-
KABAR :
-
|
M-2 fighting utility knife
|
|
common name for the generic "fighting utility knife", also
spelled "K-Bar", that was developed from the original M-2 combat
knife, and issued to SEALs and Marines. Made by numerous
contractors, the brand name "KaBar" became synonymous with all
versions of the knife, government issue or private purchase. The
M-2/Fighting-Utility knife is a modified bowie pattern
(single-edge, swept-tip, clip-point, fuller groove) with a
crossguard, butt-plate, and stacked-leather haft with "sweat
grooves". The KABAR was still the issue knife for SEAL teams
during the VIETNAM WAR, despite the availability of a
non-magnetic Haynes Alloy (nickel-titanium) DEMO knife
specifically designed for underwater use. See BLOOD GROOVE,
KNIFE. [v: Knife Terms]
-
KAK WHEEL :
-
a numeric-exchange calculator, carried around the
RTO's neck on a thick cord, for encrypting map coordinates. See
SHACKLE, SCRAMBLE, ENCRYPT, ALPHABET SOUP, RTO, RADIO.
-
KALASHNIKOV / KALISHNIKOV :
-
variously the AK-47, AK-74, AKM, or Type 56
Assault Rifle, also known as "AK" (AA-Kay, not "ack"). The AK-47
was the basic infantry weapon of the North Vietnamese Army (NVA)
and the VIET CONG (VC). The original Russian design by
Kalashnikov was manufactured by the Soviet Union; but most of the
assault rifles used in the VIETNAM WAR were CHICOM, made in the
People's Republic of China (PRC), which was the major supplier of
armaments to NVA and VC forces. This weapon was sturdy,
reliable, compact, and relatively lightweight. It fired a
7.62X39mm bullet in a fully automatic mode (continuous firing as
long as the trigger was squeezed). The high muzzle velocity
(speed of the bullet after firing) and the tumbling action of
the bullet contributed to its effectiveness. Unlike the smaller
5.56mm bullet of the M-16, the AK-47 bullet was not easily
deflected by foliage. The combination of these effects plus its
rapid-fire capability meant that accuracy was not a major
requirement, thus reducing the training time before a soldier
could be sent into combat. Most armaments analysts judge the
AK-47, which normally holds a thirty-round magazine, to be
superior to the U.S. M-16, which became the standard weapon of
American, Korean, and South Vietnamese troops. The AK-47 was
more durable and less adversely affected by the climate and
conditions of Vietnam. There are numerous accounts of American
troops using captured AK-47 rifles, in preference to their issue
weapons, but the distinctive Kalashnikov sound SIGNATURE was an
invitation to "friendly fire" incidents during the confusion of
combat. See 7.62 MINIS, RIFLE, BAR, CAR, SMG, MG, ELDEST SON.
-
KANZUS :
-
(kansas) combined force from Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and
the United States; see SEATO, ASEAN, ANZUS, FWF, ATFV, AATTV,
ROK, KATUSA.
-
KATN :
-
abbreviation for "Kick Ass Take Names", which is the function and
unofficial motto of the military police; see AP, MP, QC, SP.
-
KATUSA :
-
(kah-too-suh) Korean Augmentation Troops with the U.S. Army,
later changed to Korean Augmentee To the U.S. Army; being a
partnership program initiated during the KOREAN WAR to improve
the performance of ROK troops, which were integrated into
American units. Although still practiced, these assignments are
now reserved for privileged Koreans with superior skills, better
education, and higher social status. Although successful, this
program was not replicated in VN, but used ADVISORs and companion
units instead. See STRIKER, BUDDY SYSTEM.
-
KBA :
-
Killed By Air; also cited as Killed By Artillery. See KIA, DOW.
-
K-DAY :
-
Convoy-Day; the unnamed date for the introduction of a convoy
system on any particular convoy lane. See CONVOY, TIME.
-
KD RANGE :
-
Known Distance Range; not "Knock Down", despite the use
of "pop-up / knock-down" silhouette targets to assist in scoring.
The firing range CADRE informed all trainees that the shooting
principles for practice are identical to those used in combat,
except the targets are the "pop-up / shoot-back" type. See ZERO,
BASS, SIGHT PICTURE, DRY FIRE, RIFLE, SMALL ARMS, RED FLAG, BOLO,
MAGGIE'S DRAWERS, FLYING BRAVO. [v: Firearms
Glossary]
-
KEELHAUL :
-
formerly, to drag an offender from stem to stern beneath a ship's
keel, a punishment which often proved fatal; but now meaning to
rebuke severely. See ROCKS 'n' SHOALS, CAPTAIN'S MAST, UCMJ,
BRIG, DRUMHEAD, GAUNTLET, OVER A BARREL, GARROTE, DEATH OF A
THOUSAND CUTS, TWIST IN THE WIND, PAIN.
[nb: criminals on sailing ships were once lashed to the bowsprit
until they perished, as a form of maritime crucifixion]
Also, the operational CODENAME for the post-WWII forced
repatriation and deportation during 1944-7 of eastern European
POWs, DPs, and refugees (including Russians, Cossacks,
Slovenians, Croats, Serbs, and others) into subjugation behind
the IRON CURTAIN as a result of the Allied agreements at the
Tehron and Yalta conferences, affecting millions of innocents who
were systematically exterminated in labor camps; see GULAG,
CONCENTRATION CAMP.
-
KEEP THE FAITH :
-
signifier or closure exchanged with fellow servicemembers,
especially combat veterans, expressing loyalty and fidelity; used
in the same manner as Marine use SEMPER FI. Derived from "I have
fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept
the faith." [2 Timothy 4:7]. See UCGC, ESPRIT DE CORPS, OATH.
[nb: "If ye break faith with us who die / We shall not sleep,
though poppies grow / In Flanders fields." (John McCrae, 1915);
"If you keep the faith, good things will eventually come to you."
(Elmer Kelton, 2002)]
-
KEW :
-
(cue) Kinetic Energy Weapon; see FAE, STABALLOY.
[cf: potential energy]
-
KEYSTONE :
-
the operational CODEWORD for the series of RETROGRADE increments,
spanning the period July 1969 - November 1972, by which the U.S.
Army was withdrawn from Vietnam; further subdivided by stages,
as: Keystone Eagle, Keystone Cardinal, Keystone Bluejay, Keystone
Robin, Keystone Oriole, Keystone Mallard, Keystone Owl, and so
forth. A unit was "keystoned" when it turned in its equipment and
moved to port; or a support element was "keystoning" by effecting
the transfer of another unit's men and materiel. See ACTOV,
CRIMP, CSMO, PROVN, VIETNAMIZATION. Also,
(forthcoming)
joint doctrine includes plans, command and control,
communications, computer systems, intelligence, operations,
logistics, and personnel; see CAPSTONE, USJFCOM.
-
KEY TERRAIN :
-
certain terrain, such as high ground or defiles, that when
occupied, gives the holder a distinct tactical advantage; compare
STRONGPOINT, CHOKE POINT.
-
KFS :
-
abbreviation for Knife, Fork, Spoon; being the complete set of
eating utensils associated with civilized dining, hence only ever
encountered in a MESS or GALLEY and command (CMMI or IG)
inspection! A soldier in the field reduces weight and eliminates
noise by carrying only a SPOON or PARTISAN'S SECRET WEAPON! See
P-38, CHURCH KEY, CHOPSTICK, MESS KIT, CANTEEN CUP, MESS TRAY,
RATIONS. [nb: fork introduced to Western civilization 1608; spork
patented 1970]
[nb: the small knife ("sgian dubh") that's tucked into the top of
the stocking, below the skirt of the kilt, that's typically
crafted by frugal Scots from broken weapons or scrap metal, is
traditionally used when skinning or eating; it is sometimes
called a "black knife", not for any sinister or devious usage,
but due to its coarse or inferior metal, which contrasts with the
brightly polished finer metal used in weapons]
-
KHA :
-
Killed in Hostile Action; see KIA, DOW.
-
KHAKI / KHAKIS :
-
a yellowish brown summer-weight CLASS-A uniform made of cotton
twill; also called "sun-tans". The short-sleeved KHAKI shirt had
breast pockets and EPAULETs; KHAKI trousers were usually four
pocketed and long, but KHAKI shorts with knee-socks were
experimental during the early 1960's. The Army had no matching
HEADGEAR, but the Navy and Air Force did. A privately purchased
alternative of the era was "tropical worsted wool" (TWs) in a
slightly darker shade of light brown; which uniform was both more
comfortable and more attractive than cotton KHAKIS. In 1846, the
white British Army uniform was dyed "dust" brown to match the
color of the desert dirt in India, and is considered to be the
first camouflage uniform. See DRESS, CAMMIES, CAMO, PATCH.
-
KHAKI MAFIA :
-
slang for the "old boys club", for the "movers and shakers", for
henchmen and minions, especially RING-KNOCKERs and other
self-protective MILICRATs; any exclusionary in-group (eg: Bataan
Gang of MacArthur sycophants), but may extend to overtly criminal
rackets engaged in Black Marketeering. As with organized-crime
families, there isn't a single monolithic structure; so the KHAKI
MAFIA (also spelled "maffia" for clique; also known as "the
group", "the outfit", "the organization", or "the mob") is
composed of the "Airborne Mafia", the "Armor Mafia", the
"Aviation Mafia", the "Submarine Mafia", and other subsets which
are dedicated to their own preferment and advancement. See RABBI,
PATRON SAINT, SEA DADDY, RHIP, ROUGHSHOD, LOYALTY UP - LOYALTY
DOWN, CARPETBAGGERS. [cf: apparatchik, nomenklatura, nabob, nibs]
[v: 'claque' for group or coterie of BROWN NOSERs]
[nb: every MILICRAT knows that the most dangerous people in the
military are not HEROes, but are disgruntled MIL-PERS who are
frustrated by MICKEY MOUSE and CHICKEN SHIT, by SNOW and RED
TAPE, and having been passed over twice for promotion, are
serving their terminal assignment, and because they are honorable
men who have not STACKed ARMS, they know that there is nothing
that the TICKET-PUNCHERs and RING-KNOCKERs of the KHAKI MAFIA can
do to them!]
-
KHMER ROUGE :
-
literally "Red Khmers"; the forces of the Cambodian
Communist Party. See CLA.
-
KHMER SEREI :
-
Free Khmer, Cambodian resistance group; see KKK, FARK. [nb: 1847
- Kingdom of Cambodia (Ang Duong) Angkor Wat emblem on coin; 1863
- Kingdom of Cambodia (Ang Duong) national flag; 1947 - Kingdom
of Cambodia (Norodom Sihanouk Varman) monarchy promulgated
democratic constitution and universal suffrage; 1948 - Kingdom of
Cambodia (Norodom Sihanouk Varman) new flag; 1954 - Kingdom of
Cambodia (Sihanuks); 1970 - Khmer Republic (Lon Nol); 1975 -
Kingdom of Cambodia (Khmer Rouge); 1976 - Democratic Kampuchea
(Pol Pot, et al); 1979 - People's Republic of Kampuchea [or
Kampuchea Popular Republic] (Heng Samrin, Hun Sen, et al); 1989 -
State of Cambodia (Heng Samrin, Hun Sen, et al); 1991 - State of
Cambodia under provisional UN administration; 1993 - Kingdom of
Camdbodia (Norodom Sihanuk). The colors of the national flag
represent blue for royalty, leadership, or contentment; red for
the nation, people, or courage; white for religion (Brahmanism /
Buddhism), faith, or righteousness. The principal emblem has been
ANGKOR WAT. The three stars in the flag of the Khmer Republic
variously represent: people / religion / government, upper /
middle / lower country, triple jewel of Buddhism (Dharma / Prajna
/ Sandhi), three branches of government. The present design of
horizontal bands was adopted on 29 October 1948 until 9 October
1970, then again on 30 June 1993, with the royal coat of arms on
21 September 1993, in preparation for the reestablishment of the
monarchy on 24 September 1993. The royal coat of arms show two
cups, one placed over the other; above them a sacred sword,
placed horizontally, surmounted by a symbol representing "om",
the sound of creation. Beneath the whole, two laurel branches are
united at the bottom by the star of the Royal Order of Cambodia.]
-
KHUNG BIET :
-
(kahm bick) Vietnamese phrase for "unknown" or "don't
understand", sometimes Americanized as "cam biet" or misspelled
"khong biet"; compare BIET.
-
KIA :
-
Killed In Action; see DOW, PH, BODY COUNT, WASTED, ZAPPED,
BUY THE FARM, BITTER END, SPLASH, KBA, KHA, DUSTOFF, MEDEVAC;
compare WIA, GSW-TTH, MILLION DOLLAR WOUND, PROFILE, LINE OF
DUTY, SIW.
[nb: allegedly, due to the undeclared status of the VIETNAM WAR,
allied combat deaths were officially classified as "Killed in
Hostile Action" (KHA), and enemy combat deaths were formally
designated as "Killed In Action" (KIA); but such a legalistic
distinction is supposed to regulate the award of "combat only"
decorations. Allied deaths total approximately 300,000
servicemembers, and the enemy is estimated to have lost 1.4 - 2
million military dead during the Second INDOCHINA War (1954-75).]
-
KICKER :
-
slang designation for a DROPMASTER or LOADMASTER who performs an
AIRDROP, LOW-LEVEL EVACUATION DROP, or KICK-OUT of the PAYLOAD so
as to effect a tactical resupply to ground elements; see CREW
CHIEF, HATCH, RAMP, TAILGATE, LZ, DZ, COMBAT LOADED, BAILOUT.
-
KICK-OUT :
-
to deliver essential equipment or necessary resupply to a unit in
the field by quickly throwing packaged goods out of the door or
HATCH of a slow moving airplane, usually a hovering CHOPPER but
any capable BIRD, from SKYMASTER to BRONCO, will suffice during
an emergency. A KICK-OUT is performed as low to the ground as
possible (to spare damage to the delivery), and at the center of
a PERIMETER (which is usually too small for an AIRDROP), and
under adverse conditions (typically receiving SMALL ARMS if not
AA fire), since a proper and secure LZ would be established if
time and opportunity permitted. See TAILGATE, COMBAT LOADED,
LOW-LEVEL EVACUATION DROP.
-
KICKS :
-
slang for G.I. shoes; see LOW-QUARTERS.
-
KICKSTANDED :
-
compulsory, mandatory, or forced retirement of a professional
MIL-PERS, also spelled "kick-standed"; based upon the
powerlessness of a fully functional motorcycle prevented from
operating by elevating the spinning drive-wheel with a kickstand.
This expedient method of disarming a politically embarrassing
situation is supposedly more fair to the individual, since they
are not punished or denied accrued benefits; but it is quite
unjust and cowardly, since the person is presumed guilty and
dishonored by the arrogation. See CYA, DODGE THE BULLET, CHOP,
VULCANIZE, RIF, SHOOT YOURSELF IN THE FOOT.
-
KILL CREDIT :
-
a symbolic representation of the death toll, being one of the
ways of "keeping score" in "real" WAR GAMES; see TROPHY, BANDIT,
KILL RING, STREAMER, SOUVENIR, EARS, BRAGGING RIGHTS, TOP DOG,
SPLASH, KIA, BODY COUNT, HEADHUNTING, BUTCHER'S BILL, ZULU,
MASSACRE, KILL 'EM ALL, PISSING CONTEST.
[nb: the kill ratio to expended AMMO during the VIETNAM WAR was
about 20,000 rounds per enemy dead]
-
KILL 'EM ALL :
-
popular slogan or sardonic byword, as "Kill 'em all an' let God
sort it out!". Originating as either "Neca eos omnes. Deus suos
agnoscet." or "Neca ecos omnes. Deus suos agnoscet.", which has
been translated as both "Slay them all. God will recognize His
own." and "Kill all! Kill all, for God will know His own."; and
has been variously attributed to Simon de Montfort, Amal Ulric,
Arnald-Amaury, Arnald-Amalric, Arnold Amalric, Caesar von
Heisterbach, and Caesar Heisterbachiensis from the Albigensian
Crusade to extirpate the Catharist heresy, 21 July 1209, in
Beziers France. See MASSACRE, BUTCHER'S BILL, BATTLE CRY, PATCH,
MERCENARY, WINNING HEARTS AND MINDS, VIETNAM IS FOREVER, WAR
PARTY, WARMONGER, TRIGGER-HAPPY, BOUNCE THE RUBBLE, BOMB 'EM BACK
TO THE STONE AGE, BIGGER BANG FOR THE BUCK, OVERKILL, GENOCIDE,
ATROCITY, RETALIATION; compare THEY'LL GIVE A WAR AN' NOBODY'LL
COME. [v: vernichtungsgedanken]
-
KILLER JUNIOR :
-
the setting of short-FUZEd high-explosive (HE) artillery (ARTY)
rounds for air-burst as a PERIMETER defense technique against
ground attacks. This anti-personnel (AP) procedure for HOWITZERs
was developed by LTC Robert Dean, who was then CO of the 1/8th
Field Artillery in the 25th Infantry Division, as a means to
compensate for the absence of a BEEHIVE or other CASE SHOT round
fitting the 105mm HOWITZER. The 105mm HE projectiles would be set
with two-second timers and fired over open sights on depressed
gun-tubes, resulting in an air-burst approximately 30 feet above
the ground at ranges between 200 - 1000 meters. This technique
was more effective than CANISTER or BEEHIVE because the enemy
could not crawl under the fan of the dispersion pattern. Compare
KILLER SENIOR; see DIME-NICKEL, ONE-OH-DEUCE, ARTY.
-
KILLER KANE :
-
NICKNAME for specialists in night ambush or assassination "behind
enemy lines"; see SHADOW WARRIOR, BODYGUARD, DECAPITATION, TWEP,
STROLLER, SWEEPER.
-
KILLER SENIOR :
-
the setting of short-FUZEd high-explosive (HE) artillery (ARTY)
rounds for air-burst as a PERIMETER defense technique against
ground attacks. This anti-personnel (AP) procedure for HEAVY
STUFF was developed as a means to compensate for the absence of a
BEEHIVE or other CASE SHOT round fitting the 8" cannon. The 8" HE
projectiles would be set with two-second timers and fired over
open sights on depressed gun-tubes, resulting in an air-burst
approximately 30 feet above the ground at ranges between 200 -
1000 meters. This technique was more effective than CANISTER or
BEEHIVE because the enemy could not crawl under the fan of the
dispersion pattern. Compare KILLER JUNIOR; see BIG STUFF, ARTY.
-
KILL HOUSE :
-
a building used for training military and paramilitary agents in
the tactics and techniques of intervention and rescue, especially
urban combat, by presenting typical, atypical, and specific
scenarios during which FLASHBANGs, MILES, and SIM-AMMO is used;
some setups include sound effects, visual distractions, and
BOOBY-TRAPs. The KILL HOUSE may be a MOCK-UP of an aircraft
fuselage, an embassy building, an apartment complex, a business
office, or small factory designed in European, Asian, or Near
Eastern style. These training sessions are normally videotaped
for post-event review. See BODYGUARD, DOOR KICKING, BREACHER,
STACK, MOUT, LRP, DELTA FORCE, SPECIAL OPERATIONS,
ANTI-TERRORISM, COUNTER-TERRORISM, RED FLAG.
-
KILL RING :
-
a painted line or band encircling the MAIN-GUN tube, commencing
from near the MUZZLE, each one of which represents the confirmed
destruction in battle of a similar enemy weapon or vehicle; being
a non-verbal testament of combat prowess, adopted by American
YELLOWLEGs and REDLEGs from WWII German TANKERs. See TROPHY,
BRAGGING RIGHTS, TOP DOG, KILL CREDIT.
-
KILL ZONE :
-
the area of saturated fire where most casualties will occur; also
called "killing ground", "killing field", or "beaten zone";
compare ZONE OF FIRE, POINT OF IMPACT, IMPACT AREA; see FPL,
AMBUSH, BATTLEFIELD. Also, the most lethal area, being the
preferred AIMPOINT or target for maximum effectiveness; compare
DEAD SPACE.
-
KILROY :
-
,^^^,
(O O)
--oooo--(_)--oooo--
a peering face graffito, often coupled with the catch-phrase
"Kilroy was here!", as made popular during WWII and after by
being indiscriminately emblazoned wherever troops advanced; this
icon ostensibly originated as an inspection mark made on military
equipment by James J. Kilroy. An alternative attribution credits
Francis J. Kilroy Jr., a sergeant in the Army Air Transport
Service, whose friends delighted in recording his name everywhere
they went.
-
KIMONO :
-
(forthcoming);
a loose robe with wide sleeves that's fastened at the waist with
a sash, as traditionally worn by Japanese men and women; derived
from "thing to wear".
compare CHEONGSAM, AO DAI, HANBOK.
-
KINFORMING :
-
a portmanteau word combining 'kin/kinfolk' and 'informing', as
adopted during the GULF WAR; being the notification procedure
required of the unit commander that advises a servicemember's
family of his injury or death, which also initiates the casualty
affairs or survivor assistance process. See NOK, WIA, DOW, KIA,
CACO, SKY PILOT, GHOUL.
-
KINGBEE :
-
Sikorsky CH-34 helicopter.
-
KING OF THE HILL :
-
preeminent, paramount, predominant, foremost, superior,
unsurpassed, matchless, peerless, incomparable, second to none;
one who has conquered all contenders to achieve dominance. This
activity, also called "king of the mountain", having devolved
into a rough-and-tumble game for children, teaches the value of
defensive high ground, and the singularity of attainment. See
BATTLE ROYAL, FIGHTING MAD, CLOSE QUARTERS BATTLE; compare DUCK
ON DRAKE, DUCKS AND DRAKES, TUG OF WAR, WAR GAMES.
-
KIOWA :
-
Bell OH-1 or OH-58 (JetRanger) observation helicopter; an armed
version is designated "Kiowa Warrior" (OH-58D). See SCOUTSHIP,
LOH, CHOPPER.
-
KIP :
-
to sleep or rest; derived from brothel. Also, a unit of weight
equal to half a ton, or 1000 pounds avoirdupois. Also, a large
heavy bundle or fardel, especially of hides. Also, the basic
monetary unit of currency of Laos; see LEGAL TENDER.
-
KISS :
-
military injunction to "Keep It Short and Simple", or "Keep
It Simple Stupid"; conceived by British MG J.F.C. Fuller, who
formalized the principles of warfare during WWI.
-
KISS THE MISTRESS :
-
hitting the center of the target; a perfect score. See
SHARPSHOOTER, DEADEYE, KNOCK THEIR SPOTS OFF, MAGGIE'S DRAWERS,
TURN THE JACK, AIMPOINT, BOLO BADGE.
[nb: by playing card analogy since the mid-19th century, the King
is headquarters, the Queen is the principal point on the FRONT
LINE, and the Jack is a secondary position; such that a "kiss" is
a solid hit or strike, and a "turn" is an oblique or glancing
blow of mis- or indirection]
[nb: according to classic military lore, carrying playing cards
(also called a "California prayer book" or the "Devil's calling
cards") in combat is bad luck, so the deck must be left behind in
camp or buried upon departure; cf: DEATH CARDS, WAR GAMES]
-
KIT :
-
materials and supplies for a specific purpose (eg: MESS KIT, MED
BAG, BUG-OUT KIT, DOPP KIT, PRO KIT). Also, BIVOUAC or
battlefield gear (eg: WAR BAG); see DUFFEL. Also, the container
for such material (eg: DITTY BAG, KIT BAG, MUSETTE, FLIGHT BAG);
see DUNNAGE. Also, all the parts necessary to assemble something
(eg: radio kit). [nb: the whole "kit 'n' caboodle" is an early
Americanism for the container with everything that belongs in it,
or an entity with all of its functional elements, such as a
COMBAT LOADED or MISSION READY unit that's GOOD TO GO; another
early Americanism for this entirety, whole or completeness, is
"lock, stock, 'n' barrel", which refers to all the essential
parts of a firelock musket]
-
KIT BAG :
-
see KIT, MED BAG, MUSETTE, WAR BAG, FLIGHT BAG, DUFFEL BAG, AWOL
BAG, BIVY, DINGLEBERRY.
[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]
-
KIT CARSON SCOUT :
-
named for the renown American frontier Indian Scout, Kit Carson,
abbreviated KCS, this program employed captured or surrendered
enemy soldiers who return to their former operational areas to
serve as guides for Allied troops. See HOI CHANH, ROADRUNNER,
EARTH ANGEL.
[nb: the American frontiersman, hunter and guide, Christopher
Houston "Kit" Carson (1809-68), known as the "Little Big Man",
was made famous by the plaudits of John Charles Frémont
for his employments during the Western expeditions of 1842-5,
then similarly engaged by Stephen Kearny in New Mexico, then
installed in 1853 as Indian agent at Taos, and later militia
leader of the New Mexico Volunteers in campaigns against
southwestern tribes during the CIVIL WAR (including the Texas
battle at Adobe Walls in November 1864), then finally appointed
Brigadier General in July 1866 to command Fort Garland, Colorado]
[nb: a similar program during WWII in the ETO operated by OSS was
called "Sauerkraut" (word play: Sour + German)]
-
KITCHEN IN A CARTON :
-
informal name for the "Unitized Group Ration Express", being a
no-fuel/no-power self-heating system that requires no additional
equipment; introduced to field inventory in 2007. Each
self-contained UGRE system is designed to be air-dropped, weighs
40 pounds, and feeds 18 servicemembers with menu items like
turkey dinner with gravy. See RATIONS.
-
KITE :
-
(forthcoming); THROW-AWAY
[nb: the kite, called a "flying sail", has been used militarily
since the fifth century BC by the Chinese to signal situations,
send commands, scatter leaflets, and lift observers.]
-
KIWI :
-
(kee-wee) NICKNAME for New Zealand ADVISORs and servicemen,
also known as "Digger", from "Down Under" (antipodes); see ANZAC,
FWF, ANZUS, KANZUS, ASEAN, SEATO, compare AUSSIE, TOMMY, GI JOE,
GI.
-
KKK :
-
Krum Kmampuchea Khmer, or Khmer Kampuchea Krom, or Khymer
Kampuchea Krom; exile ethnic Cambodian faction working with
Allied elements. See KHMER SEREI, FARK.
-
KLAXON :
-
a loud electric horn, formerly used on motor vehicles; a type of
alarm now used as a warning signal or siren. Compare SQUAWK BOX,
BLOWER, HORN, TANNOY, TOCSIN; see WARNING ORDER, BOATSWAIN'S
PIPE, BUGLE CALL, POOP, HEADS-UP, FYI, STAND-TO, DEFCON, ESP,
SACON, GQ, AHOY, HOISE, OORAH, HOOAH, HAUL-ASS, STAT.
-
KLICK :
-
slang for kilometer (km), also spelled "click"; being 1,000
meters or 0.621 mile. See KNOT, NAUTICAL MILE.
[v: International System of Units (si): meter (length), kilogram
(mass), second (time), ampere (electric current), kelvin
(temperature), mole (amount of substance), and candela (luminous
intensity); including femtometer / fermi (fm), picometer (pm),
angstrom (a), nanometer (nm), millimicron, micron/micrometer
(mu), millimeter (mm), centimeter (cm), decimeter (dm), meter
(m), dekameter (dam), hectometer (hm), kilometer (km), light
year, parsec]
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KMAG :
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Korea Military Advisory Group; consisted of MIL-PERS under the
operational control of the State Department (DoS). Compare USDAO.
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KMC :
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Republic of Korea Marine Corps; compare ROK, USMC.
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KNEE CAP :
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the perennially airborne aerial command center of the Strategic
Air Command (SAC); see DEFCON, SACON, FOOTBALL.
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KNEE-KNOCKER :
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slang for the protective rim or bulwark surrounding an opening in
a BULKHEAD or DECK, designed to exclude water; this coaming is
also called a "shin-scraper".
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KNIFE :
-
see BAYONET, BANANA BOLO, BOLO, MACHETE, KABAR, PILOT'S SURVIVAL
KNIFE, SOG BOWIE, POCKETKNIFE, BLOOD GROOVE; compare ON GUARD,
BUTT STROKE, CQB, LONG KNIFE, ELECTRIC BUTTERKNIFE.
[v: Knife Terms]
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K-9 :
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designation being a simulacrum for "canine", denoting the use of
specially trained dogs for military employment in messengering,
security, tracking, and detection with companion handler. Dog
handling is traditionally conducted using German-language
commands accompanied by unambiguous gestures. First used
during WWI, such loyal but expendable animals have usually been
abandoned or exterminated after each subsequent war, despite
their extensive and expensive training. The bond between dog and
handler is often untransferrable, such that the dog is either
discharged when the handler leaves the military, or is destroyed
if no other kennel is available for retirement. After WWI,
starving signal dogs were rescued by the founders of what later
became The Seeing Eye Foundation for re-training as guide dogs
for blinded veterans. See SCOUT DOG, SAPPER; compare WEASEL.
[nb: a joint US-Canadian operation during WWI called "K-9"
transported dogsled teams from Alaska and northern Canada to the
Alps and Vosges Mountains for the FRONT LINE delivery of
messages, food, medicine, or AMMO, and evacuation of the wounded,
in France and Italy during winter snows when horses and mules
proved incapable] [nb: the first military use of dogsleds was in
the laying of telegraph lines across Alaska, the delivery of mail
and other resupply items in both World Wars, and for winter
search and rescue operations in the Arctic, until replaced by
snowmobiles and helicopters in the 1950s ... Germans used
dogsleds for resupply on the Russian Front during WWII, and
dogsleds are still used today for border patrol in Norway,
Finland, and Greenland] [nb: during Operation Barbarossa,
defending Russians used anti-tank "mine dogs" against attacking
German vehicles; dogs were Pavlovian conditioned to eat their
food on the underside of moving vehicles, where the trigger on
their back would detonate the saddlebag explosive that they
carried] [nb: sled dog team races began with the 1907-18
All-Alaska Sweepstakes, the 1925 Great Race of Mercy delivery of
diphtheria serum (re-enacted in 1975), the 1932 Winter Olympics
dogsled race, the annual Alaska Fur Rendezvous dogsled race that
became the Iditarod in 1967, and the 1973 Iditarod race run from
Anchorage to Nome]
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KNOCK IT OFF :
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command broadcast to all participants, by any
element or umpire, to interrupt mock-combat training for reasons
of safety or completion; to cease and desist, to give quarter.
Given the natural competition of training, enthusiasm frequently
exceeds judgement, such that strikes and developments are
disputed; so KNOCK IT OFF concludes the exercise for later
analysis and assessment. Actual combat does not have a "pause"
button or an "interrupt" switch; and "fair play by the rules" is
a moot point in victory. See DOGFIGHT, RING THE BELL, TS CARD,
POOP, ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR.
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KNOCK THEIR SPOTS OFF :
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hitting the center of the target; a perfect score. Originating as
pistol marksmanship competition with the target being the "pips"
on playing cards. This phrase, which enjoins a superior
performance of skill, may be confused with "knock their socks
off", which extols an impressive (even flamboyant) performance.
See SHARPSHOOTER, DEADEYE, KISS THE MISTRESS, MAGGIE'S DRAWERS,
AIMPOINT, BOLO BADGE, DEATH CARDS, WAR GAMES.
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KNOT :
-
a constrictive interlacement for fastening. Knot tying has
a language of its own, including: bend, BIGHT, loop, hitch,
running-end, standing-end, trailing-end, fast, splice, braid,
twine, etc; see HARD-AND-FAST, MONKEY FIST, TURK'S HEAD. [v: Climbing Terms]
Also, a unit of speed equal to one NAUTICAL MILE (or about 1.15
statute miles) per hour; probably derived as a contraction of
"[k]naut(ical mile)"; the usage "knots per hour" is a redundancy.
Also, a unit of measure, being either one NAUTICAL MILE, or a
line marked 47'3" (13.79m) long.
[nb: 12 inches = 1 foot, 3 feet = 1 yard, 6 feet / 2 yards = 1
fathom, 16.5 feet = 1 rod (aka: pole or perch), 66 feet / 4 rods
= 1 chain (90 feet / 15 fathoms = 1 anchor chain), 10 chains /
660 feet (1/8 statute mile) = 1 furlong, 120 fathoms / 720 feet =
1 land cable, 101 fathoms / 606 feet (1/10 nautical mile) = 1
cable, 3 statute miles = 1 land league, 3 nautical miles = 1 sea
league / shot] [nb: a "geographic mile" is the length of a minute
of longitude on the equator]
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KNOW THE ROPES :
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experienced, knowledgeable, masterly; to be familiar with or able
to execute a task. A nautical phrase from the days of sail, when
an understanding of the complexities of ropes, knots, and rigging
was essential for a seaman. This expression first appeared in a
published work as a reference to the ship's captain in "Two Years
Before the Mast" by Richard Henry Dana (1840).
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KNOW YOUR ENEMY :
-
a catch-phrase that encourages insight and creativity, since it
is not enough to second-guess oneself ("How would I kill me?"),
but to recognize enemy patterns and methods, strengths and
weaknesses, potential and goals ("How would he kill me?"), both
tactically and strategically; also expressed as "know the enemy".
See CAPABILITY, COURSE OF ACTION, FIELD EXPEDIENT. ["To know your
enemy, you must become your enemy ... Keep your friends close and
your enemies closer." by Sun-Tzu]
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KOREAN WAR :
-
a war launched 25 June 1950 to unify the Hermit Kingdom, annexed
since 1910 and divided by the Yalta Conference trusteeship, by
INVASION from the Democratic People's Republic of (North) Korea
aided by communist China (PRC) and USSR into the Republic of
(South) Korea aided by US and UN forces, resulting in an
armistice signed 27 July 1953 that confirmed the antebellum 1948
separation along the 38th parallel, less approximately 180,000
Allied and an estimated 2,000,000 enemy casualties. The KOREAN
WAR was America's first "limited war", formally designated a
"police action", and was the first military intervention by 16
members of the United Nations exercising their peacekeeping
authority.
[cf: during the KOREAN WAR, many North Korean and Chinese
communist POWs TATTOOed themselves with anti-American or
pro-communist slogans, on their hands, arms, foreheads, or
chests, as an act of defiant solidarity with their homelands, and
with their war against Western ideals; even when they rioted, no
NK or CHICOM POWs were punished for expressing their political
views with signs or TATTOOs]
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KOREAN WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL :
-
a striking tableau and frieze erected on the Capitol Mall
adjacent to the VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL commemorating the
service and sacrifice of combatants more than forty years after
the armistice for the "Forgotten War". See MEMORIAL DAY, MISSING
MAN FORMATION, TAPS.
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KP :
-
Kitchen Police, with duties to assist food preparation, setup,
clean-up, and Dining Room Orderly (DRO); sometimes called
"pot-walloper", "pan-wrestler", or "kicking pots and pans",
formerly known as "blackguard". See COOKIE, MESSHALL, GALLEY.
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K-POT :
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the lightweight ballistic (Kevlar) helmet that replaced the STEEL
POT after Vietnam; also called "Fritz" for its resemblance to the
German coal-scuttle or "Dutch Boy" HEADGEAR. [nb: Kevlar patented
1971]
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KRAIT :
-
a nocturnal venomous snake, in either black and white or black
and yellow bands, with erect upper fangs (elapid), that's
INDIGenous to South Asia; also called "two-step" or "eleven
second" snake for its deadly effect.
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KUNAI / KUNAI GRASS :
-
tall sharp-edged grass, growing throughout Asia and the Pacific
region; also called "blady", "blady grass", and "lalang". See
BOONIES, TULE, ELEPHANT GRASS, SAW GRASS, NIPA PALM, PITA.
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KYAT :
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the Burmese (Myanmarian) basic monetary unit of currency; see
LEGAL TENDER.
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