Nautical Vocabulary Flashcards
Deck
The Floor/roof
Porthole
Circular window on hull to admit light and air
Hatch
Opening in the deck giving access to the cargo hold
Bulkhead
Wall
Colors
The flag or ensign a ship is required to fly
Port
Left side of the ship
Starboard
Right side of the ship
Scuttlebutt
Drinking Fountain
Knot
Nautical mile per hour
Overhead
top surface of an enclosed space
Aft/Stern
The rear of the ship
Bow/Fo’c’sle
front of the ship
Head
toilet
Square Away
Get organized for inspection on a ship
Aye, Aye
I understand and will obey
Gangway
the narrow passage used to board or disembark a ship
Service member
Member of the armed forces
Passageway
a corridor used for horizontal movement on the ship
Quarterdeck
a deck set aside by captain for ceremonial use
Below
beneath the deck
Bird
Aircraft
Blouse
The upper and outer shirt worn by service members
Boonie
A “Jungle” hat originating in the Philippines and looks similar to a bucket hat
Brass
High ranking officers
Brig
A prison
BX/NEX
Base exchange or Navy Exchange, a store on base for use of sailors
PRT
Physical Readiness Test, a Navy fitness requirement
Chopper
Helicopter
Chow Hall
Cafeteria
Galley
The kitchen
Civvies
civilians
Klick
One Kilometer
Field Day/Police Your Area
Day to clean the entire ship
Grunt
A marine
Gung Ho
Work together
Liberty
The time that sailors get to spend on land
Lifer
Members who stay in until retirement
Mess Hall
Area on the ship where sailors eat
Rate
Enlisted pay grade
MOS
“Military Occupational Specialty,” the specialty of a service member in the armed forces
Rank
Officer pay grade
Moonbeam
Flashlight
PFT
Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test, includes pull ups or push ups, plank, 3 mile timed run, evaluates stamina and physical conditioning
PT
Physical training
Rack
Bed
Swab
Mop or insulting name for a sailor
Topside
Ship’s upper deck
Armament
Weaponry of a naval vessel
