Military Slang

[pmulcahy11b]

Here's one I just remembered:

God Gun: The little pistol-shaped laser transmitter used to test MILES sensors. You can "take out" anything from a person to a helicopter with one.

[chico20854]

And another one: GI Party: when all hands must turn out for a good old fashioned top to bottom cleaning of an area, usually a barracks or work area.

Having one right now at my house...

[Targan]

I'm engaging in some thread necromancy here because we have a number of new members that wouldn't have participated in this discussion and have extensive military experience.

[Legbreaker]

"You will with the speed of a thousand lesbians to a Boy George concert.... insert action here".

"Faster than a snail wearing a jet pack..."

[Raellus]

There're some pretty funny ones here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...nd_expressions

And links to more here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_slang

[dragoon500ly]

Missed this thread and brother does this bring back a lot of memories!!!

ACR =Armored Cavalry Regiment, beloved home for THE elite of the US Army...

Ballroom = The NCO Club.

Beer Can = nickname for the M-551 Sheridan.

Bimpy = Radio slang for the BMP.

Border Dawg = personnel performing the 2 & 11 ACRs border observation mission.

Box = slang term for a M-113

Berry Patch = nickname for the shoulder patch of the 3rd ACR.

Burdum = Radio slang for the BRDM.

Class Six = unofficial term for the essential fuel for a soldier, also known as whiskey, booze, etc.

Colored Lines = refers to the roads on a map.

Crunchies = the delightful sound the infantry makes when you run one over.

DAT = the correct translation is Distinguished American Tanker.

Disneyland East = Headquarters, US Army Europe

Disneyland West = the Pentagon.

Dusting, dusted = having a fellow tanker hose your tank with co-ax to get rid of those annoying infantry types trying to drop satchel charges in the hatches, also refers to those little incidents that sometimes happens when the National Guard goes to tank gunnery.

Donkey Dick = that flexible metal thingee that you fit onto a 5-gallon can of diesel when you do the tactical refueling exercise.

Dope Head = the units NBC officer. Also referred to as Dope Head 6.

Essentials = the junk food and all the other snivel gear that tankers take to the field.

Execute! = term used by 1st Sergeants, translated into "shut your pie hole, do what I told you, about face and get the h*** out of my office!"

Five = the units XO, refers to his vehicle bumber number, HQ-65.

Friendly Air = Two lies for one.

Funny paper = standard military map.

God Book = CEOI, because you can talk to god and everyone, also refers to the wraith of God, what happens to you if you lose one!

Grenz = Lands Ends, the border between West Germany and East
Germany/Czech during the bad ole days.

Gun Bunnies = Artillery men

Gun Humpers = the loaders for the artillery

Gun and Knife Club = The Enlisted Club at Graf!

Head 6 = The Officer's Club.

Hoop = US Army Europe slang for a West German civilian.

Horny = nickname for the shoulder patch of the 11th ACR.

IQ = nickname for the shoulder patch of the 1st ID, also refers to their intelligence.

Lifer Juice = Coffee, The US Army can fight a war without coffee, it just doesn't want to. There is always a pot brewing somewhere.

Mach Nix = GI slang for "it don't mean nothing".

MREs = Meals Rejected by Everyone also Three Lies for One

Ole Smoky = beloved term for a M-60A1 MBT.

Patton's Sweeties = nickname for the shoulder patch of the 2nd AD (worn over their left breast pocket.

Pricks = US Army beloved term for MPs.

Puke Seat = the tank gunner's position, named for the usual reaction to a rough ride in a M-1.

Rad = US Army Europe slang for a West German civilian.

Ranger Cookie = that ad hoc power bar brewed by mixing the MRE sugar packet with the cream substitute packet, wrapping in foil and tossing into a fire for two minutes. It tastes as bad as it looks.

Red Catcher = Border Dawg slang for the daily AH1 Cobra flight along the Grenz.

Six = any unit commander in the US Army, refers to the bumber number of his vehicle, HQ-66

Slash Alpha = Radio slang for a friendly tank, at least in 2 & 11 ACRs

Slash Bravo = Radio slang for a friendly M113, at least in 2 & 11 ACRs

Slash Alpha-Bravo = Radio slang for a M-901, at least in 2 & 11 ACRs (they didn't know if they were a APC or tank either.)

Tango = enemy tank.

Tootie Fruiti = nickname for the shoulder patch of the 2nd ACR.

Treadheads = US Army slang for any mechanized vehicle crewman, for infantry, refers to tankers.

Transfer to the Infantry = US Tanker slang for those individuals who just shouldn't be near a tank, let alone crew one.

Wonderland on the Potomac = Washington D.C.

[Panther Al]

Heh, we always called the 3ACR patch the bug, but I can see the other.
Also:

M240: the good thirty
M60: the shitty thirty
M113: for some reason got in the habit of calling them half tracks and it caught on throughout the squadron

[dragoon500ly]

M-219 co-axial machine gun = the ole "29 and jam".



A-I-K: Assistance in kind, the ole "til payday loan"

Bounding Overwatch = moderatly fast movement with half of platoon hanging back 3-500 meters and covering the forward half.

BS = Border Surveillance, yeah right!

Cherry = new replacement, aka the FNG.

DEROS = date eligible for return from overseas, your last day in Germany and then the freedom bird!

Dog-N-Pony Show = the dazzle your Congressman with BS show that seemed to always happen right around Okotober Fest, not that I'm saying our reps would use the public dime to get drunk or anything....

Doughnut Dollies = Red Cross girls, this one dates back to WWI!!!

DX = direct exchange of equipment for replacement and/or repair

Ghost = take off or taking it easy. A trooper that always seems to be needed elsewhere, especially if their uniform might get dirty.

Herringbone = formation used by tanks entering ambush or halted on the road. The vehicles alternately facing each side of the road controlling a 360 degree circle.

Hootch = temporary living quarters; your pup tent.

Jumping Jacka**es = tanker term of endearment for our airborne brothers.

Laager = night position for tanks, provides 360 protection.

Midnight Requisition = Unauthorized, afterhours procurement of needed parts or supplies.

Overwatch = slow movement to contact by tanks, half of platoon is stationary and covering the moving half.

Piss Water = term of endearment for US beer sold in the PX, COMEON! This is Germany, the Land of Beer!!!!

Rolling Hot = Tank on a Table VIII Gunnery exercise, locked, cocked and ready to shoot something!

Stand Down = maintenance and cleaning period, usually right before a dog-n-pony show or an major inspection.

[Griff]

Ahhhh Tankers....

Well my fellow Cavalrymen we've covered "DATs" & "CDATs" but oddly we've failed to include my favorites for you Treadheads...

TWOTs-Tankers With Out Tanks (pronounced Twaats, yep just like the slang for that most famous of female body parts). This moniker placed on all those "poor tankers" who deployed and had their precious tracks taken away and sent to Purgatory of Motorized Infantry during deployments to OIF/OEF (especially A-stan were one Marine armored battalion is now the envy of the tanker world)

Com TWOTs-Computerized Tankers Without Tanks(yep it's pronounced in the most derogatory and pornographic way) -Whoppee the Tankers got some gadgets in their trucks (BFT's, GPS, etc...). Modern day US Army tankers must have something shiny and electronic or they apparently break out in hives and muscle twitching.

Death before Dismount- The unofficial (?) motto of the US Armored Forces.

Lawn Dart-Any Sheridan air dropped by the 82nd.

"Targets Up" "A kills a kill!"- The tanker follow on to the Cav Scouts tradional call of "Scouts Out". Also heard as dismounted/light Infantry grunt.....most reassuring it was not.

That's about all my old, much concussed, brain can remember at the moment. But not to leave my tanker brethren in shame ( mind,they are sensitive bunch ) I would like to thank all past, present, and future tankers for their enormous support of poor little "crunchies" like myself for countless moments critical help (warming my frozen and soaked body with your most efficient blow dryer (rear heat vents/exhaust ports), ending a few nasty firefights very quickly, etc.etc.etc..) and in the end we both say together....Atleast we aren't MP's!


Sua Sponte

[bobcat]

everyone missed the most important one. the saviour of all TWOTs, riders, and crunchies.

FISTER: forward artillery observer, FO, fire supporter

gee hard to tell what job i prefered

[dragoon500ly]

Came across a few more gems...

19 Detail: Any 19D (cavalry scout MOS) assigned to an infantry battalion. Infantry sleep better when guarded by the Cavalry!

Bandaid: The M-113 ambulance.

Beer Can: M-113 (and the beer can has thicker armor than the M-113!).

Bush beater: any 11B (infantry)

Prune Box: A M-113 loaded with its infantry box...in a Ft Hood summer.

Six Pack: A platoon of M-113s.

[Sanjuro]

Fish-head: Seaman Branch officer in the RN (or any RN personnel described by the other services)
Pusser: RN Supply Branch (or any RN personnel described by the Marines)
Pusser's kit: any issue naval gear
Bootie, Bootneck: Royal Marine
Sneaky Beakies: SBS
WAFU: RN Aircrew (Wet And F****** Useless)
JAFO: RN Observer (Just Another F****** Observer)
FRISP: Scottish member of the RN (I'm told it stands for Friendly Reliable Intelligent Scottish Person, but there are probably other versions!)
Rockapes: RAF Regiment
Dit: story
Salty: very Naval or experienced (can describe people: "that guy is proper salty", ie he knows his stuff, gear: "that is one salty piece of kit" or even stories: "that was a salty dit!"
Gentlemen from Hereford: SAS (as told by a cop who had been at some sieges where they were called: the senior Police Officer on scene was told "The Gentlemen from Hereford are here...")

[Griff]

19Detail-Any Scout not in Cav Troop-Tankers don't tend to treat us any better than the Infantry.

Sham Shield-Spec 4(E-4 paygrade US Army) rank insignia-so named for a Spec 4's ability to "sham" (avoid work) out of most, if not all, possible work details. Thus showing his "leadership" abilities, i.e. avoiding other higher leaders, "delegating" authority, finding some more hard working(gullible/less experienced/lower rank),etc.

Spec 4 Mafia- Those denizens of the underworld whose sole purpose is to ensure all PFC's and below live in constant torment, fear, and privation. This is to ensure less observation/interference of senior NCO's and to amuse the collective Spec 4's (hence the mention of their infernal heritage). Mostly used in line companies (Infantry/Cav/Armor/some Arty). These creatures are a pack animal (no less than 4 will be encountered at one time), and allowed by higher authorities to roam free to commit their energies (depredations/atrocities) on lower life forms as long as the mission gets completed and the medical profile lists stay to a minimum.

Full Bird Private-Spec 4 not included in the "mafia", Spec 4's with no "mafia" organized in unit, average US Army Spec 4. Referred to because of the eagle on the rank device, the shape of the rank (inverted PFC rank), and the treatment/respect they receive(possibly because of their mental/professional abilities).

Sack of Shit Landing (as opposed to a proper PLF(Parachute Landing Fall)- The average landing/impact description of a US Paratrooper (and most other countries from what I've seen) on impact with the ground. Referenced as, "How'ed you're landing go?" "SOS, I landed like a sack of shit!".

Non Tactical Night Jump- Jumping with one's eyes closed

Fun Jump/Hollywood Jump-Jump without gear, higher than 1000+ ft AGL exit, no reason for the jump (no follow on mission).

Sky Shark-Inexperienced or asinine paratrooper who steals his/her fellow paratroopers air,or collides with other jumpers (with possible entanglements). Not proceeded with dramatic music (Dunna, dunna,dunna...) thus hard to spot if you are marked as they're prey.

Ranger Candy- Motrin, ubiquitous medical prescription for most non surgical medical needs in Ranger community (now spreading through out the rest of the US Army).

PX Ranger-Personnel known for accomplishing through commerce what most attain through merit and/or valor, i.e. "Stolen Valor", or buying ribbons/patchs/awards/badges and wearing badges they haven't earned.

FO-F'ing Off- usual activity for Forward Observers when not engaged in actual tactical duties. (yep D'fly you're secrets out!)

ALICE-Another Ludicris Insane Clown Expedition- Preparatory phase to a Goat Rope (see also goat f**k,cluster f**k, clown bomb, clown shoes,etc.), i.e. bad situation perpetrated by severe stupidity.

Football Bat-A thing that is beyond useless, stupid, ill concieved,ass backwards, wrong on multiple levels.As in, "Son you're as f**ked up as football bat!" (see also swimming cleats, arctic swimshorts, soccer flippers, etc.).

They're coming back slowly but surely. Will post more as brain housing group makes more connections.

Sua Sponte
Griff

[Graebarde]

Well I read 'em all, and never saw it.. so

REMF Rear Echelon Mother F... anyone who wasn't actually in the bush.
In the rear with the gear.. REMF and goldbricks...
Ham and Mothers... C-ration ham and lima beans
Balls and Guts... spaghette and meat balls
Shoe Patches... pork slices

and to all those that hated those delectible Meals Rejected by Ethiopians or was it Everyone? I wish we had them rather than the C-rats that had 1953 stamped on them in 1969.. and later.

I still say Dr Seuss was a GI that got his idea for green eggs and ham from the canned eggs and chopped ham in C-rations.. I NEVER saw one that wasn't green, hence you ate it in the dark.

[pmulcahy11b]

Originally Posted by Griff

Sack of Shit Landing (as opposed to a proper PLF(Parachute Landing Fall)- The average landing/impact description of a US Paratrooper (and most other countries from what I've seen) on impact with the ground. Referenced as, "How'ed you're landing go?" "SOS, I landed like a sack of shit!".

Another variation of this, one that I was quite skilled at, is the feet-knees-face landing. Usually when I got to the RP, someone would look at me and say, "What the hell happened to your face?"

Football Bat-A thing that is beyond useless, stupid, ill concieved,ass backwards, wrong on multiple levels.As in, "Son you're as f**ked up as football bat!" (see also swimming cleats, arctic swimshorts, soccer flippers, etc.).

The variation I always heard (and used) was "f***ked up as a soup sandwich." Imagine what a mess that would be!

One thing I would often shout at my troops when I was only a little mad at them was "I'm gonna have you shot and sent to the Russian Front." As the years went by, fewer and fewer of them understood that reference...

Oh, and here's another one: Profile Child. In the Army, a profile sheet is given to you by a doctor or PA that list restrictions on your activity while you are recovering from injury or illness. If you get a long profile period (like I did once -- they almost chaptered me out early in my career), or have lots of illnesses and injuries, you become a Profile Child. My stepmonster called the Marine Corps equivalent was "Sick Bay Commando."

[dragoon500ly]

And they just keep a'pouring out!

Air Watch = the rear facing loader on a tank is supposed to watch for aircraft, but any good loader can brace himself and sleep for hours!

Basic Load = For tankers in Germany, the morning ritual of counting the four boxes of MREs, the four rucksacks of NBC gear and the forty-five rounds of main gun ammo that was carried in the ammo racks of all tanks east of Ansbach!

Belly Robbers = ANY mess sergeant/specialist.

Boo coup = GI slang for lots and lots.

Chogie = Korean for go faster!

God Box = The M-151 jeep and trailer that the Chaplain used.

Hermann = the local German armed guards, drunk AND armed!!!!!

Hoffman = that lovely little multi-barrel main gun simulator that bolted to the gun tube, usually right over the driver's head. Supposed to simulate the main gun firing...its real purpose was to make sure the driver was awake!

Kaserne = Germany barracks, many of them dated back to WWII and had those odd marks where the engineers had chiseled off the Nazi eagle.

Party Can = the ammo can that holds the main gun firing pin and the end plates of the tanks machineguns....it's time to party!

Piss Hatch = the belly escape hatch on the M-48/-60 series tank.

SIW = Self Inflicted Wound, that social disease that the weekend commandos seemed to catch...every weekend.

The Monthly aka the Curse = Specific to USAEUR, the monthly alert that always seemed to start at 0230 with the kaserne siren blaring and the troops running around in MOPP Gear and LBE getting ready for a move.

Warpath = That act in which the 1st Sergeant tears through the barracks citing issues, always results in a massive GI Party!

Weekend Commando = Stateside, referred to the National Guard and Army Reserve. In Germany, referred to the various members of the unit that only showed up to get thier weekend pass and to hit the gausthaus for social interaction with the locals.

[Sanjuro]

Compo: field rations- can be dehydrated, boil-in-bag or tinned. Usually issued as a 24 hour pack, including 3 meals, snacks and tea and coffee.
A*** blockers: "Biscuits, AB." Hard biscuits included in compo packs- generally assumed to be the reason why, when living on compo, one only needs a bowel movement every three days. The third day, of course, can be dramatic...
Babies' heads: Beef Stew in Dumplings- boil-in-bag meal.

[Legbreaker]

Bung hole: Small tin of cheese included in Australian ration packs with a constipationary effect.

[Griff]

Another variation of this, one that I was quite skilled at, is the feet-knees-face landing. Usually when I got to the RP, someone would look at me and say, "What the hell happened to your face?"

Ahh the feet-knees-face landing.....those were the days. Thank God they're gone!

It's because of said landing technique that I changed the storage position of my NOD's from the top of the ruck to DEEP in it's center. Only to impacts and broken nose to figure that one out. That and not riding my ruck in.....

Now on to the news....


CAS-Close Air Support- Rotary & Fixed wing air support for us mudsloggers

Incoming(mail)-From GI humor during WWII-Incoming Indirect Fire
Outgoing(mail)-Same source-Outgoing Indirect Fire(not necessarily friendly)

Murphy'ed- From Murphy's Laws of Combat which states that if something can go wrong, it will. Re: "Check you're gear boys, don't give Murphy and excuse", "what went wrong?" "We got Murph'ed"-the fates just don't have your back that day.

ISAF-I Suck At Fighting-I Stay At FOB (see Fobbit)-Current Op's in A-Stan

NATO-Never Attempt Tactical Operations-Again from current A-Stan

Frat Boys-Referred to both SF Suntanning Assoc. members (majority of Green Beenies), or groups of young officers who act like they never left their college fraternities.

Green Beenies-Special Forces. See also Special Feces, Gucci Boys

Gear Queer- a Joe that buys every piece of new and shiny kit that comes across his sight optical group (eyes). If it's shiny and new he's gotta have it.

House Mouse-Squad/Platoon bitch (non female reference). Low man on the totem pole, tasked with multiple menial chores in and around said units AO (Area of Operations-i.e. were ever they seem to be at the moment). See also "Do Boy" "FNG" "Cherry"

Tunnel Rat-Scary individual who likes tight dark places were potential enemy may be hiding and sent into those places to find out, or small/slight individual(usually also of low rank) who's chosen for said mission whether he likes it or not. See also expendable, FNG, Cherry, etc.

Blue Ninja-Muslim woman with blue burka(sp?), usually seen begging on Afghan roads/streets. They are widows with no support.

White Ninja-Muslim woman with white burka. Reason unknown.

Ninja-Muslim woman in common black burka.

LN-Local National, indigenous population to local

TCN-Third County National-Non Military foreign national working in theater of operations (usually contracted).

360 Death Blossom-When all units engage entire 360 degree arc with maximum firepower. Usually lasts 60-90 seconds. SOP for USMC units on contact with anything, also used by units when flanked from multiple angles/surrounded/fighting out of kill zone/panicking(not usually controlled in this mode)

Tight 360-Usually used by dismounted Infantry/personnel. All personnel pull their sector of security, but instead of spreading out, the unit pulls in tight and inter locks one/or more legs with his buddy left/right of him. Usually used in small elements in limited visibility environments. Provides superior accountability, sense of support, passing of information quickly. Also provides a very fat target for area effect weapons (grenades, IDF, machine guns)

Blue Falcon/Bravo Foxtrot- Buddy Fucker. 'Nuff said. (see also "Buddy's only half a word...")

Hand of God-What you think you've witnessed after seeing Specter in action.

DiRT/DRT- Dismounted Reconnaissance Teams- Evil creatures used to find and ferret out Blue Forces at NTC (National Training Center). Indigenous to Ft. Irwin Ca. USA though reports (unverified) have spread of sightings outside this area. Leading initialed organizations, foreign/domestic governments, the UN, world wide military formations to declare a War on Terror (Al Qeada is just a scape goat).

Screw the pooch-To have messed up bad.

Mickey Mouse-Annoying garrison/strict and worthless regulation related activities. i.e. Parades, VIP formations, BN (or higher) "fun runs", most military paperwork,etc.). Also see Dog and Pony Show.

Ate Up- Screwed up, completely and utterly wrong, dumb/stupid. As in "That boy is ate up with the dumbass" "this situation is all ate up, nobodies where they're supposed to be" "try the radio-sorry partner it's all ate up, I can't reach anybody on it"

F**k it, we'll do it live-Statement made when higher command has tasked you with a mission with little to no planning/support/preparation.

Bad News- Battalion command net-Referred to because of what usually comes out over their net.

LBS-Lost Bigger'n S**t. See also Lima Lima Mike Foxtrot-Lost Like a Motherf**ker. See also Lt.'s got his compass out.

General They-The individual most blamed by Soldiers when operating under ambiguous orders or circumstances. As in "Who told you to do that Specialist?" " "They" told it was ok Sarn't".
Note-********This individual(s?) is still at large, identity unknown. If spotted immediately detain for questioning, and trial for untold counts of multiple charges.********

Smaj-(pronounced Smadge)-Sergeants' Major-Not recommended for use in hearing distance of any Sergeants Major. Though non derogatory, it not well looked upon by the species of mention. They are a fearsome, aggressive, insidious, and hateful breed with pronounced memories for vengeance. Use with caution.

Top Kick/Top-First Sergeant. Senior NCO of the company. Of the same species as the Sergeants Major (preparatory evolutionary stage). Though considered slightly less dangerous than Smaj's, they are more numerous an require a steady diet of Soldiers/Junior NCO's backsides & souls in order to fully evolve into Smaj's. Caution highly advised.

Gonaherpascyphylitis-Generic term for unknown ailments, or the assumed disease of all female of dubious/disreputable backgrounds (i.e. the gals we all wanted to find as young "studs" )

Ranger panties- Derived from the short, and tight, running shorts issued to members of the 75th Ranger Regt. for PT. Now used to describe any short & tight running shorts used by military personnel .

Rangerettes- Any female known for "dating" two or more Rangers. Females known to stake out usual Ranger haunts with expectation of snagging one for short, or long term use. Usually considered as exceptional Patriots!

and the hits just keep on coming....I will now be followed by my most esteemed colleague, the Honorable..........

[dragoon500ly]

Come on! You know the tanks ain't going to back down!

Air Mattress = nickname for the 82nd Airborne.

Blower or Blowjob = Specific to the M-551 Sheridan and M-60A2 Starship; the act of firing the main gun and refers to the high pressure blower that removed particles of the combustible cartridge case from the chamber.

Cat or sometimes Rad Cat = any Leopard tank.

Dimeing = the act of taking a M-1 to full speed and then slamming the brakes on. Usually results in the TC missing a few teeth and the driver having to remove the TC's boot from his arse!

Dumptruck = The daily Mi-24 Hind flight along the border.

God Pin = on the M-60A1 this is the 7/16-inch bolt that connects the steering linkage to the trannie....religiously checked every day, because if it falls out or breaks at speed. YOU WILL GET RELIGION!

Gesigs or sometimes Jesus = The Federal German Border Troops who joint patrol the border.

Low Rider = the impressive act of a M-60A1 breaking all of its torsion bars. Never to be forgotten!

Puking Buzzards = Nickname for the 101st Airborne.

Real Airborne! = the act of taking a M-1 up to 50mph and going off of a ledge. And they say tanks can't fly!

Thunder Run = A high speed column of tanks going balls to the wall and shooting everything in sight.

Zolling = a joint border patrol with the Customs Police (Zoll).

[Sanjuro]

Jesus Nut: Nut on any helo that holds the main rotor on

[Graebarde]

Originally Posted by dragoon500ly

And they just keep a'pouring out!

Kaserne = Germany barracks, many of them dated back to WWII and had those odd marks where the engineers had chiseled off the Nazi eagle.

Hell the one I was in was dated to Kaiser Wilhelm's era... WWI! At least the outer walls of the building and the quad.

[dragoon500ly]

Originally Posted by Graebarde

Hell the one I was in was dated to Kaiser Wilhelm's era... WWI! At least the outer walls of the building and the quad.

My first Germany posting was 2/81 Armor out of Erlangen (just north of Nurnburg), during the war, it was the headquarters for the Waffen SS in Baveria....LOTs of spots on all the buildings where something had been chiseled off! Including a really big eagle holding something over the COs door....

[B.T.]

Quote:
Originally Posted by dragoon500ly View Post

Kaserne = Germany barracks, many of them dated back to WWII and had those odd marks where the engineers had chiseled off the Nazi eagle.

That reminds me: When I was in (1986) our barracks had to be done up. They were just to old and partially in danger of collapse. In one of the attics there really was a package of Wehrmacht sporting tank tops (those with the chest eagle), in the original cardboard boxes.

I don't know, what happened to them, but we really had to laugh. Who had ever looked for the items in the attic?

Okay, OT off, keep them coming, excellent info on GI-lingua

[dragoon500ly]

found a few more....

Arclight = The act or removing a grid square through the use of B-52s.

Appfizz = slang for the APFSDSDU round.

Dolly Parton = nickname for tanks modified with REA.

Horse Pill = any large tablet that it is mandatory to take.

Silver Bullet = Desert Storm slang for the APFSDSDU round.

Shoot-n-Scoot = Desert Storm slang for the infamous artillery raids on the Iraqis.

Third Jerk = slang for the Third Lieutenant, that annoying West Point cadet in his junior year that spends his summer vacation with the troops.

Torch = any flamethrower equipped tank.

[pmulcahy11b]

Originally Posted by dragoon500ly

found a few more....

Arclight = The act or removing a grid square through the use of B-52s.

By the time I got in the Army, this had morphed into any time anyone was called upon to obliterate a target.

Horse Pill = any large tablet that it is mandatory to take.

Stimtab = the amphetamines (and later Provigil) they gave us in very limited circumstances to keep us awake (used very sparingly). I guessing someone got that term from The Forever War, though I'm not certain (Haldeman is a Vietnam Vet). I suspect the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq still use Provigil (someone confirm this for me), because by then I was using Provigil regularly to fight medication-caused drowsyness, and after the invasion of Afghanistan, Tricare took off their formulary and you had to have special permission from you doctor to get it. For the past three years, you haven't been able to get Provigil at all, and now I take concentrated Adderal.

Go Pill = The same as above.

Third Jerk = slang for the Third Lieutenant, that annoying West Point cadet in his junior year that spends his summer vacation with the troops.

We had a bunch of those assholes descend upon us about six weeks in when I went to OSUT (Basic+AIT put together). We already knew more about being in the Army than they did. And they insisted on calling us "troop," and they insisted on calling the Drill Sergeants just "Sergeant." (Anytime I saw a Drill Sergeant later on active duty, I still called them Drill Sergeant -- they've earned the respect.) And don't get me started on Pointers later on in the Army...

Torch = any flamethrower equipped tank.

Or in Vietnam, "Zippo" for the flamethrower equipped M-113s.

No-Goes: Active duty term for National Guardsmen (I never used it, since I started out as a National Guardsman).

Drop-and-pop: If you happen to accidentally land on or near the objective on a parachute drop, you were to immediately shed your parachute, leave where it lay without folding it up, and start fighting. (Happened sometimes because of wind drift.)

Grid-square weapon (or grid-square killer): an MLRS.

[perardua]

A few British (mainly RAF) ones:

IW - Individual Weapon (the L85A2 rifle)
LSW - Light Support Weapon
LMG - Light Machine Gun
UGL - Underslung Grenade Launcher
GPMG - General Purpose Machine Gun
HMG - Heavy Machine Gun
GMG - Grenade Machine Gun
The General/Gimpy (pronounced 'jimpy') - L7A2 General Purpose Machine Gun
STAB - Stupid Territorial Army Bastard (now a generic term for most reservists)
Crow - British Army equivalent of FNG, generally accompanied by cawing sounds.
Sprog - RAF version of FNG, though the RAF Regiment use Crow and Sprog interchangeably
NATO Standard Tea - Tea with milk and two
Julie Andrews - Tea with milk but no sugar (or white, none)
Greeny - Container for 81mm mortar ammunition, often made into oversized mugs
Combat Body Warmer/Combat Corset - Name for Combat Body Armour
Rock, Scissors, Paper, Tour - Method of deciding order of importance between low ranking personnel (i.e. whoever has had the most operational deployments wins)
Station Bike - RAF term for a promiscuous Airwoman.
WAAF Arse - Derogatory term for the oversized posterior seemingly possessed by all female members of the RAF. Commonly believed to be a standard issue item.
Rock Ape/Rock - Nickname for members of the RAF Regiment
Guin - Short for penguin, derogatory term used by members of the RAF Regiment to refer to all other trades in the RAF.
Snowdrop - RAF Police, so called because of their white hats.
LMF - Acronym for Lack of Moral Fibre.
Squipper - Safety Equipment Fitter
Gash - Rubbish/not very good
Good drills - General term of approval
Bull Night - The frenzied night of cleaning that occurs before a block inspection.
Mudguard - The RAF Regiment shoulder tab

[Sanjuro]

You forgot:
Whoopie Goldberg: tea or coffee, no milk, no sugar (aka black, none)

[95th Rifleman]

Back in my NAAFI days I spent most of my career on RAF bases. The RAF have nicknames for their tech specialties

Avionics: Fairy
Engines: Sooty
Armourer: Plumber
Electronics: Sparky
Airframes: Rigger

[Sanjuro]

Some techies used the nickname growbags for aircrew; especially aircrew who did their ground duties in flying kit instead of in blues.
Because (allegedly!) they're green, and full of ****.