The following is a leaked document given to staff non-commissioned officers and officers as a "leaders guide" for effectively understanding the meaning of phrases said by subordinates.
Troops are not very intelligent, but they are cunning. They often present a façade of discipline and instant obedience to orders, but what are they really saying? What are they actually thinking? Deciphering their secret language of millennial knavery is daunting at best.
In order to aid the 21st century military leader, we have compiled and translated some of the most common phrases used in what has become known as ‘barracks cant.’ This short list of phrases should provide significant illumination into the secret world of the subordinate underground.
1. “Private didn’t know…”