment
ALT
alternate
AMC
at my command
ANCD
automated net control device
ANGLE T
greater than 90-degree angle to target from guns
AO
area of operation
AOR
area of responsibility
AP
armor-piercing
APC
armored personnel carrier
APERS
antipersonnel
API
armor-piercing incendiary
API-T
armor-piercing incendiary-tracer
APL
antipersonnel land mine
AR
automatic rifle
ARF
air reaction force
ASL
assistant squad leader; above sea level
AT
antitank
ATL
assistant team leader
ATGM
antitank guided missile
AVLB
armored vehicle launch bridge
BANG
explosives
BANGER
flash bang grenade
BAS
battalion aid station
BCS
battery computer system
BD
battle drill
BDU
battle dress uniform
BFV
Bradley fighting vehicle
BIFV
Bradley infantry fighting vehicle
BINOS
binoculars
BIP
blow in place kit
BIT
battlefield interrogation team
BLUE ON BLUE
friendly units firing on each other
BMNT
begin morning nautical twilight
BMP
a Soviet infantry fighting vehicle
BOS
battlefield operating system
BP
battle position; blocking position
BPT
be prepared to
BRDM
a Soviet vehicle used by reconnaissance units
BTR
a Soviet wheeled vehicle
C
2
command and control
C4
command, control, communication, and casualties
CAS
close air support
CASEVAC
casualty evacuation
CCD
camouflage, concealment, and decoys
CCIR
commander’s critical intelligence guidance requirements
CCP
casualty collection point
CCT
combat control team (combat air controller)
CEWI
combat electronics warfare and intelligence
CFV
cavalry fighting vehicle
CGIS
Coast Guard Investigative Service (US Coast Guard)
CH
cargo helicopter
CI
counterintelligence
CID
Criminal Investigation Division (US Army)
CLASS I–X
see pages 412–13
CLU
command launch unit
CN
counternarcotics
CNR
combat net radio
CO
commanding officer
COA
course of action
COC
chain of command
COMSEC
communication security
CONT
contingency
CP
command post
CRYPTO
electric encryption keys used in radios
CS
combat support
CSS
combat service support
CQB
close quarter battle
CT
counterterrorism; common task
CTR
close-target reconnaissance
CW
continuous wave
DANGER CLOSE
minimum safe distance from blast radius
DEA
Drug Enforcement Administration
DED
detailed equipment decontamination
DEMO
demolitions/explosives
DET CORD
detonation cord
DEW
directed-energy weapon
DF
direction finder
DH
defense HUMINT (human intelligence)
DIA
Defense Intelligence Agency
DLIC
detachment left in contact
DSS
Diplomatic Security Service
DTD
detailed troop decontamination
DTG
date-time group
DZ
drop zone
EA
engagement area; each
ECAS
emergency close air support
E&E
escape and evade
EENT
ending evening nautical twilight
EF
enemy forces
EKIA
enemy killed in action
EMP
electromagnetic pulse
EOD
explosive ordnance disposal
EPW
enemy prisoner of war
ERP
en-route rally point
EVAC
evacuation
EW
electronic warfare
EXFIL
exfiltration
EZ
extraction zone
FA
field artillery
FAC
forward air controller
FBI
Federal Bureau of Investigation
FDC
fire direction center
FDO
fire direction officer
FEBA
forward edge of battle area
FF
friendly forces
FFE
fire for effect
FFU
friendly forward unit
FH
frequency hopping
FIRES
mission-supporting direct or indirect fire
FIST
fire support team
FLIR
forward-looking infrared
FLOT
forward line of own troops
FM
frequency modulation; field manual
FO
forward observer
FOB
forward operating base
FPF
final protective fire
FPL
final protective line
FPS
feet per second
FRAG
fragmentation grenade
FRAGO
fragmentary order
FREQ
frequency for radio
FRIES
fast rope infiltration exfiltration system
FSO
fire support officer
GAF
ground assault force
GD
ground distance
GL
grenade launcher; grid line
G-M
grid-magnetic
GOTWA
five-point contingency plan (going, others, time, what, actions on contact)