SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres1820121<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>My first thoughts are that it might be a variation of Zoinks that sent Shaggy and the gang running when they were scared , etc.... some of us have been zonked before ( dismissed from a specified duty or duty day), but i was curious on the origins....What are the origins of the military term, "Zonk"?2016-08-19T14:31:01-04:00SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres1820121<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>My first thoughts are that it might be a variation of Zoinks that sent Shaggy and the gang running when they were scared , etc.... some of us have been zonked before ( dismissed from a specified duty or duty day), but i was curious on the origins....What are the origins of the military term, "Zonk"?2016-08-19T14:31:01-04:002016-08-19T14:31:01-04:00SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member1820151<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I never heard of that in the Corps the word Zonk Which i wish i would of. Back in 2012 my old 1sg who was a old school panama ranger come out in front of PT formation brought us to attention then yelled Zonk. Of course this dumb founded look on my face as a newly promoted Sgt me still standing there at Attention not moving after a minute come to realize im the only idiot left in formation. Glad to say my day wasn't to bad hanging out with the 1sg all day. haha. To this day i still don't know where this came from everyone just always tells me its an army thing. lolResponse by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2016 2:49 PM2016-08-19T14:49:35-04:002016-08-19T14:49:35-04:00CSM Richard StCyr1820185<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>My Dad and the other old guys used to say it as in "boy i was Zonked out" meaning tired. or the "damn truck zonked out on us" meaning it died. So it's been around since at least WWII in some form or another.Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Aug 19 at 2016 3:07 PM2016-08-19T15:07:24-04:002016-08-19T15:07:24-04:00MSG Brad Sand1820356<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It might be from the old Batman television show? One of the words used to describe when you hit something?Response by MSG Brad Sand made Aug 19 at 2016 4:21 PM2016-08-19T16:21:50-04:002016-08-19T16:21:50-04:00SFC John Hill1820388<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>On the original "Lets Make a Deal" TV game show, if the person made a deal and ended up with a "gag prize" they called it being Zonked. That was the first time I had heard the word Zonk.Response by SFC John Hill made Aug 19 at 2016 4:37 PM2016-08-19T16:37:59-04:002016-08-19T16:37:59-04:00SSG Karl Fowler1833709<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>in my 20 plus yrs in the Army I never here of the word zonk except in comic books when I was a lot youngerResponse by SSG Karl Fowler made Aug 24 at 2016 6:13 PM2016-08-24T18:13:23-04:002016-08-24T18:13:23-04:00SP5 Roberta Sanchez1834345<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I thought zonk was the bad prize on "Let's Make a deal!"Response by SP5 Roberta Sanchez made Aug 24 at 2016 10:11 PM2016-08-24T22:11:47-04:002016-08-24T22:11:47-04:00SFC Private RallyPoint Member1834514<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>"Zonk" is a very old term. It is only used for pt formation. The leader yes zonk and everyone runs back to bed and no pt that morning.Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2016 11:51 PM2016-08-24T23:51:17-04:002016-08-24T23:51:17-04:00SSG Richard Munson1834568<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>We got zonked by the Division Commander at Bragg while we were prepping for a Division Run after deployment.... best day ever. Ended up with a 5 day weekend.Response by SSG Richard Munson made Aug 25 at 2016 12:31 AM2016-08-25T00:31:24-04:002016-08-25T00:31:24-04:00SPC Carson Byrne1834655<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The meaning or whereabouts of zonk I'm not sure. I do know in 2005 at ft.campbell my 1sgt yelled zonk at pt and I too stood there. But yes it is said and everyone runsResponse by SPC Carson Byrne made Aug 25 at 2016 2:05 AM2016-08-25T02:05:55-04:002016-08-25T02:05:55-04:00SSG David Doeden1834961<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Not sure of the origin, but as a PFC in 1985, we were zonked. I saw everyone running to the barracks, so I ran too. I was told later, that if the person in charge of the platoon says ZONK, everyone skeedaddles and whomever is still out there, at whatever time the leader decides, is placed on some type of detail, that needs to be done (CQ, duty driver...etc). My two cents...Response by SSG David Doeden made Aug 25 at 2016 8:13 AM2016-08-25T08:13:34-04:002016-08-25T08:13:34-04:00SFC Private RallyPoint Member1835145<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I was Armor, then PSYOP, now a 92 series Instructor. In 30+ years Active & Reserve, I have only heard "zonk" in this context [unexpectedly released from duty, given a "day off", etc.] from Infantry Soldiers, usually those with a Ranger tab. So maybe it literally is a grunt/Ranger thing.Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2016 9:25 AM2016-08-25T09:25:37-04:002016-08-25T09:25:37-04:00SSG Private RallyPoint Member1835403<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>In combat arms for seven years, never heard of the word. I reclass to MI and yes I was they guy standing there thinking what the hell is going on!Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2016 10:38 AM2016-08-25T10:38:51-04:002016-08-25T10:38:51-04:00MAJ Private RallyPoint Member1835505<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>we used to lay on the ground and scream ZONK!Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2016 11:03 AM2016-08-25T11:03:26-04:002016-08-25T11:03:26-04:00SPC Bob Burns1835610<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I was only in the Army from 88 - 91, but I've never heard of this. I thought "Zonk" was the sound made when Batman delivered a punch.Response by SPC Bob Burns made Aug 25 at 2016 11:38 AM2016-08-25T11:38:31-04:002016-08-25T11:38:31-04:00LTC Julio Garcia1835694<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Never heard the term in my 39 years in uniform. Of course, that was a different era!Response by LTC Julio Garcia made Aug 25 at 2016 12:01 PM2016-08-25T12:01:37-04:002016-08-25T12:01:37-04:00CPL Belmor Ramos1836101<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>zonk was the s best...the rest of the day off. never seen a hole company disappear so farResponse by CPL Belmor Ramos made Aug 25 at 2016 1:43 PM2016-08-25T13:43:43-04:002016-08-25T13:43:43-04:00SGT Private RallyPoint Member1836467<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>How is it that so many people have never been zonked? That's so sad. RIP funResponse by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2016 3:38 PM2016-08-25T15:38:24-04:002016-08-25T15:38:24-04:00SPC Private RallyPoint Member1838951<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I got zonked once at the end of OSUT at Fort Benning. We were in formation about to start PT. First Sergeant walks out, calls us too attention and then yells zonk really loudly. All the Ds's race back into the CQ. None of us had ever heard of a zonk but we took cue from our drills and hauled ass back inside.Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2016 11:34 AM2016-08-26T11:34:16-04:002016-08-26T11:34:16-04:00SGT Edward Tessmann1839740<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Never herd of the word. (Army 73-90). Do remember the symbol and the words Kilroy was here.Response by SGT Edward Tessmann made Aug 26 at 2016 4:48 PM2016-08-26T16:48:53-04:002016-08-26T16:48:53-04:001SG Private RallyPoint Member1840919<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I have heard the term and have even delivered it myself. But it was never for the whole day, just PT.Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2016 5:58 AM2016-08-27T05:58:03-04:002016-08-27T05:58:03-04:00SSG Private RallyPoint Member1841043<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Only time we got zonked from pt was at wheeler army airfield. The 1sg was on leave and the platoon SGT that was in charge zonked us from pt. every one ran to their cars/ barracks except for 3 people. It just so happened that the bde cdr, bde csm, and the division csm decided to do pt with us that day and was standing way back of the formation. Funny now but the platoon SGT got quite an ass chewing.Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2016 8:23 AM2016-08-27T08:23:43-04:002016-08-27T08:23:43-04:00LTC Jason Mackay1841710<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I must have missed this. 22 years, never once saw or heard this. Sheltered life I guessResponse by LTC Jason Mackay made Aug 27 at 2016 2:02 PM2016-08-27T14:02:08-04:002016-08-27T14:02:08-04:00Cpl Jack Gandolfo1842372<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Are you serious? Zonk?? WTF! And to try and create credibility for this pseudo-military nonsense, there's a photo of a MARINE CORPS Drill Instructor, even though all references in the promo and the post are to some supposed "Army lore". What gives, guys? Let me in on the joke, will ya? What am I missing here? Btw, I'm a rather hard core, "old school" Marine veteran of Viet Nam, and some what of an authority on mid-20th century Marine Corps slang, from the China days up to and including the Grenada and Panama incursions. So I hope you'll trust me when I tell you there's never been such a term connected with the Marine Corps... ever.Response by Cpl Jack Gandolfo made Aug 27 at 2016 7:20 PM2016-08-27T19:20:21-04:002016-08-27T19:20:21-04:00CPT Private RallyPoint Member1842433<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I was in 10 yes before I heard zonk in BOLCResponse by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2016 8:03 PM2016-08-27T20:03:13-04:002016-08-27T20:03:13-04:00SSgt Alan Cook1842995<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>zonk meant to smash or to be smashedResponse by SSgt Alan Cook made Aug 27 at 2016 11:23 PM2016-08-27T23:23:02-04:002016-08-27T23:23:02-04:00LTC Private RallyPoint Member1843824<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I zonked my company when I was a commander. It was just a way to thank everyone for working exceptionally hard during a three or four month period. It honestly took the senior NCO about 5 seconds to realize what was happening, but everyone was gone within the next 10 seconds.Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2016 11:05 AM2016-08-28T11:05:09-04:002016-08-28T11:05:09-04:00SGM Mikel Dawson1846445<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Zonk comes from the old Batman show and comic books: Zonk, Bam, Crack, smack, slam etc.Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Aug 29 at 2016 12:32 PM2016-08-29T12:32:02-04:002016-08-29T12:32:02-04:00SPC Byron Skinner1850263<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Sp4 Byron Skinner…An old term to be sure. The only times I had heard the term Zonked-Out used was she a platoon had been in the bush for about 72 hours, no food, sleep and were basically used up. They would be called Zonked-Out. First to the Mess hall or where ever some food was at. then dump the ripped up and no longer usable uniforms, a shower and to the best place to get about 12 hours sleep and the feed again…I don't know if they still do it but replacement clothing in the field was usually that left behind by the KIA's or those unfit for duty after being hit… It was considered bad luck to rip a dead troopers or a severely wounded guys name off the uniform…You wore it with pride and honor.Response by SPC Byron Skinner made Aug 30 at 2016 7:19 PM2016-08-30T19:19:09-04:002016-08-30T19:19:09-04:00Cpl Michael Crowley1851358<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I know what zonk is only because I've seen it done once. It was in my first month in the fleet and my Gunny had to assure me that the day was done before it started. It was at PT donation at 0400 and I ended up sitting in the barracks waiting for to be called back in. LolResponse by Cpl Michael Crowley made Aug 31 at 2016 8:35 AM2016-08-31T08:35:22-04:002016-08-31T08:35:22-04:00SSG Warren Swan1851419<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If you heard 1SG yell ZONK, and your ass is still there confused, you deserve the pain you've about to get and your SQD LDR will dish out. I don't know the origins, but I know even on profile, you haul ass.Response by SSG Warren Swan made Aug 31 at 2016 9:14 AM2016-08-31T09:14:04-04:002016-08-31T09:14:04-04:00SPC Anthony Caliguiri1852778<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>89-93 never heard of it before, Re upped in 05 and got zonked twice, first time I was clueless on what to do.Response by SPC Anthony Caliguiri made Aug 31 at 2016 4:38 PM2016-08-31T16:38:39-04:002016-08-31T16:38:39-04:00CPT Private RallyPoint Member1868479<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I was last Zonked at BOLC... It could have been filmed and had circus music set in the background, it must have been hilarious to see 65 2LT's disappear in an instant. Butterbars were flying over handrails, bleachers, stone retaining walls and stairs. I think that may have been the single moment in which the entire class was most motivated and cohesive, even the "less attentive" ones were gone just as fast.Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2016 5:31 PM2016-09-06T17:31:47-04:002016-09-06T17:31:47-04:00COL Private RallyPoint Member3232553<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>No idea on this one. In 33 years, I never personally experienced a "Zonk." The closest I ever got to it was "Front to rear, DISAPPEAR!" I like it though. Kind of like the bit about tankers and apricots. Who knows how these things start, but it's part of the culture that I will always love and cherish.Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2018 3:24 PM2018-01-06T15:24:27-05:002018-01-06T15:24:27-05:00PFC Thomas Napier4197580<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>While stationed at ft campbell we would have zonks , usually for a scheduled bn run . basically an excuse to give the troops a three day weekend . and we used to have " donsa's " Day of no soldierly activityResponse by PFC Thomas Napier made Dec 10 at 2018 2:20 PM2018-12-10T14:20:00-05:002018-12-10T14:20:00-05:00LTC James McElreath4197713<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>In all my years in service I have never heard the term Zonke's, sorry.Response by LTC James McElreath made Dec 10 at 2018 3:48 PM2018-12-10T15:48:04-05:002018-12-10T15:48:04-05:00SFC Jimmy Williams4199797<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Never heard it in 22 years. There were a few times in Germany, in january, during a snow storm that I would have liked it.Response by SFC Jimmy Williams made Dec 11 at 2018 11:46 AM2018-12-11T11:46:18-05:002018-12-11T11:46:18-05:00SSG Joseph VanDyck4200478<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>In 82nd ABN DIV LRS, SGT Big Daddy Kane "zonked" the troop. Greatest day ever. 1SG and the CPT just stood there.Response by SSG Joseph VanDyck made Dec 11 at 2018 3:55 PM2018-12-11T15:55:44-05:002018-12-11T15:55:44-05:00PFC John McKenzie4202696<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Please check your spelling. It is phrase. Not FrazierResponse by PFC John McKenzie made Dec 12 at 2018 1:31 PM2018-12-12T13:31:43-05:002018-12-12T13:31:43-05:00SGT Private RallyPoint Member4203269<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I was Zonked one time in my military career and subsequently had to show up at 0900 as "essential personnel". Showed up drunk since it was Friday and we were all partying immediately to kick off the weekend. I was a private who didn't know any better. They sent me back to the barracks.Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2018 5:07 PM2018-12-12T17:07:39-05:002018-12-12T17:07:39-05:00SFC Charlie Broadus II4203603<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>20 years served never heard or used the wordResponse by SFC Charlie Broadus II made Dec 12 at 2018 8:12 PM2018-12-12T20:12:47-05:002018-12-12T20:12:47-05:00SPC Private RallyPoint Member4203640<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Everyone is on profile at pt formation until the instructor yells zonk. Then everyone miraculouslly can run a sub 10 minute 2 mile.Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2018 8:29 PM2018-12-12T20:29:50-05:002018-12-12T20:29:50-05:00CPL David Thompson4204039<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Never knew where the word came from but the first time it happened I just did what everyone else did.Response by CPL David Thompson made Dec 13 at 2018 1:06 AM2018-12-13T01:06:46-05:002018-12-13T01:06:46-05:00SGT Private RallyPoint Member4204146<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I do believe that it could be attributed to the popularization of the term "Zonk" on the old 70-80s game show "Let's Make a Deal." <br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/kc4pPDf4U2A">https://youtu.be/kc4pPDf4U2A</a> <div class="pta-link-card answers-template-image type-youtube">
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Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2018 4:51 AM2018-12-13T04:51:08-05:002018-12-13T04:51:08-05:00CPT Jeff Robinette4204237<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I heard "Get the F...<br />...out of my Orderly Room" or " What the F... <br />... is this happy ass bull shit!" But I never heard Zonk!Response by CPT Jeff Robinette made Dec 13 at 2018 5:57 AM2018-12-13T05:57:14-05:002018-12-13T05:57:14-05:00CPL Vinnie Vinanti4204434<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>My 1st Bn. PT in Alaska with the 1/501st we got "Zonked". I had never heard of the term being a MEDDAC pog. People started running so I followed them got to the BAS and told everyone one there what happened.Response by CPL Vinnie Vinanti made Dec 13 at 2018 7:30 AM2018-12-13T07:30:31-05:002018-12-13T07:30:31-05:00SGT T M4205993<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The cool traditions have been erased from history by the pc crowdResponse by SGT T M made Dec 13 at 2018 6:13 PM2018-12-13T18:13:06-05:002018-12-13T18:13:06-05:00SGT Private RallyPoint Member4206696<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I've had it happen a long time ago, lol, back in 03 when we were at hood training to go over, everyone including the 1sg was still drunk/hungover for PT, that's the only time I've had it happenResponse by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2018 2:49 AM2018-12-14T02:49:42-05:002018-12-14T02:49:42-05:00MSgt John Cusolito64208387<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Way to old for this discussionResponse by MSgt John Cusolito6 made Dec 14 at 2018 4:45 PM2018-12-14T16:45:35-05:002018-12-14T16:45:35-05:00SSG Paul Fekete Jr4208722<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Retired with 24 years service, never been zonkedResponse by SSG Paul Fekete Jr made Dec 14 at 2018 6:46 PM2018-12-14T18:46:22-05:002018-12-14T18:46:22-05:00SFC Rob Thiele4209010<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I must be a lucky SOB. I've been Zonked twice and done the Sinking once! 1st time we got zonked was Germany in the late 80s. Everyone takes off and I immediately follow yelling "What the he'll is going on??"Response by SFC Rob Thiele made Dec 14 at 2018 9:33 PM2018-12-14T21:33:26-05:002018-12-14T21:33:26-05:00SSG Jess Peters4209339<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Served 65 to 85 in the Army. Never heard of zonk.Response by SSG Jess Peters made Dec 15 at 2018 2:03 AM2018-12-15T02:03:11-05:002018-12-15T02:03:11-05:00SFC Private RallyPoint Member4209964<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>3rd BDE 1st ID, 2009, BDE Commander Zonked the BDE at the start of the BDE run after finishing OEF 8-9 deployment.Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2018 10:01 AM2018-12-15T10:01:46-05:002018-12-15T10:01:46-05:00SGT Miles Thornton4210044<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>12 years in the Army (82-94); never once heard this term...Response by SGT Miles Thornton made Dec 15 at 2018 10:42 AM2018-12-15T10:42:26-05:002018-12-15T10:42:26-05:00SGT Lance Snyder4212621<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>At Bragg my Battalion CDR zonked an 8 mile battalion run, then the next month we did a 10 mile run in area JResponse by SGT Lance Snyder made Dec 16 at 2018 11:03 AM2018-12-16T11:03:32-05:002018-12-16T11:03:32-05:00SGT Jeremy Lee4213876<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>First time I heard zonk I was at Fort Huachuca and I didn’t know what was going on but I figured everyone else was running to their vehicles so I should probably do the same thing.Response by SGT Jeremy Lee made Dec 16 at 2018 9:11 PM2018-12-16T21:11:03-05:002018-12-16T21:11:03-05:00SSG Ken Gilder4343835<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>My experience, was that "to zonk out," meant "to go to sleep."Response by SSG Ken Gilder made Feb 5 at 2019 4:39 PM2019-02-05T16:39:38-05:002019-02-05T16:39:38-05:00SSG Ken Gilder4343836<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>My experience was that "to zonk out," meant "to go to sleep."Response by SSG Ken Gilder made Feb 5 at 2019 4:41 PM2019-02-05T16:41:03-05:002019-02-05T16:41:03-05:00LTC K B6679044<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>After 26 years in the Army, I first heard this slang in January 2021 in a conversation between two very young Captains while working as a contractor. Lol, I immediately felt even more decrepit.Response by LTC K B made Jan 21 at 2021 6:38 AM2021-01-21T06:38:41-05:002021-01-21T06:38:41-05:002016-08-19T14:31:01-04:00