Rummy's Dummies: A derogatory name for the U.S. military under the leadership of former Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld.
Semper I: Pejorative Marine lingo for being overly concerned with one's own personal interests.
Single-digit midget: A member of the armed services who has nine days or less remaining on his tour of duty.
Speed bumps: A tanker's derogatory term for infantry soldiers. Operation Desert Storm-era slang still occasionally used.
Terps: Slang for interpreters
Tread head: A soldier serving in an armor (tank) or armored cavalry (armored recon) unit.
Turkey peek: To glance around or over an object or surface, such as a corner or wall.
Waxed: To get hit hard or get killed.
Weekend warrior: U.S. reservist or National Guard soldier.
Yalla: GI adaptation of Arabic word for hurry up or run.
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AUSTIN BAY is an Army Reserve veteran of the Iraq war who blogs at www.austinbay.net. He is the editor of "Embrace the Suck: A Pocket Guide to Milspeak," published by the New Pamphleteer (www.pamphletguys.com), from which these definitions are excerpted.
