If you have ever watched a war movie or talked to a soldier, you may have heard them use the word “klick” to measure distance. But what does “klick” mean, and how far is it? In this article, we will answer these questions and more by explaining the origin, meaning, and usage of the term “klick” in military terms.
The term “klick” was first used by the military during World War I, when the United States and the United Kingdom joined forces with France, which used the metric system. The maps and the measurements were made in kilometers, so the soldiers had to learn and use the new unit of distance. The term “klick” was a way of shortening and simplifying the word “kilometer”.
Some sources say that the term “klick” was also influenced by the sound of the gas regulator on the Australian L1A1 rifle, which was used by some soldiers during the Vietnam War. The gas regulator was a device that controlled the amount of gas that pushed the bullet out of the barrel. The soldiers would adjust the gas regulator by moving it one mark at a time, making a clicking sound. Each mark represented 100 meters, or one-tenth of a kilometer. So, after moving the gas regulator 10 marks, or 1000 meters, the soldiers would signal their commander by lifting the rifle and making a loud click with the thumb. This way, they could keep track of the distance they had walked.
What is the meaning of the term “klick”?
The term “klick” means one kilometer, or 1000 meters, or 0.62 miles. It is a unit of distance used by the military to measure how far something is, such as a road, a trip, or a target. It is also a way of communicating the distance over the radio, since it is easier to hear and say than “kilometer”.
One klick is also equivalent to:
- 3280.84 feet
- 1093.61 yards
- 17.6 football fields
- 4.5 laps around a standard track
How is the term “klick” used?
The term “klick” is used by the military to describe distances in different situations, such as:
- Navigation: The military uses maps, compasses, and GPS devices to find their way and locate their position. They use the term “klick” to measure the distance between two points or the length of a route. For example, a soldier may say “We are 10 klicks north of the base” or “The road is 50 klicks long”.
- Reconnaissance: The military uses binoculars, scopes, and drones to observe and gather information about the enemy or the terrain. They use the term “klick” to estimate the distance to a target or an object of interest. For example, a soldier may say “The enemy camp is 5 klicks away” or “The bridge is 2 klicks wide”.
- Artillery: The military uses cannons, mortars, and rockets to fire projectiles at the enemy or a specific location. They use the term “klick” to calculate the range and the angle of the fire. For example, a soldier may say “Fire at 3 klicks and 45 degrees” or “The target is 7 klicks south of our position”.
Conclusion
The term “klick” is a military term that means one kilometer, or 1000 meters, or 0.62 miles. It is a unit of distance used by the military to measure and communicate how far something is. The term “klick” comes from the word “kilometer”, which is a unit of distance used in the metric system. The term “klick” was first used by the military during World War I, when the United States and the United Kingdom joined forces with France, which used the metric system. The term “klick” was also influenced by the sound of the gas regulator on the Australian L1A1 rifle, which was used by some soldiers during the Vietnam War. The term “klick” is used by the military in different situations, such as navigation, reconnaissance, and artillery.