An Unofficial Dictionary for Marines containing words, phrases and acronyms used by United States Marines through the ages

The Unofficial Dictionary for Marines

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1st Civ. Div.: 1st Civilian Division. Civilian life. Before or after service in the Marine Corps.
1-MC.: The communication system aboard ship which allows orders and information to be passed immediately to all members of the crew. Usually a series of speakers throughout the entire ship.
4-striper.: A Navy or Coast Guard captain. The informal reference alludes to the four wide stripes worn on the cuffs of the blue uniform by captains.
8th and Eye.: Location of the Commandant's house, Marine Barracks, Washington, the Marine Corps Band and Drum and Bugle Corps as well as MCI. It is the ceremonial home of the Corps. It was the only public building not set afire when the British overran Washington, DC in the War of 1812, some say because of their stoic defense at Bladensburg Pike. From its address at 8th and I Streets SE, Washington, DC.
24/7.: 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Essentially always. Originally a reference to the perpetual card games on the fantail of a troop ship.
25-MC.: The communication system aboard ship which allows orders and information to be passed immediately to specific compartments and pre-selected crew members.
72.: A 72-hour absence from duty. Granted by commanding officers and not charged as leave.
90-Day Wonder.: Unflattering term for an OCS graduate. Refers to the early practice of training commissioned officers in three months rather than the four years in the Naval Academy or the 4 year part-time training in ROTC. Also, 90-day blunder.
96.: A 96-hour absence from duty. Granted by commanding officers for outstanding duty, unit successes or special holidays. Not charged as leave.
100-Inch Range.: A rifle range of approximately 100 inches used to zero weapons prior to qualification.
782 Gear.: Originally individual equipment owned by a unit and issued to a Marine while assigned to that unit. In boot camp that included a bucket, cleaning equipment, a poncho and a shelter half. The name is derived from the number of the form on which it was originally issued. Present use refers to the Load Bearing Vest, cartridge belt and the equipment attached to the belt as well as other field equipment.
: (Vietnam) The MOS for an unlucky cocksucker.
1900.: Homosexual. From the paragraph in the Separations Manual in the 1970s and 1980s that discusses homosexuals.

-A-

A-1 Sky Raider.: (Vietnam Era) Single engine propeller driven aircraft also called Sandy or Spad
A-4 Sky Hawk.: (Vietnam Era) Single engine attack jet. Medium size and subsonic.
A/O.: Area of Operations.
A. J. Squared Away.: A Marine with everything in place and in order. The perfect Marine.
Abaft.: Aft of any given point on a ship.
ACE.: Air Combat Element.
ACE Medical.: Battalion Aid Station for USMC Aviation units in the field.
Acme Beer.: World War II era beer made in San Jose, California and sent to the South Pacific specifically for Marine units. It came in both a green and a brown bottle but only the brown colored bottles were fit to drink. The green bottles contained a liquid that smelled like a skunk.
Actual.: (Commtalk) Radio call sign for commander of a unit. If the unit call sign is "Brownbag" the unit commander will be "Brownbag Actual".
AD.: Active Duty.
Administrative Discharge.: A non-punitive discharge prior to completion of an enlistment. A way for the Marine Corps to move someone out without effecting post-service benefits.
Admiral.: The highest naval rank in peacetime (See Fleet Admiral). The rank insignia consists of four silver stars in a row. The admiral ranks did not appear in the U. S. Navy until the Civil War. Prior to that time a captain was the highest rank in that service. When placed in command of larger units he was sometimes designated a Flag Officer, but that was a billet, not a rank. The current admiral ranks (from junior to most senior) are: Rear Admiral (lower half), one star; Rear Admiral (upper half), two stars; Vice Admiral, three stars; Admiral, four stars and Fleet Admiral, five stars.
Admiral of the Fleet.: A rank given to Admiral Dewey to place him above all other admirals. See Fleet Admiral.
Adrift.: Floating aimlessly, usually without a rudder or compass. Missing in action. Setting ones self off from the norm.
AFRTS.: Pronounced A-farts. American Forces Radio and Television Service, provider of commercial type radio and television programming to ships and overseas stations. Depending on the politically correct form at the time American can be replaced with Armed and Service can be replaced with System.
AFSC.: Air Force Specialty Code. The Air Force equivalent of an MOS.
Aft.: Behind, from the naval term for the after section of the ship.
AFU.: All Fucked Up.
Air Force.: One of the five uniformed military branches. Also, in the Air Force, a unit consisting of multiple wings and given a numerical designation (e.g. 8th Air Force). Used from World War II until the 1970s.
Air Start.: Blowjob.
Air Strike.: See Close Air Support.
Airdale.: Anyone serving in aviation.
Airman.: A Navy enlisted rank. See Seaman. Also an Air Force enlisted rank. See private first class. Or a generic term for anyone in the Air Force.
AK-47.: Soviet-manufactured Kalashnikov semi-automatic and fully automatic combat assault rifle, 7.62-mm; the basic weapon of the Communist forces.
ALPHA.: (Commtalk) A. Sometimes spelled ALFA.
Alpha Mike Foxtrot.: Adios, Mother Fucker. Goodbye. A polite form is Adios My Friend.
Alpha Unit.: A Marine's spouse.
Allotment.: A specific amount deducted from a Marine's pay and sent to another entity.
Ammo.: Ammunition.
Amtrac.: Slang for Amphibious Armored, Tracked, Personnel Carrier. (LVT/AAV).
Amtracker.: An Assault Amphibious Vehicle crewman.
AN-M-8.: HC Smoke Hand Grenade. Weighing 25.5 oz it contains 19 oz of HC which emits a dense smoke for up to 2.5 minutes. It has a 2-second delay.
AN-M-14.: Incendiary (Thermite) Hand Grenade. Weighing 32 oz and containing 26.5 oz of TH3 thermite mixture it is designed to start fires with its 40 seconds of 4,300 degrees F.
Anchor Clanker.: In the Navy, a Boatswain's Mate. Or anyone in the Navy.
Anchor Pool.: A betting pool, the winner of which has come closest to the time logged by the Officer of the Deck for dropping or weighing anchor.
ANGLICO.: Air-Naval Gunfire Liaison COmpany. Marines on the front lines who direct fire missions from aircraft and naval gun batteries who are parachute and SCUBA qualified. Used in the Vietnam era and reduced from four to two companies in 1997 (both surviving companies were reserve units) and brought back for the Afghanistan operations.
Arc Light.: (Vietnam)B-52 bombers dropping their entire load of 2,000 pound bombs on suspected concentrations of enemy troops.
Arlington Ridge.: Location in Arlington VA north of the National Cemetery overlooking the Potomoc River and Washington DC. It is the site of the Marine Corps Memorial, the sculpture of Marines raising the flag on Iwo Jima in World War II.
Arty.: Artillery.
ARA.: Aerial Rocket Artillery. A Cobra AH-1G helicopter with four XM-159C 19-rocket (2.75 inch) pods.
ARVN.: Army of the Republic of Vietnam.
ASAP.: As Soon As Possible.
Ass Hanging Out.: Applied to someone who is either not squared away or whose ignorance is showing.
Ass Pack.: The little first aid kit worn on web gear, and located in the middle of the lower back. Usually contained two field pressure dressings, tourniquet, and some iodine. Sometimes, there was even gedunk in there.
Assault Line.: Marine attack formation with troops advancing abreast.
ASVAB.: Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (skills test)--required to join the armed forces.
Aviation Cadet.: A student in military flight training. In some instances they have come from other officer procurement programs while at other times they were stand-alone commissioning and flight training programs. See Cadet.
Aye.: Yes. A naval expression.
Aye Aye.: I understand your order and will comply. A naval expression.
Azimuth.: Compass heading toward an objective or target.

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B00-500.: 500 cubic foot field space cooler or air conditioner. Requires a dedicated generator.
B1RD.: Humorous identification for a non-existent Air Force plane. See GU11.
BA1100N.: Balloon.
BA 30/30.: Government issue green Ray-o-Vac "C" cell battery.
Ba Mu'o'i Ba.: Brand name of a Vietnamese beer.
Bad Conduct Discharge.: A discharge ranking between Honorable and Dishonorable. It is rumored that Walt Disney's Bad Conduct Discharge from the Marine Corps was framed and hung behind his desk--that its distinctive yellow color is seen in early introductions to "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color" on ABC in the 1950s and 1960s. This is false--Walt Disney never served in ANY military service.
Bag.: To get as in, to bag some sleep.
Bag Drag.: Being transferred, shipping out or moving to new quarters. From the act of dragging the seabag from place to place.
BAM.: A pejorative term for a Woman Marine, reportedly meaning broad-assed Marine. Never used much in the presence of female Marines out of fear of bodily harm. Women Marine recruits in the 1960s, when it was most used, were taught that the letters meant "Beautiful American Marine". Known to have been used as early as World War II.
Bandoleer.: A cloth or canvas container of several rounds of ammunition.
Bandolier.: A linked belt of machine gun ammo.
BAQ.: Basic Allowance for Quarters.
BAR.: Browning Automatic Rifle. The M-1918A1 automatic rifle was first used in World War II until Vietnam. Marines, of course, didn't get it until after World War I. It was replaced by the SAW.
Barnett, George.: Twelfth Commandant of the Marine Corps. The Wisconsin native who was born on Dec. 9, 1859 became the first graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy to be appointed Commandant. He served as Major General Commandant from February 25, 1914 until June 30, 1920. He died April 27, 1930.
Barracks.: Buildings where single Marines live or a duty station where they serve.
BAS.: Basic Allowance for Subsistence. Also Battalion Aid Station.
Base Pay.: The amount a service member earns per month based on rank and years of service.
Basic School.: Basic training for new second lieutenants. Conducted at Quantico, VA.
Basket Leave.: An extended leave of absence from duty (beyond a 96 for example) that ends up not being charged as leave.
Basketball.: (Vietnam) A flare ship on station to drop illumination flares on command. Also called Puff the Magic Dragon or Spooky.
Baton.: See Field Marshall and Drum Major.
Battalion.: A unit containing multiple companies. It is typically commanded by a lieutenant colonel. Battalions are normally assigned to a regiment.
Battalion Aid Station.: A field medical unit. The first organized aid station a Marine will see when transported from the care of the front line corpsmen.
Battle Dressing.: A rectangular medical dressing carried into battle by each Marine.
Battle Stations.: See General Quarters.
Battery.: An artillery unit equivalent to an infantry company. Usually six guns used in support of an infantry battalion.
Bayonet.: A knife-like weapon attached to the muzzle of a rifle used for hand-to-hand combat.
Bazooka.: A WWII period invention, it was the first of the modern rocket launched weapons and was made in 2.75" and 3.5" versions. They were used against tanks, vehicles and other profitable targets but they were plagued by electrical problems. They were replaced by the M-72 LAW.
BB Stacker.: Anyone dealing with ordinance or a member of a bomb disposal unit.
BC Glasses.: Marine Corps issue eyeglasses (officially F-9). Named Birth Control glasses by the troops due to their repulsive effect on the opposite sex.
BCD.: Bad Conduct Discharge.
BDU.: Battle Dress Uniform. The official name for cammies.
Beating A Dead Horse.: A naval term meaning to work off advance pay on board ship--the period before you start earning money again. See Dead Horse.
Belay.

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C-Rations.: Individual meals used in the field from World War II until Vietnam. They came in a box containing cans of food and a foil accessory pack. They were replaced by the Meal, Ready to Eat.
Cadet.: A student at the U. S. Military Academy, U. S. Air Force Academy, Reserve Officer Training Corps units as well as other officer procurement organizations. See Aviation Cadet.
Cadillac.: Marine Corps issued boots. The predominant form of transportation for recruits and infantry Marines.
Call Sign.: (Commtalk) The word identifier for a unit, aircraft or pilot. [NOTE: The editor is attempting to compile a list of Call Signs actually used in Vietnam.
Camel Back.

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Da Nang.: (Vietnam) Major Marine base and seaport on the China Sea in southern I Corps.
Daily Seven.: Physical Training exercises expected of every Marine.
Dap.: A complicated and unique hand shake devised by African American Marines in Vietnam as a demonstration of racial pride. Quickly picked up by non African Americans and eventually a common form of greeting. It came back to the United States with many of the veterans and became widespread for more than a decade.
Date of Enlistment.: For enlisted personnel this is the third level used to determine precedence among individuals of the same rank. The senior of two persons of the same rank is determined by the earliest date of rank while among two or more where rank and date of rank are identical, the one with the earliest date of enlistment is senior.
Date of Commissioning.: For commissioned officers this date serves the same purpose as Date of Enlistment does for enlisted personnel although it is seldom used as precedence among officers is much more structured.
Date of Promotion.: The day on which a promotion warrant or order is signed.
Date of Rank.: The day on which a promotion is effective. Usually the date of rank is prior to the date of promotion (sometimes by days, sometimes by weeks, sometimes by years depending on the requirements of the promoting authority). Date of rank is used to establish precedence for promotion to the next higher rank and to establish seniority among individuals of the same rank (See General of the Armies).
DD Form 4.: The enlistment contract.
DD Form 214.: The certificate of service issued upon discharge. It lists all pertinent service information such as rank, date of rank, awards, special education and nature of service (honorable, bad conduct, dishonorable).
Dead Horse.: In the sailing navy, the period of time a sailor worked to pay off advance pay. See Beating a Dead Horse.
Deck.: Floor, from the naval term.
Deck Ape.: Anyone in the Deck Force on board ship (those sailors who chip paint, swab decks, mend canvas and create ornamental rope work). Generally a Boatswain's Mate or Boatswain's Mate striker.
Deep Six.: To throw something overboard or away. Originally the call of a sailor to the bridge that the depth of the water is more than six but not quite seven fathoms.
DEERS.: Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (used to register dependents for CHAMPUS and numerous other programs).
Defilade.: A cut or low spot in the ground used for cover by tanks and personnel.
Delayed Enlistment Program.: A recruiting procedure which allows a person to enlist in the inactive reserve prior to reporting for duty. It legally binds the person to enlistment and gives him or her seniority when ordered to active duty. See Poolee.
DELTA.: (Commtalk) D.
Delta Sierra.: Dumb Shit.
DEP.: Delayed Enlistment Program.
Department of the Navy.: The unit, under the Department of Defense, that manages the Navy and Marine Corps. There are also Departments of the Army and Air Force.
Dependent.: Usually the spouse and children of military people. Others can be dependents if they meet the dependency criteria of the service.
Deployment.: Leaving the normally assigned duty area, usually as a unit, to serve temporarily in another area, normally on board ship. See Float.
DEROS.: Date of Estimated Return from Overseas.
Deuce and a Half.: A two and a half ton truck. Also known as a Six By (it had six wheels on each side and each was a drive wheel). See Multi-fueler.
Deuce Gear.: See 782 gear.
Devil Doc.: Nickname for Navy hospital corpsmen assigned to Marine Corps field units.
Devil Dog.: A Marine. The name “Teufel Hundin” was given to the Marines by their German enemies in World War I, probably as an insult since hunden translates more correctly as "bitch". It has come to be considered a sign of respect for the dogged determination of Marines.
DI.: Abbreviation for drill instructor. Also a mid-20th Century movie about a drill instructor at Parris Island, SC starring Jack Webb.
Di Di.: Pronounced D-D. From the Vietnamese term Di Di Mau which was loosely translated to mean "move quickly".
Dick Skinners.: Hands.
Didie Bop.: To move in such a manner as to be extremely cool. (Vietnam) Diddy; to move on, usually quickly.
Dink.: (Vietnam) Enemy or, generically, Vietnamese.
Dinky Dau.: A Vietnamese term translated by Americans to mean crazy.
Dinged.: (Vietnam) Wounded.
Ditty Dot.: Radio operator, from Morse Code, dit and dot.
Division.: A unit containing multiple (usually three) regiments plus supporting units, commanded by a major general.
Dixie Cup.: Headgear worn by enlisted sailors through the grade of E-6 (first class petty officer). See White Hat.
Dixie Station.: One of two positions typically occupied by an aircraft carrier off the coast of Vietnam. Dixie was the southern station and was charged with troop support.
DMZ.: Demilitarized Zone. In Vietnam, a section of Vietnam between the Marines of I Corps and North Vietnam. In Korea, the line drawn at the 38th Parallel. Any point between two belligerent camps.
Doc.: A term reserved for Navy enlisted medical corpsmen assigned to duty with Marine Corps combat units. These sailors are generally given the same respect that one Marine gives to another Marine. In fact, Navy corpsmen who earn service medals during duty with the Marine Corps are authorized to wear a miniature eagle, globe and anchor on their ribbon-something not even authorized for Marines.
Doctor.: A commissioned officer in the Navy with a degree in medicine, dentistry, psychology or other allied profession, usually referred to by their military rank.
Dog Robber.: An aide to a general officer whose duties are so varied as to defy explanation.
Dog Tags.: Originally metal disks embossed with personal information that could be left with a body on the field of battle for identification. Eventually it evolved into a rounded rectangle with a small indentation on one side so that it could be set on the teeth of a deceased soldier and kicked into the head so that the enemy could not strip the dead soldier of his identity (this info confirmed with HQMC Casualty Branch). See also Toe Chain.
Dog Watch.: The normal watch from 1600 until 2000. It is broken into two smaller watches (first dog and second dog) so that everyone has the opportunity to eat the evening meal and to change the rotation of the watches where there are only two groups of watch standers (mostly from the days of smaller wooden ships).
Doggies.: A pejorative term for soldiers.
Dogs.: Feet.
Donkey Dick.

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E-tool.: Entrenching tool. A small folding shovel with a multitude of field uses. In World War I it was one of a series of tools shared among a squad and used to dig the trenches in which the majority of the war was fought. The early versions did not fold up and had a "T" handle.
Eagle Globe and Anchor.: The emblem of the United States Marine Corps adopted in 1868 under Brigadier General Commandant Jacob Zeilen following the Civil War. Prior to that time the Marines wore the Army infantry horn with a red field in the center and the letter “M” in Old English script.
EAS.: End of Active Service.
ECHO.: (Commtalk) E.
EGA.: An abbreviation for Eagle Globe and Anchor generally not used.
El Presidente.: Brand name of a Dominican Republic beer in 1965 when the Marines landed in that country.
El Espanol.: (Dominican Republic) The hotel in the Dominican Republic that was headquarters for the 6th Regimental Landing Team (including BLT 3/6) in 1965.
Elliott, George.: Tenth Commandant of the Marine Corps. Born in Alabama on Nov. 30, 1856, he lived until Nov. 4, 1931. Appointed Brigadier General Commandant to replace Major General Commandant Heywood, the law was changed on May 13, 1908 establishing the position of Major General Commandant to which he was promoted.
Embassy Marine.: A Marine assigned to a State Department billet, usually at a United States embassy overseas.
Enlist.: The act of joining the military services by individuals who are not Warrant or Commissioned Officers.
EST.: Essential Subjects Training.
Ex Marine.: No such thing, except for a Marine who is Dishonorably Discharged. Once a Marine, always a Marine. See Former Marine.
Exchange.: See Marine Corps Exchange.
Eye Fuck.: To look or stare at, usually in a curious manner.

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F-4 Phantom.: Twin engine jet fighter/bomber used by Marines for ground support. Made by McDonnell Douglas.
Falcon Code.: A variation of the Charlie Echo Code.
Fantail.: An open deck at the rear of a ship, usually where trash was dumped overboard.
Fartsack.: Sleeping bag or mattress cover.
Feather Merchant.: A person short or of slight build or a person in a comfortable or easy assignment such as headquarters duty or some staff billet. Often used for all civilians working for the military.
Fiddler's Green.: Historically a sailor's idea of heaven. Many petty officer clubs on Navy installations are given this name.
Field Day.: A day set aside for the thorough cleaning of barracks or offices.
Field Expedient.: The art of getting the job done despite the limitations. See Tootsie Roll for a good example.
Field Grade.: A commissioned officer in the grade of major, lieutenant colonel or colonel.
Field Marshall.: A rank in many foreign military forces, usually the highest ranking officer of the service. They are generally identified by the highly decorated baton that they carry on official occasions. Vaguely equivalent to Commandant of the Marine Corps or Chief of Naval Operations or one of the Chiefs of Staff. Not used in the military services of the United States.
Field Marshall’s Baton.: See Field Marshall.
Field Medical Service School.: Often called Devil Doc University, it is where Navy corpsmen and dental technicians are trained for field duty with operational Marine Corps field units.
Field Meet.: An organized series of sporting competitions pitting one unit against another. Organized grab ass.
Field of Fire.: The radius that an automatic weapon can cover in an arc from port to starboard.
Field Scarf.: A necktie.
Fighting Hole.: Fox Hole.
FIIGMO.: Fuck It, I Got My Orders. Often written FIGMO. Someone who has received permanent change of station orders or is ending their term of service. Either way they are Short Timers and don't much care about anything but leaving.
Final Strength Test.: A physical fitness test given near the end of recruit training to determine if a recruit has improved sufficiently based upon the results of the Initial Strength Test.
Fire In The Hole.: An alert that an explosive device is about to be detonated. If you hear this you probably missed all of the other warnings and are about to be blown away.
Fire Team.: The basic infantry fighting unit consisting of four Marines with various weapons and support. Fire teams are combined into squads.
Firebase.: An artillery support position.
Fireman.: A Navy enlisted rank. See Seaman.
First Lieutenant.: The second grade of commissioned officer, indicated by a silver bar on the collar of the uniform. The pay grade is O-2 and is the same in the Army and Air Force. In the Navy and Coast Guard the rank is lieutenant (junior grade) and is additionally indicated on shoulder boards or coat cuffs by one wide and one narrow gold stripe topped by an insignia indicating a branch (usually a gold star in the Navy or a gold shield in the Coast Guard indicating a line officer). In the Navy it refers to the Deck Division officer or person in charge of general seamanship.
First of foot and right of the line.: Honor bestowed on the U. S. Marine Corps by the Secretary of the Navy on Aug. 9, 1876. It means that Marines take the place of honor in any Naval formation.
First Sergeant of Marines.: The senior noncommissioned officer in a company or squadron indicated by three chevrons and three rockers with a diamond (lozenge) between chevrons and rockers, worn on each sleeve or collar point as appropriate. The pay grade is E-8 and is the same in the Army. In the Air Force the rank is senior master sergeant which is a technical sergeant insignia with two chevrons above it. In the Navy and Coast Guard the rank is senior chief petty officer which is a chief petty officer with a star above the eagle. First sergeant in the Air Force is a billet and is indicated by a lozenge between chevrons and rockers on any insignia between master sergeant and chief master sergeant.
First to Fight.: Marines have been in the forefront of every American war since the founding of the Corps. They entered the Revolution in 1775, even before the Declaration of Independence was signed! Marines have carried out more than 300 landings on foreign shores. They have served everywhere, from the Arctic to tropics; their record for readiness reflects pride, responsibility, and challenge.
FitRep.: Fitness Report written on Marines in the rank of sergeant and above which measures his or her fitness for command. It is the written report of a Marine's career.
Flack Jacket.: Body Armor.
Flag Allotment.: A detachment of Marines assigned for security and ceremonial purposes to certain Navy Admirals.
Flag Officer.: Any of the general or admiral ranks or any officer whose billet authorizes him or her to fly a personal flag (almost never applied in the present). Prior to the Civil War Navy captains in charge of squadrons or fleets were called flag officers as a point of courtesy.
Fleet.: A group of ships usually under the command of a flag officer. Also, "In the Fleet" a term used to indicate the Marine Corps beyond boot camp and technical school. It is "in the fleet" that a Marine does his or her job.
Fleet Admiral.: A wartime rank given to full admirals who command a fleet. The rank insignia consists of five silver stars in a circle. Fleet Admirals do not retire.
Fleet Hospital.: Naval field hospital.
Flight Surgeon.: A physician and Navy Medical Officer who specializes in aviation medicine for both the Navy and Marine Corps.
Float.: To be deployed at sea, usually on a MEU as in "six month float"
Flotsam.: Floating wreckage of a ship or its cargo; floating debris; unimportant miscellaneous material.
FMF.: Fleet Marine Force. Sometimes Fighting Mother Fuckers.
FNG.: Fucking New Guy.
FO.: Forward Observer. Usually an artillery officer or pilot assigned to infantry units to coordinate artillery support or air strikes in support of the Mud Marines.
Fore.: In front. From the naval term.
Forecastle.: Pronounced fok' sil. An open deck on board most ships at the bow, usually where the anchors were secured. Generally a place for off duty sailors to gather, tell sea stories and smoke.
Formed.: Reference to a unit of Marines who are under the control of someone and are standing, walking, marching, sitting or even lying in a prescribed manner. It is said that whenever two Marines are walking together, one is in command and the other is formed.
Former Marine.: An acceptable term for a Marine who is not currently serving, but make no mistake, that person is a Marine and always will be a Marine.
Fortitudine.: The original motto of the Marine Corps, Latin for fortitude. It has been replaced by Semper Fidelis.
FOXTROT.: (Commtalk) F.
FPL.: Final Protective Line. The point at which a position is about to be overrun--it signals a switch to survival instincts.
Frag.: (Vietnam) To kill a person of superior rank, usually by throwing a fragmentation grenade into the room or area where he or she is located (such as a hooch or a latrine). Also to bombard with excess for the purpose of causing a problem or creating a distraction. Additionally, a fragmentary order giving subordinate commanders the information they require to conduct their portion of an operation.
French Fourragere.: The government of France honored the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments and the 6th Machinegun Battalion with the Fourragere for their fighting skills during World War I. Those units still wear the award today.
Frog.: Nickname for the CH-46 helicopter which sits with the rear portion of the craft lower than the front, squatting like a frog. Also, the green scarf worn wrapped around a Marine's neck in winter or a device attached to the duty belt upon which a sword is attached.
Frozen Chosin.: See Chosin Reservoir.
FTA.: Fuck the Army.
FTN.: Fuck the Navy.
FUBAB.: Fucked Up Beyond All Belief.
FUBAR.: Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition. Another version is Fucked Up Beyond All Repair.
Fuller, Ben H.: Fifteenth Commandant of the Marine Corps. The Michigan native who was born Feb. 27, 1870 graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy and was appointed Major General Commandant on the death of Wendell Neville, July 9, 1930 and served until Feb. 28, 1934. He died June 8, 1937.
Funeral Pace.: The pace of march for funerals, approximately half of quick time.

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G-1.: Division or Wing Personnel.
G-2.: Division or Wing Intelligence. Also a common reference to a person's intelligence.
G-3.: Division or Wing Operations and Training.
G-4.: Division or Wing Logistics (which includes supply, operations, facilities and food service).
GAF.: Give A Fuck.
Gaggle.: An unorganized group doing nothing.
Gale, Anthony.: Fourth Commandant of the Marine Corps. Born in Ireland on Sept 17, 1782, as a young Marine officer serving in the Ganges he had been struck by a Navy junior officer whom he "called out" and shot. The action was received as honorable by then Commandant William Burrows. Following the death of Commandant Wharton in 1818 the position was filled in an acting capacity by Adjutant and Inspector, Brevet Major Samuel Miller and then by Brevet Major Archibald Henderson. Gale's short tenure as Lieutenant Colonel Commandant was punctuated with the dislike of the Secretary of the Navy who charged him in a court martial. The specifications included, "being intoxicated in common dram shops and other places of low repute." He pleaded not guilty by reason of temporary insanity but was found guilty and sentenced to dismissal from the service. He died about 1843 and his place of burial is unknown. He also remains the only Commandant for whom no likeness exists.
Gangway.: An order to clear space for an approaching senior officer (See Make A Hole). Also a ladder or ramp used to board and debark a ship.
Garrison.: Any place with civilized comforts, such as showers and cots, can be found. Not in the boonies.
Garrison Cover.: A uniform cover invented in the 20th Century it consists of a cap running for and aft on the head displaying on the front left the eagle globe and anchor and on the right the rank insignia of commissioned and warrant officers. No rank is worn on the cap by enlisted personnel. See Pisscutter.
Gas Chamber.: A building used for the training of recruits and Marines in the actions to be taken during a Nuclear, Biological or Chemical attack. Various gasses are used in training and all of them are noxious but none are fatal.
Gear.: Things. Personal things such as clothing and equipment or unit things such as 782 gear. Essentially all things.; Gear Adrift.
Anything not properly stowed, tied down or otherwise secured.
Geedunk.: A snack bar on ship. Any place that candy and pogey bait are sold.
Geeters.: (Vietnam) Money.
General.: Highest rank in the Marine Corps. The Commandant of the Marine Corps is a general. The pay grade is O-10 and is designated by four silver stars worn on collar points. The rank is the same in the Army and Air Force. In the Navy the rank is admiral and is additionally designated by a two inch gold band and four one inch gold bands topped by a star on the jacket sleeves. The shoulder boards are mostly gold with a silver fouled anchor and four silver stars..
General of the Air Force.: A wartime rank. The rank insignia is five silver stars in a circle worn on collar points.
General of the Armies.: A rank given to General John Pershing in 1919 to place him above all other general officers. Unlike Generals of the Army, Pershing did retire. He was offered the option to wear five stars but turned it down.
General of the Armies of the United States.: George Washington. A rank created on March 15, 1978 by Congress for General Washington to make it clear that he was the senior officer of the military services. Prior to that day he was in the grade of Lieutenant General.
General of the Army.: A wartime rank. The rank insignia is five silver stars in a circle worn on collar points. Generals of the Army do not retire.
General Orders.

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Harper's Ferry.: The location of John Brown's ill fated uprising in 1859 and of his capture by U. S. Marines under the command of Army Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Lee. The Marines were led by Lt Israel Greene who later resigned his commission to join the Confederate States Marines. Marine Private Luke Quinn was killed when he breached a hole in the firehouse door and was shot by John Brown and can, arguably, be considered the first casualty of the Civil War.
Harris, John.: Sixth Commandant of the Marine Corps. Born in Chester County, PA on May 20, 1790 he became Colonel Commandant on the death of Archibald Henderson and served through the Civil War. His leadership is overshadowed by his personal battles with other senior Marine officers, one of which resulted in his report to the Secretary of the Navy after the First Battle of Bull Run in which he ignored the accolades of senior Army commanders on the field and reported that it was "the first instance in history where any portion of its members turned their backs on the enemy." The erroneous report has stained the reputation of the Corps for eternity. He died, in office, on May 12, 1864.
Hashmark.: Stripes worn on forearm of dress and service uniforms by enlisted Marines, each denotes 4 yrs of service.
HASP.: (Vietnam era) Hawaiian Armed Services Police.
Hatch.: Door, from the naval term for the entrance to a compartment.
Head.: Latrine or toilet, from the naval term. In the sailing navy the forecastle (pronounced folk-sill) was the most forward deck open to the weather and was the place sailors were allowed to gather to relax and entertain each other. One corner of the forecastle, with a wide scupper, was where sailors went to the bathroom. As the forecastle was in the front or "head" of the ship, a sailor on the way to relieve himself would declare that he was on the way to the head.
Head Shed.: Often Hed Shed. Headquarters or Command Post where all of the leaders are gathered. A great place for a Marine to stay away from.
Henderson, Archibald.: Fifth Commandant of the Marine Corps, known as the "Grand Old Man of the Corps" he served the longest in the position--38 years. The Virginia native was born on Jan. 21, 1783 and served as Acting Commandant from Sept. 16, 1818 until Gale's appointment on March 3, 1819. He was named Lieutenant Colonel Commandant at the conclusion of Gale's court martial which cashiered him from the service, Oct. 17, 1820. During Henderson's tenure he led the Marines in the Indian Wars in Florida, reportedly tacking a note to the door of the Commandant's House saying, "Gone to fight the Indians, be back when the war is over". He also became the first Colonel Commandant and was awarded a Brevet promotion to Brigadier General. In the social setting of Washington he was known as General Henderson but he always signed official documents as Colonel Commandant.
Henderson Hall.: A building in Arlington, Va., close to the Pentagon used to house enlisted Marines assigned to HQMC at the Pentagon and other administrative functions. The building was named for Brevet Brigadier General, Colonel Commandant Archibald Henderson, the Grand Old Man of the Corps.
Herringbone.: A World War II fabric in a field green color that was used to make utility uniforms. The herringbone pattern was phased out during Korea and by Vietnam was only worn by real salts.
Heywood, Charles.: Ninth Commandant of the Marine Corps. Born in Maine Oct. 3, 1839 he became Colonel Commandant on Jan. 30, 1891 and served in the position until Oct. 2, 1903. On March 3, 1899 the billet of Commandant was again raised to Brigadier General and on July 1, 1902 a law was passed promoting the incumbent to Major General Commandant but requiring that his replacement be a Brigadier General. He died on Feb. 26, 1915.
High and Tight.: The traditional Marine haircut.
Hiako.: To bug out in a big hurry.
HMFIC.: Head Mother Fucker In Charge. An Ebonics version is HMFWIC for Head Mother Fucker What's In Charge.
Holcomb, Thomas.: Seventeenth Commandant of the Marine Corps. Born in Delaware Aug. 5, 1879 he was named Major General Commandant on Dec. 1, 1936. On Jan. 20, 1942 a new law provided for the Commandant to be a Lieutenant General and provided that the title be "Commandant of the Marine Corps", dropping the reference to rank. He retired from the Marine Corps on Dec. 31, 1943 and the next day was promoted to General on the retired list (See Tombstone Brigadier General), the first Marine to hold that rank. He died May 24, 1965. Following his retirement he served as Ambassador to South Africa.
Hole.: Window, from the naval term porthole. See “make a hole”.
Hollywood Marines.: Marines trained at MCRD San Diego, CA. It is rumored among Parris Island Marines that Hollywood Marines are issued sun glasses in boot camp. There are no female Hollywood Marines since all female Marines go through boot camp in the 4th Recruit Training Battalion (formerly WM Battalion) at MCRD Parris Island, SC.
Honcho.: The person in charge which is not necessarily the person assigned to be in charge. See HMFIC.
Honey Bucket.: Any bucket used to clean out a toilet, usually carried in pairs on a stick by Oriental women and men.
Hooch.: Hard liquor, usually contraband, often home made.
Hook Up.: To get in touch with.
Hootch.: (Vietnam) Living quarters, originally occupied by enlisted Marines, the word later become a general term for wherever a Marine was living. The civilian word crib is essentially the same.
Horse Blanket.: A thick wool blanket or the heavy wool overcoat once issued to all Marines and seldom worn.
Horse Marines.: See China Marines.
Hospital Corners.: A method of making a rack where the top blanket is squared off at the corners leaving one 45 degree angle on each corner. The procedure allows the blanket to be tucked under making it straight and tight.
Hostess House.: An on-base hotel for guests of Marines.
Hotel Street.: (WWII) The vice district of Honolulu, Hawaii which contained 20 brothels and around 200 prostitutes. Customers would pay $3 for 3 minutes and the women (mostly imported from the mainland) would service up to 100 customers per day (martial law rules imposed a curfew during the hours of darkness).
House Mouse.: A recruit who provides assistance to the drill instructor in the form of keeping the drill instructor hut tidy and other minor tasks and chores. It is an informal position and the person is selected by the drill instructor. Often it leads to one of the promotions given at the conclusion of basic training. Some units in the fleet also use the term to mean a junior member of an organization assigned duties such as coffee mess and other domestic chores.
HQMC.: Headquarters Marine Corps. Located in the Pentagon. Previously at the Navy Annex on a plot of land where the Air Force Monument will be built (The original site was on Arlington Ridge adjacent to the Marine Corps Memorial but Marines and their friends fought that placement as inappropriate.)
Huey.: HU1E, the designation of a helicopter used extensively in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam period.
Hump.: A field march or extended hike. To work hard. Also, to fornicate.

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-I-

IBGB.: Itty Bitty Gook Boats. Small Vietnamese fishing junks in the DaNang area. Early in the 1960s they were prevalent but by the end of the decade they were nearly extinct.
Iceplant.: (Vietnam) See Grass.
IG.: Inspector General.
Ike Jacket.: The term was not authorized in the Marine Corps and when used would subject a Marine to a reprimand. Marines remembered General Eisenhower's comment that he would have no Marines in Europe (having forgotten that his reserve force was Marine and paying no attention to the OSS personnel in the theater). A uniform jacket of similar design was authorized just after World War II and continued into the early 1960s. It was a forest green fabric with a faux belt and no skirt below the belt.
Improvise, Adapt and Overcome.: An unofficial mantra of the Marine Corps based on the fact that the Corps generally received Army hand-me-downs and the troops were poorly equipped. Despite this, the Marine Corps has been successful mostly because of the creativity of its people and their success-based attitude.
In Country.: Serving in Vietnam.
In the Fleet.: See Fleet.
Incoming.: An alert that something is coming at you, often enemy fire or artillery.
Initial Strength Test.: A physical test given early in the training of a recruit to determine if the recruit meets minimum fitness standards and to set a baseline for measuring progress.
Ink Stick.: Pen (a writing instrument).
Irish Pennant.: A string hanging randomly from a Marine’s uniform. Longer ones are sometimes called rappelling ropes or cables. A squared away Marine will be free of Irish pennants, particularly at an inspection.
Iron Mike.: A statue of a World War I Marine at Quantico, VA with a copy on Parris Island, SC. The original was made by the government of France to thank the Americans for their aid in World War I. When it was presented to General Pershing he noticed that the Doughboy holding aloft an M-1911 A1 pistol had a Marine Corps emblem on his helmet. Pershing refused to accept the sculpture and it was given to the Marines.

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-J-

Jack.: A flag at the bow of a ship or sometimes a sailor, from the Royal Navy term for sailor--Jack Tar. The Jack of a United States ship has a blue field and 50 white stars and is flown from the bow while in port. During courts martial or courts of inquiry on board the Jack is flown from the yardarm.
JAG.: Judge Advocate General. The legal branch of the military services.
Jarhead.: A pejorative term for a Marine. One account suggests that it refers to the Marine high and tight haircut which looks like someone placed a jar on the head and cut off any hair that was sticking out.
Jerry Can.: A five-gallon metal can designed for transporting gasoline and other volatile liquids.
Jetsam.: The part of a ship, its equipment, or cargo that is cast overboard to lighten the load in time of distress and that sinks or is washed ashore.
JG.: Refers to a Navy lieutenant junior grade.
Jody.: Traditionally the civilian who moves in on your girl while you are serving in the Marine Corps.
Joe.: Coffee. Josephus Daniels (18 May 1862-15 January 1948) was appointed Secretary of the Navy by President Woodrow Wilson in 1913. Among his reforms of the Navy were inaugurating the practice of making 100 Sailors from the Fleet eligible for entrance into the Naval Academy, the introduction of women into the service, and the abolishment of the officers' wine mess. From that time on, the strongest drink aboard Navy ships could only be coffee and over the years, a cup of coffee became known as "a cup of Joe".
Joe Shit The Rag Man.: The generic screw up or an un-squared away Marine.
John Wayne.: The tool included in each case of C-Rations used to open the cans. See P-38.
John Wayne Crackerbox Junior.: A name used by SSgt. Ed Johnson (the editor’s senior drill instructor) in 1962 to refer to any male person. According to SSgt. Johnson, he had a sister named Suzy Rottencrotch--which was a reference to any female person.
Joint Chiefs of Staff.: A Department of Defense organization consisting of the Chiefs of Staff of the Army and Air Force, the Chief of Naval Operations and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Their chairman is appointed by the President. While each member retains control of their specific service, the JCS commands the Unified Commands.
Jungle Boots.: (Vietnam era) Boots designed to meet the peculiar climate of Vietnam. Made from standard field boots the upper leather was replaced with a breathable canvas that would dry while being worn and the sole was reinforced with a steel shank in response to the Punji Sticks.
Junior Drill Instructor.: See Drill Instructor.
Junk on the bunk.: An inspection of a Marine’s uniforms and equipment in which everything is laid out in a specified order on the bunk bed. Also called “things on the springs” or “seabag inspection”.

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-K-

K-bar.: A fighting knife used by reconnaissance Marines. Also called a Kaybar.
K-rations.: World War II individual field rations. Universally detested for their lack of taste and rubbery consistency they were replaced by C-rations.
Kaibosh.: To cancel or cause something to stop.
King Neptune.: The mythological God of the Sea. He always presides, with his court, at Line-Crossing Ceremonies.
Kiwi.: The preferred brand of shoe polish for Marines since World War II. Also the national bird of New Zealand, and a nickname for a New Zealander. A registered trade mark of the Sara Lee Corporation.
Kiwi Injection.: A good, sharp, quick kick in the ass.
Klick.: See Click.
KP.: Kitchen Police. Duty assigned to junior enlisted Marines, sometimes as punishment.

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Lance Corporal.: The rank between private first class and corporal. It is not a noncommissioned officer rank and the insignia is a single chevron with crossed rifles beneath it worn on each sleeve of the uniform. The pay grade is E-3 and is equivalent to a private first class in the Army (who wears a single chevron and a rocker) and an airman first class in the Air Force (who wears two inverted chevrons with a star in a circle covering the points of the chevrons). In the Navy and Coast Guard the rank is seaman (three angular stripes in a box on the left sleeve only).
Landing Party Manual.: The complete book of what to do and when to do it that guided the Marine Corps through most of the 20th Century. Now obsolete, copies are prized by professional Marines for the wealth of information and simple approach to leadership, morale, discipline, warfighting and professionalism.
LAW.: Light Antitank Weapon. It was contained in a collapsible, disposable fiberglass tube.
LBFM.: Little Brown Fucking Machine. A pejorative term for South Pacific island girls Marines encounter while on liberty.
LBV.: Load Bearing Vest. A vest that holds magazines of ammunition, grenades and a cartridge belt to which are attached other equipment such as first aid kit, canteens and cup. See 782 Gear.
LCVP.: Small landing craft used to transport Marines from ship to shore.
Lead Turd.: Bad idea or an idea that is going nowhere fast.
Leatherneck.: A Marine. The phrase comes from the early days of the Marine Corps when enlisted men were given strips of leather to wear around their necks. The popular concept has it that the leather was to protect the neck from a saber slash. Truth is that it was to keep the Marines from slouching in uniform by forcing them to keep their head up.
Leatherneck Magazine.

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M-1.: The U.S. rifle caliber .30 [30-06], M-1, is an air-cooled, gas-operated, clip-fed, semiautomatic shoulder weapon. The primary infantry weapon of World War II and Korea. It replaced the Springfield M-1903 and was replaced by the M-14.
M-1/M-2.: .30 cal. carbine rifle.
M-2.: "Heavy barrel" .50 cal. machine gun developed just after WWI and still being used into the 21st Century.
M-3A1.: Shoulder fired, blowback operated .45 cal. submachinegun with 30-round magazine known as the "grease gun". A favorite of garrison officers. Standard on-board weapon for most tank crews.
M-7.: Larger, circular baseplate for the M-224 mortar.
M-7A3 CS.: Riot Control Hand Grenade. This 19 oz weapon contains 9.5 oz of CS that when ignited gives off a thick cloud of irritating agent for approximately 60 seconds.
M-8.: Smaller, rectangular baseplate for the M-224 mortar.
M-9.

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-N-

Napalm.: Highly volatile gasoline in a jelly form used for burning out caves during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Also used by the Air Force to defoliate large areas of forests or jungles.
NAS.: Naval Air Station.
Navajo Code Talkers.: See Code Talkers.
Navy Construction Battalion.: Combat engineers and construction forces known as Seabees.
NBC.: Nuclear, Biological and Chemical. See Gas Chamber.
NCO.: Noncommissioned officer.
NCOIC.: Noncommissioned officer in charge. The senior enlisted Marine in detachments and guard units, particularly when there is no commissioned officer assigned. See HMFIC.
Neville, Wendell.

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O'Bannon, Presley N.: Lieutenant of Marines. See Marmeluke Sword.
Obstacle Course.: A series of physical barriers over which a Marine must cross in a race against time. See Confidence Course.
OD.: Olive drab. Official color of utility and fatigue uniforms worn prior to the introduction of BDUs or cammies. The term was replaced by Sage Green and then simply Green.
Officer.: General use refers to commissioned officers and warrant officers. Noncommissioned officers are also officers but are generally referred to as NCOs or specific rank.
Officers’ Country.: The area aboard ship where the commissioned officer living compartments are located. Off limits to all enlisted personnel unless on official duty.
Oh Dark Thirty.: See 0 Dark Thirty.
OIC.: Officer in Charge. A commissioned or warrant officer placed in charge of a group of Marines or a project. This person is not a commander and does not have the UCMJ authority vested in a commander.
Old Goat.: See Goat Locker.
Old Hat.: Stale or unchanged information. Information that is already known.
On Station.: Usually refers to a ship being at its assigned position on the ocean. Also sometimes used to mean on duty.
Ontos.: A Vietnam era fighting vehicle that looked like a small tank with six externally mounted 105mm recoilless rifles attached. Ammunition and a loader were carried inside but he had to get out to load the tubes. When all six rifles were fired at the same time the Ontos would stand up on its hind section. The word is reportedly Greek for "thing".
Ooohraah.: A sound made by a Marine to indicate agreement or to provide encouragement.
Op Tempo.: Operational Tempo; how frequently a unit deploys or goes to the field.
Order of the Golden Dragon.: Awarded for crossing the International Date Line. See Line Crossing Ceremony.
Orderly Sergeant.: The highest ranking enlisted rank in the Marine Corps during the Civil War. Most of the ships' Marine Detachments were commanded by Orderly Sergeants. Not presently in use.
Oscar.: The name of the dummy used for man overboard drills. Also, the flag that is hoisted when there is a man overboard.
Out.: (Commtalk) I am finished talking and do not expect a reply from you.
Outfuckingstanding.: A Marine expletive meaning very good.
Over.: (Commtalk) I am finished talking, I am now expecting you to talk.
Over and Out.: (Commtalk) Does not exist--an oxymoron.
Over the Hill.: Unauthorized absence.
Overhead.: Ceiling, from the naval term.

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-P-

P-38.: The tool contained in every case of C-Rations used as a can opener. It is so versatile that Marines used it as a Phillips and slot screw driver, rudimentary box opener, scraper and even push tool. Generally worn with the Dog Tags around the neck. See John Wayne.
Parade Deck.: See Grinder.
Parris Island, S.C.: Location of the Marine Corps' east coast Recruit Depot. Named for its previous owner it has been a Naval facility since the Civil War and a Marine Corps activity since 1915. It is the only training site for female Marines.
Passageway.: A hallway or corridor from the naval usage.
Password.: A pre-determined word or phrase given in response to the challenge of a sentry. Literally, a word needed in order to pass.
Pay Grade.: A relational term consisting of the letter E, O or W and the level of pay assigned to that grade.
PCFSMFSOB.: Piss, cunt, fuck, shit, mother fucker, son of a bitch. An expletive when said quickly while angry or in pain. (Vietnam era)
PCS.: Permanent Change of Station. Leaving one unit to be assigned to another, it generally involves travel pay and household goods shipments and a total disruption of life.
PEBD.: Pay Entry Base Date. The date from which pay longevity is computed. Usually the first enlistment or commissioning date.
Permanent Party.: A person assigned to a base, station or ship on Permanent Change of Station orders as opposed to someone assigned temporarily.
Permissive TAD.: Permissive Temporary Additional Duty is granted for temporary duty away from the normal assigned duties but no additional pay is given. PTAD is granted for "recruiter assistance" duty. Also Permissive TDy.
Petty Officer.: A Navy and Coast Guard series of ranks vaguely equivalent to noncommissioned officers. The insignia consists of from one to three inverted chevrons with a Navy Eagle perched on top. Between the eagle and the chevrons is a graphic which indicates the specialty of that particular petty officer.
PFT.: Physical Fitness Test. A biannual test to ensure that Marines are within the Marine Corps' physical standards. The test includes a timed three-mile run, pull-ups (for men), bent arm hang (for women) and crunches (up to 100 in a two minute period). The Marine's height to weight ratio is also measured and must fall within established standards.
Phantom.: Nickname of the F-4B jet fighter aircraft flown by Marines in Vietnam.
Pharmacist Mate.: See .
Philippine Haircut.: A slit throat.
Pinning On.: A tradition among enlisted Marines in which anyone senior in rank to a newly promoted Marine is allowed to punch the new rank insignia, thereby pinning them on. Also Tacking On. In the mid to late 20th Century it became a custom for Recon Marines to have their jump wings literally pinned on their naked chests in violent and bloody rite of passage. The barbaric hazing was soon rooted out as a cultural anomaly and is hopefully an historic footnote.
Pisscutter.: A Marine’s garrison cover. The word was used extensively in the middle 20th Century, presently out of vogue due to a serious lack of political correctness. The etymology of the word is not known. One possible explanation comes from Kate Gladstone who says, "I have heard "pisscutter" used by (elderly male) non-Marines to describe anything which has a sharp, spiffy-looking fold or edge or crease - e.g., a particularly well-made hat-brim, or an admirably crisp crease in a pair of pants."
Pissing Contest.: An argument, usually without purpose or value.
Pith Helmet.: A khaki colored cloth covered fiber helmet used extensively for the jungle environment. Worn by Marines throughout the 20th Century in boot camp, in war, in the fleet and presently worn by primary marksmanship instructors.
Pits.: A place behind a mound on a firing range where targets are pulled and marked and repaired before being hoisted to be fired upon again.
Platoon.: A unit consisting of four squads. It is assigned to a company and is generally commanded by a lieutenant. It is the basic working unit in boot camp where its leaders are drill instructors.
PLC.: Platoon Leaders' Course. An innovative officer training program in which participants take part in officer training during the summers of their college years and upon graduation from college are commissioned Second Lieutenants of Marines.
Podunk.: Any small town or someone's home town unless they are from a big city.
Pogey Bait.: Candy or other junk food. See Geedunk.
Pogey Rope.: A pejorative term for the French Fourragere.
Pogue.: A headquarters or office person with no understanding of the real Marine Corps.
Police.: To clean up or pick up an area such as policing the firing line for brass.
Police Flag.: Sometimes called the Distress Flag it is the national flag flown upside down. It was only used when an extreme situation confronted the captain on board ship. It is never used ashore.
Pollywog.: See Shellback.
Portholes.: Eyeglasses. Originally holes in the sides of ships to provide light and sometimes ventilation.
Poolee.: An unofficial rank assigned by Marine recruiters to newly enlisted recruits in the delayed entry program and awaiting depatrure to recruit training. Some recruiters have regular, mandatory, formations in which rudimentary drill and physical training are conducted.
Port.: Left, from the naval term. Originally larboard the term was changed in the late 18th Century to keep from confusing it with starboard, which means right. The port side of a ship will be illuminated with a red light.
Port and Starboard Liberty.: A situation where half of a unit is always on duty while the other half is on liberty (off duty and usually off base getting drunk).
Postbox Rear Admiral.: See Tombstone Brigadier General.
Pounding your pud.: Standing around doing nothing. Wasting time. From the colloquial expression for masturbating.
Powder Monkey.: A Civil War era sailor in the rank of Boy whose job it was to keep gun crews supplied with gunpowder and shot during battle. At other times they served in other menial ways earning little more than a cot and food.
Precedence.: A formal list of commissioned officers in the Naval Service and their position of authority relative to each other.
President's Own.: Name given to the United States Marine Corps Band, the official band for the President of the United States, called "The President's Own".
Prick25.: (Vietnam). Radio Set AN/PRC-25 (RT-505)(NSN 5820-01-857-0934) Man portable, nautical radio - one tube. Was the predecessor of the PRC-77.
Prime Mover.: A truck.
Private.: A Private Marine. The first enlisted rank in the Marine Corps which is identified by having no insignia of rank. The pay grade is E-1 and is equivalent to an Army private who also wears no rank insignia. An airman basic in the Air Force also wears no rank insignia. In the Navy and Coast Guard a seaman recruit wears a single slash in a box on the left sleeve only.
Private First Class.: The second enlisted rank in the Marine Corps is designated by a single chevron on each sleeve. The pay grade is E-2 and is equivalent to an Army private (the Army has two ranks of privates) who also wears a single chevron. In the Air Force an airman wears an inverted single stripe with a star in a circle which covers the point of the chevron. Navy and Coast Guard seaman apprentices wear two slashes in a box on the left sleeve only.
Pros and Cons.: Proficiency and conduct marks given to non-rated Marines by their supervisors. They are part of the formula used for promotion. Each is between 0 (totally unsat, probably not breathing) and 4 (God, on a good day).
PT.: Physical Training.
PT Gear.: The clothing worn for PT. It is a prescribed uniform consisting of t-shirt and shorts or sweats and usually green on green unless a unit t-shirt has been authorized..
Pucker Factor.: A measure of the stress in any situation. A high pucker factor means high stress.
Puff the Magic Dragon.: (Vietnam) A flare ship (See Basketball).
Pugil Sticks.: Padded training sticks used to simulate bayonet fighting.
Puller, Lewis B.: Lieutenant General of Marines. The living icon of a Marine whose exploits, on and off the battlefield, are the genesis on many legends. His command of the Marines at the Chosin Reservoir in Korea earned him the love of his men and an entire Corps. For decades, Marine Drill Instructors would have their recruits recite, "Good night General Puller, wherever you are" before retiring for the night. See Chosin Reservoir.
Punji Sticks.: (Vietnam) Bamboo sticks sharpened and often laced with poison which were placed in holes and covered so that a Marine would step in the hole and have the sticks impaled in his foot or leg.
Puzzle Palace.: Specifically the Pentagon or often any headquarters.
PX.: See Marine Corps Exchange.

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-Q-

Quarterdeck.: The location of the officer of the deck aboard ship. The ceremonial seat of authority in any shore-based unit. Where one goes to report in to a new command.
Quartermaster Sergeant.: The second ranking enlisted grade in the Marine Corps during the Civil War. Not presently used.
Quatrefoil.: A four-pointed decoration on the top of a warrant or commissioned officer’s dress and service caps. Tradition tells that the design was first used on sailing ships so that Marine sharpshooters in the rigging did not shoot their own officers on the deck.
Quick Time.: The normal pace in marching, approximately 120 steps per minute.

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-R-

R and R.: Rest and Relaxation. A respite from combat.
Rack.: Bed, usually bunk beds.
Rank.: The military authority of an individual within the structure of the organization. Rank is represented by insignia showing relative authority. Rank increases in relationship to pay grade but is distinctly different. For instance a major of Marines should not be referred to as an O-4 and a sergeant major of Marines is never an E-9. See Pay Grade.
Ranking.: Seniority within a rank or within a unit. Factors involved are date of rank, date of enlistment or commissioning. It is similar to precedence.
Rate.: Any of the ranks within the Navy or Coast Guard enlisted structure.
Re-up.: Reenlist or volunteer to serve another tour.
Recruit.: A person enlisted into the Marine Corps in anticipation of attending boot camp or a person in boot camp. A recruit must earn the title "Marine" by successfully completing boot camp.
Recycle.: A boot camp term meaning that a recruit is removed from his or her platoon and placed in another platoon in order to repeat some portion of training. It usually occurs because the recruit did not successfully complete a required training item or in order to improve the recruit’s physical conditioning or, in some cases, because the recruit’s attitude is bad. This is a traumatic event for the recruit and means that they will spend more time in training but it is not the end of the world and often turns out to be a good thing.
Refil.: A lifer. At times when commanders consider the calling of a career person a lifer, they will direct that it not be used. In those instances the term Refil is often substituted to the same effect.
Regiment.: A unit consisting of from 4 to 6 battalions. It is generally commanded by a colonel.
REMF.: Rear Echelon Mother Fucker. A staff person.
Remington Raider.: Office personnel from the reference to the Remington typewriter which was widely used.
Repeat.: A word removed from the vocabulary of artillery and mortar personnel. Using the term casually can cause un-wanted action.
Request Mast.: Every Marine’s right to be heard. At every step up the chain of command any Marine may request to see the next person in authority all the way to the Commandant of the Marine Corps. When a request mast is asked for the Marine does not have to explain why, but he or she must make the request at every step up the ladder. If a Marine requests mast to the CMC he or she had better have a good reason.
Retread.: Has a number of uses in the military, usually referring to a person who makes a change. A person who gets out of the military and then comes back in would be referred to in this way as would someone who retrains from one MOS to another.
Retreat.: A bugle call sounded when the U. S. flag is being lowered at the end of the day.
RHIP.: Rank Has Its Privileges. Also, among lower ranking enlisted Marines, Rand Has Its Pricks.
Ribbon Creek.: A small river that flows through Parris Island in an area once used for field training. In 1956 six recruits died while on a training exercise here. Staff Sergeant Matthew McKeon, their Senior Drill Instructor, was court martialed and found guilty of negligence and drinking on duty. The investigations that followed highlighted the general practices of maltreatment of recruits and caused extensive revisions in the training program.
Riki Tik.: Quickly. From an oriental phrase. Use mostly in the form Mo Riki Tik.
Ring Knocker.: A graduate of the Naval Academy, Military Academy or Air Force Academy. "Absentmindedly" tapping the ring on a bar brings attention to it so that everyone is aware that the officer is an academy grad.
RM.: Royal Marines.
Rock.: Idiot, as in "That rock is really stupid."
Rock, The.: Okinawa, Japan.
Rock and Roll.: An alliteration of lock and load it means to begin an action, to start. In Vietnam it also meant to set the M-16A1 to full-automatic fire (full-automatic fire used up ammunition so fast that later models were modified to fire only three-round blasts with each pull of the trigger on automatic).
Rocks and Shoals.: The system of Naval justice prior to the introduction of the UCMJ.
Roger.: (Commtalk) Yes.
Rollers.: Hot dogs, frankfurters, from the Naval term.
RON.: Remain Overnight.
Rope.: All rope used on a ship is called line. A former name for a female drill instructor. Until they were authorized to wear the campaign cover, female Marine drill instructors were designated with a crimson aguilette worn on the left shoulder.
Route Step.: A normal pace in marching in which it is not necessary to march in step. Used mainly in the field when moving from place to place as a unit.
Royal Marines.: British Marines in the service of the Queen.
RTR. Russell, John H.: Sixteenth Commandant of the Marine Corps and fifth consecutive Commandant to graduate from the U. S. Naval Academy. The Californian was born Nov. 14, 1872 and was named Major General Commandant March 1, 1934. He served until Nov. 30, 1936 and died March 6, 1947.

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S-1.: The administrative section of a battalion. Administrative personnel are usually given 01 MOSs.
S-2.: The intelligence section of a battalion. The 02 MOS is assigned to intelligence personnel.
S-3.: The operations and training section of a battalion.
S-4.: The logistics and supply section of a battalion.
Sage Green.: One of the names for the color of utility uniforms. See also OD.
Sally.: Nickname for the air mattresses at one time provided to Marines for field use.
Sally Port.: A gate or passage into a fortified place.
Salty.: Referring to someone or something with a lot of experience, particularly at sea. A salty Marine is one who has been around a while. A salty uniform is more faded and obviously used but still sharp. Salty language is language salted with profanities or obscenities.
Sam Browne.: A leather duty belt worn by commissioned and warrant officers consisting of a belt around the waist with a second belt running from left hip over the right shoulder back to the left hip. It would give added support for the wearing of a sword. Worn only for special occasions such as parades and formal events.
San Diego CA.: Location of the Marine Corps' west coast Recruit Depot it is located in San Diego adjacent to the airport. See Hollywood Marine.
Sand Crab.: A sideways-walking beach scavenger. It refers to a civil service employee or a civilian contractor on board ship.
Sand Fleas.: Parris Island pests which delight in climbing on recruits attempting to stand at attention.

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Tacking On.: See Pinning On.
TAD.: Temporary Additional Duty. An assignment in addition to the normal billet, usually without additional compensation. Also, Traveling Around Drunk.
Tail End Charlie.: The last person or element in a line or column.
Tango Uniform.: Tits Up.
Technical Sergeant.: A World War II and Korea period rank, the insignia of which was three chevrons and two rockers. In the 1960s the rank became gunnery sergeant and the crossed rifles were added. Also a current Air Force rank upon which the insignia of the top three enlisted grades are constructed. See Staff Sergeant of Marines.
Terminal Leave.: Leave from which a Marine is not expected to return to duty, such as just prior to retirement or separation. Usually taken to get a jump on civilian life or to use up any unpaid leave remaining on the books.
TDY.: Temporary Duty. A temporary assignment other than the normal billet, often at another location and frequently with additional pay during the period.
TH3.: Thermite. See AN-M-14.
The President's Own.: The United States Marine Band.
Three S's.: Shit, shower and shave.
Three up and three down.: A reference to a First Sergeant or a Master Sergeant (three stripes up and three rockers down).
Tie-Tie.: A length of cord with two clips every 10 inches issued to recruits. The recruit would cut between the clips and use the resulting length of cord to tie laundry to a line to dry. Clothes clips were not used in boot camp in the mid-20th Century.
TINS.: This Is No Shit. Sort of the "Once upon a time" of Sea Stories.
Tits Up.: Dead, broken, inoperative. A politically correct version is Toes Up. See Tango Uniform.
TLA.: Temporary Living Allowance.
TMO.: Traffic Management Office. Where one goes to arrange for the shipment of household goods, vehicles or other items on a permanent change of station.
To the Colors.: A bugle call sounded in the morning as the U. S. flag is being raised. See Retreat.
Toe Chain.: The smaller of two chains holding the dog tags. It could be draped on the big toe to identify a casualty while the tag on the larger chain went to Graves Registration.
Tombstone Brigadier General.: Following World War I Congress passed a law that, upon retirement, advanced a Navy commander who had been decorated during the war one grade on the retired list. It was intended as a one-time fix for a decorated officer who's career was compromised by an accident which kept him from promotion. The law, which applied only to the Naval Service, however, remained in effect until 1967 when it was repealed. Marines who retired and had received personal decorations were routinely promoted to the next rank the day after retirement. The effect was most noticed with colonels who, the day following retirement became flag officers.
Tootsie Roll.: A candy that was air dropped to the Marines who were cut off at the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. It kept many of the Marines from starving to death as all of the other food they had required heating due to the 30 degrees below zero temperatures. Tootsie Rolls could be put inside clothing, close to the skin, and it would thaw out enough so that it could be eaten. In addition, as their trucks and jeeps were being shot up by the Chinese the Marines would repair the holes by placing a chewed up Tootsie Roll into the hole where it would immediately freeze and create a weld.
Top.: First Sergeant, informal reference. While not the top enlisted grade, a first sergeant is the senior enlisted grade authorized in a company, the level at which most Marines spend their time. Sometimes used as "top kick".
Topside.: The deck or floor above, from the naval term. Also used to refer to the upper levels of the chain of command.
Toys for Tots.: A nationwide project to collect toys and distribute them at Christmas to children of need. It began within the and is now assisted by the Marine Corps League.
TRICARE.: Managed health care program for the military, dependents and retirees. Replaced CHAMPUS.
Truck.: The top of a flagpole containing either a ball or an eagle and a pulley for the flag lanyard so that the flag can be hoisted and lowered.
Tun Tavern.: A tavern in Philadelphia where the first Marines were recruited for service in 1775. It was also the home of the Grand Lodge of Masons in Pennsylvania.
Tuna Boat Driver.: A pejorative term used by tankers in reference to Amtrac drivers.

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UA.: Unauthorized Absence. The Marine equivalent of AWOL (Absent Without Leave).
UCMJ.: Uniform Code of Military Justice. When it was introduced in the 1940s to replace the "Rocks and Shoals" system of Naval justice it was jokingly said to be a way to bring the guilty bastards in and give them a fair trial.
Uncommon valor was a common virtue.: Refers to the victories in World War II, especially at Iwo Jima, the largest all-Marine battle in history. Admiral Nimitz' ringing characterization of Marines fighting on Iwo Jima was applied to the entire Marine Corps in World War II: "Uncommon valor was a common virtue."
Uncover.: To remove the headgear. A Marine never wears headgear indoors unless under arms.
Under Arms.: Equipped with a pistol, rifle or sword, an indication that the Marine is on duty. It is the only time that a Marine may remain covered indoors.
Undress Blues.: A term that identified the dress blue uniform worn with ribbons rather than medals. The term is not used anymore.
Unfuckingbelievable.: A Marine expletive similar to YGTBSM.
Unified Commands.: Units under the control of the Joint Chiefs of Staff containing elements from all of the U. S. armed forces. They are normally commanded by a four star general or admiral and are given the title Commander-in-Chief.
Uniform Code of Military Justice.: The system of justice for the military services. It is a federal law enacted by Congress. It replaced the “Rocks and Shoals” system of justice practiced previously in the Naval service.
Unit One.: The Field Medical Kit carried by Navy Hospital Corpsmen.
United States Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association.: An association of Marines and former Marines who were involved in the Public Affairs, Photographic or Motion Picture career fields or former Marines now working in journalism or public relations.
Unsat.: Unsatisfactory.
Utility Uniform.: The field uniform of Marines prior to the adoption of cammies, it was an olive drab shirt and trousers with the khaki Marine belt and combat boots.

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VA.: Veterans Administration. More correctly DVA, Department of Veterans Affairs.
Vandegrift, Alexander A.: Eighteenth Commandant of the Marine Corps and recipient of the . The hero of Guadalcanal was a Virginia native born March 13, 1887 and as a lieutenant general on Jan. 1, 1944 he was appointed Commandant of the Marine Corps. A March 21, 1945 law permitted the President to appoint the Commandant to the rank of general, which he did effective that date. An Act of Aug 7 1947 fixed the rank of the Commandant at general.
VC.: Vietcong. See Charlie.
vonClausewitz, Carl.: (1780-1831) Author of the definitive "On War" which is still cited today in military strategy. Many historians believe that the final, key chapters of the book were written after his death by his wife.
Vietnam Wall.: The monument in Washington DC that lists the names of all the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who died during the Vietnam War.

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WAAC.: Women's Army Air Corps. See Woman Marine.
WAC.: Women's Army Corps. See Woman Marine.
WAF.: Woman in the Air Force. See Woman Marine.
WAG.: Wild Assed Guess.
Warrant Officer.: An officer who ranks below a second lieutenant but above all enlisted personnel. See Chief Warrant Officer. Most warrant officers are former enlisted. They wear the insignia of first and second lieutenants with various red stripes painted on the insignia.
Warrior Breakfast.: The meal served to recruits upon completion of the grueling 54 hour crucible. For many it is the first good meal in two days.
Water Buffalo.: A water tank on wheels.
WAVES.: Women Available for Volunteer Emergency Services. See Woman Marine.
Webb, Jack.: Hollywood producer and actor, best knows as Sgt. Joe Friday from the television series Dragnet in the mid-20th Century. He was lead actor in a movie from the 1950s called "DI" about a Marine Drill Instructor at Parris Island SC. His production company was Mark VII.
Wetting Down.: A party held to celebrate a promotion (in the past it involved copious amounts of alcoholic beverage).
Whale Shit.: According to many Drill Instructors, the only thing lower on God's green earth than a recruit.
Wharton, Franklin.: Third Commandant of the Marine Corps. A Pennsylvania native born on July 23, 1767 he was named LtCol Commandant on March 7, 1804 and served until his death on Sept 1, 1818.
Whiskey 95.: A type of transfer from an overseas assignment in which the Marine is within 3-months of discharge. Rather than assign them to a unit for such a short time the Marine is assigned to a holding unit at Camp Pendleton, CA or Camp Lejeune, NC.
White Hat.: An enlisted sailor, from the headgear worn with the enlisted uniform. See Dixie Cup.
Widow Maker.: Unofficial and uncomplimentary name for the CH-53 helicopter and AV-8 Harrier.
WILCO.: (Commtalk) Will Comply. Often used after Roger.
Willie Peter (WP).: White phosphorus, an incendiary material that burns hot and is not extinguished with water. Used in WP hand grenades and long range artillery rounds.
Wing Wiper.: A pejorative term for a Marine assigned to an aviation unit.
Woman Marine.: Former term for a female Marine. No longer in use because women are integrated into the Corps and are identified, like all, as Marines. Similar groups in the other services were WAC for Women’s Army Corps; WAAC for Women’s Army Air Corps; WAF for Women in the Air Force; WAVES for Women Available for Volunteer Emergency Services in the Navy and SPAR for Semper Paratus Always Ready for the Coast Guard.
WM.: Abbreviation for Woman Marine, acceptable for use from 1947 when women were first accepted into the active Marine Corps until the late 1990s when it was decreed that they will be Marines (without prefix).
WR.: Abbreviation for Woman Reserve, used from the time women were first allowed to join the Marine Corps Reserve until 1947 when they were allowed to join the active Marine Corps.
WTFO.: What the fuck, over.

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X-Ray.: A watertight condition on board ship in which certain hatches and portholes must remain closed to insure the integrity of the individual compartments.
XO.: Executive Officer. Second in command.

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Yankee Station.: One of the two positions typically occupied by an aircraft carrier off the coast of Vietnam. Yankee was the northern station responsible for disruption of commerce and logistics.
YATYAS.: You Ain't Tracks, You Ain't Shit. The rallying cry of Amtrackers.
Yeoman.: A clerk in the Navy.
Yeomanette.: Nickname given to women in the Navy during World War II due to the fact that the only authorized rate was yeoman.
Yemassee, SC.: A small town west of Parris Island along the Atlantic Southern railroad main-line. For many Marines from WWI to Vietnam this was their first day in the Corps and the first barracks they slept in while waiting transportation by Cattle Car or bus.
YGTBSM.: You've Got To Be Shitting Me. A Marine's expression of disbelief.
Young Marines.: A program for young people from 8-18 sponsored and run by the Marine Corps League.

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Zeilin, Jacob.: Seventh Commandant of the Marine Corps. A Philadelphian born July 16, 1806 he had fought Mexicans in California and was a company commander at the First Battle of Bull Run before becoming Colonel Commandant on June 10, 1864 following the death of Harris. He became the first Brigadier General Commandant and was responsible for the creation and adoption of the Eagle, Globe and Anchor emblem of the U. S. Marine Corps.
Zero.: To set the sights of a weapon so that a proper sight picture will obtain a bull on the rifle range. Any officer. Taken from the pay grades (O-1 to O-10). Also a Japanese aircraft in World War II.
Zoomie.: A pejorative term for Marines assigned to an aviation unit or all members of the Air Force.
Zulu Time.: Greenwich Mean Time. The current time at the Royal Observatory on the Prime Meridian in Greenwich England. Used as a time standard worldwide.