Fire discipline is a system of communication in the military, primarily the artillery. By definition, fire discipline is the language of fire control. It consists of words, phrases, rules, and conventions which have specific meanings and which result in some definite action at the guns. All ranks concerned in fire control must therefore be thoroughly familiar with the language and the resulting actions. The aim of fire discipline is to ensure that in response to fire orders (from a forward observer), appropriate action is taken at the guns, strictly in accordance with the intentions of the originator, and with a minimal amount of delay.