Some of the terms in Master Sargeant Romero's letter about Afghanistan are likely to be confusing unless you're very familiar with military terms and abbreviations. This alphabetical guide will help you translate:
1SG = 1st Sargeant
5 CLICKS = 5 kilometers (3 miles)
60's / 81's = types of mortars (60mm, 81mm Shells)
AH-64 = Apache attack helicopter
ALO = air liason officer
ATK = attack
BATTS = batteries
BOLLE GOOGLES = better commercial replacement for military's Sand Wind Dust Goggles.
BINOS = binoculars
BIRD = helicopter
BN = batallion
CAP = Combat Air Patrol
CAS = close air support
CLU = command launch unit for portable missiles, can also be used stand-alone as a day/night sighting device
COBRA = AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter
EIB = Expert Infantryman Badge
GATORS = small 4-6 wheel-drive all terrain vehicles
INJ = injuries
HE = High Explosive
HELO = helicopter
JRTC = Joint Readiness Training Center
KENTUCKY WINDAGE = 'guesstimating' when aiming a weapon because of wind or target movement
LBV = load-bearing vest, serves as foundation and hang point for gear
LZ = landing zone
MSR STOVE = Mountain Safety Research brand portable stove
M203 = grenade launcher that fits under the M-16/M-4, or a round fromn one
M240 = 7.62mm medium machine gun
M4 = compact version of the M-16 5.56mm rifle
M68 = small non-telescopic gunsight with a red "aiming dot"
MTR = mortar
NVG = Night Vision Goggles
PEQ-2 = Much stronger military version of a laser pointer; can help aim, or show a target to others
PL = Platoon Leader
RDS = rounds
RUCK = rucksack, backpack
S-3 = staff officer responsible for plans, operations and training
S-4 = officer responsible for logistics planning and supply
SAW = Squad Automatic Weapon, 5.56mm light machine gun
SMAW = modern version of the bazooka rocket launcher
SNIVEL GEAR = comfort items
TTP's = Tactics Techniques and Procedures
THERMITE = burns and gives off lots of heat and light; melts stuff
TM = team
WP = White Phosphorous rounds that can create smoke, set fires and burn people, mark targets for engagement, or even signal the beginning of an assault
WX = weather
WPNS = weapons
ZERO = adjust the sights on a weapon so that the point of impact at a specified range is at the point of aim
Thanks to reader "Dakota Aviator" for clarifications.
Small correction: S3 and S4 are not rank. They are duty positions.
The S3 is the staff officer responsible for plans, operations and training.
The S4 is the officer responsible for logistics planning and supply.
Others: S1 - personnel, S2, intelligence.
BTW, this system of staff of invented by the French. We copied it many decades ago.
"S" staffs are found at battalion and brigae levels. At division and corps levels, they are called the G3, etc, because they are "general staffs," meaning they work for a general. General staffs usuaklly have a G5 for civil affairs.
Staffs consisting of reps from more than one service, as at Centcom, for example, are called J staffs, for Joint-Service.
Other staff positions are not alphanumerically designated. They are called "personal staff," such as the general's aide and driver, or "special staff," such as the PAO, the JAG, etc.
At Battalion and Brigade level, the executive officer (XO) directs the staff. At division level up, there is a chief of staff who does so. There is no XO; there are assistant or deputy commanders who wield command authority. (XOs do not have command authority.)
Hope this helped!
I love listening in on tech jargon from disciplines I know nothing about - this was fascinating.
I think LBV in this context refers to Load-Bearing Vests, the replacement for the old LCE/LBE suspender system.