Grunt: Military Glossary

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Military Glossary

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Military Glossary

Note: The name of a term is in bold; a reference to another term in this dictionary is in bold italics.

2BCT: 2nd Brigade Combat Team. In Bosnia, the US unit responsible for the sector from Tuzla in the north, to Olovo in the south and Vares in the west to the Drina River in the east.

5-ton: The Army's workhorse cargo truck since the 1940s.

Abrams: The M1A1 is America's main battle tank. The best tank in the world, it devastated the Iraqi Republican Guard during the Gulf War.

AD: Armored Division.

ADA: Air Defense Artillery. Also known as 'duck hunters' because they shoot down airplanes.

AFB: Air Force Base.

AIT: Advanced Individual Training. Where a new soldier learns the skill he will use when he arrives at his first unit.

ALO: Air Liaison Officer. Coordinates air strikes.

AO: Area of Operations.

APC: Armored Personnel Carrier. A lightly-armored, lightly-armed taxi for soldiers.

Article 15: The military's catch-all law. If they can't nail you for something else, this is what they use.

Bikini Babes: Croatian gum that costs $.05 and comes with a sticker featuring a naked woman. This and "Lovely Ladies" gum were a big hit with American troops, who adorned coffee mugs, vehicles, rifles, etc. with the stickers.

Bradley: The Army's current light armored vehicle. More of a small tank, it carries fewer troops than the M113, but has thicker armor.

Burn In: What happens when a paratrooper's parachute fails to open.

BSA: Brigade Support Area. The area occupied by a FSB.

CA: Civil Affairs. Serves as the liaison between the military and local civilians. In Bosnia, the CA mission was to "leverage the capabilities of NGOs, IOs and national governments to achieve end states." There is only one CA battalion in the Regular Army (the 96th); the other 98% are Reserve units. The reason is that only reservists have the wide variety of skills -- doctors, lawyers, engineers, firemen, law enforcement, construction, etc. -- that CA requires. The 96th paves the way and holds the fort until the Reserves can be activated to take their place.

CEOI: Communication Electronics Operating Instructions. Contains call signs, frequencies and encryption information. Losing one of these is a Very Bad Thing. Also known as SOI.

CI: Counter-Intelligence. Also known as "Force Protection".

CIB: Combat Infantrymen's Badge. Once rare and respected, now common and not nearly so. Being in actual combat is no longer necessary to get one: one need only be in a combat zone. Multiple awards are designated by extra stars over the wreathed rifle. The fact that certain operations may earn a first badge, but not a star, illustrates the dilution of the award.

Claymore: A directional command detonated mine that contains hundreds of steel balls. Standing in front of one of these things when it goes off is a Very Bad Thing.

CO: Commanding officer.

Commissary: What, you thought the military could simply call it a "grocery store"?

CP: Check Point.

CTT: Common Task Training. Teaches a soldier's most basic skills -- marksmanship, first aid, map reading, etc.

n-Digit Midget: Double- or Single- depending on the number of days someone has left in the military. A single-digit midget is an object of intense jealousy among other soldiers. The midget's attitude and desire to work is often in direct proportion to the number of day's left on his enlistment. Also known as a "short timer".

Dummy Cord: A rope or string secured at one end to your body and at the other to an object you do not wish to lose.

DZ: Drop Zone. Where planes drop what the Army calls paratroopers and the Air Force refers to as fools. It is usually devoid of obstacles, which of course leads to the soldiers being dropped in the surrounding trees, lakes, rivers, power lines and roads.

EOD: A military bomb squad. Often identified by missing fingers. These guys not only get one of the highest reenlistment bonuses in the Army, but they get to have lots of fun blowing things up.

EPW: Enemy Prisoner of War. What other kinds are there, friendly prisoners of war? See also POW.

ETS: Estimated Time of Separation. When you are discharged from the military.

FIST: Coordinates artillery support.

FSB: Forward Support Battalion. An FSB provides the administrative, medical and logistical support to one brigade.

GPS: Global Positioning System. A satellite triangulated 'compass' that gives the GPS's location. It is accurate to within one meter.

Green Ramp: The personnel loading area at Pope AFB, NC. A big corrugated metal shed with long wooden benches ('pews'). It is where the paratroopers of Ft. Bragg put on their parachutes and wait to board their planes.

Han P: The nickname for Han Pijesak, a Bosnian Serb stronghold.

HHC: Headquarters & Headquarters Company. The unit that controls the lower ranking members of a unit's staff sections.

Hemet: The Army's latest heavy utility vehicle. It is gradually replacing the 5-ton. It is more flexible and highly maneuverable.

HQ: Headquarters. The natural habitat of the REMF. A place to be avoided by anyone who wants to get real work done.

Humvee: The military's current version of the Jeep, the HMMMWV (High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle) is also referred to as a "Hummer" -- which not only sounds goofy, but also like a sexual act.

ICTY: International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia. The war crimes court convened by the U.N. at The Hague, Netherlands.

IFOR: Implementation Force. The NATO force that assumed peacekeeping duties in Bosnia from the UN. About half of IFOR forces were already in country as part of the UN. IFOR's mission was to "achieve public confidence in the transition from IFOR to the host nation [Bosnia]." IFOR was commanded by U.S. Admiral Leighton Smith. Also known as "Incarcerated Forces".

IFV: Infantry Fighting Vehicle. A light-armored vehicle with better protection, that carries a wider variety of weapons and fewer troops than an APC.

JCC: Joint Civilian Commission. An IFOR-sponsored meeting between politicians representing the various factions.

JMC: Joint Military Commission. An IFOR-sponsored meeting between generals from the various factions.

Jody Calls: The songs soldiers sing while marching and running. At one time they were about inspirational subjects like killing, pillaging and burning in. But in a kinder, gentler Army of peacekeepers that is no longer acceptable.

GEN Joulwan: The commander of NATO and USAREUR during Operation Joint Endeavor.

LA: Lodgement Area. Used to be known as a base camp.

LMG: Light Machinegun. The 7.62mm M-60 is what the U.S. uses.

Lunch Bucket: What Bosnian kids called an MRE.

M113: The Army's old APC. It could carry a squad or carry a variety of weapons. The armor was so light it couldn't even stop a .50 cal bullet.

M-16: Fires a 5.56mm round to a maximum effective range of 460 meters. Basically a pumped-up .22, the bullet is designed to tumble on impact -- a Very Bad Thing for those hit by it. This venerable weapon is now in its third incarnation. To conserve ammo, the military reduced its full-auto capabilities to a meager three-round burst.

M-203: A single shot 40mm grenade launcher that is slung beneath the barrel of an M-16.

Maneuver Damage: Damage caused by the military to civilian property. The U.S. actually pays for it.

Mk19: An automatic 40mm grenade launcher.

MRE: Meals Ready to Eat. They are made of meat that is too poor to be put into Spam, so they are also known as "Meals Rejected by Ethiopians". MREs also come in plastic bags, so they are not nearly as useful as the old C-rations which came in cans that could be used as coffee cups, stoves, alarms, booby traps, and whatever else an inventive soldier could jury rig.

MSE: Mobile Subscriber Equipment. The military's tactical phone system. There are no permanently assigned numbers and the system is often broken down.

MG Nash: The commander of the 1st Armored Division, in Bosnia he also commanded Task Force Eagle.

NBC: Nuclear, Biological & Chemical warfare. U.S. policy is that we reserve the right for first use of nuclear weapons, will use chemical weapons only if they are used against us, and will not use biological weapons at all. Chemical weapons are more commonly referred to as "poison gas".

NCO: Non-Commissioned Officer. A fancy name for sergeants -- the backbone of the Army.

NCOIC: NCO-in-Charge. The highest ranking NCO in a military office or activity.

NOE: Nap Of the Earth. A flying technique used to avoid enemy radar and ADA. The aircraft in question flys as close to the ground as possible, using every available piece of terrain for cover and concealment.

Operation Joint Endeavor: The IFOR mission to separate the warring factions in Bosnia. Also known as "Operation In The Joint Forever" due to the morale-sapping restrictions placed on U.S. troops by their commanders.

Op Order: Operations Order. A bulky piece of paperwork that few people read in its entirety. It is the plan that attempts to micro-manage every facet of an operation.

OPSEC: Operational Security.

PL: Patrol Leader.

PMCS: Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services. Every piece of equipment in the Army inventory has an associated PMCS. A PMCS can be daily, weekly, monthly, before, during or after operation. The inspection, cleaning and minor repairs are intended to prevent accidents or major breakdowns.

POW: Prisoner Of War. If you are an American POW, it is a Very Bad Thing. If you are captured by the Americans, it is a Very Good Thing because of the increase in your living standard. (The U.S. follows the Geneva Convention, and most other countries don't.) See also, EPW.

PRC-127: Motorola walkie talkies.

Psyops: Psychological Operations. They produce and distribute media in native languages with the intent of informing the locals of American actions, desires, views, etc. Also known as "Military-Civil Relations". Used to be known as propaganda.

PT: Physical Training. Everything from exercises, to ruck marches, to sports. The PT test consists of pushups, situps and a two mile run. It is scored by age and sex, with women recieving a tremendous advantage.

PX: Post Exchange. On post it is the military's department store. In the field it also serves as a Commissary.

QRF: Quick Reaction Force.

Rank

The following are Army ranks. The other services have the same rank structure, but different names. For instance, the Marine Corps equivalent of a sergeant first class is a gunnery sergeant ("Gunny") and the Navy equivalent of a 2nd lieutenant is an ensign.

PVT: Private. The only soldiers who are privates are new recruits or convicts doing hard time in Leavenworth.
PV2: A private who has graduated from basic training and AIT. Being promoted to PV2 is referred to as "getting your mosquito wings" because of the way the inverted-V rank insignia appears.
PFC: Private First Class.
SP4/CPL: Specialist Fourth Class or Corporal. Both recieve the same pay, but a corporal is an junior NCO. At one time there were specialists all the way up to SP8, the same pay grade as a First Sergeant.
SGT: Sergeant. A junior NCO with 3-8 years of service. Sergeants are usually responsible for several privates and specialists.
SSG: Staff Sergeant. A junior NCO with 6-12 years of service. Staff sergeants are usually responsible for a squad or one armored vehicle.
SFC: Sergeant First Class. A senior NCO with 10 or more years of service. A sergeant first class is the top enlisted person in a platoon.
MSG/1SG: Master Sergeant or First Sergeant. Both are senior NCOs. The difference is that a first sergeant serves as the top-enlisted person in a company. A first sergeant is also referred as "Top" or the "First Shirt".
SGM/CSM: Sergeant Major or Command Sergeant Major. Both are senior NCOs. The difference is that a command sergeant major serves as the top-enlisted person at battalion level and higher units. To a private they appear older than the Earth.
2LT: Second Lieutenant. Also known as a "butter bar", a second lieutenant is a company-grade officer with 0-3 years of service. Usually a platoon leader. These poor souls are saddled with all the important extra duties in a company, like mess officer, morale officer, etc. A second lieutenant is never to be trusted with a compass.
1LT: First Lieutenant. A company-grade officer with 2-7 years of service. A first lieutenant may be a platoon leader or, in exceptional cases, be a company commander. All officers at or above this level may serve in staff positions.
CPT: Captain. A company-grade officer with 6-12 years of service. The lowest rank to be reffered to as "the Old Man".
MAJ: Major. A major is a field-grade officer who is condemned to staff positions until he gets promoted. The exception is special operations forces, where a major may be a company or detachment commander.
LTC: Lieutenant Colonel. A field-grade officer that commands a battalion. Also referred to as a "light colonel".
COL: Colonel. A field-grade officer that commands a brigade. Also referred to as a "full bird" or "full bull".
BG: Brigadier General. A general officer who is condemned to staff positions until he gets promoted. Also referred to as a "one star" general.
MG: Major General. Commands a division or a base. Also referred to as a "two star" general.
LTG: Lieutenant General. Commands a corps or a base. Also referred to as a "three star" general.
GEN: General. Commands an army, joint command, or one of the armed services. Also referred to as a "four star" general.

A General of the Army is a "five star" general. Only about a half dozen men have ever held this rank, all of World War II vintage. No one currently holds this rank. George Washington was posthumously given a sixth star about 150 years after he died.

ROE: Rules Of Engagement. The military's attempt to tell the poor slob on the spot whether or not he is allowed to defend himself.

RPG: Rocket-Propelled Grenade.

Ruck: Short for "rucksack", it is the military word for "backpack".

SALUTE: Size, Activity, Location, Unit, Time and Equipment. A memory aid to help in reporting enemy information.

SAW: Squad Automatic Weapon. A souped-up version of the M-16 with a heavier barrel and a 100-round box magazine so that it can sustain full automatic fire.

SF: Special Forces. Also known as "Green Berets" due to their distinctive head gear. SF can perform a variety of unconventional warfare missions, but their primary use is to train indigenous forces in foreign countries. The Holy Trinity of SF are JFK, John Wayne and "Colonel" Maggie Raye. JFK gave SF its impetous; the Duke made the "Green Berets" movie; and "Colonel" Raye was one of the few USO entertainers who went deep into the 'Nam bush to entertain the teams where they lived.

SINCGARS: A frequency-hopping radio with built in encryption circuitry.

ADM Smith: Admiral Leighton Smith was the commander of IFOR during Operation Joint Endeavor.

Snivel Gear: All the hot-weather, cold-weather and wet-weather personal comfort gear the Army issues. Snivel gear forms the bulk of the equipment a soldier is issued. It is the main reason the U.S. soldier is overloaded to the point of being unable to fight. If a soldier cannot fit his all gear in a ruck, he is carrying snivel gear.

SOP: Standard Operating Procedures.

SP: Start Point. The place and time an operation is supposed to start.

Staff Sections

There are others, but these are the most common. Generals have G-sections to support them, everyone else has an S-section.

S-1/G-1: Administration and personnel.
S-2/G-2: Intelligence and security.
S-3/G-3: Operations.
S-4/G-4: Supply and logistics.
S-5/G-5: Civil affairs and psyops.

TACSAT: Tactical Satellite radio. An excellent piece of equipment. It weighs only about 25 lbs. and can communicate anywhere in the world.

Task Force Eagle: The U.S. contribution to IFOR, which consisted mainly of the 1st Armored Division. The TF Eagle headquarters was located at the Tuzla Main airfield. It's mission was "to separate the warring factions, not reconstruct the country, and to be impartial in doing so."

TOC: Tactical Operations Center. When a unit is deployed, or on an exercise, this is where the unit is run from. A TOC has more amenities than where things are actually done.

UCMJ: Uniform Code of Military Justice. The internal laws that govern the military. See also, Article 15.

UNHCR: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Unit Size

SQD: Squad. About a dozen soldiers.
PLT: Platoon. Two or more squads.
CO: Company. Two or more platoons. Artillery refers to this as a "battery", cavalry and aviation as a "troop".
BN: Battalion. Two or more companies. Calvalry and aviation refer to this as a "squadron".
BDE: Brigade. Two or more battalions.
DIV: Division. Two or more brigades. A division has between 12,500 and 25,000 troops.
Corps: Two or more divisions.

UNPROFOR: United Nations Protective Force. The erstwhile peacekeeping force that operated in Bosnia prior to IFOR's deployment. Referred to as "SERBPROFOR" by the Muslims.

USACAPOC: United States Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command. The only major command in the regular US Army whose commander is a Reserve general.

USAREUR: U.S. Army Europe. A shell of its former self, the dubious payoff of the misnamed 'peace dividend', since the Berlin Wall fell.

UXO: Unexploded Ordnance. Everything from mines to shells that failed to detonate. Screwing around with UXO is a Very Bad Thing.

XO: Executive Officer. The second-highest ranking soldier in a unit.

ZOS: Zone of Separation. Previously known as a DMZ, which must have sounded too militaristic, so to avoid offending local sensibilities it was renamed to something kinder and gentler.

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