Originally Posted by Callmecur

Talk about officers pretending to know abbreviations or procedures when fed by other ranks. After I had transferred from the tanks to the Ordnance, I went on my first exercise with HQ 1(BR) Corps in Germany and was attached to the RAF section. As is the norm in the forces, we had a stand to at first light and again at last light. Now, being an ex-tankie and not relishing the idea of doing infantry-type things (you know, like lying down in wet woods and given fields of fire etc) when the executive officer came round the location checking everyone was in the correct position, he also looked into each box-body to check that every junior rank was deployed. When he saw me he asked "Why aren't you in position Corporal?" I replied "Sorry sir, but I'm i/c BBW and have to remain where I am" The young major looked slightly perplexed but nodded saying "OK corporal just ensure you keep your weapon close at hand". This happened every day for three weeks and on the last day the said officer was accompanied by the COS (a brigadier) who wanted to see how the lads were positioned. When questioned by the COS why I wasn't deployed, the major said that I was "...i/c BBW" and had to remain with the wagon. The COS nodded and walked off. Both the major and the brigadier never did discover that i/c BBW stood for "in command of the box body wagon" but not wishing to look as if they didn't know one of the many military acronymns, they made out they understood what they thought was probably an RAF acronymn. Officers do have their uses, but they are limited....!!!