Flash on esp armed forces web

ESP Series

Audio files in MP3 format are available online at www.elionline.com

FLASH on English

English for the ARMED FORCES

FLASH on English for the ARMED FORCES is specifically designed for students in the military and peacekeeping forces.

It introduces the vocabulary and the language functions specific to this language sector, and includes practice exercises in all four skills.

Harold J. Williams

FLASH on

Harold J. Williams

ESP Series

FLASH on

English for the ARMED FORCES

for the armed forces

Downloadable MP3 Audio Files

B

IS

r fo S l. h 1 .r. lis CE 7I s ng R 24 EL E FO 6-2 on D 53 h ME 8as R -8 Fl e A 978 th N

www.elionline.com

Contents Unit

1

Topic

Vocabulary

Skills

Basic Equipment

Parts of the uniform Personal weapons Military Time

Reading: clothing, equipment and weapons Listening: a soldier talking about a new type of uniform; a sergeant telling the hours in Military Time

In Barracks

In barracks: layout and directions Key buildings Health and security in barracks

Reading: how barracks are organized Listening: completing a text about barracks facilities; a soldier talking about responsibilities Speaking: a short presentation about life in the barracks

Army Organization

Ranks and formations Staff appointments Headquarters Military etiquette

Reading: rank organization in the armed forces; military headquarters Listening: an officer explaining military etiquette Speaking: describing one’s rank

Keeping Fit

Common physical exercises Obstacle courses Parts of the body The Fireman’s Lift

Reading: a text about fitness and obstacle courses; how to perform the Fireman’s Lift Listening: instructions given to soldiers during training Speaking: explaining an obstacle course

Communication in the Army

Parts of a radio Radio sets Radio communication Military Alphabet

Reading: a text about how radio communication works; the Military Alphabet Listening: completing a radio communication; how to pronounce digits in the Military Alphabet Speaking: performing a radio communication

On the Move!

Types of transport Convoys: ambushes and drills Traffic signs

Reading: a text about different types of land transport; road and transport signs; naval ships and aircrafts Listening: completing a text about what to do in an ambush

Urban Operations

Describing UOs Weapons and defence in urban scenarios

Reading: a text about different types of land transport; road and transport signs; naval ships and aircrafts Listening: completing a text about what to do in an ambush; a soldier talking about secondary effects of booby traps Speaking: describing ideal buildings for protection

Rural Operations

Camouflage and concealment Observation posts Tactical movement Visual signalling

Reading: a text about different types of camouflage and concealment; what observation posts are; a text about individual movement techniques; how to understand visual signalling Listening: how to understand light, noise and movement in concealment; suggestions about tactical movement

pp. 4-7

2 pp. 8-11

3 pp. 12-15

4 pp. 16-19

5 pp. 20-23

6 pp. 24-27

7 pp. 28-31

8 pp. 32-35 2

Unit

9

Topic

Vocabulary

Skills

Maps and Navigation

Topographic maps Grid references Terrain features

Reading: how to read topographic maps; what reference grids are; how to recognise terrain features Listening: completing a text about contour lines Speaking: reading a map; locating features on a map by their coordinates

Military Technology

Ammunition and explosives Body armour Drones Night vision devices

Reading: a text about ammunition and its classifications; a text on personal protective equipment Listening: what happens when you fire a gun; completing a text about ballistic vests

Combat Arms

Field and air troops Special Operations Armoured vehicles

Reading: a text about the different types of combat arms; what Combat Support forces are; a text about artillery Listening: understanding the description of armoured fighting vehicles Speaking: performing a roleplay

Medical Services

First Aid kits Combat injuries

Reading: a text about the different types of first aid kits; common injuries; a text about emergency evacuation of casualties Listening: understanding a medic talking about casualty management; completing a table with the correct precedence code

Military Alliances

UN and its principal organs NATO organization Coalition forces

Reading: texts about military alliances; the United Nations and NATO Listening: understanding a text about alliances; NATO Article 5 Speaking: describing one’s experience in a coalition force

Peacekeeping

Peacekeeping operations Force protection

Reading: a text about the tasks and the importance of peacekeeping; the effects of peacekeeping missions on soldiers; understanding the cultural concerns of peacekeeping Speaking: talking about the importance of peacekeeping in your country

Applying for a Job

Curriculum Vitae Covering letter Tips for a successful interview

Reading: how to write a CV and a covering letter; tips for getting a job Speaking: discuss the suitability of a candidate compared to a job post Writing: production of a covering letter and a simulation of an interview

pp. 36-39

10 pp. 40-43

11 pp. 44-47

12 pp. 48-51

13 pp. 52-55

14 pp. 56-59

15 pp. 60-63

1 MP3 audio ďŹ les downloadable from www.elionline.com

3

1 1

Basic Equipment

Read the texts and answer the questions.

A military uniform is the standardised dress worn by members of the armed forces.

Most military forces have developed several different uniform types, including combat dress, working dress, service or ordinary duty uniforms and even ceremonial full dress for very special occasions.

However the word ‘uniform’ usually refers to some form of camouflage uniform for training and active service.

Camouflage uniforms are cheap, comfortable and very practical, so nowadays they have become the usual dress for daily wear in most armies. Most importantly, camouflaged clothes allow soldiers to blend into the area they are operating in, becoming virtually ‘invisible’.

The basic uniform items are boots, trousers, a T-shirt, a jacket and headgear (a helmet). Of course, soldiers carry other items with them, so a rucksack and loadbearing equipment (a webbing or a more practical vest) are very useful to carry things such as ammo pouches, a water flask (canteen), a flashlight, a blade (bayonet), a compass, binoculars and a pistol holster.

A personal weapon is a firearm given to an individual member of a military unit. The most common weapons are pistols and rifles.

A pistol is a very handy weapon. It is lighter and smaller than other firearms. Nowadays, almost all pistols are semi-automatic, which means soldiers don’t need to replace the bullets after each round. Because of these features, they are most useful in a close-combat scenario.

A rifle is a long-barrel firearm, designed to be fired from the shoulder.

It takes its name after the rifling, that is the helical groove (or pattern of grooves) cut into the barrel walls. This pattern allows the bullet to follow a spinning path that gives stability to the projectile and prevents tumbling, while also improving range and accuracy.

In some cases rifles can mount a scope, a bayonet, and a bipod.

Rifles too are semi-automatic weapons, while assault rifles, classed as machine-guns, are fully-automatic: this means it will continue to fire without you continuing to have to pull the trigger.

4

An officer’s handgun also has a very symbolic role. When a unit is defeated, the commanding officer hands over his personal service pistol to the enemy commander, making the defeat clear and accepting surrender.

1 Military Time is based on a 24-hour (or digital) clock: the day runs from midnight to midnight and is divided into 24 hours.

The day starts at midnight and is written as 00:00, while the last minute of the day is written as 23:59 (sometimes as 24:00). Military Time allows more precision than Standard Time, since it eliminates the need for the ‘a.m.’ and ‘p.m.’ specifications.

Military Time is sometimes referred to as ‘24-hour time’.

When speaking in Military Time, 07:00 may be stated as ‘zero seven hundred’ or ‘oh seven hundred’. Also, these time stamps are often written without the colon: so, 07:52 would rather be written 0752.

12:00 a.m. is usually referred to as both 0000 and 2400 hours. Clocks which can display Military Time, however, always display this time of day as 0000 (and not as 2400).

1 2 3 4 5 6

2

Can you describe the items of a uniform?

When is a ceremonial full dress worn?

What is the symbolic role of an officer’s handgun?

What is the difference between a rifle and an assault rifle?

What is rifling?

What is the main difference between Civilian and Military Time?

Name each part of the uniform.

1 _____________________ 1

2 _____________________ 3 _____________________ 4 _____________________

2

5 _____________________ 6 _____________________

3

4

5

6

3

Match the words with their definitions.

1 2 3 4 5 6

ammo pouch camouflage scope bullet assault rifle bayonet

a b c d e f

a fully-automatic shoulder-mounted weapon a long sharp blade a pouch for carrying ammunition clothes that soldiers wear to make themselves more difficult to see a viewing instrument a small piece of metal shot from a gun

5

1 4

5

Write the name of each item of a soldier’s equipment.

1 ___________________

2 ___________________

3 ___________________

4 ___________________

5 ___________________

6 ___________________

7 ___________________

8 ___________________

Read the texts again and decide if the following sentences are true (T) or false (F), then correct the false ones.

T F 1 2 3 4 5 6

6

A semi-automatic pistol needs to be charged between rounds.

Every rifle comes with a scope.

You can wear a rucksack and a webbing together.

You can’t put a rifle on a bipod.

A pistol is easier to handle than a rifle.

A soldier can wear many different types of uniforms.

1

Listen to a soldier talking about a new type of uniform and complete the text.

This is a brand new type of (1) ________________ uniform used by many military (2) ________________ and it’s not just a camouflage one, but it stretches (3) ________________. It’s a uniform made from specific materials that ‘bend (4) ________________ around the wearer’ so that they become partially (5) ________________ across certain spectrums. So, these uniforms not only break up the (6) ________________ of the soldier for use on the (7) ________________ during the daytime, but also employ a distinctive appearance that makes them difficult to (8) ________________ with light amplification devices, such as Night-Vision Goggles (NVGs).

7

Read the texts on pages 4-6 again and choose the correct answer.

1 Rifling gives a bullet a stability. b more speed. a spinning path. c 2 A bayonet can be mounted on a a pistol. b a rifle. a scope. c 3 The a b c

6

main feature of camouflaged clothes: they are easily washed. they are lightweight. they allow soldiers to blend into the area they are in.

1 4 A scope can be mounted on a a pistol. b a rifle. c both pistols and rifles.

5 Military Time is sometimes referred to as a ‘24-hour time’. b ‘12-hour time’. c ‘Normal Time’.

6 Military Time can a only be shown on digital clocks. b only be shown on analogue clocks. c be shown on both digital and analogue clocks.

8

Rewrite this timetable from Civilian Time into Military Time.

Civilian Time

Military Time

12.00 a.m.

3.15.30 p.m.

6.25 a.m.

11.59 p.m.

1.40 p.m.

11.40.57 a.m.

9

2 Listen to a sergeant telling the hours in Military Time, and write them in Civilian Time.

1 ________________________________ 2 ________________________________ 3 ________________________________ 4 ________________________________ 5 ________________________________ 6 ________________________________

MY GLOSSARY analogue / nəlɒ / _____________________________ blend /blend/ __________________________________ camouflage /k məflɑ / ________________________ canteen /k n ti n/ ______________________________ cheap /tʃi p/ ___________________________________ compass / k mpəs/ _____________________________ defeat /di fi t/ _________________________________ digital / did itəl/ _______________________________ feature / fi tʃə/ _________________________________ full dress /fυl dres/ _____________________________

groove / ru v/ _________________________________ handle / h ndəl/ _______________________________ holster / həυlstə/ _______________________________ rifling / raifəliŋ/ _______________________________ round / raυnd/ _________________________________ rucksack / r ks k/ _____________________________ scope /skəυp/ __________________________________ trigger / tri ə/ _________________________________ vest /vest/_____________________________________ webbing / webiŋ/ ______________________________

7

2 1

In Barracks

Read the texts and decide if the sentences are true (T) or false (F), then correct the false ones.

Barracks are large buildings used to house soldiers.

These buildings include the quarters for soldiers and officers, with their messes and recreation establishments, regimental offices, shops, stores, stables, vehicle sheds and other accessory buildings for military or domestic purposes.

Rooms are usually planned for 12 soldiers: this allows for a greater privacy than it did in the past, when rooms were bigger, while keeping up the feeling of comradeship which plays an important part in the soldiers’ training. Windows are on each side of the room, and the beds are spaced in between; over each bed is a locker and shelf where soldiers keep their kit, and their rifles stand near the head of the bed.

Shared shower, bath and sink facilities are usually provided close to the rooms.

Adjacent to the barrack blocks are the dining rooms where tables and any other pieces of furniture are arranged to make the most of the space, so that all the men can dine simultaneously.

Next to the dining room is the cook house where the meals are cooked, and served direct to the dining rooms. Under the kitchen block is a basement containing the boiler for heating the dining rooms and another one for the supply of hot water to baths and sinks. In some cases there is also a hot-air furnace for heating drying rooms, where soldiers can dry their clothes after a wet day in the open.

Not far there is the recreation establishment, or soldiers’ club, where soldiers go for relaxation when they are off duty. On the ground floor there is a large room with a stage for lectures or entertainments, a supper bar for light refreshments and tables for suppers. A grocery shop is provided where the men and their families may buy goods at wholesale price.

On the first floor there is a billiard and games room, reading room and library.

Near the recreation establishment is the canteen, where they sell beer only. There is a bar for the soldiers, and a separate room for corporals.

Senior non-commissioned officers have their meals in a separate mess, containing the same facilities as the soldiers’ one.

The officers’ quarters are usually in a storey over the mess itself. Each officer has a large room, part of which is partitioned off for a bedroom, and the field officers are allowed two rooms.

A detached house, with sitting rooms, bedrooms and dressing rooms, bathroom, kitchen, servants’ hall, and the usual accessories, is provided for the commanding officer.

Sports activities play a big part in a soldier’s life, so barracks have sport and fitness facilities too. There’s a wide range of sporting activities to choose from in the fitness centre: swimming, exercising at the indoor gym, which provides thorough cardiovascular and strength training equipment (climbing wall, martial arts, power lifting, basketball/volleyball court), or practising outdoor activities such as football, rugby, athletics.

Use of the gym is free to all service personnel: since practising sport is not just a way to keep fit, it is an excellent way of developing team spirit and individual confidence.

8

2 Location of Barracks.

In the past, barracks were usually built in large towns where troops would be at hand. In the present day, the countryside is preferred as this provides for a better sanitary location, and military training can be carried out more effectively. The leading principle of barrack policy must be to facilitate the training of the army for war, and this can only be done by locating troops in large quarters, where they have space for training, gun and rifle practice, and manoeuvring.

Barracks can be inspected on an informal basis 2-3 times a week. While living in the barracks, soldiers may expect to receive two types of inspections.

Periodic inspections may or may not be announced, and are mainly to ensure that the room is in good condition (bed made, room clean), but should include physical security compliance, equipment failures, and maintenance issues.

Health and Welfare Inspections (HWI) are never announced and usually occur around 0200 hours. They are thorough inspections for any contraband, and are usually accompanied by a urinalysis test. These inspections usually require coordination with military police for drug dogs or other assets.

T

F

1 Soldiers are allowed to cook in their own rooms.

2 Soldiers can dry their clothes in the drying rooms.

3 The soldiers’ club is a place soldiers go for relaxation.

4 Officers’ quarters have sitting rooms.

5 Soldiers can make modifications in their rooms.

6 Barracks are inspected once a week.

RULES FOR THE BARRACKS RU You can’t smoke in the building. If you are a smoker, you have to go outside.

You can’t keep candles, burners, or any kind of combustibles in the buildings.

Do not swap rooms with anyone else, and do not remove any furniture items from the room. You are signed for everything in your own room: that means you are responsible for that specific room and all that is in it.

If you break it, you buy it. If it comes up missing while you are signed for it…you buy it!

You can’t have any pets in the barracks.

2

Read the texts again and choose the correct answer.

1 What a soldier can’t keep in his room? a a rifle b a stove c a phone

4 Gyms are open to a soldiers only. soldiers and officers. b c all personnel.

2 Soldiers can dry their wet clothes in a the bathrooms. b the drying rooms. c their rooms.

5 Smokers can smoke a everywhere. b only outside the buildings. c in smoking rooms.

3 Officers have meals a in their rooms. b in the soldiers’ messes. c in their messes.

6 A Health and Welfare Inspection occurs during daytime. a b on fixed days. at night. c

9

2 3

4

In which barracks room/area can you find these objects?

1 ________________________________________

5 ________________________________________

2 ________________________________________

6 ________________________________________

3 ________________________________________

7 ________________________________________

4 ________________________________________

8 ________________________________________

3 Complete the text about barracks’ facilities with the words from the box. Then listen and check. muddy

dryers

furnished

climbing

billiard

vehicles

backpacks

facilities

laundry

floor

Each floor of the barracks building has a (1) ________________ room: there are several washers and (2) ________________ that are free of charge for soldiers to wash their clothes. Usually there are general purpose washrooms too for washing boots, (3) ________________ and other (4) ________________ items so we don’t have to clean our equipment in our bathrooms.

The barracks buildings have day rooms on each (5) ________________, which are centrally located in the buildings. Day rooms are (6) ________________ with chairs, tables, couches, a large TV, and a (7) ________________ table.

Sports (8) ________________ are available to all personnel and include a well-equipped gym, an indoor (9) ________________ wall, a rugby pitch, an assault course.

Parking is available for personal owned (10) ________________ (trucks, cars, vans, motorcycles), but it is only allowed in the designated parking lots.

10

2 5

Answers the questions.

1 2 3 4 5 6

Where are barracks built nowadays? Why? Why is sport important?

Are dogs used during inspections? Why? Are soldiers and officers quartered in the same barracks?

What is the leading principle of barrack policy?

Why should troops be located in large quarters?

6

Draw the ideal layout of a barracks.

7

4 Listen to a soldier talking about a soldier’s responsibilities, then complete the text with the missing words.

Soldiers are responsible for the (1) ________________ and (2) ________________ of the assigned room and shared spaces.

Removal or (3) ________________ of any furniture is not authorized: soldiers residing in the (4) ________________ will be held financially responsible for any and all furniture and appliances assigned to them. Hot plates, (5) ________________ skillets and similar small electrical appliances are not (6) ________________ in the barracks.

Soldiers’ rooms and common areas must (7) ________________ with health and safety regulations.

Residents are (8) ________________ for all visitors’ actions or negligence in the barracks.

Lost or stolen room keys will be immediately reported to the SSH staff. Residents will be held financially responsible for the cost of replacing keys or locks.

8

Speaking Prepare a short presentation about a soldier’s life in the barracks.

MY GLOSSARY basement / beismənt/ ___________________________ burner / b nə/ _________________________________ compliance /kəm plaiəns/ _______________________ comradeship / kɒmreidʃip/ ______________________ confidence / kɒnfidəns/ _________________________ dry /drai/ _____________________________________ furnace / f nis/ ________________________________ ground floor / raυnd flɔ /________________________

locker / lɒkə/ __________________________________ mess /mes/ ____________________________________ non-commissioned / nɒnkə miʃənd/ _______________ quarters / kwɔ təz/ _____________________________ storey / stɔ ri/ __________________________________ swap /swɒp/ ___________________________________ urinalysis / jərə n ləsəs/ ________________________ wholesale / həυlse l/ ____________________________

11