COMBAT MilTerms: B

M I L T E R M S :

B : BRAVO

BA :

Vietnamese term for a married woman, a matron, equivalent to Signora, Senhora, Frau, Madame, or Mistress (Mrs); compare MAMA-SAN, CO. [cf: grandam, nana, nanny, amah, ayah]

BABY BRIGADE :

slang designation for the armed youths fighting for various causes around the world, such as the Hitler Youth of the Nazis, the Red Guard of the Chinese Communists, the Khmer Rouge of Cambodia, and the Young Lions of Iraq; being a sociopathic trend increasing throughout the 20th Century in violation of international conventions and the LAWS OF WAR. Children, by definition, are supposed to be protected by society because they are the inheritors of society; it is implicit that the "tree will grow as the twig is bent", and that without a future there is no past ... not that war has exempted children, from Attila and Genghis to Hitler and Stalin, Ho and Mao, but that children are mankind's "last best hope" for a better world. Except that children are now being recruited for combat (eg: sabotage, infiltration, booby-trapping, etc) and combat support (eg: intelligence, communication, transport, etc) by ruthless and fanatical factions, because immature and adolescent youngsters are more malleable; being mentally, physically, and emotionally indoctrinated more easily and thoroughly than skeptical adults. by contrast to modern ethnic cleansing and religious purges, the Children's Crusade was supposed to be victorious by innocent faith, not by suicidal zeitgeist nor psychopathic nihilism. See WMD, APOCALYPSE, HOLOCAUST, OVERKILL, GENOCIDE, MASSACRE, TRIGGER-HAPPY, TURKEY SHOOT, KILL 'EM ALL, WARMONGER, RETALIATION. [nb: underage (or overage) enlistment in the Armed Forces of the United States may violate Punitive Article 83: Fraudulent Enlistment, Appointment, or Separation, and/or Punitive Article 84: Unlawful Enlistment, Appointment, or Separation, with False Swearing subsumed; cf: assistant (eg: powder monkey, drummer boy) and apprentice (eg: page, plebe, midshipman, CADET)] [v: anti-Soviet "Edelweiss Pirates" in post-WWII East Germany]

BABY-SAN / BABY-SAHN :

any Asian child; term borrowed from Japanese. See MAMA-SAN, PAPA-SAN.

BABY 007 :

dismissive reference to Army CID agent working undercover in a unit to catch drug users or other anti-military activity; also called "Junior G-Man". Term may also apply to USN NIS and USAF OSI agents; and women are called "Jane Bond". See SECRET AGENT, SPOOK, CLEAN, DEA, BUTTON, POLICE.

BACK CHANNEL :

indirect or informal communication, also called "backdoor", "side door", "rumor mill", or "whisper web"; usually credited with "getting things done" despite rank or RED TAPE, but also responsible for BAYONETing unpopular men and impolitic ideas (roorback). See SCUTTLEBUTT, GOUGE, POOP, THE WORD, GREEN GREASE, GRIPEVINE, FALSE FLAG, DECEPTION, BAMBOO TELEGRAPH, RUMOR; compare BAYONET SHEET, FANG, NASTY-GRAM, NET, TELECON. [nb: "The only thing that travels faster than misinformation is bad news!"; "What Peter says about Paul says more about Peter than it does about Paul" by Arthur Schopenhauer; the "narcissism of small differences" by Sigmund Freud; "When you hear somebody usin' words ag'in somebody, don't go by his words, for they won't make no damn sense, [but] go by his tone, and you'll know if he's mean and lying." by Forest Carter, The Education of Little Tree (1976)]

BACKPACK :

informal usage for anything that's "man-portable" or relatively "pocket" sized, from communications and surveillance equipment to materiel and weapons, especially tactical NUKEs; also called "suitcase". See RUCKSACK, BUG-OUT KIT, DUNNAGE, GRUNT, WEB GEAR, RADIO, DUMMY STICK. [nb: "rucksack" = back-sack; "knapsack" = bite/snap-up/eat, food sack; "kit-bag" = soldier's small bag/knapsack; "haversack" = single strap over one shoulder / musette]

BACKSTOP :

substantiation, either authentic or synthetic, for a LEGEND or COVER; see TRADECRAFT. Also, any support, safeguard, or reinforcement. [cf: backup]

BACKWASH :

the disturbance in the air left by a moving airplane or any of its parts, especially that which flows to the rear of the aircraft; properly known as WASH; compare PROP WASH. Also, the flow, sweep, or breaking of water, especially that water thrown backward by the motion of oars, propellers, and the like; properly called WASH or "wake". Also, slang for the hinterland, BOONDOCKS, BOONIES, backcountry, sticks, THULE, upcountry, frontier, backwater, INDIAN COUNTRY, DOWN RANGE, SANDBOX. Also, a condition or aftereffect, usually undesirable, that persists long after its initiation or inception.

BAC SI :

Vietnamese term for medic, corpsman, physician. See Y SI, DOC, BONE CUTTER, SAWBONES.

BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK :

a wry or sardonic comment made as an informal summary of the current situation, or a casual assessment of the present operational status, with the implication of impending difficulty if not disaster; as derived from the Western novel and film of the same name. Compare FRAG REPORT, SPOT REPORT, SITREP, FUCKED-UP, FIDO, GUSTO, GUNG-HO, WETSU, A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE, BITE THE DUST. [nb: a screenplay of the same name by Don McGuire and Millard Kaufman is based upon the story "Bad Day at Hondo" by Howard Breslin, instead of the book by Michael Niall]

BADGE :

a special mark, emblem, blazon, token, or device representing membership, achievement, authority, or other attribute; see INSIGNIA, CREST, DUI, DI, BRASS, BEERCAN, CHARGE, GREEN TAB, BRASS HAT, BAY, HEADGEAR, SCRAMBLED-EGGS, SPAGHETTI, PIP, CHOP, RATING, RANK, BRANCH, ENSIGN, WIGWAG, BRACELET, CORD, TRASH, PATCH, SANDWICH, SCROLL, HERSHEY BAR, FLASH, OVAL, TAB, Q-TAB, TRIPLE CANOPY, JUNGLE EXPERT, RECONDO, BOLO BADGE, EOD, SAPPER, PATHFINDER, WINGS, PARACHUTE, MFF, AIR ASSAULT, GLIDER, RIGGER, PILOT, DOLPHIN, WATER WINGS, DIVER, SCUBA, HARD HAT, UDT, BUDS, BUDWEISER, CIB, CMB, CAB, GONG, FRUIT SALAD, DEVICE, OLC, V-DEVICE, IMPACT AWARD, HERO, BATTLE CRY, TOAST, SIGNATURE. [nb: an irregular display of regimental unit emblems appeared before 1861, but distinctive corps badges seem to have been originated by MG Philip Kearny, having confused officers on the battlefield, directed that his officers of the 3rd Division III Corps of the Union Army attach red flannel badges to their caps, which fashion was shortly adopted by their enlisted men, and later sustained by Kearny's successor (BG David Birney) following his 1862 death; Kearny's practice seemingly inspired MG Joseph Hooker, who then directed MG Daniel Butterfield to design the standardized corps-level badge shapes (eg: disk, lozenge, trefoil, triangle, square, pentagon, star, shield, acorn, heart, arrow, crescent, Maltese Cross, Saint Andrew's Cross, etc) for the Union Army of the Potomac, and after 21 March 1863, divisions within each corps by consistent color (1st Div = red; 2nd Div = white; 3rd Div = blue; 4th Div = green; 5th Div = orange), which were also depicted on guidons; these corps badges were worn on the left shirt front or at the top of the hat, but sometimes on the side or front of the hat, and as the Civil War progressed, these badges became more elaborate and stylized, some embroidered, some enameled, often with numerals centered on the motif. Except for BG P.G.T. Beauregard's armbands at Bull Run and MG Thomas J. Jackson's hatbands in the Shenandoah Valley, the Confederacy did not develop a system of unit insignia; it has been asserted that the Washington Artillery at Bull Run in 1861 wore the first distinguishing unit badge in the form of red flannel strips, but the traditional red trousers and red seam stripes of the artillery branch casts doubt upon this confused claim] [nb: an insignia emblematic of the honors and lineage of a military organization, unlike familial "coats of arms", may be individually enhanced but not personally heritable; v: Heraldry] [nb: pagan Norsemen awarded metallic bracelets in recognition of meritorious or valorous deeds]

BAD GUYS :

the enemy, consisting of armed resistance regardless of political affiliation or economic persuasion; also known as "hostiles" (hoss-tyles) or FOE. See NVA, VC, VIET QUOC, VIET MINH, NLF, PRG, PLA, BO DOI, PAVN, CHARLIE, LONG HAIR, GOMER, LUKE THE GOOK, CHICOM, PRC, NAZI, HERMAN THE GERMAN, USSR, IVAN, BULLSHITVIK, NIP, MEATBALL, JAPE, NKPA, GOOK, SKINNY, ALI BABA, ISAAC THE IRAQ, SCARAB THE ARAB, MUJ, HAJJI, RAGHEAD, SABOTAGE, GUERRILLA, INSURGENT, TERRORIST, BANDIT, WOG, FOREIGN DEVIL, OPFOR, ORANGE FORCE, PURPLE FORCE, RED FORCE; compare MARVIN THE ARVN. [v: Names of Foreigners or Foes] [nb: the dehumanization of one's enemy is usually a preliminary (if not a prerequisite) to his extermination] [v: vernichtungsgedanken]

BAD-MOUTH :

to criticize or censure, often disloyally; a transliteration derived from Mande through Gullah creole into English, meaning to cast a spell or curse. Also, peevish, querulous, or splenetic talk, as to speak negatively or pessimistically, hypercritically or faultfindingly; to carp, complain, derogate, cavil, quibble, grouse, crab, gripe, or bellyache. Also, to use vulgar, obscene, scurrilous, or profane language, as a dirty- or foul-mouth, and also spelled "badmouth" [cf: bigmouth, loudmouth, blabbermouth]; see TALK TRASH, SHOOT THE SHIT, BRAVO SIERRA, SCUTTLEBUTT, HOT AIR, MOTOR MOUTH, VERBAL DIARRHEA, BLOW SMOKE, WOOF, CONFETTI, RUMOR, BACK CHANNEL, BAYONET SHEET, NASTY-GRAM, FANG, HAWK, GIG, CALL ON THE CARPET, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT, FALSE FLAG, MIL-SPEAK, EXPLETIVE, GODDAM, OATH. [nb: 'hooey', allegedly an Americanism used as an interjection for nonsense or tripe, is actually a corruption of the Russian vulgarity ("khuy") for penis, and is commonly used alone (eg: dick, dickhead, dick-wad) or in phrases (eg: dumber than dick; he doesn't know dick; don't dick around; don't stir your tea with your dick; don't dip your dick in the soup)] [cf: migration of "putz" from shine through ornament to penis and dolt; as sexual lure] [v: lucky stiff]

BAD TIME :

obligation of extended service time added as repayment for punishment period in military confinement; also called DEAD-TIME. See CHL, PAIN, STOCKADE, BRIG, THE CASTLE, GUARDHOUSE, UCMJ.

BAILEY BRIDGE :

M-2 prefabricated steel panel component bridges, usually installed without heavy equipment, and able to be upgraded for heavier traffic by reconfiguring panels (from single wide - single high to double-double or triple-triple); dating from WWII, as designed by Donald Bailey, and manufactured in San Luis Obispo, California and Greenville, Alabama, where BAILEY BRIDGES and Steadfast Bridges are divisions of BilToLast Products, Inc, Fort Payne, Alabama. See AVLB, PONTOON BRIDGE, BRIDGE RATING, ROUTE STEP, ROPE BRIDGE, TREADWAY BRIDGE. [nb: a Waterman designed prefabricated sectional bridge was used at the 1863 CIVIL WAR battle of Chancellorsville]

BAILOUT :

to quit, evacuate, escape, depart, abandon, or evade, especially when leaving a vehicle, craft, or vessel during an emergency; also called "punch-out"; see CREW CHIEF, LOADMASTER, DROPMASTER, JUMPMASTER, BEACHMASTER. Also, to lend necessary aid or resources to rescue a vessel or vehicle, or to enable the survival of an enterprise or undertaking; as a means of relief, this contranym probably has naval origins. Also, an alternative, option, or additional choice; see COUNTERMARCH, CHANGING TUNE, BEAT FEET, CUT AND RUN, HAUL-ASS, ROUT, DEFEAT. [nb: as a consequence of the Nazi BLITZKRIEG, the Allies evacuated 338,226 escapees from the Dunkirk seashore by "little ships" and other small craft from 26 May to 3 June 1940, leaving more than 34,000 British and Canadian troops, and tens of thousands of French, Dutch, and Belgian soldiers to become POWs ... "Wars are not won by evacuation." by Winston L.S. Churchill]

BAJARHAKO :

Dega flag

acronym for the ethnic unity group composed of Bahnar, Jarai, Rhade, and Koho tribesmen, as predecessor of FULRO; the Montagnard tribal association is also known as Dega.

BAHT :

the Thai basic monetary unit of currency; see LEGAL TENDER.

BALL GAME :

slang for a combat operation (OPN), especially company-sized or larger, as "putting our team on the field for the BALL GAME"; see WAR GAMES, PLAY THE GAME, PLAY BALL, BATTER UP, TALLY-HO.

BALLS TO THE WALL :

slang expression for a total commitment without hesitation or reserve, as all the way, full force, full bore, whole hog. See SWEAT HOG, FAST MOVER, HARD CHARGER, HOT SHOT, SUPER-TROOPER, HARD-ASS, BOY WONDER, DEEP DIP, GOLDEN BOY, ONIONS.

BAM :

the unofficial USMC acronym for their "sisters-in-arms", meaning Broad-Assed Marines; as derived from the fact that only twelve women could sit side-by-side on the "six-by" TRUCK benches, which normally held fourteen fully-equipped males! The BAMs responded to this characterization by dubbing the men: Hairy-Assed Marines (HAM). Unlike the other women's auxiliaries, the Marine Corps Women's Reserve does not have a cute acronym to identify it. Before women were accepted into military service during WWII, this acronym purportedly meant "Bad Assed Marine", referring to troublemakers and malcontents. See WM, SKIRT, GI JANE, RUNTS 'n' CUNTS, PIRATE'S DREAM.

BAMBOO CURTAIN :

a political and ideological barrier that impeded relations between communist Asia, especially Red China (PRC), and the West from the end of WWII to end of the VIETNAM WAR; compare STAR WARS, MAGINOT LINE, SMEZ, BERLIN WALL, IRON CURTAIN, BAR LEV LINE, CACTUS CURTAIN, McNAMARA'S WALL, McNAMARA LINE, CHINESE WALL, DEW LINE, PHASE LINE. [cf: Hadrian's Wall, Antonine Wall, Great Wall of China] [nb: "The strength of a wall is neither greater nor less than the men who defend it." by Genghis Khan]

BAMBOO TELEGRAPH :

rapid and accurate word-of-mouth communications, also called "coconut telegraph", "lip radio", "moccasin telegraph", "tom-tom telegraph", "smoke signal", "grapevine", "hearsay", "bush telegraph", "brush telegraph", sagebrush telegraph"; see BACK CHANNEL, SCUTTLEBUTT, GOUGE, POOP, THE WORD, GREEN GREASE, GRIPEVINE, FALSE FLAG, DECEPTION, RUMOR, NET. [nb: the Industrial Revolution coincided with the second tour-de-force in communications: the invention of the telegraph. Early experiments with electrical circuits were surpassed by line-of-sight visual codes ("tachygraphy": swift + write, shorthand) to convey messages quickly. Visual limitations (eg: darkness, weather, etc) contributed to the decline of the clockwork system, and the preference for the more consistent electrical code system ("telegraphy": far + write). From 1816 to 1844, utilizing voltaic magnetism and galvanic deflection, many telegraphic systems were devised before Samuel F.B. Morse was credited with the "bi-signal" patent. Although LANDLINEs were used to carry reliable and efficient signals, an experiment in 1843 attempted to transmit signal code directly through water without using underwater cable. The first woman to be certified as a telegrapher was Sarah G. Bagley in 1846. By 1853, the first trans-Atlantic cable (insulated with GUTTA-PERCHA gum) was operational. The presence of the telegraph during the Crimean War (1853-6) brought meddling bureaucrats and incompetent supervisors into annoyingly direct and interferingly immediate contact with battlefield commanders. The 1864 connection from Great Britain to India was extended to China in 1870 and Australia in 1871. By 1874, a mere thirty years after its inception, the "Victorian InterNet" could transmit a message around the world in only four minutes! The subsequent commercial codes, using abbreviations and substitutions, were designed to save transmission time and money, rather than to protect privacy. The telephone was accidentally invented in 1876 while attempting to upgrade the duplex and quadruplex modes of telegraphy with an experimental harmonic multiplexer. In 1903, automatic telegraphy was married to a typewriter to form the teleprinter. See CW, TWX, TELECON, BUG, SALTING, ENCRYPT, UWT, RADIO, TELEPHONE, LANDLINE, COAX.]

BA MUOI BA :

(bah-mee-bah) Vietnamese "33" brand beer, being the number thirty-three in Vietnamese (literally three - ten - three = 33); also called "Tiger Piss". Sometimes misspelled "Ba Moui Ba" or "Ba Moi Ba". See LA VAY. [nb: brand name changed to "333" by SRV after the Second Indochina War; cf: 33 beer from Rolling Rock]

BANANA BOLO :

a curved blade ("banana" shaped) jungle knife, with rounded tip and riveted wooden grips, sharpened along inside edge and nose for chopping, housed in a leather scabbard, as issued to U.S. Army advisory and recon team members; see BOLO, MACHETE, KNIFE. [v: Knife Terms]

BANANA CLIP :

a long curved magazine, holding 30 rounds, being standard on the AK-47, and adopted for the M-16 midway through the VIETNAM WAR; compare CLIP, C-CLIP; see CARTRIDGE, BANDOLEER, MAG.

BANANA WARS :

a catch-phrase for small wars, especially in the early 20th century, of interventionist expeditions in response to political pressure from commercial or religious entities, often without military objectives or exit strategies. These violent squabbles ranged the world, including Tripoli, Panama, Samoa, the Philippines, China, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Mexico, El Salvador, Lebanon, Grenada, Somalia, and Bosnia. Such GUNBOAT DIPLOMACY extracted concessions and redeemed investments on behalf of private commitments by the application of public resources. War is never exclusively military, with American troops being dispatched as "social workers in uniform" in recent times, but they were previously sent forth as "global policemen" when international relations were more autonomous.

BAND-AID :

slang for a lightly armored TRACKed vehicle, such as the M-577 command APC, that's used as an ambulance on the battlefield, while also serving as a limited treatment facility (AID STATION) for minor injuries and wounds; also called "Band-Aid Box"; see CRACKER BOX, MEDEVAC, DUSTOFF, AIR AMBULANCE, LUGGAGE TAG, TRIAGE. Also, a metonym for an enlisted medical aidman and CORPSMEN, who's also called "shank mechanic", "pill pusher", and MEDIC; see DOC, BAC SI, Y SI, BONE CUTTER, ANGEL, ORDERLY. Also, any temporary, limited, or makeshift solution or resolution; a "jackleg repair" or "quick fix" that's named after the trademarked (1924) adhesive bandage used for minor cuts and abrasions. Also, the small adhesive bandage itself, invented 1921, that's used for minor cuts and abrasions; see ASA, APC, MED BAG, SICK CALL; compare COMPRESS.

BANDIT :

a positively identified enemy aircraft; in Naval aviation, if the target is confirmed, the call skips the preliminary BANDIT, and issues a TALLY-HO immediately. Compare BOGIE, VISUAL, BATTER UP; see TALLY-HO, SCRAM, SPLASH, BAD GUYS. Also, slang for the symbolic representation of enemy targets successfully destroyed by an aircraft, usually in the form of silhouettes or flags painted onto the fuselage near the cockpit, which unofficial depictions are illegal, but mysteriously and anonymously materialize out of unit pride; see SPLASH, TROPHY, BRAGGING RIGHTS, TOP DOG, KILL RING, KILL CREDIT.

BANDOLEER :

a CARTRIDGE belt worn across the chest or over one shoulder; an AMMO belt. Originally a wide leather belt with loops for each additional SHELL, but has evolved into a belt of pouches containing clipped ammunition, ready for stripping into empty magazines (MAG).

BANGALORE TORPEDO :

a tube filled with explosives, used to clear BARBED WIRE entanglements or to detonate land mines; also called "land torpedo" or "snake". See CONCERTINA, RAZOR WIRE.

BANK :

the lateral inclination of an aircraft, especially during a turn; see AEROBATICS, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT. Also, a long pile, heap, mass, or bank-like border constructed of SANDBAGs. Also, a slope or acclivity. Also, a broad sea floor elevation around which the water is relatively shallow, but not a hazard to surface navigation; compare ROCKS 'n' SHOALS, BREAKWATER. Also, the inclination of an angled road or track, also called "cant". Also, a number of similar objects or devices arranged in a line or tier so as to be able to act together. Also, a store or reserve, as of money or blood [v: American Association of Blood Banks (AABB)]; see DUMP, DEPOT.

BANQUETTE :

a ledge or platform along the inside of a parapet for use as a "firing step", being higher than the floor or passageway, as derived from "bench"; compare CATWALK, see DEFILADE, BERM, HESCO BARRIER, T-WALL [cf: escarp, scarp/escarpment, counterscarp]. Also, a raised sidewalk; see DUCKBOARDS.

BANSHEE :

F-2 fighter jet, NICKNAMEd "Banjo"

BAQ :

Basic Allowance for Quarters, being supplemental pay for living off-post / -base, living "on the economy"; since redesignated as "Basic Allowance for Housing" (BAH).

BAR :

Browning Automatic Rifle; a heavy .30cal magazine-fed shoulder fired weapon, used extensively in WWII and Korea, but didn't perform as well as British Bren. The M-14 rifle sought to combine the BAR firepower with M-1 portablilty. The M-60 machinegun replaced both the BAR and the Browning light machinegun (LMG). The BAR stock had to be cut-down for ARVN troops to use it; see RIFLE, CAR, MG, MAG, MUZZLE, FLASH SUPPRESSOR. Also, any rectilinear insignia symbolizing status or achievement; see CANDY BAR, HERSHEY BAR, BUTTER BAR, BROWN BAR, LOOEY, AIMING STAKES, RAILROAD TRACKS. Also, short for barrier, as an obstacle, hindrance, or obstruction; to be behind bars, or protected by a mosquito bar [nb: the word "canopy" originally meant net, as a gauze mosquito barrier; cf: sparver]. Also, short for crowbar; see HOOLIGAN. Also, a horizontal band on an heraldic shield.

BARBED WIRE :

twisted wire strands with spaced projections, used as a barrier or fencing, first patented in 1874; also spelled "barbwire" or "barbed-wire", and sometimes called tanglefoot, devil's rope, bobbed- / bobwire (short), warwire, or tactical wire (tac-wire). Originating at the siege of Vicksburg as smooth entanglement wire recovered from destroyed communication lines, BARBED WIRE was identical to livestock fencing until after the SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR, then widely used as anti-intrusion wire at checkpoints, DEPOTs, STOCKADEs, CHOKE POINTs, MLRs and FRONT LINES, finally evolving into RAZOR WIRE. Except for temporary positions (eg: LAAGER), a BARBED WIRE barrier is an inadequate defense, so it is usually combined with AP and AT MINEs, or other devices. See CONCERTINA, BANGALORE TORPEDO.

BAR LEV LINE :

a chain of heavy fortifications and gigantic earthworks along the Suez Canal, built during 1968-71 to defend the cease-fire line in the Sinai after the Six-Day War, and to pre-position essential materiel for defense; also spelled "Bar-Lev Line", named after General Chaim Bar-Lev, the Israeli Chief of Staff. Compare STAR WARS, MAGINOT LINE, SMEZ, BERLIN WALL, IRON CURTAIN, BAMBOO CURTAIN, CACTUS CURTAIN, McNAMARA'S WALL, McNAMARA LINE, CHINESE WALL, DEW LINE, PHASE LINE. [cf: Hadrian's Wall, Antonine Wall, Great Wall of China] [nb: "The strength of a wall is neither greater nor less than the men who defend it." by Genghis Khan]

BARNSTORMER :

an aerial demonstration team, or a member thereof, performing exhibition flights for the public, beginning in the interwar period with "Three Men on a Flying Trapeze", from the original stunt fliers who toured rural areas. See AEROBATICS, BIRD, PILOT, BLUE ANGELS, THUNDERBIRDS, SKYBLAZERS, SILVER EAGLES; compare DREAMLAND, HAWC, TOP GUN, RED FLAG. [v: An Aerobatics and Aviation Lexicon]

BARRACK :

building or casern for lodging soldiers in garrison, usually "barracks"; see BILLET, HOOCH, SUDS ROW, NOB HILL, GUARDHOUSE, BUTLER BUILDING, SEA HUT, QUONSET HUT, TEAMHOUSE, DAYROOM, QTRS, MESSHALL, GI PARTY. [nb: the Portuguese word for slave pens or barracks ("baracoons") is probably the origin of the racial slur 'coon', referring to BLACK people]

BARRACK BAG :

(forthcoming); colors, dates, sizes; cf: DUFFEL BAG at the RECEPTION STATION or induction center, new MIL-PERS were issued one barrack bag and one haversack during WWI, then two barrack bags at the beginning of WWII, and later one barrack and one duffel bag with their basic issue of uniforms and blankets; during Vietnam-era, the barrack bag was primarily a "laundry bag" [nb: "rucksack" = back-sack; "knapsack" = bite/snap-up/eat, food sack; "kit-bag" = soldier's small bag/knapsack; "haversack" = single strap over one shoulder / musette] [cf: bundle, bindle/bindlea, swag, bluey, dilly bag, tucker-bag, bag, pouch, tote, sack, pack, grip, gripsack, overnighter, weekender, carpetbag, suitcase, portmanteau, Gladstone bag, traveling case, garment bag, Val-Pack, luggage; v: "scrip" wayfarer's bag or wallet; "viaticum" traveler's money and necessities]

BARRACKS LAWYER :

any disgruntled or maladjusted soldier who constantly complains and persistently quibbles; also called "bunk room lawyer", "guardhouse lawyer", or SEA LAWYER. See YARDBIRD.

BARREL ROLL :

air operations during 1964 against the NVA in Laos by USAF and VNAF.

BASE :

a military operations and logistics installation, usually fortified; such as Naval Air Station (NAS) or Air Force Base (AFB). These installations are often given derisive or derogatory NICKNAMEs, including: Fort Beginning, Fort Useless, Fort Rile-Me, Fort Ordinary, Fort Lost-in-the-Woods, Fort Knocks, Fort Poke, Fort Dicks, Fort Moan Mouth, Fort Lose-Us, Fort De-Trick, and Fort What-Juked-Ya. See PUZZLE PALACE, MAD HOUSE, STRONGPOINT, FSB, FOB, AOB, MOB, MCB, COMPOUND, GARRISON, RESERVATION, SHADOW OF THE FLAGPOLE, LITTLE AMERICA.

BASE CAMP :

a semipermanent field headquarters (HQ); a logistical and administrative center for a unit, usually within that unit's tactical area of responsibility (TAOR). A unit may operate in or away from its BASE CAMP. BASE CAMPS usually contain all or part of a given unit's service support elements. See LSA, FOB, FSB, STRONGPOINT, CP, JUMP CP, AOB, MOB, COMPOUND, BIVOUAC, PERIMETER, RESERVATION, LITTLE AMERICA.

BASE PIECE :

the artillery (ARTY) gun located closest to the Battery (BTY) COMMAND ELEMENT or Fire Direction Center (FDC), so usually being the first to shoot a FIRE MISSION; see HOWITZER.

BASKETBALL :

a pyrotechnic illumination FLARE dropped from any aerial platform, such as a FLARESHIP or TANKER.

BASKET HEAD :

any Asian, especially a peasant or farm laborer, due to their prevalent wearing of a straw hat (eg: NON LA) patterned in a traditional or tribal style; a neutral or unbiased reference to an oriental, also expressed as "straw hat" or "rice stick". See INDIG, BUDDHAHEAD, LITTLE BROWN BROTHER, DESEGREGATION; compare LITTLE PEOPLE, DINK, GOOK, SLOPE, RICE BALL, ZIP.

BASS :

shooter's mnemonic for Breathe, Aim, Slack, Squeeze in target acquisition and GUN CONTROL; see SIGHT PICTURE, ZERO, DRY FIRE, TRAIN. [v: Firearms Glossary]

BASTARD :

originally a separate unit, often specialized, but evolved to include any unit separated into its coherent parts for reinforcement or augmentation. In WWII, BASTARDs included airborne and ranger units, while in Vietnam they were cavalry and artillery units, assigned and reassigned wherever needed, usually with less support and higher casualties than "parented" units. The Airborne-Ranger Companies activated for the KOREAN WAR are an example of BASTARDs used as CANNON FODDER; which is contrasted by the 6th Army ALAMO SCOUTS and Vietnam LRRPs. The military sense of this term, unlike civilian interpretations of "illegitimate", "spurious", "abhorent", or "abnormal", hearkens to its origin of "unacknowledged offspring" [nb: "nullius filius" means 'son of nobody']; such BASTARDs are usually proud of their difference, despite having to achieve twice as much for half the recognition. See AIRBORNE, RANGER, SF, FORCE RECON, RAIDER, MERRILL'S MARAUDERS, MARS, BLACK DEVIL, OSS, FLYING TIGERS, PURPLE HEART BATTALION.

BATA BOOTS :

sterile footwear with a human footprint direct molded-sole for leaving indistinct or untraceable tracks, as used by special operations troops disguising their presence; contract manufactured by Bata Boot Company. Compare HO CHI MINH SANDALS, JUNGLE BOOTS; see FOOTWEAR.

BAT MAN :

Bat Man banner

contraction of BATtle MANagement center, being a command and surveillance station located at Battle Mountain Air Force Base (NV) for the remote control and processing of unmanned aircraft through satellite links around the world; see UAV, DRONE, BOT. Also, (forthcoming); a fictional character featured in comics; a super-hero wearing a disguise and utility belt, operating as the "Dynamic Duo" with partner called BOY WONDER; also spelled "Bat-Man" and "Batman"; see POLICE.

BATRACHOMYOMACHIA :

the title of a mock-heroic Greek epic that was probably composed by Pigres of Caria in the 5th century BC, which describes, in Homeric style, a battle between mice and frogs in which Zeus and Athena join; the name has since been used to imply a trivial or meaningless battle, as a tempest in a teapot or a storm in a teacup. [v: "The Frogs" by Aristophanes, and "Much Ado About Nothing" by William Shakespeare (1600); nb: "Battle of the Frogs and Mice with the Remarks of Zoilus" by Thomas Parnell (1717) was imitative but merely an attack on the authors John Dennis and Lewis Theobald, who'd offended the coterie of Pope, Fielding, et al, with their scholarship]

BATTAILOUS :

an archaism meaning ready for battle, being warlike; see GOOD TO GO, COMBAT LOADED, MISSION READY, UNLIMBER, LOCK 'n' LOAD, OP TEMPO, JUMP-START, FAT, SADDLE-UP, MOVE OUT. [cf: battalia]

BATTEN :

a thin flat length of wood or metal used in construction or reinforcement, often used to bolster or secure; compare DUNNAGE. Also, a thin or narrow strip of lumber attached to sailcloth to keep it flat or taut. Also, to cover a HATCH or other opening so as to make it watertight. Also, a flexible strip of wood used for fairing the lines of a HULL on the floor of a mold loft during shipbuilding.

BATTER UP :

slang from WWII for US Naval ships positively identifying an enemy vessel or other target; see PLAY BALL, PLAY THE GAME; compare BANDIT.

BATTLE :

to force or accomplish by fighting, as to struggle, contend, contest, skirmish, scrimmage, scrummage, conflict, affray, FIREFIGHT, combat, AMBUSH, STALKING HORSE, CONTACT, SPOILING ATTACK, MEETING ENGAGEMENT, PITCHED BATTLE, CLOSE QUARTERS BATTLE, PYRRHIC VICTORY, FIGHT LIKE KILKENNY CATS, BITTER END, SNOWBALL, BELL THE CAT, TAR BABY, BATRACHOMYOMACHIA, and so forth, now called "war fighting"; see BLOODY SHIRT, CROSS THE RUBICON, FIGHTING WORDS, PLAY THE GAME, COLLATERAL DAMAGE, FIGHTING MAD. Also, a hostile encounter between opposing military forces, affected by numbers, weapons, orders, equipment, time, supplies, terrain, weather, and policies; see GOOD TO GO, COMBAT LOADED, MISSION READY, UNLIMBER, LOCK 'n' LOAD, OP TEMPO, FAT, SADDLE-UP, MOVE OUT, BATTAILOUS. Also, the place, act, or incidence of such hostile encounter, as a battlefield, combat zone, KILL ZONE; compare CONTACT, SHOOTING WAR, FIREWORKS, COLD WAR, FLOWER WAR. [cf: battalia] [nb: Frederick the Great's mule attended many battles but learned nothing about war from them!; the difference between the OLD MAN and the TOP KICK is the same in war as it is in sex: officers need to talk about it in great detail for a long time before it happens, but sergeants need to talk about it in great detail for a long time after it happens!]

BATTLE CRY :

the rousing shout or emblematic call of troops going into combat, such as a morale-boosting slogan or onomatopoeic war whoop (eg: the proverbial "Rebel yell"); also spelled "battlecry", being a shout, out-cry, bellow, howl, yell, ululation, baying, scream, cry, shriek, holler, hollo, or AHOY. Just as significant campaigns are incorporated into the uniform [v: shoulder cord] or insignia [v: Guadalcanal on 1st Mar Div SSI] of the affected units, so inspired phrases become part of the insignia and history of affected units, creating a mark of distinction, officially known as a "special designation". Statements made during controversy or combat (eg: "liberty or death", "only one life to give", "not yet begun to fight") are more akin to 'famous last words' than to a BATTLE CRY, but are often invoked when preparing for battle. See CREST, PATCH, SIGNATURE, TOAST, GUSTO, HOOAH, OORAH, GUNG-HO, ESPRIT DE CORPS, WETSU, DIEHARD, ROOT HOG OR DIE, WAR PARTY, WARMONGER, MERCENARY, RE-UP, KILL 'EM ALL, VIETNAM IS FOREVER, WINNING HEARTS AND MINDS, STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND, THEY'LL GIVE A WAR AN' NOBODY'LL COME. [nb: the term 'slogan' is derived from the Scottish words (sluagh + gairm) meaning "army cry" or "war cry"; cf: misnomer "slughorn"] [nb: Imperial Japanese "banzai" (ten-thousand years; not "bonsai" gardening) similar to Chinese "wàn-sue"] [nb: the "thin red line" was applied to the British ("Redcoats") in the Crimean War because they did not form into a defensive square when engaged, making their line weak, which impugned their military prowess; likewise, the Scottish bagpipers accompanying British troops in WWI were labeled "ladies from hell" for wearing kilts into battle while playing an instrument instead of carrying a weapon ... each attribution was initially offensive, but both were later adopted as distinctions] [v: Names of Foreigners or Foes]

BATTLE DRESS :

a military field uniform and accouterments, generally camouflaged and stripped of all ornamentation; see FATIGUES, UTILITIES, CAMMIES, BDU, ACU, DIGITALS, DRESS.

BATTLE JACKET :

a close-fitting, waist-length woolen jacket with snugly fitting cuffs and waist, collar and epaulets, worn as part of the service uniform during WWII; also known as "combat jacket", "Ike jacket" or "Eisenhower jacket"; see FLIGHT JACKET, FIELD JACKET, DRESS. Also, any of various imitations or adaptations of this jacket in civilian sportswear.

BATTLE ROYAL :

a violent fight, often confused and noisy, involving more than two combatants, as a donnybrook, melee, free-for-all, rumpus, knock-down-drag-out, rough-and-tumble, slugfest, brawl, fracas, affray, brannigan, rencounter, rhubarb, pandemonium; this phrase originated with cockfighting, where a certain number of game birds are pitted together and left until there is only one survivor [cf: Welsh Main, v: WHITE FEATHER]. See KING OF THE HILL, DOGFIGHT, FIREFIGHT, EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF, FIGHTING MAD, CQB, BATTLE, WAR.

BATTLE WAGON :

informal NavSpeak for a battleship; see WARSHIP. Also, slang for any powerful and formidable vehicle, craft, or vessel, from TANK to FLYING FORTRESS; an implacable juggernaut or a devastating "engine of war".

BAY :

a compartment or section, as a "bomb bay" or CARGO BAY. Also, an alcove or recess, as a "sick bay" or "bunk bay". Also, an honorary crown or garland, as a "laurel wreath". Also, inset land or inlet water, as a cove or bight. Also, to resist or repel, as "to hold at bay".

BAYONET :

a knife-like weapon attached to the muzzle of a firearm for close combat; derived from 17th century plug-bayonet invented in Bayonne France to convert single-shot muskets into pikes. The Chinese "fire lance", utilized as both a flamethrower and as a prototype shotgun, also included a fixed point for use as a pike. See KNIFE, ON GUARD, BUTT STROKE, AT CLOSE QUARTERS, CQB, CAB. [v: Knife Terms] [nb: the "spirit of the bayonet" is "to kill!" ... not only was the word "kill" banned from the training and indoctrination (TRADOC) vocabulary (see SMACK) during the VIETNAM WAR, but bayonet, pugil stick, and hand-to-hand close combat training have since been eliminated from soldierly preparation. Although the "little corporal" Napoleon claimed that three hostile newspapers are to be feared more than thousands of BAYONETs, Voltaire said, as both social and political philosophy, that "You can do anything with a BAYONET, except sit on it!". An old military maxim states: "Deny your soldiers a proper bayonet and you will find a foreign one at your throat."] Also, figurative use for a ruthless attack or murderous treatment, as to be executed by a BOARD, or bloodied by a committee; see BACK CHANNEL. Also, a locking pin or flange.

BAYONET SHEET :

slang for an effectiveness or efficiency report (ER); usually considered official fiction, it is frequently a way of ridding the military of unpopular officers and NCOs, regardless of their true skills (roorback). See FITREP, EER, NCOER, OER, UP OR OUT; compare BACK CHANNEL, FANG, NASTY-GRAM. [nb: "Your enemies stab you in the back, but your friends stab you in the front!"; "Your enemies cut your throat with a smile, but your friends cut your throat with regret."; "What Peter says about Paul says more about Peter than it does about Paul" by Arthur Schopenhauer; the "narcissism of small differences" by Sigmund Freud; "When you hear somebody usin' words ag'in somebody, don't go by his words, for they won't make no damn sense, [but] go by his tone, and you'll know if he's mean and lying." by Forest Carter, The Education of Little Tree (1976)]

BAZOOKA :

informal term for a tube-shaped rocket launcher that fired a 2.36" or 3.5" MISSILE capable of penetrating the armor-plating on a TANK; it was replaced by the M-18 57mm shoulder-fired, air-cooled, single-loading Recoilless Rifle (RR) during WWII. The BAZOOKA rocket launcher resembled an unlikely looking musical instrument so named and played by comedian Bob Burns in vaudeville from the 1930s.

BCD :

Bad Conduct Discharge, which is sardonically known as the "Big Chicken Dinner"; see DISCHARGE. [nb: during the 19th century, a "bobtail" discharge was slang for both a curtailed term of service, and for a certificate with its character cutoff so as to obscure or conceal the type of discharge ... always "other than honorable"]

BCG :

Birth Control Glasses; see BIRTH CONTROL DEVICE, DOUBLE-O.

BCT :

Basic Combat Training; also called basic, basic training, basic military training, Basic Entry Training, or boot camp; see CRUIT, BOOT, TRAIN, MAGGOT, YARDBIRD, AIT, ACT, MOS. Also, Brigade Combat Team, being an infantry brigade (BDE) that's reinforced with integral artillery (ARTY), air cavalry (ACAV) or armored cavalry (ACR), and engineers (ENGR); compare SBCT, RCT, see FIRE BRIGADE.

BDA :

Bomb Damage Assessment, later redesignated as "Battle Damage Assessment" to include all forms of tactical destruction; being a standard I&R or recon team mission after a FIRE MISSION or airstrike. See RULES OF ENGAGEMENT (ROE), SOFT TARGET, HARD TARGET, OBJ, COLLATERAL DAMAGE.

BDE :

brigade; a military unit subordinate to a division that consists of a headquarters and two or more regiments, squadrons, groups, or battalions, and is commanded by a colonel. Although three brigades typically comprise a division, separate brigades of medical, supply, maintenance, and transportation can operate autonomously under corps or theater command. The 11th, 196th, 198th, and 199th Infantry Brigades and the 173rd Airborne Brigade fought independently in Vietnam. See BCT, FIRE BRIGADE.

BDQ :

Vietnamese Ranger shoulder
patch and scroll

BDQ SSI

Biet Dong Quan, or Vietnamese Rangers, being the elite infantry of the Vietnamese Army; also called Biet Cach, Biet Kich, Biet Dong Doi. (history forthcoming); maroon beret See BORDER DEFENSE RANGER, STRIKER, MIKE FORCE, CIDG, RF/PF, LRRP, LRSP, RECONDO, RANGER, AIRBORNE, AIRBORNE RANGER, SPECIAL OPERATIONS, COUNTERPART.

BDU :

Battle Dress Uniform, being an all-purpose camo-patterned cloth uniform worn as the standard work or duty dress as well as worn in combat; a post-VN uniform similar in appearance to woodland Jungle FATIGUES, which replaced the normal olive drab (OD) FATIGUES or utility work uniform, and was also issued in desert and urban patterns. BDUs were replaced in 2004 by the Army Combat Uniform (ACU), and wear is no longer authorized after 30 April 2008. See CHOCOLATE CHIP, DRESS.

BEACHHEAD :

the secure initial position of an amphibious assault, used for further advancement and resupply, a foothold or WAY POINT; see PHASE LINE, AIMPOINT, compare AIRHEAD, BRIDGEHEAD. [cf: esplanade]

BEACHMASTER :

a Navy CHIEF (CPO) or Warrant Officer (WO) responsible for the proper placement and movement of men, supplies, equipment, and vehicles on and off a BEACHHEAD; which duties may include evacuation of the wounded (WIA), clearance for safe travel lanes, and erection of a temporary WHARF. Also spelled "beach master"; compare LOADMASTER, CREW CHIEF, JUMPMASTER; see SHORE PARTY.

BEAM :

the maximum width of a ship. Also, a narrowly focused radio signal for navigation; see VOR, VECTOR, MEACONING.

BEAN-COUNTER :

any niggling administrator or finicky quartermaster (QM), also known as a "nitpicker" or "nose-picker"; who makes the military more CHICKEN SHIT for everyone by their meticulous adherence to obstructive RED TAPE and picayune FORMs, under the guise of being essential and indispensable, but especially those anal-retentive supply geeks, obsessive-compulsive finance hacks, and perverse admin drudges! See REMF, HOMESTEADER, PUKE, CLERKS 'n' JERKS, PENCIL PUSHER, ACETATE COMMANDO, CHAIRBORNE, TICKET-PUNCHER, TAP-DANCER, CYA, WONK, WALLAH, MILICRAT, ORIFICE. [v: "spill the beans"] [cf: apparatchik, nomenklatura, nabob, nibs] [nb: "Algerism", an eponym for the politico who was probably the worst Secretary of War in American history, became the national byword for bureaucratic sloath, cronyism, and incompetence, becoming a synonym for venality and ineptitude; after Russell A. Alger, attorney and capitalist, Michigan governor and U.S. Senator, CIVIL WAR Major General and Spanish American War Secretary of War]

BEANER :

disparaging metonymic slang for any person of Hispanic or Pre-Columbian ancestry, civilian or otherwise, inhabiting the Americas (especially Latin-, Central-, or Meso-America), that's used as a generalization for convenient description or identification; also called Latino, Chicano, "spic", or "wetback". See SEMINOLE WAR, MEXICAN WAR, INDIAN WARS, SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR, BANANA WARS, LITTLE BROWN BROTHER, INDIG, DESEGREGATION.

BEANS :

battle-proven
Tabasco sauce
best condiment

any food or meal (not just "whistle-berries"), as "beans and bullets" for troops; with the source of supply or point of distribution called a "beanery", and any out-dated, bland, and otherwise unpalatable provender being called "has beans". See CHOW, THREE SQUARES, CHOKE, CHOWING DOWN, C-RATIONS, HAM 'n' MOTHERS, MRE, PIR, LRRP-RATIONS, SOUP, GI JOE, BUG JUICE, WASH, SLOP, SLIDER, SINKER, SOS, WAD, SOLDIER'S BREAKFAST, IRON RATIONS, PITA, RATIONS, MERMITE, EVAPORATOR, MESS, GALLEY, COOKIE, LIP SMACKING, FORAGE. [v: beanfeast, wayzgoose] [nb: since the era of the CIVIL WAR, American troops have mockingly mislabeled salt pork as "Cincinnati chicken" just as ground or smothered entrees are now called "mystery meat"] [nb: priorities of combat: GRUNTS want "beans, bullets, beer"; REMFs want "bucks, broads, bars"; and CMDRs want "brags, bimbos, bribes"] [cf: "battels" (probably a corruption of the obsolete 'battle', to feed) meaning the expense of board and provisions, or the board and provisions themselves; housing and meals, shelter and rations] [v: field cookware includes MESS KIT, CANTEEN CUP, billy/billy-pot/billy-can] [nb: it requires more time and fuel to cook at higher altitudes because the boiling point (212F/100C) of water is more difficult to attain as the atmospheric pressure decreases, leaving the food desiccated and partially cooked, so a small sealed container is needed to increase the pressure (which also increases the boiling point) for efficient food and beverage preparation, enabling a higher temperature to be reached before boiling occurs (water at 15psi boils at 252F/125C); although pressure cookers reduce cooking time by a factor of three, they also prevent the escape of air and liquids below a preset temperature, which conserves their contents from evaporation ... one of the earliest models was called a "steam digester", invented by physicist Denis Papin in 1679; commercial kitchens use large volume "pressure canners" ... WARNING: as with boiling, the use of contaminated water in pressure cooking will not cleanse its impurities, since distillation requires evaporation (and condensing) to achieve potability] [nb: high-muckety-muck and high-muck-a-muck are corrupt Americanisms from Chinook jargon ("hayo makamak") meaning plenty to eat or much food, from the layer of whale meat between blubber and flesh]

BEAR :

NICKNAME for the Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO) in the backseat of an assault aircraft; see GIB, RIO, RSO, WSO (WIZZO); compare FUF.

BEARING :

a horizontal direction, expressed in degrees, east or west of the true or magnetic north (or south) direction; see AZIMUTH, HEADING. Also, one's relative position or direction, often expressed as "bearings"; see DEAD-RECKONING, LEEWAY. Also, the manner in which one conducts or carries oneself, being the postures and gestures of comportment; to exhibit proper demeanor and military deportment, exacting punctilio; see SILENT INSOLENCE, MUFTI, O CLUB [nb: before international homogenization by cultural admixture in global communications, when racial and ethnic characteristics were still discrete, the French expressed contempt by shitting on something or someone, the British by pissing on it, and the Americans by spitting, which was a factor considered when determining the extent of legitimate response or reprisal to alleged provocation]. Also, the act of enduring or the capacity to endure; see GUTS, WATCH MY SMOKE, DIEHARD, BITE THE BULLET, WINTER SOLDIER, MOXIE, V-CAMPAIGN, CODE OF CONDUCT, DUTY. Also, a supporting part of a structure; hence, by analogy to that contact area, a reference or relationship, as "that has no bearing on the problem". Also, a device on a heraldic field [v: Heraldry].

BEATERS 'n' BLEATERS :

musicians, especially drummers and trumpeters; also known as TOOTER. See BUGLE CALL, DRUM, BOATSWAIN'S PIPE, TATTOO, SALUTE, RUFFLES 'n' FLOURISHES, REVEILLE, RETREAT, TAPS, CADENCE, HEP, CHANTEY, HOISE, JODY CALL, GUNG-HO, HEAVE-HO, NO-DOZE, DANCE CARD, PASSING HONORS, CHANGING TUNE, FACE THE MUSIC. [nb: a scrap of largely blue and red tartan, with the thread count falling in sevens, entitled "The 7th Cavalry Tartan", appears in a Scottish pattern book of the 19th century, which researchers now conclude was a design commissioned by George Armstrong Custer for outfitting a regimental marching band of pipers and drummers, which order was interrupted by the 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn]

BEAT FEET :

slang for withdraw, RETREAT, evacuate, RETROGRADE; also called BUG-OUT, CUT AND RUN, or SPLIT. See CHANGING TUNE, BAILOUT, DECAMP, HAUL-ASS, ROUT; compare BUSTER, PULL PITCH, SCRAMBLE, JUICE, GOYA, ASAP, PDQ, STAT, CHOGI, FORTHWITH, COUNTERMARCH, RETROGRADE, DESERTER, TRAITOR, TURNCOAT, DEFEAT. [nb: to skedaddle or scarper in a disorderly or panicked manner is an unmilitary reversion to primaeval atavism; "Retreat, hell! We're attacking in a different direction!" by O.P. Smith; "Retreat, hell! We just got here!" by Lloyd Williams; "If he can fight, he advances and takes the offensive; if he cannot fight, he retreats and remains on the defensive. He will invariably conquer who knows whether it is right to take the offensive or the defensive." by Chang Yu]

BEAUCOUP :

(bo-koo) French/Vietnamese slang term for "much", "many", "plenty", or "lots of..."; derived 'pretty + much'.

BEAUFORT SCALE :

a scale indicating the speed or force of wind, enumerated 0-12 or 0-17, commonly expressed as "Force #"; devised by British Admiral Francis Beaufort around 1855. See SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE, FUJITA SCALE, STORM WARNING, WINDSOCK, TELLTALE.

BEAVER :

DeHavilland L-20 / U-6 fixed-wing "bush" aircraft, STOL capable by wheels, skis, or floats; see BIRD.

BEEHIVE :

a direct-fire artillery round incorporating approximately 8,500 steel darts (FLECHETTEs), used as a primary base defense munition against ground attack. See NAILS, CANISTER, SHRAPNEL, AP, KILLER JUNIOR, KILLER SENIOR.

BEERCAN :

any thin metallic ornament or device, often painted or enameled, as derived from recycled beer cans, primarily used on end-of-tour plaques; see CREST, DI, TRENCH ART.

BEETLE BAILEY :

a comic strip character inaugurated September 1950 by Mort Walker and syndicated by King Features, that originated as a cartoon about "Spider" and his fraternity brothers, but during March 1951, in the midst of the KOREAN WAR, the character drops out of college to join the Army ... leaving all the frat boys behind and acquiring new comic strip comrades; the selected surname was a tribute to a Saturday Evening Post editor, John Bailey, who encouraged Walker's artistry. The BEETLE BAILEY comic strip (and later comic book, film, and TV series) is set on a typical Army training base ("Camp Swampy") and peopled with stereotypic personalities of the era, including 'Killer' Diller (lover), Plato (intellectual), Zero (rube), Cosmo (huckster), Rocky, Julius Plewer (fussbudget), PVT Blips (flat-chested secretary), SPC Chip Gizmo (geek), CPL Yo, Cookie, SGT Louise Lugg, SFC Orville P. Snorkel ("Sarge"), LT Sonny Fuzz, LT Jack Flap, CPT Sam Scabbard, MAJ Greenbrass, Chaplain Staneglass, Doctor Bonkus, BG Amos T. Halftrack, Bunny (Beetle's girlfriend), Miss Buxley (buxom secretary), Martha Halftrack (general's wife), Otto (Sarge's dog), and Bella (Lugg's cat). Some retired characters include: Moocher, Pop, Ozone, Bammy, Snake Eyes, Dawg, and SGT Webbing. Although the story line has been updated over the years, the soldiers still wear uniforms and use equipment of the 1950s, and are posted on perpetual training or garrison duty ... none having ever served in combat. Early in its syndication, the BEETLE BAILEY comic strip was dropped from STARS AND STRIPES, allegedly because it encouraged disrespect of officers, but the resultant news coverage caused the military so much embarrassment that it was shortly reinstated, and the ensuing notoriety greatly increased its circulation. BEETLE BAILEY's sister is Lois Flagston, who became a spin-off character in the 1954 "Hi and Lois" comic strip. BEETLE BAILEY appeared intermittently as a comic book from 1953 to 1994 in productions by Dell, King, Charlton, Gold Key, and Harvey Comics. A cartoon series, entitled "Beetle Bailey and Friends", appeared on television in 1963, followed by an animated TV special in 1989.

BEGGING BOWL :

request for surplus or largess, as a field medic asking hospital staff for extra supplies; phrase imitative of Buddhist mendicants seeking alms. See SCROUNGE, CUMSHAW, WAD, SOUVENIR; compare MIDNIGHT REQUISITION.

BELAY :

to tether or restrain, as a safety anchor in RAPPELLING, that may involve body, hardware (piton, bong, SNAP-LINK, cam, nut, plate, PAD EYE, DEADEYE), natural or man-made (eg: CLEAT, BOLLARD) objects; also called cinch ("cingula") or dally ("dale vuelt"). See HARD-AND-FAST, KNOT. [v: Climbing Terms] Also, to stop or cease, disregard or rescind, as to "strike the foregoing"; compare AS YOU WERE, CARRY-ON, RECOVER.

BELIEVER :

any dead enemy soldier, as "made a believer out of him"; compare TRUE BELIEVER, see DEATH CARD, TWEP.

BELLS :

any of the half-hour units of nautical TIME [nb: the nautical day began at noon until the 20th Century]; or shipboard enunciator commands. Also, short form of Navy bell-bottom trousers in blue or white with traditional thirteen-button flap closure instead of a zippered fly, as part of the "service dress" uniform; compare DUNGAREES, see DRESS.

BELL THE CAT :

an impractical remedy or impossible solution to a pressing issue or vexing problem; by reference to the Aesop fable wherein a clever mouse proposes that a bell be tied to the cat to give all mice warning, to which suggestion a prudent mouse replies that: It's easy to propose a panacea, but who shall accomplish it? Such wisdom was a common reference among partisan IRREGULARS during the CIVIL WAR, and such unworkable assignments among SOF have lately been called "Mission Impossible", after the popular TV program featuring fantastic resolutions to extraordinary scenarios. Also expressed as "belling the cat" or a "mouse belling the cat", as when assuming extreme hazard or great risk in service or sacrifice. See OVER A BARREL, CLOUD-CUCKOO-LAND, BITTER END, FIGHT LIKE KILKENNY CATS, PYRRHIC VICTORY, TAR BABY, WHITE ELEPHANT, SHIT HIT THE FAN, CANNON FODDER, SNOWBALL, RAT RACE, SUICIDE SQUAD, SPEARHEAD, WASTED.

BELOW DECK :

the area where RATINGS and CHIEFs live and work, with the separation from "above DECK" being both functional and social; see COMPARTMENT, GOAT LOCKER, compare OFFICER'S COUNTRY, WARDROOM, TOPSIDE.

BELTWAY BANDIT :

with reference to the circumferential highway encircling the complex of national capital departments in Washington D.C., which provides ready access for fly-by-night and upstart contractors seeking to opportunistically exploit defense or government relations; sometimes acting as consultants or lobbyists. See OGA, GOCO, NGO, QUANGO, RED TAPE, GSA, GAO, PORK BARREL, THE G, FOGGY BOTTOM, UNCLE SAM; compare SAND CRAB.

BE NICE :

common expression or injunction directed at rude and crude, insensitive and overbearing Americans by Vietnamese, variously meaning "Give Me", "Shut Up", "Go Away", or "Be Good" depending upon the participants in the encountered situation.

BENSON SILK :

CODENAME for clandestine introduction of counterfeit NVN money into enemy territory; said funds were accountable, and were signed-out prior to each mission. The intent of this project was not to destabilize the NVN economy (which was already quite artificial and extremely vulnerable), but to plant a sum of money, in a camp or on a corpse, large enough to create mistrust, engender suspicion, and demoralize the soldiers. The money was only a TRIGGER for PSYOPS. The allegation that this counterfeit currency, ostensibly created by patriotic forgers specifically released from prison pursuant to a mafia concordat with the federal government, was introduced to wreck the communist economy by devaluation is pure fantasy; since the triple digit inflation of NVN could not be checked by any external influence, and SRV's money has remained among the world's three least valuable currencies for the past forty years. See DONG, LEGAL TENDER.

BERET :

the world's worst style of HEADGEAR, providing neither shade nor protective COVER, but by metonymic imitation of WWII commandos and paratroopers, has acquired sufficient prestige to cause the U.S. Army to adopt the black beret as standard issue in the year 2000; retaining red berets (cf: RED HATS) for AIRBORNE units, the GREEN BERET for Special Forces units, and reverting to the tan beret for RANGER units. See BLACK HATS, BLANKET HEAD, HEADGEAR. [nb: U.S. Army RANGERs resisted imposition of the tan beret, claiming precedence with the black beret when both TANKERs and OPFOR were also wearing it, falsely attributing its wear to their antecedent Colonial units, such as Rogers' Rangers, except that this British unit still exists as a Canadian territorial unit based in Toronto, and their lineage clearly shows that they originally wore blue-green 'Scotch Bonnets'; the tan beret is quite respectably worn by British and ANZAC Special Air Service (SAS) regiments] [nb: a Balmoral hat, which somewhat resembles a beret, and is traditionally blue (from the campaigning dress of the Blue Bonnets), and is often accented with a surrounding "diced" pattern (called "checky" after an accounting process of the Stewarts or High Stewards, from which "exchequer" derives) that symbolizes guardianship and protection; the boat-shaped Glengarry hats are of 19th century military origin]

BERLIN AIRLIFT :

initiated from June 1948 to September 1949 in response to a land and water blockade of Berlin by the Soviet Union, this massive relief effort entailed the provision of vital necessities by air transport to West Berlin ... some 277,000 flights were made around-the-clock, many at 3-minute intervals, during this airlift which delivered 8000 tons of food and fuel each day to the two million isolated residents. Although the blockade was lifted in May 1949 when the USSR determined that the Allies could not be forced to abandon the city, the supply of essential goods continued for several more months, ensuring against a recurrence. See CHOCOLATE BOMBARDIER.

BERLIN WALL :

a guarded concrete wall, 28 miles long, with minefields and controlled checkpoints, erected across Berlin by East Germany (aka: "Soviet Germany") in 1961 and dismantled in 1989; known as the "Peace Wall" by the USSR. See BIG FIVE, BERLIN AIRLIFT; compare STAR WARS, MAGINOT LINE, SMEZ, IRON CURTAIN, BAMBOO CURTAIN, BAR LEV LINE, CACTUS CURTAIN, McNAMARA'S WALL, McNAMARA LINE, CHINESE WALL, DEW LINE, PHASE LINE. [cf: Hadrian's Wall, Antonine Wall, Great Wall of China] [nb: "The strength of a wall is neither greater nor less than the men who defend it." by Genghis Khan]

BERM :

a rise or swell in the ground, such as a dike or a dirt parapet around fortifications; or an artificial rampart imitative of such an obstacle. Also, a hedgerow or foliated area, such as field separations; and sometimes known as "berm line". See COVER, REVETMENT, BLAST WALL, DEFILADE, BANQUETTE, BUTT, FACE. [cf: escarp, scarp/escarpment, counterscarp]

BERTH :

a shelflike sleeping space, as aboard ship or train; see RACK. Also, a position or placement, as a duty assignment or duty post; see BILLET, ON STATION. Also, the space allocated for a vessel to dock or moor; see WHARF.

BEST AND BRIGHTEST :

ironic reference to those privileged and educated idealists who were responsible for the terrible and tragic mismanagement of American foreign and domestic policies during the Vietnam era; as derived from "The Best and the Brightest" by David Halberstam (1972). Specifically identifies political WISE MEN advisers who rationalized inappropriate decisions ("the end justifies the means"), but has since been extended to the immorality of the "military industrial complex". Phrase derives from a 1811 hymn by Reginald Heber: "brightest and best of the sons of the morning". In 1822, Percy Bysshe Shelley penned the line: "Best and brightest, come away!", in his poem "To Jane: An Invitation. In 1840, Thomas Carlyle used a similar phrase: "What is aristocracy? A corporation of the best, of the bravest" in his "Chartism". See WHIZ KID, WISE MEN, MANDARIN, FRUIT FLY, YOUNG LIONS, SILENT MAJORITY, DECENT INTERVAL, DOMINO THEORY, APOCALYPSE, RUMOR, DISINFORMATION. [v: Do-Well, Do-But, and Do-Best in "Piers Plowman"] [v: know-it-all, besserwisser; realpolitik, machtpolitik] [v: Myths of the Vietnam War]

BETEL :

an East Indian pepper plant, also called "betel pepper", the leaves of which are chewed with other ingredients as a mild intoxicant.

BETEL NUT :

the astringent seed kernel of the betel palm, chewed with slaked lime and betel leaves as a mild intoxicant that turns teeth pearly black or nacreous maroon.

BFD :

literally "Big Fucking Deal"; often used sardonically.

B4 / B-4 :

see FLIGHT BAG.

B-5 FRONT :

Communist military unit in Quang Tri and Thua Thien provinces; see MAIN FORCE.

BIATHLON :

an athletic competition in which cross-country (Nordic) skiers, carrying rifles, shoot at targets at four intervals along a 20km (12.5mi) course. Also, an athletic contest comprising any two consecutive events. Compare TRIATHLON, PENTATHLON, DECATHLON; see PT, PFT, AIRBORNE SHUFFLE, TRUSCOTT TROT, WAR GAMES.

BIB :

in the U.S. Navy, that portion of an enlisted sailor's uniform that hangs from the back of the neck; originating as a scarf tied around the neck so as to protect the uniform from stains when sailors wore their hair long and kept it neat with ship's tar, and said scarf was eventually incorporated into the official uniform. Also, the front flap on the traditional sailor's uniform trousers that is secured by thirteen buttons; also known as a "Marine bib" to imply CHOWING DOWN or giving HEAD when being vulgar and offensive.

THE BIBLE :

FM 22-5 Drill and Ceremonies, being the standard training guide for close-order or dismounted drill, and the most common reference for the proper conduct of all military events. See ATTENTION, PARADE REST, AT EASE, DISMISS, SALUTE, HIGH BALL, SPIT 'n' POLISH, CLOSE ORDER, EYE-BALL, GUNDECKING, MANUAL OF ARMS, ORDER, SCRIPTURES. [cf: vade mecum] [nb: The military "bible" should've been FM 100-5 Operations, FM 31-22 U.S. Army Counterinsurgency Forces, FM 31-18 Long Range Patrols, or the like. There is usually enough physical distance between the MLR/FEBA and the rear area such that leaders will emphasize the military mission (function) over formal protocol (form); but the admixture in the VIETNAM WAR contributed to combat stress and discipline problems, culminating in TICKET-PUNCHING and FRAGGING.]

BIET :

(bick) Vietnamese term for "know", to discern or apprehend, be cognizant; compare KHUNG BIET.

BIG BROTHER :

the aggregate of powerful officials and policymakers of a totalitarian regime that keeps its citizens under close surveillance; after the Orwellian leader ("Big Brother Is Watching You!") in Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949), who was based upon Joseph V. UNCLE JOE Stalin. Also, the NICKNAME of the classified database setup by the Clinton Administration to catalogue background information on ordinary Americans, with cross-references to military, financial, medical, and other databases.

BIG EYE :

initial designation applied to airborne radar project; see COLLEGE EYE.

BIG FIVE :

referring to the United States, Great Britain, France, Italy, and Japan during World War I, and at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919. Also, referring to the United States, Soviet Union, Great Britain, China, and France after World War II; compare ABCD, see ALLY, UN, NATO, LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

BIGGER BANG FOR THE BUCK :

catch-phrase by SECDEF Charles W. Wilson, which encapsulated the John Foster Dulles doctrine (1954) of "massive retaliatory power", which was immediately condensed to "massive retaliation" by the media, and this deterrence was derisively ascribed as "brinkmanship". Like STRATEGIC BOMBING, this policy ignores the many painful lessons of history (ie: short of extermination, weapons cannot defeat determined resistance), and it attempts to substitute force for technique, power for control, and machines for men. Spending defense dollars on things instead of people is a false economy because, if any of the weapons ever need to be used, the budget must include both replacements and people to perform the mission that the remote weapons cannot accomplish. And, if the CADRE of experience has been purged by reductions in force (RIF), then it is probable that neither weapons nor people will be able to solve the problem. See MAD, OVERKILL, compare GRADUATED RESPONSE.

BIGHT :

a looped or slack part of a ROPE; see KNOT. [v: Climbing Terms] Also, a bend or curve in the shoreline of a sea or river; see NECK. Also, a body of water bounded by such a bend, as a bay or gulf.

THE BIG PX IN THE SKY :

heaven, paradise; an after-life of luxury and comfort (not Valhalla or Nirvana). Compare HAPPY VALLEY, LAND OF THE BIG PX.

BIG LIE :

a false statement of outrageous magnitude employed as a PROPAGANDA measure in the belief that a lesser falsehood would not be credible; . See FRUIT FLY, SECRET AGENT, RUMOR, CONTROLLED INFORMATION, DISINFORMATION, DECEPTION, PSYOPS.

BIG PICTURE :

a wider view or broader perspective of a given problem or issue, that's ostensibly objective and typically macrocosmic; as distinguished from subjective and microcosmic, which are often alleged too trifling or picayune. This preference for "ends" over "means" tends to devalue, if not disregard, individualistic motives and efforts, except those pertaining to the commanders, politicians, nabobs and other movers-and-shakers. See PARTY LINE, TOE THE LINE, SCRIPTURES, NATIONAL SECURITY. [v: micromanagement, anti-hero; cf: "The breeze from the flutter of a butterfly's wings will create a storm in the next valley."]

BIG RED ONE :

1st Inf Div

NICKNAME for the 1st Infantry Division, based on the red numeral "1" over the Olive Green background as the division shoulder patch. Inspired the catch-phrase "If you're gonna be one, be a BIG RED ONE!!". Also known as the "Bloody Red One", "Bloody One", "Big Dead One", and "BRO". The divisional BASE CAMP was NICKNAMEd "Little Appalachia" due to its close resemblance to a remote poverty area.

BIG SHOTGUN :

a recoilless rifle using CANISTER anti-personnel ammunition; see RR, LAW, compare SHOTGUN.

BIG STICK DIPLOMACY :

in international relations, the backing of negotiations with the implied or implicit threat of military force; that's based upon Theodore Roosevelt's 1900 policy statement adapted from a West African proverb, "speak softly and carry a big stick", as successfully employed in the 1902-4 Alaskan boundry dispute and in the second Venezuelan crisis. Compare GUNBOAT DIPLOMACY, PING-PONG DIPLOMACY; see BLOODY SHIRT, SABER-RATTLING, GUNPOINT, CROSS THE RUBICON, DECENT INTERVAL, HOT PURSUIT, RULES OF ENGAGEMENT (ROE), FAIL-SAFE, PROMISE, TRUCE, LAWS OF WAR.

BIG STUFF :

tactical air ordnance or artillery fire support; compare HEAVY STUFF.

BIG WILLIE :

slang for a COMBAT LOADED pallet of essential resupply (eg: AMMO, food, water, medicine, etc) and support weaponry (eg: LAWs, CLAYMOREs, GRENADEs, etc) that's AIRDROPped on a DZ to troops already deployed in the field on operation.

BIKINI :

a remote atoll of the Marshall Islands in the northern Pacific, which was the site of atomic bomb testing, targeted at the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga and the battleship USS arkansas, in 1946; see ZERO POINT, GROUND ZERO, OVERKILL, CBR, FOOTBALL, PENTAGONAL, PAPER TIGER, DARPA, BIGGER BANG FOR THE BUCK, NUKE, YELLOWCAKE, HEAVY WATER, HOT GREASE, SCRAM, CONTAINMENT, BROKEN ARROW. Also, toponym for the brief, close-fitting, two-piece woman's bathing suit, which was introduced as an "explosive" fashion to capitalize on the notoriety of the atomic test site.

BILGE :

either of the rounded areas that form the transition between the bottom and the sides on the exterior of a HULL; derived by alteration of "bulge". Also, an enclosed area at the bottom of a vessel where seepage collects; usually called "bilges". Also, the seepage collected in this space; also called "bilge water". Also, slang for foolish talk or worthless ideas; nonsense, claptrap, malarkey, CONFETTI, SNOW, BLOW SMOKE.

BILLED CAP :

slang for the service cap, also called "brim cap", "wheel hat", and "saucer cap", as worn by all branches and grades with variations of color, style, and insignia; see SCRAMBLED-EGGS, CUNT CAP, BERET, HEADGEAR. [nb: a Balmoral hat, which somewhat resembles a beret, and is traditionally blue (from the campaigning dress of the Blue Bonnets), and is often accented with a surrounding "diced" pattern (called "checky" after an accounting process of the Stewarts or High Stewards, from which "exchequer" derives) that symbolizes guardianship and protection; the boat-shaped Glengarry hats are of 19th century military origin]

BILLET :

a bed, bunk, or BERTH assigned to a member of the military; see RACK, HAMMOCK, FART SACK, HOSPITAL CORNER, HOOCH, SUDS ROW, NOB HILL, BOQ, VOQ, SAFE HOUSE, GUARDHOUSE, BUTLER BUILDING, SEA HUT, QUONSET HUT, HUTMENT, TEAMHOUSE, HOOCH, LONG HOUSE, SHEBANG, QTRS, PRIME RIBS. [v: bield, bower, cabin, cottage, cabana, lodge, earth lodge, hogan] Also, non-military lodging for a soldier in a public building or a private dwelling. Also, an official order directing the addressee to provide such lodging or accommodation. Also, a job, position, or appointment.

BINGO :

pilot's PROWORD term for the point in a flight when there's only enough fuel remaining to return to base (RTB); compare JOKER, see ENDURANCE, DROP-TANK, POD, DROGUE, TANKER.

BINH TRAM :

Vietnamese name for the infiltration route defense and trail maintenance unit; see TRAIL WATCHER, HO CHI MINH TRAIL.

BINJO MARU :

name given to the White River.

BINNACLE :

a stand or housing for a nautical compass; derived from lodge. See GIMBAL, DEAD-RECKONING.

BIPOD :

a two-part or two-legged supportive stand that may be attached to or extended from the forward portion, forearm, or barrel of many firearms, especially automatic RIFLEs and machineguns (MG); each extension is usually independently adjustable, as for leveling a MORTAR. Compare TRIPOD, PINTLE.

BIRD :

any aircraft, including AARDVARK, APACHE, ATCA, BEAVER, BIRD DOG, BLACKBIRD, BLACKHAWK, BLADDER BIRD, BRONCO, BUFF, CANBERRA, CARGOMASTER, CARIBOU, CATALINA, CAYUSE, CHINOOK, COBRA, COMANCHE, COMMANDO, CORSAIR, COUGAR, CRUSADER, DAKOTA, DELTA DAGGER, DELTA DART, DRAGONFLY, DRAGON LADY, DUMBO, EAGLE, FAT ALBERT, FIGHTING FALCON, FLYING BOAT, FLYING BOXCAR, FLYING COW, FLYING CRANE, FLYING FORTRESS, FREEDOM BIRD, FREEDOM FIGHTER, GALAXY, GLIDER, GLOBEMASTER, GOONEY BIRD, GOSHAWK, GREYHOUND, HARRIER, HELLCAT, HERCULES, HORNET, HUEY/IROQUOIS, HUN, HUSKY, INTRUDER, IROQUOIS/HUEY, JAYHAWK, JETSTAR, JOLLY GREEN GIANT, KINGBEE, KIOWA, LANCER, LIBERATOR, LIFTMASTER, LIGHTNING, LIGHTNING II, LITTLE BIRD, MARLIN, MOHAWK, MOSQUITO, NEPTUNE, NIGHTHAWK, NIGHTINGALE, ORION, OSPREY, OTTER, PHANTOM, PROVIDER, PUFF, RAPTOR, SABRE, SEA COBRA, SEA HAWK, SEA KING, SEA KNIGHT, SEA SPRITE, SEA STALLION, SHAWNEE, SHOOTING STAR, SIOUX, SKYHAWK, SKYMASTER, SKYNIGHT, SKYRAIDER, SKYWARRIOR, SPERM, SPIRIT, STARFIGHTER, STARLIFTER, STRATOFORTRESS, STRATOJET, STRATOTANKER, STRIKE EAGLE, SUPER FORTRESS, SUPER HORNET, SUPER SABRE, TALON, THUNDERBOLT, THUNDERCHIEF/THUD, TIGER II, TIGERSHARK, TOMCAT, TROJAN, TWIN OTTER, UTE, VIGILANTE, VOODOO, WACO, WALLABEE, WARTHOG, WILD WEASEL. Aircraft prefixes include: A = attack (aka: "ground attack"); AC = armed cargo; AH = attack helicopter; AV = attack vertical (VTOL); AT = advanced trainer; B = bomber; BT = basic trainer; C = cargo; CA = cargo assault; CG = cargo glider; CH = cargo helicopter; D = drone; E = electronic warfare; EB = electronic bomber; EW = electronic warfare; F = fighter (interceptor); FA = fighter attack (multi-role); H = helicopter; HH = heavy helicopter; HMM = helicopter medium Marine; J = test / temporary; K = (refuel) tanker; KC = kerosene cargo tanker; L = light (fixed wing); LH = light helicopter; LOH = light observation helicopter; M = multi-mission; MH = minesweeper helicopter; N = test - permanent; O = observation; OH = observation helicopter; OV = observation (fixed wing); P = patrol; Q = target; R = reconnaissance; RC = radio/RADAR reconnaissance cargo; RV = radio/RADAR reconnaissance (fixed wing); S = anti-submarine; SR = strategic reconnaissance; T = trainer; U = utility (fixed wing); UC = utility cargo; UH = utility helicopter; V = executive (VIP); W = weather; X = experimental; Y = prototype; Z = lighter-than-air. [nb: during WWI, USN/USMC designated "heavier than air" craft as 'V' (eg: aeroplane, biplane, glider), and "lighter than air" craft as 'Z' (eg: airship, blimp, dirigible)] [v: An Aerobatics and Aviation Lexicon] Compare CHOPPER; see PILOT, AC, BIRDMAN, AIRDALE, BIRD DOG, JET JOCKEY, PETER PILOT, GOOD STICK, SEAT TIME, BUSH PILOT, FUF, GIB, WSO, BEAR, EWO, RSO, RIO, IP, NICKEL RIDE, LINK TRAINER, PITCH, YAW, ROLL, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT, TRIM, STALL, CRAB, JINK, BANK, YANK 'n' BANK, CHECK RIDE, UP CHECK, BARNSTORMER, SILVER EAGLES, BLUE ANGELS, THUNDERBIRDS, SKYBLAZERS, MISSING MAN FORMATION, FLYOVER, FINGER FOUR, TOP GUN, RED FLAG, DREAMLAND, HAWC, AEROBATICS, MACH, FAST MOVER, SLOW MOVER, MUD MOVER, PAYLOAD, BOMB FARM, APRON, TAXIWAY, THRESHOLD, CATAPULT, TOUCHDOWN, BOUNCE, RUNWAY, LIMA SITE, STOL, VTOL, VSTOL, DIRTY, NOSE, SPINNER, FAIRING, COWLING, COCKPIT, FUSELAGE, NACELLE, WING, TAILBOOM, TAB, FIN, RUDDER, FLAP, PANCAKE, GROUND LOOP, NOSEDIVE, AUGER-IN, ALUMINUM RAIN, BLACK BOX, ALS, PADDLES, BURBLE, NIGHT TRAP, BOLTER, BOUNCE, TAILHOOK, SPLASHDOWN, FEET WET, THE DRINK, CUPID, ANGEL, SHORT ORBIT, DOUBLE DRIFT, VFR, POPEYE, IMC, IIMC, ABSOLUTE ALTITUDE, VOR, VECTOR, BEAM, MEACONING, RRA, STRIP ALERT, AIR LANE, ORBIT, RACETRACK, STACK, CAP, UMBRELLA, FCSL, NO FLY ZONE, SQUAWK, IR MARKERS, BROWN-OUT, WHITEOUT, ZERO-ZERO, FLAT LIGHT, VISUAL, BOGIE, BANDIT, TALLY-HO, JOY, SCRAM, HUD, BITCHIN' BETTY, JOYSTICK, STICK, PICKLE, DIVETOSS, AVIONICS, INTERVALOMETER, ACE, SPLASH, SORTIE, TAC-AIR, AIR STRIKE, CAS, STRAFE, GUN RUN, SMOOGE, SLEEVE, APU, REVETMENT, HANGAR, ACOOC, HANGAR QUEEN, WINDSOCK, BINGO, JOKER, PETROL, POL, TOP-OFF, HOT-FUELING, AIR AMBULANCE, CREW DOG, PENGUIN, WING WIPER, GROUND HOG, GROUNDED. [nb: all aircraft designs are a compromise between stability and maneuverability; but the cost of military aircraft has quadrupled each decade from their inception to the present]

BIRD DOG :

the Piper L-4 / l-5, Cessna L-19, or O-1A /-E, being a light, propeller-driven, single-engine, high fixed-wing, two-seat monoplane used by USA/USAF/USMC for liaison, observation, and forward air control (FAC) missions. Also, a metonym for the PILOT of such an aircraft flying such missions. Also, to trace, track, seek, follow, investigate, study, observe, watch, watch carefully, or supervise in a determined, relentless, or obtrusive manner; see SNOOPER, WATCHER. Also, slang for the misappropriation or attempted stealing of another person's (male or female) date.

BIRD FARM :

airport or landing strip, especially parking aprons or ramps with REVETMENTs. Compare MOTOR POOL.

BIRDMAN :

WWI aviator

an aviator, or anyone associated with aircraft or flying. See PILOT, JET JOCKEY, FUF, FAG, AIRDALE, BROWN SHOE / BOOT, ZOOMIE, ROTOR HEAD, WOBBLY, WOP, PROP JOCKEY, CREW DOG, Q-COURSE, GOOD STICK, SEAT TIME; compare PENGUIN, WING WIPER, GROUND HOG, GROUNDED. [v: An Aerobatics and Aviation Lexicon] [nb: flying truism: Any landing the crew can walk away from is a "good" landing; and any landing that leaves the plane in a condition to be used again is a "great" landing!]

BIRD UMBRELLA :

SP7

slang reference to any sleeve RANK insignia showing an eagle with one or more ROCKERs arching above it, especially the old Army Specialist RATINGs, but also includes Chief Petty Officers. See SPEC, MOSQUITO SMILE, SWINE LOG, SARGE, CHIEF, GUNNY, SUPER GRADE, NCO, BUZZARD.

BIRTH CONTROL DEVICE :

military issue eyeglasses, also called "birth control glasses" (BCG); a universal barrier and ubiquitous impairment to sexual relations devised by Pentagon geeks and Congressional dweebs to limit paternity suits. In the case of female servicemembers wearing these military issue spectacles, they are known as a "rape prevention device". See THE PILL, PRO KIT, DOUBLE-O.

BIT :

Built-In Test, being an operator actuated test of the readiness or functionality of an electronic system that's integrated into a device or weapon without activating it; it's a command initiated form of the Power On Self Test (POST) subroutine that automatically scrutinizes a digital device whenever its operating system is launched. This internal survey assures the user that the device or weapon will operate properly when so directed.

BITCH :

to complain, gripe, grumble; being the paramount DUTY of every soldier, and therefore the primary indicator of troop morale. Also, to ruin, spoil, bungle something; see SOL, FUCKED-UP. Also, anything difficult or unpleasant; compare BASTARD. Also, any female animal or person, pre-menstrual or post-coital, inebriated or expurgated; see DISTAFF, SKIRT, SQUEAK, RUNTS 'n' CUNTS, DRAG, CAMP FOLLOWER, CAMPAIGN WIFE, SHACK-JOB, SLEEPING DICTIONARY, HAPPY VALLEY, STRANGE, SPLIT, SNATCH, FLYING BRAVO; compare PRICK, CU, ONIONS.

BITCH BOX :

slang for the intercom system connecting offices or departments within a building, or building to building within a unit (as from ORDERLY ROOM to BARRACKS), also known as a SQUAWK BOX; as derived from complain or gripe (bitching, bitchy). Compare BLOWER, HORN, PBX, TANNOY, 1-MC, TOCSIN, KLAXON.

BITCHIN' BETTY :

slang for the synthesized female voice that automatically announces changes and warnings detected by the control and survey computers in an operational aircraft; also called "naggin' Nancy". It should be noted that a psychological study in the 1950s determined that a feminine voice, with its maternal and sexual associations, was preferable whenever alerts or precautions needed to be announced; however, with the increase in announcements, the changes in American society, and the introduction of female aircrew, the negative aspects of the feminine voice, including its pitch and clarity, are now outweighing its original selection impetus. See SQUAWK, SCRAM, SCRAMBLE; compare BITCH BOX, BLOWER, HORN, PBX, TANNOY, 1-MC, TOCSIN, KLAXON.

BITE THE BULLET :

to require oneself to endure hardship or PAIN courageously, to compel oneself to face trouble or adversity with fortitude, to force oneself to behave stoically; as when resisting manfully by clenching on a lead bullet. See V-DEVICE, BRAGGING RIGHTS, COUNT COUP, WATCH MY SMOKE, GUTS, MOXIE, BEARING, ONIONS, DIEHARD, HERO, SLOW MATCH, WINTER SOLDIER.

BITE THE DUST :

a euphemism for sudden or violent death, as in battle, that was made popular by Western novels and films, and has been commonly used by MIL-PERS since WWII; the expression originated as "May many of his men fall about him prone in the dust and bite the earth!" by Homer [The Iliad]. See BUY THE FARM, WASTED, ZAPPED, CHECK OUT, BITTER END; compare BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK, A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE. [nb: "shuffled off this mortal coil", from the "to be or not to be" soliloquy (Hamlet by William Shakespeare), refers not to cyclical or inevitable death, but to the confused intrigues of life's affairs ... "Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep; No more; and by a sleep to say we end The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks That flesh is heir to, 'tis a consummation Devoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep; To sleep; perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub; For in that sleep of death what dreams may come When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause...."] [cf: And we are here as on a darkling plain / Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight, / Where ignorant armies clash by night" by Matthew Arnold, Dover Beach]

BITTER END :

the inboard end of an anchor chain or other line; probably a corruption of "bitt end" as the secured end of a LINE or CABLE. Also, the conclusion to any difficult circumstance or unpleasant situation; compare TAR BABY, BELL THE CAT, FIGHT LIKE KILKENNY CATS, PYRRHIC VICTORY; see SHIT HIT THE FAN, DEEP SHIT, SNOWBALL, DOG'S CHANCE, BUY THE FARM, ZAP / ZAPPED, WASTED, CHECK OUT, BITE THE DUST.

BIVOUAC :

an impermanent military encampment, made with TENTs or improvised shelters, or the place used for such an encampment; sometimes NICKNAMEd "tent city". Derived from auxiliary patrol or by-watch; see BASE CAMP, HUTMENT, FOB, COMPANY STREET, PUP TENT, BOHIO, SHEBANG.

BIVY :

a fitted cover secured over the mummy-style sleeping bag, and serving as external protection from abrasion or weather. Also, a waterproof bag or "stuff-sack" intended for stowing a sleeping bag, but widely used for other utilitarian storage. See FART SACK, AWOL BAG, MUSETTE, DUFFEL, WAR BAG, FLIGHT BAG.

BLACK :

figuratively secret, covert, or clandestine; see THUNDER TIGER, SOG [nb: the law required that oversight commissions be informed of all "Black Operations" after completion]. Also, figuratively harmful or lethal, as "Black Arts" used in special operations; see UW. Also, figuratively illicit, as the "Black Market" or "Black Marketeering"; see MIDNIGHT REQUISITION. Also, figurative censure or disgrace, as a "Black Mark" on the record; see GIG, CALL ON THE CARPET. Also, figuratively bad or evil, as the allegedly incurable "Black Syph", which RUMOR mongers claim accounts for all the MIAs and is the true origin of AIDS; see SHORT ARM. Also, figuratively morbid; as grim satire or gallows humor. Also, figuratively inoperative, as a broken mechanism or an empty weapon. Also, literally undetectible, as a negative chiaroscuro image during infrared (IR) scanning. Also, any individual member of the dark-skinned peoples of Africa, Oceania, Antilles, and Australia, especially an Afro-American; also known as "negro" [ety: niger], "creole", or "colored"; see BUFFALO SOLDIER, SPOOK, SMOKE, LEROY, SPEAR-CHUCKER, NUBUSH, WOG, WOP, DESEGREGATION. [aka: bro/brother, homeboy/homey, ebony, blood, dinge, shade, darky, spade, shine, brownie, Billy Reuben (bilirubin), boogie, coon, Americoon, Africoon, buck, jungle bunny (cf: CHOCOLATE BUNNY), nappy, Afro, brillo, 8-ball, cotton ball, cotton-picker, lawn jockey, porch monkey, yard ape, jig/jigga/jigaboo, et cetera ad nauseam] [nb: the term 'kafir', being Arabic for an infidel or unbeliever (cf: goy/goyim), is probably the origin of 'kaffir', which is a derogatory reference to BLACK people; the term was probably imported into South Africa during the Boer War by British soldiers who had fought in the Sudanese campaign] [nb: the Portuguese word for slave pens or barracks ("baracoons") is probably the origin of the racial slur 'coon', referring to BLACK people]

BLACK BAG :

(forthcoming); metonymic euphemism, "black bag job"

BLACKBIRD :

Lockheed SR-71 surveillance aircraft, designated "Strategic Reconnaissance", had a self-annealing titanium shell, and could fly faster than Mach 3; see DREAMLAND [nb: the SR-71 holds the speed record of 2,193.17 mph for a piloted air-breathing jet airplane; but NASA's experimental scramjet-powered pilotless X-43A has bested this, almost reaching Mach 7 (about 5,000 mph) and Mach 10 (about 6,800 mph) in brief test flights during 2004]. Also, slang reference to any STERILE or BLACK aircraft employed in covert operations, regardless of configuration; see GREEN HORNET.

BLACK BLOC :

an affinity group of demonstrators who make common cause with other sympathetic antiestablishment factions so as to opportunistically employ shared tactics against their separate objectives; some elements are notable for their vandalism and sabotage, while others are typically pacifistic. The wearing of black-colored clothing and face masks is a technique used to enhance the group's presence, to imply unity and solidarity, to promote a revolutionary atmosphere, and to avoid personal identification by authorities. Although BLACK FLAGs have been traditionally associated with nihilism and anarchism, the BLACK BLOC ostensibly derived from the autonomen movements in Germany during the 1980s, where they were identified as "der schwarze Block" by the media, with their first appearance in America as anti-war picketers of the GULF WAR in February 1991. See NEW MOBE, NCC, PROTESTOR, BEST AND BRIGHTEST, BULLSHITVIK, FIFTH COLUMN, YIPPIE.

BLACK BOX :

an electronic device aboard an aircraft that automatically records certain aspects of the aircraft's performance in flight; properly known as a "flight recorder" [nb: Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR)], it is actually colored high-visibility orange, and is designed to endure impact, fire, and immersion. Also, any unit that forms part of an electronic circuit that has its function but not its components specified. Also, any concealed or protected container, often small and lockable, intended for the safe and secure storage of sensitive or secret materials, the unauthorized opening of which may have disastrous or catastrophic consequences; a complex box of mysteries, not unlike Pandora's Box.

BLACK DEVIL :

FSSF

unofficial mascot and talisman of the First Special Service Force (FSSF), a joint Canadian-USA unit that passed its WWII lineage to the US Army SPECIAL FORCES (USSF / SF); as derived from Nazi German attribution of "camouflaged devils" with superior fighting ability. Compare BULLDOG, GODDAM.

BLACK FLAG :

symbol for total war, take no prisoners, show no mercy; traditionally associated with nihilism and anarchism. Compare RED FLAG; see STRIKE THE FLAG, WHITE FLAG, FALSE FLAG, SHOW THE FLAG, YELLOW JACK. [nb: the so-called "Jolly Roger", featuring a skull with crossed bones on a black field, that was purportedly flown by pirates, as a declaration of "no quarter" and "non-alliance", originated as the "Jolie Rouge", a plain red flag]

BLACK GANG :

nautical slang for the engine room crew, formerly stokers and GREASE MONKEYs, but now technicians and mechanical engineers; see MECH, SNIPE, GASOLINE ALLEY.

BLACK HATS :

a black-colored baseball-style cap worn by AIRBORNE instructors at the US Army Infantry School. Similar non-uniform cap affixed with the "winged torch" device was adopted for wear by VN-era PATHFINDERs. During the post-VN era, when drill sergeants (DI) no longer wore the WWI campaign hat, and before the Army-wide adoption of the beret, a BLACK baseball-style HAT was worn by training CADRE. Compare RIGGER, RED HATS, GREEN BERET. [nb: when 5th SFGAbn departed RVN on 5 March 1971, the cover assignment for SOG ADVISORs was changed to USARV; so berets were no longer authorized, hence the distinctive (but unofficial) BLACK baseball-style HAT was adopted by SOGgies]

BLACKHAWK :

the UH-/MH-60 helicopter, successor to HUEY; also designated SEA HAWK and JAYHAWK, and commonly called "Hawk". See CHOPPER.

BLACKJACK :

operational designation for several Mobile Guerrilla Force (MGF) missions; including Blackjack-33 with Project Sigma in III CTZ from 27 April to 24 May 1967; and Blackjack-41 from 13 May 1967 parachute jump into Seven Mountains region of IV CTZ and evolving into combined US/ARVN Operation Attleboro. Named after sobriquet of 5th SFGAbn commander, COL Francis J. Kelly; who was also known as "Splash" for his magnetic attraction to water when parachuting. See GREEKS, MIKE FORCE, STRIKER. Also, NICKNAME of John Joseph Pershing, commander of AEF in WWI, obtained from his preference for command of BUFFALO SOLDIERs (while George Armstrong Custer refused such assignments, believing them to be harmful to his reputation and career); see PERSHING, OPEN WAR, GASPER, DOG TAGS.

BLACK LADY MOUNTAIN :

a distinctive topographic terrain feature in Tay Ninh province, about 100km northwest of Saigon, being a solitary prominence that abruptly rises 800m from the surrounding landscape; this landmark, called "Nui Ba Den" in Vietnamese, takes its name from the legend of a woman who went to pray for the safe return of her warrior husband and, when threatened by bandits, threw herself off of this sheer escarpment. Long the site of a Buddhist shrine, and riddled with caves that were intermittently occupied by GUERRILLAs throughout the VIETNAM WAR, it hosted a VECTOR and radio relay (RR) site for Allied forces. Compare MARBLE MOUNTAIN; see FISHHOOK, PARROT'S BEAK, DOG'S FACE, ELEPHANT'S FOOT, ANGEL'S WING. [cf: "Helen's Dome", near Fort Bowie in Arizona Territory, as the site of a promontory from which a woman lept to escape violation by marauding Apaches]

BLACK MAGIC :

the NICKNAME for the M-16A1 assault rifle; that was more cynically identified as WIDOW MAKER, or by the popular catch-phrase "if it's Mattel it's swell". The M-16 was the standard American assault rifle used in Vietnam after 1966, shooting 5.56mm/2.23cal ammo in either semi- or full-automatic modes. Originating as a plastic-housed version of the M-14A2, the Stoner AR-15 evolved through hundreds of changes before becoming a reliable infantry rifle. There is no such thing as an "ideal weapon", but only one best suited for the intended purpose from the compromised exchange of options; for example, the "inferior" Brown Bess musket was short, heavy, and effective only to 50yds, but could mount a bayonet and reload four times faster than the "superior" Pennsylvania rifle, which had an effective range of 200yds. See TUPPERWARE, BURST, MAG, ACTIV, CAR / XM-177E2, RIFLE, OVER 'n' UNDER.

BLACKOUT :

using light discipline and masks; usually entails hooded or slit aperture lamps, red-lens lights, and draped windows or doorways; see NIGHT TRAP, compare CHRISTMAS TREE. Also, obstruction of communications media, or suppression of particular information broadcast by some medium; censorship. Also, a partial loss of memory, or a total loss of consciousness; see PTSD, FLASHBACK, THOUSAND-YARD STARE, TELESCOPING, ZOMBIE, FIGHT-OR-FLIGHT, G-SUIT.

BLACK SHOE / BOOT :

among sailors, anyone serving in the sea-going Fleet; among soldiers, the New Breed or Modern Army. Compare BROWN SHOE / BOOT; see FOOTWEAR.

BLADDER :

large, heavy-duty, rubberized, collapsible drum ranging from 2,000 to 50,000 gallons for POL products; also called "bowser". See BLIVET, PETROL, HOT-FUELING, TOP-OFF; compare POD, WATER BUFFALO, LISTER BAG.

BLADDER BAG :

collapsible CANTEEN, up to 1 gallon capacity; see WATER PURIFICATION TABLET.

BLADDER BIRD :

see FLYING COW.

BLADE TIME :

a meter measuring helicopter engine usage relative to mandatory maintenance, hence the informal reference for available helicopter hours that can be allocated to each unit for operational flights, logistical support, command and control.

BLANK :

a CARTRIDGE or SHELL loaded with gunpowder and primer, but without a BULLET, as used in training, WAR GAMEs, and SALUTEs; also called a "blank cartridge" or "blank shell", as derived from "white" meaning void or empty. Compare SIM-AMMO, MILES; see AMMO.

BLANKET DIVISION :

1st Cav Div

NICKNAME of the First Cavalry Division; derived from the size and design (depicts a saddle blanket) of the unit shoulder patch. Formally called "First Team". FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION: during the nineteenth century, American cavalry units were horse-mounted troops designed to survey enemy positions and provide SCREENs for in-coming infantry units. The horse-mounted cavalry gave way during the twentieth century to armored personnel carriers and tanks. A major innovation of the VIETNAM WAR was the use of air cavalry units where troops are moved into battlefield positions by helicopters. The FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION was one of the main air cavalry units in Southeast Asia. Originally activated in 1921, the First Cavalry Division fought (dismounted) in the Pacific during World War II and later in Korea. In 1965 the division's flag was taken from Korea and presented to the experimental 11th Air Assault Division, which became the First Cavalry Division (Airmobile). (The former First Cavalry Division, still in Korea, became the new 2nd Infantry Division.) The division was deployed to South Vietnam in September 1965 and was the first full division to arrive in the country. It was almost immediately in battle in the Ia Drang Valley. The division won a Presidential Unit Citation for its fierce fighting. During 1966 and 1967 elements of the division were engaged in numerous actions throughout the II Corps Tactical Zone. Initially committed to operations in Binh Dinh Province in early 1968, the bulk of the division was hurriedly recommitted to the Battle for Hue and then to the relief of the marine position at Khe Sanh. Later in the year the division served in the A SHAU VALLEY before being shifted to protect the northern and western approaches to Saigon. As the army's first airmobile division, the First Cavalry Division pioneered air assault tactics... It was considered one of the army's elite units in Vietnam, highly valuable because of its extreme mobility. The division suffered over 30,000 casualties during the war.

BLANKET HEAD :

green beret

NICKNAME for US Army Special Forces, who were awarded the distinctive hat on 12 October 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, after BG William P. Yarborough (CG, SWC) adopted the practice from COL Edson D. Raff (who imitated British para "red beret" for 509th PIB during WWII, and introduced a "teal beret" to 77th SFGAbn for branch-unassigned), and from COL Donald D. Blackburn (CO, 7th SFGAbn), who inherited the design project from former OSS agents CPTs Herb Brucker and Roger Pezzelle (copying WWII British and French commandos). The GREEN BERET is also called "green beanie" and "head-shrinker". A Special Forceman or SFer is not a GREEN BERET; he just wears it as "... a symbol of excellence, a badge of courage, a mark of distinction in the fight for freedom." John F. Kennedy, 11 April 1962. Beret FLASHes at this time were worn "tombstone fashion" (flat side down) and were made of wool felt. The unique arrowhead shoulder patch worn by Special Forces, designed by CPT John W. Frye, has been called the ELECTRIC BUTTERKNIFE and "Saigon Electric Works". The motto of USSF is: to free the oppressed ("De Oppresso Liber"). See HEADGEAR, GREEN BERET, SF, SNAKE-EATER, SNEAKY PETE, GABRIEL, BRONZE BRUCE; compare RED HATS, BLACK HATS. Also, after much debate, the new standardized HEADGEAR for the U.S. Army, adopted in 2000 for uniformity and prestige. SFers and RANGERs know that "if it weren't for the honor of the thing..." the beret is one of the world's worst forms of HEADGEAR ... but when has the theatrical military ever been 'practical'?! The Army retained the Airborne red and SF green, reverted to the original RANGER tan, and bestowed black berets upon all other units and branches ... so everyone can now pretend they're elite, and suffer without a sun-visor or rain-brim! ... why didn't some gristled GRUNT tell those BRASS HATs what's the real purpose of a hat?! See RED HATS, BLACK HATS.

BLANKET PARTY :

form of mob justice, in which the vigilantes seek either to inspire conformity or expel nonconformity by corporal punishment of a maladjusted SQUAD member, so as to achieve unit cohesion; also called ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT. See GIG, CALL ON THE CARPET, DRUMHEAD, RIOT ACT, PAIN. [nb: a BLANKET PARTY attacks the misfit for the good of the unit, but a FRAGGING attacks the leadership to terrorize and disintegrate the unit.] [cf: kangaroo court, tribunal, sanhedrim]

BLAST WALL :

informal term for an uncovered construction of various heights or thicknesses, relatively portable or permanent, that's designed to absorb or direct the explosive force or impact effect of POL ignition, munitions discharge, or gunfire; also known as parapet, rampart, bulwark, or riprap. See CONCEALMENT, COVER, BUNKER, DEFILADE, REDOUBT, EMPLACEMENT, BUTT, BERM, STAND-OFF, REVETMENT, HESCO BARRIER, T-WALL, FACE, SANDBAG.

BLIMP :

slang for any small nonrigid airship, dirigible, or balloon, as used for observation, training (eg: parachute, pilot), or transport; also called "sausage" or GAS BAG. [nb: during WWI, USN/USMC designated "heavier than air" craft as 'V' (eg: aeroplane, biplane, glider), and "lighter than air" craft as 'Z' (eg: airship, blimp, dirigible)] [v: an experimental sealed cabin, called an "air cabin", was lofted by balloon to 53,400' in 1954 by Auguste Piccard; cf: bathyscaphe] [nb: a pompous old reactionary, "Colonel Blimp", was a post-WWI cartoon character conjured by David Low that satirized resistance to progressive change; see MOSSBACK, DINOSAUR, OLD BREED, OLD SALT, SHELLBACK, BROWN SHOE / BOOT]

BLIND BAT :

designation given to C-130 aircraft used in nighttime SCAR operations.

BLIND FIRE :

spraying an area with SMALL ARMS or machinegun (MG) fire, also spelled "blind-fire" or "blindfire"; see SPRAY, FLOCK SHOOT, HAPPY FIRE, BUSTING CAPS, MAD MINUTE, compare RECON BY FIRE, DOUBLE TAP.

BLIND TRANSMISSION :

any RADIO transmission, usually desperate or emergency, of information that is made without first establishing a link or without expectation of acknowledgement. See GUARD, SOS, MAYDAY.

BLINKER :

slang for the battery-powered strobe light or stroboscopic light, being a handheld electronic flash that rapidly produces brilliant bursts of light, as used for identification during AIRDROP, reinforcement, or rescue (SAR) operations. The early models did not have a masking collar to restrict the direction of the illumination, so PILOTs and LRRPs covered the base with 100 MPH TAPE to eliminate lateral illumination, making its use in enemy territory much safer. Colored filters were also added to later models because the flashing light looks very similar to automatic gunfire without TRACERs! An infrared (IR) version is also available for instrument detection. See FLASHLIGHT, LIGHT STICK, BUD LIGHT, AIS, IDENTIFICATION PANEL. [v: cresset]

BLITZ :

the intensive aerial bombing campaign by Nazi Germany against British cities during WWII, often expressed as "The Blitz", and also called the Battle of Britain; as derived from "lightning". Also, an improper truncation of BLITZKRIEG; used to mean any sudden, swift, vigorous, and overwhelming attack or barrage, including sports analogues. [v: foudroyant]

BLITZKRIEG :

a sudden, swift, and overwhelming military attack, usually using TANKs, artillery (ARTY) barrage, and aerial bombardment to demoralize, defeat, or destroy the enemy; derived from "flash war", which term was coined by a Spanish journalist describing the highly mobile combined arms tactics used by Nazis in 1939. Compare FULL-COURT PRESS; see WAR.

BLIVET :

a smaller (than a BLADDER), heavy-duty, rubberized, collapsible drum ranging from 250 to 500 gallons for POL products setup in temporary refueling sites; see PETROL, HOT-FUELING, TOP-OFF; compare POD, WATER BUFFALO, LISTER BAG. Also, probably due to the bloated appearance of the actual container, anyone or anything that's inflated, exaggerated, distended, or overloaded, including events and demonstrations, such as the proverbial "ten pounds of SHIT (or bullshit) stuffed into a five pound bag"; see DOG 'n' PONY SHOW, FIVE O'CLOCK FOLLIES, SMOKE 'n' MIRRORS, TAP-DANCER. [nb: obfuscation and obscurantism are widely represented by the military maxim: "Bullshit baffles brains!", sometimes called a "Well sir,..." excuse]

BLOB :

Big Lump On-Board, an observer; any extra person or noncontributing passenger. See SANDBAG; compare STRAP-HANGER, DEADHEAD, POB.

BLOC :

a group of persons or entities acting in concert for common cause or mutual benefit; see ANZUS, PENTALATERAL AGREEMENT, ASEAN, SEATO, NATO.

BLOCK :

any solid material mass with one or more flat faces; see CHOCK, SHORE. Also, a housing or part enclosing one or more freely rotating, grooved pulleys, about which ropes or chains pass to form a hoisting or hauling TACKLE; also known as "tackle block" or "block 'n' tackle"; see FAIRLEAD, CRAB, WHIP, BOOM. Also, a section, segment, part, or group; compare BLOC. Also, an obstruction, obstacle, hindrance, or stoppage. Also, a stump, platform, or other structure used for speeches, auctions, or beheadings. Also, a person's head. Also, any generally rectilinear building material. [v: quoin]

BLOCKBUSTER :

a huge aerial-delivery demolition bomb. Also, any person or thing that's overwhelmingly effective or impressively successful.

BLOCKING FORCE :

the use of vessels, vehicles, or troops for the hostile obstruction or closing-off of enemy passage or progress; also called "blockader"; see SCREEN, CORDON. Also, the fixed 'anvil' in a "hammer and anvil" PINCER movement.

BLOCK THE COLORS :

to raise the flag to the top of the mast or flagpole on a HALYARD through a running-block. See SHIFT COLORS, COLORS.

BLOOD CHIT :

a printed cloth "promisory note" or "redemption coupon", imitative of the original WWII versions, inspired by British specimens issued to RAF pilots in India, showing an American flag, and explaining in the several languages of the region that assisting in the repatriation of any separated American would be rewarded. These BLOOD CHITs, also known as "escape and identification flags" or "goolie chits", and sometimes spelled "blood-chits", were usually carried by aircrewmen and LRRPs, together with an escape map and tokens (gold coins during WWII), but have been rarely redeemed ... never during the VIETNAM WAR. If as only a morale device, the BLOOD CHIT is part of the aircrew survival kit, with wear on the uniform prohibited since the end of WWII. Produced on leather and silk, nylon and Tyvek, many have been kept as wartime souvenirs, despite being serial numbered. See POINTIE TALKIE, CHIT, FLYING TIGERS, BRIGHT LIGHT, SAFE, HOME RUN, POW, E&E, SERE, BUG-OUT KIT, IRC, DP, BOAT PEOPLE, YELLOW BIRD. [v: blood chit] [cf: laissez-passer]

BLOOD EXPANDER :

serum albumin [not "albumen"], for intravenous administration to severely wounded persons to help maintain osmotic blood-pressure during shock, as carried by medics and recon teams. Serum albumin is the principal protein of blood plasma (fluid portion, not cellular compound); and is distinguished from whole blood, packed red blood cells, and artificial blood. A FIELD EXPEDIENT blood substitute for transfusions is coconut milk. See ABO, BANK, SYRETTE, COMPRESS, DOG BITE, MED BAG.

BLOOD GROOVE :

a forged depression or milled recess in the side of a blade, which increases strength without increasing weight; properly called a "fuller". The design attributions of "running blood" or "breaking suction" are mythical. See KABAR, PILOT'S SURVIVAL KNIFE, KNIFE. [cf: kullen] [v: Knife Terms]

BLOODING :

an extreme form of "tagging" during a "pinning" ceremony; illegal since the Vietnam-era. During any "pinning" ceremony, whether graduation or promotion, the newly acquired insignia (badge or rank) would be lightly punched ("tagged") by the presenter after attachment to the recipient's uniform, and subsequently "tagged" by all friends and associates during the following graduation or promotion party. When these fraternal rituals were officially discouraged, the clandestine rites became bizarre and brutal, including directly "pinning" WINGS onto the chest by a forceful punch ... an act of assault in both civil and military law. See EARRING, BOLO BADGE, Q-TAB, SLICK SLEEVE, ROCKER, BLOOD STRIPE, WINGING, PROP BLAST, SHELLBACK, GOLDEN DRAGON, SALTING, DIVER, DOLPHIN DIVE, BUDWEISER.

BLOOD STRIPE :

the red stripe added to the outside seam of Marine service dress (Class-A) trousers upon promotion to NCO rank. The celebratory "tagging" for this "rite of passage" usually involves fist and knee punches to the new NCO's arm and leg, leaving him happily "crippled" by the promotion party! See SLICK SLEEVE.

BLOODY SHIRT :

any event or occurrence sufficient to validate or justify a declaration of war; incitement or provocation to fight, a casus belli. See TONKIN GULF INCIDENT, WAR POWERS ACT, GUNBOAT DIPLOMACY, BIG STICK DIPLOMACY, SABER-RATTLING, GUNPOINT, CROSS THE RUBICON, CAT AMONG THE PIGEONS, FIGHTING WORDS, FIGHTING MAD, LAWS OF WAR, UCMJ, RULES OF ENGAGEMENT (ROE), BATTLE, WAR. [nb: historically adequate justifications include "a place in the sun" or "lebensraum"; cf: bellicose, antagonistic, hostile, pugnacious, Firebrand, fire-eater]

BLOOPER :

M-79

pump XM-79

NICKNAME for the M-79 single-shot, single-barreled, break-action grenade launcher, which may also be spelled "bluper", and is also onomatopoeically known as "bloop tube" and "thump gun"; which fired 40mm projectiles of various types, from CANISTER to HE at ranges to 400m. An experimental style "pump M-79", with a five-round tube-magazine below the barrel, was selectively issued to LRRP and SPECIAL OPERATIONS teams in Vietnam. The OVER 'n' UNDER M-203, introduced into the field in 1970, hung a single-shot BLOOPER barrel under the foregrip of the M-16 rifle, which impaired the accuracy of both. The grenadier's grasp, as portrayed in books or movies, of the M-79 grenade launcher when firing is a reliable TELLTALE for detecting phonies. See THUMPER, MGL, DOVER DOG, BOFORS, DUSTER; compare SHOTGUN, GYROJET, FRAG, GRENADE, RPG. [nb: the "fire lance" flamethrower of AD 905 China utilized propulsion to launch small objects and pellets, like a shotgun, becoming a prototype firearm; with a three-barreled version for repeat firing developed later] [nb: there probably ought to be a MURPHY LAW of Combat to the effect that "weapons don't win wars", as a corollary to "the side with the simplest weapon will win the war"; since there is no doubt that the test and procurement system is defective. The other sides had better and finer weapons during WWII (the proof existing in the pistols, rifles, machineguns, and tanks adopting enemy innovations), but the American GREASE GUN and the British Sten gun triumphed behind better armies. jury-rigging and complicating US weapon systems will not defeat us, but compromising and discarding all the simple and effective designs will make the future BUTCHER'S BILL extremely expensive!]

BLOUSE :

a single-breasted, semifitted outer military garment, sometimes belted, reaching to the hip or thigh, or to above the knee, such as a jacket, smock, or tunic; see MILITARY PRESS, DRESS [v: camisards; camisado or camisade]. Also, to dispose in loose folds, or to arrange so as to droop or puff with fullness, as pants BLOUSEd into paratrooper boots; see FOOTWEAR.

BLOWER :

shipboard communications system, originally a set of "blow pipes" connecting each department, but replaced by telephonic intercom system; usage is similar to HORN. See UWT, SQUAWK BOX, BITCH BOX, PBX, RADIO, LANDLINE, TWX, RTP, TANNOY. [nb: mobile phone (Global System for Mobile Communications, a second-generation open-standard digital-transceiver voice/text wireless system) tracking for accountability and monitoring for security is rendered via repeater triangulation and the GPS satellite network, with an approximate margin of error of 10-50m depending on location]

BLOWN :

exploded, detonated, destroyed, obliterated, eradicated; see EXPLOSIVE, compare OVERKILL. Also, detected or compromised, such as a revealed or exposed operation or operational element, including a CACHE or HIDE, STALKING HORSE or TROJAN HORSE, or any other subterfuge; also expressed as "busted".

BLOW SMOKE :

slang for make unclear, to obscure, to confuse, to obfuscate, to deceive; as "blow smoke up his ass" or "... her skirt". See SNOW, CONFETTI, TALK TRASH, SHOOT THE SHIT, HOT AIR, BRAVO SIERRA, WOOF, GODDAM, CHICKEN SHIT, MICKEY MOUSE, HALF-ASSED, SMOKE 'n' MIRRORS, TAP-DANCER, HIDE, MILICRAT; compare BRING SMOKE, POP SMOKE, MIGHTY MITE, SMOKY BEAR. [nb: 'hooey', allegedly an Americanism used as an interjection for nonsense or tripe, is actually a corruption of the Russian vulgarity ("khuy") for penis, and is commonly used alone (eg: dick, dickhead, dick-wad) or in phrases (eg: dumber than dick; he doesn't know dick; don't dick around; don't stir your tea with your dick)] [cf: migration of "putz" from shine through ornament to penis and dolt; as sexual lure] [v: lucky stiff]

BLT :

USMC Battalion Landing Team, the primary infantry element in the Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU); see BN.

BLUE ANGELS :

NICKNAME of the US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, being a precision AEROBATIC flight team used for public ceremonies and demonstrations; see BARNSTORMER, AEROBATICS.

BLUE BLOOD :

slang for an enlisted Marine promoted to officer RANK by any means, with the implication of "royal transformation"; see MAVERICK, MUSTANG, UP THE HAWSEPIPE, OFFICER'S COUNTRY. [nb: until recently, an OFFICER was simultaneously designated a "gentleman" when appointed by an ACT OF CONGRESS, which not only inspired further intellectual development but also encouraged cultural sophistication, which refinements were mocked as being 'suave and debonair' (deliberately mispronounced as "soo-wave" and "dee-boner"); v: BRASS HAT, TALLY-HO; cf: HARD-ASS, MACHO]

BLUE BOOK :

the bound copy of U.S. Navy regulations since 1914; see ROCKS 'n' SHOALS, SCRIPTURES, ORDER, UCMJ. Also, slang for the lineal list of Naval and Marine officers, in order of succession; see DOR.

BLUE FORCE :

designation for U.S. components, especially when war gaming or during training exercises; label sometimes applied to allied or friendly elements. See CPX, FTX, JTFEX, JRTC, NTC, GQ, WAR GAMES, "Blue Flag" @ RED FLAG, GREEN FORCE, ALLY, FRIENDLIES, BLUE ON BLUE; compare GRAY FORCE, PURPLE FORCE, ORANGE FORCE, RED FORCE, OPFOR, BANDIT, BAD GUYS, BELIEVER.

BLUE JACKET :

originally referring to the distinctive uniform of British Commonwealth sailors, but extended in the Twentieth Century to include all allied naval personnel, including Americans (who also wear a blue uniform in winter). A more simplified origin attributes the phrase metonymically to the blue, double-breasted, coarse woolen peacoat worn by seamen. See JUMPER, DIXIE CUP, SWABBY, SQUID, JARHEAD, DOGFACE, ZOOMIE, GI.

BLUELEG :

infantryman; see GRUNT, INF, DOZER INFANTRY, compare REDLEG, YELLOWLEG.

BLUE LINE :

a watercourse or waterway marked on a map; see BROWN WATER.

BLUE NOSE :

a ship that has crossed the Arctic Circle (between the North Frigid Zone and the North Temperate Zone), so called from painting the HAWSEPIPEs blue, as being representative of the cold; the ship's company of such a voyage may be called "blue noses", and are inducted into the "Order of the Blue Nose". Compare RED NOSE; see BOW, PROW, STEM, FORECASTLE.

BLUE ON BLUE :

a euphemism to describe air, artillery, or small-arms fire from U.S. elements, components, or forces that is accidentally or mistakenly directed at or impacting upon other U.S. personnel or positions; also called "misadventure" and FRIENDLY FIRE. These incidents can also be classified, depending upon participants, as "Blue on Green" or "Green on Blue". See SHORT-SHOT, BLUE FORCE; compare GREEN ON GREEN, FRATRICIDE, FRAGGING, BLANKET PARTY.

BLUE PETER :

the international signal flag for the letter "P" ['papa'], being a blue burgee with a central white square, which is flown to indicate the imminent departure of a vessel from port; its widespread usage probably implies sexual abstinence.

BLUE STAR :

a plaque or scroll that denoted the service of a family member in the Armed Forces during wartime, as displayed on a wall or outward in a window; compare GOLD STAR. [nb: in the event of death while serving in combat, a gold star was overlaid upon the original blue star (instead of replacing it) such that the slightly smaller gold star was outlined by the original blue one]

BLUE WATER :

nautical reference to the open sea, or oceangoing; also represented as "deep water", and sometimes spelled "blue-water". Compare BLUE LINE, BROWN WATER. [nb: "O Lord, your sea is so great and my boat is so small"]

BN :

battalion; a military unit of ground forces comprising a headquarters and two or more companies; infantry and artillery battalions are commanded by an Army or Marine Corps lieutenant colonel. Also, an army in battle array. [cf: battalia] [nb: the slang term "Bat" is short for battalion (BN), and does not refer to an artillery battery (BTY)]

BOARD :

an official group of directors or supervisors for some activity, such as a Draft Board, Promotion Board, Medical Review Board, BOARD OF INQUIRY, or Court Martial Board, sometimes called a tribunal; see ABCMR, ADRB, AFBCMR, AFDRB, CORB, DRB, OCB, DISCHARGE. Also, to retrain or discharge an individual for cause after a military review BOARD hearing of evidence; see RECYCLE, COG, CHAPTER 10, SECTION EIGHT. Also, the side of a ship; or the windward tack of a ship's course; compare DECK, HULL, FREEBOARD, GUNWALE, HEADWAY.

BOARD OF INQUIRY :

a fact-finding body convened when evidence is unclear, when misconduct or negligence may exist, or when criminal acts are suspected without certain guilt, comprised of officers equal to or superior in RANK to any suspect or accused servicemember; an Article 32 investigation under UCMJ.

BOAT :

a specialized vessel, smaller than or carried by a ship, and variously propelled through the water; including AAV, ALLIGATOR, ALPHA, AMTRACK, ASPB, CCB, CRRC, CUTTER, DPB, ELSIE, GATOR, GATOR-FREIGHTER, GIG, GHOST, GUNBOAT, HIGGINS BOAT, IBS, JUNK, LANDING CRAFT, LBGB, LCI, LCM, LCVP, LIFEBOAT, LIGHTER, LSMR, LSD, LSI, LST, MICKEY MOUSE BATTLESHIP, MINISUB, MRF, MTB, NASTY, PBL, PBR, PCF, PT BOAT, RIB, SAMPAN, SCOW, SDV, SKIMMER, SMACK, STAB, SWIFT, TAB, TANGO, WPB, ZIPPO, ZODIAC. See ACCOMMODATION LADDER, AFT, AHOY, ATHWART, BELLS, BOATSWAIN'S CHAIR, BOATSWAIN'S PIPE, BOW, BRIG, BULKHEAD, BULL'S-EYE, CAREEN, CASTOFF, CHANTEY, COCKPIT, COLLAPSE DEPTH, CRAB, CRUISE, CUTWATER, DEAD IN THE WATER, DECK, DRAFT, DRESS, THE DRINK, EMBRASURE, FANTAIL, FIRE QUARTERS, FLOAT, FORECASTLE, FREEBOARD, GANGWAY, GIGGLES 'n' BANGS, GQ, HATCH, HARD-AND-FAST, HEAVE, HEAVE-HO, HIGHLINE, HOISE, HULL, JACOB'S LADDER, KLAXON, KNEE-KNOCKER, LADDERWELL, LOAD-LINE MARK, OVERHEAD, PITCH, PLIMSOLL MARK, POOP DECK, PORT, PORTHOLE, PRESSURE HULL, PROW, PULPIT, QUARTERDECK, ROCK THE BOAT, ROLL, SAILOR, SHOWBOAT, STARBOARD, STEM, STERN, TANNOY, TIME, TOCSIN, TRIM, YAW; compare DUCK, SUBMARINE, BATTLE WAGON, WARSHIP, Q-SHIP, GHOST SHIP, OILER, TENDER, CONCRETE BATTLESHIP. [v: tug, trawler, packet, yacht, runabout]

BOAT PEOPLE :

refugees fleeing Vietnam by boat after 1975; see DOMINO THEORY, DECENT INTERVAL, DP, E&E, BLOOD CHIT, IRC, YELLOW BIRD; compare EXILE. [nb: although this phrase has been expanded to "anyone fleeing repression by watercraft", the Caribbean refugees emigrating to America on rafts are called "boat rowers"]

BOAT SCHOOL :

slang reference to the United States Naval Academy (USNA) at Annapolis, MD; also called "Canoe U". See CADET, RING-KNOCKER, TRADE SCHOOL, HUDSON HIGH, OCS, ROTC. [v: Military Schools] [v: Siwash ("At Good Old Siwash" by George Helgeson Fitch (1911)]

BOATSWAIN :

an enlisted rating, running from boatswain's striker (E-2) thru Master Chief and then into Warrant Officers, commonly called "Boats"; a Navy and Coast Guard rating for deck crew. Also, personnel, generally specified as specializing in water transportation and all affiliated chores pertaining to operation and maintenance of deck equipment such as lines, paint, etc., which reflect the general "health" of the ship. Compare CHIEF, PILOT.

BOATSWAIN'S CHAIR :

a wooden plank or canvas seat for a worker, that's hung by ropes over the side of a ship's rail, deck, bridge, and the like.

BOATSWAIN'S MATE 1st CLASS :

usually the "deck apes" and small box coxswains. The Aviation Boatswain's Mates were usually the guys who took care of towing the birds around the ramp area or flight decks and who made sure they were secured to the 'ground' when the weather went to pot.

BOATSWAIN'S PIPE / BOATSWAIN'S WHISTLE :

a simple musical device used by the BOATSWAIN to make shipboard announcements over the public address (PA) or loudspeaker system; often just a series of melodious notes (not even accompanied by words of instruction). Like BUGLE CALLs, the tune itself was the announced message. See BULLETIN, HEADS-UP, POOP, DOPE, TOCSIN, TANNOY, HORN, BEATERS 'n' BLEATERS, TOOTER.

BODE :

short for Cambodian, also expressed as "Cambode"; see ANGEL'S WING, ANGKOR WAT, CEDAR WALK, CLA, DECENT INTERVAL, DOG'S FACE, ELEPHANT'S FOOT, FISHHOOK, INDIG, INDOCHINA, KHMER ROUGE, KHMER SEREI, KKK, PARROT'S BEAK, PENTALATERAL AGREEMENT, PIKE HILL, ASEAN, SEATO, TRI-BORDER, YEAR ZERO.

BO DOI :

a uniformed NVA soldier; compare NLF, PAVN, VIET MINH, PRG, PLA, VC, CHARLIE, GOMER, LONG HAIR, LUKE THE GOOK, BAD GUYS.

BODY BAG :

plastic bags, with reinforcing carry-straps and central closure, used for the retrieval of corpses on the battlefield; properly known as a "Human Remains Container" or "Human Remains Pouch". Smaller sizes were specially manufactured for Asian Allies. There were rarely enough BODY BAGS when needed, so corpses were often tied into ground-sheets, PONCHOs, PONCHO LINERs, or even sleeping bags for removal from the field. Before the specialty manufacture of BODY BAGs