Joint Publication 1-02 DoD Dictionary of Military ... - AcqNotes.com

As Amended Through 15 August 2011
outbreak of hostilities of any type (warning of attack); b. aggression of any nature
against a friendly country; c. indications or use of chemical, biological, radiological,
nuclear, or high-yield explosives weapons; and d. significant events within adversary
countries that may lead to modifications of nuclear strike plans. (JP 2-0)
critical item — An essential item which is in short supply or expected to be in short supply
for an extended period. See also critical supplies and materiel.
critical item list — Prioritized list, compiled from a subordinate commander’s composite
critical item lists, identifying supply items and weapon systems that assist Service and
Defense Logistics Agency’s selection of supply items and systems for production surge
planning. Also may be used in operational situations by the combatant commander
and/or subordinate joint force commander (within combatant commander directives) to
cross-level critical supply items between Service components. Also called CIL. See
also critical item. (JP 4-07)
criticality assessment — An assessment that identifies key assets and infrastructure that
support Department of Defense missions, units, or activities and are deemed mission
critical by military commanders or civilian agency managers. It addresses the impact
of temporary or permanent loss of key assets or infrastructures to the installation or a
unit’s ability to perform its mission. It examines costs of recovery and reconstitution
including time, dollars, capability, and infrastructure support. (JP 3-07.2)
critical joint duty assignment billet — A joint duty assignment position for which,
considering the duties and responsibilities of the position, it is highly important that the
assigned officer be particularly trained in, and oriented toward, joint matters. Critical
billets are selected by heads of joint organizations, approved by the Secretary of
Defense and documented in the Joint Duty Assignment List.
critical mass — The minimum amount of fissionable material capable of supporting a chain
reaction under precisely specified conditions.
critical occupational specialty — A military occupational specialty selected from among
the combat arms in the Army or equivalent military specialties in the Navy, Air Force,
or Marine Corps. Equivalent military specialties are those engaged in operational art in
order to attain strategic goals in an operational area through the design, organization,
and conduct of campaigns and major operations. Critical occupational specialties are
designated by the Secretary of Defense. Also called COS.
critical point — 1. A key geographical point or position important to the success of an
operation. 2. In point of time, a crisis or a turning point in an operation. 3. A selected
point along a line of march used for reference in giving instructions. 4. A point where
there is a change of direction or change in slope in a ridge or stream. 5. Any point
along a route of march where interference with a troop movement may occur.
86 JP 1-02