R and R originally meant “rest and recovery” in the military, but is often used to refer to “rest and relaxation” or “rest and recreation.” It can cause problems for some soldiers adjusting to civilian life, and may not provide a break for non-military individuals. The acronym has various meanings in different contexts, such as Rock and Roll, Read and Review, and Response and Recovery.
R and R is a term first used by the military for “rest and recovery,” although it is often mistranslated as “rest and relaxation” or “rest and recreation.” The acronym is in such common use that it really can be used to refer to any of these phrases. However, a soldier would probably use it in the original, formal sense.
The military translation of R and R does not mean that soldiers can do much rehabilitation in a typical furlough. However, most soldiers benefit from mingling with civilians and taking a break from the tense conditions that service in the military sometimes engenders.
For some in the military, R and R can cause problems. For example, sailors often find it difficult to adjust to life on land due to their restricted and cramped living conditions while at sea. Time off can’t actually provide rest because service members can spend a few days adjusting to the wide-open freedom afforded by being on the ground.
For those not in the military, R and R are often used to refer to taking a vacation or participating in something fun. For example, a worker takes a few days to play golf and tells his friends, “I have three days of R and R coming up.”
R and R don’t always provide the needed break from the work environment. A single working mother who uses her free time to clean the house, take care of her children and do all the shopping usually does not relax from the time she gets. Her family may benefit, but essentially mom is still working.
There are many other terms that this acronym can stand for, including Rock and Roll, Read and Review, Remove and Replace, Repair and Return, and Rules and Regulations. In prison terminology, R and R stand for Reception and Release of Prisoners. In the business world, the acronym is used by HR departments to refer to recruitment and retention.
Organizations that help during natural disasters can use R and R for Response and Recovery. Computer techs may use the acronym to describe Remove and Reinstall. Also, statisticians use it to indicate repeatability and reliability.
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