[amsalpemkcus]

SALUTE: Size, Activity, Location, Unit, Time and Equipment.

BTW, this is not posted in the War part of the lounge becoz a military is not always about war.

[engaged]

TLA's.

Three Letter Abbreviations - British Military and Ministry of Defence loves 'em.

[Spliff]

Originally posted by amsalpemkcus:
SALUTE: Size, Activity, Location, Unit, Time and Equipment.

BTW, this is not posted in the War part of the lounge becoz a military is not always about war.

Speaking of military things, does anyone know how military ranks break down? Who ranks higher, a captain or a sergeant? And for that matter, what are the differences between company, battalion, regiment, etc.? Every military history book uses these terms as if the reader knows what they mean.

[lavar78]

Originally posted by engaged:
TLA's.

TLAs

[Apple Pro Underwear]

SNAFU

Situation Now All ****ed Up


originally derived from the military

[ender2002]

f���in' a!

suprise. not an acronym. (no pun intended)

[ThinkInsane]

Originally posted by Spliff:
Speaking of military things, does anyone know how military ranks break down? Who ranks higher, a captain or a sergeant? And for that matter, what are the differences between company, battalion, regiment, etc.? Every military history book uses these terms as if the reader knows what they mean.

Ranks vary between branches of service and country to country. Enlisted ranks (like sergeant) rank below the lowest officer ranks (like captain). There are varying degrees in both categories. Since I was a Marine, I'll give the the USMC version:

Private E-1
Private First Class E-2
Lance Corporal E-3
Corporal E-4
Sergeant E-5
Staff Sergeant E-6
Gunnery Sergeant E-7
Master Sergeant E-8
First Sergeant E-8
Master Gunnery Sergeant E-9
Sergeant Major E-9
Sergeant Major of the MC E-9

These are the enlisted ranks. The E-# indicates pay grade.

Second Lieutenant O-1
First Lieutenant O-2
Captain O-3
Major O-4
Lieutenant Colonel O-5
Colonel O-6
Brigadier General O-7
Major General O-8
Lieutenant General O-9
General O-10

These are the Officer ranks. Again, the O-# equals pay grade.

Then, just to make things more confusing, you have Warrant officers that fall in between officers and enlisted.

Warrant Officer W-1
Chief Warrant Officer 2 W-2
Chief Warrant Officer 3 W-3
Chief Warrant Officer 4 W-4
Chief Warrant Officer 5 W-5

As for the second part of your question, here's a break down of a Marine Expeditionary force. Basically, each one fits into the one above it, so the division (there are currently three) would be the force as a whole, comprised of regiments, battalions, companies, platoons, squads, squads being the smallest unit in the division.

Division - 1st Marine Division (1st MarDiv)
Regiment - 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (1st Mar, 1st MarDiv)
Battalion - 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (1st Bn, 1st Mar, 1st MarDiv)
Battalion - 2d Tank Battalion, 2d Marine Division (2d Tk Bn, 2d MarDiv)
Company - Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (Co A, 1st Bn, 1st Mar, 1st MarDiv)
Battery - Battery A, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Btry A, 1st Bn, 11th Mar, 1st MarDiv)

[ajprice]

I always knew SNAFU as 'Situation Normal, All F***ed Up'

A similar one that I like. but probably isn't military, but hey whatever, is FUBAR - 'F***ed Up Beyond All Recognition'

And to get back to military stuff. AWOL - 'Absent Without Leave'

[Gankdawg]

If you want military acronyms, read this guy's books:

http://www.dickmarcinko.com/

I've really enjoyed them.

[f1000]

HEL = High Energy Laser

Gives whole new meaning to the phrase, "It's hot as HEL!"

[Spliff]

Originally posted by ThinkInsane:

Division - 1st Marine Division (1st MarDiv)
Regiment - 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (1st Mar, 1st MarDiv)
Battalion - 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (1st Bn, 1st Mar, 1st MarDiv)
Battalion - 2d Tank Battalion, 2d Marine Division (2d Tk Bn, 2d MarDiv)
Company - Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (Co A, 1st Bn, 1st Mar, 1st MarDiv)
Battery - Battery A, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Btry A, 1st Bn, 11th Mar, 1st MarDiv)

Thanks for the breakdown. Are there set numbers of men and equipment for each category? In other words, does a battalion always contain the same number of soldiers?

[The Oracle]

Originally posted by Spliff:
Thanks for the breakdown. Are there set numbers of men and equipment for each category? In other words, does a battalion always contain the same number of soldiers?

Most US combat units are governed by an MTOE--modified table of organisation and equipment. The MTOE dictates positions, who can hold them, and what equipment and weaponry they will have. Good effort is made to adhere to them, but it's not the end of the world if some adjustments borne of necessity are made.

[ThinkInsane]

Originally posted by Spliff:
Thanks for the breakdown. Are there set numbers of men and equipment for each category? In other words, does a battalion always contain the same number of soldiers?

Here's a good break down of units that compose the entire Corps. To hard to eat and type all that out at the same time.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/marin...hancommand.htm

EDIT: Just glancing through what's on that link, it's a little outdated, but it gives you a good idea of the structure and size of the force.

[Apple Pro Underwear]

Originally posted by ajprice:
I always knew SNAFU as 'Situation Normal, All F***ed Up'

i could be wrong

[Stradlater]

HALO

high altitude, low opening

[ThinkInsane]

Don't forget HAHO (high altitude high opening)

[Xeo]

MRE = meal ready to eat?

Oh, and apparently:
SWORDS = Special Weapons Observation Reconnaissance Detection Systems

[FulcrumPilot]

LANTIRN: Low Altitude Navigation, Targeting InfraRed at Night

[anthonyvthc]

FUGAZI - "F**ked up, got ambushed, zipped in

[Xaositect]

How to swear over the radio, military style:

(best case to worst case)
SNAFU: Situation Normal, All F'd Up
TARFU: Things Are Really F'd Up
FUBAR: F'd Up Beyond All Recognition
Charlie Foxtrot: CF: Cluster F'k
Motel Charlie Foxtrot: MCF: Mongolian Cluster F'k (implying that the mongolian hordes were involved, usually meaning bureaucracy)

Those are my favorites!

Those are from a tech shop manager I used to work with, he claimed they were taught to him in the Marine Corps.

Another one I've heard of:
BOHICA: Bend Over, Here It Comes Again

Supposedly Army in origin, but I have not verified this.

[SimeyTheLimey]

FTA

[FulcrumPilot]

STP - screwed the pooch (oh ok, it means you screwed up something real bad)

[willed]

RV - rendez-vous
NAFFI - Navy Army & Air Force Institutes (basically the general-store on a British Army Base)
SHAPE - Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (Mons, Belgium)

Loads more, just realised I can't be bothered to go through them.

[Apple Pro Underwear]

FYI

For Your Information


This was originated in military but it was the least offesnsive so it was adopted quickly.

[KeyLimePi]

Let's be clear here. Not every abbreviation is an acronym. An acronym is an abbreviation that is pronounced as a word.

SNAFU = acronym.
FYI = abbreviation.

[ThinkInsane]

Anyone that has ever been in a shooting war has nothing but disdain for REMF's. Some of you will probably know it

[engaged]

Originally posted by ThinkInsane:
Anyone that has ever been in a shooting war has nothing but disdain for REMF's. Some of you will probably know it

Rear Echelon Mother Fornicators

[MARINEOSX]

B.A.M.C.I.S. is Begin planning, Arrange recon, Make recon, complete planning, Issue orders, and Supervise.

Then there is J.J. D.I.D. T.I.E. B.U.C.K.L.E. these are the 14 leadership traits.

JUSTICE

Definition: Justice is defined as the practice of being fair and consistent. A just person gives consideration to each side of a situation and bases rewards or punishments on merit.

Suggestions for Improvement: Be honest with yourself about why you make a particular decision. Avoid favoritism. Try to be fair at all times and treat all things and people in an equal manner.


JUDGMENT

Definition: Judgment is your ability to think about things clearly, calmly, and in an orderly fashion so that you can make good decisions.

Suggestions for Improvement: You can improve your judgment if you avoid making rash decisions. Approach problems with a common sense attitude.


DEPENDABILITY

Definition: Dependability means that you can be relied upon to perform your duties properly. It means that you can be trusted to complete a job. It is the willing and voluntary support of the policies and orders of the chain of command. Dependability also means consistently putting forth your best effort in an attempt to achieve the highest standards of performance.

Suggestions for Improvement: You can increase your dependability by forming the habit of being where you're supposed to be on time, by not making excuses and by carrying out every task to the best of your ability regardless of whether you like it or agree with it.

INITIATIVE

Definition: Initiative is taking action even though you haven't been given orders. It means meeting new and unexpected situations with prompt action. It includes using resourcefulness to get something done without the normal material or methods being available to you.

Suggestions for Improvement: To improve your initiative, work on staying mentally and physically alert. Be aware of things that need to be done and then to do them without having to be told.


DECISIVENESS

Definition: Decisiveness means that you are able to make good decisions without delay. Get all the facts and weight them against each other. By acting calmly and quickly, you should arrive at a sound decision. You announce your decisions in a clear, firm, professional manner.

Suggestions for Improvement: Practice being positive in your actions instead of acting half-heartedly or changing your mind on an issue.


TACT

Definition: Tact means that you can deal with people in a manner that will maintain good relations and avoid problems. It means that you are polite, calm, and firm.

Suggestions for Improvement: Begin to develop your tact by trying to be courteous and cheerful at all times. Treat others as you would like to be treated.


INTEGRITY

Definition: Integrity means that you are honest and truthful in what you say or do. You put honesty, sense of duty, and sound moral principles above all else.

Suggestions for Improvement: Be absolutely honest and truthful at all times. Stand up for what you believe to be right.

ENTHUSIASM

Definition: Enthusiasm is defined as a sincere interest and exuberance in the performance of your duties. If you are enthusiastic, you are optimistic, cheerful, and willing to accept the challenges.

Suggestions for Improvement: Understanding and belief in your mission will add to your enthusiasm for your job. Try to understand why even uninteresting jobs must be done.

BEARING

Definition: Bearing is the way you conduct and carry yourself. Your manner should reflect alertness, competence, confidence, and control.

Suggestions for Improvement: To develop bearing, you should hold yourself to the highest standards of personal conduct. Never be content with meeting only the minimum requirements.


UNSELFISHNESS

Definition: Unselfishness means that you avoid making yourself comfortable at the expense of others. Be considerate of others. Give credit to those who deserve it.

Suggestions for Improvement: Avoid using your position or rank for personal gain, safety, or pleasure at the expensive of others. Be considerate of others.

COURAGE

Definition: Courage is what allows you to remain calm while recognizing fear. Moral courage means having the inner strength to stand up for what is right and to accept blame when something is your fault. Physical courage means that you can continue to function effectively when there is physical danger present.

Suggestions for Improvement: You can begin to control fear by practicing self-discipline and calmness. If you fear doing certain things required in your daily life, force yourself to do them until you can control your reaction.


KNOWLEDGE

Definition: Knowledge is the understanding of a science or art. Knowledge means that you have acquired information and that you understand people. Your knowledge should be broad, and in addition to knowing your job, you should know your unit's policies and keep up with current events.

Suggestions for Improvement: Suggestions for Improvement: Increase your knowledge by remaining alert. Listen, observe, and find out about things you don't understand. Study field manuals and other military literature.


LOYALTY

Definition: Loyalty means that you are devoted to your country, the Corps, and to your seniors, peers, and subordinates. The motto of our Corps is Semper Fidelis!, (Always Faithful). You owe unwavering loyalty up and down the chain of command, to seniors, subordinates, and peers.

Suggestions for Improvement: To improve your loyalty you should show your loyalty by never discussing the problems of the Marine Corps or your unit with outsiders. Never talk about seniors unfavorably in front of your subordinates. Once a decision is made and the order is given to execute it, carry out that order willingly as if it were your own.

ENDURANCE

Definition: Endurance is the mental and physical stamina that is measured by your ability to withstand pain, fatigue, stress, and hardship. For example, enduring pain during a conditioning march in order to improve stamina is crucial in the development of leadership.

Suggestions for Improvement: Develop your endurance by engaging in physical training that will strengthen your body. Finish every task to the best of your ability by forcing yourself to continue when you are physically tired and your mind is sluggish.

Also another among the millions is S.M.E.A.C. also known as the 5 paragraph order stands for situation, mission, execution, admin and logistics, and command and signal.

M.O.S. Military Occupational Specialty
Fssg is Force Service Support Group
MEF is marine expiditonary force
magtf is marine air ground task force
and there are tons more.

As for rank all officers are rendered a salute by enlisted personel because they are a higher rank. The army, navy, air force, and marine corps have similarities in rank names but are different throughout. But again all officers even in other branches are rendered a salute.

[Apple Pro Underwear]

Originally posted by KeyLimePi:
Let's be clear here. Not every abbreviation is an acronym. An acronym is an abbreviation that is pronounced as a word.

SNAFU = acronym.
FYI = abbreviation.

yeah, that was my lame attepmt at sarcasm... see the smiley.

i was crunk last night

[SimeyTheLimey]

Originally posted by KeyLimePi:
Let's be clear here. Not every abbreviation is an acronym. An acronym is an abbreviation that is pronounced as a word.

SNAFU = acronym.
FYI = abbreviation.

To be really pedantic, some of the suggestions here are simply mnemonics. For example, SALUTE.

[TubaMuffins]

Originally posted by Stradlater:
HALO

high altitude, low opening

haha, me and a buddy (who is in the AFROTC) once told some girls at a party that the next day we were off to do HALO jumps into a lake and had to hit a target 10'x10'. it worked beautifully.

[Mister Elf]

OK, here's the basic (enlisted) rank structure for the US Army (ALL OFFICER RANKS FOR THE US ARMY, AIR FORCE, AND MARINES ARE THE SAME!):
Enlisted (E) 1: Private
E2: Private
E3: Private First Class
E4: Corporal/Specialist
E5: Sergeant
E6: Staff Sergeant
E7: Sergeant 1st Class/1st Sergeant
E8: Master Sergeant
E9: Sergeant Major

The Air Force:
E1: Basic Airman
E2: Airman
E3: Airman 1st Class
E4: Sergeant/Senior Airman
E5: Staff Sergeant
E6: Technical Sergeant
E7: Master Sergeant/1st Sergeant
E8: Senior Master Sergeant
E9: Command Chief Master Sergeant, and others.

Since Marines have already all been posted, I'll post Navy enlisted and officer ranks and then I'm done.

E1: Seaman Recruit
E2: Seaman Apprentice
E3: Seaman
E4: Petty Officer Third Class
E5: Petty Officer Second Class
E6: Petty Officer First Class
E7: Chief Petty Officer
E8: Senior Chief Petty Officer
E9: Master Chief Petty Officer (This is where Halo's "Master Chief" name comes from, although this is a Naval rank and not a Marine rank.)

Officer (O) 1: Ensign
O2: Lieutenant Junior Grade
O3: Lieutenant
O4: Lieutenant Commander
O5: Commander
O6: Captain
O7: Rear Admiral (Lower Half)
O8: Rear Admiral (Upper Half)
O9: Vice Admiral
O10: Admiral
O11: (Not used since WWII) Admiral of the Fleet
O12: (Not used since Civil War) Admiral of the Fleets

[Rev-O]

Did I miss it, or is the origin of Jeep missing?

Jeep=G.P.= General Purpose Vehicle
Hummer=Hum Vee=HMMV=High Mobility Multipurpose Vehicle

Or something along those lines.

[Stradlater]

Originally posted by KeyLimePi:
FYI = abbreviation.

Or, more specifically, FYI = initialism (seeing as both FYI and SNAFU are abbreviations).

[MARINEOSX]

rank is as follows for the corps
E-1 Private
E-2 Private First Class
E-3 Lance Corporal
E-4 Corporal
E-5 SGT.
E-6 Staff SGT.
E-7 Gunnery SGT>
E-8 1st SGT/or Master SGT.
E-9 SGT. Major/or Master Gunnery SGT.
Only one in the corps is...
E-9 SGT. Major of the Marine Corps SGT. Major Estrada

so they are not the same.

Officers in the Corp is...

O-1 2nd LT.
O-2 1st LT.
O-3 CPT.
O-4 Major
O-5 LT Colonel
O-6 Colonel
O-7 Brigadier General
O-8 Major General
O-9 LT. General
O-10 General

Then there are Warrant officers

WO-1
CWO-2
CWO-3
CWO-4
CWO-5

These are for Marines That are specialists in there M.O.S. and have been doing it for some time. Once you get to E-4 you are an NCO or non commissioned officer you also receive your blood stripe for actions at chapultepec. At E-6 and up you are SNCO Staff Non Commissioned Officer. So there are some distinct differences. There are also different swords that you rate when you reach that rank and prove yourself. http://www.militarysabers.com/marine-swords.html

[SimeyTheLimey]

Originally posted by Mister Elf:
OK, here's the basic (enlisted) rank structure for the US Army (ALL OFFICER RANKS FOR THE US ARMY, AIR FORCE, AND MARINES ARE THE SAME!):
Enlisted (E) 1: Private
E2: Private
E3: Private First Class
E4: Corporal/Specialist
E5: Sergeant
E6: Staff Sergeant
E7: Sergeant 1st Class/1st Sergeant
E8: Master Sergeant
E9: Sergeant Major

You got three of the Army enlisted ranks wrong:

E7: Sergeant First Class
E8: First Sergeant/Master Sergeant
E9: Sergeant Major of the Army/Command Sergeant Major/Sergeant Major

Also, Private E2 is usually designated as such to separate touchy mosquito wings from buck privates.

[Mister Elf]

I only included one of the ranks possible for those pay grades in the Army because there are so many of them...the air force is worse though, their first sergeant goes almost all the way up.

And "Humvee" comes from HMMWV "High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle".

[jcadam]

Originally posted by ThinkInsane:
Anyone that has ever been in a shooting war has nothing but disdain for REMF's. Some of you will probably know it

I am a supa-REMF. My unit is stationary here in Germany (doesn't deploy). I've been sitting here being fat and oversexed since before OIF started.

They tell me my job is important, but really I'm bored to tears

[SimeyTheLimey]

Originally posted by Mister Elf:
I only included one of the ranks possible for those pay grades in the Army because there are so many of them...

Fair enough, only you had First Sergeant as an E7, when that rank is an E8. There is quite a difference between a platoon daddy and a company top sergeant.

[jcadam]

Originally posted by Mister Elf:
I only included one of the ranks possible for those pay grades in the Army because there are so many of them...the air force is worse though, their first sergeant goes almost all the way up.

And "Humvee" comes from HMMWV "High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle".

I haven't fully grasped the Air Force Enlisted rank insignia. Difficult to discern how many of those thin wavy lines an airman has on his sleeve from a distance. They play tricks with the eyes (But I'm Army).

Oh, and a few more

ACE - Ammo, Casualties, Equipment

MOOSEMUSS
Mass, Objective, Offensive, Surprise, Economy of Force, Manuever, Unity of Command, Security, Simplicity.
Supposedly the nine principles of war. I guess.

[RobOnTheCape]

I remember when in the Corps some unsats themselves said U.S.M.C. really stood for Uncles Sam's Misguided Children.

[MARINEOSX]

Yup I have heard that myself the other one is general order #12.

[spatterson]

METT+TC - Planning a military operation

Mission

Enemy

Terrain and weather

Troops and support

Time

Civil considerations

[spatterson]

Oh, and this one is funny...

AFRTS

Armed Forces Radio and Television Service

[f1000]

Originally posted by spatterson:
Oh, and this one is funny...

AFRTS

Armed Forces Radio and Television Service

Smells like a winner!

[jcadam]

Originally posted by spatterson:
Oh, and this one is funny...

AFRTS

Armed Forces Radio and Television Service

gag me with a dirty spoon. Being that I'm an English-speaking American in Germany, my choices for Television viewing are AFRTS stations (playing last year's episodes of the popular crappy sitcoms) and a few BBC stations. Sometimes the German TV stations air some rather risque programming, in which case the language barrier matters less.

One funny story. I was standing around in my full gear, wearing an ALICE pack with the intials US stamped on it (to identify it as American equipment). A british soldier approached me and said "we used to have those ALICE packs, we got rid of them" (They DO suck), "in fact, before we got rid of them, we stamped them with the initals US to indicate UnServiceable equipment."

Ok, not that funny.