BCT: Symbols and Acronyms

BCT
BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM

What Do the Acronyms in the OPORD and Graphics Mean?

The OPORD, the order window that is open at the beginning of a scenario, is an abridged version of the Army format, 5 paragraph operations order. It includes many acronyms and abbreviations which may be confusing. This guide should help.

Along with the OPORD, you are also provided with maneuver graphics. These provide all of the boundaries and control measures for your mission. Of course, you don't have to stay in your boundaries. After all, they are only established by a General Officer!

Display Maneuver Graphics.

Select "Maneuver Graphics" from the "View" Menu Item. The map will now display yellow symbols depicting your objective, boundaries, and phase lines.

Maneuver Graphics. Maneuver graphics are used to show your zone of action and to describe points, lines, and areas on the map.

This is how a task force or battalion boundary is marked. This line separates two battalion-sized elements. These battalions can not cross or shoot across this line without permission from their higher headquarters. Boundaries below battalion size are very rare. This is the boundary between TF 2-8 CAV and 2-5 CAV.

This marks the boundary between two brigades, in this case 1st and 2nd brigade. Again, it cannot be violated without coordination.

"PL" stands for phase line. A phase line stretches between two boundaries and is generally perpendicular to the axis of advance or enemy attack route. It is used to mark lines and limits from the OPORD.

This is an objective. You will be told to either "sieze" or "secure" it in the OPORD. Sieze means occupy the ground. Secure means cover the objective with fire, to prevent the enemy from controlling the ground. This can be done without physically entering the objective.

This is an Attack Position. It is an area where units form up in preparation for an attack. Occupying it prior to an attack is not an absolute necessity. Your higher headquarters has merely given it to you in order to indicate a general "jumping-off" point for an attack.

Acronyms and abbreviations The U.S. Army uses acronyms to describe just about everything. We could not hope to list them all. We will try to cover here the ones you are likely to see in the OPORD's.

AAG

Army Artillery Group. Artillery support to a CAA.

ACR

Armored Cavalry Regiment.

BMNT

Before Morning Nautical Twilight. Earliest light.

CAA

Combined Arms Army. Soviet-style equivalent to a U.S. Corps

CAS

Close Air Support.

CP

Command Post.

CSS

Combat Service Support.

DAG

Division Artillery Group. Artillery support to an enemy division.

EENT

Early Evening Nautical Twilight. Last light.

LC

Line of Contact. The line at which friendly forces meet enemy forces.

LD

Line of Departure. The line you must cross to begin the attack.

MRB

Motorized Rifle Battalion.

MRC

Motorized Rifle Company.

MRD

Motorized Rifle Division. Enemy mech infantry division.

MRP

Motorized Rifle Platoon.

MRR

Motorized Rifle Regiment.

NET

Not Earlier Than.

NLT

Not Later Than.

PIR

Priority Intelligence Requirements. Things the commander needs to know about the enemy.

RAG

Regimental Artillery Group. Artillery Support to an enemy regiment.

SOKOL

Enemy rotary-wing attack aircraft.

SOP

Standard Operating Procedure.

TF

Task Force. A battalion-sized group of units.

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This is how a task force or battalion boundary is marked. This line separates two battalion-sized elements. These battalions can not cross or shoot across this line without permission from their higher headquarters. Boundaries below battalion size are very rare. This is the boundary between TF 2-8 CAV and 2-5 CAV.
This marks the boundary between two brigades, in this case 1st and 2nd brigade. Again, it cannot be violated without coordination.
"PL" stands for phase line. A phase line stretches between two boundaries and is generally perpendicular to the axis of advance or enemy attack route. It is used to mark lines and limits from the OPORD.
This is an objective. You will be told to either "sieze" or "secure" it in the OPORD. Sieze means occupy the ground. Secure means cover the objective with fire, to prevent the enemy from controlling the ground. This can be done without physically entering the objective.
This is an Attack Position. It is an area where units form up in preparation for an attack. Occupying it prior to an attack is not an absolute necessity. Your higher headquarters has merely given it to you in order to indicate a general "jumping-off" point for an attack.

AAG	Army Artillery Group. Artillery support to a CAA.
ACR	Armored Cavalry Regiment.
BMNT	Before Morning Nautical Twilight. Earliest light.
CAA	Combined Arms Army. Soviet-style equivalent to a U.S. Corps
CAS	Close Air Support.
CP	Command Post.
CSS	Combat Service Support.
DAG	Division Artillery Group. Artillery support to an enemy division.
EENT	Early Evening Nautical Twilight. Last light.
LC	Line of Contact. The line at which friendly forces meet enemy forces.
LD	Line of Departure. The line you must cross to begin the attack.
MRB	Motorized Rifle Battalion.
MRC	Motorized Rifle Company.
MRD	Motorized Rifle Division. Enemy mech infantry division.
MRP	Motorized Rifle Platoon.
MRR	Motorized Rifle Regiment.
NET	Not Earlier Than.
NLT	Not Later Than.
PIR	Priority Intelligence Requirements. Things the commander needs to know about the enemy.
RAG	Regimental Artillery Group. Artillery Support to an enemy regiment.
SOKOL	Enemy rotary-wing attack aircraft.
SOP	Standard Operating Procedure.
TF	Task Force. A battalion-sized group of units.