What term describes a Soldier who is isolated from their unit due to enemy action?

The term "Isolated Personnel" accurately describes a Soldier who finds themselves cut off from their unit as a result of enemy actions. This situation usually occurs during combat or hostile engagements where a Soldier may be surrounded, cut off, or otherwise unable to communicate or join their unit.

Understanding the context of this term is crucial in Army Personnel Recovery Practice, as the protocol for recovering isolated personnel may differ from that of other categories. Isolation can refer to circumstances where a Soldier has not necessarily been captured or reported missing but is physically away from their operational team due to enemy dynamics, creating a unique recovery scenario that emphasizes the need for immediate and effective personnel recovery operations.

This distinction highlights the nature of isolation—not all isolated personnel are captured or are missing; they may still be in a position to return to their unit if appropriate recovery efforts are undertaken. This emphasizes the importance of timely isolation assessments and recovery planning in maintaining operational effectiveness and unit cohesion during missions.