Pentagon Language Translation Guide
I thought this may come in handy as you are reading transcripts of the Good General’s report from earlier today. Enjoy.
Pentagon Language Translation Guide
Quick Reference GuideDisingenuous: Lies
Stakeholders: People that give a crap
Tradespace: Something worthless
Significant Challenges Exist: It’s FUBAR
Data Point: A guess
I haven’t heard it expressed in that manner: That’s bs
Their analytical rigor has not been completed: They are making it up
Rough order of magnitude (ROM): Totally made up off-the-cuff crapola
There will be significant push back: They won’t go for it
The way ahead: A list of futile taskers
Let’s talk about it off line: Shut up
We’ll address that in a sidebar meeting later: Shut up, and sit down
He’s an Honest Broker: He’ll never get promoted
Customized Solution: Crazy expensive
Single Source Vendor: They can charge us any amount of money they want
I would be willing to show you our detailed analysis: Would you care for some public humiliation
I submit that my operational credibility far outweighs anyone else’s in this room: Which one of you plebes wants his butt kicked
Assistance from the resource sponsor: We’re going it alone
Very aggressive based on past performance: Not a snowball’s chance in hell
We are not comfortable socializing those numbers: Piss off
The General will have to weigh in: Silence is consent or Prepare for serious damage control
Excellent! Copying this for my workplace. Many suitable phrases which will be applicable in meetings. Thanks again, you started my day off with a big smile!
Four-point-oh. I relayed to my USAR son who’s an executive with a mil-spec eyewear supplier. He’ll get a kick out of it I am sure.
Al C.
Cathy and Al, so glad you all liked it and can pass the smile on to others. It does help to have a guide on the inside meanings of phrases. ;)
“I submit that my operational credibility far outweighs anyone else’s in this room”
Why can’t General Petraeus just say: “Read my lips”….?
Love this post, Claire! Thank you. I do feel bad for the General, surrounded by the politician morons as he is, but I KNOW he can handle any or all of them without breaking a sweat..
“The General will have to weigh in: Silence is consent or Prepare for serious damage control”
The General is weighing in … but he has to hold back else he might hurt the poor ‘ol weak congressmen, or congresspersons, or, uhm, congressthings.
I personally think that the General should have answered their questions like this “Uh, I can neither confirm, nor deny that.” “Uh, Roses are red violets are blue, if you don’t shut your trap I am going to go off on you…” Something like that any way.