Delta Bravo Sierra

Have you ever wondered what all the three letter acronym’s meant? Or what the heck anything in this silly toon means?? Well, its possible that you don’t understand because it simply isn’t funny so there’s nothing “to” understand OR it could mean that “joe” speaks in a cryptic half language for which you simply need a translator and then … an entirely new world will be opened up before your very eyes. Oooooh. Aaaaaah.

Here it is for those of you who don’t speak fobbitish/gruntling (Army talk). The list below contains ranks, acronyms, and general jargon so scroll down. Enjoy!

Ranks:
PVT, PV2- Private (E1,E2 the lowest form of life in the Army)
PFC- Private First Class (E3)
SPC- Specialist (sham shield – E4)
CPL- Corporal (sham shield in line to be E5)
SGT- Sergeant (E5)
SSG- Staff Sergeant (E6)
SFC- Sergeant First Class (E7)
MSG- Master Sergeant (E8)
1SG- First Sergant (E8)
SGM- Sergeant Major (E9)
CSM- Command Sergeant Major (E9)
SMA- Sergeant Major of the Army (E-gads!)
—–
W-1 -Warrant Officer 1
W-2 -Chief Warrant Officer 2
W-3 -Chief Warrant Officer 3
W-4 -Chief Warrant Officer 4
W-5 -Master Warrant Officer 5
—–
2LT- Second Lieutenant (O1 & the officer version of a private)
1LT- First Lieutenant (O2)
CPT- Captain (O3)
MAJ- Major (O4)
LTC- Lieutenant Colonel (O5)
COL- Colonel (O6)
GEN- Oh my, they’re full of stars

Acronyms:
New Alphabetical version…

ANOC – Advanced Noncommissioned Officers Course
AO- Area of operations
AQI- Al-Qaeda in Iraq
BNOC – Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course
BRM – Basic Rifle Marksmanship. Fundamental shooting skills.
CBED – Car Borne Explosive Device
CHU – Containerized Housing Unit (home-sweet-home)
CIF – Central Issue Facility. The CIF mission is to stock, issue, exchange, and process turn-ins of designated items authorized by CTA 50-900, Appendix A.
CO- Commanding Officer; Company/Troop Commander
COIN – Counter Insurgency
CP- Check Point (used to screen vehicles & people … sometimes called a “control point” though not often)
EOD- Explosive Ordinance Disposal
EPW – Enemy Prisoner of War
FOB – Forward Operating Base
IA- Iraqi Army
IED – Improvised Explosive Device
IP- Iraqi Police
JAM- Jaish al Mahdi
JCOP – Joint Combat Operations Post
NCO- Non-commissioned officer; general term for all sergeants’ ranks
NCOIC – NCO In Charge
OP- Observation Post
OPSEC- Operational Security
PL- Platoon Leader
PLT- Platoon
PSG- Platoon Sergeant
QRF- Quick Reaction Force
SOFA – Status of Forces Agreement, official name: “Agreement Between the United States of America and the Republic of Iraq On the Withdrawal of United States Forces from Iraq and the Organization of Their Activities during Their Temporary Presence in Iraq” but ABUSARIOTWUSFIOTADTTPII was too long to remember
SOP- Standard Operating Procedure
TA-50 – Table of Allowances 50. Army-issued individual equipment (stuff & web gear type items)
The Wire – Security perimeter around a FOB
TOC- Tactical Operations Center
XO- Executive Officer

Military jargon:
Jody- The non-military guy who is back home with the military guy’s wife/girlfriend.

Fobbit – A term used to describe soldiers who never leave the wire, also known as the FOB. Originally used as a derogatory term, it has evolved into a term most often used by fobbits themselves. Go figure.

POGUE – Person Other than Grunt which is what nearly all none infantry folk are called by … oh snap … infantry folk.

Terp – Interpreter

9-Line – Nine line MEDEVAC (MEDical EVACuation) the format used to call in an injury requiring one be removed asap to a medical facility.

General Order No. 1 – The base order for all deployed military personnel in Iraq that bans alcohol use, pornography, and a litany of other vices. Thanks a lot, Vietnam. You had to ruin the fun for everyone.

Frago – A fragmentary order; the ever-evolving update and change to mission that serves as the ringmaster to the Army’s circus.

Charlie Mike- Continue mission.

Mikes- Army cool-guy speak for minutes.

Oscar Mike- On the Move

Tango- Terrorist

Delta Tango- Dead Terrorist (the best kind)

Pop Smoke- To leave … fast.

End Notes:

I’ll put more stuff in this section as suggested by you! Drop me a line and tell me what else you want to have included.

Some portion of the above was stolen directly from Cpt.G formerly of KABOOM fame. We miss your blog, Cap’n & good luck with the new book!