Hurry up and wait

Definition

The military's paradoxical approach to time management: rush to do something, then stand around doing nothing while supervisors figure out what's next.

Example Usage

We sprinted to the briefing room at 0600, then hurried up and waited for three hours.

Origin

Mid-20th century American military culture

Fun Fact

This phrase has spawned entire military comedies and is considered a universal military experience

Source: Common military terminology

Related Terms

Intermediate

conscription

The government's way of saying 'we're not asking' when it comes to military service. Involuntary enrollment that proves democracy has its limits, especially when your country needs bodies more than volunteers. The ultimate non-optional career fair where the only booth is the armed forces.

🎖️ Military / Defense

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death by PowerPoint

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.

🎖️ Military / Defense

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tango down

Enemy combatant has been neutralized or killed. The phonetic alphabet's contribution to making lethal force sound like a radio frequency update.

🎖️ Military / Defense

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TAC

Tactical Command Post—a mobile, austere forward headquarters focused on current operations rather than long-term planning. Command and control minus the PowerPoint presentations.

🎖️ Military / Defense

Intermediate

troop

A small cavalry or armored unit commanded by a captain, roughly equivalent to an infantry platoon. Also used collectively to describe any gathering of soldiers, though civilians insist on using it incorrectly as a singular noun for one soldier. Military folks cringe every time someone says "a troop" when they mean "a service member."

🎖️ Military / Defense

Intermediate

sniper

A highly trained marksman who shoots from concealed positions at long range, making every shot count because their location depends on not missing. The military specialist who proves patience is indeed a virtue, often waiting hours or days for a single perfect shot. In gaming and sports, anyone who scores with annoying precision from unexpected angles.

🎖️ Military / Defense

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