Glossary of terms used in unit changes
Army / Air Force
Activate. To bring into physical existence by assignment of
personnel (from 1922-1959, and again after 1968). In 1922, "activate"
replaced the term "organize." During the period 1959-1968, however, activate
meant to place on the active list, available to be organized. See also
"organize."
Assign. To place in
a military organization, as a permanent element or component of that
organization.
Attach. To place one
military organization temporarily with another for operational control and
other purposes, including administration and logistical support. An attached
organization is one that is temporarily serving away from the establishment
to which it is assigned. It is usually attached to another establishment.
Authorize. To
designate an organization and place it on the inactive Army list. Used
during the middle and late 1920s and early 1930s in place of "constitute,"
particularly for organizations held for an emergency and not scheduled for
immediate activation.
Consolidate. To
combine two (or more) organizations, merging their lineage into a single
line, thereby forming a single organization. Organizations with concurrent
or overlapping periods of activation cannot be consolidated.
Constitute. After
1922, to give an official name, or number and name, to an organization and
place it on the inactive Army/Air Force List. See also "designate."
Demobilize. To
withdraw all personnel from an active organization and remove the
organization entirely from the Army List. Used 1907-1922. See also
"disband."
Designate. To give
an official name, or number and name, to an organization and place it on the
inactive Army List, 1907-1922. After 1922, see "constitute." Also to give an
official name, or number and name, to a nonconstituted organization.
Designation. The
name of a unit or establishment. The designation includes all parts of the
name: numerical, functional, and generic. A designation also applies to
named activities and certain functions.
Disband. After 1922,
to remove an inactive organization from the inactive Army/Air Force List.
Shortly before and during World War II, this action was also used to
withdraw all personnel from an active organization and simultaneously remove
the organization from the Army List. Replaced the term "demobilize."
Discontinue. To
withdraw all personnel from a constituted organization, used only during
period, 1959-1968. See "inactivate."
Disestablish. To
terminate an establishment concurrent with disbandment of its headquarters
organization, until reestablished.
Establish. To assign
a designation to an establishment concurrent with the designation or the
constitution of the headquarters organization.
Establishment. A
military organization at group or higher echelon composed of a headquarters
organization and any other components that might be assigned. Personnel are
not assigned to an establishment, but to its components.
Inactivate. To
withdraw all personnel from a constituted organization and place the
organization on the inactive list (from 1922 to 1959 and from 1968 to date).
During the period 1959-1968, however, to be inactivated meant to be
transferred from the active to the inactive list, after being discontinued.
Order to the Active Service.
To place a Reserve or National Guard organization on active duty with the
regular Air Force.
Organization. The
term organization applies to units and establishments.
Organize. To assign
personnel to a designated organization (1907-1922), a nonconstituted
organization (1944-1968), or a constituted organization (1959-1968). See
also "activate."
Reconstitute. To
return a disbanded or demobilized organization to the inactive Army/Air
Force List, making it available for activation (1922-current).
Redesignate. To
change the designation of an organization.
Reestablish. To
return a previously existing establishment from disestablished status to the
active list, so that it can be activated.
Relieve from Active Duty.
Reserve organizations are relieved from active duty with the regular Air
Force upon completion of a period of active duty