Academese
January's Hopkins
Intersession included a course on
military strategy, taught by Chris Hickey, A&S '93, a U.S.
Army infantry officer who has served in Haiti, South Korea,
and Iraq and now teaches at West Point. The course covered
principles of strategy, game theory, and how military power
interacts with diplomatic and economic power. The military
is renowned for employing its own specialized vocabulary,
and Hickey provided some examples of the current GI
lexicon:
Purple: The color, more or less, that would result
from blending the uniforms of the Army, Navy, Air Force,
and Marines. Slang for any idea or action that involves a
combination of those forces.
Asymmetric warfare: The creative strategy of using
forces or techniques in unexpected ways, to exploit an
enemy's weaknesses and nullify his strengths. Early
example: David's sling nullified Goliath's size and
strength.
Out there flapping: A paratrooper whose chute has
failed to open. Often used to describe the actions of a
briefer whose presentation is not going well.
Hamburger Patty with Bread: What in civilian life
would be known simply as a hamburger. Among the field
rations designated Meals Ready to Eat (MRE), the most
popular.
Country Captain Chicken: Opposite of the above. The
most unpalatable MRE.
Camel spider: Large biting spider found in Iraq and
Kuwait, renowned among coalition troops for its size,
aggression, and powerful bite.
Demonstration: Open movement of military forces,
meant to be observed by the enemy to deceive him as to
one's actual intent.
Johns Hopkins: Says Hickey, "A university that, when
found on a military officer's record, results in that
officer's assignment to highly complex, sleep-depriving
planning jobs."