What is Friendly Fire Called in the Military?

In the lexicon of military operations, friendly fire is most commonly referred to as fratricide. While both terms describe the same tragic phenomenon – the unintentional attack on one’s own forces or allies – fratricide is often preferred in official military documentation and analysis. The term emphasizes the “brother-on-brother” aspect of the incident, highlighting the devastating impact it has on morale and unit cohesion. Although friendly fire is more widely understood by the general public, understanding the military’s preferred term is crucial for anyone studying military history, strategy, or the psychological impacts of warfare.

Understanding Fratricide: Beyond the Casualties

The Scope of the Problem

The concept of fratricide, or friendly fire, stretches back through military history. While modern technology and training have aimed to mitigate it, the chaotic and complex nature of battle ensures that it remains a persistent concern. Statistics suggest that friendly fire incidents can account for a significant percentage of battle casualties, ranging from 2% to 20%. This underscores the importance of understanding its causes and implementing strategies to prevent it.

Causes of Friendly Fire Incidents

Several factors contribute to friendly fire incidents. These often include:

• Confusion on the Battlefield: Rapidly changing situations, poor visibility, and the inherent fog of war can lead to misidentification of targets.
• Communication Breakdowns: Failure to properly communicate troop positions, objectives, or changes in plans can result in units mistakenly engaging each other.
• Inadequate Training: Insufficient training in target identification, weapons handling, and situational awareness increases the risk of errors.
• Technological Limitations: Although technology aims to improve accuracy, glitches in targeting systems or failures in identification friend or foe (IFF) systems can lead to misidentification.
• Stress and Fatigue: The psychological and physical demands of combat can impair judgment and increase the likelihood of mistakes.

Mitigating Fratricide: Strategies and Technologies

The military employs a range of strategies and technologies to reduce the incidence of friendly fire. These efforts span multiple areas:

• Enhanced Training: Rigorous training programs focus on target identification, fire discipline, and situational awareness. Troops are taught to positively identify targets before engaging, and to understand the potential consequences of their actions.
• Improved Communication: Clear and reliable communication systems are crucial for coordinating troop movements and sharing real-time information. Standardized protocols and redundant communication channels help minimize misunderstandings.
• Advanced Technology: Technological solutions, such as GPS tracking, thermal imaging, and improved IFF systems, are designed to enhance situational awareness and reduce the likelihood of misidentification.
• Situational Awareness: Emphasis is placed on understanding the battlefield environment, including the positions of friendly forces and potential enemy targets.
• Clear Signals and Countersignals: Agreed-upon signals and countersignals help troops identify each other and avoid confusion.
• Fire Discipline: Strict adherence to established procedures for engaging targets, including verifying target identification and obtaining proper authorization.

Accountability and Consequences

The investigation and aftermath of a friendly fire incident is complex. While the intent is never malicious, the consequences can be devastating. Disciplinary action depends on the specific circumstances, ranging from no repercussions if the incident was unavoidable given the situation, to charges of negligence or, in extreme cases, some form of homicide. Each incident is carefully examined to identify the root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent future occurrences.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Friendly Fire

Here are some frequently asked questions about friendly fire, offering additional insights into this critical aspect of military operations:

1. Is friendly fire always punished in the military? No, friendly fire incidents are not necessarily punished. The determination of punishment depends on the specific circumstances of the incident. Factors considered include the degree of negligence involved, the clarity of the situation, and adherence to established protocols.

2. What is “blue on blue” in military terminology? “Blue on blue” is a colloquial term for friendly fire, referring to the color associated with friendly forces on military maps and simulations.

3. What are some technologies used to prevent friendly fire? Technologies used to prevent friendly fire include GPS tracking systems, thermal imaging devices, and improved identification friend or foe (IFF) systems.

4. What is fire discipline? Fire discipline refers to the strict adherence to established procedures for engaging targets, including verifying target identification and obtaining proper authorization. It is a key element in preventing friendly fire.

5. What is the military term “fire for effect?” “Fire for effect” (FFE) is a military term that indicates that artillery or other indirect fire support is being delivered after the initial rounds have been adjusted and are accurately hitting the intended target area.

6. Which US war had a high percentage of casualties due to friendly fire? The Gulf War saw a relatively high percentage of U.S. combat deaths attributed to friendly fire.

7. What does “Bravo Foxtrot” signify in the military context? “Bravo Foxtrot” is a phonetic alphabet representation of the letters “BF,” often used humorously within the military, as “BF” is shorthand for a popular vulgar term. In the provided context, it’s an approved housing project for veterans.

8. What does “secret squirrel” mean in the military? “Secret Squirrel” is a military nickname for operatives on classified missions who are not allowed to disclose their service, status, or mission.

9. What is a “sniper check”? A “sniper check” refers to giving a salute to an officer in the field, which is normally prohibited because it could identify the officer to the enemy.

10. What are the primary causes of friendly fire incidents? The primary causes of friendly fire include confusion on the battlefield, communication breakdowns, inadequate training, technological limitations, and the stress and fatigue of combat.

11. What does “free-fire zone” mean in military terms? A “free-fire zone” is a designated military area in which no restrictions are imposed on rifle or artillery fire, bombing, etc.

12. What elements are included in fire commands for direct-fire weapons? Fire commands for direct-fire weapons typically include alert, direction, description, range, method of fire, and command to open fire.

13. What are some different types of military fires with respect to the target? Types of military fires with respect to the target include enfilade, frontal, flanking, and oblique fire.

14. Is friendly fire common in warfare? While rarely intentional, friendly fire is unfortunately fairly common in warfare due to the chaotic and complex nature of battle.

15. Where can I learn more about the impact of games on learning and simulation, including military applications? You can explore the Games Learning Society and their research at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Understanding the complexities of friendly fire and the ongoing efforts to prevent it is crucial for anyone interested in military history, strategy, or the human cost of war. Remember to always seek credible and verified sources for your information.