Oscar Mike to the glossary. Copy that.
Opposing Force—the designated enemy in training exercises, or actual adversary forces in planning. The people whose job is to make your day difficult, whether for practice or real.
Military slang for helicopters or other aircraft. Because 'rotary-wing aircraft' takes too long when you're requesting emergency extraction.
To deploy a smoke grenade, typically to mark a position for extraction, conceal movement, or signal aircraft. Also used colloquially to mean departing quickly from any situation.
The last point where attacking units can coordinate before crossing into the objective area where surprise becomes critical. The line between 'talking about it' and 'doing it.'
In the business world, it's the fancy term for analyzed information that helps you make smart decisions rather than just winging it. In the military and espionage realms, it's secret information about enemies or threats, usually gathered by people who've watched too many spy movies. Both definitions boil down to: knowledge that gives you an edge, assuming you actually use it.
Movement or progression backward, which in military terms means strategic withdrawal and in everyday terms means things are getting worse. In astronomy, describes planets appearing to move backward in the sky, which astrology enthusiasts blame for everything. Generally indicates reversal, regression, or the tactical retreat your manager calls 'pivoting.'
Either a person wielding a firearm, a video game genre focused on shooting things, or a small glass of alcohol designed to get you drunk efficiently. In military and law enforcement contexts, refers to someone actively using weapons. In gaming, defines an entire category of games where pointing and clicking on enemies constitutes gameplay. Context is everything with this one.
Officially released from duty, debt, or obligation, whether that's leaving the military, getting out of the hospital, or being freed from bankruptcy. The formal process of ending someone's service or responsibility, often involving paperwork and ceremony. Can mean freedom, completion, or occasionally being fired with extra paperwork.
Pre-planned immediate responses executed when a unit unexpectedly encounters the enemy, designed to be automatic so thinking isn't required when bullets start flying. Battle drills for when surprise is mutual.
Operational tempo—the pace and intensity of military operations and activities. High op tempo means constant missions with little downtime, inevitably leading to exhausted personnel.
Not a jargon term per se, but a satirical military news publication that parodies defense news and military culture. The military equivalent of The Onion.
Military acronym for "Bend Over Manchu, Here It Comes Again"—a variation of BOHICA used by U.S. soldiers stationed at Camp Hovey in Korea. Refers to the special kind of repetitive misery that comes with military assignments, now with geographically-specific flavor.
To fail a qualification or test, particularly marksmanship qualification. From the lowest badge tier 'marksman' once resembling a bolo tie, though etymology debates rage on.
Personnel or equipment permanently assigned to a military unit, as opposed to attached or supporting elements. Like the difference between your own kids and someone else's you're babysitting.
Military action involving actual combat and the use of lethal force, as opposed to information or influence operations. When diplomacy conclusively fails and physics takes over.
The range at which a weapon system can engage targets while remaining outside the effective range of enemy defenses. Because getting close is overrated when you have precision-guided munitions.
Fragmentary Order—a quick modification to existing operation orders that changes specific details without rewriting the entire plan. For when your carefully crafted strategy meets reality's complete indifference.
Protection from indirect fire, shrapnel, and aerial observation, typically achieved through reinforced roofing or natural terrain. Because sometimes the sky really is falling, and it's carrying ordnance.
Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency communication plan ensuring multiple redundant methods to maintain contact. Because Murphy's Law applies especially to radios when you desperately need them.
Accept and endure difficult, uncomfortable, or unpleasant circumstances without complaint. The military philosophy of acknowledging that yes, this is terrible, but complaining won't improve it.
Warning Order—a preliminary notice of an upcoming operation allowing subordinate units to begin preparations before receiving the full plan. The military's version of 'heads up, something's about to happen.'
A five-sided polygon that geometry teachers love and students tolerate, but more importantly, the nickname for the massive five-sided building that houses the U.S. Department of Defense. When someone says "the Pentagon decided," they mean the military brass made a call, not that a geometric shape achieved sentience. It's the ultimate example of form following function, or maybe just a really committed geometry flex.
In military and corporate contexts, specific assignments or objectives that must be accomplished, usually with more gravitas than 'task' implies. Religious organizations use it for evangelical work in far-flung places. Every organization has them, most are forgotten by Tuesday, but they all sound important in PowerPoint presentations.
Everything you load into a weapon to make it useful—bullets, shells, rockets, and other implements of persuasion. In broader terms, it's also the metaphorical arsenal of facts, arguments, or dirt you've collected to use against someone in a debate or conflict. Because sometimes words are weapons too, just significantly less regulated.