An Cosantóir the official magazine of the Irish Defence Forces and Reserve Defence Forces.
Issue link: https://digital.jmpublishing.ie/i/133769
| 27 I n this Tac Aide, we will be looking at common NATO designations and abbreviations. They are gradually replacing the more generic terms we use in the Defence Forces, bringing us in line with an internationally accepted standard. Where you will see these, is not just on overseas missions in a HQ, but at home in correspondance, letters of instruction and when you will be searching for information on the new Sharepoint network. Most NATO countries have adopted the continental staff system (also known as the general staff system) in structuring their militaries' staff functions. This system is based on one originally employed by the French Army in the 19th century. Each staff position in a headquarters or unit is assigned a letter-prefix corresponding to the formation's element and one or more numbers specifying a role. The staff numbers are assigned according to custom not hierarchy; i.e. 1 is not 'higher ranking' than 2. Designation LetterNumber Apointment/Function Battalion: "S" 1: Personnel Administration / Adjudant 2: Intelligence 3: Operations Brigade: "G" 4: Logistics 5: Plannning 6: CIS (Communications) Division: "J" 7: Training & Education see is "S1" which is Battalion Adjtudant/Administration, "G2" which is Brigade Int or 8: Finance & Contracts For example, what you will "J4" which is DFHQ logs. 9: CIMIC For example, what you will see is "S1" which is Battalion Adjtudant/Administration, "G2" which is Brigade Int. Common abbreviations These are just some of the official NATO abbreviations that you will encounter at some stage in your career. CIMIC: CIS: CS: CSS: DF: EW: FC: FP: FRAGO: HUMINT: Civil Military Cooperation Communication and Information Systems Close Support -or- Combat Support Combat Service Support Defensive Fire Early Warning -or- Electronic Warfare Fire Control Force Protection Fragmentory Order Human Intelligence IED: Obj: ORBAT: PSO: ROE: SAR: STANAG: TF: TO&E: UXO: Improvised Explosive Device Objective Order of Battle Peace Support Operation Rules of Engagement Search and Rescue NATO Standardisation Agreement Task Force Table of Organisation and Equipment Unexploded Explosive Ordnance www.military.ie the defence forces magazine