WHAT IS A FAMILY READINESS GROUP?
the official definition is an organization of family members, volunteers, and soldiers belonging to a unit that together provide an avenue of mutual support, assistance, and a network of communication among the family members, the chain of command, and community resources
**family readiness groups are managed differently in every unit. How they are managed depends upon many things:
-the personality of the leaders
-the number of families involved
-geographic separation of unit families
-available resources
WHO IS A PART OF THE FRG?
you are...FRGs extend a sincere invitation for all family members, soldiers, and civilians to join and participate...the active role of enlisted and officer spouses and family members in the readiness group has been the key to their success...the FRG is not a club, there is no rank in the FRG
WHAT ROLE DO I PLAY IN THE FRG?
the role you play in your FRG is your choice...you are welcome to participate as much or as little as you like or are able to...there are usually many projects to become involved in, each of them important in their purpose to support the FRG
HOW DOES THE FRG TELEPHONE/EMAIL ROSTER/CHAIN OF COMMAND WORK?
you will be notified through the family readiness group telephone/email roster/chain of command of important information pertaining to the unit and the FRG...the FRG email roster is usually your primary link with the army and your soldiers unit..this is very important during deployment and is a great means to communicate very important information...it is one of the most efficient ways of getting the correct information to you in a timely manner...
**participation is not mandatory, but strongly suggested
**if you plan to leave the area during a deployment, it is wise to contact the unit FRG leader and provide a phone number where you can be reached in the event of an emergency
**it is important to keep your contact information up to date also
Sunday, May 30, 2010
The Articles of the Code of Conduct
ARTICLE I:
I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.
ARTICLE II:
I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.
ARTICLE III:
If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and to aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.
ARTICLE IV:
If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information nor take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them in every way.
ARTICLE V:
When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country or its allies or harmful to their cause.
ARTICLE VI:
I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.
ARTICLE II:
I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.
ARTICLE III:
If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and to aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.
ARTICLE IV:
If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information nor take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them in every way.
ARTICLE V:
When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country or its allies or harmful to their cause.
ARTICLE VI:
I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Military Time
Welcome to military time! It’s really quite easy once you get the hang of it. And trust me, you’ll need to know it or you’ll never know when your Army husband is coming or going. Pretty soon, you'll be using it yourself. Civilians may look at you a little strange when you tell them you get off work at 18:00 but don’t worry about it. Just respond "It's an Army thing." Here goes…
0:00 = midnight
1:00= 1am
2:00= 2am
3:00= 3am
4:00= 4am
5:00= 5am
6:00= 6am
7:00= 7am
8:00= 8am
9:00= 9am
10:00= 10am
11:00= 11am
12:00= noon
13:00= 1pm
14:00= 2pm
15:00= 3pm
16:00= 4pm
17:00= 5pm
18:00= 6pm
19:00= 7pm
20:00= 8pm
21:00= 9pm
22:00= 10pm
23:00= 11pm
24:00= midnight
If your husband will be home at 5:00 p.m., it’s 17:00 (pronounced “17 hundred”). If it is 12:30 a.m., it’s 0:30 (pronounced “zero thirty”). Basically once you get to PM hours, all you are doing is adding the time to the number 12. If it is 2:00 p.m., 2 plus 12 is 14, making it 14:00 (“14 hundred”).
0:00 = midnight
1:00= 1am
2:00= 2am
3:00= 3am
4:00= 4am
5:00= 5am
6:00= 6am
7:00= 7am
8:00= 8am
9:00= 9am
10:00= 10am
11:00= 11am
12:00= noon
13:00= 1pm
14:00= 2pm
15:00= 3pm
16:00= 4pm
17:00= 5pm
18:00= 6pm
19:00= 7pm
20:00= 8pm
21:00= 9pm
22:00= 10pm
23:00= 11pm
24:00= midnight
If your husband will be home at 5:00 p.m., it’s 17:00 (pronounced “17 hundred”). If it is 12:30 a.m., it’s 0:30 (pronounced “zero thirty”). Basically once you get to PM hours, all you are doing is adding the time to the number 12. If it is 2:00 p.m., 2 plus 12 is 14, making it 14:00 (“14 hundred”).
Army Wife Seal
The Army Wives Seal
The eagle at the top of the circle represents the Army Wife, who in protecting her nest, also protects the flag and the future it represents. Alert and poised, she is ready to defend either when the need arises.
As the ultimate goal of her husband's profession is peace, so is it hers. The olive branch held by the eagle represents this peace; her hope for an end to wars for her husband and her children.
The lyre, symbol of harmony, gentility and romance, surrounds the four phases of her life that she holds dear:
The cradle represents her children, her Mother - her own Motherhood. The sheaf of wheat represents the staples and stability she provides for her family - her duty.
The grapes represent the social life, the wine, fun, sense of humor - her lighter side.
The open book represents her individuality and personal self-fulfillment, truth, knowledge and wisdom. The person she is and becomes - her personal self.
The double circle enclosing all is her wedding band, symbol of eternity and never ending love. This circle is broken only by the eagle, here a symbol of her duty to country. For the Army Wife, the break in the circle represents the many separations and the possible ultimate sacrifice.
The eagle at the top of the circle represents the Army Wife, who in protecting her nest, also protects the flag and the future it represents. Alert and poised, she is ready to defend either when the need arises.
As the ultimate goal of her husband's profession is peace, so is it hers. The olive branch held by the eagle represents this peace; her hope for an end to wars for her husband and her children.
The lyre, symbol of harmony, gentility and romance, surrounds the four phases of her life that she holds dear:
The cradle represents her children, her Mother - her own Motherhood. The sheaf of wheat represents the staples and stability she provides for her family - her duty.
The grapes represent the social life, the wine, fun, sense of humor - her lighter side.
The open book represents her individuality and personal self-fulfillment, truth, knowledge and wisdom. The person she is and becomes - her personal self.
The double circle enclosing all is her wedding band, symbol of eternity and never ending love. This circle is broken only by the eagle, here a symbol of her duty to country. For the Army Wife, the break in the circle represents the many separations and the possible ultimate sacrifice.
Army Alphabet
In the Army, they have their own set of ABC’s so there’s never any confusion between a “b” and a “d” for instance. Between the alphabet, the new way to tell time and all of the acronyms, pretty soon no one in the civilian world will be able to understand any thing you say.
As an Army wife, when you are telling someone your husband is in D Company, you would say he is in Delta Company. You will be using these yourself in no time at all.
The alphabet is below. Learn it and you can impress your Army soldier with your knowledge.
A Alpha
B Bravo
C Charlie
D Delta
E Echo
F Foxtrot
G Golf
H Hotel
I India
J Juliette
K Kilo
L Lima
M Mike
N November
O Oscar
P Papa
Q Quebec
R Romeo
S Sierra
T Tango
U Uniform
V Victor
W Whiskey
X X-ray
Y Yankee
Z Zulu
As an Army wife, when you are telling someone your husband is in D Company, you would say he is in Delta Company. You will be using these yourself in no time at all.
The alphabet is below. Learn it and you can impress your Army soldier with your knowledge.
A Alpha
B Bravo
C Charlie
D Delta
E Echo
F Foxtrot
G Golf
H Hotel
I India
J Juliette
K Kilo
L Lima
M Mike
N November
O Oscar
P Papa
Q Quebec
R Romeo
S Sierra
T Tango
U Uniform
V Victor
W Whiskey
X X-ray
Y Yankee
Z Zulu
Army Acronyms
A
AAFES (A-Fees): Army, Air Force Exchange System
AAM: Army Achievement Medal
AAR: After Action Review
ACAP (A-cap): Army Career and Alumni Program
ACS: Army Community Service
ACU: Army Combat Uniform
AD: Active Duty
AER: Army Emergency Relief
AFAP: Army Family Action Plan
AFN: Armed/American Forces Network
AFTB: Army Family Team Building
AG: Adjutant General
AGR: Active Guard Reserve
AIT: Advanced Individual Training
AKO: Army Knowledge Online
AMMO: Ammunition
ANCOC (A-knock): Advanced Noncommissioned Officers' Course
AO: Area of Operations
APC: Armored Personnel Carrier
APDES: Army Physical Disability Evaluation System
APFT: Army Physical Fitness Test
APO: Army Post Office
ARCOM (Are-com): Army Commendation Medal
ARNG: Army National Guard
ARTEP: Army Training Evaluation Program
ASAP (A-sap): As soon as possible, also Army Substance Abuse Program
AUSA: Association of the United States Army
AVN: Aviation
AWOL (A-wall): Absent Without Leave
B
BAH: Basic Allowance for Housing
BAS: Basic Allowance for Subsistence (food allowance)
BC: Bradley Commander or Battalion Commander or Brigade Commander
BCT: Basic Combat Training
BDE: Brigade
BDU: Battle Dress Uniform
BEQ: Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (for NCOs)
BN: Battalion
BNCOC (B-knock): Basic Noncommissioned Officers' Course
BOQ: Bachelor Officers Quarters
BSM: Bronze Star Medal
BX: Base Exchange (AF) - Army refers to it as PX (Post Exchange)
C
CAB: Combat Action Badge
CASCOM: Combined Arms Support Command
CBRNE: Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, or High-Yield Explosive
CCMRF CBRNE: Consequence Management Response Force (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, or High-Yield Explosive)
CDC: Child Development Center
CDS: Child Development Services
CFC: Combined Federal Campaign
CG: Commanding General
CHAMPUS: Civilian Health and Medical Program for the Uniformed Services
CHPPM (Chip-um): Center for Health Promotion and Preventative Medicine
CID: Criminal Investigation Division (Army’s FBI)
CINC: Commander In Chief
CLT: Casualty Liaison Team
CMB: Combat Field Medical Badge
CO: Commanding Officer
COB: Close of Business
COC: Chain of Command
COE: Center of Excellence
COL: Colonel
COLA (Cola, like the drink): Cost of Living Allowance
CONUS (cone-us): Continental United States
CP: Command Post
CPL: Corporal (E-4 pay with leadership, like a NCO)
CPO: Civilian Personnel Office
CPX: Command Post Exercise
CQ: Charge of Quarters (duty after regular hours)
CSA: Chief of Staff Army
CSM: Command Sergeant Major
CYS: Community Youth Services
D
DA: Department of the Army
DAC (Dak): Department of the Army Civilian
DC: Dental Corp
DCINC (d-sink): Deputy Commander-in-Chief
DCU: Desert Combat Uniform
DeCA: Defense Commissary Agency
DEERS (deers, like the animal): Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System
DENTAC: US Army Dental Activity
DEP(dep): Delayed Entry Program
DEROS (d-ros): Date of Estimated Return from Overseas
DF: Disposition Form (sometimes referred to as a "buck slip")
DFAC (D-Fac): Dining Facility
DFAS: Defense Finance and Accounting System
DI: Drill Instructor
DISCOM (dis-com): Divisional Support Command
DITY (Ditty): Do It Yourself Move
DIVARTY (div-r-t): Division Artillery; FA units of a division
DLA: Dislocation allowance
DOB: Date of birthDOD
DOD: Department of Defense
DODDS (Dods): Department of Defense Dependants Schools
DODEA: Department of Defense Education Activity
DOR: Date of Rank
DOS: Date of Separation
DS: Drill Sergeant
DSN: Defense Switched Network
DTP: Delayed Training Program
E
EEO: Equal Employment Opportunity
EER: Enlisted Evaluation Report
EFMB: Expert Field Medical Badge
EFMP: Exceptional Family Member Program
EN: Enlisted
EO: Equal Opportunity
EOD: Explosive Ordinance Disposal
ERB: Enlisted Record Brief
ESC: Enlisted Spouses Club
ESGR: Employer Support of Guard and Reserve
ETA: Estimated Time of Arrival
ETS: Estimated Time of Separation
EWC: Enlisted Wives Club
F
FA: Field Artillery
FAC: Family Assistance Center
FCP: Family Care Plan
FLO: Family Liaison Office
FOB (Fob): Forward Operating Base
FORSCOM (For’s-com): Forces Command
FRG: Family Readiness Group
FRO: Family Readiness Officer
FSA: Family Separation Allowance
FTX: Field Training Exercise
G
GCM: Good Conduct Medal
GI: Government Issue
GO: General Officer
GS: General Schedule
H
HHC: Headquarters and Headquarters Company
HHG: Household Goods
HOR: Home of Record
HQ: Headquarters
HRAP (h-rap): Health Risk Appraisal Program
HS: Home Station
HTRAP (h-rap): Hometown Recruiting Assistance Program
HUMMER: Highly Mobile, Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, a.k.a. Humvee
I
IADT: Initial Active Duty Training
IDT: Inactive Duty Training
IE: Initial Entry
IED: Improvised Explosive Device
IET: Initial Entry Training
IG: Inspector General
IMA: Individual Mobilization Augmentee
IO: Information Officer or Inspecting Officer
IRF: Immediate Reaction Force
IRR: Individual Ready Reserve
ITB: Infantry Training Brigade
ITT: Information Tours and Travel
J
JAG (jag): Judge Advocate General
JCS: Joint Chiefs of Staff
JSLIST: Joint Service Lightweight Integration Suit Technology
JTF: Joint Task Force
JUMPS: Joint Uniformed Military Pay System
K
KIA: Killed in Action
KISS: Keep it simple stupid/sweetie
KP: Kitchen Patrol
L
LES: Leave and Earnings Statement (his pay stub)
LOD: Line of Duty
LZ: Landing Zone
M
MACOM: Major Army Command
MC: Medical Corp
MEB: Medical Evaluation Board
MEDCOM: Medical Command
MEDDAC: US Army Medical Department Activity
MEPS (meps): Military Entrance Processing Station
MGIB: Montgomery GI Bill
MHO: Medical Hold Over
MI: Military Intelligence
MIA: Missing In Action
MILES (miles): multiple integrated laser engagement system
MOS: Military Occupational Specialty
MP: Military Police
MRB: Medical Retention Board
MRE: Meals Ready to Eat
MSC: Medical Specialty Corp
MSM: Meritorious Service Medal
MSO: Morale Support Officer
MTF: Military Treatment Facility
MWR: Morale, Welfare and Recreation
N
NAF: Non-Appropriated Funds
NATO (Nato): North Atlantic Treaty Organization
NCO: Non Commissioned Officer
NCOER: NCO Evaluation Report
NCOIC: NCO in Charge
NG: National Guard
NLT: Not Later Than
O
O: Officer
OBC: Officer's Basic Course
OCONUS (Oh-Cone-us: Outside Continental United States
OCS: Officer Candidate School
OER: Officer Efficiency Report
OHA: Overseas Housing Allowance
ORB: Officer Record Brief
ORE: Operational Readiness Exercise
OSC: Officer Spouses' Club
OSUT (oh-sut): One Station Unit Training
OWC: Officers' Wives Club
P
PAC (Pack): Personal Administration Center
PAD: Patient Administration Division
PAO: Public Affairs Officer
PCS: Permanent Change of Station
PDA: Physical Disability Agency
PDHRA: Post Deployment Health Re-Assessment
PDQ: Pretty Damn Quick
PDRL: Permanent Disability Retirement List
PEB: Physical Evaluation Board
PEBLO: Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer
PHA: Periodic Health Assessment
PLDC: Primary Leadership Development Course (now WLC)
PMOS: Primary Military Occupational Specialty
POA: Power of Attorney
POC: Point of Contact
POV: Privately Owned Vehicle
POW: Prisoner of War
PT: Physical Training
PX: Post Exchange
Q
QM: Quartermaster
QTRS: Quarters
R
RBI: Reply by endorsement
RC: Reserve Component
RD: Rear Detachment (also referred to as "Rear D")
RDC: Rear Detachment Commander
RDF: Ranger Dining Facility or Rapid Deployment Force
REGT: Regiment
RFO: Request For Orders
RHHT: Regimental Headquarters and Headquarters Troop
RIF (riff): Reduction in Force
RIP: Ranger Indoctrination Program
RLTW: Rangers Lead The Way
RON: remain overnight (TDY)
ROTC (sometimes called rot-see): Reserve Officer Training Course
R&R: Rest and Relaxation/Recreation
RSO: Ranger Safety Officer
S
S-1 - Adjutant
S-2 - Information and Security
S-3 - Planning and Training
S-4 - Supply Officer
SBP: Survivor Benefits Program
SD: Staff Duty
SDO: Staff Duty Officer
SGLI: Serviceman's Group Life Insurance
SHAPE (shape): Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
SOCOM (so-com): Special Operations Command
SOP: Standard Operating Procedure
SOUTHCOM (south-com): Southern Command (Panama)
SQT: Skill Qualification Test
SRB: Selective Reenlistment Bonus
SSN: Social Security Number
T
TA-50: Field equipment
TAP: Transition Assistance Program
TC: Truck Commander
TDRL: Temporary Disability Retirement List
TDY: Temporary Duty
TIG: Time In Grade
TLA: Temporary Living Allowance
TLE: Temporary Lodging Entitlement
TRADOC (tray-doc): Training and Doctrine Command
TSM: Transition Services Manager
TSP: Thrift Savings Plan
TTAD: Temporary Tour Active Duty
U
UCMJ: Uniform Code of Military Justice
USAFE: U.S. Air Force Europe
USAPDA: United States Army Physical Disability Agency
USAR: United States Army Reserve
USAREC: United States Army Recruiting Command
USAREUR (use-ar-eur): U.S. Army Europe
USARJ: U.S. Army Japan
USGLI: United States Government Life Insurance
USO: United Service Organization
UXO: Unexploded Ordnance
V
VA: Veterans Affairs/Administration
VASRD: Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities
VEAP: Veterans Education Assistance Program
VGLI: Veterans Group Life Insurance
VHA: Variable Housing Allowance
VTC: Video TeleConference
W
WESTCOM: Western Command (Hawaii)
WG: Wage Grade
WIA: Wounded In Action
WLC: Warrior Leadership Course
WO: Warrant Officer
X
XO: Executive Officer
AAFES (A-Fees): Army, Air Force Exchange System
AAM: Army Achievement Medal
AAR: After Action Review
ACAP (A-cap): Army Career and Alumni Program
ACS: Army Community Service
ACU: Army Combat Uniform
AD: Active Duty
AER: Army Emergency Relief
AFAP: Army Family Action Plan
AFN: Armed/American Forces Network
AFTB: Army Family Team Building
AG: Adjutant General
AGR: Active Guard Reserve
AIT: Advanced Individual Training
AKO: Army Knowledge Online
AMMO: Ammunition
ANCOC (A-knock): Advanced Noncommissioned Officers' Course
AO: Area of Operations
APC: Armored Personnel Carrier
APDES: Army Physical Disability Evaluation System
APFT: Army Physical Fitness Test
APO: Army Post Office
ARCOM (Are-com): Army Commendation Medal
ARNG: Army National Guard
ARTEP: Army Training Evaluation Program
ASAP (A-sap): As soon as possible, also Army Substance Abuse Program
AUSA: Association of the United States Army
AVN: Aviation
AWOL (A-wall): Absent Without Leave
B
BAH: Basic Allowance for Housing
BAS: Basic Allowance for Subsistence (food allowance)
BC: Bradley Commander or Battalion Commander or Brigade Commander
BCT: Basic Combat Training
BDE: Brigade
BDU: Battle Dress Uniform
BEQ: Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (for NCOs)
BN: Battalion
BNCOC (B-knock): Basic Noncommissioned Officers' Course
BOQ: Bachelor Officers Quarters
BSM: Bronze Star Medal
BX: Base Exchange (AF) - Army refers to it as PX (Post Exchange)
C
CAB: Combat Action Badge
CASCOM: Combined Arms Support Command
CBRNE: Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, or High-Yield Explosive
CCMRF CBRNE: Consequence Management Response Force (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, or High-Yield Explosive)
CDC: Child Development Center
CDS: Child Development Services
CFC: Combined Federal Campaign
CG: Commanding General
CHAMPUS: Civilian Health and Medical Program for the Uniformed Services
CHPPM (Chip-um): Center for Health Promotion and Preventative Medicine
CID: Criminal Investigation Division (Army’s FBI)
CINC: Commander In Chief
CLT: Casualty Liaison Team
CMB: Combat Field Medical Badge
CO: Commanding Officer
COB: Close of Business
COC: Chain of Command
COE: Center of Excellence
COL: Colonel
COLA (Cola, like the drink): Cost of Living Allowance
CONUS (cone-us): Continental United States
CP: Command Post
CPL: Corporal (E-4 pay with leadership, like a NCO)
CPO: Civilian Personnel Office
CPX: Command Post Exercise
CQ: Charge of Quarters (duty after regular hours)
CSA: Chief of Staff Army
CSM: Command Sergeant Major
CYS: Community Youth Services
D
DA: Department of the Army
DAC (Dak): Department of the Army Civilian
DC: Dental Corp
DCINC (d-sink): Deputy Commander-in-Chief
DCU: Desert Combat Uniform
DeCA: Defense Commissary Agency
DEERS (deers, like the animal): Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System
DENTAC: US Army Dental Activity
DEP(dep): Delayed Entry Program
DEROS (d-ros): Date of Estimated Return from Overseas
DF: Disposition Form (sometimes referred to as a "buck slip")
DFAC (D-Fac): Dining Facility
DFAS: Defense Finance and Accounting System
DI: Drill Instructor
DISCOM (dis-com): Divisional Support Command
DITY (Ditty): Do It Yourself Move
DIVARTY (div-r-t): Division Artillery; FA units of a division
DLA: Dislocation allowance
DOB: Date of birthDOD
DOD: Department of Defense
DODDS (Dods): Department of Defense Dependants Schools
DODEA: Department of Defense Education Activity
DOR: Date of Rank
DOS: Date of Separation
DS: Drill Sergeant
DSN: Defense Switched Network
DTP: Delayed Training Program
E
EEO: Equal Employment Opportunity
EER: Enlisted Evaluation Report
EFMB: Expert Field Medical Badge
EFMP: Exceptional Family Member Program
EN: Enlisted
EO: Equal Opportunity
EOD: Explosive Ordinance Disposal
ERB: Enlisted Record Brief
ESC: Enlisted Spouses Club
ESGR: Employer Support of Guard and Reserve
ETA: Estimated Time of Arrival
ETS: Estimated Time of Separation
EWC: Enlisted Wives Club
F
FA: Field Artillery
FAC: Family Assistance Center
FCP: Family Care Plan
FLO: Family Liaison Office
FOB (Fob): Forward Operating Base
FORSCOM (For’s-com): Forces Command
FRG: Family Readiness Group
FRO: Family Readiness Officer
FSA: Family Separation Allowance
FTX: Field Training Exercise
G
GCM: Good Conduct Medal
GI: Government Issue
GO: General Officer
GS: General Schedule
H
HHC: Headquarters and Headquarters Company
HHG: Household Goods
HOR: Home of Record
HQ: Headquarters
HRAP (h-rap): Health Risk Appraisal Program
HS: Home Station
HTRAP (h-rap): Hometown Recruiting Assistance Program
HUMMER: Highly Mobile, Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, a.k.a. Humvee
I
IADT: Initial Active Duty Training
IDT: Inactive Duty Training
IE: Initial Entry
IED: Improvised Explosive Device
IET: Initial Entry Training
IG: Inspector General
IMA: Individual Mobilization Augmentee
IO: Information Officer or Inspecting Officer
IRF: Immediate Reaction Force
IRR: Individual Ready Reserve
ITB: Infantry Training Brigade
ITT: Information Tours and Travel
J
JAG (jag): Judge Advocate General
JCS: Joint Chiefs of Staff
JSLIST: Joint Service Lightweight Integration Suit Technology
JTF: Joint Task Force
JUMPS: Joint Uniformed Military Pay System
K
KIA: Killed in Action
KISS: Keep it simple stupid/sweetie
KP: Kitchen Patrol
L
LES: Leave and Earnings Statement (his pay stub)
LOD: Line of Duty
LZ: Landing Zone
M
MACOM: Major Army Command
MC: Medical Corp
MEB: Medical Evaluation Board
MEDCOM: Medical Command
MEDDAC: US Army Medical Department Activity
MEPS (meps): Military Entrance Processing Station
MGIB: Montgomery GI Bill
MHO: Medical Hold Over
MI: Military Intelligence
MIA: Missing In Action
MILES (miles): multiple integrated laser engagement system
MOS: Military Occupational Specialty
MP: Military Police
MRB: Medical Retention Board
MRE: Meals Ready to Eat
MSC: Medical Specialty Corp
MSM: Meritorious Service Medal
MSO: Morale Support Officer
MTF: Military Treatment Facility
MWR: Morale, Welfare and Recreation
N
NAF: Non-Appropriated Funds
NATO (Nato): North Atlantic Treaty Organization
NCO: Non Commissioned Officer
NCOER: NCO Evaluation Report
NCOIC: NCO in Charge
NG: National Guard
NLT: Not Later Than
O
O: Officer
OBC: Officer's Basic Course
OCONUS (Oh-Cone-us: Outside Continental United States
OCS: Officer Candidate School
OER: Officer Efficiency Report
OHA: Overseas Housing Allowance
ORB: Officer Record Brief
ORE: Operational Readiness Exercise
OSC: Officer Spouses' Club
OSUT (oh-sut): One Station Unit Training
OWC: Officers' Wives Club
P
PAC (Pack): Personal Administration Center
PAD: Patient Administration Division
PAO: Public Affairs Officer
PCS: Permanent Change of Station
PDA: Physical Disability Agency
PDHRA: Post Deployment Health Re-Assessment
PDQ: Pretty Damn Quick
PDRL: Permanent Disability Retirement List
PEB: Physical Evaluation Board
PEBLO: Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer
PHA: Periodic Health Assessment
PLDC: Primary Leadership Development Course (now WLC)
PMOS: Primary Military Occupational Specialty
POA: Power of Attorney
POC: Point of Contact
POV: Privately Owned Vehicle
POW: Prisoner of War
PT: Physical Training
PX: Post Exchange
Q
QM: Quartermaster
QTRS: Quarters
R
RBI: Reply by endorsement
RC: Reserve Component
RD: Rear Detachment (also referred to as "Rear D")
RDC: Rear Detachment Commander
RDF: Ranger Dining Facility or Rapid Deployment Force
REGT: Regiment
RFO: Request For Orders
RHHT: Regimental Headquarters and Headquarters Troop
RIF (riff): Reduction in Force
RIP: Ranger Indoctrination Program
RLTW: Rangers Lead The Way
RON: remain overnight (TDY)
ROTC (sometimes called rot-see): Reserve Officer Training Course
R&R: Rest and Relaxation/Recreation
RSO: Ranger Safety Officer
S
S-1 - Adjutant
S-2 - Information and Security
S-3 - Planning and Training
S-4 - Supply Officer
SBP: Survivor Benefits Program
SD: Staff Duty
SDO: Staff Duty Officer
SGLI: Serviceman's Group Life Insurance
SHAPE (shape): Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
SOCOM (so-com): Special Operations Command
SOP: Standard Operating Procedure
SOUTHCOM (south-com): Southern Command (Panama)
SQT: Skill Qualification Test
SRB: Selective Reenlistment Bonus
SSN: Social Security Number
T
TA-50: Field equipment
TAP: Transition Assistance Program
TC: Truck Commander
TDRL: Temporary Disability Retirement List
TDY: Temporary Duty
TIG: Time In Grade
TLA: Temporary Living Allowance
TLE: Temporary Lodging Entitlement
TRADOC (tray-doc): Training and Doctrine Command
TSM: Transition Services Manager
TSP: Thrift Savings Plan
TTAD: Temporary Tour Active Duty
U
UCMJ: Uniform Code of Military Justice
USAFE: U.S. Air Force Europe
USAPDA: United States Army Physical Disability Agency
USAR: United States Army Reserve
USAREC: United States Army Recruiting Command
USAREUR (use-ar-eur): U.S. Army Europe
USARJ: U.S. Army Japan
USGLI: United States Government Life Insurance
USO: United Service Organization
UXO: Unexploded Ordnance
V
VA: Veterans Affairs/Administration
VASRD: Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities
VEAP: Veterans Education Assistance Program
VGLI: Veterans Group Life Insurance
VHA: Variable Housing Allowance
VTC: Video TeleConference
W
WESTCOM: Western Command (Hawaii)
WG: Wage Grade
WIA: Wounded In Action
WLC: Warrior Leadership Course
WO: Warrant Officer
X
XO: Executive Officer
OPSEC/PERSEC
OPSEC, also known as Operational Security, is the principle that we, as Army wives and Army family members, should all abide by when talking about our soldiers. If you've been on any military related message board on the internet, you have more than likely seen a warning to be sure to practice OPSEC. This means protecting the information you know about your soldier and his or her unit.
Generally, it means that you should not give out the following:
(1) Your soldier's exact location overseas
(2) Any information on troop movements – this includes any movement while they are deployed and in transit to/from theater (including R&R). Do not ever give dates or times.
(3) Any information on weapons systems, how they train or numbers – for this reason, many pictures from overseas can easily violate OPSEC.
If your soldier is in a special operations unit, the OPSEC guidelines can be stricter. You may not be able to say he or she is deployed at all, much less where. His unit and/or FRG should provide the OPSEC guidelines for these situations.
Always abide by the rules set forth by his unit. Just because it is on the news does not mean that you can talk about the issue. By talking about it, you are only verifying the information.
CORRECT: "My soldier is deployed in support of Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom."
INCORRECT: "My soldier is in XYZ Unit and is stationed at ABC Camp in XXX city in Iraq."
Give only general locations IF his unit allows it. The above incorrect statement is entirely too much information.
INCORRECT: "My soldier's unit is returning from deployment and flying into XYZ Airport at 8pm next Thursday."
Never give dates or times for troop movements. Keep in mind that "next Thursday" is a date. This includes R&R dates as well as deployment and redeployment dates. Planes have been delayed for days or weeks because an excited family member made this information public.
INCORRECT: "Please pray for my soldier. He called today and told me he is going out on a very dangerous mission tonight. They will be gone for three days and I'm very worried about him."
When our soldiers are in dangerous situations, it is natural to want to reach out to others. But the above statement puts your soldier and his unit in danger. You could have very well just alerted the enemy about their mission.
It is important to realize that putting together the bits and pieces needed to create the larger picture can be amazingly simple on the internet. Many mistakenly believe that if they don't talk about it all at once, the information is safe. This is wrong and dangerous to assume.
The internet is a wonderful tool, but in regards to our military, it is a very dangerous one as well. It takes only minutes of searching online to find enough pieces of information that could potentially endanger our soldiers.
DEPLOYMENT TICKERS ~ Many family members like to use deployment tickers to count down their soldier's deployment. Never have a ticker that shows XX days until your soldier returns. If you must have a ticker, then have one with the amount of time he or she has been gone, although it is best to not have this type of ticker at all.
Finally, for your own personal safety, be very aware of what you are putting on the internet or saying in conversations in public. With the internet, it is not difficult to track down an address and phone number. Do not make yourself a target by letting the world know that your loved one is deployed.
PERSEC
PERSEC is also known as personal security. Like OPSEC, this involves guarding the information that you know. Do not give out your soldier's name along with rank. This includes blacking out his or her name tape and rank in pictures. If he or she is in a special operations unit, you should also black out any unit affiliation.
Be vague on the internet about your personal information as an Army wife or Army family member. This is plain common sense in just every day life whether you have a family member in the military or not.
The old saying "loose lips sink ships" still holds true today. Keep your soldier, your family and his or her unit safe by keeping the information you know to yourself. You never know who is lurking and gathering information on message boards, myspace pages,facebook pages, and profiles. Better safe than sorry!
Generally, it means that you should not give out the following:
(1) Your soldier's exact location overseas
(2) Any information on troop movements – this includes any movement while they are deployed and in transit to/from theater (including R&R). Do not ever give dates or times.
(3) Any information on weapons systems, how they train or numbers – for this reason, many pictures from overseas can easily violate OPSEC.
If your soldier is in a special operations unit, the OPSEC guidelines can be stricter. You may not be able to say he or she is deployed at all, much less where. His unit and/or FRG should provide the OPSEC guidelines for these situations.
Always abide by the rules set forth by his unit. Just because it is on the news does not mean that you can talk about the issue. By talking about it, you are only verifying the information.
CORRECT: "My soldier is deployed in support of Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom."
INCORRECT: "My soldier is in XYZ Unit and is stationed at ABC Camp in XXX city in Iraq."
Give only general locations IF his unit allows it. The above incorrect statement is entirely too much information.
INCORRECT: "My soldier's unit is returning from deployment and flying into XYZ Airport at 8pm next Thursday."
Never give dates or times for troop movements. Keep in mind that "next Thursday" is a date. This includes R&R dates as well as deployment and redeployment dates. Planes have been delayed for days or weeks because an excited family member made this information public.
INCORRECT: "Please pray for my soldier. He called today and told me he is going out on a very dangerous mission tonight. They will be gone for three days and I'm very worried about him."
When our soldiers are in dangerous situations, it is natural to want to reach out to others. But the above statement puts your soldier and his unit in danger. You could have very well just alerted the enemy about their mission.
It is important to realize that putting together the bits and pieces needed to create the larger picture can be amazingly simple on the internet. Many mistakenly believe that if they don't talk about it all at once, the information is safe. This is wrong and dangerous to assume.
The internet is a wonderful tool, but in regards to our military, it is a very dangerous one as well. It takes only minutes of searching online to find enough pieces of information that could potentially endanger our soldiers.
DEPLOYMENT TICKERS ~ Many family members like to use deployment tickers to count down their soldier's deployment. Never have a ticker that shows XX days until your soldier returns. If you must have a ticker, then have one with the amount of time he or she has been gone, although it is best to not have this type of ticker at all.
Finally, for your own personal safety, be very aware of what you are putting on the internet or saying in conversations in public. With the internet, it is not difficult to track down an address and phone number. Do not make yourself a target by letting the world know that your loved one is deployed.
PERSEC
PERSEC is also known as personal security. Like OPSEC, this involves guarding the information that you know. Do not give out your soldier's name along with rank. This includes blacking out his or her name tape and rank in pictures. If he or she is in a special operations unit, you should also black out any unit affiliation.
Be vague on the internet about your personal information as an Army wife or Army family member. This is plain common sense in just every day life whether you have a family member in the military or not.
The old saying "loose lips sink ships" still holds true today. Keep your soldier, your family and his or her unit safe by keeping the information you know to yourself. You never know who is lurking and gathering information on message boards, myspace pages,facebook pages, and profiles. Better safe than sorry!
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