### Question
How is the term auxiliary vessel defined?


### Answer
The term **auxiliary vessel** is defined in *10 U.S.C. § 231* as the following:

> any ship designed to operate in the open ocean in a variety of sea states to provide general support to either combatant forces or shore based establishments

#### Citation:
  - *10 U.S.C. § 231*
  - Heading: **Subtitle A-General Military Law > PART I-ORGANIZATION AND GENERAL MILITARY POWERS > CHAPTER 9-DEFENSE BUDGET MATTERS**

