Oscar Mike to the glossary. Copy that.
The military art of parking people in specific places so they're ready to do military things on command. Basically, organized waiting with a purpose. Example: The stationing of troops along the border was a show of force.
When trained local forces (green) turn their weapons on allied forces (blue)—the military's worst trust exercise.
A relentless authority figure on a ranch or work site who keeps operations running through sheer force of will and an unhealthy obsession with efficiency. Think the human embodiment of a boot camp, but saddle-wearing. Historically, also the metal rod used to shove projectiles down a musket barrel—which explains the metaphor perfectly.
A short-range indirect fire weapon that lobs projectiles in a high arc, useful for hitting targets you can't see around corners. A portable artillery piece that fires at high angles.
The chaotic pieces of exploded shells that go flying in all directions, named after a British general who invented the shell that creates it. Fragments of a bursting shell or explosive, scattered by the blast.
Making a region so hostile and risky that enemy forces either can't or won't operate there—essentially creating a military no-go zone.
Post-operation analysis of what happened, what went wrong, and what we'll definitely forget before the next operation.
An earthen barrier or embankment used for military defensive positions—basically a big dirt hill that stops bullets and shrapnel.
A 21,600-pound conventional bomb that's basically the military's way of saying 'we hope we don't have to use this, but we definitely can.'
Keeping your military plans secret from the other guy—it's essentially the military version of not shouting your passwords.
Weapons of mass destruction and the protocols for not dying when they're deployed—the absolute worst military shopping list.
Military term for propaganda and mind games designed to demoralize the enemy. Basically, lying on a government budget.
A car bomb—when someone weaponizes a vehicle by filling it with explosives and terrible intentions.
A battlefield or strategic position so good that winning becomes inevitable. It's what military strategists say when they're winning.
An acronym too good to explain here that means a tactical situation has progressed beyond 'concerning' into 'we might need a drink' territory. Officially stands for 'Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition.'
A prototype assault rifle developed by Mauser in 1945 that arrived fashionably late to WWII. Using a roller-delayed blowback system and firing 7.92×33mm rounds, it was too experimental to see combat but influential enough to inspire later European rifle designs like the G3.
Forcibly entering a fortified position or structure, usually with explosives or specialized equipment—basically 'we're going through that wall whether it likes it or not.'
A smaller nuclear weapon designed for localized destruction, because apparently we decided to make nuclear war a little less terrifying. It's splitting the difference between 'oops' and 'genocide.'
A darkly humorous military reference for mustard gas—one of the most horrific chemical weapons used in warfare, rebranded with intentional absurdity.
Watching stuff really carefully before doing anything dangerous—the military's equivalent of reading the manual before assembling IKEA furniture.
A military operation designed to achieve a specific objective with minimal casualties, assuming 'minimal' is relative and measured by generals who aren't involved.
The distance a rifle scope's elevation dial adjusts per click—usually about 1/4 inch at 100 yards, because precision matters when lives are on the line.
Military operations designed to defeat an irregular enemy that's embedded in civilian populations—essentially playing whack-a-mole with guns and rules of engagement.
An invasion or military penetration into enemy territory, usually unannounced and definitely unwelcome—basically 'we're going where they didn't invite us.'