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M I L T E R M S : fingerspelled letter J semaphor letter J signal flag letter J J : JULIET

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THE J :
the PLAIN OF JARS (Plaine des Jarres), near Long Tieng.

JAAF :
Joint Army and Air Force, or Joint Action Armed Forces.

JACK :
acronym representing Joint Advisory Commission Korea, an interservice unconventional warfare (UW) or guerrilla operations unit affiliated with the CIA during the KOREAN WAR. The covert techniques established by OSS, enhanced by UNPFK and JACK, were inherited by SOG, and have since been passed to Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and US Special Operations Command (USSOC). See SPECIAL OPERATIONS.

JACKET :
informal reference to the personnel record of a servicemember, also called a "service jacket", that normally designates a "201 file" containing Form 20 / 66 summary outline of training, assignments, evaluations, and decorations; it is so-called as a "covering" report, and not to be confused with a "file" folder for work projects. Also, slang reference to the FIELD JACKET.

JACOB'S LADDER :
a flexible ladder consisting of rope, cable, or chain side-rails and fixed wooden or aluminum rungs, as used on vessels and aircraft, especially during SAR/CSAR operations; also called a "pilot ladder" or "jack ladder", "caving ladder" or "scaling ladder", as derived from the Biblical dream of a ladder ascending from earth to heaven. Also, a webbing or rope ladder (ie: etrier) deployed for rough-terrain INSERTIONs and/or EXTRACTIONs of troops using transport CHOPPERs; employed instead of DEBARKATION NETs or RAPPEL lines. [v: escalade] [v: Climbing Terms]

JAG :
Judge Advocate General's corps
branch insignia
JAG
Judge Advocate General, as chief legal officer, or Judge Advocate General's Corps, a lawyer in uniform; also known insultingly as "JAG-off" (sounds like "jack-off"; cf: POGUE) for JAG-officer. During the VIETNAM WAR, commissioned officers were still responsible for administering military laws (UCMJ), as both counsel and judges, and an enlisted man (EM) could request an NCO board at his court martial; but JAG representation became mandatory after that time. Legal liability is now a regular part of pre-operational mission BRIEFINGs to ensure that the RULES OF ENGAGEMENT (ROE) are completely understood before any enemy contact occurs. See SJA. [v: lawyer, attorney-at-law, counselor, advocate, adviser, jurist, legist, Philadelphia lawyer, pettifogger, mouthpiece, ambulance chaser, shyster, beak]

JAPE :
derogatory WWII Marine slang for Imperial Japanese troops who were thought to be dead but weren't, which refers to the necessity of "killing corpses" to ensure their demise, because they were so devious and tenacious; derived by contraction of "Jap + ape". See MEATBALL, NIP, GOOK, DINK, SLOPE, RICE BALL, ZIP, CHINK, WOG, LITTLE PEOPLE, BAD GUYS; compare BUDDHAHEAD, LITTLE BROWN BROTHER, INDIG. [nb: although ape and monkey are common slurs of racial comparison or ethnic imputation, such vilification of one's adversary often implied a compliment; as the Marianas' veteran who defined this term expressed it: "A Jap fought you to his dying breath, but a Jape kept coming even after you thought he was dead!"]

JAP SLAPPER :
slang for a martial artist, especially one skilled in judo (soft + way) or jujitsu/jujutsu (soft + technique); see BATTLE ROYAL, DOGFIGHT, AT CLOSE QUARTERS, CQB, BUTT STROKE, BAYONET, ON GUARD, UP-CLOSE 'n' PERSONAL, GABRIEL.

JARGON :
the specialized vocabulary peculiar to a specific occupation, profession, or social group. Also, obscure or unintelligible communication, as language that is characterized by pretentious vocabulary, convoluted syntax, and is uncommonly vague in meaning (eg: "sacred gibberish"). See PIDGIN, VERNACULAR, MIL-SPEAK.

JARHEAD :
derogatory term, similar to "jughead", applied to anyone as "stupid or stubborn as a mule", including muleskinners and oilfield rough-necks. As a simile for a capped jar, it originally referred to sailors wearing traditional DIXIE CUP hats, but was later transferred (probably in combination with "stubborn mule" reference) to Marines, who also wear a uniquely styled "utility cover" hat. A Marine is commonly known as a "GIrine" (jy-reen) [or GYRENE], and also as "Uncle Sam's Misguided Child" (USMC) or a "seagoing bellhop". The word Marine has been converted into an acronym meaning: Muscles Are Required, Intelligence Not Essential. Compare SNUFFY, CHINA MARINE, SEAGOING MARINE, HORSE MARINE, THE CROTCH, MAMELUKE SWORD, USMC; see GI, SQUID, SWABBY, DOGFACE, ZOOMIE.

JATO :
(jay-toe) Jet Assisted Take-Off, being the ancillary propulsion units that assist short lift-off or combat launch of airplanes by boosting their acceleration; see JUICE, compare STOL, VSTOL, VTOL.

JAVELIN :
a man-portable optical anti-tank (AT) MISSILE equipped with a "fire and forget" target-lock guidance system, which supersedes the DRAGON; see LOSAT, TOW.

JAWBONE :
an account, tab, or tally of indebtedness, especially loanshark or gambling debts. Also, talk, converse, palaver, gab, rap, shoot the breeze, chew the rag, chin wag, chin dance; see TALK TRASH, POOP. Also, to influence or persuade without resorting to force or authority.

JAWBREAKER :
any word difficult to pronounce; see ALPHABET SOUP, THE STANS. Also, anything boring, as to be injured by yawning; saying a course was a JAWBREAKER could mean either tedious or difficult depending upon tone or emphasis. Also, hard candy; compare RAT BAIT, POGY BAIT, GEDUNK.

JAYHAWK :
USCG heavy helicopter (HH-60J) configuration of SEA HAWK and BLACKHAWK; see CHOPPER.

J-CODES :
an organizational structure for the STAFF that dates from the 19th century, reorganized in 2007 for the conduct of "war prevention" and "security cooperation activities" as directorates in joint headquarters: J1 Personnel, J2 Knowledge Development, J3 Operations, J4 Logistics, J5 Plans and Programs, J6 Command and Control (C4), J7 Outreach, J8 Resources. The specialty section prefixes are hierarchical representations for S= Staff at brigade or regiment, G= General staff at division or corps, and J= Joint staff at army or group. Senior Navy department prefixes are designated "N-". See STAFF; compare CALL-SIGN [nb: pre-2007 J-CODES directorates: J1 Administration, J2 Intelligence, J3 Operations, J4 Logistics, J5 Plans, J6 Command and Control, J7 Plans and Developments, J8 Force Structure]

JCS :
Joint Chiefs of Staff emblem
JCS
the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff; a formal interservice agency of the government, headed by a Chairman (ChJCS), consisting of the heads of the U.S. Armed Forces, established in 1942 [Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCoS)] as the principal military ADVISORs to the (then) Secretary of War, restructured by the Uniformed Services Act of 1947 and the Defense Reorganization Act of 1958. During the VN era, only the ChJCS reported to the National Security Council (NSC); which later expanded to grant JCS access to the President (POTUS). The Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 restored the primacy and exclusivity of the Chairman's (ChJCS) role without granting direct command authority. A pocket badge is authorized for permanent wear by assigned personnel who successfully perform this duty. See CS, OSD, JCSM, JSAD, GRADUATED RESPONSE, JGS. [nb: after being re-activated from retirement and appointed ChJCS, Maxwell D. Taylor attempted to abolish the JCS in favor of a "Supreme Military Council", outside the military CHAIN-OF-COMMAND]

JCSE :
Joint Communications Support Element.

JCSM :
Joint Chiefs of Staff Memorandum; also known as "Joint Staff Memorandum" (JSM).

JDAM :
Joint Direct Attack Munition, being a programmable and steerable "smart bomb" or MISSILE which can strike its assigned target from any altitude under any weather or light conditions by following its integral GPS guidance. This technology, which can be retrofitted onto older "dumb" bombs in inventory, reducing stockpiles while improving efficiency, is functionally "fire and forget". Because JDAM is not laser guided and does not have to be tracked to its point of impact, it allows delivery from a secure location at a safe distance, practically eliminating the risk of loss of any operators and delivery systems. The JDAM was first used in Kosovo during Operation PROVIDE PROMISE, and later in the second GULF WAR. See BOMB, MUNITIONS.

JDOC :
joint Defense Operations Center; see TOC, CTOC, CMOC, OPN.

JEDI KNIGHT :
a graduate of the U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies; see WAR COLLEGE, C&GS, HUDSON HIGH, BOAT SCHOOL, OCS, ROTC. [v: Siwash ("At Good Old Siwash" by George Helgeson Fitch (1911)]

JEEP :
NICKNAME for the General Purpose quarter-ton TRUCK, including M-38, M-151A2 MUTT; onomatopoeic term derived from "GP" (GeeP), which resembled the 1936 "Popeye" comic strip character "Eugene the Jeep" so much that the Willys-Overland Motor Company trademarked the name in 1940. JEEPs were often equipped with canvas top or sides, ELEPHANT'S TRUNK line-cutter on front bumper, pedestal mounted MG, and shoulder-high SPLINTER SHIELD armor-plating. See HUMVEE, GAMMA GOAT, DUCK/DUKW, FAV, MULE.

JEEP CAP :
knitted woolen Jeep cap
Jeep cap
a soft stocking-cap, knitted of olive drab (OD) wool with a plastic bill sewn into a permanent cuff folded at the bottom; being the Army version of a WATCH CAP, suitable for wearing under a helmet during cold weather. The name of this cap, in common with the term JEEP for the vehicle, is a homophone of "GP", representing 'general purpose'. See HEADGEAR.

JERRV :
(gerve) Joint Explosive ordnance disposal Rapid Response Vehicle; a 12-ton COUGAR truck that's hardened to survive BOMBs and MINEs, designed to transport engineers (CE) out to areas where obstacles need to be cleared. Compare CEV; see ENGR, EOD, TRUCK.

JESUS NUT :
main rotor retaining nut; so called because if it ever came off, only Jesus could help.

JET JOCKEY :
slang for any PILOT qualified to fly a jet-propelled (FAST MOVER) aircraft, sometimes shortened to "jet jock", called "throttle jockey" or "fighter jock", as distinguished from prop or glider, transport or helicopter PILOTs. See FUF, G-SUIT, SUCK 'n' PUFF, AUGER-IN, PANCAKE, FAG, BIRDMAN, Q-COURSE, GOOD STICK. [nb: a BULLETPROOF pilot's braggadocio is often expressed as "big sky, little bullet"]

JET PROPULSION :
motivation of a body developed by the reactive force from the injection of a high-speed jet of gas; see RAMJET, PULSEJET, SCRAMJET, MACH, AFTERBURNER, SONIC BOOM, SUPERSONIC, HYPERSONIC. [nb: Jet propulsion is the propulsion of a body by a force developed in reaction to the ejection of a high-speed jet of gas. The four basic parts of a jet engine are the compressor, turbine, combustion chamber, and propelling nozzles. Air is compressed, then led through chambers where its volume is increased by the heat of fuel combustion. On emergence it spins the compression rotors, which in turn act on the incoming air. In the combustion chamber of a jet propulsion engine, the combustion of a fuel mixture generates expanding gases, which escape through an orifice to form the jet. Newton's third law of motion requires that the force that causes the high-speed motion of the jet of gas have a reaction force that is equal in magnitude and oppositely directed to push on the jet propulsion engine. Hence the term "reaction motor" is often applied to jet-propulsion engines. The thermal jet engine operates with a continuous blast, but intermittent duct jet propulsion proceeds by a series of pulses, or intermittent explosions. The ramjet, or "continuous duct", engine relies on its own forward motion to compress the air that enters it. Although highly efficient, it is designed to operate only after high speed has been attained through the use of some other power source, typically a rocket. The scramjet, or supersonic-combustion ramjet, engine is designed to operate at hypersonic speed, using hydrogen for fuel; in theory, a scramjet-propelled craft could achieve orbital speed, with an efficiency three times that of liquid- or solid-fuel rockets. In addition, without the need to carry oxygen, an air-breathing, scramjet-powered vehicle can carry a greater payload than a rocket-powered one. There are various thrust-augmentation methods that can be used to increase the effective driving force of jet engines: the afterburner, water-injection, and air bleed-off methods. An afterburner uses the exhaust gases from the engine for additional combustion, with resulting higher compression; however, it consumes large amounts of fuel. Injection of water into the air-compressor inlet also increases the thrust, but can be used only at take-off because of the high water consumption. Air bleed-off, sometimes called the "fan augmentation method", also makes more efficient use of air otherwise wasted. The first reaction engine, the aeolipile (a ball that rotated as a reaction to escaping steam), was constructed by the inventor Heron (or Hero) of Alexandria. Developments through the centuries have resulted in two general types of reaction machines, the true rocket and the airstream engine, commonly known as the jet engine. Unlike a jet engine, a rocket engine carries with it chemicals that enable it to burn its fuel without drawing air from an outside source. Thus a rocket can operate in outer space, where there is no atmosphere. Fritz von Opel, a German automobile manufacturer, made the first flight entirely by rocket power in 1939. The American R.H. Goddard did much of the important pioneer work in modern rocket development. The second category of reaction motor, the jet engine, is a development of the late 18th-century gas turbine engines, which directed combustion gases against the blades of a turbine wheel. Not until 1908 was it suggested that an aircraft could be driven by jet propulsion. René Lorin, a French engineer, proposed using a reciprocating engine to compress air, mix it with fuel, and thus propel the aircraft by the pulses of hot gas produced by combustion of the mixture. Henri Coanda, a Romanian engineer, experimented with a reaction-powered aircraft in 1910, and observed the phenomenon now known as the "Coanda effect". In 1939 the English engineer, Frank Whittle, developed a jet engine that powered a full-sized aircraft, and a year later, Secundo Campini in Italy, flew for 10 minutes using a thermal jet engine. Jet-propelled aircraft have replaced propeller-driven types in all but short-range commercial applications; turboprop planes, in which a propeller is turned by a turbine engine, are used for short-range flights. The SR-71 Blackbird, a U.S. jet spyplane, holds the current speed record of 2,193.17 mph for a piloted air-breathing 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 in 2004. The Australian-led HyShot Flight Program successfully tested a British-designed scramjet engine in 2006. (The Columbia Encyclopedia Sixth Edition ©2007 Columbia University Press)]

JETSAM :
goods or supplies that are deliberately cast overboard from a vessel so as to lighten or stabilize it in an emergency, as derived from "jettison"; such cargo typically sink where castaway, but may be later washed ashore. See LAGAN; compare FLOTSAM, CASTOFF, DODO.

JETSTAR :
Lockheed C-140 aircraft.

JGS :
the Vietnamese Joint General Staff, being comparable to JCS.

JIEDDO :
(gee-doe) Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization; originally established as an Army task force in 2003, then upgraded to interservice defense agency status in 2006, with the mandate to develop and coordinate counter-IED doctrine and tactics. JIEDDO serves as a coordinator and clearinghouse on IED practices and effects, including types of injuries (IEDs generate a ratio of 9 WIA for each KIA). This agency is funded for research and acquisition of interrupter, disrupter, jammer, and remote detonator equipment. JIEDDO conducts defensive operations to detect IED emplacements, and offensive operations to interdict the manufacture, transport, and installation of IEDs.

JINK :
Air Force term for turning aircraft hard to avoid enemy fire or detection; see BANK, YANK 'n' BANK, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT, DOGFIGHT, AEROBATICS.

JOC :
Joint Operations Center; see TOC, CTOC, JDOC, CMOC, OPN.

JODY :
archetypal DRAFT DODGER and "lounge lizard" who steals the girlfriend left at home. If the Nice Girl succumbs and sends a disloyal "Dear John" letter, then she becomes a Bad Girl, who's commonly known as "Susie Rottencrotch" or "Mary Meatgrinder". Conversely, service women betrayed by JODY, receive a "Dear Jane" letter. A "kiss-off" from a serviceman to a forlorn civilian can use the same references (eg: GI JODY sends a Dear Jane to Miss Lonely Hearts). See SUGAR REPORT, MAIL CALL. Also, the short form of JODY CALL; so named due to their preoccupation with unmilitary deeds and civilian affairs. [cf: the rabbit-like character called "Cuthbert" invented by Poy, the cartoonist for the "Evening News", to represent all the eligible DRAFT DODGERs avoiding combat during WWI with sinecures and deferments; not to be confused with Saint Cuthbert]

JODY CALL :
rhythmic chants or rhyming songs intended to coordinate marching tempo, sometimes shortened to JODY; probably derived from labor songs that paced the work and maintained the processing order. These ballads, classified as "occupational folk songs", are preoccupied with unmilitary deeds and civilian affairs, sharing the common miseries of ordinary people, along with blues and country lay, featuring the archetypal JODY as villain or rake, who typically wins the soldier's pay and possessions, seduces the serviceman's wife and dog! See CADENCE, HEP, CHANTEY, HOISE, GUNG-HO, HEAVE-HO, BEATERS 'n' BLEATERS, TOOTER. [nb: some revisionists, by ignoring the extensive history of martial music and work songs going back to ancient China and early Rome, are "crediting" segregated Negro troops with the 'invention' of CADENCE calls for the improvement of morale during training in WWII, specifically an impromptu "Sound Off" CADENCE call initiated by PVT Willie Duckworth while marching in the Provisional Training Center of Fort Slocum, New York, in May 1944, and later identified as the "Duckworth Chant" in reformed folklore. It's another insidious myth and pernicious lie perpetrated upon the gullible by self-anointed elitists! The similarity of JODY to every carpetbagger and scalawag argues demonstrably for a 19th Century development, as does the word 'cadence' in early Army songs ("count off the cadence loud and strong"), but even more is the persistence of sea chanteys by sailors laboring at common tasks.] [cf: ballad, chanson, lay, air, tune, ditty, carol]

JOHN WAYNE HIGH SCHOOL :
sardonic reference to the SPECIAL FORCES training center at Fort Bragg; see SWS, SWC&S, SFTG, ROBIN SAGE, GABRIEL, BRONZE BRUCE, ELECTRIC BUTTERKNIFE, GREEN BERET, BLANKET HEAD, SNEAKY PETE, SNAKE-EATER, SF; compare MSOS. [v: Siwash ("At Good Old Siwash" by George Helgeson Fitch (1911)]

JOHN WAYNE RIFLE :
M-1911A1 .45cal
pistol
M-1911A1 .45cal pistol
sarcastic reference to the government model M-1911A1 .45cal (11.25mm) PISTOL, fired for qualification on a 25-yard shooting range, but was accurate for hundreds of meters in the hands of Hollywood HEROs! See CALIBER, DUMDUM.

JOINT :
purportedly, the military uses the term "joint" (to join) to indicate two or more elements from the same service or nation, and the term "combined" (by twos) to indicate two or more interservice or international elements, hence a "joint action" might involve the Army and Navy, while a "combined action" might involve the US and UK; additionally, the term "composite" (put together) indicates a compound of disparate elements forming a whole, while the term "component" (put together) indicates constituent elements of a greater whole. The term "joint", expressive of interservice, reflects an expansion of the "combined arms" concept, once limited to each service branch, into a unified command structure. See JOC, JTF, USJFCOM, CJSOTF-AP, JSOTF, JSOC, USSOC, SPECIAL OPERATIONS.

JOKER :
(forthcoming); compare BINGO, see ENDURANCE, DROP-TANK, POD, DROGUE, TANKER.

JOLLY GREEN GIANT :
refers to either the heavily armed USAF AC-47 gunship aircraft, or the USAF HH-53 heavy rescue helicopter. See DAKOTA, SMOKY BEAR, SEA STALLION, CHOPPER, BIRD.

JOOD :
Junior Officer Of the Deck, who is second to the Officer Of the Deck (OOD); compare SOPA.

JOSS STICK :
a thin stick of dried fragrant paste, burned as propitiative incense before a cult image or idol. Usually understood as fate, destiny, fortune, or luck; JOSS is actually pidgin Chinese for "god", as in JOSS house. Compare NHA THO. [nb: "Joss-sticks: small sticks burned by the Chinese in their pagan tomfoolery, in imitation of certain sacred rites of our holy religion." by Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce]

JOURNAL :
formally classified as a subscription BULLETIN; a periodical published by the military for professional development, including: "Military Review", "Proceedings", "Marines", "Soldier", "Parameters", etc. Compare YANK, STARS AND STRIPES. Also, a log, register, or account recording the daily affairs and activities of a unit; see WAR DIARY, compare MORNING REPORT. [nb: the military prohibits the keeping of a personal diary for reasons of security in denying the enemy opportunities for gathering INTEL from captured or recovered documents; however, this practical measure is widely disregarded and generally disobeyed]

JOY :
confirmed sighting, link, or contact by aircraft PILOT or WSO, being the same as AFFIRM or success; conversely, "No Joy" is an expression of failure, being the opposite of TALLY-HO.

JOYSTICK :
informal term for a control or steering lever, as for an airplane or computer; also called "stick" or "beer-lever". Also, slang for penis, phallus, PRICK / CU, POGUE, POGY BAIT, SHORT ARM, and the like. [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]

JP :
jet petroleum, such as "JP-4", being a liquid fuel for jet aircraft, the chief ingredient of which is kerosene; see POL, PETROL, JUICE, TOP-OFF, HOT-FUELING, FUEL LADDER. Also, the abbreviation for Joint Pacific.

JPADS :
(jay-pads) Joint Precision AirDrop System, being a computer-controlled parachute delivery method used to supply or resupply troops in the field with rations, fuel, ammunition, and other vital necessities. After exiting a cargo plane flying as high as 25,000 feet above the ground (AGL), the JPADS wing-shaped parachute self-maneuvers using Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates to a drop zone (DZ) as small as 100 meters, making aerial delivery of a 2000 pound PAYLOAD securely. A 10,000# cargo JPADS is also available. Compare LOW-LEVEL EVACUATION DROP; see HEAVY DROP, AIRDROP.

JPRC :
Joint Personnel Recovery Center, the cover designation for the interservice BRIGHT LIGHT project; see POW, SON TAY, BLOOD CHIT, SAFE, compare SNATCH, TONGUE, PACKAGE, JSARC, CSAR, SAR, RCC.

JRATA :
Joint Research And Test Activity

JRC :
Joint Reconnaissance Center

JRTC :
Joint Readiness Training Center
JRTC
Joint Readiness Training Center; a live-fire infantry field exercise area for simulated operations coordinated with air and armor support. Originating as a corps maneuver area preparatory to WWII deployment, it was revitalized in 1987 at Fort Chaffee, and relocated to Fort Polk in 1993; battle scenarios range from "hot war" through counterinsurgency to peacekeeping missions, including political and media elements. Compare NTC, RED FLAG; see CPX, FTX, JTFEX, OPFOR, MILES.

JSAD :
Joint Strategic Analysis Division, JCS.

JSARC :
Joint Search and Rescue Center; see SAR, JPRC, RCC.

JSD :
ARVN Jump Status
Designator
ARVN JSD
Jump Status Designator, being a "winged sword" pocket patch worn by ARVN AIRBORNE personnel and their ADVISORs; as with many elite Vietnamese military symbols, the JSD was probably inspired by a similar French ("metro") device. See PARACHUTE, WINGS, OVAL.

JSLIST :
(jay-list) Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology, being a biochemical coverall carried in an accessory bag for field wear during a HAZMAT or CBR incident; see MOPP, CPOG, BUNNY SUIT, GAS MASK.

JSOC :
Joint Special Operations Command at Pope Air Force Base, organized in 1987, which includes the Navy's Naval Special Warfare Development Group (SEAL Team 6), the Army's 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta (DELTA FORCE), the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (NIGHT STALKERS), the 75th Ranger Regiment, and the Air Force's 24th Special Tactics Squadron. See SPECIAL OPERATIONS.

JSOTF :
Joint Special Operations Task Force, including Task Force Dagger and Task Force 11 in Afghanistan, under JSOC subsequent to 9/11 2001 TERRORIST attack.

J-STAR :
(forthcoming); platform includes LANTIRN pod, PAVEWAY launch used in TANK PLINKING operations

JTF :
Joint Task Force; see TF.

JTFEX :
Joint Task Force EXercise; see JRTC, OPFOR, MILES, compare NTC, RED FLAG, FTX, CPX, GQ.

JUDAS GOAT :
a conspicuous bomber, brightly painted like a TRAINER or in DAZZLE camouflage pattern, used during WWII as a guide or pacesetter when establishing a formation after take-off, so as to set the proper course, speed, and altitude on a bombing mission; this frontrunner or trailblazer was needed to initially orient the formation of inexperienced PILOTs and navigators, so as to reduce accidents and mishaps, whereupon this escort would transfer the lead to the commander, and return to base (RTB). The JUDAS GOAT, or "judas sheep", was so labeled by the other aircrews for acting like a bellwether in leading the "lambs to slaughter". This phrase, of course, derives from any decoy that's employed to direct others into their place of death. See GOAT, POINT, PATHFINDER, SPEARHEAD, TURNCOAT.

JUGGERNAUT :
any large, overpowering, or destructive force or its implacable object, including anything requiring blind devotion, complete commitment, or cruel sacrifice; as derived from an idol of Vishnu or Krishna ("Jagannath"), the lord of the world, that's annually drawn on a huge cart at Puri in Orissa, India, under whose wheels devotees are said to have thrown themselves to be crushed. See HELL ON WHEELS, BATTLE WAGON, THUNDERBOLT.

JUICE :
slang for electricity or electric power. Also, slang for fuel or petroleum; see POL, CHERRY JUICE, PETROL, JP, MOGAS, HOT-FUELING, TOP-OFF, ENDURANCE, BINGO. Also, slang for acceleration or propulsion power; see BUSTER, JATO, PULL PITCH, SCRAMBLE, HAUL-ASS, ASAP, PDQ, STAT, FORTHWITH. Also, slang for influence exerted for personal or illegal purposes, also known as fix, grease, juke, jive, jingo, jazz, jolt, joy; see RABBI, PATRON SAINT, SEA DADDY, LIFER, MILICRAT, RIGHT ARM, CAREER TRACK, RING-KNOCKER, TICKET-PUNCHER, CYA; compare juju, grigri, MOJO. Also, slang for alcoholic beverages, especially home-brewed or illicitly distilled (eg: raisin- or applejack hard cider); see DUTCH COURAGE, HOOCH, BREW, DEAD-SOLDIER, SPLICE THE MAINBRACE, TOAST, SUNDOWNER, GUSTO, HATCH, MOONSHINE, THE DRINK, HOIST, BYOB, CLASS SIX. Also, slang for extorted money or bribe money; compare SOUVENIR, bribe, graft, mordida, payoff, buyoff, payola, bite, kickback, schmear, grease, oil, soap, sop, boodle, hush money, induce/-ment, suborn, buckshee, spiff. Also, slang for usury or vigorish (der: "vygrash" / "vyigrysh"); see KHAKI MAFIA, CARPETBAGGERS. Also, slang for gossip or scandal; see RUMOR, SCUTTLEBUTT, BACK CHANNEL, GOUGE, POOP, GREEN GREASE, HOT-SHIT, FALSE FLAG, DECEPTION, BAYONET, BAMBOO TELEGRAPH. Also, the essence, strength, verve, vigor, or vitality of life, as élan or élan vital. Also, to enliven or excite, as by analogy to natural bodily secretions, such as epinephrine. Also, the natural fluid or liquid extract from a fruit or other plant, as derived from a term for broth, SOUP, sauce; see BUG JUICE, THE DRINK, GI JOE, NUOC, WATER PURIFICATION TABLET; compare CHOW. [nb: a non-concentrate called "Fruit Smack" was marketed by Kool-Ade, the precursor of Kool-Aid, in 1927; '-ade' is a suffix meaning fruit drink (eg: lemonade)]

JULIAN DATE :
each day of the year, sequentially numbered, as used for vehicle and aircraft logbooks; derived from calendar reformed by Julius Caesar, and differentiated from conventional Gregorian calendars. See CY, FY, TIME. [nb: The old Julian Calendar, in force in Great Britain and her colonies (ie: America) until 1752, overestimated the solar year by 11 minutes 14 seconds each year. Under that calendar the year technically began on 25 March (ie: Lady Day or Annunciation). The New Style Calendar, which went into effect in 1752 (based upon the Gregorian Calendar ordained by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582), adjusted the errors in the old chronology by adding 10 days down through the year 1699 and 11 days beginning with 1700, and leaving 11 days out of the calendar in 1752 (eg: 3 September became 14 September). In addition, the new year once more began on 1 January. Thus, the effect of following New Style usage for all dates prior to 1752 results in an adjusted chronology (eg: the Mayflower Compact, bearing the date of 11 November 1620, was actually signed on 21 November). Under the Julian Calendar (Old Style), George Washington was born 11 February 1731/2, but the Gregorian Calendar lists it as 22 February 1732 (New Style).]

JUMP BOOTS :
Corcoran paratrooper boot
jump boot
originating during WWII conversion from BOONDOCKERS with puttees to logger-style lace-up boots, the AIRBORNE command asked the Corcoran Boot Company to imitate the German JUMP BOOTS. The rough-out BROWN BOOTS issued to GIs and paratroopers were repeatedly refined, such that some soldiers jumped and hiked barefoot during training until improvements could be made to their footwear. By the VIETNAM WAR, they became private purchase boots made of black leather for anyone desirous of better footwear, regardless of jump status. More properly called "paratrooper boots"; they are about two inches higher for better leg support, have thicker heels and soles, reinforced heel and toe caps, and a pull-on loop from the Achilles reinforcement. The wear of all leather boots is no longer authorized after 30 April 2008. See FOOTWEAR, OLD BREED.

JUMP CP :
a temporary command post (CP), established for a brief operation or preparatory to a main command post (CP) displacement, normally including only the personnel and equipment necessary to control the immediate operation. See FOB, OB.

JUMPER :
a loose-fitting, pullover-style, outer jacket with piping and stars on its back-flap, in blue or white, as worn with a neckerchief by sailors; as part of the U.S. Navy "service dress blue" or "service dress white" uniform. A similar "undress blues" (or "undress whites") without neckerchief, stars, or piping was also worn as a semi-work uniform by sailors. See CLASS-A, BLOUSE, BLUE JACKET.

JUMPIN' JUNKIE :
derisive NICKNAME for any paratrooper, an enthusiastic devotee of parachuting and/or skydiving; see AIRBORNE, PARACHUTE, DZ, STATIC LINE, FREE FALL.

JUMPMASTER :
any Master Parachutist certified to supervise the loading and para-drop of personnel and equipment from various aircraft; the AIRBORNE-qualified individual assigned to control the paratroopers from the time they enter the aircraft until they exit. Free-fall requires skydivers to "self-jumpmaster". See STICK COMMANDER, Q-COURSE, WINGS, PARACHUTE, DROPMASTER, BAILOUT; compare LOADMASTER, CREW CHIEF, KICKER, BEACHMASTER.

JUMP POCKETS :
slang for the side-mounted cargo pockets featured on FATIGUE pants and field trousers, as being the only pockets accessible to fully suited paratroopers. Also, the chest-mounted cargo pockets featured on the jungle FATIGUE BLOUSE, as derived from the WWII "jump jacket", slanted for ease of access; compare HIGH POCKETS.

JUMP SCHOOL :
U.S. Army Infantry School
Airborne Committee
USAIS Abn Board
U.S. Army Airborne School
Army Abn Sch
a ground training center, also called "parachute school" or "airborne school", for the physical training and technical indoctrination of parachutists, including PARATROOPERs and Military Free Fall (MFF) skydivers, located on various military installations. See BLACK HATS, ABN, AIRBORNE, PARACHUTE, JUMPIN' JUNKIE, STATIC LINE, DROGUE, CUT-AWAY, STREAMER, PLF, STICK, DINGLEBERRY, FLIGHT BAG, JUMP BOOTS, AIRHEAD, DZ, HEAVY DROP, FREE FALL, GANG-BANG, JSD, TAB, OVAL, WINGS, TRASH, JUMPMASTER, GOLDEN KNIGHTS, CHUTING STARS, IRON MIKE, HANG TOUGH, AIRBORNE ALBUM, PROP BLAST, AIRBORNE SHUFFLE, ROMMEL'S ASPARAGUS, SQUAT, GROUNDED; compare RIGGER, AIR ASSAULT, PATHFINDER. [v: Parachuting Terms, and Parachuting History] [v: Siwash ("At Good Old Siwash" by George Helgeson Fitch (1911)]

JUMP SPEED :
the airspeed at which parachutists, paratroopers, and other aircrew can exit with comparative safety from an aircraft.

JUMP-START :
to act, or to be inspired to act, in a lively and energetic manner, as if electrified; that is, to suddenly and urgently begin performing some necessary action as if immediately going from complete rest to full speed; also expressed as "jump to it" or "on the bounce"; see MOVE OUT, OP TEMPO, SADDLE-UP, GOOD TO GO, COMBAT LOADED, MISSION READY, UNLIMBER, LOCK 'n' LOAD, CHARGE, FOLLOW ME, WATCH MY SMOKE, STORM, BATTAILOUS. Also, to supply ignition or launch power from an external source (booster); see APU. [nb: to "jump the gun" is a sports or racing metaphor, having nothing to do with military weaponry; being used in the same way as "jump the queue", "jump to conclusions", "jump bail", or "jump ship"]

JUNCTION CITY :
major ground operations in WAR ZONE C, including AIRBORNE assault on 22 Feb 1967; related to CEDAR FALLS operation.

JUNGLE BAGS :
slang for tropical-weight solid-green jungle FATIGUES or utilities; see DRESS.

JUNGLE BOOTS :
jungle boots
jungle boots
adapted from British and Australian footwear worn during the Malaysian campaign, this combat boot featured a direct molded-sole (DMS) of lug cleats, leather vamp with drain vents, leather heel counter, anti-penetration insole, and reinforced fabric legging. It was designed to dry more quickly than all leather boots in the tropical conditions of Southeast Asia. Early attempts to issue these boots to ARVN troops required adjustments: Vietnamese feet were too small, and MONTAGNARD feet were too wide. Wear of the green and black JUNGLE BOOTS is no longer authorized after 30 April 2008. See BATA BOOTS, LPC, FOOTWEAR.

JUNGLE EXPERT :
Jungle Expert
pocket patch
Jungle Expert
certification awarded to US Army personnel for completion of a jungle warfare course of instruction; graduates are authorized to wear the galleon insignia of the 33rd Inf Rgt with attached "Jungle Expert" tab on left FATIGUE shirt pocket. After Operation Brush Bay in April 1951, Army Unit 7437 was tasked to develop a Jungle Operations Training Center under the command of the 33rd Inf Rgt (ca1954) and the 20th Inf Rgt (1956) at Ft Sherman, Canal Zone, Panama. This 3-week course became the separate Jungle Warfare Training Center in April 1960, but on 1 July 1963 was subordinated as the Jungle Operations Committee under the School of the Americas, Ft Gulick, CZ, Panama. On 1 July 1968, JOC was redesignated Jungle Operations Training Center at Ft Sherman, CZ, Panama; and placed under the operational command of 8th Special Forces Group (later SAF, 3/7th SFGAbn) on 1 July 1970. In March 1969, the US Army Southern Operations RECONDO course (3-weeks) was added to the JOTC curriculum, awarding an arrowhead pocket patch very similar to the MACV RECONDO School patch (including the central 'V' motif). On 30 June 1972, JOTC was transferred to Atlantic Area Installation Command, deactivated on 24 Feb 1975, and reorganized under 3/7SFGAbn together with assets transferred from the USAF Tropical Survival School, which was closed at the same time. On 18 July 1975, JOTC was subordinated to the 193rd Inf Bde, Ft Amador, CZ, Panama. See BUSHMASTER, BOONIE RAT; compare MOUNTAINEER, WINTER WARRIOR. [v: bushranger]

JUNGLE JIM :
properly "Operation Jungle Jim", a 1962 project of the USAF 1st Air Commando Group dispatched to South Vietnam from the Special Air Warfare Center at Eglin AFB; see DIRTY THIRTY, FARMGATE, AIR COMMANDO.

JUNGLE PENETRATOR :
a compact device, somewhat resembling an anchor, attached to the winch cable of a rescue helicopter, and used for extracting a person from dense vegetation or other extreme terrain conditions; also called "forest penetrator". See HOT HOIST, CHOPPER, SAR.

JUNGLE ROT :
various skin-conditions caused by the environment or sepsis, and usually treated benignly by improved hygiene and healthy exposure in air and light; may sometimes be psychosomatic indicator of combat stress. See CONVERSION SYMPTOMS, FUO, YAW.

JUNK :
flat bottomed and high sterned sea-going BOAT with battened lugsail rigging, and a fenestrated RUDDER; term JUNK derives from pidgin Chinese. Essentially unchanged since before the second century AD, the old style JUNK embodies all the operating principles of the modern yacht; see COMPARTMENT, compare SAMPAN, SMACK, SCOW. Also, slang for narcotics; see DOPE, CAN SA, GRASS, HAY, COLORS, SMACK, HOT SHOT, CHINA WHITE, STICK, STONED, TAR, HUBBLE-BUBBLE.

JUNK FORCE :
Naval Advisory Group in Mekong Delta operating from small native craft (JUNK, SAMPAN, SMACK) and light patrol boats (PBL, PBR); also called "Brown Water Navy". The native Vietnamese wooden JUNKS, being about thirty feet long and often without auxiliary engines, that were used for fishing and transport, were adopted by U.S. Navy JUNK FORCE interdiction missions for concealment among the fishing fleets, for improved surveillance and maneuverability, and for access to close shore work. See NAG, MRF.

JUSMAG :
Joint United States Military Assistance Group.

JUSMAPG :
Joint US Military Advisory and Planning Group.

JUSPAO :
Joint United States Public Affairs Office.

JUST CAUSE :
the INCURSION of more than 25,000 troops into Panama, from 20 Dec 1989 to 3 Jan 1990, after a Marine sentry was shot following the 15 Dec 1989 declaration of war on the U.S. by the Panamanian legislature; jocularly known as "Operation Just Because".




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