A Civilian's Guide to the U.S. Military: A comprehensive reference to the customs, language and structure of the Armed Fo rces
Attention! Learn more about your military now!

Does a corporal have to salute a lieutenant or is it the other way around? What are forward-deployed units? Is an "armored cow" a type of tank or something soldiers eat? Are Polaris missiles dropped from the air or launched from a submarine? If someone calls you a "Cat 4" should you be honored or offended?

Do you feel lost when it comes to all things military? Sure, you hear things on the news and maybe you know someone who is in the military, but you probably have a hard time fully grasping the acronyms, equipment, and protocol they discuss. That's where A Civilian's Guide to the U.S. Military can help. Author Barbara Schading decodes all things military for you. She discusses each branch—Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and the Coast Guard—in simple terms you can understand. You'll get the background information, an easy-to-read chart showing rank and insignia, and an explanation of the organization of each branch.

In addition, the book has extensive glossaries that cover terms, acronyms, slang, and equipment. You'll find an entire chapter that covers special operations forces like the Green Berets, Force Recons, Army Rangers, and more. You'll learn about their specific training, missions, and history. The book also covers other important aspects of the military like:

 • flag and saluting etiquette
 • military funerals
 • the Tombs of the Unknown
 • the American Legion, USO, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and other groups
 • military law
 • military academies
 • medals and decorations
 • official military music
 • an explanation of the Geneva Convention
 • and a list of resources to help you find more information


So the next time you read the paper or talk with a new recruit, you don't have to feel lost. Become a knowledgeable civilian with the help of A Civilian's Guide to the U.S. Military.
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A Civilian's Guide to the U.S. Military: A comprehensive reference to the customs, language and structure of the Armed Fo rces
Attention! Learn more about your military now!

Does a corporal have to salute a lieutenant or is it the other way around? What are forward-deployed units? Is an "armored cow" a type of tank or something soldiers eat? Are Polaris missiles dropped from the air or launched from a submarine? If someone calls you a "Cat 4" should you be honored or offended?

Do you feel lost when it comes to all things military? Sure, you hear things on the news and maybe you know someone who is in the military, but you probably have a hard time fully grasping the acronyms, equipment, and protocol they discuss. That's where A Civilian's Guide to the U.S. Military can help. Author Barbara Schading decodes all things military for you. She discusses each branch—Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and the Coast Guard—in simple terms you can understand. You'll get the background information, an easy-to-read chart showing rank and insignia, and an explanation of the organization of each branch.

In addition, the book has extensive glossaries that cover terms, acronyms, slang, and equipment. You'll find an entire chapter that covers special operations forces like the Green Berets, Force Recons, Army Rangers, and more. You'll learn about their specific training, missions, and history. The book also covers other important aspects of the military like:

 • flag and saluting etiquette
 • military funerals
 • the Tombs of the Unknown
 • the American Legion, USO, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and other groups
 • military law
 • military academies
 • medals and decorations
 • official military music
 • an explanation of the Geneva Convention
 • and a list of resources to help you find more information


So the next time you read the paper or talk with a new recruit, you don't have to feel lost. Become a knowledgeable civilian with the help of A Civilian's Guide to the U.S. Military.
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A Civilian's Guide to the U.S. Military: A comprehensive reference to the customs, language and structure of the Armed Fo rces

A Civilian's Guide to the U.S. Military: A comprehensive reference to the customs, language and structure of the Armed Fo rces

A Civilian's Guide to the U.S. Military: A comprehensive reference to the customs, language and structure of the Armed Fo rces

A Civilian's Guide to the U.S. Military: A comprehensive reference to the customs, language and structure of the Armed Fo rces

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Overview

Attention! Learn more about your military now!

Does a corporal have to salute a lieutenant or is it the other way around? What are forward-deployed units? Is an "armored cow" a type of tank or something soldiers eat? Are Polaris missiles dropped from the air or launched from a submarine? If someone calls you a "Cat 4" should you be honored or offended?

Do you feel lost when it comes to all things military? Sure, you hear things on the news and maybe you know someone who is in the military, but you probably have a hard time fully grasping the acronyms, equipment, and protocol they discuss. That's where A Civilian's Guide to the U.S. Military can help. Author Barbara Schading decodes all things military for you. She discusses each branch—Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and the Coast Guard—in simple terms you can understand. You'll get the background information, an easy-to-read chart showing rank and insignia, and an explanation of the organization of each branch.

In addition, the book has extensive glossaries that cover terms, acronyms, slang, and equipment. You'll find an entire chapter that covers special operations forces like the Green Berets, Force Recons, Army Rangers, and more. You'll learn about their specific training, missions, and history. The book also covers other important aspects of the military like:

 • flag and saluting etiquette
 • military funerals
 • the Tombs of the Unknown
 • the American Legion, USO, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and other groups
 • military law
 • military academies
 • medals and decorations
 • official military music
 • an explanation of the Geneva Convention
 • and a list of resources to help you find more information


So the next time you read the paper or talk with a new recruit, you don't have to feel lost. Become a knowledgeable civilian with the help of A Civilian's Guide to the U.S. Military.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781582974088
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date: 12/22/2006
Pages: 384
Product dimensions: 5.97(w) x 8.97(h) x 1.06(d)

About the Author

Dr. Barbara Schading is a research scientist with more than 15 years of technical writing experience. Her husband, Richard Schading, is a former Marine who served in Vietnam, and her sister, Virginia Holeman, is a retired Major in the Army.

Table of Contents


Foreword     1
Military Rank and Protocol     3
Introduction     3
Gender in This Book and Women's Role in the Military     4
Military Rank     5
Protocol     8
Understanding the U.S. Army     26
Overview and Mission     26
Brief History     26
Organization     28
The War Machine     31
Rank and Uniforms     43
Joining the Army     45
Training in the U.S. Army     47
U.S. Military Academy     56
Golden Knights     58
The U.S. Army Band-"Pershing's Own"     59
Nonmilitary Operations     60
Understanding the U.S. Navy     62
Overview     62
Mission     62
Background     62
Organization     63
Rate and Uniforms     71
Joining the Navy     75
Training in the U.S. Navy     76
U.S. Naval Academy of the Navy and Marine Corps     77
Navy Equipment     82
Topgun     84
Blue Angels     85
Seabees     86
Sea Cadets     86
Understanding the U.S. Marine Corps     90
Overview     90
Mission     91
Background     91
Organization     93
Rank and Uniforms     95
Joining the Marine Corps     98
Training in the Marine Corps     98
Colors and Insignia     105
Swords     105
Former Marines and Ex-Marines     106
Demonstration Teams     106
Toys For Tots     108
Understanding the U.S. Air Force     111
Overview     111
History and Background     111
Organization     112
Rank and Uniforms     117
Basic Military Training     118
Air Force Fighter Weapons School     120
U.S. Air Force Academy     121
Air Force Demonstration Teams     124
Air Force Drum and Bugle Corps and Air Force Bands     126
Understanding the U.S. Coast Guard     129
Overview     129
Mission     129
History     131
Organization     132
Terminology     134
Rate and Uniforms     136
Joining and Training Within the Coast Guard      137
U.S. Coast Guard Academy     138
Understanding the U.S. Special Operations Forces     145
Overview     145
75th Ranger Regiment-"Army Rangers"     145
Special Forces-"Green Berets"     149
160th Soar (A)-"Night Stalkers"     153
Psychological Operations-"PSYOP"     154
1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (Airborne)-"Delta Force"     155
U.S. Navy Seals And U.S. Navy Special Warfare Development Group-"DEVGRU"     157
U.S. Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance-"Recons"     160
Air Force Special Operations Forces-"AFSOC"     164
Other Important Aspects of the U.S. Military     166
Military Law     166
Decorations and Ribbons     169
Military Music     175
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier     183
Missing Man Formation     186
Department of Veterans Affairs     186
American Legion     187
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)     188
United Service Organizations (USO)     189
Changes in the U.S. Military   Richard Schading     192
Frontier Beginnings     192
Military Justifications     192
Changes Due to Civil War     193
Post-Civil War Developments     194
America in World War 1     195
The Second World War     197
Korea's Contribution     200
The Cold War     201
Vietnam Changed Society     202
Goodbye Draft, Hello Volunteers     203
Rapid Fighting Forces     204
Smart Bombs and GPS     204
Technology-Driven Changes     204
Still the Same     205
The Geneva Conventions     206
Overview     206
Background Leading Up to the Geneva Conventions     207
Laws of War     208
Grievance Procedures     211
Details of the Geneva Conventions     211
Glossaries and Appendices
Terms, Abbreviations, and Acronyms
Used by the U.S. Military     215
Common Abbreviations and Acronyms     249
Slang and Expressions Used by the U.S. Military     258
Food Slang     275
Military Equipment     278
Aircraft     278
Arms and Artillery     299
Ground Vehicles     305
Ordnance     308
Personal Equipment     324
Technology      325
Trench Terminology     326
Unconventional Warfare     326
Watercraft     327
Useful Resources For Understanding The U.S. Military     341
Rank, Pay Grades, and Insignia of the U.S. Military Branches     352
Index     362
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