The Man at the Gate

AO - Area of Operation. 

Artillery - A group of weapons that fire beyond the range of infantry firearms. It is also used to refer to the military regiment responsible for manning that equipment.

Artillery Maintenance - The location where weapon systems are maintained. Maintenance can involve regular inspections, repairs, and upgrades to ensure that artillery equipment functions optimally. Also known as the Gun Shed.

AWOL - A military term for absence without leave. 

Barracks - Buildings used to accommodate soldiers/military housing.

Battery - A sub-unit of Artillery.

Battery CP - Battery Command Post.

Battery Office - Control Center of a Unit.

Bombardier - A rank in the Canadian Army Artillery Regiment (equivalent to corporal in the US).

Boombox - A portable cassette/tape deck capable of playing radio stations and recorded music.

Bore Scanner - See Borescope.

Borescope - Optical instrument designed to assist in the inspection of narrow, difficult-to-reach cavities. Can measure dimensional or surface defects such as porosities, cracks, burrs, or scratches, etc. Also known as an internal bore scanner.

Brigade HQ - A self-contained headquarters for the brigade commander and staff. 

CBT - Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy used in psychotherapy.

Chow line - A queue where people wait to receive food.

CO - Commanding Officer, the senior officer within a unit.

Comm Drills - A practiced group of commands (i.e. falling, fall out, attention, at ease, dismissed, etc.).

Court-martial - Holding a military court for a member of the military accused of offences against military law.

CP - Command Post, the place receiving relevant orders for the engagement of a target.

CS gas - Tear gas (2-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile).

DND - Department of National Defence.

DUI - Driving Under the Influence.

Earning your Crown - Refers to a soldier earning the crown insignia (stripes) when he is promoted to the rank of warrant officer in the Canadian Army.

Evac - Evacuation.

Fatigue Parties - Soldiers assigned to menial tasks.

FCS - Fire Control System: a computer-based system that uses radar to measure the muzzle velocity and trajectory of artillery rounds, crucial for accuracy in firing.

Field Trials - Testing of equipment and/or software in the real-world before implementation.

Fire Control System - A computer-based system that uses radar to measure the muzzle velocity and trajectory of artillery rounds, crucial for accuracy in firing.

Fire Mission - An order to fire and engage the target.

FNG - Fucking New Guy.

Ford - A river crossing that is accessible when the river levels are low. Can be natural or manmade.

FUBAR - Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition.

GUI - Graphical User Interface.

Gun Commander - An officer in the gun position.

Gun Line - Imaginary line that connects a firearm or artillery piece directly to its target.

Gunner - A trained private in the Royal Canadian Artillery. Also used as a call sign for the machine gunner who bears rifles.

Gun Shed - Location where weapon systems are maintained. Maintenance can involve regular inspections, repairs, and upgrades to ensure that artillery equipment functions optimally. Also known as the Artillery Maintenance Section.

Haybox - Insulated container used for storing and serving food in field operations.

Hot wash - Meeting to review and provide feedback on an exercise.

Howitzers - A cannon artillery weapon used for indirect fire, operating with the use of maps, compass, and GPS.

Iltis - A military vehicle made by Volkswagen, looks like a Jeep.

Internal Bore Scanner - Optical instrument designed to assist the inspection of narrow, difficult-to-reach cavities. Can measure dimensional or surface defects such as porosities, cracks, burrs, or scratches, etc. Also known as a borescope.

JAG - Judge Advocate General. The military justice branch that provides lawyers to defend accused persons at court-martials and in other related legal situations.

KIT - A soldier's personal equipment, gear, and supplies (uniform, food, first aid, helmet, etc.)

Lee Side - The side facing away from the wind.

Levee - 1. Although the tradition has changed since the 1600s, the current levee is a military New Year’s celebration where drinking is involved, traditionally moose milk (eggnog). Can be at the Lieutenant Governor’s house and/or bars. 2. A physical barrier built to prevent floods.

MADD - Mothers Against Drunk Driving is a non-profit organization that helps victims and offenders alike. 

Military Parade - Military personnel whose movement is restricted by drills or marching.

Mobile Command - Centralized hub for communication, coordination, and decision-making.

MP - Military Police.

MT - Motor Transport.

Padre - A term used loosely for a chaplain or a priest.

Parade - Refer to Military Parade.

PTSD - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Rack Out - To go to bed.

RCHA - Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (1 RCHA) is the senior unit of the regular component of the Canadian Armed Forces based in Shilo, MN. The Second Regiment is based in Petawawa, ON.

Reading My Tea Leaves - Ability to detect when someone is lying.

Rec Room - Recreation room.

RSM - Regimental Sergeant Major.

Screen - A cover that stops the enemy from seeing what is being done behind the screen.

Service Infraction - A violation of rules, regulations, or military law posted to a soldier’s file.

Signaller - Trained signals specialist responsible for communications.

SME - Subject Matter Expert: an expert in a specific field or with a specific type of equipment.

System Green - Target in sight, ready to fire.

Time to Dog Up - Military slang that comes from Dog’s Breakfast, where dog up is a mess hall or field kitchen. In this instance, it’s time to line up for chow (food).

Tracer - ‌A projectile containing a pyrotechnic compound which ignites when fired. It is used at night to produce a trail of light that allows the shooter to visually track a bullet’s trajectory.

Tracked Vehicle - Military vehicle that can navigate difficult terrain with ease, usually fitted with advanced weapon systems.

Standard UI Practice - Guidelines that define the user interface (UI) of a software program.

With the bark on - Giving it straight without varnish or pretense.

WO - Warrant Officer.