[archy]

Don't forget about the "whole nine yards".

During the Vietnam war, some Montagnard tribal leaders would fail to list casualties so that the pay and food allowances to them would continue coming in by their Special Forces and CIA benefactors. Too, sometimes even the wounded and disabled, missing an arm or leg, would try to get in on the payroll.

So prior to raids and patrols, as well as payday, headcounts and inspections of each of the squad-sized teams of tribal guerrilas had to be made to ensure that all the participants were both present and in sound condition: the whole nine 'Yards....

Anyway, that's my story, and I'm stickin' to it....

-archy-/-

[Criminal Number 18F]

Arch and all,

I usually see this attributed to the LLDB (Vietnamese SF). As far as anyone can tell the real reason for LLDB was so that USSF and yards could practice hating the same people.

Of course, that was all before my time.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

I also heard that there was a reward system for the Montagnard who kept his gear in the best condition. You can see the modern incarnation of this in military housing by looking for the sign, "Yard of the Month".