Terms Flashcards
1
Q
4 dicks of death
A
A Marine nickname for the beef links included with beans in certain MREs. Aptly named for their foul taste and similar appearance to male genitalia.
2
Q
11 Bullet Catcher/bang-bang
A
An Army infantryman
3
Q
40 Mike-Mike
A
An M203 grenade launcher, usually mounted under an M-16 or similar weapon.
4
Q
Air Picket
A
Any airborne system tasked with detecting, reporting, and tracking enemy aerial movements within a certain area of operation.
5
Q
Alpha Charlie
A
Military alphabet used to represent ass chewing. Defines getting verbally reprimanded.
6
Q
Anymouse
A
A lockbox on navy ships where sailors may drop anonymous suggestions.
7
Q
Ass
A
Armored vehicles such as Strykers and Tanks
8
Q
Ate-up
A
Describes a service member who follows regulations so closely that they disregard the context of the situation. Conversely, may describe a service member who doesn’t understand regulations at all
9
Q
Band-aid
A
A Vietnam-era term for a medic.
10
Q
Bang-Bang
A
An army term describing a pistol or rifle.
11
Q
Big Voice
A
Term used to describe the loudspeaker on a military base. The big voice warns of everything from incoming attacks to scheduled ordnance disposal.
12
Q
Bird
A
Slang for helicopter
13
Q
Bitchin’ Betty
A
Most U.S. military aircraft feature warning systems that frequently utilize female voices. The phrase is derived from the same anthropomorphizing many apply to GPS units in cars,, only Bitchin’ Betty’s alert pilots to life-threatening situations
14
Q
‘Black’ on ammo. fuel, water, etc
A
A common phrase which denotes that a particular resource is gone.
15
Q
Blowed up
A
The state of being hit by an IED.
16
Q
Blue Falcon
A
A euphemism for buddy ** or buddy **er, which is slang for a backstabber.
17
Q
Bolo
A
A derogatory remark for recruits who cannot pass marksmanship training. The idea being that if one cannot use a rifle, one most resort to a bolo.
18
Q
Bone
A
A B-1 bomber.
19
Q
Bull** Bomb
A
A package intended to disperse propaganda leaflets.
20
Q
Bullwinkle Badge
A
Another name for the Air Assault Badge.
21
Q
Burn Bag
A
A bag used to hold shredded documents, designed to be burned. May also refer to a useless person.
22
Q
Cannibalize
A
The act of taking workable parts of one item and using them in another.
23
Q
Chancre Mechanic
A
Medical officer who checks service members for venereal diseases.
24
Q
Charlie Foxtrot
A
Commonly used expression utilizing the military alphabet to stand for clusterf***.
25
Chem-Light Batteries
A mythical object that would be extremely, functionally pointless. Often the source of fruitless hunts embarked upon by hapless privates.
26
Chest Candy
Slang for ribbons and medals worn on a uniform. Can be insulting or applauding.
27
Chicken plates
Sheets of protective material, called Small Arms Protective Inserts, which are used in the Interceptor body armor system.
28
Comics
Term used to describe maps presented by military intelligence. The term is fairly derogatory in nature as a slight against the accuracy of the maps. It also refers to the brightly colored layouts and symbols usually included
29
Commo
Communications equipment or the individuals who operate it. Usually given to Communications Officers on U.S. Navy vessels.
30
Crank
Navy term for a sailor pulling temporary duty in the galley
31
Crumb Catcher
Military slang describing the mouth.
32
Crusher
Hats worn by pilots during World War II. The hat's wide top brim would need to be crushed down to allow for headsets to be worn.
33
Dear John
Common term referring to a significant other breaking up with a service member through a letter.
34
Demilitarized Zone
A specific area in which any type of military force including but not limited to personnel, hardware, and infrastructure are banned.
35
Digit Midget
Usually used with a number as a prefix. X digit midget refers to the number of days till an individual goes on leave or retires.
36
Digies
Digital camouflage worn by Soldiers and Marines.
37
Dittybopper
A term in the Army refering to signals intelligence radio operators trained to utilize Morse Code. Also used as a verb to describe soldiers marching out of sync with a cadence.
38
Dope on a Rope
Derogatory term used for air-assault Soldiers.
39
Dustoff
Specifically, a medical evacuation by helicopter
40
Dynamited Chicken
Term originating in the Navy referring to either chicken cacciatore or chicken a la king.
41
Embed
When a reporter stays with the military in order to conduct journalistic business. They are typically provided with security and basic necessities provided by the unit they are embedded with.
42
Expectant
A casualty who is expected to pass away.
43
Eagle Keeper
Maintenance crew chief of an F-15.
44
Fang
A verb to describe being rebuked, called out, or otherwise disparaged.
45
Fangs
A Marine Corps term for one's teeth.
46
Fart Sack
Refers to either a sleeping bag or an airman's flight suit.
47
Farts and Darts
Refers to the clouds and lightning bolt embellishments found on Air Force officer caps.
48
Fashion Show
A Naval punishment where a sailor is required to dress in each of his uniforms over a period of several hours.
49
Fast Mover
Slang for a Jet Fighter. Aptly named due to the rapidity of a Jet Fighter's movement.
50
First Light
The time of nautical twilight when the sun is 12 degrees below the horizon.
51
Flaming ***hole
An Air Force term to describe the fiery effect of a jet plane turning on its afterburners during combat or any other military operation.
52
Flight Suit Insert
Air Force slang for a pilot.
53
Fifty
Slang for an M2 .50 caliber machine gun.
54
Five-Sided Puzzle Palace
Slang for the Pentagon.
55
Football Bat
An individual or way of doing things that is particularly odd.
56
Force Projection
The ability of a nation-state to extend military force beyond their borders.
57
Fourth Point of Contact
– From rolling after a successful parachute drop: a term to describe an individual's buttocks. The first three points are feet, calves, and back of the thigh.
58
Fruit Salad
Slang for a service member's display of medals and ribbons on a dress uniform.
59
Fugazi
Completely out of whack, ****ed up, screwy. This term originated during the Vietnam War and experienced limited use by civilians.
60
Galloping Dandruff
An Army term used since World War I to refer to crab lice
61
Geardo
An Army term for a soldier who spends an inordinate amount of money on gear, regardless of actual need.
62
Gedunk
Refers to snack foods, such as candy and chips, as well as the place they're sold. Associated with the Navy, and can be used in the phrase "gedunk sailor" as a pejorative remark for inexperienced sailors.
63
Gofasters
A term for sneakers used in the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps.
64
GOFO
Literally stands for "grasp of the ****ing obvious."
65
Gone Elvis
A service member who is missing in action.
66
Grape
A term with two meanings; one for the Air Force and one for the Navy. A Navy Grape is an individual who refuels aircraft. An Air Force Grape, on the other hand, refers to an easy assignment, and can be used as a compliment when a service member makes something look easy.
67
Great Mistakes
The name Sailors have given the Great Lakes Naval Training Center north of Chicago. It references the closing of two other training facilities in San Diego, California and Orlando, Florida which are both feature far more enjoyable weather.
68
Groundhog Day
Term originating from the titular movie which refers to deployments that seem to proceed in the exact same way despite attempts to change them.
69
Gum Shoe
Navy slang for a Sailor Cryptology Technician. The first CT school was located on top of a building where tar would get stuck to the bottom of students' shoes
70
Gun
Term for a mortar or artillery piece. Must never be used within the military to describe a pistol or rifle.
71
Gunner
A service member who operates a crew-served weapon, such as a piece of artillery or ship's cannon.
72
Hangar Queen
An aircraft that is used primarily for spare parts to repair other planes.
73
Hardball
A hard-surfaced road.
74
Hardened Site
A structure usually built under rock or concrete designed to withstand conventional, nuclear, biological, and chemical attack.
75
Hat Up
To change one's location. Refers to the need to wear a hat for the intended destination.
76
Hawk
Term for cold weather. Commonly referred to as, "the hawk."
77
Helo
Short-hand term for a helicopter.
78
High Speed
An individual who his highly motivated and at or near peak efficacy. Can be used sarcastically.
79
Hit the Silk
Ejecting from an aircraft and utilizing a parachute.
80
Inactive Status
Members of the Reserves who are unable to train for points, receive pay, and cannot be considered for promotion.
81
Ink Stick
Marine Corps term for a pen.
82
Iron Rations
Rations used in an emergency survival situation.
83
Jawa
Term for an Army Soldier who is stationed in a desert area, named after the desert-dwelling aliens of "Star Wars."
84
Jesus Slippers
Military-issued shower footwear.
85
Jockstrap Medal
Derogatory term for medals given by the military to active CIA members.
86
Joe
Army term for a soldier. Shortened from G.I. Joe.
87
Joint Operation Planning
All type of planning involving joint military forces in regards to military operations including, but not limited to, mobilization, deployment, and sustainment.
88
Kinetic
Slang adjective meaning violent.
89
Klicks
Kilometers.
90
Latrine Queen
Air Force specific term for a trainee in basic who is in charge of the team responsible for cleaning bathrooms.
91
Left Handed Monkey Wrench
A non-existent tool. Often the object of fruitless searches undertaken by recruits at the behest of more experienced service members.
92
Long Pig
Slang for when a human being is used as a source of food. Typically this happens in extremely desperate situations.
93
Major Nuclear Power
Any nation-state with a nuclear arsenal capable of being delivered to any other nation in the world.
94
Meat Identifier
A dish or sauce that identifies what type of meat is being served. For example, cranberry sauce indicates turkey while applesauce indicates pork chops.
95
Meat Wagon
Slang for an ambulance, or any other medical emergency vehicle
96
Moonbeam
Marine term for flashlight.
97
Moving Like Pond Water
Moving so slowly that at unique term is required to describe it.
98
Mustang
Term referring to any officer who was promoted from the enlisted ranks. Can be used respectfully or pejoratively.
99
Nut to Butt
The instruction used to tell Soldiers to line up in tight, forward facing line wherein one's nuts are in extreme proximity to the butt of Soldier before them.
100
Officer's Candy
Navy term used by sailors to describe the scented cake placed in urinals.
101
Officer of the Deck
Any officer charged with the operation of a ship. Reports to the commanding officer, executive officer, and navigator for relevant issues and concerns
102
Over the Hill
Missing in action or someone who has officially gone missing from their post.
103
Oxygen Thief
A biting piece of slang for someone who's useless or talks too much.
104
Pad Eye Remover
A non-existent item used by sailors to trick new service members into a fruitless search. Pad-eyes are used to secure airplanes with chains.
105
People Tank
A U.S. Navy term for the inner hull of a submarine.
106
Pill Pusher
A U.S. Navy term for a hospital corpsman.
107
Pink Mist
A distinct effect created by certain types of gunshot wounds.
108
Pogey Bait
Snack food. A "pogue" is an individual who does not serve on the frontlines and performs non-combat oriented roles. "Pogey bait" is, subsequently, a bribe given to these individuals in exchange for expedited or high-quality services.
109
Pollywog
A sailor who has not crossed the equator on a U.S. Navy ship.
110
Puddle Pirate
Member of the Coast Guard. So called due to a fallacious belief that the Coast Guard never operates in deep water.
111
PX Ranger
An individual who purchases, from the Post Exchange, paraphernalia unique to certain prestigious ranks or occupations and passes them off as though they earned the items.
112
Quay
A man-made structure between a shore and land which can be used by ships to berth and is typically an area for handling cargo
113
Rainbow
A new recruit in basic training.
114
Red Team
A body of experts on a specific topic who are instructed to research and suggest alternative methods regarding a planned course of action.
115
Remington Raider
A somewhat derogatory term used for Marines given the harrowing task of performing office duties.
116
Rocks and Shoals
U.S. Navy rules and regulations.
117
Rotorhead
Slang for a helicopter pilot.
118
Ruck Up
"Ruck" is short for "ruck sack" which refers to backpacks service members sometimes wear. To "ruck up" is to get through a particularly challenging or stressful situation
119
Salad Bar
References the service ribbons found on a military uniform.
120
Scrambled Eggs
Refers to the embellishments found on some officer's caps
121
Self-Propelled Sandbags
A derogatory term for a Marine based on their emphasis on fighting on the front lines.
122
Shavetail
A term referring to second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. It primarily refers to the haircuts received in Officer Candidate School. The terms origins date back to the time when the Army used pack animals, and handlers shaved the tale of newly-broken animals to distinguish them from those more seasoned.
123
Shellback
A sailor who has crossed the equator on a U.S. Navy ship. Responsible for turning all Pollywog's into Shellbacks once they cross the equator themselves.
124
Snake Eater
Member of the U.S. Army Special Forces.
125
S*** on a Shingle
Slang for a piece of toast with gravy.
126
Sky Blossom
A deployed parachute
127
Slick Sleeve
Refers to a sailor who has not yet earned a rank which requires decoration on the sleeves.
128
Smoke
To punish a service member with excessive physical work due to a minor infraction.
129
Snivel Gear
Any equipment meant for use in cold weather.
130
Soap chips
A psychological operations (PSYOPS) tactic where fake letters from an enemy's home country are written and placed on bodies and battle wreckage. They include sentimental content, hint at the infidelity of loved ones back home, and are designed to demoralize combatants.
131
Soup Sandwich
Used to describe an individual, object, situation, or mission that has gone horribly wrong. The thrust of the term's meaning derives from the fact that it is incredibly difficult, some would say impossible, to make a sandwich out of soup.
132
Swoop
Marine term for a weekend trip off base.
133
Taco
An Air Force term for recieving an "unsatisfactory" grade on a training exercise due to the vague taco-shape of the letter "u."
134
Tango Uniform
Slang for "tits up," which is the position dead bodies tend to face. The term can be applied to the deceased as well as broken pieces
135
Target Discrimination
The capability of a surveillance or guidance system to choose certain targets when multiple options are presented
136
Trench Monkey
A derogatory term referring to a member of the U.S. Army
137
Twidget
A sailor who repairs electronic equipment
138
Un-Ass
To move immediately or leave one's current position
