fragged

Fragged is the term in military slang used as the past tense and past participle of frag, meaning to kill or attempt to kill a fellow service member, typically a superior officer, with a fragmentation grenade or another explosive device. The act is called fragging, and a person who is killed in such a way is described as having been fragged. The act is illegal under military law in virtually all armed forces and is treated as murder or attempted murder, subject to court-martial or civilian prosecution where applicable.

The word frag derives from fragmentation grenade, the weapon most commonly associated with the act. The practice gained particular notoriety during the Vietnam War, where several documented cases drew public attention. Fragging incidents have occurred in other conflicts as well, though they remain relatively rare in proportion to overall casualties.

Motivations for fragging have included grievances against leadership, disputes over military policy or conditions, fear for personal safety, or perceived incompetence or abuse by officers. In many cases fragging reflected a deterioration of unit cohesion and morale; investigations often revealed security lapses that allowed access to grenades or other weapons.

Responses within armed forces have included enhanced leadership screening, tighter control of explosives, and targeted discipline. Fragging remains a sensitive and controversial topic, often cited in discussions of military morale, leadership, and the risks of insider threats.