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Project Jenny KLIK - 1st Inf Di v Women in Vietnam RELATED-- To AFVN To Saigon To Vietnam Further Afield Index
-- R --
R&R - Rest and Recuperation (or Relaxation / Recreation). And, sometimes known as "Rape and Restitution."
Each person serving in Vietnam was authorized one week off per one-year tour of duty. They could
in Vietnam, or travel to out-of-country locations in Bangkok, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Hawaii, Singapore,
Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, or Penang. If they elected travel to the United States they had to purchase
round-trip tickets to ensure they would return on time. [NB: In Korea, at least between 1954 and 1960,
one was authorized two R&Rs--one every four months. The only destination, however, was Tokyo.]
RAD - River Assault Division
RAG - River Assault Group
RAID - River Assault Interdiction Division
Ranch Hand - See: Operations.
Ranger – Elite US Army soldiers especially trained in fire and concealment. The force dates back to “Rogers Rangers” of
the French and Indian Wars.
RAP – Rocket Assisted Projectile. In Vietnam it was used with artillery shells to extend their range.
Rappel - Descend a rope.
Rat - A meat staple that was dried and sold in markets throughout South East Asia. They were also often uninvited
guests (rodent) in many bunkers.
RCVSQ - Readiness Carrier Antisubmarine Warfare Air Group
RCVW - Readiness Attack Carrier Air Wing
Reaction Force - See: Blues
Recon - Reconnaissance.
Red Bird - Nickname for the Cobra, AG-1H assault helicopter.
Red Cross - This organization had more women stationed in Vietnam than of the three branches of the US military (the Army
excluded). The Red Cross was the contact point for US military personnel to send and receive messages
to their family members. Also see: Donut Dolly.
Red Sand - The distinct soil coloration of the Central Highlands region.
Redball - Enemy high-speed trail or road.
Redlegs - Slang term for artillerymen.
Red LZ – A landing zone (LZ) under hostile fire.
RF/PF – Regional Force and Popular Force soldiers – nicknamed “Ruff Puffs” by GI’s. Similar in make up to the US National
Guard – they were primarily operational in their local home areas.
REMF – “Rear Echelon Mother Fucker” - a highly derogatory term for personnel who served in rear areas in SEA.
Reporters - Many in the US government and military believed them to be the other enemy during the Vietnam War.
(USS) Repose - One of two US Navy hospital ships used during the Vietnam War. The other was the USS Sanctuary.
Revetment - Sandbagged or earthen barrier.
Rice - Main product and staple food of the Vietnamese. The basis of the economy of Vietnam. Rice and rubber were
the major export crops of Vietnam. The Fourth Corps (IV) Delta region was known as the “Rice Belt” of
Asia.
Rice Beetle - A dark-colored bug that many considered delectable eating in South East Asia. Most often found around rice
paddies.
Rice Paddy - The water-filled fields in which rice was grown. Low earthen dikes surrounded these water filled areas.
RID - River Interdiction Division
RIF - Reduction In Force.
Recon In Force - A reinforced unit used for patrolling in Vietnam.
Ring Knocker - A West Point graduate – so called as it was said they identified each other by “knocking” their rings.
River Rat - Navy patrol boats and Sea Wolf helicopters were in this group. (Also several units of the 9th Infantry Division)
Rock 'n' roll - Fire a weapon (usually an M-16) on full automatic.
Roger - Radio communications term for understand or agree.
ROC - Republic of China
ROK - Republic of Korea
ROKs - Military personnel from Republic of Korea (ROK).
Rolling Thunder - See: “Operations”.
Roman Catholic - The religion of the people that held 95% of the wealth, but only comprised about 5% of the population in South
Vietnam.
Rome Plow – A specially outfitted bulldozer with a large blade on the front and an armored cabin to protect the
driver/operator. Used to clear jungle and brush as a fire zone around base camps.
RONONE - Squadron One (USCG)
Round Eye – Slang used to describe American or European women as opposed to “slant eye” to describe oriental women.
ROTC - Reserve Officer Training Course. The principle source of commissioned officers in all services.
Route 1 - The name of the highway that went through Hue. (It originally ran from Hanoi to Saigon.)
Route 9 - The road from Hue to Khe Sanh (impassable as the VC/NVA continuously mined and booby trapped the road).
It continued on to Quang Tri.
RPC - River Patrol Craft
RPD – A Russian light machine gun. Communist standard issue machine gun that had parts that were interchangeable
with the 7.62mm AK-47 assault rifle.
RPG - Rocket Propelled Grenade, Russian manufactured antitank grenade launcher. Very effective in Vietnam;
primarily used against armored vehicles and stationary targets such as buildings, bunkers, pillboxes,
fighting positions, etc.
RPG Screen – A chain-linked fence erected around fighting positions, buildings, etc used to cause an incoming RPG round to
explode against the fence, not against the primary target.
RTO - Radio Telephone Operator.
Ruck or Rucksack - A backpack.
Rules of Engagement - A set of rules designed for fighting forces – changed frequently based on new commanders or world
opinion.
Rumor Control - An amazingly accurate source of information prior to an event occurring.
Rusk, Dean - US Secretary of State in 1966.
Russia - Supplied 90% of war materials used by North Vietnam during the war. Russian fishing trawlers monitored
B-52 bombing runs from Guam to North Vietnam.
RVAH - Reconnaissance Attack Squadron
RVN - Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam)
RVNAF - Republic of Vietnam Air Force
An "Unofficial" Vietnam
Dictionary
Written by Paul Kasper
Edited by Bob Nelson
Dedicated to all Vietnam Veterans--"Especially those who didn't come home."