The Occasional Buzzword

Every workplace has its own jargon.  Here there is a lot of empty phraseology and use of the passive voice, much of it imported from the military, that some people have incorporated into their routine style of speaking in an effort to sound informed and keyed in.  And yes, it makes them sound like blustering know-nothings at times.  Luckily, there are some people who have kept their sense of humor and sense of perspective.  So there is a now famous draft cable that has been furtively shared but never sent out, not that it would ever get clearance.  It's too long to re-print here.  But here are excerpts:

"Subject:  A Key Strategic Tipping-Point Game-Changer

In Afghanistan, the next step could be a key strategic tipping-point game-changer.  By leaning forward in the foxhole and checking the headspace and timing of the program, we could grab the low-hanging fruit while staying at the 30,000 foot level...  The remaining challenge is to socialize the stakeholders and operationalize the cultural coordination across the interagency....  Once the concept has been solidified, we will need to nest it...  The primary challenge has become the ability to get fidelity on the problem set.  Secondarily we need to shape the battlefield and dial it in.  After getting smart so that we do not lose the bubble, the long pole in the tent needs to be identified.  Once we have pinned the rose on someone, then we must send them downrange.  Then we must define the delta so that it can be lashed up.... We must also ensure that the time from flash to bang is short.  Fundamental is the requirement that the key strategic tipping-point game-changer be made to pop.  If it does not pop, it should be devolved and then taken offline.  After adjusting, it is important to brief, so that we can tee off and drill down on it.  It is a go if it is calibrated to the topic.  If not, fears about a resurgent corruption capacity nexus could be realized....  Unity of effort is a big problem especially the first and second orders of effect.  If there is a failure to birddog it, more crosstalk and crosspollination will be required.  Situational awareness is key but it is also important to operationalize the laydown.  Once there has been an operationalization of the concept of incentivization, then it can be distilled and put on a map.  That, of course, does not define the end state or address structural laydowns or possible electronic graveyard issues.  Those issues need to be racked and stacked before going in front of what will become the touchstone entity.  Concomitant risks include becoming a traffic accident in search of an intersection and failure to check the azimuth or define the left and right.  Probably nothing in Afghanistan is as important as the deep dive.  Once the deep dive has been scrubbed, a hot wash can be done.  After that, a cold wash can be dialed in.  The delta can be large, making a drill down difficult, if the product is not properly engaged.  We need to stay focused on first downs.  In sum, a FRAGO is needed."

The sad thing is, there are people here who actually talk like this.