Appendix D
Glossary
Accession: in general, refers to the act of entering upon or attaining an office. For military purposes, accession refers to entering military service, and the term is applied to new recruits. Active Guard and Reserve: National Guard and Reserve members who are on voluntary active duty providing full-time support to National Guard, Reserve, and Active Component organizations for the purpose of organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing, or training the Reserve Components (U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, 2010). Amicus curiae: a phrase that literally means “friend of the court”; a person or group who is not a party to specific litigation but who believes that the court’s decision may affect his, her, or its interest. Armed Forces of the United States: a term used to denote collectively all components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when mobilized under Title 10 to augment the Navy) (U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, 2010). Barrier analysis: the process by which an organization uncovers, examines, and removes barriers to equal participation at all levels of its workforce. A barrier is an organizational policy, principle, or practice that limits or tends to limit employment opportunities for members of particular groups (e.g., on the basis of race/ethnicity or gender). Benchmark: any standard or reference by which something can be judged or evaluated. The benchmarks referenced in this report are used to evaluate racial/ethnic minority and female representation in the Armed Forces. For example, there are three commonly suggested external benchmarks for the military: racial/ethnic minority and female shares of the current national population, the future national population, and the military-eligible population. Billet: a personnel position or assignment that may be filled by one person (U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, 2010). Capability: the ability to execute a specified course of action (U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, 2010). Competency/core competency: DoD- or Service-set requirements that holders of particular positions or ranks must meet and be accountable for meeting. Concept of operations: a verbal or graphic statement that clearly and concisely expresses what the commander intends to accomplish and how it will be done using available resources (U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, 2010).
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