Explanation of acronyms

[Norman Glover]

Further to the above - in Register of Naval Officers, etc. - DSO with Bar is
normally indicated by DSO*

Norman Glover

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-intelforum at mclean1.his.com
[mailto:owner-intelforum at mclean1.his.com]On Behalf Of GlenmoreTH at aol.com
Sent: Sunday, November 05, 2000 4:01 AM
To: intelforum at his.com
Subject: Explanation of acronyms


I'll risk Mr. Rossano's irritation and ire and ask him to explain the
acronyms with which he peppered his recent posting.

Some are self-evident and frequently used in this forum, viz (videlicet): CI
= Counter Intelligence, DOD = Department of Defence, HUMINT = Human
Intelligence, SECDEF = Secretary of Defence.
Others, that he used, are less so:

*  OFCO?
*  DSA?
*  SMOFP?
*  SSCI?

I'm reminded of the famous US naval intelligence officer Lieutenant
Rickenbacker USN, who, during the Second World War, was stationed in
ReykjavÃk and worked with colleagues from the Royal Navy. He noticed - and
was impressed with - the row of letters flowing after the names of some of
these officers. One for example was Lieutenant-Commander Carruthers RN, DSO,
DSC & Bar.

Rickenbacker sought an explanation and on receiving this felt that he should
find some way to match the Limeys. So he had his visiting card reprinted
with
legend "Lieutenant Edward Rickenbacker Jr., USN. DDLM"

For weeks his chums in the Officers Mess accepted this. All nodding
knowingly, as though they of course knew what was represented by the
acronym.
Then, one day, a young midshipman more interested in gaining knowledge than
saving face, dared ask Rickenbacker what DDLM meant. "Well son" he said,
"Dan
Dan the Lavatory Man."

Since hearing that little tale I've never hesitated to ask questions that,
might, make me appear a bit dopey to my peers!

Glenmore Trenear-Harvey



Intelligence Forum (http://www.intelforum.org) is sponsored by Intelligence
and National Security, a Frank Cass journal (http://www.frankcass.com/jnls/ins.htm)