Tap Out: Military Meaning
In a military context, the phrase “tap out” can refer to several concepts, depending on the specific branch or activity involved. Here are some of its possible meanings:
Basic Training and Ceremonial Use
- Signal Completion: In some branches, “tapping out” is a ceremonial act signifying the completion of basic training or a significant phase of training. Recruits may be “tapped out” by their family or fellow servicemembers, symbolizing the transition from recruit to servicemember.
Martial Arts and Training
- Submission in Combat Sports: Derived from martial arts and combat sports, “tapping out” involves physically tapping the opponent or the ground to signal submission. In military combatives training, this action indicates a participant concedes in a simulated hand-to-hand combat scenario to avoid injury.
Informal Military Slang
- Giving Up or Quitting: Informally, among military personnel, “tap out” may refer to someone giving up or quitting something, often used in the context of a tough training exercise or mission.
Understanding the context in which “tap out” is used is crucial, as the meaning can shift based on the setting within the military.