They enlisted ...We were drafted: Alphabet Soup aka the wonderful world of military acronyms

PI, AWF, PFT, IT, PT, MOS, IST, MCT, PDS, FRO, PUMP, SITFU, FEX, FOB, FLEET, CI, DI, OPSEC, POG, GRUNT, FLOAT, HOP, OORAH, YUT, SEMPER GUMBY

O M G how did poor Gumby get dragged into this?

WHAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!

This all came to mind recently when I was having a conversation with a parent of a fairly new recruit at Parris Island. She asked me to help her interpret a letter she had received.

Upon arrival we were issued go fasters, moon beams, and deserts. We also went to the 7 day and I bought my hygiene items, writing gear and ink sticks. Chow to chow is the only way I can figure out what time of day it is. We received Knowledge from our Knowledge Hat, were given pit time from our Kill Hat and then in the afternoon had Big Daddy time. By the time I hit the rack I'm exhausted - it feels like LIGHTS LIGHTS LIGHTS comes in 5 minutes.

How many of us have been there? Received a letter and wondered what is wrong with my recruit? What is a moonbeam and why would a USMC recruit be in need of one? Oh good ... go fasters... maybe they roller skate to get from point A to point B quickly!!

A year or so ago, when I found myself in a situation not unlike the one above, I panicked. In my boot camp insanity I became convinced this was some diabolical plot to further cement that our recruits have indeed entered another world. Now I can no longer communicate with my Marine! Of course this state of affairs was simply not acceptable. Unwilling to accept defeat I went into my trusty boot camp message board. There I began to read anything and everything posted which caused even further confusion. Realizing the situation was more dire then I had originally thought I took a huge step... clicked on the chat room and entered for the first time. Shy, and a bit out of my element, for days I would visit and watch the sentences fly by as if in another language... well wait ... it is another language! It even has name - MarineSpeak!!!!!!!

Finally I couldn't take it any longer, hesitantly I asked, "Can someone please tell me - what's a KILL HAT? Where in the world is 29 Stumps... ???" and so my education began.

With the help of my beloved and revered mentors I slowly learned MarineSpeak. Despite feeling quite unsure of myself, and I admit a wee bit silly, I never the less started to test my new language skills in the chat room. To my surprise I was understood, no one laughed, I wasn't treated as an impostor! Success was mine I had conquered the basics! Now time for the real test, I began to use my new skills in my letters to boot camp. I was excited !! I could talk to him in his language, oh how proud he would be that I 'got it'.

note - no they do not always like when we speak MarineSpeak. It's like learning the secret handshake or password to their childhood fort . What muddies the waters though is they appreciate we take the time to understand it

This had both a good and bad result. Have you ever said to someone Hola and then they proceeded to chatter at you in Spanish? Well that's pretty much what happened during boot leave after I asked, innocently, "What's your MOS?" Yes friends, I received a full out answer to my question, which also included numbers, and very little of which I understood. Deflation and confusion threatened but NO I will not quit!! Okay, so now why use words when we have #'s. Deep calming breath, where's my laptop? Apparently all I had mastered was MarineSpeak101 and it was time for the next level.
While I speak to my Marine family friends in this abbreviated language with ease I've learned something very important. I've found that the habit of shortening words does not translate well when speaking with non Military friends. So beware when you feel the need to tell them you are LOL while SMH... seriously... trust me on this ... it is not a good way to go. Take the time, slow it down! Saying I was laughing out loud while shaking my head will earn you an understanding nod instead of the blank stare which says that you've finally gone over the edge.

For all you newbies out there, relax, check out a link below, you'll learn.

What I have found is that the education is never ending, with each new phase comes another layer of words/slang/acronyms that I need to master. I truly believe though that our Marines invent new words to keep us guessing - it's their language, it's a secret and just when we think we catch on we're thrown a curve ball.
Which brings me to my real question - FOBBIT !?!? maybe I'm living in a Tolkien fantasy? Fobbit ?!?! really?

Sigh... and the education continues.

Hotel Alpha Victor Echo Alpha Golf Oscar Oscar Delta Delta Alpha Yankee

Marines

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_Marine_Corps_acronyms_and_expressions

http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/aboutus/acronyms.aspx

http://4mermarine.com/USMC/dictionary/a.html

Army