Military

Sergeant — non-commissioned rank in military, police, and uniformed services Sergeant Sergeant is a common non-commissioned rank in militaries, police and other uniformed bodies. This article explains typical duties, insignia, historical origin, and variations such…

Sergeant First Class A senior non-commissioned officer rank used in several armed forces. Typically a middle-manager NCO who leads platoon-level units, advises officers, and performs technical and lead…

Artillery shell: design, types, history and uses Shell (projectile) An artillery shell is a hollow projectile fired by guns, tanks, or ships that carries explosives or other payloads; design, fuzes and launch platforms determine its effects and emp…

Sherman's March to the Sea (Savannah Campaign, November–December 1864) Sherman's March to the Sea Union General William T. Sherman's 1864 campaign from Atlanta to Savannah that used deep raids and destruction of infrastructure to undermine the Confederacy's war capacity.

Shield (defensive device) Shield An overview of shields as defensive devices: types, materials, historical development, tactics, modern ballistic and riot applications, symbolic uses and depiction in fiction.

Ship of the Line: warships of the age of sail and their evolution Ship of the line A ship of the line was a large naval warship designed to fight in fleet formations from the 17th to the mid-19th century. This article explains design, tactics, development, and le…

Shock Tactics in Warfare: History, Methods, and Strategic Impact Shock tactics Explores shock tactics in warfare—history, methods, and strategic effects—examining speed, surprise, psychological impact, notable examples, benefits, risks, and their evolution in…

Shogun: Japan’s military rulers and the bakufu system Shogun An encyclopedic overview of the shogun: the military title, its institutional bakufu, the three major shogunates, their powers, decline in the 19th century and cultural legacy.

Shooting (firearms, archery, artillery and projectile use) Shooting Comprehensive overview of shooting: the use of firearms and other projectile weapons in sport, hunting, armed conflict and recreation, including types, history, skills and safety.

Shotgun shell: design, types, measurements, and uses Shotgun shell A shotgun shell is a firearm cartridge designed for shotguns. This article explains components, gauges and lengths, common load types (shot, buckshot, slugs), materials, uses, and…

Siege: military blockade and assault of fortified places Siege A siege is a prolonged military operation to isolate and capture a fortified place by cutting supplies, breaching defenses, or forcing surrender. It has shaped many wars from antiq…

Siege of Odessa (1941) A detailed account of the 1941 siege of Odessa during Operation Barbarossa: combatants, defensive works, timeline, naval evacuation, outcomes and its wartime significance.

Siege of Tobruk (April–November 1941) Siege of Tobruk A prolonged 241-day Second World War siege of the Libyan port of Tobruk, held by Allied and Commonwealth forces against German and Italian attempts to capture a key Mediterranean s…

Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King Twin-engined American naval helicopter introduced in 1961, used for anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, transport and many civil and military variants (civil S-61).

Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Singapore Armed Forces The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) are the military forces of the Republic of Singapore, responsible for defence, deterrence and support to civil authorities; built around conscripti…

Sino-Indian War (1962): brief conflict over Himalayan border claims Sino-Indian War A short, sharp war in October–November 1962 between India and China over disputed Himalayan frontiers, its causes, conduct, and lasting impact on both countries' security and diplo…

Sino–Vietnamese War (1979) Sino-Vietnamese War A brief but intense border war fought between the People's Republic of China and Vietnam in early 1979, triggered by regional tensions after Vietnam's intervention in Cambodia and…

Skirmisher (military role) Skirmisher Skirmisher: light troops deployed ahead or on the flanks of a main force to screen, scout, harass, delay, and disrupt the enemy. Overview, tactics, history, and notable examples ac…

SKS — Simonov semi-automatic carbine SKS The SKS is a Soviet-era semi-automatic carbine designed by Sergei Simonov in 1943, chambered for the 7.62×39mm round. It saw wide export, later reserve use, and remains popular on…

Sling (weapon) — hand-thrown projectile device Sling (weapon) A sling is a simple hand-held weapon that hurls a stone or bullet from a pouch on cords. Used for hunting and warfare from ancient times through the Roman era and the Middle Ages.

Small arms (personal firearms) Small arms Portable firearms intended to be operated by a single person, including pistols, rifles, and shotguns; contrasted with crew-served weapons and artillery.

Smith & Wesson M&P (Military & Police) — pistol family Smith & Wesson M&P Polymer-framed, striker-fired Smith & Wesson M&P pistols are a versatile family designed for duty, concealed carry, training and sport; available in multiple sizes and common defen…

Smoke grenade A smoke grenade is a pyrotechnic device that emits dense smoke for concealment, signaling, training, or entertainment. It is used by militaries, emergency services, and civilians u…

Smoothbore: definition, characteristics, history and uses Smoothbore Weapons with barrels that lack rifling; common in shotguns, mortars and some tank guns. Explains how smoothbores work, their ammunition types, historical development and typical ad…

Sniper (marksman) Sniper A sniper is a precision shooter trained to engage selected targets at long range using specialized rifles, optics, camouflage and fieldcraft. Roles include military, law enforcemen…

Sniper rifle: design, use, history, and distinguishing features Sniper rifle A sniper rifle is a precision firearm optimized for accurate long‑range fire. This article summarizes components, action types, calibers, ballistics, history, roles, training, main…

Sniper team: roles, organization, equipment and tactics Sniper team Comprehensive overview of sniper team composition, roles (sniper, spotter, flanker), equipment, tactics, history and how teams operate in modern military and law enforcement contex…

Soldier: role, types, history and duties Soldier A soldier is a member of an organized land force. This article explains what soldiers do, how they are trained and equipped, historical development, types of soldiers, and the dist…

Soldier, Iowa — small city in western Iowa with rural character Soldier, Iowa Soldier is a small incorporated city in western Iowa, United States. This article summarizes its location, character, history, economy, local institutions and notable features of l…

Sopwith Camel: British World War I Fighter Biplane Sopwith Camel Comprehensive overview of the Sopwith Camel: design, handling, operational history, combat record and legacy of the Royal Flying Corps’ best‑known WWI fighter.

South African Air Force The South African Air Force (SAAF) is the air branch of the South African National Defence Force, founded in 1920. It performs air defence, transport, maritime patrol, training and…

South African Army: history, structure, roles and deployments South African Army The South African Army is the land warfare branch of the South African National Defence Force. This article covers its origins, organisation, equipment types, peacekeeping role and…

South African Border War (1966–1990) — overview, causes, and legacy South African Border War A concise encyclopedia entry on the South African Border War (1966–1990): origins in colonial mandates, guerrilla struggle by SWAPO, regional escalation with Angola and Cuba, and t…

South African Defence Force (SADF) — overview and history South African Defence Force Overview of the South African Defence Force (1957–1994): organisation, roles, operations in Southern Africa, conscription policy, controversies, and transition to the SANDF.

South African Military Health Service The South African Military Health Service is the distinct medical branch of the SANDF responsible for healthcare, medical training, and operational medical support, including HIV/A…

South African National Defence Force (SANDF) — structure, history and roles South African National Defence Force Overview of the South African National Defence Force, its branches, historical development since 1912, principal roles including peacekeeping, and notable organisational features a…

South African Navy The maritime branch of the South African National Defence Force responsible for protecting the nation’s waters, conducting naval operations, and supporting maritime security, searc…

Soviet–Afghan War (1979–1989) Soviet–Afghan War A decade-long conflict in Afghanistan after Soviet intervention (1979–1989), involving Afghan factions and international backers, with lasting regional and global consequences.

SPAD S.XIII — French World War I Fighter Aircraft SPAD S.XIII The SPAD S.XIII was a fast, robust French single-seat biplane fighter introduced in 1917. Widely used by Allied air services, it became one of WWI's most-produced and successful pu…

Spanish Armada (1588) — the attempted invasion of England Spanish Armada A large Spanish naval expedition sent by Philip II in 1588 to support an invasion from Flanders and challenge Elizabethan England. It failed after a series of sea actions, use of f…

SPAS-12: Italian dual‑mode combat shotgun SPAS-12 The SPAS-12 is a 12‑gauge combat shotgun made by Franchi (1979–2000). Known for its semi‑auto/pump dual action and distinctive styling, it became prominent in law enforcement, coll…

Spear: history, design, and uses Spear A spear is one of humanity's oldest thrusting weapons, used for hunting and war. This article explains types, construction, historical development, and differences from lances, pik…

Special forces (special operations forces) Special forces Elite military units trained for unconventional, high-risk missions behind enemy lines; known for rigorous selection, specialized skills and covert operations.

Special Order 191 (the "Lost Order") Special Order 191 Confederate General Robert E. Lee's handwritten marching orders captured in September 1862, whose recovery by Union forces helped shape the Maryland Campaign and the battle at Anti…

Specialist (U.S. Army rank) Specialist (rank) A junior enlisted U.S. Army rank (E-4) that recognizes technical skill rather than command authority; equivalent in pay to Corporal but not considered a non-commissioned officer.

Operation Grapeshot — Spring 1945 Allied Offensive in Italy Spring 1945 offensive in Italy Operation Grapeshot was the final Allied spring offensive in Italy (6 April–2 May 1945) that broke the Gothic Line, drove into the Lombardy Plain and led to the surrender of German…

Spring Offensive (1918): the Kaiserschlacht and the Ludendorff Offensive Spring Offensive A concise encyclopedia article on the 1918 German Spring Offensive — its aims, tactics, main operations, course, and consequences for the final year of World War I.

Springfield Model 1795 Musket The Springfield Model 1795 was the first U.S.-manufactured flintlock smoothbore musket, modeled on the French Charleville. A .69 caliber infantry weapon used by American forces aro…