-
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 :
-
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 :
-
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 :
-
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 :
-
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 :
-
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 :
-
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 :
-
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 :
-
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 :
-
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 :
-
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
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