Time & radio
Charlie Mike
Continue Mission · CM
All
Continue mission; keep going with the assigned task.
“We lost the coffee, but we Charlie Mike.”
Marines slang & terms
Includes terms used across all branches. Informal usage varies by unit and era.
Field & combat
Embrace the suck
All
Accept an unpleasant situation and work through it.
“Embrace the suck; the rain is not taking requests.”
Insults & nicknames (friendly)
Fobbit
ArmyMarines
A teasing name for someone who spends a deployment mostly inside a forward operating base.
“The fobbit knew every coffee shop on base.”
Insults & nicknames (friendly)
POG
ArmyMarines
Person Other than Grunt, the polite expansion; a teasing label for personnel outside the infantry.
“Our favorite POG fixed the radio.”
Ranks & people
Grunt
ArmyMarines
An infantry service member.
“The grunt packed extra socks.”
Ranks & people
Devil Dog
Teufel Hunden
Marines
A nickname for a U.S. Marine. Stories connecting it to German troops in World War I are disputed.
“That Devil Dog still stands tall.”
Insults & nicknames (friendly)
Jarhead
Marines
An informal nickname for a Marine, often used in friendly interservice teasing.
“The jarhead brought the loudest birthday toast.”
Time & radio
Oorah
Marines
A Marine Corps motivational cry used to express enthusiasm or agreement.
“Oorah, one more hill.”
Gear & uniforms
BCGs
Birth Control Glasses · BCG
All
Birth Control Glasses, a joking name for older, conspicuous military-issued eyeglasses.
“My BCGs survived another field exercise.”
Chow & barracks life
Chow
All
Food or a meal.
“We stop for chow at noon.”
Chow & barracks life
Chow hall
DFAC · Dining Facility · Chow hall / DFAC
All
A place where service members eat; DFAC means dining facility, especially in Army usage.
“Meet me at the chow hall.”
Chow & barracks life
MRE
Meal Ready to Eat
All
Meal, Ready-to-Eat: a packaged field ration designed to be eaten without a kitchen.
“I traded my MRE crackers for coffee.”
Chow & barracks life
Rack
NavyMarinesCoast Guard
A bed or bunk, especially aboard a ship.
“I am heading to my rack.”
Chow & barracks life
Head
NavyMarinesCoast Guard
A restroom or toilet in naval usage.
“The head is down the passageway.”
Insults & nicknames (friendly)
Geardo
All
Someone especially enthusiastic about buying or collecting tactical gear.
“Our geardo has a pouch for his pouches.”
Ranks & people
Boot
MarinesNavy
An inexperienced newcomer, often fresh from initial training.
“The boot arrived with spotless boots.”
Ranks & people
Salty
NavyMarinesCoast Guard
Experienced and seasoned; sometimes also gruff or irritated.
“The salty chief had seen worse weather.”
Chow & barracks life
Field day
NavyMarinesCoast Guard
A thorough cleaning session, not necessarily an outdoor sports event.
“Field day means the dust loses tonight.”
Ranks & people
Moto
Marines
Short for motivated or motivational, sometimes teasingly applied to over-the-top enthusiasm.
“He was moto enough to volunteer first.”
Field & combat
High speed low drag
All
Very efficient, capable, or streamlined; sometimes said sarcastically.
“That high speed low drag checklist saved us an hour.”
Gear & uniforms
Gun truck
ArmyMarines
A truck equipped with weapons to provide protection or fire support, often for a convoy.
“The gun truck joined the convoy.”
Gear & uniforms
Death card
ArmyMarines
A playing card, often an ace of spades, used as a military symbol associated particularly with the Vietnam War.
“The museum display included a death card.”
Ranks & people
Breacher
ArmyMarinesNavyAir Force
A trained person who creates an opening through an obstacle so a team can enter or pass.
“The breacher checked the training equipment.”
Chow & barracks life
Tun Tavern
Marines
A Philadelphia tavern traditionally associated with recruiting the first Continental Marines in 1775.
“The birthday speech mentioned Tun Tavern.”
Acronyms
0311
Marines
The Marine Corps military occupational specialty for a rifleman.
“She trained as an 0311.”
Ranks & people
Doc
All
An informal, respectful name for a medic, corpsman, or military medical professional.
“Doc reminded us to hydrate.”
Ranks & people
Corpsman
NavyMarines
A Navy hospital corpsman, an enlisted medical specialist who may serve with Marines.
“The corpsman checked everyone's feet.”
Ranks & people
Top
ArmyMarines
An informal address for a senior enlisted leader, often an Army first sergeant or Marine master sergeant; usage varies.
“Top wanted the accountability report.”
Ranks & people
Gunny
Marines
An informal name for a gunnery sergeant, a Marine Corps E-7.
“Gunny noticed the crooked cover.”
Ranks & people
Butter bar
All
A nickname for a new second lieutenant or ensign, referring to the gold rank bar.
“The butter bar brought a fresh notebook.”
Ranks & people
Mustang
All
A commissioned officer who previously served as an enlisted member.
“The mustang remembered barracks inspections well.”
Time & radio
Zero dark thirty
Oh-dark-thirty · Oh dark thirty
All
An informal expression for a very early hour before daylight; it is not an exact time.
“We assembled at zero dark thirty.”
Time & radio
Hurry up and wait
All
Rush to get ready, then spend a long time waiting.
“The bus schedule was hurry up and wait.”
Time & radio
Good to go
All
Ready, acceptable, or cleared to proceed.
“The packed truck is good to go.”
Time & radio
Lima Charlie
All
Loud and Clear, expressed through the phonetic letters L and C; a report that a radio signal is easy to hear.
“Your radio is Lima Charlie.”
Time & radio
Roger
All
I received your last transmission; it does not by itself mean yes or a promise to comply.
“Roger, I received the update.”
Time & radio
Wilco
All
Will Comply: the message is understood and the instruction will be carried out.
“Wilco, I will bring the roster.”
Time & radio
Tango Uniform
All
Phonetic shorthand for a crude expression meaning broken or out of service; this is the polite meaning.
“The printer went Tango Uniform again.”
Acronyms
FUBAR
Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition
All
Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition, the polite expansion; badly broken or hopelessly disorganized.
“The filing system was FUBAR.”
Acronyms
SNAFU
Situation Normal All Fouled Up
All
Situation Normal: All Fouled Up, the polite expansion; a familiar mess or complication.
“A scheduling SNAFU moved lunch again.”
Acronyms
BOHICA
Bend Over Here It Comes Again
All
Bend Over, Here It Comes Again, the polite expansion; resigned humor about another unwelcome development.
“Another last-minute change: BOHICA.”
Acronyms
NCO
Noncommissioned Officer
All
Noncommissioned Officer: an enlisted leader appointed to a leadership rank rather than commissioned as an officer.
“Ask the NCO for the packing list.”
Insults & nicknames (friendly)
Blue falcon
All
A person accused of betraying teammates or causing them trouble for personal benefit; a polite substitute for a cruder label.
“Do not be a blue falcon over a parking spot.”
Field & combat
Pencil whip
All
Sign off on a task or inspection without actually doing it; dishonest and unsafe.
“Never pencil whip a safety check.”
Insults & nicknames (friendly)
Ricky Recruit
NavyMarinesCoast Guard
A teasing name for a very inexperienced recruit.
“Ricky Recruit packed three alarm clocks.”
Insults & nicknames (friendly)
Ate up
ArmyMarines
Disorganized, poorly prepared, or failing to meet standards.
“That packing layout is ate up.”
Gear & uniforms
Gear adrift
NavyMarinesCoast Guard
Equipment left unsecured or unattended.
“Secure that gear adrift before we move.”
Chow & barracks life
Scuttlebutt
NavyMarinesCoast Guard
Rumor, gossip, or informal news.
“The scuttlebutt says the schedule changed.”
Chow & barracks life
Galley
NavyCoast GuardMarines
A ship's kitchen or food preparation area.
“Coffee is brewing in the galley.”
Chow & barracks life
Liberty
NavyMarinesCoast Guard
Authorized short time off duty, distinct from chargeable leave.
“Liberty starts after the brief.”
Ranks & people
Shellback
NavyCoast GuardMarines
Someone recognized in naval tradition for crossing the equator and completing the associated ceremony.
“The shellback framed the certificate.”
Ranks & people
Pollywog
NavyCoast GuardMarines
A person who has not yet crossed the equator in the naval crossing-the-line tradition.
“The pollywog was excited about the voyage.”
Gear & uniforms
Cover
NavyMarinesCoast Guard
A uniform hat or cap; the word has other tactical meanings in different contexts.
“Put your cover on outside.”
Chow & barracks life
Deck
NavyMarinesCoast Guard
A ship's floor or level; Marines also use it for the ground or floor.
“Keep the deck clear.”
Chow & barracks life
Bulkhead
NavyMarinesCoast Guard
A wall or partition aboard a ship.
“The notice is on the bulkhead.”
Insults & nicknames (friendly)
Ninja punch
MarinesNavy
Slang for nonjudicial punishment, playing on the abbreviation NJP; an actual disciplinary process.
“The safety brief was no joke about ninja punch.”
Chow & barracks life
Motrin and water
Vitamin M
All
A joke about receiving ibuprofen and hydration advice for many complaints; not medical advice.
“The running joke was Motrin and water.”
Field & combat
Drink water and change your socks
All
A familiar reminder about hydration and foot care, also used jokingly as an answer to almost any problem.
“Long day ahead: drink water and change your socks.”
Field & combat
Range day
All
A day of supervised weapons practice or qualification at a designated range.
“Range day begins with a safety briefing.”
Insults & nicknames (friendly)
Shammer
ArmyMarines
Someone known for dodging work or appearing busy without contributing.
“The shammer vanished when the brooms appeared.”
Acronyms
PCS
Permanent Change of Station
All
Permanent Change of Station: an official move to a new duty location.
“Our PCS is scheduled for summer.”
Acronyms
DD-214
DD214 · DD 214
All
A separation document recording qualifying military service, often needed to apply for veterans' benefits.
“Keep a secure copy of your DD-214.”
Chow & barracks life
Terminal leave
All
Approved leave taken immediately before separation or retirement, while still in military status.
“Terminal leave starts next month.”
Gear & uniforms
Ruck
ArmyMarines
A rucksack, or a march carrying one.
“Pack your ruck before dinner.”
Insults & nicknames (friendly)
Dope on a rope
ArmyMarines
A joking nickname for a service member descending on a rope, such as during air assault training.
“The dope on a rope landed right on the marker.”
Field & combat
Smoke session
ArmyMarines
Slang for a strenuous bout of physical exercise, often used as corrective training.
“The smoke session left everyone ready for a shower.”
Field & combat
Death before dishonor
All
A traditional motto expressing a strong commitment to honor; it is a slogan, not an instruction.
“The old patch read death before dishonor.”
Time & radio
Semper Fi
Semper Fidelis
Marines
Short for Semper Fidelis, the Marine Corps motto meaning Always Faithful.
“Semper Fi, see you at the reunion.”
Field & combat
Kill zone
ArmyMarines
A designated area an ambush or defensive plan is intended to cover with fire.
“The instructor marked the kill zone on the training map.”
Insults & nicknames (friendly)
Crayon eater
Marines
A modern joking nickname for a Marine, usually friendly interservice ribbing.
“The crayon eater won the trivia round.”
Acronyms
MOS
ArmyMarines
Military Occupational Specialty: a code identifying a service member's job specialty.
“What is your MOS?”
Field & combat
Flight line
Air ForceNavyMarinesArmyCoast Guard
The area where aircraft are parked, serviced, and prepared for operations.
“Only authorized personnel enter the flight line.”
Ranks & people
Crew chief
Air ForceArmyMarinesNavy
A maintainer or aircrew specialist responsible for an aircraft, with duties varying by service and aircraft type.
“The crew chief checked the aircraft records.”
Ranks & people
Maintainer
Air ForceSpace ForceArmyNavyMarinesCoast Guard
A service member who services and repairs military equipment.
“The maintainer spotted the fault.”
Gear & uniforms
Bird
All
An informal name for an aircraft.
“The bird is ready for its next flight.”
Field & combat
Sortie
Air ForceNavyMarinesArmyCoast Guard
One operational flight by one aircraft.
“The aircraft completed one sortie.”
Time & radio
Oscar Mike
All
On the Move, expressed with the phonetic letters O and M.
“We are Oscar Mike after the brief.”
Time & radio
Mike
All
The phonetic word for M, also used informally for a minute in some military contexts.
“Give me five mikes.”
Time & radio
Klick
All
A kilometer, approximately 0.62 miles.
“The checkpoint is one klick away.”
Acronyms
Sitrep
All
Situation Report: a concise update on current conditions or progress.
“Send a sitrep before lunch.”
Acronyms
AAR
All
After Action Review: a discussion of what happened, what worked, and what to improve.
“We held an AAR after the exercise.”
Acronyms
OPSEC
All
Operations Security: protecting information that could reveal sensitive activities or plans.
“Think OPSEC before posting online.”
Acronyms
PERSEC
All
Personal Security: protecting personal information and reducing risks to individuals.
“Use good PERSEC with travel details.”
Acronyms
PT
All
Physical Training: exercise intended to build or maintain fitness.
“PT begins before breakfast.”
Field & combat
Formation
ArmyMarinesAir ForceSpace Force
An organized gathering of personnel for accountability, instructions, or ceremonies.
“Formation is at 0600.”
Time & radio
Reveille
All
A morning wake-up signal or ceremony; practices vary by installation and service.
“Reveille sounded before sunrise.”
Time & radio
Taps
All
A bugle call associated with lights out and military funerals or memorial ceremonies.
“Everyone stood quietly for Taps.”
Gear & uniforms
Colors
All
A national or unit flag; also a ceremony associated with raising or lowering the national flag.
“We paused for morning colors.”
Chow & barracks life
Leave
All
Authorized absence from duty charged against an accrued leave balance.
“My leave request was approved.”
Chow & barracks life
Barracks
All
Military living quarters, commonly for junior enlisted personnel.
“The barracks inspection is tomorrow.”
Field & combat
Bivouac
ArmyMarines
A temporary field camp, often with limited shelter.
“We set up a bivouac before dark.”
Chow & barracks life
Hooch
ArmyMarines
An informal term for a small shelter, room, or living space on deployment.
“Keep your hooch tidy.”
Gear & uniforms
Poncho liner
ArmyMarines
A lightweight insulated blanket designed for field use, affectionately called a woobie.
“The poncho liner made the cold night easier.”
Gear & uniforms
Woobie
ArmyMarines
An affectionate nickname for a poncho liner or similar comforting field blanket.
“Nobody borrows my woobie without asking.”
Gear & uniforms
Moonbeam
Marines
Marine slang for a flashlight, especially in recruit-training settings.
“Bring a moonbeam for the night check.”
Gear & uniforms
Go-fasters
Marines
A recruit-training nickname for running shoes.
“Put on your go-fasters for PT.”
Gear & uniforms
Skivvies
NavyMarinesCoast Guard
Underwear.
“Pack clean skivvies for the trip.”
Ranks & people
Squared away
All
Organized, prepared, and meeting the expected standard.
“That team is squared away.”
Insults & nicknames (friendly)
Un-sat
All
Short for unsatisfactory; below the required standard.
“Leaving the door unsecured is un-sat.”
Insults & nicknames (friendly)
Soup sandwich
ArmyMarines
A humorous description of a disorganized person or situation.
“That loading plan is a soup sandwich.”
Ranks & people
Voluntold
All
Assigned a task while it is presented as though you volunteered.
“I was voluntold to carry the cooler.”
Field & combat
Dog and pony show
All
An elaborate presentation or demonstration staged for visitors or senior leaders.
“We rehearsed the dog and pony show.”
Ranks & people
All hands
NavyMarinesCoast Guard
Everyone in a ship's company or unit.
“All hands attend the briefing.”
Time & radio
Aye aye
NavyMarinesCoast Guard
I understand the order and will carry it out.
“Aye aye, Chief.”
Time & radio
Belay
NavyMarinesCoast Guard
Stop, cancel, or disregard an instruction; in seamanship it can also mean secure a line.
“Belay my last request.”
Time & radio
Port
NavyCoast GuardMarines
The left side of a vessel when facing forward.
“The boat is on the port side.”
Time & radio
Starboard
NavyCoast GuardMarines
The right side of a vessel when facing forward.
“Look to starboard.”
Time & radio
Aft
NavyCoast GuardMarines
Toward the rear of a vessel.
“The compartment is aft.”
Time & radio
Forward
NavyCoast GuardMarines
Toward the front or bow of a vessel; context can also indicate a direction on land.
“Move forward along the passageway.”
Chow & barracks life
Passageway
NavyCoast GuardMarines
A corridor aboard a ship.
“Keep the passageway clear.”
Chow & barracks life
Ladderwell
NavyCoast GuardMarines
A stairway or ladder passage between shipboard decks.
“Use the handrail in the ladderwell.”
Ranks & people
Reenlistment
All
Signing up for another period of enlisted military service.
“The reenlistment ceremony was on Friday.”
Acronyms
CO
All
Commanding Officer: the officer in command of a unit or vessel.
“The CO approved the plan.”
Acronyms
XO
All
Executive Officer: an officer who assists the commander and often coordinates daily operations.
“The XO reviewed the schedule.”
Acronyms
RTO
ArmyMarines
Radio Telephone Operator: a service member who operates a unit's tactical radio.
“The RTO checked the battery.”
Acronyms
COMSEC
All
Communications Security: measures used to protect communications from unauthorized access or exploitation.
“Follow COMSEC procedures with the equipment.”
Acronyms
FOB
ArmyMarinesAir Force
Forward Operating Base: a position used to support operations away from a main base.
“The convoy returned to the FOB.”
Acronyms
CONUS
All
Continental United States; in military administrative usage, the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia.
“The assignment is CONUS.”
Acronyms
OCONUS
All
Outside the Continental United States; includes overseas locations and, for many administrative purposes, Alaska and Hawaii.
“The next move is OCONUS.”
Acronyms
TAD
NavyMarines
Temporary Additional Duty: a temporary assignment away from one's regular duty station or duties.
“She is on TAD for the course.”