Glossary of terms

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M
mackintosh

a waterproof material made by cementing layers of cloth with rubber

mandate

the authority to carry out a particular policy or task as a result of winning an election or vote

manoeuvre

a military training exercise that involves the movement of soldiers and equipment over a large area

mateship

comradeship of friends, usually male, viewed as an institution

mediate

trying to settle an argument between 2 groups by talking to them both and finding things that they can both agree to

medic

a doctor who works with the armed forces, as part of a medical corps

mention in despatches

an official report by a superior officer naming a person in recognition of their bravery or distinguished service

merchant navy

the ships or crew engaged in a nation's commercial shipping

merchant ship

a ship that is part of a country's commercial shipping fleet, involved in transporting goods or carrying passengers; also known as a 'merchantman'

militant

describes a person with a very strong belief who tries to bring about political or social change, often in extreme ways that others find unacceptable

military junta

a government led by a committee of military leaders

military observer

a military official deployed as part of a peacekeeping force to provide support to a coordinated mission or peace operation

militia

a group that operates like an army but whose members are not professional soldiers

Militia

an armed force of part-time members trained for Australia's home defence that operated from 1930 to 1942. Its members were all volunteers until conscription was introduced on 1 January 1940. Militiamen could not serve outside Australia and its territories.

mine

a bomb hidden in the ground or in water that explodes when something touches it

minelayer

a warship or aircraft designed for the carrying and laying of mines

mobilise

to prepare a military forces for a conflict; mobilisation (noun)

Morse code

a telegraph code used for sending messages

musketry

the technique of using small arms

mustard gas

a chemical weapon used during World War I that caused blistering, sore eyes and internal injuries

muzzle velocity

the speed of a projectile as it leaves a gun's muzzle