DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
Headquarters United States Marine Corps
Washington, DC 20380-1775
Terrorism Defined
Joint Publication (JP) 1-02, Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms, defines terrorism as “the calculated use of unlawful violence or threat of unlawful violence to inculcate
fear; intended to coerce or to intimidate governments or societies in the pursuit of goals that are generally political, religious, or ideological.” Within this definition are three key elements—violence,
fear, and intimidation. Each element produces terror in its victims.
The policy of the United States is summarized as follows: