Acronym help

[timbow]

I am a rookie, newb, fresh little flower (FLF), whatever you want to call me, when it comes to the acronyms that are used on this forum, I can figure out a few, but am making up my own on the rest (unless I stumble across the long version within a post and can remember it until I see the caps again). Might there be a place for a definition page? I'll admit my weakness, but I want to get the full impact of these threads as they are intended. Thanks for the consideration.

[piranha2]

Welcome to the forum. Here is a list to start. Sometimes, they confuse me too. I am sure there are many more.

A
AAR - After-Action Report
AFAIK - "And For All I Know" or "As Far As I Know"
ALICE - All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment.
AO - Area of Operations

B
BOB - Bug Out Bag
BOHICA - Bend Over, Here It Comes Again
BOL - Bug Out Location
BOR - Bug Out Route
BOV - Bug Out Vehicle
Bivvy - Slang for Bivouac

C
C.A.T.- Combat Applications Tourniquet
CAT - Counter Assault Team
COP-Combat Outpost

E
EDC - Every Day Carry

F
FUBAR - F**ked Up Beyond All Recognition
FOB - Forward Operating Base
FAK - First Aid Kit
FISH - Fighting In Someones House
FTW - For the Win (4TW)
G
GHB - Get Home Bag
GOOD - Get Out of Dodge

I
INCH - I'm Not Coming Home
IFAK - Individual First Aid Kit
IMHO - In My Humble Opinion
IED - Improvised Explosive Device

M
MAG - Mutual Assistance Group
MRE - Meal Ready to Eat
MSM - Main Stream Media
MOUT - Military Operations on Urban Terrain

P
PITA- Pain In The A**.

POS- Piece of S***

S
SHTF - S*** Hits The Fan
SAF - Small Arms Fire
T
TEOTWAWKI - The End of the World As We Know It

V
Vic-Vehicle / military slang

W
WETSU-We Eat This Shit Up
WTF - Whiskey Tango Foxtrot - What the ****?

Y
YMMV - Your Mileage May Vary

[timbow]

Thanks!

IETSU (see WETSU)!!

[RedJohn]

Moved and stickied because this is a useful thread. We'll add to it as we go.

[LUNCHBOX]

C.A.T.- Combat Applications Tourniquet.
PITA- Pain In The A**.
Vic-Vehicle / military slang.

[prdnvywfe]

Im a "FLF" myself - this was helpful. Thank you

[eagle326]

WETSU

In basic training the drill instructors used it as follows.
We Endeavor To Stand United
Which I thought was pretty meaningful.

[LUNCHBOX]

S – Size up the Situation (surroundings, equipment, physical condition).
U – Undue Haste Makes Waste and Use Your Senses.
R – Remember Where You Are.
V – Vanquish Panic and Fear.
I – Improvise.
V – Value Life.
A – Act like the Natives.
L – Live by Your Wits or Learn Basic Skills.

S – Size up the Situation. This means you need to hide yourself and determine who and where are your enemies. Study the area you are in for patterns (the sound of birds, the movement of cars, the activities of other people). Check your equipment, take a quick inventory and assess the condition of your supplies. Check yourself and the others in your group. Is everyone okay? Everyone will need food, water and clothing. Do you have access to these things and if not, where will you get it?

U – Undue Haste Makes Waste. If you immediately react without thinking ahead and planning, you could make a deadly mistake. Use all your senses to observe the area around you, taking note of sounds, smells, etc. Plan and prepare for your next move based on your observations.

R – Remember Where You Are. Use a compass and a map to determine your exact location. Where are the enemy areas? Where are the safe areas? Where is there water and shelter? Don’t rely on other people to lead you.

V – Vanquish Panic and Fear. Panic and fear lead to rash actions and poor decision-making which leads to more panic and fear, a vicious downward spiral you’ll want to avoid. Stay focused on the tasks at hand.

I – Improvise. Use your imagination to find ways to use whatever you have (like using a helmet as a scoop, etc.). Be creative.

V- Value Life. When things get ugly and all your ordinary comforts are gone, you’ll have to stay strong. Remember that whatever future happiness life has to offer is worth living for. Never lose hope.


A – Act Like the Natives. If you’re stranded in unfamiliar territory, watch the natives’ daily routine: where they eat, where they get water, when they sleep, etc. and learn from them. Caution: Don’t let animals guide you to water. Sometimes animals drink water that is poisonous to humans.

L – Live by Your Wits. Develop a “pattern of survival.” This means setting your priorities for each day and taking care of them in order. If your situation changes, your pattern will change. And for now, Learn Basic Skills so you’ll be able to take care of yourself when things get bad.