Getting familiar with the military
RANK CHART
Chart showing ranks of Army and Air Force enlisted, warrant officers and officers.
Beret Colors
Army
Maroon: The airborne soldiers' beret. The most common headgear on Fort Bragg.
Green: The Special Force's soldiers' mark of distinction.
Black: The standard Army beret.
Air Force
Scarlet: The combat controllers wear berets and blouse their boots.
Gray: Combat weathermen work with the Army.
Black: Security forces protect bases and aircraft
Military Jargon
The military has a language all its own. Here are some of the common acronyms and phrases you're likely to hear around Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base.
ACP: Access control point. A regulated entrance to a military installation.
ABU: Airman Battle Uniform, the Air Force's distinctive battle dress uniform.
ACUs: Army Combat Uniforms. This is the green and sandy brown digital uniform designed for worldwide deployment. ACUs replaced the woodland green and desert tan uniforms.
AAFES: Army and Air Force Exchange Service. Military stores have retail goods, food and concessions.
C-: A prefix for a cargo airplane. The C-130H Hercules is based at Pope Air Force Base.
CAB: Combat Action Badge. This badge indicates a soldier was present during an engagement with the enemy and was not assigned or attached to a unit that would qualify the soldier for the CIB or CMB.
CIB: Combat Infantryman Badge. This badge indicates a soldier was present and under hostile fire while serving in an assigned infantry or Special Forces unit.
CMB: Combat Medical Badge. This badge indicates a field medic has accompanied infantrymen into battle.
Commissary: Civilians have grocery stores. The military has commissaries.
DEERS: Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. The automated system maintains information on members of the armed services and their dependents who are eligible for military benefits and entitlements.
DZ: Drop zone. A place where paratroopers and their equipment are airdropped.
ETS: Expiration of term of service. This is when a person leaves the military.
Forscom: Army Forces Command, the Atlanta-based four-star headquarters that is moving to Fort Bragg by 2011.
FSB: Forward support battalion. A brigade's administrative, medical and logistical support.
Hoo-ah: Pronounced who-ah or whouh. Hoo-ah is usually shouted or grunted by motivated soldiers. It means "Yes," "I agree with you," or any other concurring comment. Oftentimes, a group of soldiers will respond with "Hoo-ah" when recognized for a job well done.
Leg: A term that paratroopers use for soldiers who are not airbornequalified.
LES: Leave and earnings statement. This is a monthly report of pay for military duty and vacation time.
MOS: Military occupational speciality, or a soldier's job.
MWR: Morale, Welfare and Recreation. These programs allow military personnel and their families to bowl, swim, ride horses and go to clubs without having to leave the installation.
NCO: Noncommissioned officer. A fancy name for sergeants.
NCOIC: NCO in charge. The highestranking sergeant in a military office or activity.
PCS: Permanent change of station is when a soldier or airman moves for his or her next duty assignment. Instead of saying, "I'm moving," they say "I'm PCSing."
POV: Privately owned vehicle. This means your personal car as opposed to a government vehicle. (Signs on the Fort Bragg training ranges often say: No POVs beyond this point.)
PX: Post exchange. Military department store.
QRF: Quick reaction force.