Based upon my experiences performing security cooperation duties in the Military Assistance Program (MAP) in Jordan, at a GCC, and at DISAM, I offer some thoughts and comments concerning the SDO/DATT concept.
No. Barley is not wheat at all. Barley and wheat are two different species of cereal grasses belonging to the family Triticeae. Barley does belong in the wheat family, which is, as mentioned, Triticeae, but is of an entirely different species from wheat. The species name for barley is Hordeum vulgare, and the species name for wheat is Triticum aestivum. No doubt either look similar, but both are quite different from the other.
Pearl barley refers to covered barley that has been processed to remove the tough inedible outer hull and then pearled or polished. Barley may be pearled to varying degrees and labeled as regular, medium, fine or baby pearl. Pearl barley may also be called blocked, pot or scotch barley. Pearl barley is available in several forms; however, kernels or berries (pictured at right) are the most common. But pearl barley may also be purchased flaked, cut (grits) and ground (meal or flour).