Headed for Trouble - By Suzanne Brockmann Page 0,102
be hot from Sam’s body heat. At the end of World War II, troop transport ships were frequently filled beyond capacity. The men chose to hot bunk or even sleep on deck in order to get home to their families as quickly as possible.
HUMINT: Human Intelligence. Intelligence gathered the old-fashioned way, by using the eyes and ears of human agents, spies, or informants.
ICE CREAM SUIT: Nickname for any white uniform, particularly Navy dress uniforms.
IED: Improvised Explosive Device.
INFILTRATE: Entry by SEALs, usually with stealth, into an area of operations.
INSERTION: To be placed in an area of operations, usually by air. SEALS often insert by sea.
INTEL: Intelligence.
JARHEAD: Nickname for Marines. Also known as Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children (USMC).
K-BAR: A very deadly fighting utility knife issued to SEALs. Also known as a KA-BAR knife.
KEVLAR: The material used in bulletproof vests and body armor.
KIA: Killed in Action.
KLICKS OR CLICKS: Kilometers. Military measurement of distance. One klick equals 0.6214 miles.
LZ: Landing Zone.
M16: Nickname for the Colt M16A2 rifle issued to the SEALs. Unloaded, it weighs more than twelve pounds. Fires a small, high velocity bullet, with a range of 460 meters.
MEDAL OF HONOR: Highest military award of the United States.
MEDEVAC: Medical Evacuation, usually by helicopter, to field hospital or aid station.
MESS HALL: Dining facility.
MIA: Missing in Action, usually from a battle situation. If someone is declared MIA, it’s not known if they are dead or alive.
MP: Military Police.
MRE: Meal Ready to Eat.
MURPHY’S LAW: “Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong.” A good SEAL officer will expect Mr. Murphy to accompany him on every mission, and be prepared for his appearance.
NAVINTEL: Naval Intelligence.
NCO: Non-Commissioned Officer. Senior Chief Stan Wolchonok and Chief Cosmo Richter are both NCOs.
NCONVs: Night vision goggles. (See also NVGs.)
NVGs: Night Vision Goggles or Glasses.
O COURSE: Obstacle Course. An important part of BUD/S training.
OC: Officer Candidate. (See also OCS.)
OCONUS: Outside the Continental United States. (Pronounced oh-koh-ness.)
OCS: Officers Candidate School. Originally used to train enlisted men for special wartime assignments, it’s now a twenty-six-week program for enlisted who want to become commissioned officers. Sam Starrett began his Navy career as an enlisted man. He attended OCS and became an officer.
OFFICERs’ COUNTRY: The places where officers work and even live, such as the BOQ. Particularly relevant onboard ship.
OSS: Office of Strategic Services. Developed in 1942, the OSS was an early version of the CIA and Special Forces.
OTS: Officers Training School. (See also OSC.)
PITA: Pain In The Ass.
PJ: The nickname for the U.S. Air Force Para-Rescue Jumpers or Parajumpers.
PLATOON: A unit of 30 to 50 troops.
POINT MAN: The SEAL responsible for taking the lead in an advancing squad. The point man will be the first to contact the enemy or trip booby traps. Related terms: On point or taking the point.
PSYOPS: Psychological Operations. The use of propaganda or misinformation to affect the morale of the enemy.
PT: Physical Training.
PUCKER FACTOR: A rating system for fear or tension. A high pucker factor indicates that all muscles are extremely tight.
PX: Post exchange. A store, usually on base, selling general merchandise for servicemen and -women and their families.
REAL WORLD OP: The real thing, as opposed to a training operation.
RECON: Reconnaissance. To investigate, gather information and intel, to scout.
REGIMENT: A unit of 2,500 to 3,500 troops.
RE-UP: To reenlist.
RING OUT: To fail the intensive BUD/S training program. SEAL candidates actually must ring a bell upon their departure, and announce that they are quitting. The majority of all SEAL candidates ring out.
RTO: Radio Telephone Operator.
SAR: Search and Rescue.
SAS: Special Air Service. The United Kingdom’s Special Operations Forces.
SATCOM: Satellite Communications.
SEABAG: A duffel bag used by SEALs and sailors.
SEAL: Special Operations force of the U.S. Navy. SEALs operate on SEa, in the Air, and on Land.
SECDEF: Secretary of Defense.
SERE TRAINING: A military program that teaches Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape.
SHORE PATROL: The Navy’s version of the MPs or Military Police.
SILVER BULLET ASSIGNMENT: An easy assignment in a comfortable setting, usually given as a reward to deserving personnel.
SITREP: Situation Report.
SNAFU: Situation Normal—All Fucked Up.
SOF: Special Operations Forces, such as SEALs. (Not to be confused with Special Forces. For the difference between Special Operations and Special Forces, see below.)
Q: What’s the difference between Special Operations and Special Forces—and how do the SEALs fit in?
SUZ: Special Operations and Special Forces are two very different things. Special Forces go in with lots of firepower, lots of force, lots of noise. Spec Ops is something else entirely. They operate in small, covert groups. In other words, they go in or “insert” silently, get the job done, and leave or “extract” without