General
beans, bullets, and band-aids
What does beans, bullets, and band-aids mean?
A shorthand for the core classes of supply a fighting force needs: food, ammunition, and medical care.
"As long as we have beans, bullets, and Band-Aids, we can hold."
Origin
U.S. military logistics slang.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'beans, bullets, and Band-Aids' mean?
It is shorthand for the three core categories of supply a fighting force needs: food (beans), ammunition (bullets), and medical care (Band-Aids).
How is the phrase used?
To sum up logistical readiness — if a unit has beans, bullets, and Band-Aids, it can keep operating.
Why the alliteration?
The alliterative trio is a memorable, informal way to capture the essentials of sustainment in the field.
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