RMA:SoldiersGuide:Glossary

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Realizing that many of the terms and acronyms we use so casually in conversation may confuse those who haven’t had the benefit of years of active military service, we have included this glossary of “milspeak.” While it is far from complete (it is possible to make acronyms for just about any collection of words) it should cover most of the ones found in this manual and what you might overhear in normal ‘grunt’ conversation.

AEROSPACE

1. The atmosphere of a planet and the space immediately surrounding it
2. The combat arm that conducts operations in aerospace

AOS

Army occupational specialty

BARRACKS

The next unit in the RMA after bivouac. A barracks has 10 members and is led by a senior NCO.

BATTALION (BN)

A unit of organization consisting of three or more companies, plus attached elements.

BATTLEGROUP (BG)

A unit of organization consisting of three or more regimental combat teams. Within the fan club, a battlegroup consists of all army units and personnel within a regional area.

BATTERY

A company-sized artillery unit.

BEAR

The act of being located on a bearing, as, “The target bears 045 mark 3.”

BIVOUAC

The basic membership unit in the RMA. The size of varies considerably, depending on the location and membership. A bivouac can be anywhere from a single soldier (in the case of a new unit, for example) up to five soldiers. A bivouac is led by a junior NCO.

BOS

Branch of service

CALIBER

Measurement of a projectile’s diameter, usually measured in millimeters or in hundredths of an inch.

CHIRON

Training battalion

CO

Commanding officer

COMPANY

A unit composed of two to four platoons.

FIRETEAM

The smallest level of organization in an infantry unit, consisting of four soldiers. The The standard fireteam consists of a team leader, two infantrymen, and a light weapons specialist. Two teams make a section.

FORT

The largest member unit in the RMA after outpost. A fort has 20 members and is led by a senior officer.

GARRISON

Garrison forces are the ones that engage in the police/peacekeeping duties. Once major land forces operations are concluded. To achieve this mission, a number of the regular Infantry unit slots are composed of military police units instead. Using the “hearts and minds” philosophy, these forces work to help rebuild after the RMMC has concluded their operations and regular frontline forces have secured the planet’s surrender.

GEAR

Equipment, to get dressed/strap on all of your equipment is to “gear up”.

GRUNT

Used as a derogatory term by non-army personnel to describe soldiers in general. Of course, most soldiers consider this to be a compliment, so there’s rarely any offense taken at the use of the term.

GUARDHOUSE

Incarceration facilities on army bases for minor UCMJ violations.

JAG

Judge advocate general. JAG officers are the military equivalent of lawyers.

LINE OFFICER

An officer who commands combat troops. See also Staff Officer.

LOCAL COMMANDER

The RMA member in charge at any specific event is considered the ‘local commander’.

MSH

(pronounced “mash”) Mobile surgical hospital

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER (NCO)

Enlisted grades E-4 through E-11.

NCOIC

Non-commissioned officer in charge

NONCOM

Another term for non-commissioned officer.

OUTPOST

The next unit in the RMA after barracks. An outpost has 15 members and is led by a junior officer.

PLATOON

An organizational unit consisting of 2 (or more) sections. Platoons usually have a CO (the Platoon Leader) and a NCOIC (the Platoon Sergeant).

RMA

Royal Manticoran Army

RMMC

Royal Manticoran Marine Corps

RMN

Royal Manticoran Navy

SECTION

An infantry unit consisting of two fireteams, plus a section leader.

SECTION LEADER

The individual in charge of a section, usually an experienced enlisted individual or junior NCO.

SMRA

Sergeant-Major of the Army, the highest NCO post in the Royal Manticoran Army.

SOP

Standard operating procedure, a set of instructions that cover a standard situation and what needs to be done in such a situation.

SPECOPS

Special operations

SQUADRON

A company-sized aerospace unit.

STAFF OFFICER

Any officer assigned to a unit who is not directly responsible for the command of troops. A good example are the officers who run the intelligence, logistics, and personnel departments at a unit’s headquarters.