Military Slang

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4 Dicks of Death – A Marine nickname for the beef links included with beans in certain MREs.
Aptly named for their foul taste and similar appearance to male genetalia.

11 Bullet Catcher/Bang-Bang – An Army infantryman. Recommended by user NGH144.

40 Mike-Mike – An M203 grenade launcher, usually mounted under an M-16 or similar

weapon.

A
Air Picket – Any airborne system tasked with detecting, reporting, and tracking enemy aerial
movements within a certain area of operation.

Alpha Charlie – Military alphabet used to represent ass chewing. Defines getting verbally
reprimanded. Recommended by user Joe Trejo.

Anymouse – A lockbox on Navy ships where sailors may drop anonymous suggestions.

Ass – Armored vehicles such as Strykers and Tanks.

Ate-Up – Describes a servicemember who follows regulations so closely that they disregard the
context of the situation. Conversely, may describe a servicemember who doesn't understand
regulations at all.

B
Band-Aid – A Vietnam-era term for a medic.

Bang-bang – An Army term describing a pistol or rifle.

Big Voice – Term used to describe the loudspeaker on a military base. The Big Voice warns of
everything from incoming attacks to scheduled ordnance disposal.

Bird – Slang for helicopter.

Bitchin' Betty – Most U.S. military aircraft feature warning systems that frequently utilize
female voices. The phrase is derived from the same anthropmorphizing many apply to GPS units
in cars, only Bitchin' Betty's alert pilots to life-threatening situations.
'Black' on ammo, fuel, water, etc. – A common phrase which denotes that a particular resource
is gone.

Blowed up – The state of being hit by an IED.

Blue Falcon – A euphemism for buddy **** or buddy ****er, which is slang for a
backstabber. Recommended by user jpchopper.

Bolo – A derogatory remark for recruits who cannot pass marksmanship training. The idea being
that if one cannot use a rifle, one most resort to a bolo.

Bone – A B-1 bomber.

Bull**** Bomb – A package intended to disperse propaganda leaflets. Recommended by user

Steve Neal.

Bullwinkle Badge – Another name for the Air Assault Badge. Recommended by user David E
Windsor II.

Burn Bag – A bag used to hold shredded documents, designed to be burned. May also refer to a
useless person. Recommended by user Gregory Waugh.

C
Cannibalize – The act of taking workable parts of one item and using them in another.

Chancre Mechanic – Medical officer who checks servicemembers for venereal

diseases. Recommended by user jloman42.

Charlie Foxtrot – Commonly used expression utilizing the military alphabet to stand for
clusterf***.

Chem-Light Batteries – A mythical object that would be extremely, functionally pointless.

Often the source of fruitless hunts embarked upon by hapless privates.Recommended by user
Nick_1.

Chest Candy – Slang for ribbons and medals worn on a uniform. Can be insulting or
applauding.

Chicken plates – Sheets of protective material, called Small Arms Protective Inserts, which are
used in the Interceptor body armor system.

Comics – Term used to describe maps presented by military intelligence. The term is fairly
derogatory in nature as a slight against the accuracy of the maps. It also refers to the brightly
colored layouts and symbols usually included.
Commo – Communications equipment or the individuals who operate it. Usually given to
Communications Officers on U.S. Navy vessels.

Crank – Navy term for a sailor pulling temporary duty in the galley.

Crumb Catcher – Military slang describing the mouth.

Crusher – Hats worn by pilots during World War II. The hat's wide top brim would need to be
crushed down to allow for headsets to be worn.

D
Dear John – Common term referring to a significant other breaking up with a service member
through a letter. Recommended by user wilburbythepsea.

Demilitarized Zone – A specific area in which any type of military force including but not
limited to personnel, hardware, and infrastructure are banned.

Digit Midget – Usually used with a number as a prefix. X digit midget refers to the number of
days till an individual goes on leave or retires. Recommended by user Steve Pinder.

Digies – Digital camouflage worn by Soldiers and Marines.

Dittybopper – A term in the Army refering to signals intelligence radio operators trained to
utilize Morse Code. Also used as a verb to describe soldiers marching out of synch with a
cadence.

Dope on a Rope – Derogatory term used for air-assault Soldiers.

Dustoff – Specifically, a medical evacuation by helicopter.

Dynamited Chicken – Term originating in the Navy referring to either chicken cacciatore or
chicken a la king.

E
Embed – When a reporter stays with the military in order to conduct journalistic business. They
are typically provided with security and basic necessities provided by the unit they are embedded
with.

Expectant – A casualty who is expected to pass away.

Eagle Keeper – Maintenance crew chief of an F-15.

F
Fang – A verb to describe being rebuked, called out, or otherwise disparaged.

Fangs – A Marine Corps term for one's teeth.

Fart Sack – Refers to either a sleeping bag or an airman's flight suit.

Farts and Darts – Refers to the clouds and lightning bolt embellishments found on Air Force
officer caps. Recommended by user NGH144.

Fashion Show – A Naval punishment where a sailor is required to dress in each of his uniforms
over a period of several hours.

Fast Mover – Slang for a Jet Fighter. Aptly named due to the rapidity of a Jet Fighter's
movement.

First Light – The time of nautical twilight when the sun is 12 degrees below the horizon.

Flaming ***hole – An Air Force term to describe the fiery effect of a jet plane turning on its
afterburners during combat or any other military operation.

Flight Suit Insert – Air Force slang for a pilot.

Fitty – Slang for an M2 .50 caliber machine gun.

Five-Sided Puzzle Palace – Slang for the Pentagon.

Football Bat – An individual or way of doing things that is particularly odd.

Force Projection – The ability of a nation-state to extend military force beyond their borders.

Fourth Point of Contact – From rolling after a successful parachute drop: a term to describe an
individual's buttocks. The first three points are feet, calves, and back of the thigh. Recommended
by user elisemorgan.

Fruit Salad – Slang for a servicemember's display of medals and ribbons on a dress
uniform. Recommended by user DL_in _DEN.

Fugazi – Completely out of whack, ****ed up, screwy. This term originated during the Vietnam
War and experienced limited use by civilians.

G
Galloping Dandruff – An Army term used since World War I to refer to crab lice.

Geardo – An Army term for a soldier who spends an inordinate amount of money on gear,
regardless of actual need.
Gedunk – Refers to snack foods, such as candy and chips, as well as the place they're sold.
Associated with the Navy, and can be used in the phrase "gedunk sailor" as a pejorative remark
for inexperienced sailors. Recommended by user bensonmccloud.

Gofasters – A term for sneakers used in the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps.

GOFO – Literally stands for "grasp of the ****ing obvious."

Gone Elvis – A service member who is missing in action.

Grape –A term with two meanings; one for the Air Force and one for the Navy. A Navy Grape
is an individual who refuels aircraft. An Air Force Grape, on the other hand, refers to an easy
assignment, and can be used as a compliment when a service member makes something look
easy.

Great Mistakes – The name Sailors have given the Great Lakes Naval Training Center north of
Chicago. It references the closing of two other training facilities in San Diego, California and
Orlando, Florida which are both feature far more enjoyable weather.

Grid Squares – A non-existent item recruits are typically told to go find.

Groundhog Day – Term originating from the titular movie which refers to deployments that
seem to proceed in the exact same way despite attempts to change them.

Gum Shoe – Navy slang for a Sailor Cryptology Technician. The first CT school was located on
top of a building where tar would get stuck to the bottom of students' shoes.

Gun – Term for a mortar or artillery piece. Must never be used within the military to describe a
pistol or rifle.

Gunner – A servicemember who operates a crew-served weapon, such as a piece of artillery or

ship's cannon. Recommended by user John Alfred.

H
Hangar Queen – An aircraft that is used primarily for spare parts to repair other
planes. Recommended by Steve Pinder.

Hardball – A hard-surfaced road.

Hardened Site – A structure usually built under rock or concrete designed to withstand
conventional, nuclear, biological, and chemical attack.

Hat Up – To change one's location. Refers to the need to wear a hat for the intended
destination. Recommended by user JimBrown1946.
Hawk – Term for cold weather. Commonly referred to as, "the hawk."

Helo – Short-hand term for a helicopter.

High Speed – An individual who his highly motivated and at or near peak efficacy. Can be used
sarcastically. Recommended by user sara.

Hit the Silk – Ejecting from an aircraft and utilizing a parachute.

I
Inactive Status – Members of the Reserves who are unable to train for points, receive pay, and
cannot be considered for promotion.

Ink Stick – Marine Corps term for a pen.

Iron Rations – Rations used in an emergency survival situation.

J
Jawa – Term for an Army Soldier who is stationed in a desert area, named after the desert-
dwelling aliens of "Star Wars."

Jesus Slippers – Military-issued shower footwear.

Jockstrap Medal – Derogatory term for medals given by the military to active CIA members.

Joe – Army term for a soldier. Shortened from G.I. Joe.

Joint Operation Planning – All type of planning involving joint military forces in regards to
military operations including, but not limited to, mobilization, deployment, and sustainment.

K
Kinetic – Slang adjective meaning violent.

Klicks – Kilometers.

L
Latrine Queen – Air Force specific term for a trainee in basic who is in charge of the team
responsible for cleaning bathrooms.
Left Handed Monkey Wrench – A non-existent tool. Often the object of fruitless searches
undertaken by recruits at the behest of more experienced servicemembers. Recommended by user
John Alfred.

Long Pig – Slang for when a human being is used as a source of food. Typically this happens in
extremely desperate situations.

M
Major Nuclear Power – Any nation-state with a nuclear arsenal capable of being delivered to
any other nation in the world.

Meat Identifier – A dish or sauce that identifies what type of meat is being served. For
example, cranberry sauce indicates turkey while applesauce indicates pork chops.

Meat Wagon – Slang for an ambulance, or any other medical emergency vehicle.Recommended
by user 5712540.

Moonbeam – Marine term for flashlight.

Moving Like Pond Water – Moving so slowly that at unique term is required to describe it.
Recommended by user 31320680.

Mustang – Term referring to any officer who was promoted from the enlisted ranks. Can be
used respectfully or perjoratively.

N
Nut to Butt – The instruction used to tell Soldiers to line up in tight, forward facing line wherein
one's nuts are in extreme proximity to the butt of Soldier before them.

O
Officer's Candy – Navy term used by sailors to describe the scented cake placed in urinals.

Officer of the Deck – Any officer charged with the operation of a ship. Reports to the
commanding officer, executive officer, and navigator for relevant issues and concerns.

Over the Hill – Missing in action or someone who has officially gone missing from their post.

Oxygen Thief – A biting piece of slang for someone who's useless or talks too much.

P
Pad Eye Remover – A non-existent item used by sailors to trick new servicemembers into a
fruitless search. Pad-eyes are used to secure airplanes with chains.

People Tank – A U.S. Navy term for the inner hull of a submarine.

Pill Pusher – A U.S. Navy term for a hospital corpsman.

Pink Mist – A distinct effect created by certain types of gunshot wounds.

Pogey Bait – Snack food. A "pogue" is an individual who does not serve on the frontlines and
performs non-combat oriented roles. "Pogey bait" is, subsequently, a bribe given to these
individuals in exchange for expedited or high-quality services.

Pollywog – A sailor who has not crossed the equator on a U.S. Navy ship. Recommended by user
Terry Thomason.

Puddle Pirate – Member of the Coast Guard. So called due to a fallacious belief that the Coast
Guard never operates in deep water.

PX Ranger – An individual who purchases, from the Post Exchange, paraphernalia unique to
certain prestigious ranks or occupations and passes them off as though they earned the
items. Recommended by mw1968.

Q
Quay – A man-made structure between a shore and land which can be used by ships to berth and
is typically an area for handling cargo.

R
Rainbow – A new recruit in basic training. Recommended by user wilburbythespea.

Red Team – A body of experts on a specific topic who are instructed to research and suggest
alternative methods regarding a planned course of action.

Remington Raider – A somewhat derogatory term used for Marines given the harrowing task of
performing office duties.

Rocks and Shoals – U.S. Navy rules and regulations.

Rotorhead – Slang for a helicopter pilot. Recommended by user Bob Pante.

Ruck Up – "Ruck" is short for "ruck sack" which refers to backpacks servicemembers
sometimes wear. To "ruck up" is to get through a particularly challenging or stressful
situation. Recommended by mw1968.
S
Salad Bar – References the service ribbons found on a military uniform.

Scrambled Eggs – Refers to the embellishments found on some officer's caps.Recommended by

user NGH144.

Self-Propelled Sandbags – A derogatory term for a Marine based on their emphasis on fighting
on the front lines. Recommended by user Nathan King.

Shavetail – A term referring to second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. It primarily refers to the
haircuts received in Officer Candidate School. The terms origins date back to the time when the
Army used pack animals, and handlers shaved the tail of newly-broken animals to distinguish
them from those more seasoned.

Shellback – A sailor who has crossed the equator on a U.S. Navy ship. Responsible for turning
all Pollywog's into Shellbacks once they cross the equator themselves. Recommended by user
Terry Thomason.

Snake Eater – Member of the U.S. Army Special Forces.

S*** on a Shingle – Slang for a piece of toast with gravy. Recommended by user Mike W.

Sky Blossom – A deployed parachute.

Slick Sleeve – Refers to a sailor who has not yet earned a rank which requires decoration on the
sleeves.

Smoke – To punish a servicemember with excessive physical work due to a minor infraction.

Snivel Gear – Any equipment meant for use in cold weather. Recommended by mw1968.

Soap chips – A psychological operations (PSYOPS) tactic where fake letters from an enemy's
home country are written and placed on bodies and battle wreckage. They include sentimental
content, hint at the infidelity of loved ones back home, and are designed to demoralize
combatants.

Soup Sandwich – Used to describe an individual, object, situation, or mission that has gone
horribly wrong. The thrust of the term's meaning derives from the fact that it is incredibly
difficult, some would say impossible, to make a sandwich out of soup. Recommended by user
David E Windsor II.

Swoop – Marine term for a weekend trip off base.

T
Taco – An Air Force term for recieving an "unsatisfactory" grade on a training exercise due to
the vague taco-shape of the letter "u."

Tango Uniform – Slang for "tits up," which is the position dead bodies tend to face. The term
can be applied to the deceased as well as broken pieces of equipment.Recommended by users
10741875 and iaff.

Target Discrimination – The capability of a surveillance or guidance system to choose certain

targets when multiple options are presented.

Trench Monkey – A derogatory term referring to a member of the U.S. Army.

Twidget – A sailor who repairs electronic equipment. Suggested by user X-USN-DS1.

U
Un-Ass – To move immediately or leave one's current position.

Uncle Sam's Canoe Club – A U.S. Navy term for the U.S. Coast Guard.

Unit Identification Code – A an alphanumeric, six-character string which identifies all active,
reserve, and guard unit of the United States military.

V
Voice in the Sky – Term referring military base announcements broadcast over
speakers. Recommended by user MrsMSgt.

Voluntold – An assignment that is technically voluntary but understood to be mandatory.

W
Weapons of Mass Destruction – Weapons which can cause destruction or death beyond the
ability of conventional weapons. These typically are nuclear, biological, chemical, radiological,
or high-yield explosive in nature. This definition does not include the vehicle, or transportation
method, of delivering the weapon.

Z
Zone of Action – A smaller section of a larger area. Typically these are under the purview of a
tactical unit, usually during an offensive maneuver.

Zoomie – Term used by non-flying servicemembers for anyone who operates a flying vehicle.
 Comm. 2

1) Before you press the transmission button, gather your thoughts about what you are going to
say. Many people with radios have a tendency to talk and/or repeat too much. Say what you need
to say without unnecessary repeats. Keep in mind that your message should go through the first
time – you may not have any opportunity to repeat it.

2) Give the call sign of the unit you are calling first. It will alert the addressee to focus on the
incoming message. There might be more listeners and radio network users so you must let them
know that this time there will be a message for them, not a usual background noise.

3) Introduce yourself by your call sign. Do not use real names or nicknames.

4) Don’t speak too fast especially if the message needs to be written down. Pause after logical
phrases. High voice does not guarantee that you will be more readable.

5) Use “CLEAR”, “OVER”, “OUT” when you finish your message. It notifies the addressee
that you finished your portion of information and wait for the response or just ended the
transmission (“OUT” word).

6) When you have understood the message, acknowledge the receipt with the words “COPY“,
“RECEIVED“, “ROGER” or “ACKNOWLEDGED.” The word “COPY” is preferred.

7) If the caller requires some actions you may use “WILCO” instead of “ROGER” to notify
that you WILL COMPLY (=”WILCO”).

8) Use “BREAK, BREAK” whenever there is a radio traffic and you want to get through with
your emergency message.

9) Answer each call to confirm reception. Use “RECEIVED”, “COPY”, “ROMEO” or

“ACKNOWLEDGED.”

10) If you do not comprehend the message, do not confirm it. Use “SAY AGAIN”, “REPEAT”,
“STAND BY” instead.

11) Whenever a word must be spelled use NATO code words for each letter. Do not invent your
own words – they might be misleading and not comprehensive.

12) Use single, cardinal numbers, do not combine them into bigger numbers.

Call out
 When you want to initiate radio exchange, first you must call out the
addressee of your message. To notify the addressee about incoming message call him/her twice,
giving his/her call sign:

Example: White Chicken 07, White Chicken 07…

Then give your call sign:

Example: this is COYOTE, OVER.

When you expect the other part to answer, finish your portion of message with a word “OVER”,
like in the example above.

If there is a traffic on the air, use “BREAK, BREAK” to cut into the network. Only in case of
higher priority of your message!

Quality of transmission
In case of some interference or just to confirm how your message was received you may need to
ask about the reception. In this instance we use “HOW DO YOU COPY?” or even shorter
“HOW COPY?” To ask about general quality of the reception you may also ask “HOW DO
YOU READ?”

There are two ways of responding to such questions. You may simply answer “COPY LOUD
AND CLEAR” (=”LIMA CHARLIE”) or give the answerer the notion of the signal quality by
giving the note from 1 to 5.

Example: COPY 3 out of 5

The meaning of numbers used in assessment over the radio:

1 = Bad (unreadable);
2 = Poor (readable now and then);
3 = Fair (readable but with difficulty);
4 = Good (readable);
5 = Excellent (perfectly readable).

When repeat is needed

It may happen that due to poor transmission or distracting factors some pieces of information
should be repeated to avoid misunderstandings. In that case you may request repeat by saying
“SAY AGAIN.”

Likewise, when you want to stress the importance of the message or simply make sure that
important data get through, you say your message and then use
“I SAY AGAIN” and repeat the message.

EXAMPLE: I need five more minutes, I SAY AGAIN, five more minutes…

NATO code words for English letters

A Alpha N November
B Bravo O Oscar
C Charlie P Papa
D Delta Q Quebec
E Echo R Romeo
F Foxtrot S Sierra
G Golf T Tango
H Hotel U Uniform
I India V Victor
J Juliet W Whiskey
K Kilo X X-ray
L Lima Y Yankee
M Mike Z Zulu
N November

Numbers in radio transmission

It is a common practice to say numbers with each digit separately. For instance we say
“CHARLIE TWO-THREE” instead of “CHARLIE TWENTY THREE.” Additionally, to avoid
misunderstandings two particular numerals are pronounced differently:

4 = [foer]

9 = [niner]
 Comm.3

Big Voice: On military bases, loudspeakers broadcast urgent messages. When incoming rocket
or mortar fire is detected by radar systems, the Big Voice automatically broadcasts a siren and
instructions to take cover. The Big Voice will also warn of scheduled explosions, usually to
destroy captured weapons.

Bird: Helicopter. "Chopper" is rarely used, except in movies, where it is always used. A chopper
is a kind of motorcycle, not an aircraft.

Black (on ammo, fuel, water, etc.): Almost out.

Blowed up: Hit by an IED. Example: "I been blowed up six times this year."

Bone: The B-1 bomber.

CHU: (pronounced choo) Containerized Housing Unit. These small, climate-controlled trailers
usually sleep between two and eight soldiers and is the primary unit of housing on larger bases.
A CHU Farm is a large number of CHUs together. A Wet CHU is a CHU that has its own
bathroom, usually reserved for generals and other high-ranking individuals. CHUs are
unarmored and very vulnerable to rocket attacks.

COP: Combat Outpost. A small base, usually housing between 40 and 150 soldiers, often in a
particularly hostile area. Life at a COP is often austere and demanding, with every soldier
responsible for both guard duty and patrolling.

DFAC: (pronounced dee-fack) Dining Facility, aka Chow Hall. Where soldiers eat. At larger
bases the meals are served by contracted employees, often from Bangladesh or India. These
employees are called TCNs, or Third-Country Nationals.

Dustoff: Medical evacuation by helicopter. For example, "dustoff inbound" means that a
medevac helicopter is on the way.

Embed: A reporter who is accommodated by the military command to observe operations

firsthand. Security, food, shelter and transportation are provided by the military for the embed.

Fast Mover: Fighter jet.

Fitty: The M2 .50 caliber machine gun.

FOB: Forward Operating Base. Bigger than a COP, smaller than a superbase. A FOB can be
austere and dangerous, but is more commonly provisioned with hot, varied meals, hot water for
showers and laundry, as well as recreational facilities.
Fobbit: Combination of FOB and Hobbit. Derogatory term for soldiers who do not patrol
outside the FOB.

Geardo: (rhymes with weirdo) A soldier who spends an inordinate amount of their personal
money to buy fancy military gear, such as weapon lights, GPS watches, custom rucksacks, etc.
Generally refers to a soldier with little tactical need for such equipment. See: Fobbit.

Green Bean: A civilian-run coffee shop common on larger bases in Iraq and Afghanistan, often
the locus of the base social scene, such as it is.

Green Zone: In Iraq, the heavily fortified area of central Baghdad where most government
facilities are located. In southern Afghanistan, refers to the lush, densely vegetated areas
following rivers that Taliban fighters defend vigorously. As opposed to the Brown Zone, which
refers to the more barren mountains.

Groundhog Day: From the Bill Murray movie, the phrase is used to describe deployments
where every day proceeds the same way, no matter how the individual tries to change it.

Gun: A mortar tube or artillery piece. Never used to refer to a rifle or pistol. Military-issued
pistols are usually called 9-mils.

Hajji: A derogatory term for Iraqis, used widely during the Iraq War. A Hajii Shop was an Iraqi-
run shop on the base, often selling pirated DVDs, or Hajii Discs. Rarely used to describe
Afghans.

IED: Improvised Explosive Device. The signature weapon of the insurgencies in Iraq and
Afghanistan, IEDs are low-cost bombs that can be modified to exploit specific vulnerabilities of
an enemy. They range in size from a soda can to a tractor trailer and are initiated by anything
from a pressure sensor to a suicidal attacker.

IDF: Indirect Fire, or simply Indirect. Mortars, rockets and artillery. Term generally used to
describe enemy action.

Inside/Outside The Wire: Describes whether you are on or off a base.

JDAM: (pronounced jay-damn) A bomb dropped from a U.S. aircraft, ranging from 500 to 2,000
pounds.

Joe: Soldier. Replacement term for GI.

Kinetic: Violent. Example: The Pech Valley is one of the most kinetic areas in Afghanistan.

Mark: The Mk-19 40mm grenade launcher.

Meat Eater: Usually refers to Special Forces soldiers whose mission focuses on violence, as
opposed to those whose mission focuses on stability and training.
Medevac: Medical evacuation of wounded personnel by helicopter.

Moon Dust: The powdery, flour-like dust that covers everything in southern Afghanistan and
much of Iraq.

MRE: Meal, Ready to Eat. Vacuum-sealed meals eaten by soldiers when no DFAC or local
alternative exists. Shelf life is approximately seven years.

OPTEMPO: Operational Tempo, high or low. Describes the pace at which a soldier works,
whether that work is combat patrols, making PowerPoint slides or training.

Oxygen Thief: A useless soldier, or one who loves to hear himself or herself talk.

Pink Mist: Produced by certain gunshot wounds.

Plant Eater: See: Fobbit.

POG: (pronounced pogue) Person Other Than Grunt. Derogatory term for a soldier lacking
combat experience. See: Fobbit.

POO: Point Of Origin. The site from which a rocket or mortar was launched at U.S. forces. Most
easily calculated by tracking the projectile's trajectory with radar. Example: "We're going out
POO hunting."

Powerpoint Ranger: A soldier who is tasked primarily with building PowerPoint presentations
for commanders' briefings.

Rack Out: Go to sleep.

Ranger Pudding: A field-expedient Nilla Wafer made from MRE ingredients. Mix a paste of
creamer, sugar and water, apply to a cracker. A chocolate version is possible if cocoa powder is
available.

Rumint: A combination of rumor and intelligence. Gossip, scuttlebutt.

Sandbox: Usually refers to Iraq, sometimes Kuwait.

Secret Squirrel: Highly classified, top secret. Secrecy confers tremendous status upon soldiers
— the most classified missions are often the most prestigious in soldiers' eyes.

Self-Licking Ice Cream Cone: A military doctrine or political process that appears to exist in
order to justify its own existence, often producing irrelevant indicators of its own success. For
example, continually releasing figures on the amount of Taliban weapons seized, as if there were
a finite supply of such weapons. While seizing the weapons, soldiers raid Afghan villages,
enraging the residents and legitimizing the Taliban's cause.
Speedball: A body bag filled with supplies, usually ammunition and bottled water, dropped from
a plane or helicopter to resupply soldiers far afield or in dire need.

Squirter: A person, assumed to be an enemy, running away from a military attack.

Superbase: The only bases that fall into this category right now are Kandahar Airfield and
Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. They are built around supporting the regional military
commands, and are logistical hubs for forces in the area. Soldiers stationed at these bases have
access to the most comfortable living quarters, the most variety in food, shopping and
socializing. For example, Kandahar Airfield has a weekly "Salsa Night" dance party near the
TGI Friday's.

T-Man: Taliban.

Tango Mike: Thanks Much.

Terp: An interpreter, usually a local Afghan or Iraqi hired by the military to translate for
military personnel when they are communicating with a local. This abbreviation is considered
somewhat rude.

TIC: (pronounced tick) Troops In Contact. Usually means a firefight, but can refer to an IED or
suicide attack.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot: What The F#@&, Over.

Willy Pete: White Phosphorus. Delivered by mortar or artillery, this substance burns extremely
hot and generates a lot of light. It is only supposed to be used for illumination, as it should be
considered a chemical weapon if used against people.

Woobie: Properly called a poncho liner, this lightly insulated blanket is usually issued to soldiers
in basic training. The name references the attachment a baby forms with its blanket.