by Mark Berent
PARTMENT OF DEFENSE
DOOLIE = AIR FORCE ACADEMY TERM FOR A FIRST YEAR CADET
DROP TANK = A LARGE ALUMINUM JETTISONABLE FUEL TANK
DRV = DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF [NORTH] VIETNAM (COMMUNIST)
DUST OFF = CALL SIGN FOR MEDICAL EVACUATION (MEDEVAC) HELICOPTER
ECM = ELECTRONIC COUNTERMEASURES
E & E = ESCAPE AND EVASION
EDC = EUROPEAN DEFENSE COMMUNITY
EM = ENLISTED MAN
EW = ELECTRONIC WARFARE
EWO = ELECTRONIC WARFARE OFFICER
FAC = FORWARD AIR CONTROLLER; A PILOT WHO FLEW AIRCRAFT TO SPOT TARGETS AND HELP GROUND COMMANDERS BY CALLING IN ARTILLERY OR STRIKE AIRCRAFT
FAL = LAO ARMED FORCES
FAST MOVERS = JETS
FIELD GRADE = MAJORS UP TO FULL COLONEL
FLAG RANK = GENERALS AND ADMIRALS
FOB =FORWARD OPERATING BASE
FOX MIKE = SLANG FOR FM LOW FREQUENCY RADIO
FNG = FRIGGING NEW GUY
FYI = FOR YOUR INFORMATION
G = GRAVITY CAUSED BY CENTRIFUGAL FORCE IN A TIGHT TURN
GCA = GROUND CONTROLLED APPROACH (BY A RADAR OPERATOR)
GI = GOVERNMENT ISSUE (NICKNAME FOR AN AMERICAN SOLDIER)
GS = GOVERNMENT SCHEDULE; CIVILIAN WORKER FOR THE GOVERNMENT
GIB= SLANG FOR GUY IN BACK SEAT OF AN F-4
GREEN ‘EM UP = TURN ALL ARMAMENT SWITCHES ON
GREEN = SLANG FOR U.S CURRENCY
GUARD = FOR GUARD CHANNEL, LISTENED TO BY ALL PILOTS, ONLY USED IN EMERGENCY
GVN = GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH VIETNAM
HIILSBORO = AN ABCCC
HUEY = SLANG FOR THE UH-1 HELICOPTER
HUN = NICKNAME FOR THE F-100 (HUNDRED)
IAF = ISRAELI AIR FORCE
ICC = INTERNATIONAL CONTROL COMMISSION
IFF = IDENTIFICATION FRIEND OR FOE
INDIGE = SHORT FOR INDIGENOUS, LOCAL RESIDENTS
IP = INSTRUCTOR PILOT
IR = INFRARED
JAG = JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL
JAIL (U.S STOCKADE IN VIETNAM)
JCS = JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF
JFK = JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY (U.S PRESIDENT 1960-1963)
JOLLY GREEN = CALLSIGN OF THE BIG RESCUE HELICOPTERS
K-2B = FLIGHT SUIT ALSO CALLED THE GREEN BAG
KIA = KILLED IN ACTION
KIMCHI = HOT KOREAN PICKLED CABBAGE DELICACY
KLICKS = SLANG FOR KILOMETERS
KP = KITCHEN POLICE
LBJ = LYNDON BAINES JOHNSON ; ALSO SLANG FOR THE LONG BINH JAIL
LC = LIEUTENANT COLONEL, ALSO LTC
LEG = SLANG FOR A NON-PARATROOPER
LIMA SITE (LS) = CLANDESTINE LANDING FIELDS IN LAOS
LOC = LINES OF COMMUNICATION
LSD = LYSERGIC ACID DIETHYLAMIDE (HALLUCINOGEN)
LSO = LANDING SIGNALS OFFICER WHO DIRECTS AIRCRAFT CARRIER LANDINGS
LUFBERY = A HORIZONTAL CIRCLE OF DEFENSIVE AIRCRAFT PROTECTING EACH OTHER
LZ = LANDING ZONE
M-16 = U.S ARMY STANDARD ISSUE RIFLE
MAAG = MILITARY ADVISORY & ASSISTANCE GROUP
MAC = MILITARY AIRLIFT COMMAND CONTRACT WITH CIVILIAN AIRLINES TO FERRY TROOPS
MAC-SOG = MILITARY ASSISTANCE COMMAND, SPECIAL OPERATIONS GROUP
MACV = MILITARY ASSISTANCE COMMAND, VIETNAM
MAF = MARINE AMPHIBIOUS FORCE
MIA = MISSING IN ACTION
MiG = RUSSIAN MADE JET FIGHTER
MIKE FORCE = MOBILE REACTION FORCE
MIKE-MIKE = MILLIMETERS
MIKES = SLANG FOR MINUTES
MOBILE CONTROL = A SMALL RADIO STATION ON WHEELS MANNED BY PILOTS MONITORING LANDING AIRCRAFT
MOH = MEDAL OF HONOR
MOONBEAM = AN ABCCC
MP = MILITARY POLICE
MPC = MILITARY PAYMENT CERTIFICATES USED IN PLACE OF AMERICAN CURRENCY IN VIETNAM IN AN ATTEMPT TO CURB BLACK MARKET ACTIVITIES
MUSIC = SLANG FOR ELECTRONIC WARFARE RADAR JAMMING
NAPE = SLANG FOR NAPALM
NAS = NAVAL AIR STATION
NATO = NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION
NBC = NATIONAL BROADCASTING CORPORATION (TV)
NCO = NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER, HIGH-RANKING ENLISTED
NELLIS = A USAF FIGHTER TRAINING BASE OUTSIDE OF LAS VEGAS
NEWSIES = NEWSPAPER OR TV REPORTERS
NGF = NAVAL GUN FIRE
NLF = NATIONAL LIBERATION FRONT (SOUTH VIETNAMESE COMMUNIST
NOMEX = A FLAME RESISTANT MATERIAL USED FOR FLIGHT SUITS
NRO = NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE
NSC = [U.S] NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
NVA = NORTH VIETNAMESE ARMY
NVN = NORTH VIETNAM
O'CLUB = SLANG FOR OFFICERS CLUB
OD = OLIVE DRAB
OIC = OFFICER IN CHARGE
OPS OFFICER = OPERATIONS OFFICER
OSI = AIR FORCE OFFICE OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION
OTS = OFFICER TRAINING SCHOOL
P = PIASTTRES, CURRENCY USED IN SOUTH VIETNAM
PCS = PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION
PE ROOM = PERSONAL EQUIPMENT (HELMET, G-SUIT, ETC)
PENGUN = PEN-SIZED TUBE TO FIRE FLARES
PHOUGAS = A TYPE OF NAPALM
PICKLE = SLANG TERM FOR PUNCH THE DROP-BOMB BUTTON
PIO = PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
PISTOL = PILOT SLANG FOR A 20MM CANNON SLUNG UNDER THE BELLY OF AN F-4. ALSO A FIREBRAND OF A GUY
PJ = PARARESCUE JUMPER – MEN WITH BIG BALLS WHO RESCUED PILOTS
PL = PATHET LAO; LAO FORCES ALIGNED WITH THE NORTH VIETNAMESE
POL = PETROLEUM, OIL, LUBRICANTS
POTUS = PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
POW = PRISONER OF WAR
PRC-25 = A PORTABLE FM TWO-WAY RADIO (PRICK 25)
PRG = PROVISIONAL REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT
PTSD = POST TRAUMA STRESS DISORDER
PUFF = THE MAGIC DRAGON, NICKNAME FOR THE AC-47 GUNSHIP
R&R = REST AND RECREATION
RATED = MILITARY TERM MEANING RATED AS A PILOT, NAVIGATOR, GUNNER, ETC.
RECCE TECH = SLANG FOR RECONNAISSANCE TECHNICAL (SQUADRON OR WING)
REMF = REAR ECHELON MF
RESCAP = CAPPING A RESCUE
RFK = ROBERT F. KENNEDY
RHAW = RADAR HOMING AND WARNING (DETECTS ENEMY RADAR)
RLAF = ROYAL LAOTIAN AIR FORCE
ROE = RULES OF ENGAGEMENT: RESTRICTIVE ORDERS FOR COMBATANTS
ROK = REPUBLIC OF [SOUTH] KOREA
ROLLING THUNDER = A BOMBING CAMPAIGN AGAINST NORTH VIETNAM
ROTC = RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS
ROUTE PACK = A GEOGRAPHICAL DIVISION USED IN NORTH VIETNAM
RPG = ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE
RT-10 = SMALL SURVIVAL RADIO CARRIED BY AIRCREW
RTA = ROYAL THAI ARMY
RTAFB = ROYAL THAI AIR FORCE BASE
RTB = RETURN TO (AIR) BASE
RTO - RADIO TELEPHONE OPERATOR
RVN = REPUBLIC OF [SOUTH] VIET-NAM (ANTI-COMMUNIST)
RVNAF = REPUBLIC OF [SOUTH] VIETNAM AIR FORCE
SAC = STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND
SAFOI = OFFICE OF INFORMATION OF THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
SAM = SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE ALSO SPECIAL AIR MISSION
SAMSO = SPACE AND MISSILE SYSTEM ORGANIZATION LOCATED AT EL SEGUNDO, CA.
SANDY = CALLSIGN OF THE A-1 PROP PLANES THAT GUARD THE JOLLY GREENS
SAR = SEARCH AND RESCUE
SCATBACK = CALLSIGN FOR THE T-39 COURIER AIRCRAFT
SDS = STUDENTS FOR A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY
SEA = SOUTH EAST ASIA
SETP = SOCIETY OF ENGINEERING TEST PILOTS
SF = SPECIAL FORCES
SFC = SERGEANT FIRST CLASS
SHORT ROUND = ORDNANCE LANDING SHORT OF THE TARGET
SKYSPOT = A GROUND RADAR CONTROLLED METHOD TO BOMB THROUGH CLOUDS OR AT NIGHT
SLOW MOVERS = PROPELLER AIRPLANES
SNAKE-EYE, SNAKES OR HI
DRAG = A BOMB WITH FOLDING FINS TO SLOW DESCENT
SNCC = STUDENT NON-VIOLENT COORDINATING COMMITTEE
SOP = STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SOS = SQUADRON OFFICERS SCHOOL FOR LTS AND CAPTS; ALSO STUFF ON A SHINGLE
SPETSNAZ = RUSSIAN SPECIAL FORCES
SPOOKY = CALLSIGN FOR AC-47 GUNSHIP
SQUAWK = RADIO TERM TELLING A PILOT TO ACTIVATE HIS IFF
SRV = SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF [REUNIFIED] VIETNAM
STAN EVAL = STANDARDIZATION AND EVALUATION
STEEL POT = SLANG FOR STANDARD GI HELMET
STEEL TIGER = A DESIGNATED AREA IN LAOS
STOP COCKED = SHUT OFF
SVN = SOUTH VIET-NAM
T-28 = U.S FIGHTER-BOMBER AIRPLANE (PROP DRIVEN)
TAC = TACTICAL AIR COMMAND
TACAN = A NAVIGATIONAL TYPE OF RADIO
TAN SON NHUT = THE AIR BASE NEAR SAIGON WITH MACV AND 7TH AIR FORCE
TANK, THE = A SECURE MEETING ROOM FOR THE JOINT CHIEFS
TANKER = OR TANK, A KC-135 REFUELING AIRCRAFT
TAOR = TACTICAL AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY
T-BIRD = SLANG FOR THE T-33 AIRCRAFT
TDY =TEMPORARY DUTY
TFS = TACTICAL FIGHTER SQUADRON
TFW = TACTICAL FIGHTER WING
THUD = SLANG FOR THE F-105
TOT = TIME OVER TARGET
TRACKS = SLANG FOR M-113 ARMORED VEHICLES
TWEET = THE, SLANG FOR T-37 JET TRAINER WITH HIGH-PITCHED ENGINES
TWX = TELETYPE TRANMISSION
UHF/VHF/HF/FM = RADIOS
UN = UNITED NATIONS
URK-10 = SURVIVAL RADIO
US = UNITED STATES
USA = UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; U.S ARMY
USAF = UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
USCG = UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
USG = UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
USMC = UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
USN = UNITED STATES NAVY
USNG = UNITED STATES NATIONAL GUARD
USO = UNITED SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
USS = UNITED STATES SHIP
USSR = UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS
VC = VIET CONG A.K.A. VICTOR CHARLIE, OR JUST CHARLIE
VIP = VERY IMPORTANT PERSON
VNAF = SOUTH VIETNAMESE AIR FORCE
VP = VICE PRESIDENT
VP = VANG PAO; LEADER OF THE HMONG
VVA = VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA
VVAW = VIETNAM VETERANS AGAINST THE WAR
WAR ZONE C = A HOT ZONE NW OF SAIGON
WHAM = WIN THE HEARTS AND MINDS
WIA =WOUNDED IN ACTION (WARRANTS THE PURPLE HEART)
WINCHESTER = CODE FOR OUT OF AMMUNITION
WING WEINIE = ANYONE WORKING AT WING HEADQUARTERS
WINGOVER = A SHARP ROLL TOWARD THE GROUND
ZOOMIE = SLANG FOR A USAF PILOT OR AIR FORCE ACADEMY CADET
