Military Definitions - S

A to Z Blogging Challenge.  My topic is MILITARY DEFINITIONS.

 S – Sierra

morse code – dot dot dot

Sailor or seaman – an enlisted member of the US Navy, but does not include members of construction battalions [CBs/Seabees] who are called constructionmen.

SEAL - sea-air-land team — US Navy forces organized, trained, and equipped to conduct special operations.  Similar to Army Ranger.

Self-loading cargo - passengers boarding a transport aircraft.

Semper Fi – short for Semper fidelis, the Latin phrase that means "always faithful" or "always loyal". In the United States it is best known as the motto of the United States Marine Corps.

SNAFU - “situation normal - all fouled up.”  Originally “all f***ed up” 

Sniper – a soldier highly trained in long range rifle marksmanship and field skills. 

Special agent — A person, either United States military or civilian, who is a specialist in military security or the collection of intelligence or counterintelligence information.

Special forces — US Army forces organized, trained, and equipped to conduct special operations with an emphasis on unconventional warfare capabilities.

Speed of sound — the speed at which sound travels.  At sea level in the International Standard Atmosphere, this speed is 1108 ft/second, 658 knots, 1215 km/hour.

SONAR — an acryonym for SOund Navigation And Ranging.  A sonic device is used primarily for the detection and location of underwater objects.

Soldier - one who fights as part of an organized land-based armed force, for example the US Army.  A soldier can be an enlisted person, a non-commissioned officer, or an officer.