ACOG – Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight providing up to 6x fixed power magnification, illuminated at night by an internal phosphor

Anti-tank rockets – man-portable rockets designed to be able to defeat armoured vehicles. Usually they are less capable than anti-tank guns and missiles, but are useful against various targets including buildings and fortifications

Army Reserve – formerly the Territorial Army or TA, this provides trained soldiers who work on a part-time basis to support the regular army

CQR – Close Quarter Recce

Flash-bang (stun grenade) – a non-lethal explosive device used to temporarily disorientate an enemy’s senses

Foxhound – Patrol vehicle specifically designed and built to protect against the threats faced by troops in Afghanistan

Fusiliers – an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Queen’s Division

Glock 17 Gen 4 – lightweight and accurate pistol with a magazine capacity of 17 9mm rounds

GPMG – General-Purpose Machine Gun, nicknamed the ‘Gimpy’; belt-driven

IED – an Improvised Explosive Device, which can be placed on the ground or used by suicide bombers; sometimes activated by remote control

Infantry – the British infantry is based on the tried and tested regimental system which has proved successful on operations over the years; it consists of a number of regular battalions. The British infantry has a strong tradition of courage in battle

Insurgent – a person who fights against an established government or authority

Intel (INT) – army term for intelligence: information collected on, for example, enemy movements

Intelligence Corps – one of the corps of the British Army. It is responsible for gathering, analysing and disseminating military intelligence, and also for counter-intelligence and security

LASM – Light Anti-Structures Missile; a rocket launcher designed to be discarded after launch

MI5 – a British intelligence agency working to protect the UK’s national security against threats such as terrorism and espionage

MoD – Ministry of Defence. Their aim is to protect the security, independence and interests of our country at home and abroad. They ensure that the armed forces have the training, equipment and support necessary for their work

MP5 – 9mm submachine gun built by Heckler & Koch

NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organization: an organization whose essential purpose is to safeguard the freedom and security of its members through political and military means

NCO – Non-Commissioned Officer, like a corporal or sergeant

No. 8 Temperate Combat Dress – this replaced the No 5 and 9 Dress, in what is known known as the Personal Clothing System. It is based around a Multi-Terrain Pattern (MTP) windproof smock, a lightweight jacket and trousers with a range of ancillaries such as thermals and waterproofs

PE – Plastic Explosive

PRR – Personal Role Radio: small transmitter-receiver radio that enables soldiers to communicate over short distances, and through buildings and walls

Royal Logistics Corps (RLC) – provides support (e.g. vehicle parts, tools, ammunition and rations) to the Army, both in peacetime and on operations

RPG – Rocket-Propelled Grenade

SA80 – semi-automatic rifle made by Heckler & Koch, the standard British Army rifle

SAS – Special Air Service, tasked to operate in difficult and often changing circumstances, sometimes in absence of guidance and within situations that have significant operational and strategic importance

Screws – a prison nickname for a warder

Special Branch – units responsible for matters of national security in British and Commonwealth police forces. Acquire and develop intelligence, usually of a political nature, and conducts investigations to protect the State from perceived threats of subversion

‘Taking Point’ – Assume the first and most exposed position in a combat military formation

UGL – Under-slung Grenade Launcher, fitted to SA80

Warrior – a series of British armoured vehicles, originally developed to replace the older FV430 series of armoured vehicles. A highly successful armoured fighting vehicle, the Warrior can be fitted with enhanced armour and is continuously being updated

YOI – Young Offender Institution, a type of British prison intended for offenders aged between 18 and 20, although some prisons cater for younger offenders from ages 15 to 17, who are classed as juvenile offenders