Alphabet soup: TADPOLADs not amphibious creatures Published Feb. 18, 2009 By Bob Fehringer U. S. Transportation Command Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- This week, for all the Army and Air Force people out there, we have an acronym used by the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. It is TAD. No, it doesn't mean a small amount, a smidgen, a bit or a pinch. TAD stands for temporary assigned duty and is the equivalent of TDY, or temporary duty. If TAD is used in conjunction with our next subject, POLAD, it might be confused with an advertisement for a small amphibious Warsaw native. TADPOLAD, get it? Moving on, these terms could be used together since the POLAD is a staff officer also known as the Political Advisor or foreign policy advisor. This position is currently held at USTRANSCOM by Kathy Johnson-Casares. She provides advice on the foreign policy implications of USTRANSCOM's global operations and enhances information sharing, planning and coordination with the Department of State by serving as a focal point for contact with State and embassy staffs. So, check back next week and learn about the USTRANSCOM POLAD going TAD (TDY) to the CENTCOM DDOC to meet with ARCENT, AFCENT, USMRCEN, USNAVCENT and SOCCENT representatives.