A post for Flame (or anyone else...)

...at the phenomenon of your use of acronyms in this post that leaves us nonmilitary types clueless! Every discipline has its own language, so to speak, that allows for clear and concise communication...for those who know the language. I have often sat in meetings here in my biotech company and engaged in the thought experiment of just listening to the conversation from the viewpoint of an outsider not familiar with the multitudinous acronyms we throw around with such ease. Such an outsider wouldn't have any idea whereof we speak. This is not a criticism, just an observation. Those who need to know, learn the language.

The military indeed has it's own unique 'language'.

It is funny and it just goes to show how ingrained it will be in my mind, using it like I did in that post.

What's really funny is sitting in meetings with higher-ups and they use any version of 'Corporate Speak' - throwing out the trendy catch-phrase of the moment in the business community.

As a matter of fact, just yesterday, my wife was lamenting about how she had to 'let someone go' from work. I asked her about what happened and she told me the details. I then said, "So, you fired her?" "No. I let her go." So asked asked her "To where did you let her go?" Then she punched me in the shoulder.

I told her about 'Dilbert'. I read a "Dilbert book about twelve years ago, I can't remember the name. But the terminology for firing someone stuck with me. People aren't 'fired' anymore - they are "let go, laid off, downsized, rightsized, brightsized" etc.

Terminology can indeed be a funny thing.

I used to have 2 SKS (Russian) for my kids when they were growing up. My daughter traded hers for a pistol and my son wanted the 30-30 so I sold his. I have a Russian Mosin Nagant which still needs a different stock although it is great for hunting. Also an my father's old Winchester 30-30 along with a 12 gauge, .357, and over/under 20 gauge/22 Hornet.

I used the GAU5 as a primary weapon although I loved carrying the M79 in the field. Nothing like 40mm of shot headed down range. :)

Since I was so familiar with that style, qualifying expert both right and left hand, I want an AR type. Prefer to put together myself and the ability to change uppers/caliber. Shoot, even my shotgun has a short barrel, never felt comfortable with longer barrels although a .50 is one I could get accustomed to. :)

I hear ya Interface. The following may help in understanding. I have been exposed to mind numbing acronyms forever. I really have to work the old gray matter hard when reading your articles especially pertaining to theological principles.

BS = Bovine Excrement
.50 = 50 caliber (big a$$ round)
AR-15 = ArmaLite civilian version of the DOD M16
M16 = rifle firing the 5.56mm
GAU5 = M16 rifle with short barrel & collapsible stock
DOD = Department of Defense
S&W = Smith and Wesson (firearm manufacturer)
M&P = Military and Police
SKS = Samozaryadniy Karabin sistemi Simonova (replacement rifle to the venerable AK47)
AK = Avtomat Kalashnikova (Russian firearm)
Mini-14 Ruger rifle firing the .223 Remington cartridge and the similar military 5.56x45mm
Mini-30 Ruger rifle firing the 7.62x39mm
M1 = carbine standard US rifle in WWII & Korea
M-14 = standard US rifle until 1970
CCT = Combat Control Team now part of STS with PJs
STS = Special Tactics Squadron, part of US Special Operations
PJ = Pararescue now part of STS with CCTs
PCS = Permanent Change of Station
CATM = Combat Arms Training & Maintenance
PK = Peacekeeper missile

...and I am convinced Scott Adams works where I do. I once had a cubicle wall with Dilberts all over it and a big title that said "Proof That Scott Adams Works Here." Corporate speak is worse than acronyms, because you actually think you are understanding what is being said until you realize that you don't!

...for the handy list. I think I did know about BS as that is less military. Unfortunately, sometimes even knowing what the acronym means doesn't help a whole lot. Isn't a "Peacekeeper Missile" sort of an oxymoron?

;->

The MX missile or "Peacekeeper" was a ten warhead nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile developed and deployed during the Reagan years.

It was deployed in only one location, one missile field in Wyoming, serviced by FE Warren AFB in Cheyenne.

I worked the "PK" fields for one year.

The PK was an awesome missile platform. It was deactivated a few years ago and the missiles were removed from their silos completely just a few years ago.

I: "Isn't a "Peacekeeper Missile" sort of an oxymoron?"

In some ways yes however it did achieve it's namesake by "keeping the peace" (MAD or Mutually Assured Destruction.)

Actually corporate speak is easier if one has been in the military as an SNCO (Senior Non-Commissioned Officer.) Because our officers are trained in it's military equivalent, we had to translate that BS (see previous definition) to initiate and implement appropriate actions in order to effectively achieve the desired goals and metrics required in the current operational mission objectives.

Same holds true for medical BS, engineering BS, scientific BS, management BS, et.al. (and others) :)

Flame,

Your last comment sounded like a QAF briefing point I heard oh, so many years ago! :)

Ooops. QAF - another acronym. Quality Air Force. Remember those days Flame?

I was the Quality Manager for an CES (Civil Engineering Squadron) which is where I majored in deciphering the Male Bovine Excrement into language that us lowly enlisted could actually use.

I had a simple process for "Quality" initiatives in the unit: We have standards for quality, quantity, and safety in all aspects of our fields; if the idea improves one of those functional areas without lowering the others then it was approved, if not then disapproved (and resubmit in thirty days for final disapproval!)

This is based on a philosophy that I learned early on in CCT: Keep It Simple Stupid!