“We Forge the Thunderbolt”
KNIGHTS OF THE ARMOR FORCE TANKER JARGON
Tankers use a lot of different terms in the course of conversation in the field and in garrison. Many are words organic to the U.S. Army as a whole, while others refer to the language of country in which tankers serve or have served. In many cases terms are passed from one generation to another. Some of the terms are reminiscent of the true Home of Armor at Fort Knox Kentucky, a place that future Tankers will never know. We have endeavored to identify the origin of many of the terms; the following are some of the more commonly used Tanker Jargon from the past and present.
70% Master Gunner: derogatory term for a Bradley Master Gunner (the Abrams Master Gunner Course requires students to maintain a 90% average vs. the Bradley Master Gunner Course that only has a 70% standard.)
100 mph Tape: Standard issue Army green duct tape.
105 Delta (M105-D telescope for the 105mm cannon): Auxiliary sight on later versions of the M48 tanks and on all M60 series tanks with 105 mm cannon.
ACE: armament, controls and equipment
ACTUAL: The commander; used to distinguish the commander from the crewman or other personnel when the call sign is used.
After Action Review (AAR): a professional discussion of an event, focused on performance standards, that enables soldiers to discover for themselves what happened, why it happened and how to sustain strengths and improve on weaknesses. It is a tool that leaders and units can use to get maximum benefit from every mission or task. An AAR following a tactical exercise will usually incorporate a terrain model to help clarify key points on the ground.
Ahlan (ah-lahn): Arabic for “hello”.
Agony: infamous hill at Fort Knox that was part of the foot road march route that soldiers in basic training went on to get to the live fire ranges.
Air Force Mittens (or Air Force Gloves): Front pockets of uniform pants.
AK-47: Russia developed rifle. The basic infantry weapon of the North Vietnamese Army/Vietcong, Iraqi forces during the Gulf War and insurgents forces encountered during OIF and OEF.
AP: Armor-piercing ammunition
Airport Mall: slang name for small tin shops operated by Somali locals. They sold things to Americans and UN soldiers through holes in the fence at the airport area in Mogadishu Somalia.
Anyoung: Korean for “Hello”.
Anyoung hee gyeseyo: Korean for “good-bye” (if you are leaving).
Ass-chewing: a harsh reprimand intended to embarrass and correct the behavior of the recipient.
Ate up (or) all ate up: something that is messed-up or not right (usage ex. “He is ate up with the dumb ass”).
AGTS: Advanced Gunnery Training System (simulator).
Autobahn Seat: swing out tank commander’s observation seat on the M60A1 and A3 tanks, used when the tank commander’s hatch is open.
Auxiliary Motor: A small gas motor first mounted in the sponson of Sherman tanks. They were used to charge the tank’s batteries when the tank isn’t running and to heat the tank. Forerunner to the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) on the Abrams. Also see “Little Joe”.
AVLB: Armored Vehicle-Laid Bridge
Back-Scratching: (Vietnam era origin) the act of shooting hostiles who have boarded another tank, by firing light-caliber at its buttoned-up turret.
Baker Bustle: Bustle rack designed by Captain (ret.) John A. Baker III. It’s a removable bustle rack that was added to the originally fielded M1s since they only had straps on the bustle. The rack quickly gained popularity among M1 tankers and the fielded design, though slightly modified by General Dynamics Land Systems is still the rack used today.
Balloon goes up: (WW I origin) Originally referring to an observation balloon sent aloft prior to beginning an attack; used during the cold war to describe the beginning of a Soviet attack in Europe.
Balls to the Walls: Move the tank at high rate of speed; fast paced, extremely fast, and hurry up.
Band-Aid: Radio code for the medic.
Barracks Rat: a soldier who stays around the unit during off time and doesn’t go outside the Post, Camp or Kaserne to see what is going on and to interface with local people.
Basket Case: (WW I origin) usually describing someone who constantly makes stupid mistakes, or who crumbles under pressure. In its original context, a basket case was a soldier who had been so badly injured that he had to be carried from the battlefield in a barrow or basket, usually with the implication that he had lost all four of his limbs.
BCGs: Birth Control Glasses; U.S. Government issued eyeglasses, typically first issued in basic training, noted for their unappealing appearance which would prevent attracting members of the opposite sex.
Beans and bullets: The general term for all types of logistic supplies/resupply LOGPAC.
Beaucoup: (Vietnam War origin) French word, in Vietnam it can mean many, much, big, huge, very, etc.
Beehive Round: 90mm and 105mm tank cannon round containing 8,500 darts or "flechettes"; 90mm was also called "Green Can" due to the olive drab color and the can-like shape of the projectile.
Bellied: (WW I origin) a term used when a tank's underside was caught upon an obstacle so high that its tracks could not grip the earth.
Bellyache: (WW II origin) to complain or gripe.
Berm: A berm is a man-made mound of earth for a defensive purpose.
Berm Drill: method of practicing the movement from turret down position to a hull down position quickly.
BFE: Bum Fu*k Egypt (see Bum Fu*k Egypt).
BFH: Big Fu*king Hammer referring to the 10 lbs. sledge or 2 lbs. ball-peen hammer.
BFW: Big Fu*king Wrench; Sometimes used to refer to the track adjustment wrench also known as a “little joe”.
Big Boy: Radio code for a tank.
Bird bath: see wash rack.
Bird Colonel: a Colonel (O-6), whose insignia is an eagle, as opposed to a Lieutenant Colonel, who wears silver oak leaves; Also known as "full bull," or "full bird colonel."
Bitch plate: name given to the hull access plate of the M1 series tanks due the difficulty of removing and especially replacing it.
Bite the Dust (or bit the dust): Term for killed, destroyed or damaged (WW II origin).
Blasting Machine: see Master Blaster.
Block (the): Civilian life before enlisting; simply a reference to back home where you lived before joining the Army.
Blood Strips: promotion one receives due to the death of the soldier who previously filled that position (WW I origin).
Blue feature: the code name for any water feature on a topographic map.
Blue line: the code name a river on a topographic map.
BMO: Battalion Motor Officer
Bolo: term used for tank crews who fail to qualify on the tank crew gunnery qualification table.
Bombaconda: Slang for Logistics Support Area Anaconda, a major supply base near Balad, Iraq. Balad was also called "Mortaritaville."
Bone-up: (WW II origin) to study, prepare for a test.
Boneyard: slang for the Unit Maintenance Collection Point (UMCP)
Booby trap: (WW I origin) is a device or setup that is intended to kill or harm a soldier who unknowingly triggered an enclosed or disguised device.
Bookoo: (see beaucoup)
BOT: burst on target; direct fire adjustment technique.
Bought /Buy the Farm: Killed in Action; Its origin stems from the WW II practice of giving $10,000 in life insurance to the dead soldier’s beneficiaries (if unmarried, usually parents). This amount of money was usually enough to pay off the mortgage on the family farm in those days.
Bought It: (WW II origin) killed in action: (usage ex. “He was with the 2 AD but he bought it in North Africa”), see Bought /Buy the Farm.
Bow Machine gun: (WW II origin) The machine gun mounted in the front right of the Sherman tank hull and manned by the co-driver. The alert element if the TC wanted the Bow gunner to fire is “Bog”.
Box of rocks: derogatory term to describe a soldier that repeatedly does stupid things (usage ex. “he is dumber than a box of rocks").
Breaking Squelch: disrupting the natural static of a radio by keying the radio frequency.
Broke-Dick: A Soldier with a medical condition that would hinder the soldier's ability to perform certain tasks; equipment that is not operationally ready.
Buck Private, Buck Sergeant: (WW I origin) The lowest grade of a military rank. Why U. S. soldiers going off to war in 1918 began to use this term isn’t known for sure, but the sense is probably related to that of buck as “male, man.”
Budae jjigae:(Korean for “troop stew”) The dish originated during the Korean War and was popular for a time afterwards, when people had little to eat. People made this dish by combining leftover Spam and hot dogs from U.S. Army facilities with whatever else was available.
Buicks: (Vietnam War origin) When mechanized units (tanks / APC’s) worked together, they referred to tanks (usually M48A3s) as Buicks and APC’s as Fords.
Bullet Stabbers: (Vietnam War origin) tanker vernacular for a loader. The loader position is always the starting slot for a new man on a tank crew.
Bullshit Freq: (Vietnam War origin) the highest frequency on the tactical FM radios which units used in Viet Nam. Often at night during radio watch, Tankers would turn their radio to this frequency and chat with friends in other units scattered around the AO.
Bum Fu*k Egypt: An isolated deployment area, or any other extremely isolated or distant location.
Bustle (turret bustle): the rear area are of the Tank turret, behind the tank commander’s and loader’s hatches.
Bustle rack: storage bin mounted on tanks, usually on the sides and/or rear of the turret. These racks are used to carry extra gear and supplies for the vehicle in the field, as well as give the crew a place to store their belongings so that they don't take up the already cramped space inside the vehicle.
Butter bar: a friendly description for a brand new (newbie) Second Lieutenant.
Button up: to shut and lock hatches.
By the Numbers: (WW II origin) to perform tasks by prescribed drill or sequence; the military way of doing things.
“Cadillacs” or Cadillac Controls: slang term for the Gunner’s Power Control Handle (GPCH); originating from the manufacturer the GPCH- Cadillac-Gage Corporation. Controls consist of: a large flat switch on the back side of the handles that engages both the gun/turret drive and gun stabilization when depressed. It is used to traverse the turret and elevate/depress the gun. On the M60A3 and M1 series tanks, the red thumb buttons activates the laser rangefinder, and causes the ballistic computer to calculate a firing solution using the currently selected weapon and ammo onto whatever object the gunner's reticle is over. The index finger trigger on the back side of the “Cadillacs” fires the selected weapon.
CAR-15 (Colt Automatic Rifle): an M-16 carbine rifle popular with Vietnam era tankers. A rifle with a metal telescoping butt stock and a shortened barrel, similar to the M-4 rifle today. Specifically, the CAR-15 refers to the ultrashort 11.5-inch barrel assault rifle. By comparison, the M-4 Carbine has a 14.5-inch barrel, while the M16 assault rifle series has a 20-inch barrel.
Case of the Ass: term used to describe when you are mad about something (usage ex. “he has a case of the ass because he has extra duty tonight”).
Cam on (cam oon): Vietnamese for thank you.
Can: a latrine, portable toilet or restroom.
Can of Squelch: often new privates are sent searching the motor pool or supply room for these fictitious items by more seasoned tankers.
Cannibalization: (WW II origin) removal of parts from an inoperable or destroyed vehicle to use on another.
Cannister: can-shaped main gun projectile containing small metal cylinders.
Can Opener: Euphemism for a tank equipped with a bulldozer blade.
Cat Hole: (WW II origin) small, hastily dug hole used as a one-time use latrine.
Cat Piss or Panther Piss: nick name to Kool-Aid type drink served in the dining facility or in the field.
Chao co (chow coh): Vietnamese for hello or good-bye.
Cherry Juice: red colored hydraulic fluid (OHT) used in the tank elevation/traverse and recoil systems until the 1980s. It was replaced by the greenish colored Fire Resistant Hydraulic (FRH).
Cherry Juice Gun: device used to put hydraulic fluid in the replenisher of the main gun recoil system of the Patton series tanks. Actual nomenclature: gun, fluid, direct delivery.
Chem-Light: is a common name given to plastic light device that has a main body with inner capsule made of glass or brittle materiel. Bending the outer container breaks the inner capsule, releasing a chemical that mixes with the chemical in the outer capsule and glows. Also known as: light stick, Light bar, party light, glow stick,
Chem-Light Batteries: Often new privates are sent searching the motor pool or supply room for these mythical items.
Chicken Shit _______: (WW II origin) seemingly endless make-work tasks, mind-numbingly restrictive regulations, senseless requirements, unnecessary harassment, and pettiness on the part of pretentious leaders.
Christmas Tree: a light device (usually battery operated) used on night tank ranges to denote the vehicles firing status as flags did in the daytime. One device was mounted on each tank. Lights: red (weapons loaded and prepared to fire), green (weapons clear and elevated), yellow and green (malfunction weapons clear), yellow and red (weapons malfunction loaded).
Choking (a target): Choking the target is the term used to estimate range to a target by using the stadia scale of the telescope on the M60A2 or at the top of the GAS sight on the M1 series tanks.
Chow: food, meals
Chow Hall: (WW II origin) mess hall, including kitchen and dining room.
Clap, the: (WW II origin) Gonorrhea.
Class one download: origin is from the Army supply code for food (class one); a class one download is simply a slang term for a bowel movement.
Class VI run: going to a beer or liquor store to purchase same (see Class VI (six) store).
Class VI (six) Store: the origin of this term is from the Army Supply Classification System. Class VI is Personal Items (including liquor); the modern usage refers to the tax free liquor store on Post.
Clearing Barrel: (Origin U.S. and U.N Forces in Somalia) a barrel filled with dirt around the entrance of an admin area or FOB. Originally used in Somalia since foreign soldiers did not know how to clear their personal weapons properly.
Cluster Fu*k: (Vietnam War origin) nothing is going right, congested or bunched up.
Coax: machine gun that is coaxially mounted next to the main gun on the tank.
COB or Close of Business: the time of day when all scheduled training stops or the time when you are released from duty for the day.
COFT: Conduct-Of-Fire Trainer
Coincidence rangefinder (stereoscopic, parallax, or split-image rangefinder on all Patton series tanks except for the M60A2 and M60A3): a type of rangefinder that uses mechanical and optical principles to allow the tank commander to determine the range to a target by turning a hand crank dial until the two images (an actual image and ghost image) of the target line up. When the images line up, the tank commander reads the dial and that is the range to the target.
Combat Armor Badge (CAB): unofficial combat badge for the Armor branch.
Command Tank: A tank with extra radio capability that allows communications with several levels of command.
Commissary: (Continental Army origin) refer to the Commissary General who purchased food, drink, soap and candles for the Army; modern meaning: tax-free grocery store on post.
Commo: communication equipment, radios etc…; term for soldiers with a communications MOS.
CONEX: Container Express. a rigid steel reusable shipping container 8’ 6" long, 6' 3" wide, and 6" 10" high, with a double door on one end. It is mounted on elevated skids to aid in fork lift handling and had lifting rings on the top four corners for dock cranes or aircraft attachment. Can be trucked or airlifted to a site and clad in sand bags to provide small arms and shrapnel protection.
Cook-Off: a situation where an automatic weapon has fired so many rounds that the heat has built up enough set off the remaining round in the chamber (common with the M-73 and M-219 machine guns and usually from firing more than the recommended 20-30 round bursts).
Cool: term use by Armor soldiers to denote satisfaction instead of the grunt term “Hooah”.
Cowhouse: prominent creek the training area at Fort Hood; Also the nick name of the Cowhouse Motor Inn in Killeen, which gave rise to the saying when you pick up a woman “my house, your house or the Cowhouse”.
C-rations: Also called “C’s”: Combat rations that were canned meals for use in the field. Each usually consisted of a can of some basic course, a can of fruit or dessert cake, a packet of powdered coca or beverage powder and two pieces of chewing gum. Early rations included a small pack of cigarettes. These rations were replaced in the 80’s by MRE’s.
Croc a dao: Vietnamese word for "dead" or "kill."
Crunchie: (Vietnam War Origin) term used by tank crewman to describe a dismounted infantry soldier derived from the sound that they make when the tank rolls over them.
Cunt Hair: a small increment. (Usage ex. "Move the gun a cunt hair to the right)."
CYA: cover your ass.
D-Street: slang for Avenue D in Killeen Texas outside of Fort Hood, known to be an unofficial “Red Light” district that soldiers frequent.
Dash-Ten: an operator's manual for a piece of army equipment or vehicle; all operator level manuals reference numbers end with "-10."
Dead wood: references a soldier who doesn't pull his share and is not motivated to perform.
Death By PowerPoint: an overly long, excruciatingly boring MS PowerPoint presentation.
Degraded Mode: situation where one of more components of the primary fire control system in inoperable; Slang: going to sleep or taking a nap.
Dependisarurus (or Dependopotimus): Slang term to describe a highly conceited spouse of a Tanker who feels a sense of financial entitlement from her husband and ultimately the Army itself; Spouse who continually calls the unit and is a general nuisance.
DETT: Displaced Equipment Training Team; training unit in the 1980’s and 90’s that’s mission was to transition U.S. tank crews to the newer M60A3 TTS tanks.
Deuce: term used for a 2 ½ ton utility truck (also called a “deuce and a half”.)
DFAC: Dining Facility. Pronounced “d-fack”; mess hall or chow hall. Place where service members eat. DFAC’s are modern looking cafeterias, some decorated with sports memorabilia, movie posters, and televisions with Fox News on.
Dick beaters: hands or fingers.
Dicked Up: generalized state of being incorrect or broken.
Dick Skinners: hands
Di di mau: Vietnamese for "go fast" meaning to get the hell out of the area.
Dinki dau: Vietnamese for Crazy.
Dirka: Used to describe something made in an Arabic country, such as dirka coke (soft drink), or dirka water.
Dirt bag: soldier of little worth.
Disneyland: Three story red brick billets at Fort Knox, used to house Armor and Cavalry soldier in basic and AIT. The Disney Barracks complex is named for Major General Paul Disney, a World War II veteran and first commander of the Armor Training Center at Fort Knox.
Ditched: WW I term for to describe when the ground beneath a tank became so soft or waterlogged as to prevent the tracks from gripping.
Ditty Move: Do It Yourself Move; moving ones items by oneself during PCS instead of using Military Transport, Done usually because a soldier receives money from the Army per pound moved.
Dog Bone: slang term for the road wheel lifting arm.
Dog Tags: (WW II origin) Identification tags worn by all U.S. servicemen that included their names, serial number, blood type and religion.
Donkey Dick: a detachable fuel nozzle for 5 gallon fuel containers.
Doughboy or Doughs: (WW I and WW II tank crew usage) it’s pretty common these days to associate the term "Doughboy" with WWI US soldiers and "GI" with WWII US soldiers. However, the term "Doughboy", or simply "Dough" was used extensively in WW2 to describe infantry. The description element for troops of a fire command of a Sherman TC is “Dough” or “Doughs”. Source author Harry Yeide.
Down-range: target area of a tank range; slang term for deployment in a combat zone.
Dozer Tank: A command tank with an extra 4,000-pound bulldozer kit that makes the tank and earth mover plus being a fighting vehicle.
Dragon Wagon: a tank transporter also called Low Boy.
Drive on: continue or encouragement to let soldiers know that they're doing the right thing, (usage ex. “you are doing a great job - drive on!”.)
Dry Run: (WW II origin) a practice run or rehearsal.
Duster: Vietnam era vehicle - an M42, an old M24 tank chassis with two 40mm AA guns in an open turret.
Duplex Drive: a modified M4 Sherman tank that could swim in deep water using propellers on the back that were controlled by the tank commander.
Dust-off: Medical evacuation helicopter.
Elephant: (Vietnam War origin) radio code for an M48-A3 tank.
Elephant Condoms or Elephant Rubbers: nickname for the large plastic sleeve covering the combustible cartridge case of 152mm main gun rounds used on the M551 Sheridan and M60A2 tanks.
Eleven Echo (11E): MOS for an armored crewman prior to the M1 Abrams.
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.
Embrace the suck: (OIF origin) the situation is bad, but deal with it.
Esprit de corps: a common spirit of comradeship, enthusiasm, and devotion to a cause among the members of a group.
Evac’d: short for evacuated.
Fallopian Tubing: Often new privates are sent searching the motor pool or supply room for this mythical items for tank turrets.
Fart Sack: a sleeping bag.
Fifty (the): term for the .50 caliber M2HB or M85 machine gun.
Firewatch: a reference to the guard duty you do while at Fort Knox and living in WW II wooden barracks in the Reception Station prior to being assigned to a Basic/AIT training company.
Fire Track: (Vietnam War origin) The M67A1 was an M-48 tank modified to be a flame-thrower tank and was the only version used by the Army in Vietnam. The improved turret control system from the M48A2 was used, and the gunner received a 1.5x XM30 periscopic sight in contrast to the M67’s (Marine Corps version) unitary periscopic sight M21. Thirty-five M67A1s were constructed by Chrysler.
Fister: an artillery soldier in a Fire Support Team (FST), i.e. an Artillery Forward Observer.
Five: term used on the radio for the executive officer.
Five fingers of death: Slang name for the MRE beef franks, so named for their number and the unpleasant taste. Later versions of this meal only contained four beef franks without any beans or sauce and were subsequently nicknamed the "Four dicks of death".
Flareback: a flareout occurs shortly after a main gun is fired. It occurs when fuel-rich gases formed by the normal burning of propellant enter the crew compartment, mix with oxygen and are ignited by some source. These gases are a normal byproduct of firing, and the function of the bore evacuator is to push them out the muzzle rather than allow them to drift back into the turret. Flareback is usually caused by improper bore evacuator maintenance.
Flareout: a flareout occurs shortly after a main gun is fired. Essentially, it is a secondary flame/flare seen outside the muzzle of the main gun after the large initial blast (flame/fire) dissipates.
Flying Geese: term used to describe the reticle of a coincidence rangefinder found in early M48 tanks.
FOB: (OIF/OEF era term) forward operating base.
Fobbit: (OIF/OEF era term) term used to describe soldiers who do not go outside their Forward Operations Base (FOB) in Iraq, or a soldier stationed in Iraq who has not seen combat. The term came from British author, JRR Tolkien's book The Hobbit, a creature that didn't like to leave the safety of their homes or "The Shire."
Fords: see Buicks
Fort Knox Experience (The): phase used to describe the training environment that perpetuated excellence for 70 years at the Armor School/Center at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
Fourth Point of Contact: buttocks
Forty Mark Strasse: (Cold War origin) slang name for a Red Light district in Germany that soldiers frequent.
Freq: slag for radio frequency.
Friendlies: other U.S. or allied troops on the battlefield.
Frock: term for an officer or non-commissioned officer that has been authorized to wear an insignia of a higher grade and fill a position before they are actually promoted. An officer or NCO who has been selected for promotion may be authorized to "frock" to the next grade.
Funny Paper: radio code referring to a topographical map.
Gaggle or Gaggle fuck: a group of soldiers standing about in an unorganized fashion or soldiers moving as a group in an unorganized way; a messed-up or unorganized situation.
Gay Pride Ribbon: The rainbow colored Army Service Ribbon awarded to everyone who graduates basic training. It is also known as the "thank you for stopping my basic training ribbon”.
GAS or GAS Sight: the Gunner's Auxiliary Sight (telescope sight) aperture is located below the COAX flash tube on the right side of the main gun. The sight has etched balletic reticles for the various main gun ammunitions. GAS is used when the primary gunsight is unusable. There is a simple stadia sight etched onto it. It is also used to check the actual position of the gun barrel, since the primary sight is located on top of the tank and can allow line of sight even when the gun is obstructed.
Gasoline Cowboy: World War II term for a tanker.
GI: (WW II origin) general issue; term for the common soldier.
GI Party: after-hours barracks cleaning detail.
Ghost Image (see coincidence rangefinder): term used to describe the false image in a coincidence rangefinder prior to alinement with the actual target .
Goat Trail: dirt or unpaved road.
Gone Elvis: A service member who is missing in action or not at his assigned unit due to another assignment; phase was coined by the men of Company A, 32nd Armor, 3rd Armored Division that Elvis Presley was assigned to but was rarely there.
Gook: (Korean War origin) a derogatory term for Asians. It was originally predominantly used by the U.S. military during war time, especially during the Korean and Vietnam wars.
Gore-Tex: the camouflaged, hooded outer jacket, named because of the material used in its construction.
“Graf”: (Cold War origin) slang name for the Grafenwöhr Training Area located in Bavaria, Germany.
Grease Gun: M-3 Caliber .45 submachine gun (M-3A1 was newer variant of the weapon without a cocking lever on the side).
Green-eye: see Starlight Scope.
Grub: slang for food, chow.
Grunt: Infantryman
Grunt-proof: Idiot-proof
Gut Truck: snack food vendor in a truck that goes to the motor pools and/or the training areas (usually an AAFES vendor, also called a “Maggot Wagon”). Gut trucks that serviced the ranges and training areas at Fort Knox were camo colored.
Habudabi: (OIF/OEF term) slang name used for someone of Arab descent.
Hadji/Haji (Hajji or Hodgie) (origin Gulf War): A general term used to describe Middle Easterners during the first Gulf War and subsequently during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (usually describing a friendly Iraqi/Afghan). Same as Habib--refers to people native to the Middle Eastern countries, India, and Egypt. Somewhat pejorative or dismissive. Considered by some as a racist remark, and has thus fallen under scrutiny. Also used to refer to local markets where servicemen can acquire cheap goods, possibly of dubious authenticity. Originates from an Arabic term of honor for a Muslim who has completed the Hajj to Mecca. Possibly from the Indian character Hadji in the 60s adventure cartoon "The Adventures of Jonny Quest".
Haji-mart or Haji shop: (OIF/OEF term) any small store operated by Iraqis or third-country nationals to sell small items to Americans.
Hang it in and let 'er go!: (WW I term) War cry of Tank Corps.
Haul Ass: move out quickly (WW II origin).
Hardball: A hard-surfaced road.
Have/has the ass: see “case of the ass”.
Hawk: Term for cold weather, commonly referred to as "the hawk”.
Hawk Fighter: personnel heater
Health and Welfare/ Health and Welfare Inspection: a euphemistic term for a search of quarters for contraband.
HE: High Explosive
Heartbreak: infamous hill at Fort Knox that was part of the foot road marched route that soldiers in basic training went on to get to the live fire ranges.
HEAT: High Explosive Antitank (shaped charge) tank ammunition.
Heat tabs: Flammable tablet used to heat C-rations.
HEP: High Explosive Plastic tank ammunition.
High speed or high speed low drag: term originating from high velocity armor piercing tank main gun ammunition; usage refers to a highly motivated/proficient soldier; good piece of equipment
Hog Palace: Slang name for the Rocker II Club, based on the less than skinny women who frequented this famous wooden NCO Club at Fort Knox.
Hooah: affirmative term usually used by the Infantry and other Army personnel, (true tankers use the word “cool” instead).
Hooch: (Korean War origin) probably came from American soldiers who were familiar with the Japanese word for house “uchi”; any living quarters other than the barracks; a prostitute's dwelling or any place like a house, room, or shack, where a soldier sets up housekeeping with a local woman: a thatched hut of southeast Asia.
Horn (the): slang for a military radio.
Hot-A’s: Hot Garrison Ration prepared in a DFAC or field kitchen usually delivered to soldiers in the field or combat area in Mermite containers (see mermite).
Hot Loop: a communication circuit between tanks and subunits of the company. It is established by connecting communication wire (WD-1) to the vehicle’s radio.
Hotwash: a brief after-action discussions and evaluation of a platoon or company’s performance following a training exercise, training session, or major event. This is different from an After Action Review (AAR) which is a more in-depth discussion and evaluation, usually utilizing a terrain model.
Household 6: (refers to the Tanker’s spouse) The term has two parts, Household refers to the Tanker’s home, and 6 refers to the designation for a commander, Household 6 is known for dealing with stinky uniforms and PT's, fixing chow, dealing with finance and all the other tasks that need to be done in order to make Home operations run smooth.
Hull: the lower part of the tank; holds the driver, controls, spare ammunition, batteries, fuel and engine.
IED: improvised explosive device. General jargon for a roadside bomb.
Illum: Illumination rounds fired by: artillery, mortar or dropped by aircraft
Imshi: Arabic for “move along.”
In-Country: on the ground in a foreign country for deployment.
Indian Country: Area controlled by enemy forces.
Insh’allah: Arabic for “will of God.” Along the lines of “so be it.”
Inside/Outside the Wire: (OIF/OEF origin) describes whether you are on or off a base.
IR: Infrared
Iron sights: sights mounted on the weapon vs. sighting systems inside the tank.
Jacked Up: (pre-WW I origin) Screwed up, ruined, in trouble.
Jarhead: common reference to Marine personnel, not necessarily a complimentary term.
Jedi tanker: early term used to describe M1 tank crewmen.
Jody: term used to describe guy who tries and/or succeeds in seducing a soldier’s wife.
Joes: term used for lower ranking soldiers (origin is from the G.I. Joe action figure that came out in the 1960’s and cartoon in the 90’s).
Joe Shit the Ragman: soldier with a substandard appearance or someone who doesn’t mater.
John Wayne Bar: chocolate and toffee candy bar found in C-Rations/MREs
John Wayne Key: A small handheld manual field can opener for C-Rations cans; also commonly referred to as a "P-38".
John Wayne Toilet Paper: standard issue toilet paper found in latrines on every U.S. military base around the world. (usage example: "John Wayne Toilet Paper, It's rough, It's tough and it won't take *shit* off nobody".
Joker: (WW II origin) Wise guy, smart mouth, smart ass, later became a term to describe just about anything or object.
Kabal: an Arabic word for fortress. In early 2003 as America prepared for war with Iraq they used and built kabals with 10-foot-tall berms bulldozed to form the perimeter. Kabals were used as areas to mass troops, helicopters and armor at bases on the Kuwait border, anchored by Camp Victory at the south and Camp Udairi in the north. In between were camps Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York.
Kaserne: a loanword taken from the German word for “barracks”.
KBR: Kellogg, Brown, and Root. Subsidiary of Halliburton, they are the primary U.S. and coalition contractor from Somalia to OIF/OEF, running most of the logistical support.
Kill rings: Kill rings on the main gun of the tank, generally consists of: one ring for a tank crew qualification Q1, two rings for Superior, and 3 rings for Distinguished. Tan tanks get black rings; green tanks get white rings. The top tank gets gold rings.
Kinetic: (OEF/OIF origin) Slang adjective meaning “violent or violence.” Term started in tank units since service armor piercing main gun ammunition defeats the target with kinetic energy. (see “service”)
Knox: Short for the Home of Armor, Fort Knox, Kentucky.
K-pot: ground troop’s ballistic helmet made from the material called Kevlar.
Klick: kilometer, 1,000 meters.
Lai day (ley dye): Vietnamese for "come here”.
“Lase and Blaze”: a technique where the gunner lays on a stationary target or tracks on a moving target for a second and a half or more then rapidly lases and fires (in a lase, fire one-two movement) as quickly as possible; also a general term used by gunners to describe shooting the maingun on the Abrams.
Lase- Track- Fire: a technique where the gunner puts the reticle on target, tracks and gets an accurate lase, then maintains a steady track of the target for a second and a half or more. The gunner then fires once a good track on the target is achieved.
“Lasing”: Term used by the gunner on and M60A3TTS tank to let the TC know he is using the laser range finder so the TC can evaluate the range. This was done since the gunner doesn’t have range display on this tank.
Latrine: Army term for a military bathroom or out-house.
Lenzar: second generation Muzzle Boresight Devices (MBD), are optical telescope-like devices that fits into the muzzle of a tank main gun and allows the crew to align their tanks sights to the true center of the gun. The MBD is also used to check the accuracy of the fire control system during Armament Accuracy Checks (AAC). The M27 Lenzar MBD replaced the Pye-Watson MBD.
Lifer: career soldier
Light Colonel: a Lieutenant Colonel (O-5), Lieutenant Colonel, who wears silver oak leaves, as opposed to an eagle of a Colonel (O-6).
Light ’em Up: to fire on the enemy or “get lit up” means to get fired on.
Lima Charlie: radio-speak for "loud and clear."
Line companies: Refers to companies up on the front lines, from the old times when there were fixed lines of engagement. Today it means tank companies that actually engage the enemy.
Lingo: (WW II origin) Common Language, jargon, foreign language, local language, dialect.
Lit-Up: (Vietnam era origin) Fired upon
Little Joe: an auxiliary generator used to provide power to operate the tank's systems and keep the battery charged when the engine was not running: used in the M-48 series tanks; name for the track adjustment wrench used by later tankers.
Logistics Package (LOGPAC): A grouping of multiple classes of supplies and supply vehicles under the control of a single convoy commander (usually unit first sergeant or supply sgt.). Daily LOGPACs contain a standardized allocation of supplies.
Logistics release point (LRP): 1. The point along the supply route where the unit First Sergeant or unit guide takes control of a company logistics package (LOGPAC). 2. The point along the supply route where the supported unit meets the supporting unit to transfer supplies.
Low Boy: a tank transporter truck, also called Dragon Wagon.
Low life: soldier of little worth or one that is dishonest.
LPCs: Leather Personnel Carriers (combat boots).
LRF: laser rangefinder
M-85 (machine gun): The M85 was the standard heavy tank machine gun for the M60 series tanks. Intended as a smaller, lighter, more capable replacement for the venerable M2 Browning machine gun, the M85 was produced by General Electric. The weapon was developed with selectable high and low rates of fire for engagement of both ground and air targets, a feature lacking in the older M2.
Ma Deuce: term for the Model 2 (M2) .50 Caliber Machine Gun.
Mama son, Papa son: mature Asian woman, mature Asian man
Mandatory Fun: When a unit requires you to be at an event even if you have the day off and makes you stand in formation for accountability: for example = company picnic.
Marry Up: (WW I origin) elements in the field to link up, and/or make contact.
Master Blaster: slang term for the Manual Firing Device (blasting machine). Device is used when the turret’s electrical system will not fire the main gun.
MCOFT: Mobile Conduct-Of-Fire Trainer
Mental (to go): (Korean War origin) terms describing nerve crises, largely replaced “shell shock” of World War I and “combat fatigue” of World War II.
Mermite: container used to transport hot A Rations from the DFAC or field kitchen to soldiers (usage ex. The First Sergeant will mermite hot chow out to the assembly area in the morning).
Mess or Mess Hall: dining facility
Midnight Requisition: (WW2 origin) Illegal acquisition of items, material, parts, or supplies in the middle of the night from other units.
Mike Golf: Master Gunner
Mikes: common term for "minutes"; taken from the phonetic pronunciation for the letter "M".
Misery: infamous hill at Fort Knox that was part of the foot road marched route that soldiers in basic training went on to get to the live fire ranges.
Mockup: (WW I origin) an oversized non-working model of items like fire control components, machine guns and radio. In many cases these were used during classroom instruction so all could see what the instructor is talking about. This is especially true with instruction at the Armor School at Fort Knox.
Mod Deuce: term for the Model 2 (M2) .50 Caliber Machine Gun.
MOGAS: Short for MOtor vehicle GASoline - military grade gasoline
Monkey Model: an unofficial designation given by the Soviet Military to versions of their military equipment (tanks, APCs, airplanes, missiles) with significant inferior capability to the original designs and intended only for export; today the term is also used to describe equipment exported from China and other countries that is greatly inferior to the original versions.
MOS-1D10T: (idiot) this term is a play on numbers and the phonetic alphabet pronunciation of the letters “D” and “T” as used in an MOS (usage ex. “He’s a one - delta - ten - tango”).
MTT: mobile training team
Mu Zien: Arabic for “no good”.
MWR or MWR Tent: Morale, Welfare and Recreation. Usually an area of the FOB set up for various games, books, internet, computers and television.
NETT: new equipment training team
Newbie: this describes a fresh soldier just arriving to the unit from Basic/AIT training.
Nine mil: M9 Berretta pistol.
Ninety: ninety millimeter main gun on the M48 tank.
NO GO: literally, to fail. Army evaluations are scored as either GO/NO-GO instead of Pass/Fail.
NO GO Nazi: An especially strict evaluator who seems to take pleasure in giving NO-GO's. Obviously from the television show, Seinfeld’s character the Soup Nazi, but instead of "No soup for you!" it would be "NO GO for you!"
Non-tanker: term for a soldier that is not in Armor or a soldier in Armor who doesn’t know his job.
O/C: See Observer/Controller
OC/T: Observer/Controller/Trainer; See Observer/Controller
Observer/Controller (O/C): An individual tasked to provide administrative control, evaluate task performance, and provide constructive feedback to participants during a training exercise. An O/C is an individual who is a Subject-Matter Expert (SME) of the tasks to be trained and is a highly motivated and effective instructor.
O-Dark 30 (pronounced "oh dark thirty"): a word play on military time, it means a very early hour in the morning. (usage ex. "We had to get up at oh-dark-thirty this morning.")
OP: An observation post, temporary or fixed, is a position from which soldiers can watch enemy movements, to warn of approaching enemy vehicles or dismounted soldiers. OPs are usually manned by the Loader initially.
Open Protected: TC’s hatch opened to intermediate position allowing the TC to view outside the vehicle without being fully exposed.
Oscar-Mike: On the Move, from the phonetic alphabet.
Outside the wire: outside the security perimeter surrounding the base or FOB.
Out There Flapping (pronounced “out dare flappin”) (or) OTF: this term indicates that you have no clue; confused with no idea as to what's going on in a particular situation; Unprepared.
Override (the or TC’s): the tank commander’s personal control; mounted on the extreme right side of the turret, it allows the TC to operate the main gun and coax machine gun from his position.
OVM: On-Vehicle Materiel
Paddock: U.S. Cavalry reference for an area to exercise and saddle horses; At the Armor Center at Fort Knox, it referred to the area where soldiers would meet transportation to class or a training area.
Panzer: (WW I origin) German for Tank; the term is used by American tankers as well. Originally from German word Sturmpanzerkampfwagen.
Peter-In law: a man who has slept with a woman for whom a pal had also slept with.
Phonetic Alphabet: (origin NATO) A=Alpha, B=Bravo, C=Charlie, D=Delta, E=Echo, F=Foxtrot, G=Golf, H=Hotel, I= India, J=Juliet, K=Kilo, L=Lima, M=Mike, N=November, O=Oscar, P=Papa, Q=Quebec, R=Romeo, S=Sierra, T=Tango, U=Uniform, V=Victor, W=Whiskey, X=X-ray, Y=Yankee, Z=-Zulu.
Plugger: PLGR (Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver); an early GPS unit.
Plywood Russians: term started during the Cold War period referring to plywood tank gunnery target panels that represented Soviet and Warsaw Pact vehicles.
Pogey Bait: snack food taken to the field (see the field). The origin is from candy and sweets used to trade for sex while serving in foreign countries or in combat operations.
Police up: to clean up or correct something.
Post: U.S. Army instillation
Post Exchange (PX): tax free department store on post that is ran by AAFES.
Power: As a safety precaution the word “Power” is announced by tank crewmen prior to moving the turret in power mode.
Pye-Watson: M26, first generation Muzzle Boresight Devices (MBD), are optical telescope-like devices that fits into the muzzle of a tank main gun and allows the crew to align their tanks sights to the true center of the gun. The MBD is also used check the accuracy of the fire control system during Armament Accuracy checks (AAC). The Pye-Watson was a British design for the 105mm, later adapted to the 120m main gun. The M27 Lenzar MBD replaced the Pye-Watson MBD.
Pucker Factor: (Vietnam War origin) term referring to your ass hole puckering before or during a mission, the higher the number the greater the fear factor.
Push: radio frequency; used because the radios on command tanks and tracks had push buttons to select a frequency.
Q1 (qualified first run): During tank gunnery crew qualification, If a crew qualifies seven of ten engagements and scores 700 points or greater, then the crew is “qualified” as Q1. If they qualify eight of ten engagements with a score of 800 points or more, then the crew qualified with a “Superior” rating. And for those that qualify nine (or ten) engagements and score 900 points or more, they have qualified with a “Distinguished” rating.
Q2: Gunnery term for tank crew that fails to qualify “Q1”. Subsequently they will re-fire engagements until they have qualified seven engagements of the possible ten engagements with 70 points, and therefore become qualified as a “Q2.”
Q-Service: Quarterly service of vehicles.
Quarter-ton: 1/4 truck used from WWII to 1980’s; official designation of a vehicle called a “jeep”.
Quarter Sale(s): sale held periodically at Fort Knox where uniforms of trainees who were sent home or lost large amounts of weight during Basic/AIT were sold at a reduced price.
Rag bag: soldier with a substandard appearance.
Real world: civilian life/world
Rear-d: rear detachment; soldiers that remain in the rear (company area) that did not go to the field training exercise or were not deployed with the unit.
Recon by Fire: A tactic consisting of placing a few bursts of machine gun fire (usually the .50 machine gun) into an area before getting within range of an ambush. Basically, shoot at anything that the enemy could hide behind in order to flush them out, or make them reveal themselves while we were still some distance away.
Red Ass: see Case of the Ass
Reindeer Shit on the back deck: reference to Santa Clause’s reindeer; usually used in context to a tank crew who were thought to have received preferential treatment as pertains to their Crew Qualification score (usage example: “the Colonel shot Distinguished, you know he had reindeer shit on his back deck.”
REMF: (Vietnam War origin) Rear Echelon Mother F*cker; used to describe soldiers not in a line company.
Re-tread: term for a soldier who re-classified to Armor from another MOS.
Re-up: to re-enlist in the Army.
Ricky-tick: (origin Armor units of the Army of occupation in post war Japan) Adopted from Japanese phrase "riki-tik". It means to act rapidly, quickly, urgently, hastily, speedily, swiftly, promptly, or expeditiously; U.S. soldiers often emphasize the term by 'more' or 'most', as "mo' riki tik". (usage example: “you need to get that machine gun put back together most ricky-tick”).
Roach Coach: another name for the Gut Truck (see gut truck).
Rocker (the): see Hog Palace.
Rock n’ Roll: (Vietnam War origin) the term "rock n' roll" is used to describe firing a weapon on full auto or utilizing a Killing Burst (continuous firing) with tank mounted machine guns.
ROE: Rules of Engagement. Rules given to every soldier about how and when to engage targets in a combat zone.
Roger: term used in radio communication meaning "I understand", but it is also used in ordinary conversation.
Roger that: used in conversation to mean: I understand or agree with that.
Rollover Training: training on a new version of a tank that only covers the differences and/or usage of new equipment on that tank. Training was usually done at the unit level, as an entire unit and conducted by a Mobile Training Team (MTT) or a Displaced Equipment Training Team (DETT).
Rumint: A combination of rumor and intelligence; Gossip.
Sadiki: Arabic for “friend”.
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.
S-Shops: Battalion-level organizations that handle administrative duties. Usually there are only 4, but can be more, dependent upon the level of command. Many times referred to as “shops” as in the “3 shop” (operations)
St. Patrick's Catholic Church (Fort Knox): was utilized as a church and other purposes. (Today, it is the Main Post Chapel and the oldest building on post.)
Salaam Aleikim: A more formal Arabic phrase for hello. Translates to “peace be upon you.” Response: Aleikum salaam; and upon you, peace.
Sand box: term used to describe Iraq or other dessert area of operation.
Sandbagger: someone who lets others do his work for him.
SEP: systems enhancement program
Service: usually used to describe war time main gun ammunition vs. target practice. Ex. Service SABOT is a wartime armor defeating round.
Shammer or Shamming: this describes a lazy soldier’s ability to avoid work, or get away with doing as little as possible. (usage ex. "Private Smith is a shammer. He’s always on some kinda appointment instead of working”.)
Shanker: slang for a M-155 Sheridan Tanker.
Shit on a shingle (or) SOS: this is a term used to describe Creamed Beef on toast; this is a common breakfast offering at a dining facility (Mess Hall). It is affectionately referred to by our soldiers as "Sh*t On A Shingle". S.O.S. made its debut about 1910 in the U.S. Army. The recipe used today by the Army is circa World War I.
Shoot from the hip: TC firing the .50 caliber machine gun (M85 or M2) without using the periscope sight; also refers to someone speaking when not prepared in advance.
Shoot, Move and Communicate: term originating from Fort Knox referring to Armor Core Competencies.
Shoppette: tax free convenience store on post that is ran by AAFES.
Short Track: process of removing track blocks and road wheels and reconnecting the track so the vehicle can be moved under its on power.
Short/Short Timer: usually means you are getting out of the Army soon or very little time left in-country (on the deployment).
SINCGARS: Single-Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System.
SinLoi: Vietnamese for “Sorry about that”.
Sinloi minoi: Vietnamese for “Sorry honey”.
Sit-rep: Situation report
Six: term used on the radio for the company commander.
SKS: 7.62x39 mm Russian semi-automatic carbine, designed in 1945 by Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov. It is formally known as the Samozaryadnyi Karabin sistemi Simonova. It was widely exported and produced by the former Eastern Bloc nations, as well as Communist China, where it was called the "Type 56".
Sky-hook: Imaginary tool for lifting a tank turret from the hull.
Sky out: (Vietnam War origin) to flee or leave suddenly
Sleeper: a single E-Type Silhouette set apart from a group of troop targets used to test the gunner’s target acquisition and engagement skills.
Slew (the turret): TC moves the turret obliquely or sideways in a fast manner to engage a target.
Slice: the normal apportionment of combat support and combat service support elements allocated to support a maneuver unit.
Smoke: WP smoke white phosphorus ammunition; ammunition element of a fire command (105mm ammunition).
SNAFU: (pronounced: “sna-fu”) situation normal all fouled up.
Soup sandwich: phase that describes something that is messed up, (usage ex. “this procedure is all messed up like a soup sandwich”.)
Speed bumps: (Operation Desert Storm origin) a tanker's derogatory term for enemy infantry soldiers.
Splinter Village: Old wooden WW II billets at Fort Knox close to the Hog Palace (see Hog Palace), they were used as BEQ for many years.
Sponson or Sponson Box: a gun platform from the side of a ship or on WW I British and American tanks; Name for storage boxes on the side of post-World War I tank hulls of the U.S. Army. On the M1 series tanks there is one hull sponson box and individual sponson boxes located on either side of the turret for equipment storage.
Squared away: term for something very good or appropriate.
Squid: name for a Navy personnel.
Staff duty: 24 hour duty at the unit.
Stand-To: (WW I origin) Period when troops in the front line were required to man the firestep of their trench, fully armed, in case of enemy attack. Routinely done at dawn and nightfall when enemy attacks were most likely to occur; From WWII forward it refers to be ready to move or defend, check radio communications and continue the mission. Stand to is usually conducted in the morning. (usage ex. “stand-to will be conducted at 0500 tomorrow morning”
Starlight Scope: Vietnam era night vision device AN/PVS-2 Passive Image Intensification Device.
Starship: nick name for the M60A2 tank stemming from its new low profile futuristic looking turret and laser rangefinder.
Steel Pot: the standard U.S. Army combat helmet used from WWII until the 90's, before being phased out by the Kevlar helmet. The steel pot referred to the outer steel shell. It was usually covered with a cloth camouflaged cover and had a fiberglass inner liner with supporting straps and a headband for comfort. Often the outer steel cover was used to cook stew made from C-rations, therefore the term steel pot.
STRAC: Standards in Training Commission (DA Pam 350-38). It's the bible of training standards and ammunition allocation for gunnery and training exercises.
String Method: term for boresighting the tank maingun utilizing a string placed on the muzzle and binoculars on the breech end of the cannon.
SWAG (scientific wild ass guess) : when you just don't know the answer and you subsequently come up with a possible solution to some problem/issue.
T- Man: Taliban.
Tank: During World War I the original tanks produced in Great Britain were known as "landships". Later production vehicles were named "tanks", to preserve secrecy. The term was chosen when it became known that the factory workers at William Foster & Co. located in Lincolnshire, England referred to the first prototype as "the tank" because of its resemblance to a steel water tank.
Tanker: (origin WW I Tank Corps) Tank Corps soldier during WW I; in modern times, an armor crewman who has been a part of a qualified tank crew during crew qualification or is part of a tank crew during a combat deployment.
Tanker Bar: large pry bar used primarily for track maintenance.
Tanker Boots: combat boots that fasten with straps and a buckle instead of laces, usually wore as a “right to passage” once a tank crewman has being part of qualified crew during tank gunnery.
Tanker Ears: term for occupational hearing loss by Armor Crewmen due to the constant exposure to intense sounds associated with a tank such as the noise from the engine and the firing of the main gun and machine guns.
Tanker Grenade: (Vietnam War reference) two pounds of TNT wrapped with barbed wire and/or sections of chain
Tanker in the Sky: reference to God.
Tanker Jacket: Jacket designed for tank crewmen in WW II. It was worn through the 1980s until the infantry friendly Battle Dress Uniform was developed. Today many tankers wear them with civilian clothing. The CVC jacket is designed in the same style as the earlier tanker jacket.
Tanker Mask: During World War I, tank crewmen were often at risk of taking shrapnel in the face as enemy machine gun fire and shells smashed into the exterior of the tank, therefore chain mail masks were designed to protect their faces and eyes in battle. Masks were made of steel reinforced leather and fine chain mail, with slits for the eyes.
Tanker Roll: sleeping bag rolled up inside of a shelter half and usually tied with a tent rope; purpose the keep the tankers sleeping bag dry and the shelter half provided a waterproof or dust-free surface for the tanker to sleep on.
Tanker Stove: M1950 stove; comes in two piece aluminum container which also serves as cooking pots. The stove is capable of using: MOGAS, white gas, leaded and unleaded gasoline.
Tankum Powder: The fine dust tracked vehicles grind the tank trail into.
Terp: An interpreter, usually a local Afghan or Iraqi hired by the military to translate for military personnel when they are communicating with the local population.
TEWT: Tactical Exercise without Troops (in an Armor unit it was usually just the leaders in jeeps or Humvees practicing tactical formations in the field).
TC: tank commander
TCN: Third Country National: A citizen of a neutral country who is in the theatre of operations as a contractor.
Tea Girl: Vietnamese Bar Girl.
Terp: (WW II origin) slang for interpreter.
TIC (pronounced tick): Troops in Contact. Usually means a firefight, but can refer to an IED or suicide attack.
Ti-Ti: (“tee-tee”): Vietnamese for “small”; used a lot during boresighting the main gun (usage ex: “move the gun to the left a tee-tee”).
TINO: tanker in name only; Tin doesn’t have any steel in it; Derogatory term for an Armor officer or NCO that wears the accouterments of infantry such as a ranger tab, master parachutist, pathfinder badge etc. These type of soldiers are seen as ones who have been “off playing infantry” instead of back at the unit training their soldiers.
Tin Tanker: see TINO
Thirty Cal (the): Slang term for the M37 machine gun (modified M1919) that was used mostly on the M48 and M60 Patton medium tanks. It was eventually replaced by the M73 machine gun that was chambered for 7.62 NATO ammunition.
Three Bares (the): a play on words pertaining to the fairy tale “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”; (usage ex. “Why did you finally decide to Re-Up? Because, I got to thinking about The Three Bears. Usual response: Three Bears? “Yes, bare ass, bare pantry and bare essentials”.)
Three point Contact, “Three Point Rule”: (origin Amor School Fort Knox) The Three Point Rule requires three of four points of contact to be maintained with the vehicle at all times – two hands and one foot, or both feet and one hand. This system allows maximum stability and support, reducing the likelihood of slipping and falling off the tank.
Three S’s: shit, shower and shave; (usage ex. “well I’m going to do the three S’s prior to going to chow this morning”.)
Track Jack(s): officially known as: Fixture, Track Connecting; slang for the set of two devices used to connect the track on tank; consists of a set of two devices.
Track Pad: MRE chocolate bar.
Train hard - test easy: the origin is uncertain but is thought to be the 1960s and slogan was placed at Wilson Range Complex at Fort Knox.
TTS: Tank Thermal Sight
Turret: the upper part of the tank; contains the tank commander, loader, gunner, and all weapons and communications equipment.
The field: training area, (usage ex. “we are going to the field for a week”.)
Top: Unit First Sergeant.
Track Lube: Infantry as referred to by Tankers.
U-1/2/3: (OIF/OEF origin) Codes given for level of troop protection on the FOB, varies from day to day dependent upon intel:
U-1: No body armor or helmet required must have weapon and magazine of ammo.
U-2: Must have body armor, helmet, weapon and magazine whenever outside a hardened building or trailer, usually for a specified time period.
U-3: Same as above, but open-ended, without any specific time period ending.
UCOFT: Unit Conduct of Fire Trainer
Un-Ass: To move immediately.
Unfuck: to straighten out a messed up situation.
“Up a nickel, Up a quarter”: Way of telling other tanks in the platoon to change frequency on the radio without letting the enemy know exactly how much.
UXO: Unexploded Ordnance. Anything that has the potential to blow up, but hasn’t.
VBIED: vehicle borne IED. Car bomb. Usually either spelled out or stated as “V-bed’
Ville (the): In Korea, "The Ville" is any town just outside of camp.
VTR: Vehicle Tracked Recovery (the tow track for tanks), usually an M-88.
Wash rack: term originally used to describe pads for washing horses; today wash racks are for vehicle washing, also known as a “bird bath”.
Wild Chicken: Wildflicken, Germany
Willie Pete: White Phosphorous round or grenade.
Whippet: WW I term for the medium Mark A British tank first seen in 1917, but later applied generally to any type of light tank, including the French Renault used by the American Tank Corps. From the breed of dog by the same name noted for its speed.
What the fu*k … Over?: a question often implying disbelief, confusion, or discontent.
Whore's Bath: (WW II origin) Sponge or rag bath from a helmet or bucket.
WP: White Phosphorous
Yalla: (OEF/OIF term) U.S. soldier adaptation of the Arabic word for hurry up or run.
Xenon Searchlight: searchlight on later M48s and all M60 series tanks; seventy five million candlepower, white-and-infrared searchlight.
Yes: use by Armor soldiers to denote satisfaction instead of the grunt term “Hooah”.
Zippo: name used for the flamethrower version of the M48 tank.