A fork of Rural Dictionary
US Army slang commonly used during the Vietnam War; it probably originated during World War II and stands for STRictly ACcording (to regulations). It was an epithet applied to officers and NCOs who 'go by the book' and seem totally unable to think for themselves. It describes the military equivalent of a Jobsworth, frequently linked with REMF.
"That STRAC REMF insists on a formal parade before we go out into the boonies to hunt Charlie."
1970's US military acronym, still in use today.
Amongst officers: Strategic, Tough, Ready Around the Clock.
Amongst enlisted: SHIT! The Russians are coming!
The second sense referring jocularly to the readiness level that was needed in "rapid deployment" units -- troops who would need to activate/deploy in as little as 2 hours if the Russians really were coming (Cold War)
"You've all got inspection at 0700 hours tomorrow. That's a full gear inspection by the CO, and you BETTER be looking STRAC!"
STRictly ACcording (to regulations) an epithet applied to officers and NCOs who 'go by the book' and seem totally unable to think for themselves. The military equivalent of a Jobsworth, frequently linked with REMF.
Frequent complaint from the Vietnam War, "That STRAC REMF insisted we polish our boots before going out into the boonies to hunt Charlie"
In the post-war period the US Army was divided into units that were ready for immediate action, and units, such as National Guard, that would require training before being deployed. Units ready for immediate service were part of the Strategic Army Corps, or STRAC. Anything that was good-to-go could be considered "strac".
Look at how clean and squared-away that barracks is; it's strac.