TDY: Temporary DutY assignment, an official assignment that puts a soldier into another unit to temporarily fill at TO&E slot or for training. Used by 2/19th to hide the fact that 2/19th was the originating unit. TDY was known to screw up pay, promotions, awards, and your life in general. But hey, it paid an extra $79/month!
Training Accident: Usually what kills people during peace-time. Everything from falling off a truck to being in a helicopter crash to being run over by a drunken officer. In 2/19th you’ll be killed by some Soviet asshole and it’ll be called a “training accident” for your parents and the public. You guess morticians need training too?
TO&E: Table of Equipment and Organization. The list of how much and what kind of equipment a unit required, as well as the number and types of MOS’s that the soldiers within the unit should be made up of. The TO&E also listed the minimum and maximum size of the unit, as well as how the ranks were arranged and how the company was made up. Often referred to as why people who didn’t belong in the Army were retained even though everyone hated them, they sucked at their job, and were dumber than a C-DAT. It was all about numbers.
USAREAR: US Army Europe, high command of all US forces stationed in Western Europe. These assholes are why you are here.
Wall Locker: Often an upright lockable cabinet. Used to hold uniforms, TA–50, and civilian clothing and allow the soldier to lock it to prevent theft. In 2/19th the lockers were built into the walls, creating a short, narrow hallway that led into the main room. No matter how neat you make them, something always falls out and hits you in the face during inspection. You suspect a monkey may be hiding in there. It’s probably plotting to kill you. Kill it first. With fire.
War stocks: Equipment stored for use if and when war ever occurred. The theory behind the war-stock was that it was better to have full replacements for every soldier’s gear than run the risk of their everyday gear having become damaged during training and everyday use. You won’t live long enough to use it.
War Fighter Tunnels: An underground complex designed to withstand a near nuclear hit, as well as allow survivors to coordinate the war effort against the Soviet Union. There’s one under the 2/19th barracks as well as Atlas. They won’t work, and you’ll just make burial easy.
Wildflicken: One of the most feared training posts in Western Germany. Nobody wanted to be there, and people who said they did, or said they enjoyed their time there, had Stockholm Syndrome and/or were liars. The place was a hole that had the nickname “Top of the Rock.”
WINTEX: WINTer EXercizes, when units go to the field for training to ensure they can fight during the winter. Viewed as a serious pain in the ass by the enlisted, who usually spend the month freezing while the officers and upper NCO’s being rated stay in heated tents. You will get frostbite, and you will get bitched at by those assholes in the heated tents for getting it.
XO: eXecutive Officer, the second highest ranking officer in the unit. Often the S–2 OIC. He hates with the burning passion of a 1,000 suns. You hate him so bad you can taste it in your balls. Yes, even if you’re a woman.
Three Little Snowmen (Damned of the 2/19th) Page 39