Oscar Mike to the glossary. Copy that.
Derogatory term for non-combat support personnel, especially those in comfortable rear-echelon positions. Pronounced 'pΕ-g,' because spelling it POG (Person Other than Grunt) is too straightforward.
Confirmation that everything is ready, acceptable, or functioning properly. The military's universal seal of approval, often given with far less verification than the phrase implies.
Slang term for members of the National Guard, used by active duty personnel. Sometimes affectionate, sometimes condescending, depending on who's saying it and current deployment rotations.
A real but ridiculous non-lethal chemical weapon concept once considered by the US Air Force that would theoretically induce sudden attraction among enemy troops. Yes, the military actually spent time and money speculating about weaponized aphrodisiacs. It's exactly as absurd as it sounds and never made it past the proposal stage, thankfully.
An adversary employing unconventional tactics or strategies to counter a conventional military advantage. When the other side didn't get the memo about fighting fair.
Military activities that don't involve direct combat, including psychological operations, cyber warfare, or electronic warfare. Winning hearts and minds, or at least their Wi-Fi passwords.
The pace and intensity of military operations, often abbreviated as OPTEMPO. How fast you're burning through both resources and personnel's sanity.
A small, temporary forward position used to extend security and maintain presence in contested areas, abbreviated as COP. A fancy term for 'the place you definitely don't want to get assigned.'
A secured forward position supporting tactical operations, larger and more established than a combat outpost. Home away from home, if home had blast walls and port-a-johns.
Authorization to engage any target that meets rules of engagement criteria without requesting permission. The green light for 'shoot first, ask questions later'βwithin legal boundaries, of course.
The process of analyzing mission requirements and assigning specific units to accomplish each task. Military sudoku where every wrong answer could be catastrophic.
Originally standing for Special Warfare Combatant Crewmen (elite Navy operators), now repurposed as slang meaning "cool" or "impressive." It's what happens when military terminology gets hijacked by civilians who want their beer pong skills to sound tactical.
Military rumors, gossip, or unofficial information passed around the ranks. Originally naval slang from the water cask where sailors gathered to chat, it's now the military's internal social media before social media existed.
Firing an entire magazine of ammunition in rapid succession, either in combat or as stress relief. The firearms equivalent of rage-quitting, but louder and more expensive.
Radio call indicating failure to acquire a target, make contact, or achieve desired result. Aviation terminology that's spread across all military operations as the professional way to say 'I got nothing.'
A bolt-action sniper rifle favored by U.S. Navy SEALs and other military sharpshooters who need to reach out and touch someone from very, very far away. This .308 Winchester chambered weapon is the professional's choice for long-range precision work, often confused with civilian hunting rifles by people who get their gun knowledge from video games. It's what you use when "spray and pray" isn't in your vocabulary.
Military slang for losing personnel, resources, or tactical advantage to enemy action. It's what happens when your position is being slowly destroyed but you're not allowed to say 'we're screwed' in official reports.
The excruciating experience of sitting through endless, poorly designed slide presentations that drain the will to live. A modern form of torture perfected in military briefing rooms.
Attack passes by aircraft firing guns, rockets, or missiles at ground targets. The aerial equivalent of a drive-by shooting, but legal and with explosives.
Standing or moving in extremely close formation, literally close enough that one person's crotch is near the person in front's rear. Used in cramped spaces or when maintaining contact in darkness.
Operational tempoβthe pace and intensity of military operations and activities. High op tempo means constant missions with little downtime, inevitably leading to exhausted personnel.
The practice of mixing experienced personnel with new troops, or alternating elements to distribute capability. Ensures every team has a veteran who theoretically knows what's happening.
Radio call sign suffix indicating the commander themselves rather than their radioman or staff. 'Six' designates the commander's station, 'actual' means the boss is personally on the radio.
The act of exposing your silhouette against the horizon, making yourself an obvious target. A fundamental tactical error taught on day one but somehow still happens.