MIA — Abbreviation of “Missing in Action.” Say this when somebody is unaccounted for.
Mikes — Minutes
Move out — Start walking or running to another location
MRE — Abbreviation for “Meal, Ready to Eat.” These are individual rations for service members when they are on the go and don’t have access to a proper food facility.
Negative — Another way to say “no”
Noise and light discipline — Short way to say, “No loud noises or bright lights, as they may give away our position.”
North South — To nod your head up and down, as in the direction of north to south. This motion signals “yes” or means you understand what is being asked of you.
NVG — Abbreviation of “Night Vision Goggles,” which soldiers use to see in the dark
On Me — Short for “huddle up next to me”
OPSEC — Abbreviation of “Operations Security,” meaning it’s not safe to tell people you don’t know the details of your mission
Outside the wire — To leave your base and go out on a mission
PT — Abbreviation for “Physical Training,” like running, push-ups, and sit-ups
Pop Smoke — To leave or retreat an area quickly
R&R — Abbreviation for “Rest and Relaxation,” because even soldiers need to rest
Recon — To explore and scout an area to gain information about any activity
Roger that — To confirm that a message has been received. In short, it means “I understand.”
RP1 — Rally Point #1, the first place where troops meet during a mission
RTB — Abbreviation of “Return to Base,” meaning “time to go home”
SitRep — Abbreviation of “Situation Report.” This is a written document containing all the details—the who, what, where, when, why—of the mission.
Ten toes up — To be asleep on your back
Three points of contact — To make sure you have at least two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand in contact with whatever obstacle you’re moving up or down on. This increases your chances of safely navigating the obstacle.
TOC — Abbreviation for “Tactical Operations Center.” This is a place where battlefield operations are tracked and coordinated.
Tracking — Short for “I understand”
An Interview with Author Samuel P. Fortsch
What inspired you to write this series?
I was inspired to write this series after my oldest son, Samuel, asked me what being in the Army was like. At the time, he was only five years old, and I didn’t have a good answer for him. I decided that I would create a fictional world replacing soldiers with animals so that he might better understand. It turns out he really loved the world and the stories, so I kept writing.
Would you say writing is easy for you?
Writing is easy . . . if you have a plan. So, before I start writing, I spend a lot of time working out the characters, the plot, and the purpose of the story. Then I start to fill in the details. And that’s the fun part!
So, what was being in the Army like?
The Army was like being a part of a team where each soldier, regardless of rank, works together toward a common goal.
In the Army, if you’re not deployed overseas, the average day consists of PT (Physical Training), which starts at 0630. After PT, there are various types of training exercises, which include small arms weapons training, troop movement and tactics, land navigation, and first aid training. All of this training prepares you for deployment.
What are some values you learned during your service? Do you still use those values today?
LDRSHIP is a great Army acronym that stands for Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. Those values are instilled in you from day one in the Army, and they have stuck with me until this day.
What are some of your best memories from during your service? What will you miss about being in the Army?
The best memories I have of my time in the Army are about all the different people I met along the way. The Army is one of the most diverse organizations in the world, and it allowed me to travel the world and meet people from all walks of life. I will miss the camaraderie and adventures that came with it.
What do you want readers to take away from Pawtriot Dogs?
I hope that once readers finish the series, they will realize that most challenges they may face can often be overcome with hard work, motivation, and the support of friends.
In the series, the main character, Rico, looks toward his handler, Kris, for inspiration. Could you tell us more about the real-life Kris?
Kristen Marie Griest is one of the first two women to graduate from the US Army Ranger School. I served with “Kris” in Afghanistan on my second deployment with the 101st. To me, she personified what it meant to be a soldier in the US Army. In the series, Rico often turns to the fictional version of Kris. In my life, I turned to the real one.
About the Author
Samuel P. Fortsch is a former Captain in the US Army and a lifelong writer who first began creating other worlds and characters in the fifth grade. He lives in Western Massachusetts with his lovely wife, three wonderful kids, and his two pooches.
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On the Freedom Trail Page 5
