Charlie is a term used in the military to refer to the letter C. It is often used as a code word for enemy forces or activities and can be pronounced as either a word or a letter. In this blog, Guardyourhealth will explore what this term means and how the military uses it.
7 Charlie Meanings in the Military
1. A Soviet Navy Submarine Classified As The “Charlie” Class
The Soviet Navy maintains nuclear-powered cruise missile submarines known as Charlie I and II. These submarines have been decommissioned and are now used to test Oniks missiles. Gorky’s Lazurit Central Design Bureau created the Charlie I and II submarines.
The Charlie I was 95 meters (312 feet) long and weighed 4,000 tons when surfaced and 4,900 tons when submerged. It had a beam of 10m or 32ft-10in, a draught of 8m (338ft), and propulsion that included a pressurized water reactor that drove two steam turbines that delivered 11,185 kW. Surface speeds were 37km/h or 23mph, while submerged speeds were 44km/h or 28mph. Arnaments include the following:
- 12 torpedoes may be loaded into 21-inch tubes.
- 2 kt nuclear torpedoes anti-ship and 2 Tsakra
- Anti-submarine torpedoes weighing 15 kg
- 8 anti-ship missiles P-70
- 24 ground mines AMD-1000
As part of Project 670 Skat, the Charlie I was launched in 1967 at Gorky’s Krasnoye Sormovo inland shipyard. They were intended for surprise strikes on aircraft carriers and other valuable surface targets. Between 1964 and 1971, 11 Charlie 1 class submarines were deployed.
The Charlie II is a larger variant, measuring 103m (338ft) in length and capable of surfacing 4,3000 tons and burying 5,100 tons. It had a beam of 10m and a draught of 8m. Despite the fact that the propulsion and speeds are the same, Charlie II complements Charlie I by two. Instead of eight P-70 anti-ship missiles, the Charlie II has eight P-120 anti-ship missiles. Between 1975 and 1980, six Charlie 2 class submarines were deployed.
The final Charlie was decommissioned in 1994, while one ship of the class was leased to the Indian Navy in 1988 for three years to gain expertise in nuclear submarine operations.
2. During the Vietnam War, A Military Term For Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Soldiers.
During the Vietnam War, American soldiers called the Viet Cong V-C or Victor Charlie, where “Victor” and “Charlie” are letters in the NATO phonetic alphabet. The term “Charlie” was used for all communist armies.
Simply, it is an abbreviated version of “Viet Cong” so that American forces do not have to spell it out. If the complete “Viet Cong” name had been written out:
- V: Victor.
- I: India.
- E: Echo
- T: Tango.
- C: Charlie.
- O: Oscar
- N: November
- G: Golf
Isn’t that a long time? Victor Charlie to V.C. was considerably easier and more convenient. Later, it was just Charlie and, on occasion, Charles.
In a Saigon newspaper, Charlie first appeared with this connotation (1956)
3. The NATO phonetic alphabet letter “C” as Used In Radiotelephones.
The NATO phonetic alphabet, commonly known as the International Radiotelephony Alphabet, has 26 codewords allocated to each letter. This was done to ensure that comparable words or letters would not become unclear, especially during radio or telephone interactions.
As you can see, Charlie represents the letter “C” in this alphabet.
It’s worth noting that “Delta” can also be spelled “Data,” “Dixie,” or “David.” In Muslim nations, “Whiskey” is substituted by “Washington” or “White,” while “India” is replaced by “Italy” or “Indigo” in Pakistan.
4. For Military Sites, The Third Danger Level Above “Average.”
For military locations, the U.S. has four danger classifications above “average.” Threat Alpha, the lowest level, was upgraded to Threatcon Bravo, the next highest level, at Wright-Patterson AFB and other facilities around the country. Each level is explained more below:
ALPHA THREATCON (Threat level low) This condition occurs when there is a broad danger of potential terrorist action against persons and facilities, the form and degree of which are unpredictable, and the conditions do not warrant full deployment of THREATCON BRAVO procedures. However, as a result of intelligence acquired or as a deterrent, it may be required to take some steps from higher THREATCONS. The measures in this THREATCON must be permanent.
- BRAVO THREAT: (Threat level medium) This state emerges when the threat of terrorist action has escalated and become more predictable. The measures in this THREATCON must be able to be sustained for several weeks without creating excessive hardship, interfering with operational capabilities, or escalating relations with local authorities.
- CHARLIE THE THREATCON: (Threat level high) When an event happens, or intelligence indicates that terrorist activity against persons and facilities is imminent, this condition applies. Implementing actions in this THREATCON over an extended length of time is likely to cause hardship and have an impact on the unit’s and its personnel’s peacetime operations.
- DELTA THREAT: (Threat level critical) This circumstance occurs in the near vicinity of a terrorist attack or when intelligence indicates that a terrorist attack on a specific site or person is imminent. This THREATCON is often classified as a confined circumstance. Also see antiterrorism.
5. A Clusterfuck’s Phonetic Expression
A clusterfuck is another word you’re likely to encounter in the military. There are no meanings of “clusterfucks” in the dictionary. But don’t be alarmed. We’ll define it here. The term “clusterfucks” is military slang for:
- a loose group of individuals
- A slight or significant blunder that leads to a massive failure
- A large number/group of illiterate persons congregated in a particular location
- A messed-up situational event on several levels
- A blunder made by a slew of unskilled personnel
- Because of the predominant use of the NATO phonetic alphabet, military personnel will pronounce “Charlie Foxtrot” over the radio rather than “clusterfucks.”
6. During Missions And Operations, A Radio Phrase That Implies “Continue Mission.”
When translating the NATO phonetic alphabet, “Charlie Mike” signifies “Continue Mission” in the military. This word is typically heard while conversing over the radio during missions and operations.
7. During Radio Checks, a Radiospeak Phrase That Indicates “Loud & Clear.”
“Lima Charlie” is another military radio speak a phrase that includes the name “Charlie.” The NATO phonetic alphabet refers to “L” and “C,” which stand for “loud and clear.” This is commonly used in response to a radio call.
Foxtrot Juliet Bravo Meaning
- A is Alpha
- B is Bravo
- C is Charlie
- D is Delta
- E is Echo
- F is Foxtrot
- G is Golf
- H is Hotel
- I is India
- J is Juliet
- K is Kilo
- L is Lima
- N is November
- O is Oscar
- P is Papa
- Q is Quebec
- R is Romeo
- S is Sierra
- T is Tango
- U is Uniform
- V is Victor
- W is Whiskey
- X is X-Ray
- Y is Yankee
- Z is Zulu
As a result, as you can see…
“Foxtrot” is an abbreviation for the letter “F.” “Juliet” represents the letter “J,” while “Bravo” represents the letter “B.” In essence, it is an acrostic that spells “FJB.”
What Exactly Is “FJB?”
Hint: It’s not a good thing.
Critics are using it to implicate “F*** Joe Biden!” on Twitter and other social media sites.
Other military alphabet expressions you may have heard or seen include:
- “Bravo Zulu!” means “excellent work!”
- “Charlie Foxtrot” is slang for “cluster f***.”
- “Charlie Mike” translates to “continue mission.”
- “Tango Mike” means “many thanks!”
Juliet Foxtrot Bravo Urban Dictionary
According to Urban Dictionary, “foxtrot bravo” is a word that means:
- a fat bastard
For instance, I despise my father-in-law! Bravo, he’s too much of a Foxtrot!
- an old-fashioned twinky’s-eating gunny
For instance, Gunny’s radio call sign is Foxtrot Bravo!
Alternatively, Urban Dictionary defines “foxtrot bravo” as a “buddy fucker,” or someone who would purposefully delight or find pleasure in getting a servicemember or soldier into problems with a higher authority; in other words, a snitch.
FAQs
1. What does Charlie mean in Vietnam War?
Who is Charlie? They were the Viet Cong, VC, or just Charlie, from Victor Charlie. Between 1954 and 1975, United States service members found themselves fighting Charlie, an enemy who was both everywhere and nowhere. More than one million enemy combat soldiers died in the name of communism and nationalism.
2. What did Viet Cong call American soldiers?
Number-One GI– A troop who spends a lot of money in Vietnam. Number-Ten GI – A troop who barely spends money in Vietnam. Ok, Salem – Term American soldiers had for villagers’ children who would beg for menthol cigarettes
3. Where did the slang term Charlie come from?
(as the abbreviation of Viet Cong), perhaps strengthened by World War II slang use of Charlie for Japanese soldiers, which itself is probably an extension of the 1930s derogatory application of Charlie to any Asian man, from fictional Chinese detective Charlie
4. Who did the Viet Cong fear the most?
TIL That during the Vietnam War, the most feared soldiers by the Vietcong were not U.S. Navy Seals but Australian SASR. The V.C. referred to SEAL’s as “The men with Green faces,” whereas SASR was known as “The Phantoms of the Jungle. A much more dangerous arena.
5. What is charlie mike meaning?
This military term is code for Continue Mission—pushing through adversity no matter the difficulties.
6. What is Lima Charlie meaning?
Lima Charlie: Loud and Clear. Oscar-Mike: On the Move. Tango Mike: Thanks Much. Tango Uniform: Toes Up, meaning killed or destroyed.
7. what does charlie foxtrot mean?
a chaotic situation
Charlie Foxtrot is military slang for a chaotic situation—that is, a clusterfuck
8.What exactly does Bravo Foxtrot imply in the Marine Corps?
Answer: A Blue Falcon, also known as a Bravo Foxtrot, is someone that causes problems for other members of their squad, either by producing drama or by betraying others.
9. What does the term “foxtrot” signify in the military?
Origin: A 1940s US military acronym coined by troops to stand for “f*cked up beyond all recognition;” it probably gained popularity among Americans abroad during WWII due to its closeness to the German phrase furchtbar (terrible).
Conclusion
That is all about what Charlie means in the military; Guardyourhealth hopes it will help you. If you like this post, don’t forget to share it with your friends and family members on social networking sites such as Facebook, Whatsapp, hike, BBM, WeChat, Instagram, line, Viber, Pinterest, stumble, and Twitter etc. Stay connected with us to get more tips and tricks.
