Transition To War

Transition To War (TTW) is a NATO military term [cite web
title=NATO C3 Technical Architecture
work=North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
url=http://nc3ta.nc3a.nato.int/website/book.asp?cl=no&menuid=13&page=acronyms%2Facronyms-T.html
accessdate=2006-04-21] referring to a period of international tension during which government and society move to an open (but not necessarily declared) war footing. The period after this is considered to be war, conventional or otherwise, but the term TTW found its origins in the peak of the Cold War as a key NATO concept within the tripwire escalation of the DEFCON status. This could include the suspension of peacetime services, closing motorways to all but military traffic and the internment of subversives without charge or trial.

What happens during the Transition To War

The following table gives examples of what could happen in a state of emergency and why, but all these may not necessarily happen during such a time. More details are available at the website below.

"Note: "Reservists" are any members of the public who serve in the armed forces and emergency services on a part-time basis. Many will hold down regular civilian jobs and be called up on a "when needed" basis. Reserve forces include the Territorial Army, Royal Naval Reserve, RAF Reserve, Royal Marines Reserve, retained firefighters and the Special Constabulary. Groups like the RNLI, The Salvation Army and the WRVS are charitable organistaions but are pressed into service to supplement the civil defence, the armed forces and post attack distribution of aid."

ee also

* OSOW (Operations Short Of War)

References and external links

* [http://www.subbrit.org.uk/rsg/features/sfs/new_page_1.htm Britain's war and transition to war plans from the cold war era]