GLOSSARY
Action Officer – The leader of a team, ultimately responsible for logistical planning, information support and direction of resources.
Asset – A known player, object or information source in a given scenario. Ex. “I’ve got four assets on staff that we’ll be in contact with when we arrive.”; “I turned one of the assets in the group to provide introductions for everyone on the team.”
Audible – A decision made by an action officer to deviate from the original plan because of exigent circumstances that occurred during an ongoing operation. Ex. “After the scuffle happened in the main room, I called an audible to bounce the group to the next venue.”
Bailout Point – The point at which an agent decides to either commit to the interaction or discontinue an interaction.
Bang and Burn – Actions taken when the objective is closed with and then disavowed.
BIGOT List – A punchlist of operatives that are privy to a particular operation.
Black Operations – Operations undertaken by an operative tangential to the established social circle and without the general knowledge of those “in the know”.
Boesky – A wealthy asset, in the know who volunteers to assist with an operation for purposes of personal gain.
Bona Fides – Evidence of legitimacy of interest or, more specifically, evidence denoting the worthiness of an operative as trustworthy.
Bounce – The coordinated movement of an operative or team to increase the possibility of a favorable operational posture. Ex. “When we decided that the crowd had gone cold, we bounced.”
Bridge Operative – A target closed with for the purposes of gaining access to a previous sealed social circle.
Brief Encounter – A momentary tag-up between the Action Officer and an Operative designated to close with a particular target to cross-level information or update situational awareness.
Burned – action taken, either intentionally by an unknown asset or operative or unintentionally by a known asset or operative that is an obstacle to an operation’s success. Ex “I had isolated the target and had begun escalation, but her counterpart from the group that we were working rushed in with an emergency and burned me.”
Casuals – Individuals, neither assets, nor operatives that are available for exploitation during operations to achieve a particular objective. Ex. Blocking, screening, evocative occupation. Ex. “To isolate the target, I coordinated the introduction of a casual into the conversation so that the obstacle who was talking to her would block the path.”
Chokepoint – An area or construct that forces vehicular or pedestrian traffic into a narrow area. Ex. “Set yourself up for the introduction at the chokepoint between the main floor and the roofdeck and I will lead the target to you.”
Code Talk – The agreedupon verbal signals that indicate a standard operational vocabulary for team communications.
Commo Plan – The total set of verbal, nonverbal and electronic messages utilized within a single team. Ex. (Action Officer) “Alright, we’ll be moving into the event through our asset at the back door. Since this is a black tie affair, we’re going to need to change the commo plan. For tonight, the signal for immediate extraction or assistance is an untied bowtie.”
Compromised – A descriptive term that applies to an operative that has been discovered by a target or casual to be operating as part of a team or utilizing perceivable surriptitious techniques to close with a Target. Ex. “I wasn’t compromised until I breached OPSEC and let her see the text messages we exchanged during the operation.”
Control – An operative, not in play that serves in a position of real-time information support remotely. A Control element is available throughout operations to provide information unavailable in the field. Ex. “On a feigned trip to the mens’ room, I texted control to get more information about the organization that my target group belonged to after our introduction.”
Critical Pause – A believable stop or side trip between venues that implies an ostensibly innocent reason for breaking from the group during movement with a target. Ex. “After the Action Officer called the audible, I checked the map and rerouted my target into the coffee shop for a Critical Pause to build rapport before rejoining the group.”
Dangle Operation – An operation in which a known asset, affiliate or operative (who is expected to be particularly appealing to the target group) is presented without apparent intention or interest to entice the group to make an introduction.
Double Agent – A female target, or a rogue operative who presents themself as a valuable source of information within the group, but has deeper intentions to accomplish his or her own objectives.
Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) – The process of extracting EEI in support of packeting information from open source material and information available in social media.
Essential Elements of Information (EEI)- Target Packet structure designed to maximize the ability of an operative to build rapport in advance of the close.
Exfil Operative – Team member designated to serve as the diversive or recovery asset to ostensibly remove a friendly asset from an interaction.
False Flag Operation – The technique of stealing access to a particular event or venue by the pretense of being someone else. Ex. “We couldn’t get a reservation or even on the list, so we’re running a false flag.”
Foots – Operatives utilized in a pedestrian or static surveillance capacity in support of an ongoing information. Ex. “When they break for a cigarette, I need a foot outside to relay the conversation that they’re having. After you’ve got a sense of where we’re at along the way, give me the download and I’ll make your intro.”
Gangbusters – A characterization of the social landscape that is meant to indicate a high energy level from which an operative can describe and then pace an interaction. Ex. “We were vibing until the DJ spun up the crowd and the place started rocking like Gangbusters.”
Ghost Surveillance – Graphic or audio/video surveillance set up inside the operative’s domicile or on their person for the purposes of improving fieldcraft, observing a target’s behavior in secret while inside the domicile, or determining the identity of persons intentionally or unintentionally attempting to interrupt a close by social intrusion. Ex. “I burned the target after the ghost tape showed she was looking for my financial information when I left to get dinner.”; “I would have been in real trouble if the ghost camera didn’t let me see that my target from Thursday night was outside when my Saturday night close was happening.”
Goalie – A member of the target group who obstinately protests social interaction between an operative and target.
Grenade Hopper – With a close imminent and operational success paramount to personal gain, the grenade hopper is the designated operative to take down the least valuable target when the majoirty of the team has a reasonable chance of success with their aligned targets.
Images Intelligence (IMINT) – The process of deriving primary, secondary and tertiary information from the analysis of images.
Impersonal Communications – Notes, scripts or electronic messages with a time delay to re-elicit the mental attention of a target within the deep rapport building cycle after a close.
In the black – A period of time when an operative is able to isolate a target without the potential for an interruption from members of her social group. Ex. “Well played, after you moved to the balcony you were in the black for a solid 15 minutes.”
In the gap – A brief amount of time when an operative is able to utilize casuals or team members to interrupt surveillance of an interaction on the part of the target’s social group so that advancement can be made towards the close. Ex. “I’ll occupy this one long enough to make sure you can acquire the number. You’ll be in the gap for a little while.”
In the wind – A break in contact with a target that occurs because of unknown events or circumstances. Ex. “Where’d she go?” “She’s in the wind. Let’s keep going and make sure that we’ve got other options if she pops back up.”
Legend – The sum total of an operative’s life story modified and edited to demonstrate the highest level of social and survival / replication value from which an operative can draw in storytelling or anecdote sharing.
Leon Spinks – A surprise reversal of events in which a resistant target suddenly overturns resistance and rapidly escalates to a close.
Local – An asset or operative with strong ties to the area of operations that offers a specialized and in-depth knowledge of the particular operational area. Ex. “Do we have a local there?” “Yes, we know the head promoter and two of the bartenders.”
Lockstep – The act of moving at the same pace, and in the same direction as a target to elicit a “sponotaneous encounter”.
Material – A semi-scripted list of conversational threads used to accomplish the establishment of mutual attraction between an operative and a target.
Miss Daisy – A vehicle (hired or driven by a friendly operative) that is utilized to transport operative and target between venues and (ultimately) to the location of the close.
Mole – An asset or previously closed target included in an operation who has compromised the operation and intends to share sensitive information with a target group.
Mouthpiece – A member of a female social circle in whom no trust can be placed, however, she can be reasonably be expected to widely distribute information disseminated “in confidence” to anyone who will listen. For distribution of misinformation or for the purposes of telegraphing intent (false or otherwise) she is invaluable.
Night Action (NIACT) – Field operations conducted at night.
Observation Post (OP) – A position from which a member of the team can surveil the entirety of an area of venue in support of field operations. Ex. “The second floor is elevated, so I suggest we set up an OP there and let Operative X coordinate us below.”
Operational Security (OPSEC) – Operational tactics, techniques and procedures that ensure that while maintaining liaisons with multiple targets, information in electronic media and various other sources is unavailable. Ex. “You need to password protect your outlook and mobile devices. It’s just good OPSEC.”
Operative – Any asset in play involved in an interaction or working toward an objective, whether friendly or unfriendly.
Operative-in-place – A member of the team implaced at the site of a planned or improvised scenario or, preferrably, already established at the objective. Ex. “We’ve got an asset in place at the door, and another inside that will be leading us to our table.”
Passive Probe – An operative sent into the field with the intention of conducting intelligence-gathering without being observed or noticed.
Pattern – A set of daily activities that is repeatable and dependable.
Point – The closest operative to the target and the leader of the interaction. Ex. “I’m after X. You take point and throw me in.”
Prop – A device, article or object used to hold the attention of a target and build an intial interest in a target or group of targets.
Provacateur – An operative sent to incite a target into action for the purpose of embarassment, incitation or distraction.
Repro – The creation of a false document. The technique of leaving a false document in plain site can be an excellent tool when the area is under surveillance to determine the character of a target.
Roll-out – A technique used to remove an intercepted document from a sealed envelope, gather information or copy its contents, and replace it without the intended recipient being able to notice the removal.
Rolled up – This term refers to an operative being forcibly removed from the area of operations after a compromise or a confrontation with casuals.
Rolling car pickup – A technique used to allow a friendly operative access to a group of friendlies on the move. The pause to allow access the vehicle in motion should be so brief, it appears that the vehicle continues moving as planned.
Sanctum – A secure location of either a target or an operative that is free of interruptions within which one can generally expect a close.
Screening – The technique of using casuals and friendly assets to impede the interruption of an operative in pursuit of a close.
Secutiry Detail – One or more operatives designated to provide physical or operational security during field operations.
Silver Bullet / Magic Bullet – Techniques proven to be universally applicable and valuable in the field.
SITREP – Situation Report
Soundrel Scenario – A situation in which two friendly operatives vie for a single target. This is intended to be prevented by solid oversight by the Action Officer who should be providing overwatch of the interaction.
Spoofing – The coordination of an operation intended for purposes of misinformation of a target group. Ex. “The Spoof went really well. After the scene I coordinated with the asset I brought in, they all thought that I had just broken up with her.”
Stage Management – The process taken by an Operative-In-Place or an Action Officer to account for all contingencies that are possible within a particular scenario in the field.
Starburst Maneuver – The act of a field team of 3 or more operatives entering a venue after collusion and mission prep and dispersing through a crowd or venue as if they are unknown to each other. This maneuver allows for the appearance of spontaneity when introducing a friendly operative to a group or specific target.
Stint – The amount of time spent at one time with a closed target.
Stripper Dust – Traces of evidence of operative to target physical contact when multiple operations are conducted in the field. This term takes its name from the glittery female cosmetics that are particularly difficult to remove from male skin or clothing during multiple engagements in a short period of time.
Swallow – A female operative who utilizes attraction to distract, beguile, occupy or neutralize a casual male regarded as “the opposition”.
Tailhook – A technique utilized during mobile follow-on operations to ensure that a target or group of targets traveling in another vehicle arrive at an intended venue or location. “Ex. After deciding to change venues, since we were riding in different vehicles, I initiated a tailhook and instructed them that we would follow their car to the event.”
The Fade – A tapering off and eventual cessation of communication with a target whose behavior or characteristics do not merit active engagement. Ex. “None of my messages have been returned for three days now. I’m going to give it the fade.”
The Reservation – The state in which an operative is actively engaged in the planning, conduct and communications related to an on-going operation.
Toss – The hasty download of materiel or information when it can reasonably be expected that it will be imminently discovered.
Touch Barrier – A cultural norm that prevents physical contact between strangers in Western culture.
Tradecraft – The sum total of the skills, knowledge and abilities of a particular operative.
Window Dressing – Materials engineered into an environment or scenario that make a persona or legend more contretely / demonstrably believable.
Zulu Scenario – An environment or area of operations that is so rich with targets as to be overwhelming.
Click here to download your own copy of the CovertChemistry Operations Manual
Click here to learn more about our Core Scenarios…
