Military Defintions - G

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

G – Golf

morse code – dash dash dot

General orders — Instructions that apply to all members of a command, as compared with special orders, which affect only individuals or small groups. General orders are usually concerned with matters of policy or administration. Also, a series of orders that govern the duties of a sentry on post. 

Geneva Conventions - rules that apply only in times of armed conflict and define the basic rights of people who are not, or are no longer taking part in, hostilities.  They establish the standards of international law for the humanitarian treatment of war, including the sick and wounded of armed forces on the field, shipwrecked members of armed forces at sea, prisoners of war, and civilians.  The treaties of 1949 were ratified, in whole or with reservations, by 196 countries. 

Ground zero — The point on the surface of the Earth at, below, or above the center of a nuclear detonation.  Also used in relation to earthquakes, epidemics, and other disasters to mark the point of the most severe damage or destruction.  In modern times, the term is generally understood to mean the World Trade Center site in New York City.

Military Definitions - F

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

F – Foxtrot 

morse code – dot dot dash dot

 

Fatigues - duty/work uniform, as opposed to dress uniform.

Field day - thorough cleanup of a barracks pending an inspection.

Field exercise — An exercise conducted in the field under simulated war conditions.  Troops and weapons of one side are actually present, while those of the other side may be imaginary or in outline.

First Light – The time of nautical twilight when the sun is 12 degrees below the horizon.

Flight deck — In certain airplanes, an elevated compartment occupied by the operating crew.  The upper deck of an aircraft carrier that serves as a runway.

Friendly fire — In casualty reporting, persons killed in action or wounded in action mistakenly or accidentally by friendly forces.

FUBAR - “fouled up beyond all recognition”.  Originally used “f***ed” up.

 

Military Definitions - E

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

E – Echo 

morse code – dot

 

Embed – When a reporter stays with the military in order to conduct journalistic business. They are typically provided with security and basic necessities provided by the unit they are embedded with.

Encampment - a place with temporary accommodations, generally huts or tents, for troops or nomads.

Enlist – to sign up with a branch of the armed services.  Enlistment generally begins at a local recruiting station, and is completed at the regional Military Entrance Processing Station [MEPS] facility, which for my son was in San Diego CA.  My son's enlistment period is 5 years active, 3 years reserve.  This means that after 5 years, he can re-enlist for another 5 years, or he can leave the service but will still be required to fulfill 3 years reserve.

Military Definitions - D

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

D – Delta 

morse code – dash dot dot

Day zero – the first day of basic training [boot camp].

Dear John – term referring to a significant other breaking up with a service member through a letter.

Delayed Entry Program — also called DEP.   A program under which an individual may enlist in a Reserve Component of military service, with a future reporting date for entry into active duty.  My son enlisted in the Navy in June, and was part of DEP until January when he reported for boot camp.  During DEP he studied things like the names of the persons in his chain of command, types of ships and planes, what the insignia for ranks looks like, how to march and salute, etc.  The waiting period was because the rating [job] he signed up for, had boot camp slots available in January.

Demilitarized Zone – DMZ.  A specific area [for example between North and South Korea] in which any type of military force is banned.

Deployment - to organize and send out people and/or things for a particular purpose.  Typically, a battalion or other group of service members is sent out for a specific mission.  My son has had two overseas deployments, one to Okinawa and one to Spain and the Middle East.  Oddly, my son has also had two stateside deployments, to Virginia and Colorado.  I never knew a deployment could be within the US until the first of these occurred.

Detachment — also called DET.  A part of a unit separated from its main organization for duty elsewhere. A temporary military or naval unit formed from other units or parts of units. My son is assigned to the “air DET” detachment of his battalion.

Dog tags - an informal term for the identification tags worn by military personnel.  The tags are primarily used for the identification of dead and wounded soldiers.  They contain personal information such as name, SSN, basic medical information, and religious preference.

Draft – The conscription of qualified citizens in military service.  In the United States, men between the ages of 18 and 25 are required to register so that an involuntary “selective service” can be implemented if needed.  My oldest son voluntarily enlisted in the Navy.  My second and third sons [ages 20 and 18] are registered with selective service, which they did online, altho my second son is disabled and will never be required to serve.  This year, because of the opening of most military jobs to women, registration may [but not currently] be required of women, so when my daughter turns 18, she may also be required to register.

 

Military Definitions - C

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

C – Charlie

morse code – dash dot dash dot

Camo – camouflage.  Disguising military personnel, equipment, and buildings so they blend in with the environment.  Used to confuse or evade the enemy. 

Cannibalize – taking workable parts of one item and using them in another. 

Captain's mast – non-judicial punishment. 

Chaplain – a member of the clergy [any religion] attached to a secular organization such as a military battalion.  They are normally officers, and provide pastoral, spiritual and emotional support for service personnel, including conducting religious services at sea, on bases, or in the field. 

Charlie Foxtrot – commonly used expression stands for clusterf***. 

Chest Candy – slang for ribbons and medals worn on a uniform. 

Coast Guard – established in January 1915.  Unique among the U.S. military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission (in both domestic and international waters) and a federal regulatory agency mission. It operates under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security during peacetime, and can be transferred to the U.S. Department of the Navy by the U.S. President at any time, or by the U.S. Congress during times of war.   Responsible for maritime safety and security.  Performs search and rescue operations. 

Constructionman – Navy personnel like my son who have construction jobs and are part of construction battalions [Seabees – CBs], are not called sailors but are called constructionmen. 

Cover – any military head gear.

Military Definitions - B

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

B – Bravo

morse code – dash dot dot dot

Barracks – a building or group of buildings used to house soldiers or other military personnel.  My son's job as a Seabee [electrician] has been primarily refurbishing and repairing various barracks in several locations throughout the world.

Battalion – a military unit consisting of several companies, each of which contains many soldiers or “troops”.  My son is assigned to a Navy “construction battalion”, meaning he is a Seabee [CB]. 

BFO - blinding flash of the obvious. 

Bivouac – a temporary camp with little or no cover. 

Boat – a submarine.  Not to be confused with ship, which is an above-water vessel. 

Boot camp - basic military training required for all new enlistees.  Initial active duty training is 12 weeks.  My son's boot camp was mid-January thru March at the Great Lakes Naval Facility north of Chicago.  Boot camp near Chicago in winter.   Brrrrrrr! 

Brig – a military prison or jail on a ship or Navy base. 

Buddy-aid – First aid provided by a non-medical Service member to another person. 

Bulkhead - the interior structural divider of a ship. 

Bull$h!t bomb – slang for a device which distributes propaganda leaflets.

Military Definitions - A

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

A – Alfa [or Alpha]

Morse code - dot dash

Active duty — full-time duty in active military service of the United States, including members of the Reserve Components serving on active duty or full-time training duty. Does not include full-time National Guard duty.  My son is active duty in the US Navy.

Admiral – the highest ranking officer of the US Navy and the US Coast Guard. 

Air Force - the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces. Initially part of the United States Army, it became a separate branch in September 1947. The U.S. Air Force provides air support for surface forces and aids in the recovery of troops in the field. The stated mission of the USAF today is to "fly, fight, and win in air, space, and cyberspace." Yes, I noticed cyberspace also. That was a big surprise to me. My son, with true Navy solidarity, calls this branch of service the "Chair Force."  The guest speaker at his high school graduation was retired Air Force.  After the ceremony, my son asked him about his job.  He replied "I flew a desk."

Alpha Charlie – slang for a$$ chewing, a verbal reprimand. 

Amphibious vehicle – a vehicle that can be used as transport on both land and water. 

Army - the largest and senior branch of the United States Armed Forces. Performs land-based military operations. Authorized in the United States Constitution. After the Revolutionary War, the Congress of the Confederation created the United States Army in June 1784, to replace the disbanded Continental Army. The mission of the U.S. Army is "to fight and win our Nation's wars, by providing prompt, sustained, land dominance, across the full range of military operations and the spectrum of conflict, in support of combatant commanders." 

ASVAB - the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is a multiple choice test, administered by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command [MEPS]. The test is used to determine qualification for enlistment in the United States Armed Forces. The highest score is 99. Scores are normalized and are not straight percentages. For example, a score of 75 does not mean the test-taker answered 75% of the questions correctly. It means the test-taker scored better than 75% of all examinees. My #1 son took this test at age 18. He scored 99. 

As you were - return to what you were doing.