•
6-by — A rugged truck equipped with six-wheel drive.
6-by — A rugged truck equipped with six-wheel drive. •180 — One-hundred-eighty degrees on a compass. To do an about face: to change to the opposite one's point of view.
180 — One-hundred-eighty degrees on a compass. To do an about face: to change to the opposite one's point of view. •360 — Complete circle on a compass. To put protection (360) all around.
360 — Complete circle on a compass. To put protection (360) all around. •782 or deuce gear — Standard issue web, combat gear, field equipment. Named after standard Marine Corps Form 782, which Marines signed when they took custody of and responsibility for their equipment.
782 or deuce gear — Standard issue web, combat gear, field equipment. Named after standard Marine Corps Form 782, which Marines signed when they took custody of and responsibility for their equipment. •above my pay grade — A reply: "Don't ask me; it is beyond what I'm paid to know," or "I don't have the authority to make that decision."
above my pay grade — A reply: "Don't ask me; it is beyond what I'm paid to know," or "I don't have the authority to make that decision." •acting jack — Assistant drill instructor at a recruit depot or an acting corporal.
acting jack — Assistant drill instructor at a recruit depot or an acting corporal. •ahoy — This is an old traditional nautical greeting and also is used for hailing other boats. It was originally a Viking battle cry.
ahoy — This is an old traditional nautical greeting and also is used for hailing other boats. It was originally a Viking battle cry. •Air Force salute — To say, "I know" by a shrug.
Air Force salute — To say, "I know" by a shrug. •all hands — Entire ship's company or unit personnel, including officers and enlisted personnel.
all hands — Entire ship's company or unit personnel, including officers and enlisted personnel. •ANGLICO — Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company.
ANGLICO — Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company. •APC — A large, white tablet issued for minor discomfort that is commonly, albeit mistakenly, called an "all-purpose capsule." Former Sergeant, now Dr. H. J. Lewis of Zanesville, Ohio, explained in the January 2002 issue of Leatherneck that APC "was named after its ingredients: aspirin, phenacetin, and caffeine."
APC — A large, white tablet issued for minor discomfort that is commonly, albeit mistakenly, called an "all-purpose capsule." Former Sergeant, now Dr. H. J. Lewis of Zanesville, Ohio, explained in the January 2002 issue of Leatherneck that APC "was named after its ingredients: aspirin, phenacetin, and caffeine." •ashore — On the beach, as differentiated from on board ship. Any place off a Marine Corps or government reservation. Go ashore, go on liberty or leave the reservation.
ashore — On the beach, as differentiated from on board ship. Any place off a Marine Corps or government reservation. Go ashore, go on liberty or leave the reservation. •Asiatic — Mildly deranged or eccentric as a result of too much foreign duty, or one who has missed too many boats.
Asiatic — Mildly deranged or eccentric as a result of too much foreign duty, or one who has missed too many boats. •ate up — Describing one who has no clue about what's going on. One who is always lazy, in disarray and unsatisfactory.
ate up — Describing one who has no clue about what's going on. One who is always lazy, in disarray and unsatisfactory. •aye-aye — A nautical term. When an officer or enlisted Marine receives orders of instruction, the Marine replies, "Aye-aye, sir," meaning: "Yes, I understand the orders I have received and will carry them out." Never permit a subordinate to acknowledge an order by "very well," "all right," "yes" or "OK." "Aye" said by itself means one agrees. Aye-aye is generally supposed to be a corruption of the words yea, yea. The claim is advanced that Cockney (true Londoners born within the sound of the bells of St. Mary Le Bow (Bow Bells), Cheapside, in the city of London) accents changed the Yea to Yi, and from there it was a simple transition to aye.
aye-aye — A nautical term. When an officer or enlisted Marine receives orders of instruction, the Marine replies, "Aye-aye, sir," meaning: "Yes, I understand the orders I have received and will carry them out." Never permit a subordinate to acknowledge an order by "very well," "all right," "yes" or "OK." "Aye" said by itself means one agrees. Aye-aye is generally supposed to be a corruption of the words yea, yea. The claim is advanced that Cockney (true Londoners born within the sound of the bells of St. Mary Le Bow (Bow Bells), Cheapside, in the city of London) accents changed the Yea to Yi, and from there it was a simple transition to aye. •Battalion Lance Corporal — The seniormost non-rate in the unit. the E-3 most likely not to be promoted to the rank of Corporal.
Battalion Lance Corporal — The seniormost non-rate in the unit. the E-3 most likely not to be promoted to the rank of Corporal. •battle pin — Tie clasp or tie tack.
battle pin — Tie clasp or tie tack. •battle zero or BZO — To determine by trial and error the sight setting required to hit with an individual weapon at a given range; synonymous with "zero in." The sight setting required to obtain a hit with a rifle at a given range.
battle zero or BZO — To determine by trial and error the sight setting required to hit with an individual weapon at a given range; synonymous with "zero in." The sight setting required to obtain a hit with a rifle at a given range. •beans, bullets and bandages — Everything Marines need to kill.
beans, bullets and bandages — Everything Marines need to kill. •belay — To cancel an order, to stop, to firmly secure a line.
belay — To cancel an order, to stop, to firmly secure a line. •below — Down the ladder well. Below decks.
below — Down the ladder well. Below decks. •binnacle list — Sick list. List of men excused from duty. In the old days it was posted on or near the binnacle, which is a large stand used to house a magnetic compass and fitting.
binnacle list — Sick list. List of men excused from duty. In the old days it was posted on or near the binnacle, which is a large stand used to house a magnetic compass and fitting. •blouse — Military dress coat or jacket. To blouse one's boots with boot bands or rubber bands.
blouse — Military dress coat or jacket. To blouse one's boots with boot bands or rubber bands. •BLT — Battalion Landing Team, the ground combat element of a MEU.
BLT — Battalion Landing Team, the ground combat element of a MEU. •boondocks — Woods or wilds, far-away spaces or that portion of the country which is fit only for the training of Marines. Possibly from the Tagalog "bundok" or mountain jungles of the Philippines.
boondocks — Woods or wilds, far-away spaces or that portion of the country which is fit only for the training of Marines. Possibly from the Tagalog "bundok" or mountain jungles of the Philippines. •boondockers — Boots.
boondockers — Boots. •boondoggle — Any trip on government time that serves no purpose other than to entertain the Marine making it.
boondoggle — Any trip on government time that serves no purpose other than to entertain the Marine making it. •boot — Recruit. Or to be junior to another Marine, such as, "He's boot to me."
boot — Recruit. Or to be junior to another Marine, such as, "He's boot to me." •boot bands — Also known as blousing bands. Marines roll the legs of the utility trouser under boot bands and blouse them over the top of their boots. They never tuck their trousers in.
boot bands — Also known as blousing bands. Marines roll the legs of the utility trouser under boot bands and blouse them over the top of their boots. They never tuck their trousers in. •boot camp — Recruit training for enlisted Marines at Marine Corps Recruit Depots, Parris Island, S.C., and San Diego. While there are several explanations for it being called boot camp, keep in mind that the recruits wear boots nearly every day of their training. It is never called basic training.
boot camp — Recruit training for enlisted Marines at Marine Corps Recruit Depots, Parris Island, S.C., and San Diego. While there are several explanations for it being called boot camp, keep in mind that the recruits wear boots nearly every day of their training. It is never called basic training. •boot lips — Junior Marine, similar to "boot". Coined by Sergeant Robert G. Bushner, all Marines junior to a Marine of that time is automatically considered forever "boot lips". The term in a sentence. "If I ever wanted any salt, I could scrape it off your lips, because they were on my boots, you are forever boot lips".
boot lips — Junior Marine, similar to "boot". Coined by Sergeant Robert G. Bushner, all Marines junior to a Marine of that time is automatically considered forever "boot lips". The term in a sentence. "If I ever wanted any salt, I could scrape it off your lips, because they were on my boots, you are forever boot lips". •boots 'n' utes — Boots and utility uniform, minus the blouse. Commonly used for physical training.
boots 'n' utes — Boots and utility uniform, minus the blouse. Commonly used for physical training. •brain-housing group — Just as a service rifle has a trigger-housing group, each Marine has a brain-housing group that sometimes is not as engaged as a Marine's senior may like.
brain-housing group — Just as a service rifle has a trigger-housing group, each Marine has a brain-housing group that sometimes is not as engaged as a Marine's senior may like. •brass — Brass uniform items or casings from weapons. One gets shined; the other is something you police up. It is also used as a term for senior officers.
brass — Brass uniform items or casings from weapons. One gets shined; the other is something you police up. It is also used as a term for senior officers. •brig — Place of confinement aboard ship or ashore at a Marine Corps or naval station; the post prison. Never a stockade.
brig — Place of confinement aboard ship or ashore at a Marine Corps or naval station; the post prison. Never a stockade. •brightwork — Brass or shiny metal, which Marines must polish.
brightwork — Brass or shiny metal, which Marines must polish. •brig rat — One who has served much brig time. A habitual offender.
brig rat — One who has served much brig time. A habitual offender. •brown-bagger — A married Marine who lives off base with his family.
brown-bagger — A married Marine who lives off base with his family. •bulkheads — Walls.
bulkheads — Walls. •bus drivers — Based on the way the uniform of the Air Force looked when it was first issued, people in the Air Force became known to Marines as bus drivers.
bus drivers — Based on the way the uniform of the Air Force looked when it was first issued, people in the Air Force became known to Marines as bus drivers. •"By your leave, sir/ma'am." — When overtaking a senior officer in rank proceeding in the same direction, draw abreast on the senior's left, coming to the salute as you say, "By your leave, sir." The senior officer acknowledges the salute and replies, "Granted" or "Carry on."
"By your leave, sir/ma'am." — When overtaking a senior officer in rank proceeding in the same direction, draw abreast on the senior's left, coming to the salute as you say, "By your leave, sir." The senior officer acknowledges the salute and replies, "Granted" or "Carry on." •C & S — "Clean and sober," notation formerly entered on the liberty list beside the names of Marines returning from liberty in that condition.
C & S — "Clean and sober," notation formerly entered on the liberty list beside the names of Marines returning from liberty in that condition. •catwalk — Walkway constructed over or around obstructions on a ship.
catwalk — Walkway constructed over or around obstructions on a ship. •chairborne — Someone in the H&S (headquarters and support) company or someone who works in an office environment
chairborne — Someone in the H&S (headquarters and support) company or someone who works in an office environment •chalk — A squad of Marines in a helicopter.
chalk — A squad of Marines in a helicopter. •chaser — Contraction of prisoner-chaser, an escort for a prisoner or detail of prisoners.
chaser — Contraction of prisoner-chaser, an escort for a prisoner or detail of prisoners. •chevrons — Symbols of enlisted ranks above private. Never stripes.
chevrons — Symbols of enlisted ranks above private. Never stripes. •chief — Chief Petty Officer. It is best and respectful to address senior chief petty officers and master chief petty officers as senior chief and master chief.
chief — Chief Petty Officer. It is best and respectful to address senior chief petty officers and master chief petty officers as senior chief and master chief. •chit — Probably derived from Hindi word chitti (letter). A letter, note, voucher or receipt, such as a light duty chit.
chit — Probably derived from Hindi word chitti (letter). A letter, note, voucher or receipt, such as a light duty chit. •chow — Food.
chow — Food. •chow down — To eat.
chow down — To eat. •chowhound — A gourmet on the rampage.
chowhound — A gourmet on the rampage. •circular file — an office GI can (garbage can).
circular file — an office GI can (garbage can). •CNN effect — The fascination of disruption created by extensive, live television presence in a combat zone.
CNN effect — The fascination of disruption created by extensive, live television presence in a combat zone. •C.O.B. — Close of business.
C.O.B. — Close of business. •Colonel — Proper in addressing lieutenant colonels and colonels.
Colonel — Proper in addressing lieutenant colonels and colonels. •CommO — Communications officer.
CommO — Communications officer. •comm-rats — Commuted rations, extra pay for married personnel.
comm-rats — Commuted rations, extra pay for married personnel. •CONUS — Continental United States.
CONUS — Continental United States. •corpsman — The "doc." Always corpsman, never medic or aid man.
corpsman — The "doc." Always corpsman, never medic or aid man. •covered and uncovered — When and when not wearing headgear. It is somewhat improper, although common, to refer to headgear as a cover. Marines wear hats, caps, helmets, etc.
covered and uncovered — When and when not wearing headgear. It is somewhat improper, although common, to refer to headgear as a cover. Marines wear hats, caps, helmets, etc. •CP — Charlie Papa, command post.
CP — Charlie Papa, command post. •crew-served — In addition to the obvious meaning such as crew-served weapons, it means very large and very powerful. "I've got a crew-served problem."
crew-served — In addition to the obvious meaning such as crew-served weapons, it means very large and very powerful. "I've got a crew-served problem." •cruise — An enlistment period. Never a stint.
cruise — An enlistment period. Never a stint. •CS — Tear gas or 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile, a white solid powder usually mixed with a dispersal agent, like methylene chloride, which carries the particles through the air.
CS — Tear gas or 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile, a white solid powder usually mixed with a dispersal agent, like methylene chloride, which carries the particles through the air. •cumshaw — Slang for something extra or free. Pidgin English expression using the Chinese word, kamsia (meaning grateful) and sia (meaning thanks).
cumshaw — Slang for something extra or free. Pidgin English expression using the Chinese word, kamsia (meaning grateful) and sia (meaning thanks). •D & D — Drunk and disorderly. An entry formerly made on the liberty list beside the name of any Marine returning from liberty in that condition.
D & D — Drunk and disorderly. An entry formerly made on the liberty list beside the name of any Marine returning from liberty in that condition. •DD-214 — The Holy Grail of your Marine service, your discharge papers!
DD-214 — The Holy Grail of your Marine service, your discharge papers! •dai jobi — (Japanese) OK.
dai jobi — (Japanese) OK. •dead horse — To draw advance pay out of the normal pay cycle. The Marine is then obligated to repay the debt at the government's convenience.
dead horse — To draw advance pay out of the normal pay cycle. The Marine is then obligated to repay the debt at the government's convenience. •deck — Floor, surface of the earth. Also, to knock down with one blow.
deck — Floor, surface of the earth. Also, to knock down with one blow. •deep-six — To dispose of by throwing over the side.
deep-six — To dispose of by throwing over the side. •defecation hits the oscillation — When shit hits the fan.
defecation hits the oscillation — When shit hits the fan. •devil docs — Nickname for Navy Corpsmen who have graduated Field Medical Service School to become qualified for service alongside the Marines of the Corps' operational forces.
devil docs — Nickname for Navy Corpsmen who have graduated Field Medical Service School to become qualified for service alongside the Marines of the Corps' operational forces. •devil dog — On June 12 and 13, 1918, Marines fought the Battle of Belleau Wood in France. The valor of the Fourth Marine Brigade was such that the wood is now called "Bois de la Brigade de Marine" or "Woods of the Marine Brigade." According to BGen Edwin H. Simmons, USMC (Ret) in his book "The United States Marines: The First Two Hundred Years": "The Germans made their own sober assessment and begrudgingly allowed that Marines might be considered to be of storm-trooper quality. There was also a less formal assessment being made in the ranks: 'Teufelshunde,' 'hound of hell' or 'devil dog,' an appellation the Marines accepted as a compliment."
devil dog — On June 12 and 13, 1918, Marines fought the Battle of Belleau Wood in France. The valor of the Fourth Marine Brigade was such that the wood is now called "Bois de la Brigade de Marine" or "Woods of the Marine Brigade." According to BGen Edwin H. Simmons, USMC (Ret) in his book "The United States Marines: The First Two Hundred Years": "The Germans made their own sober assessment and begrudgingly allowed that Marines might be considered to be of storm-trooper quality. There was also a less formal assessment being made in the ranks: 'Teufelshunde,' 'hound of hell' or 'devil dog,' an appellation the Marines accepted as a compliment." •Devil Dogging — Calling someone out to correct a minor deficiency as in "Hey Devil Dog, take your cover off indoors" or "First Sgt just devil dogged me about my uniform."
Devil Dogging — Calling someone out to correct a minor deficiency as in "Hey Devil Dog, take your cover off indoors" or "First Sgt just devil dogged me about my uniform." •Diddy Bop — Or Diddy Bopping, Used by DIs as a way of telling a recruit that they can't drill. Ex: "Hey Recruit Schmuckatelli stop diddy boppin'!!!"
Diddy Bop — Or Diddy Bopping, Used by DIs as a way of telling a recruit that they can't drill. Ex: "Hey Recruit Schmuckatelli stop diddy boppin'!!!" •Disneyland East — Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Arlington, Va.
Disneyland East — Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Arlington, Va. •Doc — Navy medical corpsman attached to the Marines.
Doc — Navy medical corpsman attached to the Marines. •DOD — Department of Defense. It replaced the War Department.
DOD — Department of Defense. It replaced the War Department. •dog — Small, bent metal fitting used to secure watertight doors, hatches, covers, scuttles, etc.
dog — Small, bent metal fitting used to secure watertight doors, hatches, covers, scuttles, etc. •dog and pony show — Any display, demonstration or appearance by Marines at the request of higher ups for the pleasure of someone else, e.g. static display at a local venue or appearance at the O-club.
dog and pony show — Any display, demonstration or appearance by Marines at the request of higher ups for the pleasure of someone else, e.g. static display at a local venue or appearance at the O-club. •Dogg — Term of endearment between fellow Marines. Short for devil dog
Dogg — Term of endearment between fellow Marines. Short for devil dog •doggie — Diminutive for "dog-face," an enlisted person in the Army.
doggie — Diminutive for "dog-face," an enlisted person in the Army. •dope — Information. Sight setting and/or wind correction for a rifle under given conditions.
dope — Information. Sight setting and/or wind correction for a rifle under given conditions. •EAS — End of Active Service, the date of your discharge from the USMC active duty.
EAS — End of Active Service, the date of your discharge from the USMC active duty. •EGA — Eagle, Globe, and Anchor. The Marine Corps seal. Used mostly by newer generation Marines.
EGA — Eagle, Globe, and Anchor. The Marine Corps seal. Used mostly by newer generation Marines. •eightball — Worthless, troublesome individual who deservedly remains behind the eightball.
eightball — Worthless, troublesome individual who deservedly remains behind the eightball. •Eighth and I — Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., the Corps' oldest post, established in 1801. It is located at 8th and I streets, S.E.
Eighth and I — Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., the Corps' oldest post, established in 1801. It is located at 8th and I streets, S.E. •EM — Do not use. Just say enlisted man or woman. Even better, say, "Marine."
EM — Do not use. Just say enlisted man or woman. Even better, say, "Marine." •embed — Journalist who is assigned a slot within a combat unit.
embed — Journalist who is assigned a slot within a combat unit. •Emblem — Unites States Marine Corps Emblem, or Corps badge, adopted in 1868, frequently referred to as the globe and anchor, and lately the eagle, globe and anchor.
Emblem — Unites States Marine Corps Emblem, or Corps badge, adopted in 1868, frequently referred to as the globe and anchor, and lately the eagle, globe and anchor. •Ensign — Colors, national flag. Also a junior commissioned officer in the Navy.
Ensign — Colors, national flag. Also a junior commissioned officer in the Navy. •EPD — Extra police duties.
EPD — Extra police duties. •EPW — Enemy prisoner of war.
EPW — Enemy prisoner of war. •fart sack — The linen one slips a mattress into.
fart sack — The linen one slips a mattress into. •feather merchant — A Marine of slight build, a tactical lightweight.
feather merchant — A Marine of slight build, a tactical lightweight. •field day — Day or portion of day set aside for general cleanup or police of an organization or area and get drunk.
field day — Day or portion of day set aside for general cleanup or police of an organization or area and get drunk. •field expediency — To use what you have. To make do.
field expediency — To use what you have. To make do. •field hat — Broad-brimmed felt hat, originally with one straight crease down the middle, then with a Montana peak, beginning in 1912 worn on expeditionary service by the Marine Corps until May 1942, and then authorized in the February 1961 uniform regulations for wear at rifle ranges and recruit depots. In the 1961 regs, it's called the campaign hat.
field hat — Broad-brimmed felt hat, originally with one straight crease down the middle, then with a Montana peak, beginning in 1912 worn on expeditionary service by the Marine Corps until May 1942, and then authorized in the February 1961 uniform regulations for wear at rifle ranges and recruit depots. In the 1961 regs, it's called the campaign hat. •field music — Drummer or trumpeter.
field music — Drummer or trumpeter. •field scarf — Regulation Marine Corps necktie.
field scarf — Regulation Marine Corps necktie. •field-strip — to disassemble without further breakdown the major groups of a piece of ordnance or weapon for routine cleaning or oiling. One also field-strips cigarette butts and their filters.
field-strip — to disassemble without further breakdown the major groups of a piece of ordnance or weapon for routine cleaning or oiling. One also field-strips cigarette butts and their filters. •fighting hole — See foxhole.
fighting hole — See foxhole. •File 13 — paper shredder.
File 13 — paper shredder. •Fire Watch — Marine on duty specifically guarding a person, place, or object. Marines on "fire watch" are considered under arms, and report to seniors.
Fire Watch — Marine on duty specifically guarding a person, place, or object. Marines on "fire watch" are considered under arms, and report to seniors. •first shirt — First sergeant.
first shirt — First sergeant. •fore-and-aft cap — Garrison cap, also frequently referred to as a p--- cutter.
fore-and-aft cap — Garrison cap, also frequently referred to as a p--- cutter. •four-deuce — 4.2 in. (107-mm) mortar.
four-deuce — 4.2 in. (107-mm) mortar. •foxhole — Today's Marines call it a fighting hole, but it also is known as a foxhole, according to Col Robert Debs Heinl Jr., USMC in his "Soldiers of the Sea": "One abiding by-product of the Belleau Wood action [France, 1918] was a new term in the soldier's argot: as the Marines scratched out shallow rifle pits wherever the front lines lay, somebody called them 'foxholes.' The name caught on."
foxhole — Today's Marines call it a fighting hole, but it also is known as a foxhole, according to Col Robert Debs Heinl Jr., USMC in his "Soldiers of the Sea": "One abiding by-product of the Belleau Wood action [France, 1918] was a new term in the soldier's argot: as the Marines scratched out shallow rifle pits wherever the front lines lay, somebody called them 'foxholes.' The name caught on." •FUBAR — Fucked up beyond all recognition (or repair), similar to SNAFU.
FUBAR — Fucked up beyond all recognition (or repair), similar to SNAFU. •galley — Kitchen.
galley — Kitchen. •gangway — A ship's passageway. A term used to inform juniors to give way to seniors in ships' passageways, and particularly when going up and down ladders. The command can be given by anyone who sees an officer or civilian dignitary approaching a gangway, ladder, or passage, which is blocked.
gangway — A ship's passageway. A term used to inform juniors to give way to seniors in ships' passageways, and particularly when going up and down ladders. The command can be given by anyone who sees an officer or civilian dignitary approaching a gangway, ladder, or passage, which is blocked. •gear — Property or equipment. Personal gear is of course an individual Marine's property.
gear — Property or equipment. Personal gear is of course an individual Marine's property. •gear adrift — Property or equipment found left lying around. It is known to Marines that gear adrift is a gift.
gear adrift — Property or equipment found left lying around. It is known to Marines that gear adrift is a gift. •general — A polite term for brigadier general, major general, lieutenant general and general.
general — A polite term for brigadier general, major general, lieutenant general and general. •general mess — The enlisted mess.
general mess — The enlisted mess. •gerbil launcher — M203 grenade launcher.
gerbil launcher — M203 grenade launcher. •GI — Use squared away or regulation. It is verboten to speak of an enlisted Marine as a GI.
GI — Use squared away or regulation. It is verboten to speak of an enlisted Marine as a GI. •GI cans — Garbage cans. An office circular file.
GI cans — Garbage cans. An office circular file. •GI house — Where garbage is stored until it is hauled away.
GI house — Where garbage is stored until it is hauled away. •Gitmo — Moniker for U.S. Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Gitmo — Moniker for U.S. Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. •gizmo — Any miscellaneous, nondescript, unidentified thing or gadget.
gizmo — Any miscellaneous, nondescript, unidentified thing or gadget. •Go-Fasters — Running shoes
Go-Fasters — Running shoes •Greens — Referring to service uniforms and their color. Never olive drab.
Greens — Referring to service uniforms and their color. Never olive drab. •grid squares — Something that does not exist, ie. an object that is summoned from a recruit or new Marine. As in: "Hey boot, go to supply and check out 4 grid squares, 30 feet of chow line and get the keys to the Gunnie's hummer while you are at it"
grid squares — Something that does not exist, ie. an object that is summoned from a recruit or new Marine. As in: "Hey boot, go to supply and check out 4 grid squares, 30 feet of chow line and get the keys to the Gunnie's hummer while you are at it" •grinder/deck — A parade ground or deck used primarily for drill. Purists say that it is improper to call it a deck, but nobody seems to listen to them anyway. Grinder is a better word. Ask anyone who has ever drilled on one for hours.
grinder/deck — A parade ground or deck used primarily for drill. Purists say that it is improper to call it a deck, but nobody seems to listen to them anyway. Grinder is a better word. Ask anyone who has ever drilled on one for hours. •grunt — An infantryman. Also known as a crunchie.
grunt — An infantryman. Also known as a crunchie. •Gung ho — Chinese phrase meaning to "work together." Introduced by Colonel Evans F. Carlson, it became the battle cry of the WW II Marine Raiders, particularly the 2d Raider Battalion. A particularly avid Marine is also called gungy.
Gung ho — Chinese phrase meaning to "work together." Introduced by Colonel Evans F. Carlson, it became the battle cry of the WW II Marine Raiders, particularly the 2d Raider Battalion. A particularly avid Marine is also called gungy. •gunner — Shortened version of Marine gunner—the title for line warrant officers, designated experts in various combat arms and tactics, signified by a bursting bomb designation.
gunner — Shortened version of Marine gunner—the title for line warrant officers, designated experts in various combat arms and tactics, signified by a bursting bomb designation. •gunny — A gunnery sergeant. Not a master gunnery sergeant.
gunny — A gunnery sergeant. Not a master gunnery sergeant. •gyrene — Marine. The origin of this word is uncertain. It has been around at least since the 1920s. It definitely does not come from G.I. Marine.
gyrene — Marine. The origin of this word is uncertain. It has been around at least since the 1920s. It definitely does not come from G.I. Marine. •hack — Arrest. Officers to be in or to be under arrest.
hack — Arrest. Officers to be in or to be under arrest. •half-mast — Position of the ensign when hoisted halfway; usually done in respect to a deceased person. Not half-staff.
half-mast — Position of the ensign when hoisted halfway; usually done in respect to a deceased person. Not half-staff. •hashmark — Service stripe worn on the uniform sleeve by enlisted men and women for completion of four years of honorable service in any of the U.S. Armed Services and Reserves.
hashmark — Service stripe worn on the uniform sleeve by enlisted men and women for completion of four years of honorable service in any of the U.S. Armed Services and Reserves. •hatch — The cover over the opening that leads to the ladder wells between decks of ships. Also a door or doorway.
hatch — The cover over the opening that leads to the ladder wells between decks of ships. Also a door or doorway. •HDR — Humanitarian daily ration. A variation on the MRE used to feed a malnourished person for one day with 2,300 calories.
HDR — Humanitarian daily ration. A variation on the MRE used to feed a malnourished person for one day with 2,300 calories. •headgear — Hats, helmets, caps, etc.
headgear — Hats, helmets, caps, etc. •heads — Bathrooms or latrines. A nautical term stemming from the days of sailing ships when sailors and Marines answered nature's call by going forward to the bow of the ship.
heads — Bathrooms or latrines. A nautical term stemming from the days of sailing ships when sailors and Marines answered nature's call by going forward to the bow of the ship. •Helo — Helicopter
Helo — Helicopter •Hollywood Marine — Nickname for Marines that graduated from MCRD San Diego.
Hollywood Marine — Nickname for Marines that graduated from MCRD San Diego. •homesteading — Remaining at one duty station for an extended tour or consecutive tours.
homesteading — Remaining at one duty station for an extended tour or consecutive tours. •honcho — A Japanese term that applies to the Marine in charge.
honcho — A Japanese term that applies to the Marine in charge. •housewife — Girl Friend.
housewife — Girl Friend. •hump — To lift, carry. Originally an Australian digger's word, "to hump one's swag," meaning to carry one's load.
hump — To lift, carry. Originally an Australian digger's word, "to hump one's swag," meaning to carry one's load. •huss — To give a helping hand. The UH-34 Sea Horse helicopter was designated as the "HUS," and when Vietnam-era Marines needed a medical evacuation helicopter, they'd ask for or to be cut a huss.
huss — To give a helping hand. The UH-34 Sea Horse helicopter was designated as the "HUS," and when Vietnam-era Marines needed a medical evacuation helicopter, they'd ask for or to be cut a huss. •I & I — Inspector-instructor. A regular officer assigned to supervise the training of a Reserve unit.
I & I — Inspector-instructor. A regular officer assigned to supervise the training of a Reserve unit. •IG — The Inspector General.
IG — The Inspector General. •IG Inspection — An official inspection of a command or unit by the IG or his representatives.
IG Inspection — An official inspection of a command or unit by the IG or his representatives. •Inkstick — A Pen
Inkstick — A Pen •Irish pennants — Loose threads, string or straps that detract from a squared-away appearance.
Irish pennants — Loose threads, string or straps that detract from a squared-away appearance. •Iron Mike — Nickname bestowed on the World War I Marine statue hefting a machine gun in front of the Headquarters and Service Battalion, Parris Island, S.C.
Iron Mike — Nickname bestowed on the World War I Marine statue hefting a machine gun in front of the Headquarters and Service Battalion, Parris Island, S.C. •jarhead — Records from Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps cite references that state, "Jarhead is probably parallel to, or derived from, jug head." Leatherneck magazine in 1933 cited Army soldiers as being called jarheads. However, according to limited information, the term as it applies to Marines is traced to the Navy in WW II. Sailors referred to Marines, drawing from the resemblance of the Marine dress blue uniform, with its high collar, to a Mason jar.
jarhead — Records from Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps cite references that state, "Jarhead is probably parallel to, or derived from, jug head." Leatherneck magazine in 1933 cited Army soldiers as being called jarheads. However, according to limited information, the term as it applies to Marines is traced to the Navy in WW II. Sailors referred to Marines, drawing from the resemblance of the Marine dress blue uniform, with its high collar, to a Mason jar. •Jesus Slippers — Marine Corps issued sandals or flip-flops. also known as Jesus Boots.
Jesus Slippers — Marine Corps issued sandals or flip-flops. also known as Jesus Boots. •Joe — Coffee. Named so because of Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels, who eliminated beer and wine from naval ships, declaring nothing stronger than a cup of coffee would be allowed.
Joe — Coffee. Named so because of Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels, who eliminated beer and wine from naval ships, declaring nothing stronger than a cup of coffee would be allowed. •John Wayne — Military toilet tissue because it is rough, tough, and don't take shit off nobody.
John Wayne — Military toilet tissue because it is rough, tough, and don't take shit off nobody. •K or klicks — Kilometer, a unit of measure. One klick or K equals 1,000 meters.
K or klicks — Kilometer, a unit of measure. One klick or K equals 1,000 meters. •Ka-Bar — Famous USMC fighting/utility knife first issued during WW II. K-BAR- Knife, Browning Automatic Rifle.
Ka-Bar — Famous USMC fighting/utility knife first issued during WW II. K-BAR- Knife, Browning Automatic Rifle. •keeper — The cloth "keeper" of the green service blouse to hold the cloth belt neatly in place.
keeper — The cloth "keeper" of the green service blouse to hold the cloth belt neatly in place. •keyboard jockey — Anyone whose job causes him or her to be at a computer for a length of time.
keyboard jockey — Anyone whose job causes him or her to be at a computer for a length of time. •knock it off — Stop what you are doing.
knock it off — Stop what you are doing. •lad — A young man. Never a boy. Lass is proper for a young woman. Never WM.
lad — A young man. Never a boy. Lass is proper for a young woman. Never WM. •ladder/ladder wells — Stairs.
ladder/ladder wells — Stairs. •laminated — A perceived semi-permanent state of issue. "He has a laminated light duty chit"
laminated — A perceived semi-permanent state of issue. "He has a laminated light duty chit" •lass — A young woman. Never a WM.
lass — A young woman. Never a WM. •leadstick — pencil
leadstick — pencil •leatherneck — A U.S. Marine. Since the days of the Barbary pirates, U.S. Marines have called themselves "leathernecks." Legend and lore have it that the term leatherneck was derived from leather neckbands worn in the late 1700s to protect Marines from the slash of the cutlass. Another more likely reason is that the high stocks were worn for discipline to keep the Marines' heads high and straight. Neither explanation has ever been verified. Whatever the reason, the name leatherneck stuck and the distinctive dress blue uniform blouse still bears a high stock collar to remind Marines of the leatherneck legacy. Leatherneck: Magazine of the Marines.
leatherneck — A U.S. Marine. Since the days of the Barbary pirates, U.S. Marines have called themselves "leathernecks." Legend and lore have it that the term leatherneck was derived from leather neckbands worn in the late 1700s to protect Marines from the slash of the cutlass. Another more likely reason is that the high stocks were worn for discipline to keep the Marines' heads high and straight. Neither explanation has ever been verified. Whatever the reason, the name leatherneck stuck and the distinctive dress blue uniform blouse still bears a high stock collar to remind Marines of the leatherneck legacy. Leatherneck: Magazine of the Marines. •leggings — Seldom worn today, leggings are canvas with eyelets and laces to secure the trouser legs over shoes.
leggings — Seldom worn today, leggings are canvas with eyelets and laces to secure the trouser legs over shoes. •liberty — Authorized free time ashore or off station, not counted as leave.
liberty — Authorized free time ashore or off station, not counted as leave. •liberty list — Periodic list prepared by the first sergeant, containing the names of enlisted Marines entitled to liberty, employed by the guard in checking enlisted personnel on and off the ship or station.
liberty list — Periodic list prepared by the first sergeant, containing the names of enlisted Marines entitled to liberty, employed by the guard in checking enlisted personnel on and off the ship or station. •lieutenant — Proper for either first or second lieutenants. Never L.T.
lieutenant — Proper for either first or second lieutenants. Never L.T. •Lima Charlie — Phonetic alphabet signifying loud and clear. Is often substituted by "lickin' chicken"
Lima Charlie — Phonetic alphabet signifying loud and clear. Is often substituted by "lickin' chicken" •line company — Originally a separate, numbered Marine company performing infantry duties. Now, lettered Marine companies or the aviation term for ground units.
line company — Originally a separate, numbered Marine company performing infantry duties. Now, lettered Marine companies or the aviation term for ground units. •lollygagging — The sailor-like habit of fooling around or to dawdle.
lollygagging — The sailor-like habit of fooling around or to dawdle. •long handles — Winter skivvies.
long handles — Winter skivvies. •lost lieutenant finder — A hand-held GPS unit.
lost lieutenant finder — A hand-held GPS unit. •ma'am — Replaces sir, when addressing women officers in particular and all women in general.
ma'am — Replaces sir, when addressing women officers in particular and all women in general. •Mac Marine — Any Marine. Mac was a popular term with Marines during WW II, similar to calling someone Bub. Mac Marine was the Marine career planner popular on posters of the 1960s.
Mac Marine — Any Marine. Mac was a popular term with Marines during WW II, similar to calling someone Bub. Mac Marine was the Marine career planner popular on posters of the 1960s. •Maggie's drawers — A red flag attached to a pole, which those pulling butts in the pits wave to signal a miss. Today the flag has changed to a red disc, but it is still "Maggie's drawers."
Maggie's drawers — A red flag attached to a pole, which those pulling butts in the pits wave to signal a miss. Today the flag has changed to a red disc, but it is still "Maggie's drawers." •MAGTF — Marine air-ground task force—a reservoir of combat capabilities made up of a command element, combat service support element, aviation combat element and ground combat element. The smallest is a MEU and largest is a MEF.
MAGTF — Marine air-ground task force—a reservoir of combat capabilities made up of a command element, combat service support element, aviation combat element and ground combat element. The smallest is a MEU and largest is a MEF. •main battle tank — M1A1 tank. Avoid calling it by its Army name, i.e., Abrams tank.
main battle tank — M1A1 tank. Avoid calling it by its Army name, i.e., Abrams tank. •Major — The CO of a ship's Marine detachment. On a ship there can be only one captain among her officers and that's the captain of the ship. Consequently, the CO of the Marine detachment, usually a Marine captain, is called a major. Provided by Maj Rick Spooner, USMC (Ret), former ship's MarDet commander.
Major — The CO of a ship's Marine detachment. On a ship there can be only one captain among her officers and that's the captain of the ship. Consequently, the CO of the Marine detachment, usually a Marine captain, is called a major. Provided by Maj Rick Spooner, USMC (Ret), former ship's MarDet commander. •Marine — leatherneck, devil dog, sea soldier, soldier of the sea, jarhead, gyrene, warrior, hardcharger, stone-face, motivator. Never Soldier.
Marine — leatherneck, devil dog, sea soldier, soldier of the sea, jarhead, gyrene, warrior, hardcharger, stone-face, motivator. Never Soldier. •master guns or master gunny — Master gunnery sergeant.
master guns or master gunny — Master gunnery sergeant. •MEF — Marine expeditionary force. The largest of MAGTF units, approximately 46,100 Marines and sailors. It can range in size from less than a division to several divisions, aircraft wings and FSSGs.
MEF — Marine expeditionary force. The largest of MAGTF units, approximately 46,100 Marines and sailors. It can range in size from less than a division to several divisions, aircraft wings and FSSGs. •messmen — Not KPs or mess cooks.
messmen — Not KPs or mess cooks. •Mickey Mouse boots — The extreme cold weather rubber boots that resemble air filled galoshes that use an air bladder for insulation. They have a valve that equalizes pressure when worn in pressurized transports.
Mickey Mouse boots — The extreme cold weather rubber boots that resemble air filled galoshes that use an air bladder for insulation. They have a valve that equalizes pressure when worn in pressurized transports. •mike-mike — Millimeter.
mike-mike — Millimeter. •military time — General Wallace M. Greene Jr., 23rd Commandant of the Marine Corps, forbade the practice of suffixing the unnecessary word "hours" after each indication of time of day. This is another Army usage. Say or write "1200," never "1200 hours."
military time — General Wallace M. Greene Jr., 23rd Commandant of the Marine Corps, forbade the practice of suffixing the unnecessary word "hours" after each indication of time of day. This is another Army usage. Say or write "1200," never "1200 hours." •Mister — Marine lieutenants, CWOs and warrant officers were at one time addressed as mister. Naval officers with the rank of lieutenant commander or below. Women officers are addressed as ma'am. Women Marine lieutenants and warrant officers technically may be addressed as miss or misses, but the terms may seem too civilian with today's women officers. Caution and good judgment are paramount.
Mister — Marine lieutenants, CWOs and warrant officers were at one time addressed as mister. Naval officers with the rank of lieutenant commander or below. Women officers are addressed as ma'am. Women Marine lieutenants and warrant officers technically may be addressed as miss or misses, but the terms may seem too civilian with today's women officers. Caution and good judgment are paramount. •monkey suit — Originally the fur suit used by WW I and WW II aviators at high altitudes. Now used to refer to military uniforms in general.
monkey suit — Originally the fur suit used by WW I and WW II aviators at high altitudes. Now used to refer to military uniforms in general. •Moonbeam — A flashlight.
Moonbeam — A flashlight. •MOS — Military Occupational Specialty, a job classification.
MOS — Military Occupational Specialty, a job classification. •MRE — Meal, ready to eat. Standard U.S. field ration sometimes called "Meals rejected by Ethiopia."
MRE — Meal, ready to eat. Standard U.S. field ration sometimes called "Meals rejected by Ethiopia." •MSG — Marine Security Guard. Embassy duty.
MSG — Marine Security Guard. Embassy duty. •NCO — Noncommissioned officer—corporal or sergeant. Never noncoms.
NCO — Noncommissioned officer—corporal or sergeant. Never noncoms. •NJP — Non-judicial punishment. Legally speaking, a commanding officer is authorized to award summary punishments and courts-martial at office hours (called Captain's Mast afloat). The CO or an officer in charge may nevertheless inflict NJP. NJP under Article 15, UCMJ, is intended to take care of offenses too serious to be dealt with by a mere rebuke, but not serious enough to warrant court-martial.
NJP — Non-judicial punishment. Legally speaking, a commanding officer is authorized to award summary punishments and courts-martial at office hours (called Captain's Mast afloat). The CO or an officer in charge may nevertheless inflict NJP. NJP under Article 15, UCMJ, is intended to take care of offenses too serious to be dealt with by a mere rebuke, but not serious enough to warrant court-martial. •non-rated — Not an NCO or petty officer rank. A snuffy.
non-rated — Not an NCO or petty officer rank. A snuffy. •No Such Agency — the National Security Agency, so called because of its secret budget and ultrasecret methods.
No Such Agency — the National Security Agency, so called because of its secret budget and ultrasecret methods. •number one — The best.
number one — The best. •number ten — The worst.
number ten — The worst. •O-dark thirty — Very early, well before dawn.
O-dark thirty — Very early, well before dawn. •office hours — Captain's Mast when afloat. Office hours can be, and frequently are, devoted to nondisciplinary matters such as praise, special requests and the like. However, it also deals with legal and disciplinary aspects. It is not merely an administrative procedure, but also a ceremony intended to dramatize praise and admonition. Like any ceremony, it should be dignified, disciplined, especially set apart in the daily routine and carefully planned.
office hours — Captain's Mast when afloat. Office hours can be, and frequently are, devoted to nondisciplinary matters such as praise, special requests and the like. However, it also deals with legal and disciplinary aspects. It is not merely an administrative procedure, but also a ceremony intended to dramatize praise and admonition. Like any ceremony, it should be dignified, disciplined, especially set apart in the daily routine and carefully planned. •officers' club or officers' mess — Never O-club.
officers' club or officers' mess — Never O-club. •officers' country — Officers' living spaces on board ship. Any portion of the post or station allocated for the exclusive use of officers.
officers' country — Officers' living spaces on board ship. Any portion of the post or station allocated for the exclusive use of officers. •OJT — On-the-job training.
OJT — On-the-job training. •Old Asia Hand — Anyone with more than one tour in Asia.
Old Asia Hand — Anyone with more than one tour in Asia. •Old Man — The commanding officer.
Old Man — The commanding officer. •OMPF — Official Military Personnel File.
OMPF — Official Military Personnel File. •oorah — Although the other services have since come up with their own versions, oorah is the uniquely Marine way of replying positively to almost anything. In 1953 members of 1st Amphibious Reconnaissance Company were aboard the submarine USS Perch (ASSP-313). Perch was a WW II diesel retrofitted to carry underwater demolition teams and Recon Marines. Whenever the boat was to dive, someone would announce over the PA system, "Dive, dive!" and sound a klaxon horn that sounded like "arrugha!" While 1st Amphib Recon Marines were on conditioning runs on land, they started singing chants. Someone imitated the horn sound "arrugha," and it became a Recon mantra: lexicon. Former Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps John Massaro took "arrugha" from Recon with him to Drill Instructor School and passed it to the DI students, who in turn passed it to their recruits. Arrugha eventually evolved into "oorah."
oorah — Although the other services have since come up with their own versions, oorah is the uniquely Marine way of replying positively to almost anything. In 1953 members of 1st Amphibious Reconnaissance Company were aboard the submarine USS Perch (ASSP-313). Perch was a WW II diesel retrofitted to carry underwater demolition teams and Recon Marines. Whenever the boat was to dive, someone would announce over the PA system, "Dive, dive!" and sound a klaxon horn that sounded like "arrugha!" While 1st Amphib Recon Marines were on conditioning runs on land, they started singing chants. Someone imitated the horn sound "arrugha," and it became a Recon mantra: lexicon. Former Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps John Massaro took "arrugha" from Recon with him to Drill Instructor School and passed it to the DI students, who in turn passed it to their recruits. Arrugha eventually evolved into "oorah." •OQR — Officer qualification record, officer service record.
OQR — Officer qualification record, officer service record. •out of bounds — An area or space restricted from use by normal traffic, or prohibited to enlisted Marines. Sometimes called "restricted area." Avoid using "off limits," an Army and Air Force equivalent.
out of bounds — An area or space restricted from use by normal traffic, or prohibited to enlisted Marines. Sometimes called "restricted area." Avoid using "off limits," an Army and Air Force equivalent. •outside — Civilian life, sometimes colloquialized as, "Sergeant Boatspace is now serving on USS Outside." Occasionally referred to as "the 1st Civ. Div." See also, The Real World
outside — Civilian life, sometimes colloquialized as, "Sergeant Boatspace is now serving on USS Outside." Occasionally referred to as "the 1st Civ. Div." See also, The Real World •overheads — Ceilings.
overheads — Ceilings. •over the hill — To the desert. Too old.
over the hill — To the desert. Too old. •padre — Spanish, meaning "father," thus Catholic chaplains.
padre — Spanish, meaning "father," thus Catholic chaplains. •parade ground/field/deck — Purists will call it a parade ground, but parade deck is acceptable.
parade ground/field/deck — Purists will call it a parade ground, but parade deck is acceptable. •Paradise Island — Nickname for MCRD Parris Island.
Paradise Island — Nickname for MCRD Parris Island. •passageway — A corridor or hallway.
passageway — A corridor or hallway. •passed over — In the status of having failed selection for the next higher rank.
passed over — In the status of having failed selection for the next higher rank. •pay grades — The DOD system of designating a U.S. serviceperson's pay: enlisted E-1 to E-9; warrant officers W-1 to W-5, and officer 0-1 to 0-10. (Prior enlisted officers hold the paygrade of O-1E to 0-3E. The DOD makes no differences between 0-4 and 0-4E.) Pay grades are not ranks, or billets. One would never call the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, E-9 of the Marine Corps, or the Commandant, 0-10 of the Marine Corps. Neither should one refer to others or themselves as, say, an E-7 or 0-6. Give people their correct ranks.
pay grades — The DOD system of designating a U.S. serviceperson's pay: enlisted E-1 to E-9; warrant officers W-1 to W-5, and officer 0-1 to 0-10. (Prior enlisted officers hold the paygrade of O-1E to 0-3E. The DOD makes no differences between 0-4 and 0-4E.) Pay grades are not ranks, or billets. One would never call the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, E-9 of the Marine Corps, or the Commandant, 0-10 of the Marine Corps. Neither should one refer to others or themselves as, say, an E-7 or 0-6. Give people their correct ranks. •PCS — Permanent change of station, transfer to another post, station, base or installation.
PCS — Permanent change of station, transfer to another post, station, base or installation. •PFC — Private first class.
PFC — Private first class. •Phone Watch — Marine on duty taking care of the phones when senior marines are busy.
Phone Watch — Marine on duty taking care of the phones when senior marines are busy. •p--- and punk — Solitary confinement on bread and water. Only authorized on board ship and sometimes called B & W.
p--- and punk — Solitary confinement on bread and water. Only authorized on board ship and sometimes called B & W. •platoon sergeant — A staff NCO (usually a staff sergeant) in a platoon, executive to the platoon leader, usually a lieutenant.
platoon sergeant — A staff NCO (usually a staff sergeant) in a platoon, executive to the platoon leader, usually a lieutenant. •pogey bait — Candy, cookies, sweets favored by pogues.
pogey bait — Candy, cookies, sweets favored by pogues. •pogey rope — Fourragere.
pogey rope — Fourragere. •pogue — Anyone who is not in combat arms and not on the front line. Mostly seen as "POG", Persons other than Grunt.
pogue — Anyone who is not in combat arms and not on the front line. Mostly seen as "POG", Persons other than Grunt. •police — To pick up items such as brass and butts and to square away an area.
police — To pick up items such as brass and butts and to square away an area. •port — Left. On a ship the port light, like port wine, is red. Opposite of starboard.
port — Left. On a ship the port light, like port wine, is red. Opposite of starboard. •pot shack — Where pots are washed.
pot shack — Where pots are washed. •POV — Privately owned vehicle.
POV — Privately owned vehicle. •property shed — A place where organizational property is stored.
property shed — A place where organizational property is stored. •pucker factor — Level of anxiety experienced by aircrews or others in tight situations.
pucker factor — Level of anxiety experienced by aircrews or others in tight situations. •PX — Post Exchange. Here the Corps borrowed from the Army. It is in reality the Marine Corps Exchange, but PX is the common term, not BX.
PX — Post Exchange. Here the Corps borrowed from the Army. It is in reality the Marine Corps Exchange, but PX is the common term, not BX. •quarters — Government housing. Periodic, usually daily semimilitary muster of a ship's company.
quarters — Government housing. Periodic, usually daily semimilitary muster of a ship's company. •racks or sacks — Beds. Never called bunks or beds.
racks or sacks — Beds. Never called bunks or beds. •radio watch — Marine on duty monitoring radio networks for traffic.
radio watch — Marine on duty monitoring radio networks for traffic. •ranks — There is no contraction or shortened way of addressing the following: privates, lance corporals, corporals, sergeants (never sarge), staff sergeants, sergeants major, warrant officers, majors and colonels.
ranks — There is no contraction or shortened way of addressing the following: privates, lance corporals, corporals, sergeants (never sarge), staff sergeants, sergeants major, warrant officers, majors and colonels. •real world — Civilian life
real world — Civilian life •REMF — rear echelon MFer, someone who served in a non-combatant type unit such as logistics.
REMF — rear echelon MFer, someone who served in a non-combatant type unit such as logistics. •red death — Poorly prepared corned beef with cabbage.
red death — Poorly prepared corned beef with cabbage. •red lead — Catsup.
red lead — Catsup. •reefer — A large refrigerator or refrigerated room.
reefer — A large refrigerator or refrigerated room. •regulation — Strictly in accordance with regulations or adopted specifications. Issued from government sources (equivalent Army term, "GI").
regulation — Strictly in accordance with regulations or adopted specifications. Issued from government sources (equivalent Army term, "GI"). •Remington raider — a typist or clerk in the S-1 or G-1 sections.
Remington raider — a typist or clerk in the S-1 or G-1 sections. •RHIP — Colloquial abbreviation for the service phrase: "Rank hath its privileges."
RHIP — Colloquial abbreviation for the service phrase: "Rank hath its privileges." •rock — A Marine that is G2 (intelligence) challenged. Used as in, "That Marine's a rock!"
rock — A Marine that is G2 (intelligence) challenged. Used as in, "That Marine's a rock!" •rock happy — Eccentric or mildly deranged as the result of long overseas duty at a remote station, usually an island; akin to Asiatic but without cosmopolitan connections.
rock happy — Eccentric or mildly deranged as the result of long overseas duty at a remote station, usually an island; akin to Asiatic but without cosmopolitan connections. •Rocks and Shoals — Articles for the Government of the Navy, better-known as Rocks and Shoals, was prior to 1951, when replaced by the UCMJ, the military law governing the individual conduct and performance of duty in the naval services. Rocks and Shoals were, according to Captain Donald I. Thomas, USN (Ret), "wonderfully inspiring. We heard the dire consequences to those who 'suffered any vessel of the Navy to be stranded or run upon rocks and shoals, or improperly hazarded'; or who, 'when engaged in battle, treacherously yields or pusillanimously cries for quarter.' We were enjoined to 'guard against and suppress all dissolute and immoral practices.' Court-martial punishment was provided for any person 'who is guilty of profane swearing, falsehood, drunkenness, gambling, fraud, theft or any other conduct tending to the destruction of good morals.' We learned that any officer 'who absents himself from his command without leave may be sentenced by a court-martial to be reduced to the rating of seaman second class.' "
Rocks and Shoals — Articles for the Government of the Navy, better-known as Rocks and Shoals, was prior to 1951, when replaced by the UCMJ, the military law governing the individual conduct and performance of duty in the naval services. Rocks and Shoals were, according to Captain Donald I. Thomas, USN (Ret), "wonderfully inspiring. We heard the dire consequences to those who 'suffered any vessel of the Navy to be stranded or run upon rocks and shoals, or improperly hazarded'; or who, 'when engaged in battle, treacherously yields or pusillanimously cries for quarter.' We were enjoined to 'guard against and suppress all dissolute and immoral practices.' Court-martial punishment was provided for any person 'who is guilty of profane swearing, falsehood, drunkenness, gambling, fraud, theft or any other conduct tending to the destruction of good morals.' We learned that any officer 'who absents himself from his command without leave may be sentenced by a court-martial to be reduced to the rating of seaman second class.' " •rotate — End of deployment in a theater or unit. As in "When do you rotate out of this place?"
rotate — End of deployment in a theater or unit. As in "When do you rotate out of this place?" •running lights — The navigational night lights on a ship or a Marine's eyes.
running lights — The navigational night lights on a ship or a Marine's eyes. •sailor — acceptable: bluejacket, tar. Not so acceptable: gob, swab, swabbie, squid. Probably fighting words: anchor clanker, rust picker, deck ape.
sailor — acceptable: bluejacket, tar. Not so acceptable: gob, swab, swabbie, squid. Probably fighting words: anchor clanker, rust picker, deck ape. •salt — Salt from the brine. A Marine or sailor who has been at sea for a while or who had a number of years in the Corps or Navy is a salt.
salt — Salt from the brine. A Marine or sailor who has been at sea for a while or who had a number of years in the Corps or Navy is a salt. •salty — A Marine or sailor who is not necessarily a salt, but can act or appear salty, which can reflect a certain disregard for rules.
salty — A Marine or sailor who is not necessarily a salt, but can act or appear salty, which can reflect a certain disregard for rules. •salty language — Profanity. It is the wise officer and NCO who avoids salty language or keeps it to a minimum.
salty language — Profanity. It is the wise officer and NCO who avoids salty language or keeps it to a minimum. •Sandbox — Nickname for Iraq commonly used by Marines.
Sandbox — Nickname for Iraq commonly used by Marines. •Sayonara — (Japanese) goodbye.
Sayonara — (Japanese) goodbye. •Schmuckatelli — An unnamed junior Marine (e.g. Private Schmuckatelli, field day the shop).
Schmuckatelli — An unnamed junior Marine (e.g. Private Schmuckatelli, field day the shop). •scrounge — to appropriate, borrow or acquire by doubtful means; derived from "scringe," meaning to search about, rummage, or pilfer.
scrounge — to appropriate, borrow or acquire by doubtful means; derived from "scringe," meaning to search about, rummage, or pilfer. •scullery — Where dishes are washed.
scullery — Where dishes are washed. •scuttlebutts — Drinking fountains. A "butt" is a cask. To "scuttle" means to make a hole in a ship's side, causing it to sink. A scuttlebutt in the days of wooden ships and iron men was a cask that had an opening in its side, fitted with a spigot. Casks of oak were used to contain fresh water for drinking purposes. Because people gather around a scuttlebutt, the gossip, rumor and sea stories are called scuttlebutt.
scuttlebutts — Drinking fountains. A "butt" is a cask. To "scuttle" means to make a hole in a ship's side, causing it to sink. A scuttlebutt in the days of wooden ships and iron men was a cask that had an opening in its side, fitted with a spigot. Casks of oak were used to contain fresh water for drinking purposes. Because people gather around a scuttlebutt, the gossip, rumor and sea stories are called scuttlebutt. •sea bags — Never duffel bags or barracks bags.
sea bags — Never duffel bags or barracks bags. •seagoing — Pertaining to or assigned to sea duty.
seagoing — Pertaining to or assigned to sea duty. •sea lawyer — Never barracks lawyer.
sea lawyer — Never barracks lawyer. •sea story — A yarn calculated to impress recruits or other gullible individuals. Fairy tales start off, "Once upon a time …" Sea stories start, "This is no s---."
sea story — A yarn calculated to impress recruits or other gullible individuals. Fairy tales start off, "Once upon a time …" Sea stories start, "This is no s---." •secure — Stop, make fast, cease work or put away.
secure — Stop, make fast, cease work or put away. •Semper Fi — A variant of semper fidelis (always faithful); the motto of the Corps. For several years during WW II and until the early 1980s, it also was a derisive term, "Semper fi, Mac!" that meant "I got mine; how are you doing?" or "Roll up the ladder. I'm aboard." Today "Semper Fi" is a friendly and positive greeting or sign-off among Marines.
Semper Fi — A variant of semper fidelis (always faithful); the motto of the Corps. For several years during WW II and until the early 1980s, it also was a derisive term, "Semper fi, Mac!" that meant "I got mine; how are you doing?" or "Roll up the ladder. I'm aboard." Today "Semper Fi" is a friendly and positive greeting or sign-off among Marines. •sheets — maps
sheets — maps •Shit bird — A habitually unkempt Marine, an undisciplined Marine. "That Marine is a shit bird..."
Shit bird — A habitually unkempt Marine, an undisciplined Marine. "That Marine is a shit bird..." •shooter — A Marine whose avocation is marksmanship with a rifle or pistol; loosely, a Marine who has displayed special prowess with rifle or pistol, or who has served with distinction on the Marine Corps rifle or pistol teams.
shooter — A Marine whose avocation is marksmanship with a rifle or pistol; loosely, a Marine who has displayed special prowess with rifle or pistol, or who has served with distinction on the Marine Corps rifle or pistol teams. •short-timer — One nearing the completion of his present tour of duty or whose enlistment is due to expire. We once knew someone so "short," he had to parachute off a dime.
short-timer — One nearing the completion of his present tour of duty or whose enlistment is due to expire. We once knew someone so "short," he had to parachute off a dime. •shove off — To leave the vicinity.
shove off — To leave the vicinity. •sick bay — Ship or unit aid station, dispensary or infirmary.
sick bay — Ship or unit aid station, dispensary or infirmary. •sick call — Daily period when routine ailments are treated at sick bay.
sick call — Daily period when routine ailments are treated at sick bay. •side arms — Cream and sugar served with coffee. It also refers to weapons carried by Marines under arms.
side arms — Cream and sugar served with coffee. It also refers to weapons carried by Marines under arms. •sight in — In general, to aim a weapon at a target; loosely used as a synonym for zero.
sight in — In general, to aim a weapon at a target; loosely used as a synonym for zero. •skipper — Derived from the Scandinavian word schiffe, meaning ship, and the Dutch word schipper, meaning captain. A Marine captain.
skipper — Derived from the Scandinavian word schiffe, meaning ship, and the Dutch word schipper, meaning captain. A Marine captain. •skivvies — Underwear: skivvie shirt and skivvie drawers.
skivvies — Underwear: skivvie shirt and skivvie drawers. •skylark — To run up and down the rigging of a ship in sport. To lollygag and frolic.
skylark — To run up and down the rigging of a ship in sport. To lollygag and frolic. •slopchute — PX restaurant or beer garden (equivalent of geedunk on board ship).
slopchute — PX restaurant or beer garden (equivalent of geedunk on board ship). •Smokin' and Jokin' — term describing Marines gathering in a mass and being unproductive.
Smokin' and Jokin' — term describing Marines gathering in a mass and being unproductive. •SNAFU — Situation normal, all fucked-up. Similar to FUBAR.
SNAFU — Situation normal, all fucked-up. Similar to FUBAR. •snap in — To conduct sighting or aiming exercises with an unloaded weapon. To try out for, or break in for a new job.
snap in — To conduct sighting or aiming exercises with an unloaded weapon. To try out for, or break in for a new job. •snot locker — One's nose.
snot locker — One's nose. •snow job — Misleading or grossly exaggerated report or sales talk.
snow job — Misleading or grossly exaggerated report or sales talk. •snuffie or snuffy — Junior Marine in the grade of lance corporal and below.
snuffie or snuffy — Junior Marine in the grade of lance corporal and below. •soldier — The XO of a ship's Marine detachment. A ship's complement may already have a first lieutenant (an officer in charge of cleanliness and general upkeep of a ship or shore station. It is a duty not a rank.). Consequently, the XO of the MarDet is referred to as soldier. Attributed to Maj Rick Spooner, USMC (Ret), CO of a heavy cruiser MarDet.
soldier — The XO of a ship's Marine detachment. A ship's complement may already have a first lieutenant (an officer in charge of cleanliness and general upkeep of a ship or shore station. It is a duty not a rank.). Consequently, the XO of the MarDet is referred to as soldier. Attributed to Maj Rick Spooner, USMC (Ret), CO of a heavy cruiser MarDet. •SOS — An international distress signal or a dish of creamed beef on toast, better known as s--- on a shingle. Here are a couple of SOS recipes.
SOS — An international distress signal or a dish of creamed beef on toast, better known as s--- on a shingle. Here are a couple of SOS recipes. •spit and polish — extreme individual or collective military neatness. Extreme devotion to the minutiae of traditional military procedures, ceremonies.
spit and polish — extreme individual or collective military neatness. Extreme devotion to the minutiae of traditional military procedures, ceremonies. •spit-shine — To shine leather, employing spittle or tap water to remove excess grease and produce a high polish. An extremely high polish on a piece of leather.
spit-shine — To shine leather, employing spittle or tap water to remove excess grease and produce a high polish. An extremely high polish on a piece of leather. •splice of the mainbrace — During sea battles between wooden ships, the rigging was a favored target, and following an engagement the first duty was to repair broken gear, sheets, and braces. It was custom, after the main braces were spliced, to serve grog to the entire crew. Today, the meaning is a general invitation to have a drink.
splice of the mainbrace — During sea battles between wooden ships, the rigging was a favored target, and following an engagement the first duty was to repair broken gear, sheets, and braces. It was custom, after the main braces were spliced, to serve grog to the entire crew. Today, the meaning is a general invitation to have a drink. •spud locker — A place where fresh vegetables are stored.
spud locker — A place where fresh vegetables are stored. •squadbays — Barracks room occupied by privates and junior NCOs.
squadbays — Barracks room occupied by privates and junior NCOs. •square away — Make a neat and regulation appearance. One can also present a neat, regulation and squared-away appearance.
square away — Make a neat and regulation appearance. One can also present a neat, regulation and squared-away appearance. •squid — Anyone in the Navy
squid — Anyone in the Navy •stacking swivel — An oblong-shaped link with an opening screwed to the rifle that allowed other rifles to be hooked and stacked. The M1 Garand was the last service rifle to have a stacking swivel. To grab by the stacking swivel is to grab by the throat.
stacking swivel — An oblong-shaped link with an opening screwed to the rifle that allowed other rifles to be hooked and stacked. The M1 Garand was the last service rifle to have a stacking swivel. To grab by the stacking swivel is to grab by the throat. •staff NCO — Staff noncommissioned officers: staff sergeant, gunnery sergeant, master sergeant, first sergeant, master gunnery sergeant and sergeant major.
staff NCO — Staff noncommissioned officers: staff sergeant, gunnery sergeant, master sergeant, first sergeant, master gunnery sergeant and sergeant major. •Stand By — Wait.
Stand By — Wait. •starboard — Right. On a ship the starboard light is green. Opposite of Port.
starboard — Right. On a ship the starboard light is green. Opposite of Port. •survey — Medical discharge; to effect discharge or retirement of an individual for medical reasons; to dispose of an item of government property by reason of unserviceability.
survey — Medical discharge; to effect discharge or retirement of an individual for medical reasons; to dispose of an item of government property by reason of unserviceability. •swab — A mop or a sailor.
swab — A mop or a sailor. •swoop — To make a long trip in a short period of time; to drive home during weekend liberty.
swoop — To make a long trip in a short period of time; to drive home during weekend liberty. •sympathy chit — Chit supposedly issued by those in authority, or by chaplains authorizing an individual with many woes to obtain a prescribed amount of sympathy. An expression used derisively to indicate a lack of sympathy or concern over the plight of another.
sympathy chit — Chit supposedly issued by those in authority, or by chaplains authorizing an individual with many woes to obtain a prescribed amount of sympathy. An expression used derisively to indicate a lack of sympathy or concern over the plight of another. •TAD — Temporary additional duty for Marines and sailors. Not TDY, which appears on many joint forms and is an Army and Air Force term.
TAD — Temporary additional duty for Marines and sailors. Not TDY, which appears on many joint forms and is an Army and Air Force term. •The Rock — Okinawa.
The Rock — Okinawa. •tie-ties — Strings used to tie laundry items to the clothes line. Also old issue skivvies had tie-ties.
tie-ties — Strings used to tie laundry items to the clothes line. Also old issue skivvies had tie-ties. •tight-jawed — Angry.
tight-jawed — Angry. •tip of the spear — The Marine Corps.
tip of the spear — The Marine Corps. •top — A Marine master sergeant. Not a first sergeant, not a master gunnery sergeant, and certainly not a sergeant major.
top — A Marine master sergeant. Not a first sergeant, not a master gunnery sergeant, and certainly not a sergeant major. •topside — Ship's deck or area exposed to the weather. Upper deck.
topside — Ship's deck or area exposed to the weather. Upper deck. •tore up — Messed up, broken, messy, unserviceable.
tore up — Messed up, broken, messy, unserviceable. •TRAM — Tractor, Rubber-tired, Articulated steering, Multi-purpose.
TRAM — Tractor, Rubber-tired, Articulated steering, Multi-purpose. •trooper — Of Army origin. Refer to an individual Marine as a Marine, never a trooper.
trooper — Of Army origin. Refer to an individual Marine as a Marine, never a trooper. •troops — As a plural, it is acceptable, but not troopers.
troops — As a plural, it is acceptable, but not troopers. •trousers — pants.
trousers — pants. •two-block — To hoist a flag or pennant to the peak, truck or yardarm. A field scarf with the knot positioned exactly in the "v" between the collar of a buttoned shirt.
two-block — To hoist a flag or pennant to the peak, truck or yardarm. A field scarf with the knot positioned exactly in the "v" between the collar of a buttoned shirt. •UCMJ — The Uniform Code of Military Justice (Public Law 506, 81st Congress) 1951 is the system of military law, both judicial and nonjudicial, now in force throughout the U.S. Armed Forces.
UCMJ — The Uniform Code of Military Justice (Public Law 506, 81st Congress) 1951 is the system of military law, both judicial and nonjudicial, now in force throughout the U.S. Armed Forces. •UD — Unit Diary morning report.
UD — Unit Diary morning report. •un-ass — To get off of, or out of, as in "Let's un-ass this place."
un-ass — To get off of, or out of, as in "Let's un-ass this place." •un-f'ing- Correcting a junior Marine. "Someone un f' him!"
un-f'ing- Correcting a junior Marine. "Someone un f' him!" •under arms — A Marine is under arms when he has a weapon in his hand, is equipped with side-arms, or when he is wearing equipment pertaining to an arm such as a sword sling, pistol belt, or cartridge belt. Any Marine wearing an "MP" or "SP" brassard is considered under arms.
under arms — A Marine is under arms when he has a weapon in his hand, is equipped with side-arms, or when he is wearing equipment pertaining to an arm such as a sword sling, pistol belt, or cartridge belt. Any Marine wearing an "MP" or "SP" brassard is considered under arms. •under canvas — Living under canvas covers everything from life in a shelter half up to a squad tent.
under canvas — Living under canvas covers everything from life in a shelter half up to a squad tent. •under way — To depart, or to start out for an objective.
under way — To depart, or to start out for an objective. •utilities — Camouflage or digital, herringbone or sateen, the field and work uniforms of Marines are utilities or utes, never BDUs and no longer called dungarees.
utilities — Camouflage or digital, herringbone or sateen, the field and work uniforms of Marines are utilities or utes, never BDUs and no longer called dungarees. •WAG — Wild-ass guess, followed by the more precise SWAG: scientific wild-ass guess.
WAG — Wild-ass guess, followed by the more precise SWAG: scientific wild-ass guess. •Walking John — Traditional nickname for a Marine Corps sergeant in blues (marching) who sometimes appears on recruiting posters.
Walking John — Traditional nickname for a Marine Corps sergeant in blues (marching) who sometimes appears on recruiting posters. •war belt — Web belt worn in the field or by recruits.
war belt — Web belt worn in the field or by recruits. •war paint — Sticks of camouflage face paint.
war paint — Sticks of camouflage face paint. •watch — Official tour of duty of prescribed length, such as guard or officer of the day.
watch — Official tour of duty of prescribed length, such as guard or officer of the day. •water buffalo — A 400-gallon water tank/trailer towed behind a truck or externally hauled by helicopter.
water buffalo — A 400-gallon water tank/trailer towed behind a truck or externally hauled by helicopter. •wet down — To serve drinks in honor of one's promotion.
wet down — To serve drinks in honor of one's promotion. •whites — Marine Corps or Navy white uniforms.
whites — Marine Corps or Navy white uniforms. •Willie Pete — White phosphorus munition. Grenade, Mortar, artillery, or bomb.
Willie Pete — White phosphorus munition. Grenade, Mortar, artillery, or bomb. •Willie Peter bag — A waterproof bag.
Willie Peter bag — A waterproof bag. •winger — Term of a Marine who works in an aviation unit.
winger — Term of a Marine who works in an aviation unit. •woman Marine — It is always best to use the term Marine, for that is what they are. When gender differentiation is needed, use woman Marine, female Marine or even lady Marine. Never WM, and BAM is verboten.
woman Marine — It is always best to use the term Marine, for that is what they are. When gender differentiation is needed, use woman Marine, female Marine or even lady Marine. Never WM, and BAM is verboten. •work one's bolt — To resort to special measures, either by energy or guile. To attain a particular end.
work one's bolt — To resort to special measures, either by energy or guile. To attain a particular end. •yellow legs — Name given by the Communist North Korean Army to U.S. Marines, whom they recognized by their discolored, yellow-looking leggings.
yellow legs — Name given by the Communist North Korean Army to U.S. Marines, whom they recognized by their discolored, yellow-looking leggings. •zoomie — Term of a Marine who serves with an aviation unit: a wing wiper or airdale
zoomie — Term of a Marine who serves with an aviation unit: a wing wiper or airdale
USMC TERMS
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