Irregular warfare: I know it when I see it.

• Author: Erwin, Sandra I.
• Position: WASHINGTON PULSE: NEWS FROM THE INSIDE THE BELTWAY - Brief article

The term "irregular warfare" has been ingrained in the military lexicon. But there is little consensus on what it really means. "It's one of those things that you know it when you see it, but you may not be able to get the definition right the first time out," said Lt. Col. Steve Leonard, of the Army's Combined Arms Doctrine Directorate.

Leonard acknowledged that the military has not done a good job defining irregular warfare. The term applies to...