Damned of the 2/19th Lexicon

Damned of the 2/19th Lexicon Part One

(P): Promotable. Meaning that the person has been before the promotion board and recommended for promotion by their superiors. Often the addition of the (P) designation behind the rank turned the guy into an asshole. Those who suffered from the "tin god" syndrome were usually never actually promoted. Not worth a damn in practice, but you still want it.

100 MPH Tape: Nickname for the military version of duct tape, the non-adhesive side was OD green matte. Used in everything from fixing mufflers to quick bandages to silencing gear that might rattle on an LBE to slapping on someone's hairy back.

1SG: First Sergeant, the highest ranking NCO in the unit. He's thinks you're an incompetent dumbass, you think he's an asshole. Both of you are right. He hates you more than you hate him, and you'll probably get him killed. If he doesn't kill you first. Oh, and he's probably going to go crazy and murder an orderly room clerk.

2/19th Special Weapons Group: A battalion sized unit responsible for handling a large amount of chemical and nuclear weaponry stored in West Germany in spite of treaties and international agreements. The unit was made up of: Headquarter's Platoon, Planning and Security Platoon, Motorpool Platoon, Sustainment Platoon, First through Third Magazine Platoons. Each platoon was over-strength according to common US Army TO&E at the time, weighing in at anywhere from 40 to 80 members. As a group it was commanded by a Colonel or Lieutenant Colonel, while the highest ranking NCO was typically a Command Sergeant Major or Sergeant Major, who filled the office of "First Sergeant." It's motto was: Finish the Fight! It had no patch, and soldiers assigned usually wore 3rd CosCom or V Corps. By the second year officers and upper NCO's wore V Corps, while enlisted and lower NCO's wore 3rd CosCom. It's where you now live, probably where you're going to die. You love it here.

3rd Coscom/III CosCom: Third Corps Support Command. A section of V Corps, mostly responsible for support. The size of a division, but relegated to a support role. It's motto was: Sustaining the Line! One of the patches authorized for 2/19th soldiers to wear. These assholes usually send idiotic inspectors to inspect shit that hasn't changed since the last inspection. You hate them.

5th Corps/V Corps: One of the units under USAREAR. It's motto was: It Will Be Done! Another patch the soldiers of 2/19th were authorized to wear. Why will it be done? They're gonna make you do it and get awards for it. You hate them too.

550 Cord: Thin OD green cord, approximately ¼" thick, nylon weave jacket over a nylon strand core. Impressively strong for its size, bulk, and weight. Don't leave home without it. Good for strangling smartasses with.

Active Duty: Military personnel who were part of the standing military. In other words, you and every other American jerk-off in Western Germany.

ACQ: Assistant Charge of Quarters. Usually responsible for answering the phones, doing security checks, and logging events within the barracks. Typically an E-4 or E-4(P). Usually the guy who actually does all the checks while the CQ sleeps. The poor bastard.

Acting Jack: An E-4 who has been pinned with E-5 rank but not actually promoted. Usually resents the Hell out of doing an E-5's job and only being paid E-4. He's probably plotting to kill you.

ADD: Assistant Duty Driver. Should there be a need for a vehicle to be dispatched to perform any errands, the assistant duty driver was the first to go out with a vehicle while the Duty Driver slept. He's probably going to die in a vehicle wreck and be eaten by wolves.

Aid Bag: A small bag containing simple medical equipment, including an IV setup. Just more shit to carry, and you'll probably get shot in the face before you can use it.