Essential vocabulary for the ArcGIS defense and intelligence communities

The following table describes terms used in the Esri Defense and intelligence book of ArcGIS Help. The definitions reflect the usage that is specific to defense and intelligence in ArcGIS. Bold font in this topic indicates that the term is defined in this topic.

Term	Description
base symbol	The main visual part of a UEI feature or a military operations feature. For UEI features, military specifications refer to this as the frame and icon. For example, the following image is the base symbol for the armored infantry vehicle feature.
cartographic representation	A set of symbols, rules, overrides, and graphic edits that provide more control and precision for how features are displayed on the map. This additional control allows features in ArcGIS to support military symbology specifications. For details see Military operations lines and areas.
feature template	A template, stored in a map document or layer file, that contains all the information required to create a feature, such as the layer will store the feature and the attributes the feature will have. Feature templates let you focus on adding features instead of concerning yourself with the underlying data considerations, such as which layer the feature must go in due to its geometry type (generally, a layer's type is determined by its geometry--point, line, or polygon). Also see military feature template.
friendly forces	Force units considered to be on the same side as the creator of a map of, typically, a battle or skirmish. These are also known as blue forces because they are symbolized on the map with a blue background, per the military symbol specifications supported by ArcGIS. Forces are also known as tactical symbols in military symbology specifications. For details on using friendly force features in ArcGIS, see UEI Features.
hostile forces	Force units that the map creator considers to be on the opposing side of, typically, a battle or skirmish. They are also known as red forces because they are symbolized on the map with a red background, per the military symbol specifications supported by ArcGIS. Hostile forces are also known as enemy units. Forces are also known as tactical symbols. For details on using hostile force features in ArcGIS, see UEI Features.
label	Text placed on or near a feature that describes or identifies it. In ArcGIS, labels are used for what military specifications call text modifiers. An example of a label for a military feature is the name (unique designation) of an infantry platoon, such as alpha. For details, see Labeling military features.
military features	In ArcGIS, a group of defense- and intelligence-related ArcGIS features you can add to your map. They are based on military symbol specifications. Examples include main attack arrows and friendly force unit features, such as infantry platoons. Also known as military symbology or war fighting symbols. For more information, see Military features.
military feature template	An ArcGIS feature template with built-in military characteristics. For more information, see Military feature templates.
military operations features	ArcGIS features referred to in military symbology specifications as tactical graphics. They include: Command and control (C2) features, such as unit boundaries, special area designations and tasks, that are necessary for battlefield planning and management Meteorological and oceanographic (METOC) features Some emergency management (EMS) features For more information, see Military operations features or Military features.
military symbol specifications	Specification publications, also known as mil standards documents, used by ArcGIS as a basis for its military features. For ArcGIS 10.1, the main symbol specification that ArcGIS military features are based on is the following: MIL-STD-2525C (and its related publication, FM 1-02 Operational Terms and Symbols) For details, see Military symbol specifications supported by ArcGIS.
MGRS	Military Grid Reference System. This is a grid-based system used to represent locations on the universal transverse Mercator (UTM) and universal polar stereographic (UPS) grid systems. MGRS coordinates, expressed as an alphanumeric string, define an area on the earth's surface, as opposed to a specific point. For more information, see Support for MGRS in ArcGIS.
picture marker	A bitmap (.bmp file) or Windows enhanced metafile (.emf) graphic used by ArcGIS to draw the base symbol, or what military specifications call the frame and icon components of a military feature. An example frame and icon picture marker is the frame and icon for the infantry unit military feature: .
schema-only layer package	An ArcGIS layer package that contains a schema but, unlike other Esri layer packages, contains no data. Esri military feature layer packages are schema only. Use Esri militaray feature layer packages when you want to add military features to a map. For details, see Military features. Each of these layer packages contain a database schema designed for military features based on the military symbol specifications supported by ArcGIS.
SIDC	Symbol identification code. A 15-character code used by military symbol specifications to define how a symbol should look. You can use SIDCs in ArcGIS, but they are not required in order to add military symbols to a map. For details, see Create military features from a Symbol ID code. Also known as symbol ID code.
UEI features	Units, equipment, and installations. A phrase used to collectively refer to units, equipment, and installation military features in ArcGIS maps. UEI features are known as tactical symbols in military specifications. Also known as C2 UEI features, which stands for command and control units, equipment, and installations features.