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 05, 2013
During the early days of the Cold War, Rapid Response Forces were the name of the game.
S.T.R.A.C. US Army for "STRategic Army Corps"
S.A.C. US Air Force "Strategic Air Command"
S.T.R.A.C. US Army for "STRategic Army Corps"
S.A.C. US Air Force "Strategic Air Command"
by SSGJughead, US Army ret. April 21, 2013