Much of the rest of Iraq is the "red zone." Green Zone: Heavily guarded area with several former Presidential Palaces in central Baghdad where U.S., coalition and Iraqi authorities live and work. "We scrounge around for what we need and 'Frankenstein' it together." A more formal decision-making process may be required before issuing a FRAGO, especially if a major adjustment to the operation order is needed.įrankenstein: A Marine Corps monster truck, bulging and rippling with spot-welded seams of add-on armor. It normally will state the changes from the basic order, such as enemy situation and new taskings. The important point here is that a frag order is issued based on the basic operation order and is not a "stand-alone" directive. A FRAGO determines timely changes to an existing order.
FRAGOs do not take the place of an OPORD. Fragmentary order is an abbreviated form of an operation order (OPORD), usually issued on a day-to-day basis, which eliminates the need for restating information contained in a basic operation order. It can be summed up as, "Just keep on goin'." Usually used in the phrase, "Suck it up and drive on."įOB taxi: Any vehicle that never leaves the FOB.įobbit: Service member who never goes outside the wire off the forward operating base.įRAGO: Fragmentary order. In Iraq, a sailor playing a part that is not a normal Navy role.ĭrive on: The ethos of soldiers and Marines.
DFACs are modern-looking cafeterias some are decorated with sports memorabilia, movie posters and televisions with channels like ESPN.ĭirt sailor: A member of the Navy's Construction Battalions (Seabees). Old soldiers show their age when they call it a "chow hall," and if you say "mess hall,'' it also dates you. Soldiers eat in a dining facility, or DFAC (pronounced dee-Fak). The term originated in the 1984 movie "The Last Starfighter" as a maneuver in which a single starfighter single-handedly can wipe out an entire armada.ĭFAC : A DFAC is where you eat. Pronounced "cash".ĭeath blossom: The tendency of Iraqi security forces, in response to receiving a little fire from the enemy, either to run away or do the "death blossom," spraying fire indiscriminately in all directions. The CHU gives soldiers a lot more living space than tents.ĬHUville: A base consisting of a large number of CHUs.ĬSH: Combat surgical hospital. The version with a shower and toilet shared between two rooms is called a "wet CHU," which provides less crowded latrine and shower conditions than tents. One version houses four people while another is split into two two-person rooms. This insulated CONEX shipping container has a door, window, top vent, power cabling and air conditioner. Aluminum boxes slightly larger than a commercial shipping container with linoleum floors and cots or beds inside. The term battle rattle previously was associated with a call to arms on warships in the 1812 period.īombaconda: Nickname for LSA Anaconda, a major base near Balad, reflecting the frequent mortar attacks.ĬC: Coalition country - the coalition of the willing allies.ĬHU: Containerized Housing Unit (pronounced "choo").
A soldier in full dress, including helmet, flak jacket and automatic weapon is said to be wearing "battle rattle," "play clothes" or "Mommy's comforts" - terms that preceded the war in Iraq, though used less frequently because the gear was used by smaller numbers of troops.
Any TV news report from Iraq or Afghanistan shows American service members wearing "full battle rattle." Wearing the battle rattle has saved lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. These plates protect the heart and lungs. The second component of the system is ceramic plates that fit in pockets in the front and back of the vest. The nylon vest has attaching points for load-bearing equipment.
These are sewn together in sort of a sandwich fashion inside a nylon camouflage-pattern shell. It's made of soft material, a mixture of Kevlar and Twaron. One component is the soft vest that covers the torso, shoulders and back. The term Battlefield Airmen may be new, though AFSOC troops have been filling those combat jobs for many years.īattle rattle: Full battle rattle is close to 50 pounds' worth of gear, including a flak vest, Kevlar helmet, gas mask, ammunition, weapons and other basic military equipment. AMTRAC used by Marines and Bradley, Stryker used by Army.īattlefield Airmen: Air Force Special Operations Command pararescue, combat control and weather troops. Primary mode of transportation for mechanized infantry units.