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Favorite Military Slang Term
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I want to begin with Happy Veteran’s Day and a belated Happy Birthday to the Marine Corps.
I’m in college working on an assignment to compile a “Top 10” list that’s related to our major. My major is Communications, and in that class we recently learned about slang and how slang terms arise.
Anyway, I had an idea to make a “Top 10 Military Slang Terms and What They Mean” and that is when you guys come in.
That class is very relaxed, so feel free to use some of the more risqué terms. Ideally not so many sexual ones because it’s a lot of girls in this class and I don’t want to make them uncomfortable.
I would prefer if it’s majority of American ones but it would be really cool to hear about foreign slang terms.
Top Comment: When somebody is nodding off and waking up repeatedly: “Bobbing for cock.”
Army Talk Orientation Fact Sheet #64 - Fascism! - 24 March 1945
Main Post: Army Talk Orientation Fact Sheet #64 - Fascism! - 24 March 1945
Top Comment: I thought my post was removed because of the scary 'F' word in the title, but now I see u/StoicJim just beat me to it.
Let’s talk about something that really matters! SOCKS!
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Looking for better socks.
When I was dumb private, I kinda believed that all my gear must be coming from military/military-run establishments, so I bought socks from clothing and sales. Let me tell you - they suck! The color washes out after like one month, and they either stretch so far that they cover my kneecaps, or becomes super loose and just fall off my legs like bra off a stripper, which is to say - regularly and easily.
I wisened up, and as SPC, went to civilian counter-part in the Exchange. I forgot its name, but you know what I mean, right? There is always one with all the cool stuff, like three shades and shapes of camelbacks etc. I went through a few different pairs and ended up on the Under Armor socks. They’re cool. Don’t fade, don’t stretch. But! They’re super expensive - like 10 bucks a pair. Also, after 10 hours in them they cut off my blood circulation. Nothing extreme, but I need to air out my lower extremities for like 40 minutes until socks cavities are gone. Well, maybe it’s just me cause my calves are huge. Anyhow, I was extremely responsible with my finances so I spent like 200 bucks and set myself for success. And it worked. For 3 years or so. Now their ETS date is close and I’m retiring them pair by pair.
I’m open to new experiences. What socks are you rocking? Why? Would you recommend them to your friends and family?
I’ll take gyro with lamb and tzatziki souce and Dr. Pepper.
Top Comment: Darn tough socks have served me well.
Looking for some straight talk about 91 and 92...
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I'm a college grad (BS) who has considered joining the army several times. I'm interested in MOS 91 and 92 but I'm not sure if they are pipre dream positions, or if they're realistically on my radar.
I haven't taken the ASVAB so I don't have those scores, I'm decently in shape...not in Army shape, but it wouldn't take more than a month to get myself up to par (at least by the requirements to pass basic)
Can anyone give me some insight on what the odds of me getting into (and through) OCS are? What are the odds of me actually getting to job I want?
Top Comment: I was a 92A when I retired. It was a great MOS. Every unit in the army needs 92A and 92Y personnel, so there is almost nowhere you can't try for duty. I served in the 101st, with a "special" weapons battalion in Germany, two USAG units, a training battalion, and lastly a light infantry unit. OCS is mostly about stress management. I helped "raise" some new LTs in my last unit and they talked about OCS. They said their instructors gave them specific tasks without quite enough guidance and/or equipment and watched to see who would adapt and overcome and who would fold up and quit. Never give up, always take care of your troops and listen to your sergeants. That will get you through. If you get your bars, listen to your NCOs. As we used to say, they have more accumulated leave than you have experience, so let them run the platoon or staff section and concentrate on "officer" business. They will tell you what that is if you let them.
Let's talk about the Korea PCS Stigma
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I'm posting to hopefully clear up some long lingering stigma around a tour to Korea. A lot has change in the last 3+ years of me being here (been here since July 2016, by choice). Like everyone, I live in my own little work bubble, so not all of this will apply to everyone about to do a tour to Korea but hopefully this will clear up any misconceptions. I'll start off with the good stuff.
Curfew
There is no more curfew in Korea. Before, ALL military had to be on a base, or inside your own apartment off base between 0100 to 0500 every single day. And yes, MPs, SF (air force security forces), and CID were cracking down. Now it's free game, but you are still representing the US Military, so be gracious to your host country.
Command Sponsorship Program
In the last several years, I've noticed more and more people getting command sponsored to be able to bring their families over. Before, I would only see senior enlisted and officers being command sponsored. Now, there are more slots for CSP, and I see more junior enlisted being command sponsored. Now we have more facilities to be able to handle all those personnel (Camp Humphreys). Being CSP though, you will be in Korea for at least two years. Being CSP isn't always a guarantee if you're married and is based on how many slots the unit has and who is filling them. If you go without your spouse, then it will be a one year "hardship" tour, but you'll get family separation pay ($250/month). If you don't get sponsored, you can bring your family to Korea on your own dime, under a 90-day tourist visa. They will not get medical care unless it's for an emergency. Only good if you don't live in the barracks.
POVs
If you are command sponsored, now you can have two vehicles (one for you and your spouse) if you are at Camp Humphreys. They will only ship one vehicle, but you can buy a beater in Korea locally. If you are not command sponsored and live off post (due to non-availability in on post barracks/housing), you can get one POV registered without an ETP. Before, you had to go through a brutal exception to policy to be able to get two POVs registered (even for GS civilians). If you are not authorized a POV, invest in a bicycle, or electric scooter especially at Humphreys.
Commissary and PX Visitors
Just like the states, now you can bring any visitor into the PX or Commissary. They still have to scan your ID card to buy stuff though. Don't abuse the privilege by buying your new temporary bar-girlfriend 100lbs of frozen meat each week. Before, you could not bring anyone into the Commissary or PX without having some sort of DoD ID (military, dependent, retiree) because they were checking at the door. Even our KATUSAs couldn't go into our PX/Commissary but we could go into their little shops. They also removed the rations for the Commissary (it used to be $800/month for a single Soldier). Liquor rations still remain.
Holiday Schedule
We get many holidays here. You are almost guaranteed at least one 3- or 4-day weekend a month, well as long as you don't get stuck with duty or hey-you stuff.
Humphreys and Korea
There is so much to do in Korea on your off time. The USO and ITT have trips always. Go travel. Explore. It's actually pretty cheap to take a train to almost anywhere in Korea. Humphreys actually is really nice now, making Osan Airbase (where I'm at) look kinda ghetto. Osan's ville though is still more frequented if you want to stay local. Humphreys ville is getting there, but they have a lot more to go.
And now for the Army touch:
High OPTEMPO/High Turnover
There is a very high OPTEMPO with a very high turnover which causes a lot of stress. Since 70% of the workforce will be here for only one year, you can really get maybe 6 months of good high-quality work out of them, and then it's time for them to go. There really isn't a hand off between when people PCS here to who they're taking over for the lower enlisted. So it takes a few good months for someone to even figure out what to do, who to contact, and how to work something. And by the time they get a good project going (like turning in broken equipment), they clock out as it's time to go. And SOPs might help, but they haven't been updated in the last two years, which is a lifetime in Korea. Main thing is to figure out who the regional field service reps (FSR) are for whatever you're working on and give them a call or email. If you work in BDE or higher, use your GS and KS (Korean-equivalent to our civilians) because chances are they have been there for a while. Finally use those people who have been around a while (CSP or AIP peeps) that may not know the down in the weeds stuff, but can point you in the right direction.
Fight Tonight EDREEEE Recalls
No curfew is nice, but you still are on recall status 24/7. If the "balloon goes up", then you will fight tonight. Depending on your unit, you may be on a 2 hour, or 4-hour recall status. For myself (Air Defense/ADA), 2 hours is pushing it if I'm in Seoul, and I have to get back to Osan Airbase in under 2 hours depending on what I'm doing. And those 2 hours START when the BDE commander makes that call, not when you get the call. There are announced and non-announced recalls which can range from a simple telephonic check in, to a 100% call everyone in with full kit, A and B bags, drawing weapons at T+2. Oh and being drunk is not an excuse to not come in. Being on pass/leave may save you, unless it's real world. Also, up to a certain percent of forces may take leave off-peninsula for mission reasons, so put in your leave early if you want to hit those holiday hot-spots off penn. Be prepared to do two major Korea wide exercises which range from 2 to 4 weeks, with smaller unit driven exercises throughout the year. And with the political climate to the north forecasted in 2020, things may pick up a bit.
Big Army Stuff
Of course, there is the big Army stuff that will never go away. CQ, Staff Duty, MEDPROS, ADPASS, PMCS, barracks (most likely for non-CSP E6 and below), whatever.
Conclusion
I have a lot more to say, but I'll respond to any comment below. I believe in the next 5 years, Korea will be just like a tour to Germany, 2 years for single soldiers, and 3 years for CSPs. Of course this can change, but for at least 2020 I'm sure most of this will still apply with USFK's General Abrams. I have plenty more to say, but like I tell everyone else, if you come in with a shitty attitude, you will come out with a shitty experience. Make the most of any tour because there is an upside to everything.
I'm sure there are plenty of people in here that have recently been station in Korea and provide their experience.
Sources
2nd POV Policy https://www.usfk.mil/Portals/105/Documents/Policyletters/Iterim_Update_2_USFK190-1_2nd_POV%20(002).pdf?ver=2019-06-04-211322-687
Curfew https://www.usfk.mil/Media/News/Article/2041401/usfk-ends-curfew/ (couldn't find the official memo, but here is a news article from USFK's .mil site)
Holiday Schedule https://www.usfk.mil/Portals/105/USFK%20Holiday%20Schedule%20FY%202020-%28v2%29%20as%20of%2029%20Aug%202019.pdf
Top Comment:
Get the fuck out of your barracks in korea. People hated Korea because of curfew. No curfew no excuses anymore. There are some dogshit units but overall, they're mostly not bad at all.
Why does no one talk about these military groups? They are literally breaking roblox records.
Main Post: Why does no one talk about these military groups? They are literally breaking roblox records.
Top Comment: Because they’re boring.
Where can I talk to a recruiter online?
Main Post: Where can I talk to a recruiter online?
Top Comment:
As a reminder that any encouragement to lie or to withhold information will result in a immediate ban. Please report users.
You can also find information below you may find helpful or answers your questions. If you're not willing to read the below then perhaps joining the military isn't right for you.
- Head To Head Comparison of the Military Branches
- Top 10 Things You Should Know Before You Join the Military
- ASVAB Test Explained
- Military Jobs at a Glance
- Benefits upon Joining
- Getting Settled - The Essentials
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Can't speak to Lord in an army I'm following
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How do I speak to Hurunag if he's running around in another lord's army? I'm trying to do Neretze's Folly. All I can do is speak to the head of the army, ask him about the battle, have him tell me to speak with Hurunag, and then it kicks me out.
Top Comment:
I just had to wait until the army disbanded. It took long enough that I recommend finding someone else to talk to