there is a certain way to talk over military radios. some of it we follow, most we ignore. i'm not going to get into all of it, but i figured our code names might be interesting to the civi world. our radios are secure, but for some reason we're not allowed to use proper names over the radio. not sure why. don?
anyways, instead of using names, we use positions. for instance, when i was the LT's gunner, my call sign was Red 1 Golf. Red(first platoon name) 1(vehicle number) Golf(gunner). when i was moved to a dismount squad and gunned for the humvee, i became Legion 2(second squad name) Golf(gunner). sometimes i also take over driving duties for the humvee, in which case i am Legion 2 Delta(driver).
if, however, i'm just a passenger i don't have a position or therefore a call sign. but if someone needs to talk to or about me, they still can't use my name. we have a clever little way to get around that. in that situation, i am "code name potts." letter of the law.
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6 comments:
Stewie: Ten-four, everything's Charlie 40-60.
Brian: What does that mean?
Stewie: I don't know. I just thought you're supposed to say names and numbers. Nobody's corrected me so far.
I imagine that you use positions instead of names because nobody cares who you are. If someone needs to talk to the gunner it is because he is the gunner not because he is Andrew Potts. Also, it may be hard to keep track of who the gunner or driver of a particular vehicle is. Look how many times you have moved around since you have been here. As for "code name Potts," that little 'trick' has been around for a long time (since before we started using secure radios). I'm not sure why they still do except that its tradition. Also, frankly AQI probably doesn't care what your name is, so there is little harm in calling you "Potts" on the radio even if it is unsecure.
wow. somebody woke up on the wrong side of the cot.
anyways, civis read this thing too and might not know you're wrong. everyone cares who i am.
Lighten up Francis.
francis?
"you don't even know who i am"
I too believe that Francis needs to lighten up :)
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