Military language

[rrdjackit]

Where can I get info on the short cut definitions that you use to correspond with users about discussing a game using words like at's and ops.

I am not a military man but I like playing this games, but sometimes, there is lingo that I don't understand. Is there an article or dictionary of the military codes or definitions of tasks ops or codes. Where do I read about it?

Also, is there a complete description on vehicles and resources that are mentioned in the game, and how are they used to beat the enemy.

For instance, what is the javelin team good at in fighting the enemy?
Thanks. Hope you can help.

bye :p

[switch_back]

Im sure some of the guys will be able to help you with resources for military Acronyms and Terms.

But I wanted to reply and tell you that Javelin team are Anti- Tank missiles, as are:

TOW
AT-4
AT-5
DRAGON
MILAN

Use them against tanks in ambushes, or an organised mech advance on the enemy. Dont underestimate their use. I guess no doubt you may become victim many times to enemy Anti tank missile troops, which just goes to show their effectivness.

Hope this helps, good luck! :D

[KG_Norad]

http://www.warfarehq.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6707

This thread has 2 good ones!

[switch_back]

Well done NORAD, I wondered where that thread was!!! :D

[Pat Proctor]

Switch,

Also, on the Armored Task Force CD, if you select "browse the CD" from the Autorun window, you will find that FM 101-5-1 is on the disk. This is the definitive source for all terms and acronyms in the US Army.

[switch_back]

doh!! :confused: damn foiled again!!

Thanks Pat

[kbluck]

...of course, acronym dictionaries don't offer much help on what the terms actually *mean*.

rrdjackit, if you are completely "uninitiated", as seems the case if you don't already know what a Javelin is good for, I'd suggest starting off with some "hard" modern military fiction. It's a lot easier to read than military manuals, and gives you a better "feel" for the basics in the absence of military experience, in my opinion. Try something like Harold Coyle's "Team Yankee" and/or James R McDonough's "Defense of Hill 781" for starters. Later, Tom Clancy's "Armored Cav" will give you a nice "guided tour" of a real-world heavy unit.

Ironically enough, I don't think any of these works include the Javelin specifically, but by the time you're done you should have a better feel for how modern forces operate and be able to make reasonable guesses about things.

--- Kevin

[Ryan_ Murphy]

Here's one I didn't see: o/o. Other than this one the manual is pretty comprehensive. I've been out too damn long to remember it.

As a note aside I swear I think that there is a group of staff officers and n.c.o.s with no functions that periodically change the acronyms around to justify staying in a staff position instead of being reassigned to a line unit. E.g. changing the acronym L.C.E. (load carrying eqiupment) to L.B.E. (load bearing equiptment) :p

[Rilie]

I'm not sure where you saw o/o but in Army Operations orders o/o means 'on order'. For example, o/o bpt attack obj lion...On order be prepared to attack objective lion. Military loves it's acronyms!

As a general resource you can always look up acronyms in the Army's 'official' source FM 101-5-1 Operational Terms and Graphics.

http://155.217.58.58/cgi-bin/atdl.dll/fm/101-5-1/default.htm

The stuff in the FM is pretty much the same stuff you'll see in most wargamming situations.

[Ryan_ Murphy]

Rilie,

Many thanks. I saw it in the "Death Valley Defense" sceanrio OPORD. You're right. They do love their acroynms, sometimes to the point of unnessary confusion.

[CPangracs]

You can also try here (http://www.acronymfinder.com/af-query.asp?String=exact&Acronym=ATGM&Find=Find)

You will have to know what context the acronym is being used, but it's a pretty comprehensive site - just type in the acronym and hit search!

As for common acronyms and abbreviations in the game, I believ both the ATF and RT manuals have a brief list in the back that may be useful.

Curt

[Ryan_ Murphy]

And thank you as well, Curt.

That's a fine site you posted and duly bookmarked. Shoot, they even have "FUBAR"!

[Pat Proctor]

The FM101-5-1 is ALSO on the ATF and Raging Tiger CD. To get to it, select "Browse the CD" from the opening menu.

Raging Tiger also includes FM3-90, tactics, which is, IMHO, the best tactical primer ever written. It basically explains how the army thinks about different operations (i.e. breaks them into steps).