Stupid questions. I got one of 'em

[Bill]

When the military is communicating over the radio, what does it mean when they end the call sign with "actual," as in, this is Bravo Delta actual, requesting airship support to engage the asshole who just cut me off in traffic?

[Mike Mercury]

Originally Posted by bill_daniels

When the military is communicating over the radio, what does it mean when they end the call sign with "actual," as in, this is Bravo Delta actual, requesting airship support to engage the asshole who just cut me off in traffic?

you sure it's not "alpha" ?

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Mike Mercury

you sure it's not "alpha" ?

I mean, I'm pretty sure they are saying "actual." I've heard it in several war movies of various vintages.

[Vandelay Industries]

What the actual ****?

[dvarapala]

Originally Posted by bill_daniels

When the military is communicating over the radio, what does it mean when they end the call sign with "actual," as in, this is Bravo Delta actual, requesting airship support to engage the asshole who just cut me off in traffic?

"Galactica Actual" == Commander Adama, i.e. the Captain of the ship.

YW

[Torqaholic]

Did plenty of military radio ops. Never heard that word used as part of a call sign. My guess is hollyweird types are too stupid or lazy to look up the alphabetic code used by the military and simply substituted "Actual" for "Alpha".

[higgyburners]

you post too much

[Torqaholic]

[DJ_Critterus]

Originally Posted by bill_daniels

When the military is communicating over the radio, what does it mean when they end the call sign with "actual," as in, this is Bravo Delta actual, requesting airship support to engage the asshole who just cut me off in traffic?

I was a commo officer so let me explain. We have certain call signs for certain leadership or sections.

In shit-hole-istan, my battalion's call sign was "Thor."

My Commo shop was referred to as S-6. (staff-6th section). On calls, vedeo conferences, etc, we were referred to as Thor 1-6. (Thor One Six..... Commander of any element is called The 6). But, as the officer in Charge, if I wanted it known that it was me on the call, I would identify myself as Thor 1-6 Actual. It meant that the officer in charge was the one speaking.

See, usually the commander, officer, or higher enlisted ranks such as the 1st Sergeant or Command Sergeant Major have radio operators or assistant with them and they will relay all messages to and from the leader. When the leader wants to do it himself/herself then they will take the comms device and say (in my case), "This is Thor One Six Actual. Quit ****ing around and blah blah blah." Very rarely did you want to hear actual on the horn unless you asked to speak directly to them. Meant and ass chewing was going to happen for everyone else to hear.

Simple enough?