What are the origins of the military term, "Zonk"?

SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 14:31:01 -0400

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....

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2016 2:49 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 14:49:35 -0400

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. lol

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Aug 19 at 2016 3:07 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 15:07:24 -0400

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 MSG Brad Sand made Aug 19 at 2016 4:21 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 16:21:50 -0400

It might be from the old Batman television show? One of the words used to describe when you hit something?

Response by SFC John Hill made Aug 19 at 2016 4:37 PM

SFC John Hill — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 16:37:59 -0400

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 SSG Karl Fowler made Aug 24 at 2016 6:13 PM

SSG Karl Fowler — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 18:13:23 -0400

in my 20 plus yrs in the Army I never here of the word zonk except in comic books when I was a lot younger

Response by SP5 Roberta Sanchez made Aug 24 at 2016 10:11 PM

SP5 Roberta Sanchez — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 22:11:47 -0400

I thought zonk was the bad prize on "Let's Make a deal!"

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2016 11:51 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 23:51:17 -0400

"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 SSG Richard Munson made Aug 25 at 2016 12:31 AM

SSG Richard Munson — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 00:31:24 -0400

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 SPC Carson Byrne made Aug 25 at 2016 2:05 AM

SPC Carson Byrne — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 02:05:55 -0400

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 runs

Response by SSG David Doeden made Aug 25 at 2016 8:13 AM

SSG David Doeden — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 08:13:34 -0400

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 SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2016 9:25 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 09:25:37 -0400

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 SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2016 10:38 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 10:38:51 -0400

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 MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2016 11:03 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 11:03:26 -0400

we used to lay on the ground and scream ZONK!

Response by SPC Bob Burns made Aug 25 at 2016 11:38 AM

SPC Bob Burns — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 11:38:31 -0400

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 LTC Julio Garcia made Aug 25 at 2016 12:01 PM

LTC Julio Garcia — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 12:01:37 -0400

Never heard the term in my 39 years in uniform. Of course, that was a different era!

Response by CPL Belmor Ramos made Aug 25 at 2016 1:43 PM

CPL Belmor Ramos — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 13:43:43 -0400

zonk was the s best...the rest of the day off. never seen a hole company disappear so far

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2016 3:38 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 15:38:24 -0400

How is it that so many people have never been zonked? That's so sad. RIP fun

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2016 11:34 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 11:34:16 -0400

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 SGT Edward Tessmann made Aug 26 at 2016 4:48 PM

SGT Edward Tessmann — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 16:48:53 -0400

Never herd of the word. (Army 73-90). Do remember the symbol and the words Kilroy was here.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2016 5:58 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 05:58:03 -0400

I have heard the term and have even delivered it myself. But it was never for the whole day, just PT.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2016 8:23 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 08:23:43 -0400

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 LTC Jason Mackay made Aug 27 at 2016 2:02 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 14:02:08 -0400

I must have missed this. 22 years, never once saw or heard this. Sheltered life I guess

Response by Cpl Jack Gandolfo made Aug 27 at 2016 7:20 PM

Cpl Jack Gandolfo — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 19:20:21 -0400

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 CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2016 8:03 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 20:03:13 -0400

I was in 10 yes before I heard zonk in BOLC

Response by SSgt Alan Cook made Aug 27 at 2016 11:23 PM

SSgt Alan Cook — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 23:23:02 -0400

zonk meant to smash or to be smashed

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2016 11:05 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Aug 2016 11:05:09 -0400

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 SGM Mikel Dawson made Aug 29 at 2016 12:32 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 12:32:02 -0400

Zonk comes from the old Batman show and comic books: Zonk, Bam, Crack, smack, slam etc.

Response by SPC Byron Skinner made Aug 30 at 2016 7:19 PM

SPC Byron Skinner — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 19:19:09 -0400

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 Cpl Michael Crowley made Aug 31 at 2016 8:35 AM

Cpl Michael Crowley — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 08:35:22 -0400

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. Lol

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Aug 31 at 2016 9:14 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 09:14:04 -0400

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 SPC Anthony Caliguiri made Aug 31 at 2016 4:38 PM

SPC Anthony Caliguiri — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 16:38:39 -0400

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 CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2016 5:31 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 17:31:47 -0400

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 COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2018 3:24 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 15:24:27 -0500

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 PFC Thomas Napier made Dec 10 at 2018 2:20 PM

PFC Thomas Napier — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 14:20:00 -0500

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 activity

Response by LTC James McElreath made Dec 10 at 2018 3:48 PM

LTC James McElreath — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 15:48:04 -0500

In all my years in service I have never heard the term Zonke's, sorry.

Response by SFC Jimmy Williams made Dec 11 at 2018 11:46 AM

SFC Jimmy Williams — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 11:46:18 -0500

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 SSG Joseph VanDyck made Dec 11 at 2018 3:55 PM

SSG Joseph VanDyck — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 15:55:44 -0500

In 82nd ABN DIV LRS, SGT Big Daddy Kane "zonked" the troop. Greatest day ever. 1SG and the CPT just stood there.

Response by PFC John McKenzie made Dec 12 at 2018 1:31 PM

PFC John McKenzie — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 13:31:43 -0500

Please check your spelling. It is phrase. Not Frazier

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2018 5:07 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 17:07:39 -0500

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 SFC Charlie Broadus II made Dec 12 at 2018 8:12 PM

SFC Charlie Broadus II — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 20:12:47 -0500

20 years served never heard or used the word

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2018 8:29 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 20:29:50 -0500

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 CPL David Thompson made Dec 13 at 2018 1:06 AM

CPL David Thompson — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 01:06:46 -0500

Never knew where the word came from but the first time it happened I just did what everyone else did.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2018 4:51 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 04:51:08 -0500

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."

https://youtu.be/kc4pPDf4U2A

10 minutes of the Let's Make a Deal zonk cue

AAAAAAAAAH MORE VIDEOS! Hey, you think that's bad? I have about 100 waiting to go up. Anyway, my 10 minutes of _______ videos are pretty popular (for reasons...

Response by CPT Jeff Robinette made Dec 13 at 2018 5:57 AM

CPT Jeff Robinette — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 05:57:14 -0500

I heard "Get the F...
...out of my Orderly Room" or " What the F...
... is this happy ass bull shit!" But I never heard Zonk!

Response by CPL Vinnie Vinanti made Dec 13 at 2018 7:30 AM

CPL Vinnie Vinanti — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 07:30:31 -0500

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 SGT T M made Dec 13 at 2018 6:13 PM

SGT T M — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 18:13:06 -0500

The cool traditions have been erased from history by the pc crowd

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2018 2:49 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 02:49:42 -0500

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 happen

Response by MSgt John Cusolito6 made Dec 14 at 2018 4:45 PM

MSgt John Cusolito6 — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 16:45:35 -0500

Way to old for this discussion

Response by SSG Paul Fekete Jr made Dec 14 at 2018 6:46 PM

SSG Paul Fekete Jr — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 18:46:22 -0500

Retired with 24 years service, never been zonked

Response by SFC Rob Thiele made Dec 14 at 2018 9:33 PM

SFC Rob Thiele — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 21:33:26 -0500

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 SSG Jess Peters made Dec 15 at 2018 2:03 AM

SSG Jess Peters — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 02:03:11 -0500

Served 65 to 85 in the Army. Never heard of zonk.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2018 10:01 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 10:01:46 -0500

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 SGT Miles Thornton made Dec 15 at 2018 10:42 AM

SGT Miles Thornton — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 10:42:26 -0500

12 years in the Army (82-94); never once heard this term...

Response by SGT Lance Snyder made Dec 16 at 2018 11:03 AM

SGT Lance Snyder — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 11:03:32 -0500

At Bragg my Battalion CDR zonked an 8 mile battalion run, then the next month we did a 10 mile run in area J

Response by SGT Jeremy Lee made Dec 16 at 2018 9:11 PM

SGT Jeremy Lee — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 21:11:03 -0500

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 SSG Ken Gilder made Feb 5 at 2019 4:39 PM

SSG Ken Gilder — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 16:39:38 -0500

My experience, was that "to zonk out," meant "to go to sleep."

Response by SSG Ken Gilder made Feb 5 at 2019 4:41 PM

SSG Ken Gilder — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 16:41:03 -0500

My experience was that "to zonk out," meant "to go to sleep."

Response by LTC K B made Jan 21 at 2021 6:38 AM

LTC K B — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 06:38:41 -0500

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.