OPEN REQUEST: War metaphors

[Isaak Brodsky]

The latest chapter I'm drafting requires a discussion of the metaphors in use by the military now engaged in the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns.

For those who have been to these areas of operation, whether during Desert Shield/Storm or during the present campaigns, could you kindly offer up some of the most memorable and meaningful turns of speech or other kinds of metaphors that represent the collective or individual experience?

Many thanks in advance for your participation.

[Crazysix]

friendly fvcking.......term used for friendly fire

[Crazysix]

The latest chapter I'm drafting requires a discussion of the metaphors in use by the military now engaged in the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns.

For those who have been to these areas of operation, whether during Desert Shield/Storm or during the present campaigns, could you kindly offer up some of the most memorable and meaningful turns of speech or other kinds of metaphors that represent the collective or individual experience?

Many thanks in advance for your participation. What is your book going to be on???? Good luck with this endeavor

[Isaak Brodsky]

Many thanks for the insightful response! This kind of stuff is really useful. Cheers, ib

I hope that others will weigh in too.
If you think other phrases or metaphors would be useful too, please feel free to contribute.

[retributionnk]

"window licker" -- an inexperienced servicemember on a convoy (normally refers to a member of the media or a non-vol serviceman on a convoy). They occupy an extra seat and are little more than a liability.

[Isaak Brodsky]

Fantastic post. Many thanks for that one!

[Isaak Brodsky]

Really, really hoping here for some more responses from my fellow JU neighbors.

Sugar on top of please!:)

[SPMF#1]

don't forget the classics;
FUBAR
TARFU
SNAFU
BOHICA

FRED=FVCKIN REDICULOUS ECONOMIC DESASTER
BUFF=BIGG UGLY FAT FVCKER
FMS=FAT MILITARY SPOUSE
PMS=PARTIAL MENTAL STUPIDITY
ACM=AIRCREW MEMBER (usually follows the word 'fvckin')
POINTY HEAD=REFERS TO ANYONE IN THE AVIONICS CAREER FIELD
CREW CHIMP=CREW CHEIF
NON'R=ADMIN TYPE ASSHOLES WITH AN INFLATED VIEW OFTHEIR PLACEIN LIFE
SPARK CHASER=ELECTRICIAN
BUBBLE CHASER=HRDRO TROOP
BULLET STOPPER=ARMY

[DougP]

RUMINT = Rumor Intelligence
skuttle butt = rumors(rumor mill)
bullet sponge/catcher = Grunts/infantry
king of battle = field artillery

One of my favorits

FOBBIT = Service member stationed at a forward operating base (FOB) who never leaves the confines of the camp.

Fobbits were also known as REMFs Rear Echelon Mother Fvckers. :)

[Isaak Brodsky]

SPMF#1 and DougP,
Many, many thanks. These are fantastic examples I'd completely forgotten about. Bullet sponge is new one on me.

[Isaak Brodsky]

Guyjin, thank you for the suggestions. They prompted me to think of a few other related expressions I remember from my time in the military. Cheers, ib

[Oki alumni]

Originally(?) from the Viet-Nam era, but updated, and applicable today:

PULLING OUT! = What GWB's daddy should have done with GWB's mommy 9 months before GWB's birth.

Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity!

Jeep = Someone with little, or very limited experience in the military who tell's everyone else "how to do it"..whatever IT happens to be at the moment.

LIFER = Probably no real explanation needed, BUT, in the day, it was someone who had served beyond their original enlistment date. Also defined as Lazy Inefficient Fvcker Expecting Retirement.

FIGMO = Fvck It, Got MY Orders.

DILLIGAF = Do I Look Like I Give A Fvck? (usually said when getting orders back home again.

Some terms just naturally carry on with a life of their own. Wonder whatever happened to "Killroy Was HERE!"?

-Oki Alumni:old::79:

[DocTurtle]

HABU- Hook a brother up.
POG - Person Other than Grunt (used by grunts)
CAP - Can't Advance Properly

[OtisPMerriweather]

I don't know, these may be local to my experience (Afghanistan), and none of this is politically correct, but...

-As you know, "hajis" are Afghanis, whether taliban or just LNs. the "haji-mart" is a local bazaar or flea market.

-"jingle trucks" are big colorful trucks the Afghanis drive. The US pays them to haul nonsensitive stuff through theater so as not to risk military assests. named jingle trucks cause they got a lot of trinkets hanging off of 'em and they jingle when they pass by...google it for a picture.

-"PUC" literally means person under control, but it is also used as a verb for "arrest". To PUC somebody is to arrest them.

-"terps" are interpreters

-"shopkeepers" usually were teenage boys who would sell liquor, marijuana, an like items

-"OGA" was a generic term used for the FBI, CIA, navy seals, etc. who we couldn't identify because they didnt wear uniforms. literally meant "other government agency" but we just called that guy "an OGA". Some of them were like E4s and E5s, but would talk a lot of shit because they knew nobody knew what their rank was for sure.

can't think of more right now...hope it helps

[Isaak Brodsky]

Originally(?) from the Viet-Nam era, but updated, and applicable today:

PULLING OUT! = What GWB's daddy should have done with GWB's mommy 9 months before GWB's birth.

Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity!

Jeep = Someone with little, or very limited experience in the military who tell's everyone else "how to do it"..whatever IT happens to be at the moment.

LIFER = Probably no real explanation needed, BUT, in the day, it was someone who had served beyond their original enlistment date. Also defined as Lazy Inefficient Fvcker Expecting Retirement.

FIGMO = Fvck It, Got MY Orders.

DILLIGAF = Do I Look Like I Give A Fvck? (usually said when getting orders back home again.

Some terms just naturally carry on with a life of their own. Wonder whatever happened to "Killroy Was HERE!"?

-Oki Alumni:old::79:

truly excellent examples!!!!!!!!! many, many thanks. oh, brilliant avatar too. don't give it up.

[Isaak Brodsky]

...

-As you know, "hajis" are Afghanis, whether taliban or just LNs. the "haji-mart" is a local bazaar or flea market.

-"jingle trucks" are big colorful trucks the Afghanis drive. The US pays them to haul nonsensitive stuff through theater so as not to risk military assests. named jingle trucks cause they got a lot of trinkets hanging off of 'em and they jingle when they pass by...google it for a picture.

-"PUC" literally means person under control, but it is also used as a verb for "arrest". To PUC somebody is to arrest them.

-"terps" are interpreters

-"shopkeepers" usually were teenage boys who would sell liquor, marijuana, an like items

-"OGA" was a generic term used for the FBI, CIA, navy seals, etc. who we couldn't identify because they didnt wear uniforms. literally meant "other government agency" but we just called that guy "an OGA". Some of them were like E4s and E5s, but would talk a lot of shit because they knew nobody knew what their rank was for sure.

can't think of more right now...hope it helps

i really, really, really, really appreciate it. cheers, ib

[Oki alumni]

Another few more that just came to mind:

NCO = No Chance Outside (the military)

LBFMs = Little Brown Fvcking Machines (specific to Viet-Nam)

BUFFs = Big Ugly Fat Fvckrs (usually in reference to a specific aircraft, C-130s among 'em)

Widow Makers = FB-111s

Lawn Darts = FB-111s in the hands of East German allies during the cold war.

Jungle Fatigues = A very light weight fatigue uniform used by the USAF (and other services?) in S.E.A., and probably the first true "camo" uniform

A SEA tour = Nothing to do with the salt water unless you were a Navy type...this SEA referred to ANYWHERE in SouthEast Asia.

Slopes, Slants & Gooks = A few of the extremely derogatory terms referring to the native peoples of SEA.

Serial Number = An eight digit number with a two letter prefix "issued" to recruits and draftees prior to the end of the draft. AFnnnnnnnn would indicate an enlisted Air Force, "FR" was a USAF officer. RA = Regular Army (recruited) and US = Army draftee (sometimes called Unwilling Soldier). Memorizing your Serial Number was mandatory, and those with 'em will NEVER forget 'em. Stupid move replacing these with Social Security Numbers. Navy and Marines can tell us what THEIR alpha designators were. You could also tell what state a person was from by the first four of thier numeric Serial Number...similar to the way you can tell from the first three of SSNs.

-Oki Alumni