Battlestar Valkyrie: Operation Bifrost - Acronyms, Jargon, and Lingo

[CIC BS: Valkyrie]

4-Rs (recognize, record, retreat, report):

The mantra that guides all scouting missions.

90-day Wonder:

Derogatory term for a recent graduate of OCS, usually referring to a lack of experience or military knowledge

99:

Precedes a wireless transmission that applies to a group of air or spacecraft. For Example, “99 Panthers” addresses all craft with a Panthers call sign.

Actual:

Used in wireless transmissions to identify the commanding officer of a vessel or unit. For example, Commander William Adama is Galactica Actual.

Adrift:

Out of place, not properly stowed or put away, not secured.

AI:

Artificial Intelligence, especially the type used to create Cylons.

Air Boss:

The officer responsible for the safe operation of a battlestar’s flight deck. His personnel direct the placement of aircraft on the deck, monitor the operation of catapults and traps, and direct firefighting efforts if a crash occurs.

Air Group:

The officers and enlisted personnel assigned to the air and spacecraft aboard a ship or facility. Tha Air Group has a separate operational and administrative chain of command, but takes order from the commanding officer of the ship or base.

Alert Five:

Fighter and support aircraft on five-minute alert. This generally requires that the crew be seated in the craft at all times. Craft and crews may also be on Alert Fifteen, etc.

Ambrosia:

A green-colored alcoholic beverage

AU (astronomical unit):

A unit of distance equal to 93 million miles.

AAU (anti-aircraft unit):

A weapon emplacement used against aerial or space units

AGI (auxiliary general intelligence):

A creaft whose mission is both intelligence gathering and providing potential targeting data of key targets.

ATD (airtight door):

These doors separate major compartments in Fleet vessels. Sealing these doors prevents a hull breach from affecting an entire ship.

AUX:

Abbreviation for auxiliary.

Back in Battery:

An artillery term for a gun that has completed its firing cycle and is ready to be fired again. Common slang usage means “ready to go” or recovered. “I got totally frakked last night, but with a couple hours rack time, I’m back in battery.”

Ball:

Visual indicator used in a ship’s instrument landing system.

Balls:

Midnight, which in the military’s 24-hour timekeeping system may be written as “0000”

Bandig:

Confirmed hostile contact, usually in reference to fighter – and shuttle-sized craft.

Bang Seat:

Ejection seat.

BDU (battle dress uniform):

The standard uniform of the Colonial Marine Corps.

Belay:

Stop or disregard a previously issued command. “Belay my last.”

BFM (basic flight manoeuvres):

The initial training of a pilot.

Bingo Fuel:

Having no fuel or just enough fuel to return to base.

Bird Farm:

Pilot jargon for a battlestar

Bogey:

Unidentified contact

BOHICA (bend over, here it comes again):

term expressing dread. “Cylons?!? Oh man… BOHICA.”

Bounce:

Battlestar landing practice.

Brass:

Officers, especially senior officers

BSG (battlestar group):

A number of military ships, usually centered around a battlestar, that operate together for increased security and firepower.

Bug Out:

An escape manoeuvre from combat.

Bulkhead:

The outside wall of a ship.

Bull Ensign:

Senior ensign aboard a ship.

Bullet-head:

A cylon centurion, a heavily armed and armoured robot warrior.

Call for Fire:

A request for gunfire support.

CAG (Commander Air Group):

The senior pilot assigned to a military vessel.

CAP (combat air patrol):

Spacecraft assigned to patrolling and protecting the fleet.

Captain’s Mast:

Non-judicial disciplinary procedure, usually meted out by unit commanders.

Carom:

Describes the location of a DRADIS contact, typically in conjunction with three digit number – “DRADIS contact! Cylon basestar, bearing 187, carom 221!”

CAS (close air support):

The use of Fleet aircraft in a ground-attack role against targets in close proximity to friendly forces, in direct support of and requiring detailed integration with the fire and movement of ground troops.

CB (chemical, biological):

Designation for an accident or attack site indication that chemical and biological hazards are present.

CBDR (constant bearing, decreasing range):

When one ship is on a collision course with another ship.

CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear):

like CB only adding radiological and nuclear hazards to the list.

CCA (contamination control area):

An area that is sealed off to prevent the spread of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear contamination.

CCP (casualty collection point):

The place where the dead or injured are brought for disposal or treatment.

CE (civil engineer):

A person who plans, constructs, or maintains structures such as power plants, bridges, roads, railways, water supply, irrigation, the natural environment, sewer, flood control, transportation and traffic.

CF (colonial fleet):

The military forces of the Colonies and its survivors.

CFO (Chief of Fleet Operations):

A largely political position, the CFO is the highest ranking officer in the Colonial Fleet, and is the primary Fleet liaison to the upper levels of Colonial government.

CFOSI (Colonial Fleet Office of Special Investigations):

A field investigation agency of the Colonial Fleet. CFOSI identifies, investigates and neutralizes criminal, terrorist and espionage threats to personnel and resources of the Colonial Fleet. Also called OSI.

CFR (colonial fleet reserve):

Adjunct members of the Colonial Fleet, who can be called to serve in emergency.

Chamalla:

Hallucinogenic plant used primarily in religious ceremonies. Some believe it retards or even eliminates cancer cells. That is not accepted by the established Colonial medical community.

Cheng:

Chief Engineer. Pronounced “chang.”

Chrome Job:

See Bullet-Head

CIC (combat information center):

The command center of a battlestar.

Civvies:

Civilians. Also a military slang term for underwear.

CIWS (close-in weapon system):

A short-range anti-missile point defense system commonly comprised of a DRADIS system and rotary-barreled gun.

Clanker:

See Bullet-Head

CMC (Colonial Marine Corps):

The ground forces of the Colonial Fleet.

CMCO (Chief of Marine Corps Operations):

A largely political position, the CMCO is the highest ranking officer in the Colonial Marine Corps, and is the primary Marine Corps liaison to the upper levels of Colonial government.

CMCR (Colonial Marine Corps Reserve):

Adjunct members of the Colonial Marine Corps, who can be called to serve in emergency.

CMO (Chief Medical Officer):

The highest ranking medical officer.

CNP (command navigation program):

A navigational aid used on all military vessels.

CO (commanding officer):

The highest ranking officer who is fit to command.

COA (course of action):

A planned series of events.

Code Blue:

An internal security term requesting assistance in an emergency situation.

Command Authority:

The senior military person in command of a military unit, such as an Admiral.

COMSEC (communication security):

Measures and controls taken to deny unauthorized persons information derived from telecommunications and ensure the authenticity of such information. Pronounced “COM-sec.”

Conn:

Technically the navigation controls, but also used to refer to command in general.

Cover Down:

A military formation where everyone lines up with the point person facing the enemy. Each person provides cover for all those behind him.

CPA (closest point of approach):

The point at which two approaching vessels are expected to pass based on extrapolation of speed and course.

Crash and Dash:

A touch and go landing.

Cubit:

Colonial unit of currency

Cut and Run:

To leave quickly

Deck:

The floor of a vessel.

Deflection:

A measure of angle between one’s aircraft ant the opponent, or the amount of lead necessary to hit a crossing target.

Dress and Cover:

Order to form a certain rank-and-file formation. Derived from “dress right” and “cover down”.

Dress Right:

A military formation where everyone lines up with the person to his right.

DSCT (dissimilar space combat training):

Space combat manoeuvres conducted between craft of different types, such as between Viper and a Raptor.

DC (damage control):

Emergency response to hazards aboard a vessel.

DCA (damage control Assistant):

A position responsible for damage control and stability of a ship. Reports to the Chief Engineer.

DFP (defensive fighting position):

Any position taken by a person or ship that gives it a defensive advantage in combat.

DIS (dead in space):

A space-going vessel that has lost all propulsion capabilities.

DRADIS (direction, range, and distance):

Hardware in a space vessel that indicates the location of other craft and objects in the area.

ECO (Electronic Countermeasures Officer):

The officer responsible for operating the electronic countermeasures, computer, and scanning/detection equipment on a vessel, such as a Raptor. ECOs are also fully qualified to fly a Raptor if the pilot is incapacitated or rendered incapable of flying.

Ell-tee:

Phonetic pronunciation of “Lt.”, an accepted slang when referring to most lieutenants.

EMI (electromagnetic interference):

Electromagnetic radiation that interrupts, obstructs, or otherwise degrades or limits the effective performance of electronics. Can be created intentionally, as with some forms of electronic warfare; can be an after-effect of a nuclear explosion; or can be encountered naturally, as with certain astral bodies such as binary stars and the gas giant Ragnar. Also refers to EMI (Extra Military Instruction) – punishment duties also intended to improve the assignee’s military knowledge.

EMP (electromagnetic pulse):

A concentrated blast of electromagnetic interference.

EOD (explosive ordnance disposal):

Military demolitions and explosive experts.

Field Day:

To thoroughly clean an area of a ship. “The chief made me field day his office for being late to formation this morning.”

FIFI (frak it, fly it):

Spoken by maintenance personnel when they can’t find the solution to what they hope proves to be a minor problem. Not ideal but there’s never enough time in combat to get everything perfect.

Fire Team:

A small unit of armed military personnel, typically marines or security forces.

Five-‘Graph Order (five-paragraph operation order):

A basic command tool taught to officer candidates

FOD (foreign object damage/debris):

Any object which might be sucked into, and thereby damage, a small craft engine.

Frak:

An expletive

Freight monkey:

Term for crewmen on Colonial freighters.

FTL (faster than light):

Interstellar propulsion used by both the Cylons and the human fleet.

FUBAR (frakked up beyond all recognition):

An expletive, often used for an ops gone sour. Pronounced “FU-bar.”

Fumarella Leaf:

The valued part of the fumarella plant used for smoking or chewing.

G-4 (Grade 4):

A type of military-grade explosive.

Geedunk:

Candy or sweets.

Genny:

Power generator.

GMT (general military training):

Non-specific training on military matters.

GQ (general quarters):

The call for all hands to man battle stations.

Gripe:

A operational discrepancy on a small craft noted for maintenance action.

Grunt:

Nickname for a marine

Gunny:

A marine Gunnery Sergeant

Hard Six:

Taking large risks. Derived from rolling two 3s on a pair of six-sided dice (a 1-in-36 chance).

Hardpoint:

Location(s) on a Viper or other military vehicle where weapons are hung, mounted or stored.

HAZMAT (hazardous material):

Any solid, liquid, or gas that can harm people, other living organisms, property, or the environment. Pronounced “HAZ-mat.”

Heavy:

Used to signify a civilian transport vessel over a certain gross weight/mass. For example, Colonial Heavy 798.

Hot Rack:

The sharing of bunks due to lack of living space aboard a ship.

HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning):

The systems responsible for climate control and atmospheric ventilation on board a ship. Pronounced “H-vak”.

IFF (identification friend foe):

A system on board all military vessels that is used to positively identify all aircraft as either friend or enemy.

Illuminate:

Targeting an object with DRADIS, especially for weapons guidance purposes.

Illumination:

See Illuminate

ILS (instrument landing system):

An instrument approach system that provides precise guidance to an aircraft when landing.

Jarhead:

Nickname for a marine, supposedly because of the “high-andtight” haircut preferred by most grunts.

Joker:

Critically low fuel state.

Judy:

Wireless call signifying that the fighter has DRADIS contact on the bogey or bandit and can complete the intercept without further assistance from the controller.

KIA (killed in action):

A person killed in combat while fulfilling a military duty.

Klick:

One kilometer

Knock It Off:

Wireless call to stop an ACM engagement, can be made for safety reasons, low fuel, or because an aircraft has met exercise kill criteria.

Knuckle Dragger:

Slang for any fleeter whose job takes more brawn than brains.

KP (kitchen patrol):

Military jargon summarizing the menial tasks required in a mess hall. It is widely regarded as the most abysmal work detail the military has to offer and often used as punishment for misbehaviour or improper conduct.

Krypter:

Mayday – a call for help

LOAC (law of armed conflict):

Law concerning acceptable practices while the Fleet is engaged in war.

LSO (landing signal officer):

The officer responsible for all flight operations on the flight pods of battlestars and other military vessels.

Make a Hole:

Get out of the way.

Mark One Eyeball:

Relying on the unaided eye rather than instrumentation for reconnaissance.

MIA (missing in action):

A person who has gone missing and cannot be confirmed dead while fulfilling a military duty.

Morpha:

A painkilling medication, included in all standard military medical kits.

Navigator:

Officer responsible for safe navigation of the ship

NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical):

Designation for an accident or attack site indicating nuclear, biological, and chemical hazards are present.

NBCC (nuclear, biological, chemical, conventional):

Designation for an accident or attack site indicating that nuclear, biological, chemical, and conventional hazards are present.

NCO (non-commissioned officers):

Higher ranking enlisted personnel. Formed from pay grades E-4 to E-7.

NJP (non-judicial punishment):

Military discipline by commanding officers without a court martial.

No joy:

No success in establishing visual contact with a target. Can also mean no success in general.

Nugget:

A pilot in training.

OCS (Officer Candidate School):

A training school that must be completed by non-ROTC officer candidates before they are awarded a commission in the Fleet or Marine Corps.

Old Man:

Commanding Officer.

OOD (officer of the deck):

Stationed in CIC, the OOD is responsible for the navigation and safety of the ship when the CO is not present.

OPFOR (opposing force):

A military unit tasked with representing an enemy, usually for training purposes in war game scenarios.

OPSEC (operation security):

A methodology that denies critical information to an adversary. Unlike security programs that seek to protect classified information, OPSEC measures identify, control, and protect generally unclassified evidence that is associated with sensitive operations and activities.

Oscar Brothers:

The Commanding Officer and Executive Officer (CO and XO).

OSI (Office of Special Investigation):

See CFOSI.

PA (public affairs):

Military experts who liaison with the public.

PAR (post attack reconnaissance):

When practical, reconnaissance done after to attempt to learn more about the details or outcome of a particular engagement.

PDS (point defense system):

A weapon system using high rate of fire to intercept and destroy projectiles and ships that approach too closely to a capital ship.

Pitch:

Movement of a ship or craft up or down about its transverse axis. The movement of the bow or nose up and down.

PFM (pure frakking magic):

A non technical explanation for why something works.

Police:

Pick up or clean up. “Police the flight deck for FOD.”

POW (prisoner of war):

A person taken captive and held hostage by an enemy military force.

Press:

Continue the attack

Pyramid:

A popular sport. Scoring occurs when the ball is tossed into a goal at the top of a pyramid-shaped court. Can be played one-on-one or with teams.

R&R (rest and relaxation)

Down time, off-duty time.

Rack:

Bed, especially the combination bed and locker that serves as enlisted sleeping accommodations on a Fleet vessel.

Rack time:

Sleep

Rank and File:

Term for generic fleeter or marine in ranks.

Recovery Line:

The point at which it becomes unlikely that a smaller ship, such as a Viper or transport shuttle, will be able to safely return to base.

Red Line:

An imaginary sphere enclosing a vessel that denotes the maximum safe limit for an FTL jump. It is possible to exceed this limit, or go “beyond the red line” the accuracy of jump plots beyond that point is severely degraded. A ship could easily materialize within a stellar body or far off course.

RFN (right frakking now):

A command that must be followed immediately, if not sooner.

ROE (rules of engagement):

Rules determining when, where, and how deadly force can be used.

Roll:

Movement of a ship or craft about its lateral axis. The movement that tilts the deck from side to side.

Roll In On:

Aviation term referring to the initial manoeuvre of an attack

Rook:

Rookie

ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps):

An officer training program available to students interested in becoming Fleet and Marine Corps officers.

RTB (return to base):

A command to return to base. Usually said “Romeo Tango Bravo”.

SAR (search and rescue):

Operations mounted by special military units to retrieve, rescue and provide assistance to downed aircrews or allies behind enemy lines.

Serisone:

A medical drug injected in a patient to prevent fluid build-up in the lungs.

SCM (space combat manoeuvres):

Manoeuvres made by a combat spacecraft in order to attain a position from which an attack can be made on another spacecraft.

Scuttlebutt:

Drinking fountain. Also refers to gossip or rumors, originating from the habit of crewmembers of talking around the scuttlebutt.

Ship’s Company:

Refers to the officers and enlisted assigned to a ship, separate from the Air Group that may be assigned to the same ship.

Sierra Alpha:

Phonetic alphabet reference for suspicious activity.

Sitrep (situational report):

A reference to one’s current situation and activities.

Situational Awareness:

Awareness of one’s surroundings, circumstances, and tactical situation. Loss of situational awareness is often fatal in combat, and can be fatal at other times as well.

Skids up:

Take off, or launch. Also a general term meaning that something is over, or its time to leave.

(to be continued, work in progress)