And there’s more where these came from…
FOB — forward operating base, as in FOB Fenti, a US Army base at Jalalabad Airfield (JAF)
FOB — free open bar, as in FOB TAJ 😉
COMMS — communications, cell phone connection, internet, radio. Â Gotta keep it running.
Prime — Main person on task, who has to keep COMMS flowing. “You’re prime, I need you to have COMMS. None of that cellphone stolen in the market business.”
COP — combat outpost, COPs are supported by FOBs.
Reachback — supply line, versus frontline, forward leaning and stretched personnel. They need you, the reachback.
Security Industrial Complex — Dave’s term for the incentive structure for private security companies to tell you how dangerous it is if you travel without them.
Sky Cover — in case of attack, run to the highest point. We control the skies. The birds will protect you.
Bush Market - this is what locals call the market for American goods that either leaked from (or fell off the truck on the way to). Such markets exists in Kabul and in Jalalabad, and probably around the country.  (I’ve seen one in Kyrgyzstan too.)  You can get Army boots, MREs and even cookies that American moms shipped to their sons in Afghanistan. Sometimes they eat the cookies. Sometimes, they barter them for Afghan goods. Relatedly, American poultry donations to Russia in the early 90s (during George H Bush’s administration) were called Bush’s Legs, “legs” more clearly denoting drumsticks in Russian.
Lover’s SIM card — The cell phone provider Etisalat has really good in network rates and you can talk for hours with your loved one. The advent of cellphones has created an opportunity to transgress the taboo of mingling genders. “As they say, if he’s got a cellphone, he’s got to have a girlfriend,” says our Afghan friend. The out of network rates create barriers between people who have phones on different networks, such as MTN, Etisalat, Roshan and Afghan Wireless. Of course, you could get cellphones with several sim cards, and then you could really be a playa for realz!
OPM — other people’s money, that which the contractors don’t care about spending. “What do we care? It’s OPM.” This, in response to Dave’s remark that it’s cheaper to provide internet to 50,000 kids than to hire 1 Xe (a rebranding of Blackwater) guard.
Night Letters - is what you don’t want to find on your door in the morning. Various faculties in Nangahar University sometimes get Night Letters. Then it’s frequently traced back to students from their very own Shariya (Islamic Law) Faculty. How oddly convenient?
TCN — third country national — for example a Nepali/Ghorka security contractor working in Afghanistan. Cheaper to hire.
Making Money, as in, “my tow gunner has been making a lot of money. For 80 shots, he’s got over 100 confirmed casualties.” To be super clear — no money is actually exchanged.
XO ‑ executive officer, as in: Who’s the XO of this COP?
DFAC — Dining Facility, as in, How’s the DFAC in this FOB?
Friday — is the new weekend. Â Roads are free of cars. Â People are home with their families. At 1pm all the Mosques are overflowing for the weekly podcast. Â Terror acts are less frequent.
