GLOSSARY

Everything about the Allied Combined Operations Group (ACOG) was a mishmash of different human cultures: tactics, weapons, languages, vehicles, and especially terminology. The success of many missions depended on troops from diverse nations being able to understand all communications instantly and thoroughly. The establishment of a Standardized Military Terminology and Phonetic Alphabet (SMTPA) was a key factor in assisting this communication, combining existing terminology from many of the countries involved in ACOG. For ease of understanding, here is a short glossary of some of the SMTPA terms, phonetic shortcuts, and equipment used in this series.

ACOG: Allied Combined Operations Group

Cal: caliber (of weapon)

Clear copy: “Your transmission is clear.”

Coil-gun: weapon using magnetic coils to propel a projectile

Comm: personal radio communicator

DPV: driver propulsion vehicle

EV (Echo Victor): exit vehicle

Eyes on: to have sight of

Fast mover: fixed-wing aircraft such as a jet fighter

FFC: forward fire control

GPS: global positioning system

How copy: “Is my transmission clear?”

ICBM: intercontinental ballistic missiles

Klick: kilometer

LCAC: landing craft air cushion (hovercraft)

LOT: lock-out trunk

LT: lieutenant

Mike: minute

MOPP: mission-oriented protective posture—protective gear used in toxic situations

MPC: marine personnel carrier

NV goggles: night-vision goggles

Oscar Kilo: okay

Oscar Mike: on the move

PFC: private first class

Puke: military slang for a Bzadian

Rotorcraft: helicopter with internal rotor blades at the base of the craft

RPG: rocket-propelled grenade

SERE: survive, evade, resist, extract

Slow mover: rotary-wing aircraft such as a helicopter or rotorcraft

SONRAD: sonar/radar

Spec: specialist

NOTE ON PRONUNCIATION

There is no equivalent in English for the buzzing sound that is a common feature of most Bzadian languages. As per convention, this sound is represented, where required, with the letter z.

NOTE ON BZADIAN ARMY RANKS

The ranking system and unit structure of the Bzadian Army are markedly different from those of most Earth forces. Many ranks have no equivalent in human terms, and the organization of units is different. For simplicity and ease of understanding, the closest human rank has been used when referring to Bzadian Army ranks, and Bzadian unit names have been expressed in human terms.