Tactical Definition: Let’s talk about the T Word

What does tactical mean, you ask? Glad you asked. Even if you didn’t. The most commonly cited tactical definition in my world is something along these lines: “Of or relating to tactics; possessing qualities inherently more suitable for use in physical conflict or environments wherein physical conflicts might occur.”

Now, I just made that up. It doesn’t come from a dictionary. But it’s as close as I can come to articulating that “TACTICAL” is ….an adjective used to describe something that possesses qualities that make it better for use in a tactical situation or when acting tactically. 

Like a force multiplier. And yes I did those last half dozen words that way on purpose. 

I think most of my peers would agree the T word is badly overused…but I also reckon there aren’t any better words for it so we might as well just quit complaining and use it. Given its commercial, practical, and colloquial ubiquity, I think the best thing we can do is stick to the phrase tactical is as tactical does. 

I wrote the first version of this tactical treatise for The Mag Life blog a few years back. I figured I’d repost it here, updated it a bit, and see what kind of conversation gets started.

Tactical Table of Tactical Contents 

• Tactical Definition
• Tactical Meaning
• Tacticalization
• Tactical Activity
• Tactical Brands
• Tactical Training 

 

 

Tactical Is As Tactical Does

What’s the definition of “tactical”? 

The meaning of tactical is twofold: the first is formal (e.g., dictionary), and the second is common use (e.g., colloquial).

Dictionary.com defines the tactical adjective thusly:

tactical (US) [ tak-ti-kuhl ]

American English adjective

 

Many people decry the use of the ubiquitous word. Sometimes, they have a legitimate complaint. Other times they’re just enjoying their right to be a part of the permanently disaffected, “I’m gonna bitch about something” crowd (particularly on social media).

That doesn’t mean they’re wrong, but we’d do well to remember that, like many words, the definition of “tactical” will probably always be at least somewhat different than the common use meaning of the word.

Anyway, you’ll see used in many ways, for example:

• tactical operations
• tactical move
• tactical pants (+ shirts, belts, boots and all sorts of other “tactical apparel”
• tactical advantage
• tactical mistake
• tactical command
• tactical knife
• tactical goal (vs. strategic goal)
• tactical plan (vs. strategic plan)
• etcetera, etcetera, etcetera ad nauseum

 

“When you are engaged at the tactical level, you grasp your own reality so clearly, it’s tempting to assume that everyone above you sees it in the same light.

 

Wrong.

 

When you’re the senior commander in a deployed force, time spent sharing your appreciation of the situation on the ground with your seniors is like time spent on reconnaissance: it’s seldom wasted.”

 

Jim Mattis, Call Sign Chaos

 

 

Actual Tactical Meaning

What makes something tactical?

Well, that’s the question, isn’t it?

Something is tactical in one of two ways, at least in the word’s most contemporary common usage. Put simply, something becomes tactical by virtue of how it is used or how and why it is designed.

The most prevalent connotation today is that of the eponymous tactical industry, to wit: it is a thing (tool, garment, or insert noun here) that has been designed (or at least labeled as) something to be used in an exigent, typically life- or injury-threatening, situation or environment. This label or description is often apt but is just as frequently a misnomer.

The second implication is similar, but rather than a physical object (noun), it’s an action or a mental event or condition (usually a verb), i.e., take the words movement, training, reload, mindset, etc. and throw tactical in front of it.

Both of those usages (there are more, as you’ll see) are correct. Both denotations are frequently overused. However, the argument can be made — and I ascribe to this — that the word tactical has become a colloquialism variously defined or interpreted by user and context.

This is perfectly appropriate when discussing a tactical lever gun (and what might make it more effective in a fight or for home defense) and similar instances. Other times, it’s just stupid.

Of course, a third meaning of the word compares tactical vs. strategic. This term is most often used in a military sense, even if applied to a civilian context. More on that below.

 

Examples of “Tacticalization”

Tactical Gear

Once upon a time, the joke was, “Paint something black, call it tactical, and charge more money for it.” Nowadays, you could replace black with FDE, Coyote Tan, or some other color, and it would work just as well.

There is some truth to that derisory phrase, but not as much as some malcontent frequent-complainers and condescending often-scoffers might believe (or at least want you to believe).

You may disagree with the nomenclature, but some seemingly improbable items (jeans, for instance, or brass knuckles, or boots) are tactical, not just colloquially, but by design. Tactical equipment that has been improved and/or intentionally designed for use in a fight or less-than-permissive area does merit the title.

Are there any blue jeans you choose to wear in anticipation of a possible gunfight tactical? Sure, if you chose them because you can move in well in them, or the crotch allows you to Chuck Norris kick someone in the face without causing a seam blowout and a cock-and-ball reveal, or something similar.

Likewise, if the pocket layout allows you to more efficiently access your flashlight (for a bezel strike) or an extra magazine (for a…tactical reload). One could argue that a garment intentionally (and legitimately) designed to improve your ability to carry concealed merits the label, though sometimes it seems counterintuitive (or even spurious): for instance, some might (myself included) contend that the term tactical leggings is a misnomer.

And yet several hundred people search that term on Google every month.

And let’s not forget that many a commando has worn jeans operationally for the specific advantages they provide (Vietnam-era Navy SEALs or GWOT CAG guys, anyone?).

However, some denim britches have been designed from the ground up to be of greater advantage in an exigent situation. Examples of this include the Brokos Operatus jeans, 5.11 Tactical’s Defender jeans, the Vertx Defiance jeans, etc. Such garments all boast features intended to be of use in a tactical activity (q.v.). This might include pockets for a rifle or pistol magazine, specific pocket placement or orientation, reinforcement in certain areas, etc.

We can debate the practicality and usefulness of such things, but not their intention. That makes them “tactical”.

Plus, they have really cool names, and that is really important.

Attributes of tactical gear can sometimes be altered, upgraded, or modified for tactical use, i.e., tacticalized (to quote Travis Pike)

Because if you’re going to be tactical, you should definitely do so tactically.

Such attributes include, but aren’t limited to:

• Accessibility/improved efficiency
• Durability, i.e. ability to withstand hard use under specific conditions
• Range of motion/ease of movement
• Implement concealability, i.e. hiding tools or weapons
• Individual concealment, specifically as in allowing an individual to avoid attracting notice, i.e. the grey man or “in mufti” principle
• Comfort (particularly under specific conditions)

Often the item or mechanism by which something is upgraded is also referred to as tactical, i.e. “tactical rifle accessories” or “tactical scope”.

Tactical Activity

Here is where we get into a lot of verbs. Not just broad stuff, like tactical training and tactical patrolling, but specific actions: like the tactical reload. Agree with the common use definition or not, a tactical reload is different from an administrative reload and is further distinguished from a speed or combat reload.

Of course, tactical activities aren’t always verbs, particularly at the individual, armed citizen level. There are adverbs, adjectives, euphemisms, and probably other syntax/language terms/words I don’t know, like when you conduct or rehearse tactical decision games with your family.

It’s hard to describe a high-risk warrant service, hostage rescue, or other job conducted by a SWAT team as anything but tactical, of course. That’s why we have the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) and individual “tactical operators” — although the operator term is another matter entirely (and one we’ll discuss at a later date).

 

Tactical Brands

Permutations of tactical appear on many an advertisement, product labels, and company descriptions.

Some, like certain training companies (e.g., Viking Tactics, Vickers Tactical, Raidon Tactics, Lead Faucet Tactical, etc.), are completely righteous.

Some are decidedly not.

 

Tactical Training Organizations

Another sort of brand is the increasingly common tactical training company. The preponderance of such organizations actually use the T word in their name. The commonality of the term does not equal the commonality of quality!

Examples of such organizations include (in no particular order) Viking Tactics, Lead Faucet Tactical, Presscheck Consulting, Vickers Tactical, and Bone Tactical.

Four of those companies will provide excellent instruction. The fifth should have people running to find the definitions of poseur, caveat emptor, and cringy douche. 

For such occasions, or those times when skinny-jean-wearing pundits issue specious advice, we have the tactical facepalm.

 

Anyway, that’s it for now. Go forth and conquer.

Have a tactical day!

 

 

Here’s a drinking game for ya: watch this video and take a shot every time they say “tactical.”