What catch-phrase used by veterans instantly identifies in which branch of service they serve(d)?

CDR Kenneth Kaiser - I was attached as NBC NCO to a Combat Support Hospital during a multi-unit field exercise at Ft Gordon. For logistical reasons I was co-located with the commo section who - except for their SGT - were all wiremen, not operators. She (the SGT) was crosstraining them as operators as time permitted, but they weren't there yet. I earned Amateur and Commercial radio licenses in Jr. High, so I helped out when my NBC duties were light. We were running three 10-line switchboards for landlines, plus multiple PRC-77, FM handhelds, cell-phone and sat-phone networks, all on one table with 3 chairs - much fun.

The operator in charge of the radio net, from 1 or 2 HQs up, was fond of chastising - on air - anyone who violated radio protocols. After the 3rd or 4th time he corrected someone about "repeat" in the same afternoon, he got on the main net and made the following all-stations call:
"All stations on the net, all stations on the net, this is <call sign>. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT use the term romeo echo papa echo alpha tango on the air. <call sign> out."
I could hear the smug, holier-than-thou tone in his voice as he said it. The commo SGT and I just looked at each other and shrugged - not our circus, not our monkey.

Good times...

P.S. - If you missed the irony, go re-read the all-stations message one word at a time.

SGT Charles Kime - I remember when I was riding small boats in Viet Nam we often worked with the Army units in the area. Lots of good times. The most memorable transmission was from an engaged unit "Receiving friendly fire, returning same" That was classic.

My retired Navy husband and I still use many terms like, "Say Again." I say, "It's time to turn to" to someone else and they reply, "Turn to what?"

"How copy?" I had an S3 who was prior commo enlisted and always yelled, "with a pencil!"

You mean your CO Chief?

We all take orders from someone, Sir. Even after retirement.....

Especially after retirement.

Off-duty supervisor

PO2 David M Fossum – Thanks for responding!

I learned about geedunk in the White House (which, from the military POV, is a US Naval Base).

That was me in basic. 5'10, 123lbs. When we finally got privileges to the small annex I could fit a bag of double stuffed Oreo cookies in each cargo pocket and you couldn't tell. Imagine what else I could smuggle back. Other than pack mule, I also doubled as the barracks barber and therapist.

'REMF" has been lovingly replaced by "FOBBIT"

Rear echelons mother fer

Maj Scott Selchert – Thanks for responding...please be sure to connect!

Or: : "you'd bitch uf someone shit in yer chow!" Hey, a bitching sailor is a happy sailor.

You had to mention Staff Meetings? and in some units they had Pre Meetings to the Staff Meetings..

Now my head hurts..

Also as an exclamation point.