rear echelon
Non-combat military zone
Rear echelon refers to military units and personnel stationed away from the front lines, handling logistics, administration, and support rather than direct combat.
The term often carries a dismissive edge when used by combat troops: rear echelon motherfuckers (abbreviated REMF) describes those perceived as having safe, comfortable assignments while others fight.
He spent the war in the rear echelon, pushing paper.
Central command location
- base campExpedition's operational hub
- supply depotFacility storing distributed goods
- garrisonStationed military force
- staging areaIntermediate gathering location
reserve · non-combat · administrative · staff · logistics · communications · maintenance · medical corps
Product delivery infrastructure
- procurementObtaining goods externally
- inventoryCatalog of held assets
- warehousingStoring goods commercially
- distributionAllocation across recipients
transportation · resupply · ammunition depot · fuel depot · rations · equipment · materiel · stockpile
Stationed at a desk
- desk jockeySedentary office worker
- pencil pusherDerogatory term for clerk
- non-combatantPerson outside the fighting
- headquarters staffPersonnel at main base
headquarters
Central command location
- base campExpedition's operational hub
- supply depotFacility storing distributed goods
- garrisonStationed military force
staging area · reserve · non-combat · administrative · staff · logistics · communications · maintenance · medical corps · quartermaster
supply chain
Product delivery infrastructure
- procurementObtaining goods externally
- inventoryCatalog of held assets
- warehousingStoring goods commercially
distribution · transportation · resupply · ammunition depot · fuel depot · rations · equipment · materiel · stockpile · requisition
chairborne
Stationed at a desk
- desk jockeySedentary office worker
- pencil pusherDerogatory term for clerk
- non-combatantPerson outside the fighting
- WWI suppliessupply depots, supply trains, rations, medical supplies, food distribution
- military forcesarmy, allied forces, soldiers, troops, coalition forces
- routesroad, path, route, highway, freeway
- retreatsspa, retreat house, meditation retreat, writing retreat, wellness retreat
- auxiliary forcesauxiliaries, support units, colonial troops, native troops, mercenaries
- enlisted soldiersprivate, corporal, sergeant, enlisted man, recruit
rear echelonfront line
Combat's forward edge
front lines · combat zone · forward positions · frontline · tip of the spear
rear echelonfrontline troops
Soldiers positioned for initial combat
combat troops · combat units · line infantry · infantry · grunts
rear, echelon, rears, reared, rearing, rearward, rearmost, echelons, echeloned