point man
Squad's forward scout
Point man originally refers to the soldier who takes the lead position in a combat patrol, the first to encounter danger.
The meaning extends to anyone leading a risky or high-profile effort: He's the administration's point man on healthcare reform.
A point man absorbs initial attacks and clears the way for others.
Information-gathering before action
- pathfinderOne who discovers routes
- trackerOne who follows trails
- lookoutWatcher or vista point
- advanceMove or progress forward
surveyor · explorer · outpost · patrol · terrain · scouting · forward · observer
Small working group
- patrolRegular surveillance route
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
- infantryGround combat troops
- platoonSmall infantry formation
tactical · advance · soldier · combat · ambush · flank · sergeant · battalion
One who guides others
supervisor · head · captain · commander · foreman · spearhead · front-runner · charge
State of being unprotected
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
- dangerExposure to harm
- hazardSource of potential harm
- targetObject of pursuit
first · frontline · expendable · sacrifice · peril · jeopardy · liability · stakes
One who acts for another
- mouthpieceOne who speaks officially
- communicatorOne who conveys messages
- liaisonConnector between groups
- ambassadorOfficial foreign representative
envoy · advocate · intermediary · negotiator · mediator · front · face · voice
reconnaissance
Information-gathering before action
- pathfinderOne who discovers routes
- trackerOne who follows trails
- lookoutWatcher or vista point
advance · surveyor · explorer · outpost · patrol · terrain · scouting · forward · observer · sentinel
squad
Small working group
- patrolRegular surveillance route
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
- infantryGround combat troops
platoon · tactical · advance · soldier · combat · ambush · flank · sergeant · battalion · corporal
leader
One who guides others
manager · supervisor · head · captain · commander · foreman · spearhead · front-runner · charge · authority
exposure
State of being unprotected
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
- dangerExposure to harm
- hazardSource of potential harm
target · first · frontline · expendable · sacrifice · peril · jeopardy · liability · stakes · gamble
representative
One who acts for another
- mouthpieceOne who speaks officially
- communicatorOne who conveys messages
- liaisonConnector between groups
ambassador · envoy · advocate · intermediary · negotiator · mediator · front · face · voice · herald
- leadership termscaptain, shepherd, helmsman, navigator, pilot
- accomplicesaccomplice, accessory, co-conspirator, abettor, collaborator
- combat rolesrifleman, infantryman, sniper, medic, scout
- jungle warfareguerrilla tactics, dense foliage, jungle boots, machete, infiltration
- military scoutsscouts, ranger, vanguard, pathfinder, reconnaissance
- SWATSWAT, tactical team, entry team, ballistic shield, battering ram
point manrear guard
Troops covering a retreat
rearguard · tail gunner · last man · sweeper · sweep
point manfollower
One who supports another
subordinate · support staff · rank and file · silent partner · invisible hand
man, pointed, appoint, points, pointer, disappoint, appointment, disappointed, appointed