A 1970's era US military acronym, meaning: Strategic, Tough, and Ready Around the Clock. To be labeled "strac" was considered high praise.
by DJ Asman December 24, 2004
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.
by AKACroatalin November 6, 2016
by RayJay55 January 28, 2010
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)
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!"
by ab234 July 18, 2009
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"
by croatalin August 18, 2013
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".
by Rittttt March 2, 2016
Originally a military acronym for STRategic Army Corps. An elite unit, the word became a term of compliment; "to be Strac" meant "to be militarily excellent" in both dress and skill. Usually "back-formed" to mean "Strategic, Tactical and Ready Around the Clock" and several other "backronyms." However, as all words tend to do, the meaning drifted, the sense becoming more of excellence in military appearance than military skill ... to the point where being called "Strac" came to mean that he looks like a recruiting poster but couldn't fight his way out of a wet paper bag.
ORIGINAL: "Wow, did you hear what Sergeant Jones did on the line last week? If we had ten of him, the war would be over in a week. What a STRAC soldier!"
COMMON/CONTEMPORARY: "Geez, look at Private Smith: hair buzz-cut, uniform perfectly pressed, patches and pins immaculate, leather polished to a mirror-brightness. Such a pity the loser has no skills whatsoever. STRAC jerk."
COMMON/CONTEMPORARY: "Geez, look at Private Smith: hair buzz-cut, uniform perfectly pressed, patches and pins immaculate, leather polished to a mirror-brightness. Such a pity the loser has no skills whatsoever. STRAC jerk."
by nighthawk-81 November 5, 2013