You can always ask if you don't know an acronym. You don't need to use them. Acronyms are absolutely everywhere and generally the norm in online forums. I think the DOD comment is humorous because I once was at a dinner with a bunch of army (current and ex)people, acronyms were flying, and I would ask, and ask, but then just tuned out. Message boards are a bit easier to navigate. Heck, sometimes i still ask about acronyms.