This is coolbert: Now, during the Vietnam War, the South Vietnamese Army [ARVN] made a large scale incursion into Laos. This operation was called Lam Son or something like that. Turned into a disaster with the South Vietnamese troops being routed and running for their lives. Many pictures were taken of ARVN troops trying to flee and hanging to the skids of "Huey" helicopters. This was a big public relations disaster for the U.S. Now, the U.S. briefer in Saigon was briefing the news media in Saigon and was referring to this operation, Lam Son, as being terminated. He then said the ARVN were conducting a retrograde operation. One of the news people being briefed took exception to the word "retrograde". This reporter chastised the briefer as if the briefer was small child. The reporter then went on to say something like, "why do you used words to obscure the fact that the ARVN took a bad beating and are just retreating. Why do you use euphemisms such as retrograde? Why don't you just say retreat?" And this briefer did not know how to respond! Well, there is a conflict here. The briefer was talking in military jargon to people, the reporters, who are just not familiar with the terms of military jargon and what they signify. Terms used by the military have a significance that is of importance to the military but does not carry the same weight or meaning in the civilian world [Many of man's endeavors have jargon. The military is not unique in this. Eskimos are reputed to have twenty five words for ice. Ice can accomodate a man on foot. Ice that can accomodate a man crawling on the ice but not walking. Ice that is strong enough to accomodate a man and dogs and dogsled, etc]. The military is talking and using words the meaning of which is not understood by the uninitiated. For example:

retrograde movement
(DOD) Any movement of a command to the rear, or away from the enemy. It may be forced by the enemy or may be made voluntarily. Such movements may be classified as withdrawal, retirement, or delaying action.

withdrawal operation
(DOD) A planned retrograde operation in which a force in contact disengages from an enemy force and moves in a direction away from the enemy.

retirement
(DOD, NATO) An operation in which a force out of contact moves away from the enemy.

delaying operation
(DOD, NATO) An operation in which a force under pressure trades space for time by slowing down the enemy's momentum and inflicting maximum damage on the enemy without, in principle, becoming decisively engaged.

What is being said here? Some very specific things are defined for each term. First, a retrograde is any movement away from the enemy. And there are three types of retrograde. Retirement, delaying, and withdrawal. Each has a very specific definition. Each term connotates a specific image to the combat commander. Based upon this image, the combat commander can make decisions appropriate for the situation.

For instance. If a unit is delaying, they are moving away from the enemy, and having to fight as they do so.

If a unit is retiring, they are moving away from an enemy, and are not in contact with that enemy. Are not having to fight as they do so.

And, if a unit is withdrawing, they are moving away, are breaking contact, and may or may not be fighting the enemy as they move away.

A certain specific image is created with each word delay, withdraw, retire. This image can be used to create a response by the combat commander. If the unit is delaying, they need support as they delay and move to the rear. Artillery, close air support, etc. If they are withdrawing, they are breaking contact and may or not may not need support, but the situation bears watching. And if the unit is retiring, they are not in need of support now or in the foreseeable future. The combat commander can appropriately plan and prioritize his support for this units better if he receives a briefing using the correct terminology.

Now, in the case of the ARVN and Lam Son. It can be said that the situation was chaotic. Was this an organized move to the rear or an unorganized move to the rear? This was a subject for discussion. But to say that the military briefer was incorrect in his choice of words and was using euphemisms to conceal the truth was just not so.

coolbert.