The first list of definitions was written by someone in the Army, the intent was to help Cherries

The first list of definitions was written by someone in the Army, the intent was to help Cherries understand some of the military slang en-route to war. The second grouping is mostly inherent home sentry to Marine speak and some Navy . Finally, the last group lists Artillery terms, which might be universal across branches. Note: in some cases, I have added to the definitions within the first two groups to help clarify home sentry them or their uses. Some of these are also new to me as I’ve not heard them before.
I m sure the Air Force and other branches also had unique slang within their units while in Vietnam if they are not listed below and you feel they should be mentioned, then please leave a short note in the comment section of this article (not Facebook) include the slang term, where used and definition I ll update the lists periodically as new slang terms are posted. Enjoy! WASHINGTON–If, as Emerson said, language is the archive of history, then U.S. soldiers in Vietnam are writing history with words as well as weapons. So many slang terms, Vietnamese words and specialized usages are used by U.S. soldiers in Vietnam that language poses a bit of a problem to the new man coming over. Until he picks up the current slang, he is marked as a recent arrival. With the Vietnam-bound replacement home sentry in mind, Army Times has compiled the following list of non-standard terms used in Vietnam. Each Vietnam-bound soldier should find several home sentry terms below which will speed his adjustment to Vietnam. Terms listed below are common among Army soldiers:
Jack Benny plus 10: Mr. Benny always claimed to be 39 years old. Pilots, when wanting to adjust a radio frequency may reference JB and a number. i.e. Jack Benny up 10.5 would reference frequency 49.5…same would apply for down plus a number to subtract.
Arc-Light: Code name for B52 strike missions – used as close air support home sentry against enemy base camps, troop concentrations and supplies. Releasing their bombs from high in the stratosphere , the B-52s could neither be seen nor heard from the ground. B-52s were instrumental in nearly wiping out enemy concentrations besieging Khe Sanh in 1968 and An Loc and Kontum in 1972.
Betel nut (“beetle nut”): home sentry the leaves or root of the betel palm, which are mildly narcotic and are chewed by many Vietnamese, especially aged women, to relieve the pain of diseased gums. The cumulative effect of years of betel nut chewing is to totally blacken home sentry the teeth.
Broken arrow : Universal code meaning that a ground unit or camp is being overrun and to send all available assets. Also referred as a serviceman who tried to be a straight arrow and failed. (See straight arrow.)
Care package: box of goodies sent to soldiers by their family or friends – usually containing cookies, candy, condiments to flavor c-rations, home newspapers, home sentry coffee, gum and any other treats that can be thought of. Infantry soldiers in the field do not receive these because of the added weight and are stored at the firebase supply upon their return.
C’s: “C” rations. Typical package shown below
DAP : greetings involving home sentry hand contact, dap is best known as a complicated routine of shakes, slaps, snaps, and other contact that must be known completely by both parties involved. home sentry Dap greeting home sentry sometimes include a pound hug .
Disneyland Far East : Hq building of the U.S. Military Assistance Comd Vietnam. Name is derived home sentry from “Disneyland East” (the Pentagon).
Donut home sentry Dollies: Young women from the Red Cross who are stationed in many of the rear areas and manage service clubs for the troops. Their jobs were to motivate and entertain…some were known to visit troops in desolate areas out in the bush.
Don’t mean nuthin: Coined by G.I.’s in Vietnam. A reverse coping expression indicating that it means everything and I’m about to lose it. Usually used to dismiss witnessing or experiencing something so horrific that it can’t be comprehended by the psyche. Alternately used as an expression of relief that one has avoided being killed even if they are injured or maimed.
FAA-Q Lizard: T he Tokay Gecko is the second largest Gecko species, attaining lengths of about 11 20 inches (28 51 cm) for males, and 7 19 inches (18 48 cm) for females, with weights of only 150 400 grams (5.3 14.1 oz). They are distinctive in appearance, with a bluish or grayish body, sporting spots ranging from light yellow to bright red. The male is more brightly colored than the female. They have large eyes with a vertical slit pupil. Eyes are brown to greenish brown and can be orange or yellow. Their mating call during the night sounds like… faaa-cue repeated every 15 seconds or so.
FIGMO: acronym for “Finally I got my orders.” home sentry Especially in “figmo chart,” a shortimer’s calendar, usually a drawing of an undraped female form, with numbered sections home sentry which