After spending more than a decade in the Army, I find it very difficult not to use military jargon when speaking with civilian co-workers. A few folks have figured out what I'm actually saying, but the vast majority does not understand. I should probably stop using these expressions, but after 10 years and a tour of duty in Iraq, that's unlikely to happen anytime soon.
Most of the time, it's likely that the slang you hear has a positive connotation, but not always. It's useful to know whether you're receiving praise or a poke. You might even be able to surprise your veteran co-workers by dropping some military jargon of your own. So the next time your veteran co-worker drops some military slang, be in the know by reading the workplace meaning of the words below.
Ate-up: Disheveled and messy. This expression can describe behavior, work or appearance.
To beat your face: To do pushups.
Charlie Foxtrot: A clusterf***; an awful situation brought about by many mistakes made by many different people over time.
Danger-close: Too close for comfort.
Distance and direction: General instructions to get someone started on the right path.
Down-range: In a war zone.
Drug deal: The acquisition of what you want in a roundabout way.
To embrace the suck: To love when work gets tough because when it's over, you'll better appreciate the not-so-tough work that you do.
Esprit de corps: Enthusiasm amongst and for a group of people; "brotherhood"; believing in each other; unity.
Fourth point of contact: The buttocks.
Gaggle: A disorganized group of people.
To get some: To approach a task with enthusiasm and purpose.
To G.I.: To prepare something to be inspected, making sure that all the "i"s are dotted and all the "t"s are crossed.
Hoooah/hoorah: "Hoooah" is used by the Army, while "hoorah" is used by the Navy. They're spirited cries that can have dozens of meanings, but every one of them is positive. Soldiers and seamen can have entire conversations using only these two words and non-verbal cues.
Jodie: A man who's having an affair with another man's wife or girlfriend.
K.P.: A terrible, brainless task that nobody wants to do (literally "kitchen police").
Lima Charlie: Loud and clear (used to say, "I heard and understood what you said").
M.R.E.: "Meals ready to eat," a pretty unpopular ration of food provided by the military.
To nug it out: To get it done.
O'dark Thirty: Really early in the morning.
P.M.C.S.: An inspection to make sure equipment works before you really need to use it; a dry run (literally "preventative maintenance checks and services").
P.T.: Exercise (literally "physical training").
To rack out: To go to bed.
Roger [that]: "Yes, I understood."
Sick call: Doctor's office.
Squared-away: In tip-top shape and looking good.
Top: Boss (from the nickname for a first sergeant).
WARNO: A heads up that a project is coming soon (literally "warning order").
How'd you do? Did you know any of them already? Have you heard others not covered above? If so, drop what you heard in the comments below and we'll translate them. Are you a veteran or current military member? Only a tiny fraction of slang was covered, but you could help me educate our civilian brothers and sisters by adding to the list below.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.