As the name implies, BDAR is a military program. However, it can also be applied, where economical, to civilian applications. It consists of performing temporary repairs to facilitate the movement of a piece of equipment from a hostile environment to a safe environment where permanent repairs can be performed. A civilian example is the small spare tires now offered by automobile manufacturers that should only be used to drive a car to the nearest tire repair facility.

Damage assessment is similar to medical triage techniques. Repair procedures are often established that use tools and equipment-at-hand in non-traditional and imaginative ways. Repair documentation and specialized training are required of maintainers.