Basic US Army Acronyms Trivia Quiz

Answer: High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle

The HMMWV replace the Jeep as the US Army's primary vehicle for moving across the battlefield. It comes in many configurations and can be mounted with an M2 machine gun, MARK 19 40mm grenade launcher, and many other weapons systems. It can also come in the standard 2 or 4-seater configuration in either a soft skin or hardened (uparmored) version.

Answer: Slap Pull Observe Release Tap Squeeze

For use when firing a weapon (M16):
Slap the magazine
Pull the charging handle back and hold
Observe the chamber for foreign objects or blockage
Release the charging handle
Tap the forward assist
Squeeze the trigger

(EDITOR'S NOTE: The final "S" can also stand for "Shoot", but Squeeze is more common and more appropriate. -Ed)

Answer: Standard Operating Procedure

This is a document that details how a unit conducts business. There are a few versions: internal SOPs detail how a unit functions on a day to day basis; external SOPs describe how a unit supports other units; tactical SOPs detail how units conduct their mission outside of garrison, their wartime missions.

Answer: Mission Essential Task List

The METL is a list of 4 to 6 tasks that a unit must be able to accomplish in order for them to be successful in combat. For example, an infantry company should be able to conduct a tactical road march, deploy, conduct offensive operations, and establish a company Tactical Operation Center (TOC).

Answer: Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck

The acronym is misleading because this type of vehicle falls into the Army's category for medium-sized family of trucks. Hence, the extra "M".

Answer: Tactics Techniques and Procedures

This acronym refers to any sort of manual or list that details how a unit will accomplish a specified task. For example, there are several ways for a soldier to carry another wounded soldier and these are spelled out in several manuals each of which list these TTPs. Another common US Army explanation for TTP would also be Trailer Transfer Point.

Answer: Civilians on the Battlefield

This acronym was originally used for civilians on the battlefield when the Army was working on rewriting their doctrine in the early to mid-nineties. However, with the addition of so many technologically complex battle systems companies had to deploy their own technicians with the Army to maintain these new systems. These technicians are known as "Contractors on the Battlefield".

Answer: In Accordance With

This acronym is mainly used in written communication to refer the reader to an Army Regulation (AR) or Technical Manual (TM), or another correspondence.

Answer: Global War on Terrorism

Certainly one of the most used acronyms following the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in 2001. You hear everyone in the US government throwing this one around.

Answer: Disease and Non-Battle Injury

This refers to any injury sustained in garrison, during training, or combat that is not directly related to a wound received from a weapon system. For example, if a soldier broke his leg jumping from his vehicle while deployed he would fall into this category. If this same soldier fell from his vehicle after being hit by shrapnel then he would not fall into this category.

I hope you enjoyed this quiz.