Appendix:English military slang

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

(Redirected from Appendix:Military slang)

Military slang is a set of colloquial terms which are unique to or which originated with military personnel. They are often abbreviations or derivations of the NATO Phonetic Alphabet, or otherwise incorporating aspects of formal military concepts and terms. Military slang is also used to reinforce the (usually friendly) interservice rivalries. Some of these terms have been considered derogatory to varying degrees and attempts have been made to eliminate them.

Military for the purposes of this article means armed forces and therefore this article includes naval and air forces slang as well as the military slang of armies.

[edit] 0 - 9

11 Bang-Bang or 11 Bush (or 11 Bushmaster) or, pejoratively, 11 Bulletstop: (US Army) An infantryman. Officially "11 Bravo" which refers to the Military Occupational Specialty "11B".
2-IC: (Canada/UK) Second in Command.
4 fingers of death: (US Army, US Marines) Another name for the MRE beef franks, so named for their number and unpleasant taste. Also known as "Beans and motherfuckers" for the same reason.
40 mike-mike: (US Army, US Marines, US Air Force) 40mm grenade or M203 grenade launcher, often mounted underneath an M-16 or variant
782 Gear: (US Marines) Organizational equipment issued to a Marine by his or her unit that is kept as part of the Marine's personal gear, but must be returned in serviceable condition upon that Marine's departure. Usually includes load-bearing equipment, ruck packs, body armor, helmets and other field gear. References an obsolete inventory form. Also referred to as "deuce gear". US Army equivalent is "TA-50".
90-day wonder: Newly-commissioned (O-1) graduate of Officer Candidate School or DIRCOM (Direct Commissioning) program. Derogatory.

[edit] A

A-gang: (US Navy) Auxiliary division onboard a ship or submarine. Responsible for sanitary, heating/AC, emergency diesels, hydraulics and assorted systems.
ack-ack: Anti-aircraft fire, usually flak.
Acorn boy(s): (US, Civil War) member(s) of the US Army's XIV Corps, from its distinctive acorn cap badge
adm day: (Indian Army/Canadian Armed Forces) day allocated for Barrack maintenance and other adm work.
admin vortex: (British Army) Disorganised soldier.
Admiral of the Narrow Seas: (International, 18h Century) An officer who has just thrown up in the lap of his neighbor
Admiral's eighth: (RN, 18h Century) Admiral's share of any booty or prize seized by his command
Admiralty ham: (RN, c 1900) Tinned fish
AFI: Air Force Instruction, or derogatively Another Fucking Inconvenience
Air Bear: (USAF) Security or MP trooper
Air-Dale: (UK and US) Derogatory term for a pilot or aircrew.
Air Force mittens: (US) Front pockets of BDU pants. Also, 'Air Force gloves'. Compare with 'Bundeswehr gloves', below.
Airplane Gang: (US) Derogatory term used to describe Airborne-designatied division or brigade-level units, ie. "82nd Airplane Gang". Can also be shortened to simply "Airplane".
african golf: (US, obsolete) White officer's term for craps, for its popularity among black troops
Ali Baba: (UK, US and Iraq) During the Iraq war, name for insurgents, local thieves and looters.
Alpha Mike Foxtrot: (Infantry) "Adios Mother Fucker" abbreviated using the phonetic alphabet. When used in garrison it is a friendly farewell. When used in combat situations it generally means that the person in other end of the barrel is being whished a not-so-kind farewell.
alpha roster: (US) An alphabetical list (by last name) of all personnel within a unit.
Aluminum U: (US) The US Air Force Academy, so called because of the metal's use in the architecture of the campus and in aircraft.
amen wallah: (British Army, WW1) Chaplain
...and a wake-up.: (US) Term used following a particular period of time to reference how many complete days plus the time spent on the last day leaving a service member has before a tour of duty or field evolution is complete. e.g.: "Two days and a wake up, and I'm gone!"
Annie Laurie: (Br, WW1) transport away from the front (pun on "any lorry")
The Animal: (AUS, Vietnam) mechanism for detonating up to 20 claymores at once (also "The Monster")
Another damn Army: Internal slang for the Air Defense Artillery (ADA) because of their unusual unit structures and over-the-top standards. See also: Fake Infantry
araspeek: (Australian Army, WW1) head over heels
archie: (British, WW1) Antiaircraft (gun or fire; in plural, guns)
armored cow: (AUS, WW2) Canned milk
army banjo: (Australian Army, WW1-1960s) Entrenching tool
Army's lawn dart: (US) UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Named for its inability to stay in the air. Also Known as a "Crash Hawk"
Army Proof: (USAF) Explained in very simple, easy to understand terms; often with pictures. Derived from "Fool Proof"
army strawberries: (AFUS, WW2) Prunes.
asino morto: (Italian) "Dead donkey", term for canned ham
ASVAB waiver: (US) A slow or stupid servicemember; references the military's ASVAB intelligence and skills entrance test, the results of which were allegedly waived to allow enlistment of said servicemember.
ass: Armored vehicles. "We'll be driving behind a lot of ass today." E.g: Tanks, Bradleys, etc...
ate-up: (US) refers to a service member who is overly concerned with following every regulation to the letter, usually with little regard for the situation.

Retrieved from "http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/ate-up"

Attend B: (Singapore) Written in abbreviated form as ATTN B; personnel excused from strenuous or physical training, but are otherwise required to be present for the training or class
Attend C: (Singapore) Written in abbreviated form as ATTN C; personnel excused from training are in Attend C status. See profile.
auto-pilot: (US Air Force) Used to describe when a flight or other formation executes a maneuver such as a flank or column movement without the commander issuing the order for such a movement. Normally done during training to avoid an obstacle, such as a tree or MTI. Also, Auto-pilot march."

[edit] B

bag: (Canada) Term used to denote the uselessness of a soldier, as in a "bag of hammers" or "bag of shit".; (US) Slang for the flightsuit worn by aircrew members.
bag nasty: (US) The name given to the fast food options in chow halls, ie; hot dogs and hamburgers. Also common reference for MRE's.
bag of dicks: (US) Describes a problematic or intractable situation.
bag of smashed asshole: (US) Highly derogatory, typically used to describe a soldier whose uniform wear is unsatisfactory, as in "Private Smith, you look like a bag of smashed asshole". Can also be used in a more general sense to describe anything that is heavily damaged or poor in appearance.
Bagger: (IRL) derogoratory term refering to an Irish reservist soldier, comparing him/her to a sandbag, ie; useless.
balls: (US) Term for midnight on a 24-hour clock since it looks like four balls (0000), "My watch is from balls to eight".
balls to the walls: (US) Fast pace, extremely fast, hurry up.
balls to nutsack: (Canada) Describes troops cramped together closely
barracks rat: (US) A servicemember unwilling or financially unable to go "out in town" during liberty.; (Canada) Servicewoman who engages in sexual relations with others in a housing area
Battle Bowler: (UK, Commonwealth) Steel helmet.
bayonet: (US, Civil War-WW1) Infantryman
BCGs: (US) Birth Control Glasses. Military issued eyeglasses, typically first issued in basic training, noted for their unappealing appearance which would prevent attracting members of the opposite sex. See also RPGs.
Beagle: (USAF) F-15E Fighter/Bomber. Contraction of "Bomber-Eagle".
beans and bullets: (US) The general term for all types of supplies.
beat your face: (US) Slang for "do some push ups" and is commonly used in boot camp. Example: "Private Scum, you think that is funny? BEAT YOUR FACE!"
Benny: (UK) British Army slang for the Falkland Islands civilians during the Falklands War and locals around bases in the West Country. Based on a badly dressed, mentally retarded character in the soap opera Crossroads.
belay that: (English-speaking navies, origin probably RN) Disregard the order just given.
BFE or Bum Fuck Egypt: (US) An isolated deployment, or any other extremely isolated or distant location; pejorative. Used mostly about the disgust at the distance or remoteness, but also implies that there could be little worthwhile in such an isolated place. The variants "Big Fucking Empty", "BFN" or "Bum Fuck Nowhere" are used in the same sense.
BFR: (US) Big fucking rock. Sometimes used as a reference point on tactical radios: "We're 100 meters south of the BFR."
BFW: (US) Big fucking wrench. Refers to the wrench used on generators to tighten the grounding nut.
BGB: (US Navy and Marines) Big Gray Boat. Refers to large ships, e.g. carriers and battleships, that are gray in color.
biff chit: (UK) A sick note from the medical centre excusing a soldier from PT. See profile and ATTN C.
Big Chicken Dinner: (US) Bad Conduct Discharge, the less severe of the two types of punitive discharge that may be awarded by court martial (the more severe being a dishonorable discharge) .
big green tick: (US Army) Term used to describe the Army-issue large (not medium) ALICE pack. Usually used to further emphasize an uncomfortable situation, ie., "I've got a three-hour date (12 mile road march at 15:00 min/mile) with the big green tick."
Big Red One: (US Army) The First Infantry Division, so noted for the unit insignia of a single red 1. "If you're gonna be one, be a Big Red One!"
Big Red Pig: (U.S. Coast Guard) Derogatory/affectionate term for Icebreakers, which are painted red for visibility.
Big White One: (US Coast Guard) A 378-foot High Endurance Cutter, the largest "White Boat" (rescue and law enforcement) vessel in the US Coast Guard.
bin rat: (Canada) A supply technician or storesman.
bingo fuel: (US) A prebriefed amount of fuel for an aircraft that would allow a safe return to the base of intended landing.
bird: (US) an airplane or satellite. In combat, may refer to an air-to-air missile; strategic context implies an ICBM.
Bird, Ball and Chain: (US Marines) Cynical term for the Marine Corps' Eagle, Globe and Anchor emblem.
bird barn: (US) an aircraft carrier.
bird colonel: (US) a Colonel (O-6) , whose insignia is an eagle, as opposed to a Lieutenant Colonel, who wears silver oak leaves.
black Cadillacs: (Canada) Combat boots. Used ironically in reference to use as a mode of transport.
blade: 1. (UK) SAS Trooper employed in a Sabre Squadron.
2. (Canada) A traitorous or untrustworthy person; one who would betray you or "stab you in the back." Can also be used as a verb.
blanket party: (US, Canada) A form of hazing meted out to unpopular service members. Involves covering the head and arms of the target with a blanket to prevent fighting back or identification of the attackers while a beating is administered.
blanket-stacker: (UK) Any storeman (even if he doesn't deal with blankets) . Also applied to the Royal Logistic Corps in general, even though their duties include everything from catering to bomb-disposal as well as storekeeping.
bleu: (France) A recruit. Derived from the French term for barely-cooked steak, symbolizing a "raw" recruit.
(the) Block: (US) Civilian life before enlisting. Example "Oh, you think you're back on the block?" Also simply a reference to back home where you could have done what you wanted in your own way.
Bloody Buckets: (US) Members of the 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, whose division insignia is a red keystone.
Bloggins: (Canada) Name used to show examples during lectures (ie. Pte. Bloggins just violated the ROEs)
Bloods and Crips: (US Army) A group of soldiers who are habitually injured, see Sickcall Ranger
bloodstripes: (US Marines) The hazing practice of kicking a newly promoted corporal up and down the outside of his/her legs, causing bruises that mimic the "bloodstripes" an NCO wears on their dress trousers/

(US) Promotion one recieves due to the death of the person who previously filled that position.

blooper: (US Army and Marine Corp) Vietnam Era slang term for the M-79 Grenade Launcher. Suggested by the sound it made upon firing.
blow the DCA: (US Navy) A snipe hunt (see 'pad-eye cleaner') that new sub crewmembers are often sent on in a false emergency, only to find that the DCA is a person--the Damage Controls Assistant, a junior officer usually. (Note: Many tanks on-board submarines are pressurized with compressed are and "blown" overboard. These tanks are usually identified by abbreviations or acronyms and always require permission before being "blown".)
blue falcon: (US) "buddy fucker," i.e. one who does not help a fellow soldier, or who intentionally gets a soldier in trouble. The phrase "Bravo Foxtrot" is also used and has the same meaning.
blue-head: (US) a term for a new recruit in the first few weeks of boot camp. New recruits have their heads shaved and the particularly white recruit's head look blue due to the blood vessels.
blue job: (Canada) A member of the air force; from their blue uniform. Pejorative.
blue nose: (US Navy, Marines) Anyone who has served above the Arctic Circle or has participated in a ceremony similar to the Shellback ceremony (See Shellback)
blue force: (US Army or Air Force) The friendly force, the opposite of the OpFor.
blue on blue contact: (US and UK) A friendly fire incident.
blue suiter: (US Air Force) A general term for active duty Air Force personnel, often used when distinguishing between a mixed environment of Air Force active duty and Department of Defense civilians and contractors.
blues: (US Air Force) The Air Force Service Dress Uniform.
blues buddies: (US Air Force) A pair of airmen who frequently leave base together in their dress blues during training.
BMO: (US, 1991 Persian Gulf War) Black Moving Object, or a woman in a burkha.
boat: 1. (U.S. Navy) A submarine.; 2. (U.S. Naval Aviation) A ship on which aircraft is landed.; 3. (US Army) First generation Minefield Clearing Line Charge which was literally a small boat that was dragged behind a towing vehicle. The current version is mounted on a trailer.; 4. (Canada) Light Armoured Vehicle, Wheeled - any variant, in reference to it's previously amphibious nature.
boat chuck: (US Navy) Derogatory term used by the aviation community for any member of a ship's company.
Bobo: (Singapore) A soldier who cannot hit his target on the rifle range. This is a Singlish mispronunciation of "WOWO", meaning "wash out."
BOHICA: "Bend over, here it comes again." Used when wearily contemplating idiotic or malicious decisions by higher-ups.
Bones: (US) Any military doctor, especially in the Navy. Probably derived from Sawbones.
bolo: (US Army) 1. a slur the early twentieth century for recruits who could not attain an adequate degree of marksmanship. It comes from the idea that they should grab a bolo and attack hand-to-hand. 2. Be On the Look Out
boomer: (US Navy) A nuclear submarine or personnel serving on same.
boomer: (US Air Force) An enlisted aircrew member serving on either a KC-135 'Stratotanker' or KC-10 'Extender' primarily responsible for refueling other aircraft in flight.
boot, booter: (US) A new join to a particular unit, probably coming from Boot Camp (see below). This person often has an overly enthusiastic yet naive disposition.
boot camp: (US Navy and Marines) Initial training of new recruits.
Booter: (US) ; Bootnecks, Booties : (UK) Royal Marines, from the leather stock they used to wear around their necks (same origin as Leathernecks for the USMC).
bought the farm: (US) Originally comes from the US Air Force, where it was slang for a fatal crash, then generally any KIA G.I. whose insurance money pays the family bills.
Boss: (UK) Informal yet respectful address for an officer - especially used in situations where disclosure of military status is not advisable.
Box Nasty: (US Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps) Box Lunch served in-flight.
BPAG: (Aus) Black Plastic Army Gun. The M16 rifle.
brass: (US and UK) Top-ranking officers; The Powers That Be.
Bravo Zulu: (Worldwide Navies) Means 'Well Done'. Comes from the Allied Naval Signal Book, conveyed by flag hoist or voice radio.
brain bucket: (US, Canada) Combat helmet.
brain sponge: (US) Any combat hat that does not provide protection. (e.g. A Boonie hat)
brig rat: (US Navy and Marines) Describes a sailor or Marine who often frequents the brig (military jail) , typically as a prisoner.
broke-dick: (US) A soldier with a medical condition that would hinder the soldier's ability to perform certain tasks; alternatively, equipment that is not operationally ready.; (US Air Force) Anything that is broken or needing repair or maintenance.
broom: (US Army) Army talk for 'sweep' . Used in the similar sense that you mop with a mop, hence, you broom with a broom.
brownjob: (RAF) Member of the British Army, from the khaki uniforms.
Brown Water Navy: (US) The fleet of PT boats that patrolled the rivers and coasts of Vietnam during the Vietnam War, so noted for the mud-brown color of the water. Today any riverine naval force.
brown shoe: 1. (US Air Force) Things and people related to the time when the Air Corps was a subsidiary unit of the US Army. When the Air Force became independent, 'black' shoes replaced the 'brown' shoes worn by the Army at that time.
2. (US Navy) Things and people related to the naval aviation community. From the time when brown shoes were authorized only for aviation ratings and officers.
Brylcreem Boys: (UK) Royal Air Force pilots, who were renowned for wearing brylcreem on their hair, originated during WW2.
bubblehead: Any person serving on a submarine or in the Submarine Service (a reference to decompression sickness) .
buddy spike: (US Air Force & US Navy) Used during flight operations. In air exercises, it is common to "spike" or lock onto a friendly without engaging. This causes the targeted aircraft's defense systems to warn of active targeting. "Buddy Spike" is a term used to reassure the "spiked" aircraft that the lock came from a friendly aircraft. For example: Suppose you were fighting in an exercise as blue air with opposing red air trying to shoot you. If you got notification on your RWR that an aircraft had locked you, you would want to know if it was from red air or just your wingman. So you might call out "HOOTER 01, spiked from 300 (degrees)" and Hooter 2 might call out "Buddy spike". He may have locked you unintentionally, or to help find you visually, etc.
This term was used, somewhat incorrectly, in the movie The Incredibles.
buckshee: (UK, Canada) Spare, unofficial. Buckshee equipment or ammunition is outside the normal accounting system and is often bartered by those who find themselves in possession of it. The origin and nature of the stores determines whether this is a serious issue. From the Persian Baksheesh.
BUFF: (US) Big Ugly Fat Fucker. (Clean: Big Ugly Fat Fellow) . Slang for the B-52 Stratofortress.
Buffer: (UK and Canada) Chief Bosun's Mate, Senior Boatswain (Seamanship specialist) on a warship, usually having the rank of a Chief Petty Officer.
Bug Company: (USN) : In boot camp, a company (group) of recruits who are incapable of performing any task correctly, regardless of the rewards or consequences. Generally the individuals who make up these companies will leave boot camp in top physical shape, because they are always being punished with physical training, also known as "cycling".
Bug Juice: (US) : The nickname given to the powdered drink served with MRE's on onboard ships.
bulkhead: (US Navy, Marines) The interior structural divider of a ship; used ashore to refer to the interior walls of a building, as well.
bullet sponge or bullet stopper: (US) An infantryman, most commonly the point man of an infantry fire team who is usually the first member of the team to engage, or be engaged by, the enemy. Also, regular Army reference to the USMC.
Bull Ensign: (US Navy) Senior junior officer of the rank of Ensign (o-1) in a ship's compliment. The bull Ensign often is tasked by the Commanding Officer with unsavory tasks that other junior officers would rather avoid.
Bull Nuke: (US Navy Submarine Service) Senior enlisted man within the Engineering Division onboard a submarine, usually a Senior Chief or Master Chief Petty Officer (E-8/9) .
Bum Chum: (US, Canada) Pejorative term for a naval seaman. Refers to the stereotypical seaman's homosexuality.
bumf: (UK) Paperwork, especially useless paperwork; comes from bum fodder (i.e. only fit to be used as toilet paper).
Bundeswehr gloves: (UK) Pockets, from the perception that members of the German Army often walk around with their hands in them (prohibited in most other NATO armed services)
bunting tosser: (Royal Navy and Commonwealth Navies) A signalman.
butterbar: (US) A second lieutenant or ensign, in reference to the rank insignia - a single gold bar.
butterfly stripes: (USAF) Term used to refer to the two-striped chevron of Airman First Class, usually awarded to a six-year enlistee immediately after his technical school or to a four-year enlistee after 10 months in the rank of Airman (also see "dragonfly wings").
BZ: (Navy) Also, Bravo Zulu. Allied Signals Book (ATP 1) for "Well done".
B.B. Stackers: (USAF) Ammo troops

[edit] C

cadidiot: (US Army and Air Force, Canada) (kah-DID-iot) Slang term for an officer cadet. In Canada, term also used to indicate youth cadets of all branches. See also "cadink", below. Pejorative.
cadink: (US Air Force) Slang term for an officer cadet. Slightly less pejorative than "cadidiot".
Cadillac: (US Navy) A mop bucket. Named after the mop squeezer, which resembles a Cadillac grill.
Cambro: (US Army) Officially called the "Insulated Food Container" or "IFC," which is plastic with stainless steel inserts. Not to be confused with the all-metal "Food Container, Insulated" or "FCI" which is commonly called a "mermite can."
"camel jockey: used to refer to arabs.
cammies: (US Navy and Marines) Camouflage utility uniform. What are referred to as "BDUs" in the Army and Air Force.
Camp Coast Guard: (US Coast Guard) The United States Coast Guard Academy at New London. Used when referring to the Academy in a derogatory manner.
Canary Club: (US Air Force) Used when identifying parking spaces or areas reserved for officers with the rank of O-6 ("bird" Colonel)
cannon cocker: (US) An artilleryman. Also a Coast Guard Gunner's Mate.
cannon fodder: (US) (formerly) An infantryman sent into battle with the expectation that he will be killed.
Canoe U: The United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. Jocular when used by graduates, pejorative when used by outsiders.
Captain Jack: (US) Is the military equivalent to the civilian Jodies in cadences, and always a tough guy. Illustrated in the song lyrics: "Hey, hey, Captain Jack, meet me down by the railroad tracks. With your knife in your hand, I'm gonna be a fightin' man."
Captain's Mast: (US Navy and Marines) Non-Judicial Punishment imposed under Article 15 of the UCMJ.
CATFU: (US) (KAT-foo-(ed) ) Completely And Totally Fuck(ed) Up (i.e. "This thing is CATFUed")
cat eyes: (US Army, Canada) A helmetband with two pieces of luminous material at the rear.
CBed: (Canada) confined to barracks, a form of punishment. Pronounced "see-beed".
CCB: (Singapore) Phonetic rendition of a Hokkien swear word referring to a smelly female reproductive orifice
CFB: (US) Clear as a Fucking Bell, i.e. "You had best hear this CFB."; (Canada) Canadian Forces Base.
Canadian Gay Guard, Canadian Girl Guides: (Canada) Derogatory term used to refer to the Canadian Grenadier Guard(CGG)
Chairborne Ranger: (US Army) referring to someone who works a desk, in comparison to an Airborne Ranger
Chair Force: (US, Canada) the Air Force, referring to the perception that many Air Force personnel spend their time "flying a desk", i.e. doing office work of various sorts.
chalk: (US Army) A specific aircraft load, especially a group of airborne soldiers which deploy from a single aircraft, typically a platoon for air assaults, or company-minus sized for airborne drops. Originates from Vietnam War practice of chalking identifying marks on aircraft sides involved in such operations.
Charlie: (US) NATO phonetic alphabet for the letter C. During the Vietnam War was a general term for the Vietcong by shortening of Victor Charlie.
Charlie Foxtrot: See clusterfuck
Charlie Mike: (US) NATO phonetic alphabet for "continue mission"
Charlie's Chicken Farm: (US Army) Corruption of Correctional Custody Facility (CCF) . A minimum security military prison for lesser offenses; usually no more than a fenced-in barracks building and small surrounding area. Sentences to the CCF are usually as a result of an Article 15 and are generally not career-ending in nature. Differentiated from The Stockade which is much like a civilian jail, analogous to a city, county, or state prison in civilian life and houses serious offenders, some awaiting transport to military prisons like Fort Leavenworth Kansas or Mannheim Germany. Also "Charlie Charlie Foxtrot", from phonetic alphabet.
charts and darts: (US) Manual field artillery firing calculations performed with paper (charts), pencil, and pins (darts)
check six: (USAF) Term for "watch out behind you" or "watch your ass", based on looking for enemy aircraft or missiles to the rear (6 o-clock position)
cheese eater/cheeser: (US Army) Suckup, brown noser (USAF)A rat or tattletale, usually someone who runs to the commander or other ranking member to get another in trouble.
cheesedick: (US Marines) To do something with minimal effort. As in "He cheesedicked his way through it."
chem light batteries: (US Marines) A form of snipe hunt. To have a new Marine search for obviously non-existent batteries for chemical light sticks.
cherry: (US) New recruit still in Basic Training, or newly-minted service member (officer or enlisted) just arrived at first duty assignment after completion of training.
chest candy: (US) Another term to describe ribbons or medals that are worn. It can be pejorative or appreciative, depending on usage.
chewed up or chewey: (US) See ate up.
Chewbacca: (US) Comes from "chewed up"
chicken colonel: (US) A full colonel, named for the eagle insignia. Also known as "full bull," "full bird," or "bird colonel" as opposed to "light colonel," which is a lieutenant colonel.
chicken plates: (US Army) Small Arms Protective Inserts (SAPI) which fit into the Interceptor body armor system.
Chief: (US) The familiar form of address for any US Army warrant officer or US Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer. Also, a section leader in the US Army, and a familiar term for Chief Master Sergeant, the highest enlisted rank in the US Air Force.
Chief of Smoke: (US) The senior enlisted man of an artillery battery or platoon, after the First Sergeant, the "Chief of Firing Battery". Also, "Smoke."
chocko: (Aus) An Army Reservist. Pejorative term dating back to World War 2, used by soldiers of the 2nd AIF to imply incompetence on the part of Reservists who in their view were 'Chocolate soldiers', likely to melt at the first application of the 'heat of battle'.
chopped up: Same as ate up.
Chow: (US Military) Food. (e.g. breakfast, lunch & dinner) "You want to go to the d-fac and get some chow?"
Chow-dale: (US Navy (particularly used by Reactor Department personnel on Nimitz-class aircraft carriers) ) A derogatory term for the airmen (airdales) attached to the various squadrons who seem to never-endingly stand in meal lines, make them longer for ship's crew.
Chow keng: (Singapore) Malingerer.
CHT: (US Navy) Sewage. Named after the ship's waste system (Collection, Holding, and Transfer (CHT) systems) . Pronounced "C-H-T" or "chit". CHT is usually found splashing across ship's head floors because the designated ship's crew usually aren't real excited about fixing a toilet problem.
Cigarette Soup: (US Army) Onion Soup, because it looks like what you get when you fill an ashtray with water.
Circus Battalion: (Canada) Play on Service Battalion (Logistics and Supply) due to the excessive number of tents used in its deployment and the general state of coordination among its personnel. Generally pejorative, when used outside the company of said personnel.
Circus Battery: (US Army) The Service Battery of an Artillery Battalion. So named for its propensity to collect "misfits", and therefore to become a "Circus".
CIU: (Canada) Civilian In Uniform, Person using the CF (Canadian Forces) as way to pay for school, person who does not belong in the Service.
CK: (US Army) Containerized Kitchen used for preparing and serving meals in the field.
clearing barrel: A promiscuous female soldier, referring to the red, sand filled barrels used to verify that small arms are unloaded before turn in. Soldiers preparing to turn in weapons line up and dry fire their rifles into the barrel. Extremely derogatory. See also "regimental groundsheet".
Club Ed: (Canada) The Canadian Forces Service Prison and Detention Barracks in Edmonton, Alberta. An ironic play on "Club Med".
clubz / clubswinger: (RN) Physical Training Instructor.
clusterfuck: A disastrous situation that results from the cumulative errors of several people or groups. In semi-polite company this is referred to as a Charlie Foxtrot (from the NATO phonetic alphabet) . Also used as a slang term to describe the area effect nature of artillery or cluster bombs.
CMFWIC: Chief Mother Fucker Who's in Charge.
cockster: (Singapore) a person who is habitually confused or amusing in a weird way.
Colonel Sanders: (US National Guard) Catered meals served in lieu of meals prepared by Army cooks. Obviously a reference to American fast-food icon Colonel Harlan Sanders, a founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Colonel Sanders Award: (US Army) See "KP", below.
Command Private Major: (US Army) Derogatory slang for the rank of Specialist E-4.
Commo: In reference to communications equipment or those who operate them. A title usually given to the Communications Officer or Communicator aboard US Navy vessels.
companionway: (US Navy, Marines) A staircase. From the term for a ladder or staircase aboard a ship.
Company grade weather: (USAF) Exceptionally poor weather; all the senior pilots sit the day out and let the junior company grade guys (who are still trying to build hours) fly in the bad weather.
Contrails: (USAF Academy) Fourth Class Cadet (SMACK) book of military knowledge that is memorized during the fourth class year.
Corfam: (US Navy & Marine Corps) A high-gloss dress shoe, typically made of plastic rather than leather to enhance gloss and eliminate the need for polishing. Derived from a trademark artificial leather, Corfam developed by DuPont during World War II.
cornflake: (Canada) The cap badge of a recruit in the Canadian Forces, a brass rendition of the Canadian Forces tri-service badge. From the resemblance of the badge in shape and colour to the breakfast cereal.
2. By extension from (1), a new recruit.
2. By extension from (1), the Canadian Forces insignia in general.
Corp: (UK) Informal address for a Corporal or Lance-Corporal.
COTDA: (US Army) Stands for "Case Of The Dumb Asses." Spoken in both full context and abbreviation. Humorous and imaginary syndrome or sickness often joked about towards any soldier who makes an accidental mistakes or forgets something. Example: "Did you go home last night and catch a case of the dumb asses (or COTDA) ?"
Country Club Academy: (US) A derogatory term used by cadets at the United States Military Academy and midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy to refer to the United States Air Force Academy. Refers to the perception of more relaxed standards of military discipline, and the generally less spartan living conditions for cadets, at the AFA as compared to the other academies.
cover: (US) Military headgear of any type.
crabs: (Singapore) Reference to senior officers of rank major, lieutenant colonel, or colonel, whose rank insignias are respectively one, two, or three State Crests, the outline of each resembling a crab. (United Kingdom) Refers to the British Royal Air Force, as in "When asked a question, they shrug their shoulders and shuffle off sideways."
crabs within a cage: (Singapore Armed Forces) A derogative term to describe warrant officers whose rank insignias are a state crest encased within a semi-circle and chevrons with the number of chevrons denoting higher ranks. Sometimes used to dismiss a warrant officer who is noted for being very arrogant and proliferate in the use of his authority.
crank: (US Navy) An enlisted sailor who is doing temporary duty in a ship's galley. On most ships/subs junior enlisted will work full time for many weeks or months in the galley doing menial tasks like washing dishes or scrubbing floors before moving back to their assigned rate and division. "Cranking" or "Mess cranking" is a verb for this situation. Cranking can be occasionally used as a method of EMI. (See EMI)
Crap Hat: (UK) SAS or Parachute Regiment describing other regiments in the British Army as less than elite, derived from the distinctive SAS and Parachute berets which are different in colour to every other regiment.
crunchie: (US Army) Term used by a Tank Crewman to describe a dismounted infantry soldier, derived from the sound that they make when the tank rolls over them.
crutch brigade: (US Army) a rear-detachment unit, usually full of soldiers who are unable to deploy due to medical or legal issues.
CS&MO: (US) Proper usage: Close Station, March Order. Slang: "Collect [your] shit and move out."
Cunt cap: (Army) The flat garrison cap, the kind often seen tucked under a shoulder epaulet in the movies. Particularly descriptive of the female version of this cap discontinued in the late 1970's, which had an inverted fold in the crown. Also called "piss cutter".
Cycled (USN) or "getting cycled": In boot camp, the act of being "beat" by your company commanders via strenuous work-out, or "PT" sessions. Cycling normally occurs after a member or the entire company has made an error of some kind either in drilling, training, etc. Cycling has no time limit, it lasts as long as desired by the company commander(s) , and it can include any physical training that has been imagined. Oftentimes company commanders will make their recruits put on multiple layers of clothing, while closing windows and turning off fans, etc., in an effort to make it "rain indoors". Lore states of "rain makers", company commanders often rumored to be in charge of other units who will make guest appearances at cycles in an effort to achieve the results of "raining indoors", due to the fact that the sweat from the recruits will cause condensation to build in the room and leak down from the ceilings. See tekan and quarterdecking.

[edit] D

D-Fac: (US Army) The Dining Facility (pron: D-Fack)
D4D: (USAF) Desk 4 Drawers Aircraft type flown by most of the US Air Force.
DA Form 1: (US Army) Toilet Paper.
dark green: (US Marines) An African-American US Marine; as compared to a "light-green". Becoming an archaic term; sometimes perceived as offensive.
Day 0: (US Army) . The first day of basic training.
Dead Man Walking: (US Army) A person who has a permanent profile (see profile below) which allows him/her to walk two and a half miles rather than run 2 miles as part of the Army Physical Fitness Test or APFT.
Deagle: (US) Shorthand for the Magnum Research Desert Eagle .50 caliber handgun. The word is an apparent portmanteau of the formal name for the pistol.
death technician: (Canada) Infantry soldier.
Deck: (Worldwide Navy, Marines) The floor on a ship; also used while ashore for the ground or a floor.
Deck-Ape: (Navy, Marines) Naval term used to signify a "boatswain's mate" on a ship who is in charge of anchors, moorings, lines, rope etc.
desert queen: (US) A promiscuous woman who sleeps around while at a deployed location. (US Air Force) Any female at a deployed location, especially an unattractive one. The stereotype is that because of the imbalance in the male to female ratio, unattractive women become attractive in lieu of sufficient quantities of attractive women.
dairy Queen: (US) A promiscuous overweight woman who sleeps around while at a deployed location.
desk wallah: (UK) A staff officer or other military administrator; pejorative and largely obsolete.
Desperate Love Institute: (US) Nickname for the Defense Language Institute.
deuce and a half, deuce: (US, Canada) 2½ ton truck used for carrying cargo or up to 40 people. Commonly used in convoys.
deuce gear: (US Marines) Organizational equipment that is issued to a Marine from his unit and is kept by the Marine as personal gear, but is expected to be returned in serviceable condition upon that Marine's detachment from the unit. Usually refers to load-bearing equipment, ruck packs, body armor, helmets and other field gear. Derived from "782 gear", referencing an obsolete form.
Devil Dog: (US) US Marine. The term comes from a (possibly apocryphal) complimentary term, Teufelhund, applied by German soldiers to Marines during World War I for fighting like shock troops.
dickbeaters: (US) Fingers.
dicked up: (US Army/US Air Force) Generalized state of being incorrect or broken.
dickskinners: (US) Hands.
dicktrap: (US) Mouth.
digger: (Aus/NZ) Initially used to describe soldiers who fought during the Battle of Gallipoli, but now a general term for any Australian or New Zealand soldier.
diggers: (UK) Knife, fork and spoon. Cookhouses at transit barracks, training camps and other locations away from a soldier's home base generally do not provide these. Thus it is important to remember your diggers when going for a meal.
digies: (US) Refers to new digital camouflaged field uniforms worn by the US Army and Marine Corps.
dig-it, dig it or diggit: 1. (US Navy) A (usually derogatory) reference to a crew member who shows an outward eagerness to be at sea, in the Navy, etc.--especially when compared to less enthusiastic crew members (see Joe Navy).; 2. (US Navy) Any brand or model of butterfly-folding multi-tool (i.e. leatherman) carried by said crew member.
DILLIGAF: (US, Canada) Does It Look Like I Give A Fuck?! Usually a reply in Boot Camp when given a lame excuse for not being able to perform a duty or follow an order.
Dink: (US) A derogatory term for an Asian enemy soldier, used extensively during the Vietnam War. More recently, means delinquent in some form, i.e. not up to standards on progress on training qualifications.
ditch: (RAF) crash into the sea
Dittybopper: (US Army) A signals intelligence radio operator trained to intercept Morse Code transmissions. As a verb, "Dittybopping" is used to describe a soldier or soldiers who are marching out of time with the cadence being called.
Dittybopper: (US Army) A signals intelligence radio operator trained to intercept Morse Code transmissions.
DNF: (US) Departure from Normal Flight. Term for when a pilot loses control of his/her aircraft.
DNKH: (US) Damn Near Killed Himself/Herself.
doc: A medic.
Dog Fuck: (Canada) To shirk one's duties.
dogface: (US) A US Army infantryman, common in World War II, also a soldier of the 3rd Infantry Division, they get to sing the "Dogface Soldier Song" every morning; now this or doggy is used by a Marine to refer to an Army soldier.
donkey dick: 1. (US Army) The bottom section of a PRC-25/77 radio antenna.
2. A detachable fuel nozzle for 5 gallon fuel containers. See "horse cock" below.
3. A Mortar cleaning brush.
4. By extension, any long cylindrical object.
5. (USAF Civil Engineering) An electric vibe tool with a long cylindrical vibrating shaft used in concrete construction to remove air bubbles from concrete.
Donkey Walloper: (UK) Cavalry
donut launcher: (US Army) Ring Airfoil Grenade Launcher. A device which fits on the end of an M16 rifle which fired a donut shaped rubber bullet used in riot control.
Doolie: A fourth-class cadet (freshman) at the United States Air Force Academy (also called "SMACK") .
Dope: Acronym for Data on Personal Equipment (sight, elevation settings etc for sniper rifles). Other usage includes Information/intelligence regarding the position of a target or info on an objective. Air Force/Navy usage of 'Bogey Dope' to request the position (bearing, range, altitude and heading) of enemy aircraft.
Dorm hoe or dorm slut: (US) Used for a female who is known for her promiscuity around dormitories and lodging facilities.
Dot: (US Army) An ROTC cadet. Refers to the disc shaped rank insignia. Derogatory.
double-digit midget: (US) A service member who has less than 100 days until his or her enlistment ends.
Double Ugly: (US) Nickname for the F-4 Phantom II.
doughboy: (US) A US Army soldier. This term is almost exclusively used in the context of World War I
dragonfly wings: (US Air Force) Refers to the two stripe cheveron of an Airman First Class.
drink: (RAF) sea/ocean
driver: (US Air Force) A fighter aircraft operator, i.e. pilot (example: "I'm an Eagle Driver", an F-15 Eagle pilot, or a "Viper Driver", an F-16 pilot.
drive on: (US Army) Carry out the mission.
Dropped: (US) An Army or Air Force term used to describe punishment by physical training (usually pushups)
dropshort: (UK) An artilleryman, or the Artillery in general. Artillery will often fire over the heads of friendly troops, who will certainly not appreciate a round that drops short.
Dual Cool: (US Marines) A phrase for a Marine, usually Recon or Force Recon, that has earned both the Scuba Bubble and gold jump wings.
duckhunter: (US) A member of the Air Defense Artillery.
dunecoon: (pejorative) Someone from the Iran/Iraq desert region. See also Sand nigger below.

[edit] E

Eagle: (USAF) The F-15 Fighter
Eagle Driver: (USAF) F-15 Pilot
Eagle Hatcher: (USAF) Member of the F-15 Development Team (SPO)
Eagle Keeper: (USAF) F-15 Maintainer, crew chief
Eagle Rider: (USAF) F-15E Weapons System Officer (WSO or 'Wizzo') - 'Backseater'
Eaglet: (USAF) Humorous term used by F-15 personnel in early days of the F-16 program to refer to the F-16.
Echo Check: (USAF) a type of snipe hunt where a jet engine maintainer is told to scream into a static jet engine at the top of his lungs, and if he get the right pitch and volume the blades in the engine will ring.
EGA: (US Marines) Eagle, Globe and Anchor, the emblem of the US Marine Corps.
Egg Banjo: (UK) A fried egg sandwich so called because when it is eaten, generally with the one hand that is free, egg yolk squirts onto the eater's shirt/jacket resulting in them raising their sandwich to approximately ear height whilst they attempt to "strum" the egg from their shirt with their free hand.
Egyptian PT: (UK) Sleeping, particularly during the day. Probably dates from WW2 or before. The act of laying on your bed, with your arms crossed over your chest, just like an Egyptian mummy
E.M.I.: (US) : Extra Military Instruction. In military training establishments it is a supposed learning opportunity for a serviceman to better learn some military instruction. It is not supposed to be (but most often is) a non-judicial punishment that usually consists of some menial task like running in place with arms outstretched from the chest while holding a rifle (Army) or changing into every uniform once an hour for inspection (a "Fashion Show") (Navy) . This punishment is used for individuals who have difficulty following instructions, or show excess attitude towards company commanders/authority figures.
Errr...: (U.S. Marines) An unmotivated Oorah
evolution: Generally, any specific operation or activity. "This evolution does not require talking." "All hands on deck for the refueling evolution."
extra: (Singapore) to serve guard duty or confinement as punishment
eyebrow remover: (US Army, Canada) Immersion heater, a device used for heating washing water in a field kitchen; it consists of a gas-fuelled element immersed in a large container, such as a large galvanized garbage container. An external gas tank drips gas down a column into the element, and is lit by dropping a match or inserting a lit gas-soaked rod into the tube, igniting the gas. The term "eyebrow remover" is derived making the mistake of looking in the opening after dropping the lit match in it to see if it lit properly; the puddle of gasoline at the bottom will sometimes flash and send a flame into one's face.

[edit] F

FANG: Fucking Air National Guard.
fangs: (US Marines) A term used as a reference to teeth as in "Go brush your fangs!"
farmer armor: (US) Improvised vehicle armor. See Hillbilly armor.
fart cart: Auxiliary ground air pressure unit, used to start jet engines.
fart sack: (US) A sleeping bag.
Farts and Darts: (US Air Force) A reference to the decorations on the brim of a field-grade officer's dress uniform cap.
fashion show: (US) A punishment where the service member, over a period of several hours, dresses in each of his uniforms (work, dress, summer dress and summer work) to be inspected. Designed to prevent the punished from going on liberty for most of a day.
fast movers: (US, Canada) Term used by soldiers for jet fighters, especially ground support aircraft. Dates to Vietnam.
fatigues: (US Army) Duty/work uniform, as opposed to dress uniform.
fauji: (Indian army) belonging to or part of military.
field: (UK, US) General use - duty or training away from any post/base, "In the field for training this week."; also used to denote forward deployed units/personnel, "1st Brigade is in the field at Al-Asad, 2nd and 3rd Brigades remain at main post stateside."
field day: (US) Thorough cleanup of a barracks or duty area with the expectation of an inspection. Thursday is a common day for field day in garrison.
Field grade weather: (USAF) Exceptionally good weather. All the field grade officers (O-4 thru O-6) like to get out of their offices and take a flight in this kind of weather, leaving the CGO's to fly in the bad weather.
Fighting First: The U.S. Army's First Infantry Division.
FIDO: "Fuck It, Drive On". i.e. What to do following a Charlie Foxtrot.
FIGMO: (US) "Fuck it, got my orders". Exclamation by one who is scheduled to leave a duty post.
Fighting Fit: (UK, Indian Army) Functioning properly, in perfect health, used for men as well as equipment.
First Shirt: (US) A First Sergeant. Also, "First Soldier" or "Top".
FISH: "Fighting In Someone's House", variant of FIBUA ("Fighting In Built-Up Areas), an official acronym, but now known as OBUA "Operations in Built Up Areas."
fish tank: (US Navy) Term used by submarine personnel to refer to the ocean surrounding a submerged submarine (see "people tank", below) .
fister: (US) An artillery soldier in a Fire Support Team (FST), i.e., an Artillery Forward Observer .
five and fly: (US) To graduate from a U.S. service academy, serve only the required five years on active duty, and then resign at the first opportunity. Sometimes also referred to as "Five and dive".
Five Jump Chump: (US) A US Army soldier who has earned the Airborne Badge, but has done no more than the required five jumps and is not part of an airborne unit.
Five Knots to Nowhere: (US Navy) A phrase often to describe the missions that ballistic missile submarines are tasked with. Their purpose is to deter nuclear war by being on station, slowly criss-crossing a highly-classified location somewhere in the oceans.
Five-Sided Squirrel Cage: (US) An old term for The Pentagon used during the Vietnam War.
Flags: 1. (RN) A flag lieutenant (i.e. admiral's aide-de-camp).
A signal officer.
FLAK: (WW2) Flugabwehrkanone - German for "air defense cannon".
flight line: (USAF) A form of snipe hunt. A new join is sent to look for 30 feet of flight line.
flight risk: (US) Term jokingly used to refer to an officer of grade O-6 (Colonel/Captain) or higher at the controls of an aircraft.
flying a desk: (RAF) Working as a staff officer or administrator; may be used pejoratively ("all he does is fly a desk") or simply to refer to a pilot who has been posted to such a job ("I'm flying a desk at the MOD these days").
FM: (US) "Fucking Magic". Used to describe why a faulty electronic device unexplainably starts working again.
FNG: (US) "Fucking New Guy (or Girl)" . One of many terms used to describe a new arrival to a unit.
fobbit: (US) Fairly new term used to describe soldiers who do not go outside their Forward Operations Base (FOB) in Iraq, or a soldier stationed in Iraq who has not seen combat. Derived from J.R.R. Tolkien's Hobbit, a creature that didn't like to leave the safety of their homes or "The Shire."
Fort Fumble: (US) The Pentagon.
football bat: (US) Used to describe a person or system that is unusually odd. (ie. "You are as Fucked up as a Football Bat". Sometimes rendered as "Left Handed Football Bat", or "Soup Sandwich".
Four foot drop: (US Army/USMC) Humorous take on repairing the unreliable PRC-25/27 radio. "Giving a prick (PRC) the four foot drop" is to throw it to the ground in frustration.
fourth point of contact: (US) Buttocks. Named after the fourth body part to touch the ground in a correctly executed Parachute Landing Fall(PLF) .
FRED: (Aus) "Fucking Ridiculous Eating Device". The issue eating device in combat ration packs, a combination between a small Spoon and a Can Opener, and a bottle opener. Officially Field Ration Eating Device or Food Ration Extraction Device (both are acceptable).
(The) Frisbee: (Canada) A term used to describe the shape of the Baked Cherry Dessert IMP entree which resembles a round, thin, flat frisbee. Infamous for its disgusting taste.
Front Leaning Rest: (US) Pushup position.
frosty: (US) Alert, watchful.
fruit salad: (US) The colorful collection of ribbons worn on the breast of a dress uniform.
fruit loops: (US Army) The "Army Service Ribbon" is sometimes referred to as this. Also referred to as the 'Gay Pride Ribbon' due to its colorful rainbow appearance. Also known as the "Thanks for Joining Ribbon".
FTA: 1. (US Army) "Fuck the Army" - common graffiti, also spelled out as a spoken epithet. When the Sergeant Major asks about the new "FTA" tatoo, remember that it stands for "Fun, Travel and Adventure"
2. (US Marine Corps) "Failure to Adapt", a reason recruits are sent home from boot camp.
FTAF: (US Air Force) "Fuck the Air Force" - common graffiti, also spelled out as a spoken epithet. Usually used as a high form of derogatory term towards the Air Force.
FTN: (US Navy) "Fuck the Navy" - common graffiti, also spelled out as a spoken epithet. Usually used in a simple game of "hide & seek" - FTN can usually be found in obscure places (like inside machinery) and the discovery of which usually pisses-off higher-ranking people and 'dig-it's.
FUBAR: (US) Abbreviation for "Fucked up beyond all recognition (or repair)." Sometimes "FUBER" for "economical repair". See "SNAFU", below.
Fuckchop: (US Army) A dumbass or screw-up. Something drill instructors have called recruits to make them feel more appreciated. Comes from the street/urban slang, meaning "fucking porkchop".
full-bird colonel: (US) A colonel (O6) as opposed to "light colonel" which is a lieutenant colonel (O5). Named for the eagle insignia. Also known as "full bull," "full bird," or "bird colonel". See "light colonel", below.
full-bull: (US) See "full-bird colonel" above.
full screw: (UK) term used to describe Corporals after being promoted from Lance Jack.
Fuzzy Wuzzy: (UK) In Victorian times, a derogatory term for alien or dark-skinned inhabitants of the British Empire.

[edit] G

gabra: (Singapore) To be exceedingly confused.
GAFA: (UK) Great Arabian Fuck All. Royal Air Force description of lack of visible landmarks during the 1st Gulf War.
gaggle-fuck: A disorganized group, a clusterfuck.
gaggle-march: (US Air Force) Normally spoken, pronounced "gaggle-HARCH," it is used to describe a flight or other formation that is marching out of step or outside of acceptable drill and ceremonies.
gash: 1. (UK) Rubbish, trash. A gashbag is what one puts it in.; 2. (UK) Unprofessional and/or unimportant.; 3. (Canada, signals) Probably derived from (1), garbled or incomprehensible signals.
gat: 1. (UK) Referring to the rifle used by British Forces (SA80).
2. (US) Any small arm, referencing gangster slang.
Gator Navy: (USN) Meaning the amphibious arm of the surface Navy.
GAF: (US) Gay as fuck. When unpopular individuals ask what this acronym is, they are often told it stands for "Go Air Force".
Garatrooper: (Canada) Used to describe a soldier who excels in garrison but is lacking where it counts in the field.
gedunk: (USN) : Commonly junk/snack food itself, or the store in which it can be acquired. Also the military service ribbon awarded to new recruits in boot camp is referred to as the "gedunk ribbon".
get some Navy: (US Navy) A verb used to describe a situation where someone has some pain inflicted on them due to something associated to the Navy. (e.g. A sailor is told that he has to stay past his duty time and do extra duty due to the whim of a higher ranking person - he is "getting some Navy").
GI: (US) Always pronounced as intials "gee ai", stands for "government issue(d)". As a noun, GI refers to a member of a US military service, as in "G.I. Joe"; originally pejorative as it implied that U.S. soldiers were nothing but interchangable units (Government Issue(d) Joe) that could be requisitioned like any other supplies. As an adjective, it can be applied to any item of US military materiel or procedure. When used as a verb it means to put into military shape, as in "to GI the barracks". Etymology at GI.
gig line: (US) An imaginary line running down the front of a uniform formed by the edges of the pant's fly placket, right belt buckle edge and the shirt button placket. The significance of the "gig line" is that all parts of it be in-line for inspections.
G.I. party: (US Army & Air Force) A term used to describe scrubbing the barracks from top to bottom. This sort of "party" is seldom, if ever, fun.
go west: (WWII UK) die. As in migrate across the American continent in the 19th Century, when people who went West were often never seen again.
goat rope/ing: A useless, futile, or foolish activity. A waste of time directed by higher authority.
goat locker: (US Navy, US Coast Guard) Room or lounge reserved for Chief Petty Officers (E-7 and above). Those who are E-6 and below would do well to steer clear unless expressly permitted inside. Also used to refer to the Chief Petty Officers assigned to one command.
GOBI: General Officer Bright Idea. An idea often inspired by a briefing, which is then endorsed and ordered by a general. Sometimes it is valid, often it is pointless, but it invariably creates more bureaucratic hassles than are necessary to the mission.
GOFO: Grasp Of the Fucking Obvious.
goldbrick, goldbricker: (US) A member of the military who feigns illness to avoid duty; more recently, any service member who shirks duty.
Golden Shellback: (US Navy) A sailor who crosses the equator at the point of intersection with the International Date Line. See Shellback.
Gold side: (US Coast Guard) The regular Coast Guard, which wears gold insignia compared to the Coast Guard Auxiliary, which wears silver insignia. See Silver side.
gone Elvis: (US) Missing in action.
gonk: (USAF) electronics/avionics/computer devices in general, especially when performing functions of a computational nature. Also seen as "gonkulator". Can be used as a verb: to "gonkulate" means to calculate either by hand or by machine.
Good Training: (US) Anything that does not result in death, a reportable incident, or the relief of the commanding officer. "We had rain for three days during the field problem, but it was all good training."
Gook: (US) A derogatory term for an Asian enemy soldier used extensively during the Vietnam War. From the Korean guk ("people").
gopping: (British Army) Dirty, especially used of rifles in need of cleaning.
gouge: (US Navy) Informal information channel; the grapevine; the straight dope. Gouge is passed on by the gouge train.
goulasch cannon: (US Army, German Wehrmacht) Portable, self contained field kitchen. Originally used by WWII German soldiers, but it can also refer to the US Army's Mobile Kitchen Trailer or MKT.
grand slam: (UK) The act of defecating, urinating and throwing up while sleeping off a large "Male Bonding Session" while undergoing training.
Grape: 1. (US Submarine Service) Delightfully easy. Examples: "This is %$# grape duty! I %$# love it!" or "That was a grape sig, you %$#." (See "sig" below)
2. (US Marine Corps) One's head. For example: "Put your cover [hat] on your grape."
3. (USAF Fighter Pilots) : an aircraft/pilot that is easy to shoot down.
4. (US Navy) : The flight deck crewmen on an aircraft carrier tasked with fuel handling (so called for their purple shirts and helmets) . Related to "skittles".
Gravel Tech(nician): (Canada) Infantry, usually referred to as such by the Navy.
green bar: (US Army) A term for second lieutenants, referring to the color of their camouflaged insignia. See butterbar, above.
green eggs: (US Army) Powdered (dehydrated) eggs served by the Army. Green is used to indicate "Army issue" and not necessarily the actual color in this case. (pre 1995 eggs were often served mermite cans, and were actually green in color.)
Green Eyed: (UK) Excessively keen or professional soldier.
Green Slime: (UK) Intelligence Corps. Based on colour of Beret combined with the Intelligence Corps' sneaky and underhand warfare.
grid squares: (US Army) An item new recruits are sent to find; a form of snipe hunt. A grid square is a term for one area on a map, a square created by grid lines of one kilometer.
Grinder: (USN) The outside tarmac, asphalted area or courtyard normally adjacent to a barracks which is used to perform musters, drilling, and sometimes "cycling" of recruits in boot camp.
ground-pounder: (UK and US) Derogatory term for Army or Marines. Opposite of air-dales, above.
grunt: (US) Infantry soldier conjunction of 'Ground Unit'(Canada) Any soldier. Derogatory origin used by POGS - GRUNT was originally an acronym of government reject - unfit for normal training. Less common is the interpretation of GRUNT as Generic recruit unfit for naval training.
GTFO: (US) Pronounced "GIT-foe". Acronym of "get the fuck out", nonspecific utilization in training/combat.
Guardian Angel: (US) A soldier or Marine placed in a high position in urban warfare to provide overwatch and cover to friendly units moving below.
Gucci kit: (US, UK & Canada) Non-issued kit or equipment bought by the soldier.
gun: (US) An artillery piece. This isn't slang per se but precision, as rifles and pistols are referred to as "small arms" or "sidearms" or simply "weapons." Gun is also slang for "penis"; recruits learn not to call their weapon a gun in the rhyme, This is my rifle/This is my gun/This one's for fighting/This one's for fun.
gun bunny: 1. (US) An artilleryman - often specifically a cannon crewman.
(Royal Navy) Female camp follower of teams competing in the RN Field Gun Run.
gun-plank: (UK) An Artillery term for a junior officer, implying that they would be more useful wedged under the wheels of the gun to prevent it sinking into the mud than in their current role.
gun rock: (US) Artillery cannon crewman, especially used by other artillerymen (e.g.: forward observers, fire direction control) . Pejorative.
Gung Ho Mo Fo: (US Army) A soldier who is more enthusiastic about the Army than those around him.
Gunny: 1. (US) a Marine Corps gunnery sergeant(E7)
2 (US) a Naval Gunner's mate.
3. (US Army) Less commonly used to describe the duty position of gunnery sergeant in a US Army howitzer platoon.
gyrene: (US Navy, Army, AF) Mildly derisive term for a Marine.

[edit] H

Habeeb: (US) A general term for Iraqis during the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. From Arabic for 'friend.' Somewhat pejorative or dismissive.
Habeebatee: (US) A term for an attractive Arab female. Somewhat pejorative or dismissive and frowned upon given current events.
Hadji: (US) A general term used to describe Middle Easterners during the first Gulf War and subsequently during the war in Iraq (usually describing a friendly Iraqi). Same as Habib--refers to people native to the Middle Eastern countries, India, and Egypt. Somewhat pejorative or dismissive. Considered by some as a racist remark, and has thus fallen under scrutiny. Also used to refer to local markets where servicemen can acquire cheap goods, possibly of dubious authenticity. Probably from the Indian character Hadji in the 60s adventure cartoon "The Adventures of Jonny Quest".
hairy bag: (Canada) Naval personnel in a sea-going trade. Used as a familiar or jocular term, not pejorative.
Half Left Down: (Singapore) see Knock it down.
HANO: (US) "High Altitude No Opening", a parachute jump in which the parachute fails to open, usually with fatal results. Play on "HAHO" and "HALO".
hardball: (US) Any hard-surfaced road.
hatch: (US Navy, Marines) A door. From the shipboard terminology for the means of entering or exiting the compartment of a ship.
hatless dance: (Canada) A charge parade, referring to the fact that the accused is marched in at double time in front of the presiding officer without a beret ("My last hatless dance cost me two days' pay!")
head: (US) A slightly less offensive term short for dickhead or other similar heads.
head: (Naval services) Toilet or latrine.
health and comfort: (US) From "Health and Comfort Inspection", a euphemistic term for a search of quarters for contraband. Also called "Health and Welfare."
Helmet Fire: (USAF) Task saturation, especially in the context of flying instrument procedures.
Herc Doc: (USAF) a C-130 maintainer.
high speed, low drag: (US) Excellent, particularly of equipment.
Hillbilly armor: (US) Improvised, sometimes crappy vehicle armor.
hindquarters: Any headquarters.
hit the silk: (US) To abandon an aircraft mid-flight by means of a parachute. For example, "Johnson's plane took a lot of flak, but he hit the silk just in time!" Also, punch Elvis.
Holland: (Singapore Armed Forces) To be lost or get lost without a clue where you are. Etymology is disputed but it is pronounced as "ho-lan".
Hollywood Marine: (US) Enlisted Marine| who underwent their recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
Hooah: (US Army/Canadian Army (Infantry only)) A spirited cry, which can mean nearly anything positive. Short for "Heard, Understood and Acknowledged." Pronounced "WhoAh" in one short syllable by Rangers. In the Regiment ( 75th RGR ) , depending on its placement in the sentence or its inflection and tone, Hooah can an affirmative, a negative, a Verb, and or curse word. It's usage in the Canadian Army is somewhat debated, however, is becoming more common amongst those in the Infantry. See also, HUA.
hook: 1. (Canada) A chevron as rank insignia. For example, to "get one's third hook", say, is to be promoted to sergeant (third chevron).; 2 (US) A Big-Ass bird..., twin rotors, see Shithook below.
Hoover: (USN) Nickname for the S-3 Viking. Named for the sometimes strange sounds it makes while flying.
horse cock: 1. (US Navy) (Vulgar) A heavy cylinder of lunch meat or ground hamburger while still in the wrapper, prior to being sliced or opened.; 2. (Canada)(Vulgar) A flexible metal nozzle attached to gas cans to facilitate pouring.
HOCOWS: (UK) Acronym for "Hands Off Cocks, On With Socks", a WW2 expression shouted by the sergeant to rouse soldiers from their bunks.
HUA: An alleged acronym for "Head Up Ass", or "Heard, Understood, Acknowledged." See Hooah.
Hudson High: The United States Military Academy at West Point, which overlooks the Hudson River. Pejorative.
Hummer: 1. (USN) Nickname for the E-2 Hawkeye.; 2. (US Army) Nickname for the HMMWV.
"Hun": (USAF) The F-100 fighter
"Hun Driver": (USAF) F-100 Pilot

[edit] I

I&I: (US) : Intoxication & Intercourse. A wild time while on leave. Play on R&R
Ie-yee-ah: (US) Same as "Hooah," used in the US Army 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment. Based on an American Indian war cry.
IFR: "I fucking refuse", in a pseudo-rebellious form against higher-ups.
I Must Puke: (Canada) Refers to the disgusting flavours of the various Canadian Forces IMPs (Individual Meal Packs).
in country: (US) In a foreign territory, esp. a combat zone, esp. Vietnam. I was in country that whole summer. Does not generally apply to foreign basing in friendly countries during peacetime.
in the dinghy: (WWII RAF) All right for the moment. If you ditch your kite in the drink, you may go west, but you will be safer for the moment if you can get into a life-raft.
irons, eating irons: (UK) Cutlery.
IYAAYAS: (USAF) means If You Ain't Ammo You Ain't Shit. Self explanatory. Used by 461XX, Ammo Troops
ID10T Form: (USMC) Idiot form. A non-existant form that ignorant marines are sent to find. Usually they are new to their unit.

[edit] J

jacked up

(US) Used constantly, in lieu of the now-politically incorrect "fucked up," especially during boot camp. Screwed up, ruined, in trouble. "Jackness" is the quality of being in a jacked-up state; can also refer to a hapless individual: "Get over here, Jackness."

(Canada) - Used as a verb - to "jack someone up" refers to the process of remotivating an individual with often humourous content.

jack

(UK, Aus) Selfish, as in "Don't be a jack bastard" or "Don't jack on your mates". One of the most serious things a British soldier can be accused of by his comrades.

Jane Wayne

(US Army & USMC) A very agressive or masculine female soldier or marine. Also a term to imply a woman is a competent soldier.

Jarhead

A US Marine - according to some, a reference to the "high and tight" haircut and squared chin. Alternatively, American Heritage Dictionary states, "Perhaps from the shape of the hat the Marines once wore" [1]. On the other hand, the Oxford English Dictionary originally cites it as U.S. Army slang for a mule (1916), then later as a word for a "foolish or stupid person" (1942); the application to a Marine cites from 1944. Oddly, it was applied to U.S. Army soldiers in the 1930s, based on the mule mascot of Army's football team [2]. According to some, a reference to the fact that the Mason Jar Company produced many of the metal helmets worn by marines during WW II. Pejorative when used by non-Marines; defiantly proud when used by Marines about themselves (as in the book and movie of the same name, about a Marine sniper during the First Gulf War) .

Jawa

(US) A soldier, usually of low rank, stationed in a desert area. From the creatures in the Star Wars films.

Jawan

(India) A soldier with the rank of private; also a generic term for Indian soldiers.

Jedi mind trick

(USAF) When flight lead needs the wingman to do something unplanned or that has not been briefed, but the wingman magically does it before he is told to.

Jeff

(USAF) slang term used for a new second lieutenant.

Jerry

(US, UK, Canada) A slang for German soldiers during the Great War and World War 2. Survives in common English usage in the term "jerry can".

jet jockey

(US) A pilot.

JHW

(UK) Jersey Heavy Wool, the old-style thick military sweater.

Jimmy

(Canada) signaller. It is suggested that this term comes from the figure of Mercury on their cap badges, who is referred to as "Jimmy" by the un-enlightened.

jimmy dean

(US Army) In reference to a kind of pre-packaged meal, usually more edible than an MRE but lacks any way of heating the food. Usually contains a can of juice, canned meal or vacuum-packed sandwich, a fruit cup, a peppermint, and sometimes Pringles.

Jodie/Jody

(US) A man who steals a soldier's girlfriend/wife when deployed, out in the field, or in training. So often referred to in cadences used during exercises that the cadences themselves have become known as jodies or jody calls.

Ain't no use in goin' home,

Jodie's got your girl alone.

Joe: (US) A soldier.
Joe Navy: (US Navy) An overly enthusiastic "gung-ho" sailor (see Lifer). Pejorative.
Juicy or juicy girl: (US) Name given to a prostitute or bar girl. Originated in Korea.
joey: (Canada) Can be used to describe a new member, or a soldier who is heavily reliant on others.
John Wayne School: (US) Army Special Forces school, Fort Bragg.
JN: (US Navy) Japanese National. Usually a Japanese shipyard worker, but can also be applied to any Japanese citizen.

[edit] K

kebab: (UK & Commonwealth) An aircraft's jet engine, components spin and heat up.
keener: (Canada) A recruit or one who is new to a unit that is usually overly-enthusiastic about his/her assignment.
Keys to aircraft 300: (USN) : A form of snipe hunt. A new join is sent to the Maintenance Office or Ready Room in an attempt to get keys to start an aircraft due to launch. Of course, there are no keys to military fighter jets, the gag is simply to humiliate a new join. The number given is the BUNO (bureau number), or painted aircraft designation of the new join's squadron, it could be any number.
Keys to the Submarine/Ship/Reactor: (US Navy) Snipe hunt - A new join is sent all over the vessel to get the keys, so the CO can get underway. Everyone tells the new person they just gave the keys to someone else, preferably far away or hard to get to. This is similar to the "Keys to aircraft" snipe hunt, since there are no keys for military ships larger than riverines and certainly no keys for submarines.
KFS: (UK, Canada) Knife, fork and spoon.
killick: (Canada, UK) An old term for a homemade anchor, now used to refer to a person in the rank of Leading Seaman. This is in reference to the rank badge which historically was a single fouled anchor worn on the left arm. Also, not coincidentally, the name of Capt. Aubrey's steward, a grumpy but beloved character in the Patrick O'Brian Aubrey-Maturin series of Napoleonic naval adventures.
KITDAFOS: (UK) Kept in the dark and fed on shit
kite: (RAF) aeroplane
klicks: Kilometers
Knee-deep Navy: (US) Coast Guard (pejorative), so-called because of the mistaken belief the Coast Guard never sails into deep water.
knock it down: (Singapore Army) Command to get into pushup position. "You guys want to take your own sweet time...whole lot of you knock it down!"
knuckle dragger: (US Navy Submarine Service) A Machinist's Mate Auxiliaryman, responsible for non-propulsion systems like the sanitary system or hydraulic system. The term was coined from the stereotype that Machinist Mates are not as intelligent as other rates like Radiomen or Sonar Technicians, so they rely mostly on brute strength to get their job done.; (US Air Force) A crew chief, also referred to as "wrench-turner" or "grease monkey".
KP: (US, Canada) Abbreviation for the obsolete term "Kitchen Patrol", a duty assigned (to other than food service personnel) to perform menial, but necessary, kitchen chores such as dishwashing, serving and kitchen cleaning, oftentimes as a punishment for bad behavior. It has been jocularly backronymed to "Keep Peeling", in reference to the popular perception of soldiers peeling potatoes; however, in the United States, current Army regulations prohibit non-food services personnel from food preparation.

[edit] L

Lance Colonel: (US Marines) A Lance Corporal that always tries to take control of situations, whether or not he/she is the senior Marine, and will inevitably create more problems if actually allowed to take control.
Lance Coolie; Lance Criminal: (US Marines) Cynical terms for Lance Corporals, the third-lowest enlisted rank in the Marine Corps.
Lance Corporal Underground: (US Marines) refers to what the junior enlisted are saying or feeling; a more informed rumormill.
Lance Jack: (UK) A term used to describe a Lance Corporal (LCpl) in the UK Armed Forces.
Last Cleaning Position Left: (US Marines) A play on the abbreviation "LCPL" for Lance Corporal, the highest non-NCO rank. Used to remind a Lance Corporal that they are still subject to having to clean.
latrinegram: (US, WW2/Korea) Wild, unfounded rumor.
Lautenberged: (US) Discharged due to a domestic violence conviction, named after the Lautenberg Amendment.
Lawn Dart: (USAF) Pejorative nickname for the F-16 Fighting Falcon, based on its appearance and crashes early in its career. Also a pejorative nickname used by bomber pilots to refer to fighter jets.
LBFM: (US) "Little Brown Fucking Machines." Originally coined to describe Filipina prostitutes who serviced American personnel stationed at/temporarily visiting Subic Bay Naval Base and Clark Field/Air Base; also applied to Central American prostitutes. Highly pejorative and offensive.
LBFMPBR: (USN) "Little Brown Fucking Machines, Powered By Rice". Prostitutes, specifically in the Philippines, to differentiate them from Central American LBFMs. Highly pejorative and offensive.
leatherneck: (US) A United States Marine, from the high leather collar formerly worn with formal uniforms, and in fighting uniform during the days of shipborne, sword-wielding boarding parties, when Marines were issued a leather gorget. The "Fighting Leathernecks" is also the nickname of the Western Illinois University men's athletic teams, by exclusive permission of the Department of the Navy.
Left Handed Salute: (US) Punishable action of disrespect to a superior unless right arm is immobilized or otherwise incapacitated. Reference to any action of open disrespect.
leg: (US) non-airborne qualified soldiers. Also LEG (Low Energy Grunt) .
les Joyeux: (France) "the joyful", Battalions de Afrique (African Discipline Battalions), named for beating jail.
libo: (US Navy and Marines) Liberty, time away from work (after hours, on a weekend, during a port-call, etc.) not charged against leave.
lifer: (US) A (usually derogatory) term for a person who has been in the military a long time or plans to stay in long enough to retire, usually a Dig it.
light colonel: (US} A lieutenant colonel. Pejorative.
light fighter: (US Army) soldiers of one of the Army's Light divisions; foot infantry as opposed to mechanized units.
light up: (Canada) To correct someone in an extremely harsh manner, usually involving yelling and profanity. "The RSM lit Smith up for walking on the grass."
Lima Charlie: (US) NATO phonetic alphabet radio-speak for "Loud and clear."
Little Shitty Volkswagen: (Canada) Derisive backronym for "LSVW", which actually stands for "Light Support Vehicle, Wheeled".
Lobo: (Singapore Armed Forces) Refers to individuals who, for some reason or another, are currently assigned to a unit but hold no estat, role or watch. These are typically raw recruits or privates fresh from basic military training assigned to a military school or institution for further training but cannot attend the course that they have been sent for at the present time. They generally lack the skills or qualifications necessary for their military vocation and cannot function in that role as yet. Thus they generally spend their time doing menial jobs such as cleaning or clerical work. The quasi-official term for such persons is "Temporary Support Staff". Is thought to refer to the acronym for "Left Out of Battle Order".
LPC: (US Army) Leather Personnel Carriers - boots.
lost the keys: (US Navy) After a negative incident, the Commanding Officer relinquishes some operating authority of his ship/submarine/reactor to his superiors, but without dismissal.
LT: (US) Nickname for Lieutenant (pronounced ELL-TEE) . A pronunciation of the actual military abbreviation for Lieutenant; is becoming more common in police jargon, as well.
Load Toad: (USAF) Refers to 462XX AFSC Those who load ordinance onto the aircraft

[edit] M

Ma Deuce: (US Army) M2 - .50 cal Machine Gun.
Magic: (USAF) - aircraft avionics, especially of the glass cockpit variety.
Maisies: (Canada) Nickname for the Régiment de Maisonneuve (abbreviation "R de MAIS").
Master Blaster: (US Army) Used as a casual reference to the Master Parachutist's Badge. Also used to describe the Tank Commander's power control handle, for its ability to override the gunner's control of the turret.
Master Guns: (US Marines) Master Gunnery Sergeant; (US Navy) Gunners Mate Master Chief
master jack: (Canada) A master corporal.
meals on wheels: (US Army) Mobile Kitchen Trailer (MKT) .
Meathead: (Canada) : An MP, descriptive of the red berets they wear as part of their uniform .
Meat shield: (Canada) An Infantryman.
merlion: (Singapore Armed Forces) To vomit copiously, especially after an over-indulgence of alcohol. This description of projectile vomit invokes the image of the Merlion, a tourism mascot of Singapore resembling a hybrid of fish and lion. A famous statue of this mascot is a large fountain with water spewing from its mouth.
mermite can: (US Army) Officially it's the "Food Container, Insulated" which was (see Cambro) for transporting hot or cold foods from a kitchen to soldiers in the field. Declared obsolete by the Army in 1995. However, they are still a common sight and are used by some to smuggle cold beer to the field.
MFWIC: Mother Fucker Who's in Charge.
Mike Mike: (US) Millimeter, from the NATO phonetic alphabet.
Mikes: (US) Minutes, from the NATO phonetic alphabet.
millers: (US) Multiple Launch Rocket System from the acronym "MLRS".
MIR Commando: (Canada) Soldier who is always on Sick Parade. "MIR" refers to Medical Inspection Room, the medical facilities on a Canadian Forces base.
MMFD: (Br, Gulf War 1) Miles and miles of fucking desert, a play on KKMC.
Mystery E: (US) MRE, meal-ready-to-eat.
Mox Nix: (US European Theatre) Bastardization of the German "es macht nichts", or it makes no difference.
moonbeam: (US Marines) A flashlight.
Muckle: (Canada) To gain/take possession of something, as in "Muckle on to those ammo cans and get over here!".
mustang: (US) A nickname for an officer promoted from the enlisted ranks. Can be respectful when used by enlisted ranks and seasoned officers, or pejorative when used by career-oriented and/or snooty academy-trained officers.

[edit] N

Nasty Girl: (US Army) Term used by regular Army soldiers to describe National Guardsmen
Navy issue ass: (US) Term used for female Navy members in reference to their reputation of having large posteriors.
NJP: (US) Refers to Non-Judicial Punishment under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Essentially, legal punishment imposed by a unit commander in lieu of a trial. May be refused by a servicemember in exchange for a court martial and (almost invariably) a stiffer punishment.
No Duff: (Canada, Singapore) Not a training scenario: "I say again, we have No Duff Casualty, over."
November Golf: (US) Phonetically stating NG for NO GO, literally, to fail. Army evaluations are scored as either GO/NO-GO instead of Pass/Fail. That's a big November Golf chief.
NO GO Nazi: (US) An especially strict evaluator who seems to take pleasure in giving NO-GO's.
NUB: (US) (Submarine Service) Abbreviation for 'Non-useful body' or 'Non-useful bitch'--a new enlisted crewmember who has not yet completed the qualifaction process to earn their vaunted Submariner's Warfare Badge, otherwise known as their 'Dolphins'. New definition for term "New Underway Buddy" was coined to allow its continued use despite new stricter hazing rules.
nugget: (US Air Force and Navy) An inexperienced pilot or aircrew member.
Nuke: 1. (US Navy) Naval nuclear personnel (Naval personnel who operate nuclear reactors and related machinery) .
: 2. Also refers to ordnance type that is neither confirmed nor denied, and is handled by a different Department (See "Weaponettes") .
: 3. (US Navy) To make a simple task unnecessarily complicated. "Don't nuke this up - it's just stenciling your skivvies."
: 4. (US Navy) To solve a problem. "I'm not really sure how that works, you'll just have to Nuke it out."
Number One: (RN) The First Lieutenant of a vessel.
Numpty: (UK, Canada) An individual who just doesn't get it; Frequently found getting "Jacked up"
Nutsack: Term used for the 100-round ammo holder on a M249 Squad Automatic Weapon.
Nut to Butt: (US Army) : A phrase to tell soldiers to tighten-up a single file line, generally used in Basic Training (e.g. a chow line, equipment issue, etc)
"Nylon Letdown" (WWII Allies): descent with a parachute, in reference to the materials used for the parachutes at the time.

[edit] O

Ocifer: (Singapore Armed Forces) A derogatory term for a conscript officer. May derive from a local mispronunciation of "officer" by poorly educated enlisted men or as a reference to Officer Cadet School (OCS) that all SAF officers must attend.
ODs: (Canada) The older olive drab coloured combat uniforms worn before the introduction of CADPATS. When pronounced "ode" can also refer to Ordinary Seaman.
Office Hours: (US Marines) Non-Judicial Punishment under Article 15 of the UCMJ. See Captain's Mast.
OG: (Indian Army) Olive Green used to refer to the uniform worn, sometimes can be used to describe a person(officer/nco) who is more strict or disciplined.
Old man, the: (US, UK) The unit commander. In practice, this term is often used even when the commander is female. A term of affection and respect. NEVER used (US) in the personal presence of the Old Man. See CO.
O Early Hundred, O Dark O'clock, O Dark 30 Hours, 0 Dark Early, O Dark Stupid: (US, Canada) Very early morning or any time before sunrise. Also O Late Hundred, etc. for night. Often, these terms overlap - 0200 is both too early and too late.
On the double: (US Navy, Marines) As quickly as possible; without delay.
Oorah!: (US Marines) Term used to respond in the affirmative to a question, acknowledge an order, or generally to express enthusiasm. Comparable to "Hooah" in the Army, but more widely used in the Marines than "Hooah" is in the Army.
Operation Full Bird: (US Army) Commands given by a LtCol (0-5) with the hope of being noticed by a promotion board. Used derogatively by enlisted soldiers required to carry out the mission.
ORSE: (US Navy) The Operational Reactor Safeguards Exam. A 24 hour exam where the ship's ability to operate the nuclear reactor during normal and casualty situations is tested. Also the crew's knowledge is examined and all facets of nuclear system maintenance, procedures, and documentation are reviewed. (Note: The Navy's standards are usually ten times more stringent than the NRC's)
Oscar-Mike: (US) On the Move, from the phonetic alphabet.
O silly hundred hours: (UK) Very early in the morning.
Overhead: (US Navy, Marines) The deck above you while aboard a ship; used ashore to refer to the ceiling of a room, as well.
Over The Hill: (US) MIA or AWOL(qv)

[edit] P

Pad Eye Remover: (USN) A non-existent tool that a new join is sent in search of to remove the "pad-eyes" from a flight deck of an aircraft carrier or flight line while ashore. Pad-eyes are the circular cut-outs in the deck which contain metal rungs for use in securing an airplane via use of tie-down chains. See Keys to the Ship and Snipe Hunt.
pai-kar pai-chew: (Singapore) "The sick and the crippled", those with a profile. Sometimes slurred to pikachu.
P.A.P.E.R. C.L.I.P: (US) People Against People Ever Re-enlisting—Civilian Life Is Preferred. An acronym often used by military personnel whose enlistment is almost finished and have a cynical and jaded take on their time left in the military. Often this person will wear a paper clip on the brim of their hat as an act of defiance or snubbing of military authority.
PBI: (British, WWI) Poor Bloody Infantry
Pea Shooter: (US Army) 1. Term used by 155mm Artillery Cannon Crewmembers referring to the much smaller and less powerful 105mm Artillery Cannons. 2. Term used by Artillerymen for anything less powerful than a Howitzer. Example: M-16 Rifle or Mortars.
Pear-shaped: (UK ) Badly wrong or awry (as in "to go pear-shaped") . Not a military term, strictly speaking, as it is in general use by civilians in the UK.
People Tank: (US Navy) Term used by submarine personnel to refer to the interior of the submarine (see Fish Tank) .
Penguin: (UK RAF) Aircrews term for ground crew. "All flap and no fly."
Penis Peelers: (US) Hands
Perfect for Cleaning; Personnel for Cleaning: (US Army and Marines) Unenthusiastic synonyms for Privates First Class (PFCs) in the Army and the Marine Corps.
Pecker Checker: (Canada) Medical Personnel; (USN) Hospital Corpsman
PFCIC: (US) Private First Class in Charge. Used in reference to Pfc's who take on more authority than they have. A play off of NCOIC.
PFM: (US Air Force) Pure Fucking Magic. Used to explain how something works to someone who will not grasp the technical details.
Phantom Phixer: (US Air Force) An F-4 Phantom mechanic.
Phone Colonel: (US) An O5 who introduce him or her self as "Colonel" over the phone in hopes of being mistaken for a full bird.
Pilot: (RN) The Navigating Officer of a ship.
Pilot before Pontius: (RAF) "I was a pilot before Pontius" (i.e. Pontius Pilate) means that the pilot is very experienced.
Pineapple: (US, World War II) Slang for a hand grenade, due to the pineapple-like shape of army issue Mk. II hand grenades.
Pinger: (RN) Anti-Submarine helicopter and crew. Derived from the dipping sonar.
PINGERS: (US Air Force) Persons In Need of Graduation, Education, Recreation, and Sex. Term used for young non-prior-service Air Force personnel graduated from basic training and enrolled in technical training. See also pipeliner.
Pipeliner: (US Air Force) A non-prior-service Air Force member enrolled in initial technical training.
Plastic Bug: (US Navy) Nickname for the F/A-18 Hornet.
Plebe: Freshman at the United States Naval Academy or United States Military Academy (a freshman at the United States Air Force Academy is a "Doolie" or a "Smack") .
PLUG: (Canada) Private Learning Under a Gun, this soldier is so stupid he needs a gun to his head to understand (this usage is possibly a backronym for plug, which the Oxford English Dictionary defines as an "incompetent or undistinguished person"[3], usage dating to 1848)
PMCS: (US) Park the Mother and Call the Shop, a play on the official meaning: Preventative Maintenance Checks and Services.
Po Bosun: (RN) The senior petty officer medical assistant on board a ship; po is British slang for a chamber pot, the implication being that he was in charge of emptying the chamber pots in the sickbay.
Pocket billiards: (Singapore) Walking around with one's hands in his pockets, referring to someone beating off, as in 'Stop playing pocket billiards when I'm talking to you!'
Pocket Rocket: (US Air Force) A ballistic missile warfare insignia.
POG: (US) Person (or personnel) Other than Grunt. Rhymes with "rogue". Used by combat arms soldiers to describe anyone in a support Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) . Also used by infantrymen to describe anyone other than an infantryman.
Pogs: The cardboard gift certificates circulated by AAFES shops in theater during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. They are used to save the cost of shipping regular US coinage across seas, and resemble collectable milk caps, the most popularly produced by the "POG" company
Poles in the Holes: (US Navy Nuclear Program) To SCRAM the nuclear reactor.
Poo-tang: A term used to describe "pussy" during vietnam.
Pop Smoke: (US) Call for extraction. Alternately to leave work or complete an period of service.
Popcorn Colonel: An O5 (Lieutenant Colonel). Called this because the insignia is an oak leaf and looks like a kernel of popcorn.
Porkchop: (US) Term for the 200-round drum used with an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW).
Potato Masher: (Allied, World War II) Slang for Nazi German hand grenades due to their distinctive shape.
Powerpoint Commando: A briefer notorious for producing overly complex briefs in Powerpoint that are too long and use too many effects, such as animations and sounds.
PRC-E6 (or E7, E8, etc.): (US) A non-existent item that a new join to a unit may be sent to acquire and bring back, typically from an NCO of a particular grade (PRC is a common prefix in designations for radio or other communications equipment and is pronounced "prick". The combination of this pronunciation plus the "E-" rating makes up the joke.)
Provisional Wing of Tesco's: (UK) Royal Logistics Corps nickname combining Provisional IRA with a famous supermarket in the UK.
PT Rat: (US) A servicemember who spends a large amount of time in individual PT.
Puddle Pirate: (US) A member of the United States Coast Guard, so-called because of the mistaken belief that they never sail into deep water.
Puff the Magic Dragon or Puff: (US, Vietnam War) An AC-47 air-to-ground attack aircraft.
Pull chocks: (USAF) to leave a bar, for example to abandon a crappy party.
Punch out: (USAF) to eject from an aircraft. Has acquired the meaning to separate from the service, or resign from the Academy.
Purple Suiter: (US) A person who is serving in an all-service (Army, Navy and Air Force) position. An example would be a Naval officer who manages fuel for all military units in an area or major command.
Purple Trade: ( Canada) A support trade, such as an admin clerk, driver, medical officer, etc. Support trades are shared by all three services in the Canadian Forces.
Puzzle Palace: (US) The National Security Agency headquarters at Fort Meade, Maryland. This comes originally from the book titled The Puzzle Palace written by James Bamford about the National Security Agency. Can also refer to The Pentagon.
Pump and Dump: (US Navy, especially in boot camp) . To urinate and defecate.
PX Ranger: (US Army) . A person buys excessive and often unneeded gear for their uniform prior to field training and deployment. Camping gimmicks, contraption, multiple knives, ranger beads, etc. . . Also see AAFES.

[edit] Q

QM: (Canada) Quartermaster- specifically a building or area within a base or facility where equipment and material requisitions can be made, not necessarily referring to the person or persons responsible for a unit's supplies.
quarterdecking: (US Marine Corps) The act of performing physical training as a minor punishment in boot camp. This takes place in a portion of the recruit barracks known as the quarterdeck.
Quarterlies: (Singapore) Expendable/consumable stores (such as boot polish) that are issued to soldiers every quarter year by the quarter master.
Quarter-ton truck: (US, WW2 to 1980s) Official designation of a jeep.
Queen: (US Navy 1980s) Title given to the sailors who do the domestic duties. A sailor could be the berthing queen if he is assigned to cleaning the berthing compartment or the laundry queen if he does the laundry. This is as opposed to the king who has more manly duties.
Queep: (USAF) Paperwork and other bureaucratic tasks that detract from time that should be spent flying.
Queer: (USN) Nickname for the EA-6 Prowler due to its unique double stacked side-by-side seating arrangement.
Queertrons: (USAF) "queer" electrons that cause avionics to behave oddly or malfunction.

[edit] R

R2-D2: (Canada) An aircraft back-ender (non-pilot). Reference to Luke Skywalker's droid in the X-Wing from Star Wars.
rack burn: (US Navy) The imprint on someone's face after waking up from the Navy-issue lightweight blankets that look something like grillmarks on meat. This is implied towards a sailor who seems to spend too much time sleeping.
rack ops: (US Marines) The time for sleep, if permitted, while in the field.
rack PT: (US Marines) Refers to either skipping unit or section PT in favor of staying in bed, or sex.
radioing the logs: (US Navy) Recording engineering log data via mental telepathy (see "Xoxing Logs" below) .
Raf: (UK) The Royal Air Force, as pronounced acronymically.
Raghead: (US, UK) Popularized by the Gulf and Iraq wars. A term referring to the enemy.
Rainbow Flight: (USAF) Refers to a brand-new flight of Trainees in Basic Military Training, whom are characterized by the "rainbow" of civilian clothes prior to being issued uniforms.
Ranger beads: (US Army) A string of pace count beads used during orienteering exercises.
Ranger blanket: (Canada) A lightweight thermal blanket. The first ones used were poncho liners imported from the United States military.
Ranger file: (US Marines) Single file line, meant as a mild dig at US Army Rangers.
Ranger grave: (US Army) Slang, slightly pejorative term for a hasty fighting position, so named because it is barely deep enough for an individual to lie prone in.
Ranger roll: (US Army) A patrol cap with the top rolled slightly under so that the cap sits higher on the head.
Rat Fuck: (US) Term used for the action of going through a MRE box before chow time selecting the best meal for oneself. Also used to describe taking prefered items out of MRE's. Could also be used to describe a random mess.
RCH: (USAF) Red Cunt Hair. Means a very small quantity, tiny amount, or just a little bit.
RCPO: (US Navy) Recruit designation in Navy Boot Camp, pronounced Are-Pock, for Recruit Chief Petty Officer. Normally, all recruits get a chance to be RCPO for one day when everyone else realizes that they suck at it. Next day, a new RCPO is chosen. The one who remains last is normally the guy who is too scared to say he can't do it, so he sticks with it. Typically this job is volunteered for by those who will eventually be labeled 'diggits' by others. (See 'diggit') .
Rear-D: (US) Rear Detachment, the part of a unit that stays home when the unit is deployed.
Recce: (Cdn/UK/Commonwealth) Reconnaissance. Traditionally used by Commonwealth militaries, though beginning to find more common usage in the United States. In South Africa, the term "Recces" colloquially refers to the South African Special Forces Brigade.
Rectal Cranial Inversion: (US) To have one's head up one's ass. Also "Cranial Rectosis."
Redleg: (US) An artilleryman. Refers to red leggings worn by some artillerymen in the 19th century.
red-light ranger: (US) A soldier who spends much of his pay at the red-light district.
red on red': (US) Describes a situation when two enemy groups fight each other, leaving the U.S. force in advantage. Ex. Al-Qaeda terrorists fighting Sunni insurgents in Al Anbar, Iraq.
regimental groundsheet: (Canada; pejorative) A promiscuous female soldier. "Groundsheet" is a term for a tarpaulin-like sheet used either for shelter or, in this case, protection from wet or cold ground; "regimental", in this case, refers to scope of usage.
Relish Suit: (Canada) Informal nickname used by some to refer to the temperate woodland Canadian Disruptive Pattern (CADPAT) uniforms.
REMF: (US, UK and Canadian Army) Rear Echelon Motherfucker. This is a term used negatively to describe a soldier who is safely far from the front lines, such as a paper-pusher, support personnel or aide to a general.
Rent-A-Crowd: Often used in reference to farewell ceremonies or changes of command, this refers to a crowd that is gathered to attend an optional function only because they were ordered to.
Repple Depple: (US) Replacement Depot. Any given assigned location near an area of operations where replacement troops are sent prior to assignment, or where troops are sent prior to rotation back home.
Retarded Over-Trained Children: (US) Reserve Officer Training Corps or R.O.T.C. Pejorative.
Rhino: (US) A nickname for the F-4 Phantom II, in reference to its, for the time, large radome.
Ricky Boxing: US Navy, esp Boot Camp. One who spends much of his day (and possibly night) beating off. Also: Ricky Boxing Champion would refer to a Recruit who beat off the most during Boot Camp.
Ricky Fishing: (US Navy) Similar to Ricky Boxing above, only applicable for females.
Ricky Ninja: (US Navy) A sailor recruit in boot camp who does any variety of nefarious things, particularly at night or when they have little chance of being caught. Activities could include, (but are not limited to,) stealing, vandalism, hazing, etc. In this form, it is derogatory. In another, more jocular form, it can be used to refer to a fellow sailor or even in reference to yourself, typically during "service week" (week 5 of Naval boot camp when you are given an assigned task in various areas of the base) if you work the mess hall and sneak away to shirk your duties, or "steal" cereal boxes or food for your own uses or for your friends.
Ricky Recruit: (US Navy) A new sailor, especially in boot camp, that exemplifies the "perfect sailor" by never messing up, always following orders, etc.; much to the chagrin of his or her fellow recruits. May be jocular or pejorative, but mostly used as a derogatory term.
Ripple: (US Navy) Female NCO
Ring knocker: (Pejorative) A military academy graduate, particularly one who calls attention to the fact.
RMO: Round Metal Object; slang for "coin" - specifically the unit's challenge coin.
ROAD: (US) Retired On Active Duty. The condition of having no motivation and productivity within months of retirement. Invariably pejorative.
rock: (US) A particularly stupid soldier. From "Dumber than a box of rocks". Ironically, the term Sergeant Rock, based on the name of a comic, is a term for a heroic combat soldier.
rock: (RAF) Member of the RAF Regiment (shortened form of rock ape)
rock and roll: (US) The fully automatic fire setting on a weapon. "The M16 selector switch has three settings: safe, semi-automatic, and rock-and-roll."
rock apes: (RAF) The RAF Regiment, stereotyped in the RAF as being rather stupid; does not come from the barbary apes of the Rock of Gibraltar, who were fed by the RAF Regiment during World War II, but rather from an inident when one rock officer shot another having mistaken him for a rock ape.
rocks and shoals: (US Navy) Navy rules and regulations.
ROP's: (British Army) Restriction of Privileges
Rotorhead: (US) Term for helicopter aviators
Roundel Airways: (British Army) The RAF, from their aircraft identification markings.
RTB: (U.S. Air Force Academy) "Rag Tag Bastards"; any graduating class which has red as its class color. Each class is either a gold, silver, blue, or red class, when the senior class graduates, their class color is passed to the incoming class.
run money: (US) 19th Century Navy term for a reward paid for the return of a deserter.
Rupert: (UK) Slang for Officer. Not always derogatory.
Ruptured Duck: (US) The Honorable Service award given to US service members who were discharged under honorable conditions during or just after World War II. Also used to describe the recipient; refers to the awkward appearance of the spread-wing eagle of the emblem.

[edit] S

Sabo King: (Singapore) Short for "sabotage king". Usually causes the group to suffer collective punishment. Same as Blue Falcon.
Sad sack: (US) WWII-era term used to describe an individual, typically an officer, who makes military life unnecessarily difficult. This is typically done via over-and-above adherence to military regulations.
Saikang warrior: (Singapore) Refers to one who is volunteered by superiors to do (usually) menial work.
Sandbag: (Ireland) Term referring to reserve soldier.
Sandbagging: (US Army, Canada) Term referring to a soldier who is performing his duties inefficiently or with laziness. Ex: "That soldier is sandbagging it."
Sandbox: (US) Informal term for a forward deployed location. Also a miniature model of an area for troops to study for familiarization before an operation.
Sand nigger: (US) An Arab person. Highly pejorative and offensive.
Sarge: (US, UK) Informal for Sergeant. Sometimes objected to by sergeants.
Sarnt: (U.S. Army, Canada and UK) Slang mispronunciation of Sergeant.
Sat: (US) Satisfactory, as opposed to Unsat.
Scablifter: (UK RN) Medical branch rating.
scaly, or scaly back: (UK) A signaller. It is suggested that this term comes from the figure of Mercury on their cap badges, who appears to have fish-like scales on his back. An alternative version is that it is related to the fact that old radios used to leak battery acid on the back of the man carrying it - hence they had a scaly back.
Scoff: (UK) Food.
scrambled eggs: (US) The decorations on the brim of a field-grade officer's dress uniform cap.
(UK) The gold oak leaves on senior officers' cap peaks.
Scran: (UK RN/ RM) Food.
scraper: (RAF) Thin band in the centre of a squadron leader's rank badge.
screen-saver face: (Singapore) To be dreaming when one is supposed to be alert. Also Stone
Screw the pooch: (US Military and civilian) To badly err or mess up. (Canada) To shirk one's duties. Used as an euphemism for Dog fucking (see Dog Fuck.)
Screwed, blued and tattooed: (US Navy) Used to describe common liberty activities in some ports. Getting "Screwed, blued and tattooed" can imply a fun liberty, one where someone got in trouble for various reasons, or one where the sailors simply saw everything there was to see in a given port.
Sea Daddy: (US Navy) A senior enlisted man who acts at a guide to a junior (usually a "newbie") , showing him the ropes and guiding his early career. The civilian police equivalent is called a "rabbi".
Seagull Colonel: A colonel who swoops in, makes a mess on (craps on) everything, and swoops out again.
Sea Pup: (US Navy) The junior enlisted who is guided by the Sea Daddy.
Sea Lawyer: (US Navy, Coast Guard, RN) A sailor, probably too smart for his own good, who thinks he knows all of the regulations and quotes them to get out of either work or trouble. Other US and UK military equivalent is "Barrack Room Lawyer" (UK), and "Barracks Lawyer" or, more crudely, "Shithouse Lawyer" (US).
Self-loading cargo: Passengers boarding a transport aircraft.
Semi-Skimmed: (UK Royal Marines) Referring to their Green Berets, due to green lidded semi-skimmed milk cartons and bottles available in the UK.
Semper Fu: (US Marines) Refers to the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, the hand-to-hand combat system used by the Marines, which has different levels of belts (tan, grey, green, brown, black) for different levels. Combination of "Semper Fi" and "kung-fu".
Senior Airman of the Air Force: (USAF) An overzealous Senior Airman.
Sergeant Rock: (US) Based on the name of a comic book, is a term for a highly competent and heroic combat soldier.
Severn Nursery: (US) refers to the United States Naval Academy located on the banks of the Severn River in Maryland. A pejorative used by Navy enlisted personnel.
Shack: (USAF) A direct hit against a ground target, often used as praise.
Shack Rat: (Canada) A term used to describe promiscuous female civilians who come to military barracks to sleep with random soldiers.
Shacks: (Canada) Barracks.
Shamurai: (US) A master of shamming.
Sham Shield: (US Army) A term used for the Army's Specialist rank. Meaning that a Specialist can now get privates to do their work. Also, because a specialist is not accountable for anything, but still has authority. Also known as a chicken on a platter, because of the eagle in the middle of the shield.
Sheep: (Canada) A very condescending and uncomplimentary term for civilians(Civvies) , esp. those who do not agree with the military perspective about something.
Shellback: (All English-speaking navies, originally UK) A sailor who has crossed the Equator during a tour. There is a "Crossing the Line" ceremony where all Shellbacks kindly harass the new initiates - called tadpoles or pollywogs - to initiate them into the position of Shellback. The senior Shellback aboard presides as King Neptune's personal representative.
Shiney-arse: (UK) Regimental Admin Officers and those in similar desk-bound posts. The green polyester "barrack trousers" formerly worn by Army office workers did indeed acquire a certain shine to the seat after prolonged contact with an office chair.
Shithook: (US) CH-47 helicopter.
Shipwreck Tech: Mildly derogative term for the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. Common among graduates of West Point.
shitmate: (US Marines/US Navy) Derogative term used often by Marines when refering to Navy sailors.
shit on a shingle: (sometimes abbreviated S.O.S.) (US) Chipped beef on toast.
Shit Patrol: (US Army) Term used to describe being selected for latrine duty in the field or the practice of burning the buckets of shit, with diesel fuel, collected from the field latrines. To be selected means you have "shit patrol".
shoe: (US Navy) Short for "black shoe", a surface warfare officer. Pejorative. Compare "brown shoe".
shoe clerk: (USAF) Someone who works a desk job in the military, has no idea what military operations really are, is convinced that his relatively meaningless, bureaucratic job is the most important function in the military, and causes the people doing the real mission to waste time and resources on his petty, trivial taskings. See queep.
Shooting pool with the Captain: (US) A US Navy term for captain's mast (non-judicial punishment presided by the unit commanding officer) . This refers to the green felt cloth draped over the commanding officer's table during mast. The green cloth is a tradition dating to the Royal Navy in the 15th century that is symbolic for the Captain's mastery of the seas.
Shovel Patrol: (UK) Leaving your Unit area with a spade in order to defecate.
Short: (US) Term coined during Vietnam era to describe personnel approaching the end of their tour and/or term of service. Usually announced in an obnoxious and rowdy manner — examples: "I'm so short I had to parachute out of bed this morning and accidentally landed in my boot!", "I'm so short I could sit on a piece of paper and dangle my legs over the edge!"
shower-shoe: (US) Yet one more name for a new join to a unit. Also can be a reference to flip-flops worn in public showers. Comes from the perception that new personnel still wear their footwear in the shower, as is mandated in basic training.
scrounge: (US Navy) A sailor who does not keep his body clean. (US Army) A very important member of a unit, a soldier who can obtain any materials and/or equipment, usually by other than normal channels.
Shower Tech: (US Navy) Pejorative term for Sonar Technicians who are perceived to never get dirty from their work, which mostly involves sitting in front of computer screens and seem to have a lot of off-watch time as compared to other enlisted rates, hence the ability to take a shower whenever.
Shut up and Color: Often told to someone of equal or lower rank, telling them to quit complaining. See also 'Suck Thumb'.
sick, lame and lazy: The group of military personnel on 'sick call' or excused from duty for injury or illness -- a half-joking reference to malingering.
Sickbay commando: (US) A servicemember found often in sickbay (a hospital or infirmary) , usually in lieu of difficult work or PT.
Sick-call ranger: (US Army) someone who is "hardcore" about malingering. Also, the more-recent 'sick-call ninja', 'master of malingering', 'clinic ninja' or 'profile ranger'.
Sierra Hotel: The NATO phonetic alphabet abbreviation for Shit Hot. It is considered high praise and is the pilot's favorite and all-purpose expression of approval. For example, "That Sierra Hotel pilot just shot down six MiGs and an ICBM!" This is the "polite" military way to say that something is very impressive, and has come into use outside the military.
Sierra Tango Foxtrot Uniform: Shut The Fuck Up (NATO phonetic alphabet).
Sierra Hotel: Shit's Hot- Refers to actions that are particularly awesome or high-speed. Used as a compliment when someone is doing well.
Sig: (US Navy) A signature on a qualification card (a card that shows you are ready to stand a particular watch) . There are many, many "qual cards" in the Navy, that must be completed before being allowed to take an exam or be interviewed by a board to be qualified to stand a particular watch or role. Some qual cards and their individual sigs can be easy or extremely difficult to obtain. In some cases a junior sailor going for a sig may not only have to prove his/her knowledge to a senior crewmember, but also do something extra for that signature--such as performing a minor menial task or bringing a small bribe like a can of soda.
Silver side: (US Coast Guard) . The Coast Guard Auxiliary, which wears silver insignia of office (since Auxiliarists have no military rank). See gold side.
Silly Buggers: (Canada) A sarcastic reference to "playing army" when an individual must act upon the fictional events taking place in a field exercise.
"...Since Jesus was a corporal": (US Army and Marines) For a very long time. e.g.: "I haven't been home since Jesus was a corporal."
Six, six and a kick: (US) Six months confinement, six months loss of pay, reduction in grade to E-1, Bad Conduct Discharge; formerly the most severe penalty that could be awarded by a special court martial. A special court martial can now adjudge 12 months confinement.
Skimmer puke: (English speaking Navies) Submariner's pejorative term for sailors on surface warships, esp. destroyers and frigates. The ships are often referred simply as "targets", even if speaking of one's own Navy.
Skittle: (US Navy) A term used by ship's crew for an airman on an aircraft carrying vessel referring to the multi-colored candy "Skittles". Aircraft handling crew (and some ship's crew) wear colored pull-over shirts depending on their job which stands out to the majority of a ship's crewmen in plain blue uniforms.
Sleaford Technical College, Sleaford Tech: (RAF) The Royal Air Force College Cranwell
Slider: (US Navy) Chow hall cheeseburger.
Slope/Slopehead: (US) A derogatory term for an Asian enemy soldier used extensively in Vietnam.
SLUF: (USAF/USN) Short Little Ugly Fucker (Clean Short Little Ugly Fellow) Description and term of affection for the A-7 Corsair II attack aircraft.
Sluggie: (Ireland) Term referring to reserve sailor.
SMACK: An acronym short for "Soldier Minus Ability, Coordination, and Knowledge", refers to a fourth-class cadet (freshman) at the United States Air Force Academy (also called a "doolie").
SMB (ex-Yugoslavia): "sivo maslinasta boja" (grayish olive green color); the typical green color of army uniforms in ex-Yugoslavia.
Smell your own musk: (US) General term for a person acting more important than they are. Like they are getting high from smelling themselves. Common among E-4 (SPC) in leadership positions. Use started in Afghanistan. usage: "He was talking back to me like he was smelling his own musk."
Smoke (verb): (US) Term to describe punishment of minor offences by means of excessive physical training. usage: "The drill instructor smoked me for talking back."
Smokey Bear: (US) General term for a Drill Instructors' (Marine Corps), Drill Sergeants' (Army), Military Training Instructors' (Air Force) or Company Commanders' (Coast Guard) wide-brimmed hat. Properly called a campaign hat and formerly standard uniform issue in the Army and Marine Corps (per-WWII). Also called "round brown hat".
SNAFU: (US) Acronym for "Situation Normal, All Fucked Up"; dating probably before World War II, Oxford English Dictionary defines it as "an expression conveying the common soldier's laconic acceptance of the disorder of war and the ineptitude of his superiors" [4]. It began to enter the everyday American lexicon shortly after the war. It also spawned other acronyms denoting increasing states of "fucked up":
FUMTU: Fucked Up More Than Usual
TARFU: Things Are Really Fucked Up
FUBB: Fucked Up Beyond Belief
FUBAR: Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition (or Repair)
JANFU: Joint Army-Navy Fuck-Up
Snake Pit: (US) An Air Force term for the TI table in a dining facility at BMT or a situation where many people are critically watching for the slightest break in protocol, usually award events or promotion ceremonies.
Sniper Check: (US) A salute rendered to an officer in a field environment, where salutes are normally proscribed because they identify officers to the enemy.
snivel gear, snivel kit (US, Canada) Creature comfort items such as Gore-Tex clothing, sleeping bag, etc.
SNOB: (US Navy) Acronym for Shortest Nuke On Board. The Nuke on board a submarine with the least amount of time left on board; usually someone on their first and only enlistment, without any intention of re-enlisting.
Snotty: (Canada and UK) An untrained subordinate officer in the Navy. A naval cadet in Canada, or a midshipman in the UK
SOC: (Singapore) Standard Obstacles Course. A 1600-meter course with 11 obstacles.
Soup Sandwich: (US) Insult often used in Basic Combat Training, referring to an action, uniform or task done inefficiently or improperly. Example: "Your uniform is all messed up, looking like a soup sandwich."
Sparks or Sparky: (US) Anyone who deals with radios or things electronic.
Sperm on a Sponge: (Canada) Technical term for the individually wrapped decontamination wipes issued with CF gasmasks
Split: (Canada) derogatory reference to early female members of the Navy. Short for split-ass.
Spook: (US, UK) A spy. Used for anyone in the CIA, NSA, NRO, DIA, MI5 or MI6. In the military, one who deals with the gathering of electronic intelligence.
Spot: (US Army) An ROTC cadet. See "Dot." Derogatory
squared away: cleaned up; in military shape; ready for inspection.
squawk: (UK) a member of the Army Air Corps
squid/squiddly: (US) A US Navy sailor. Often used with derogatory intent. Inspired naming of the cartoon character Squiddly Diddly, a squid in a sailor suit. Squidward has also been used in recent years, lifted from the name of a character from the Sponge Bob Square Pants cartoon.
STAB: (British Army) Stupid Territorial Army Bastard. Pejorative Acronym.
Stacking Swivel: (US) Originally parts of a military-issue rifle (the stacking swivel was located near the muzzle, in front of the forward sling swivel, and was used to hook the rifles together when stacking arms). Now used to refer to a male soldier's throat, and always used in the phrase "pick you up by your stacking swivel" to connote that the speaker, usually a DI, metaphorically intends to bodily move you from one place to another. Example: "Son, if you don't move pronto, I'm gonna pick you up by your stacking swivel and put you in the proper position of attention." "I'm gonna grab you by the stacking swivel and shake the stupid out of you!"
stand tall: (US) Used as a verb for to be proud, or to present a military appearance. Also can refer to having to answer to higher authority facing consequences: "Standing tall before the man."
Still/ stills: (UK) Derogatory effort to work around the prohibition of another pejorative term. Denotes 'Still a xxxxxx' eg Still a Bennie (RN), Still a split (RN), Still a STAB (Army). Itself prohibited and superceded by Andys denoting And he's still a Bennie etc.
STRAC: US Army slang term for "a well organized, well turned-out soldier, (pressed uniform, polished brass and shined boots)." A proud, competent trooper who can be depended on for good performance in any circumstance.
stripes: (US) Enlisted rank insignia, especially E-4 and above (non-commissioned officer (NCO) ) pay grades in leadership positions.
(UK) NCO rank insignia.
(UK, US) Get your stripes - to be promoted to an NCO rank.
steel pussy: (US Navy) Heavy duty steel wool, often made of stainless steel, that is used to scrub pots, toilets, rust, etc.
Stone Frigate: (UK, Canada) Term for a Naval shore establishment.
Stonewallers: (CSA) Term for 116th Infantry Regiment, commanded by Thomas J. Jackson at First Manassas during the American Civil War, where he earned the nickname "Stonewall".
storm flag: (AUS) Term for flag draped over coffin at military funeral; (US ARMY) Smaller sized flag flown over Posts and Major Commands during inclement weather
Stupid O' Clock: (US) A US Army slang term that refers to any time very early in the morning. See '0 dark thirty'.
Super Wammy-dyne: (USN) Advanced or new technology/equipment, akin to New Fangled
suck, the: (US) The field, bad conditions, rotten duty, used to describe the military as a whole. One might say "embrace the suck" to tell someone to stop complaining and accept the situation.
suck it up: (US) See "Suck, the" above. Similar to "embrace the suck."
suck thumb: (Singapore) Shut up and stop complaining.
Sucking Rubber: (US) (Submarine Service) Extended periods wearing Emergency Air Breathing devices (EABs), a full-face air mask similar to that worn by firefighters, except fed from ship's emergency air system rather than a bottle on your back. (USAF) Wearing the chemical warfare mask, especially in MOPP 4. "We spent two hours sucking rubber".
Suzy or Susie Rottencrotch: (US) The girl back home. Often spends a lot of time with Jody very soon after deployment. See Jody.
Swab: (US Navy and Coast Guard) A freshman cadet at the United States Coast Guard Academy; also contraction of "swabbie" (see below)
swabbie: (US) A US Navy sailor. A reference to swabbing (mopping) the deck, a frequent and highly visible activity of deck division sailors.
swinging dick: (US) Any male military member, especially a lower-ranking enlisted male. For example, "Every swinging dick in here had better be ready to go in ten minutes!" In polite company, "swinging Richard."

[edit] T

T-Rats: (US Army) Tray-pack field rations. Even though the Tray-packs are obsolete and are no longer issued, the term survives and is used for the UGR (Unitized Group Ration) which replaced the Tray-pack meals.
Tac: (US Army) Short for Tactical Officer, whose role in Officer Candidate School and at the U.S. Military Academy is analogous to a Drill Sergeant for Basic Training.
Taco: (USAF) A grade of "Unsatisfactory" on a training sortie, derived from the taco-shape of the letter "U".
Tac-O: (US Army) Pronounced the same as the dish (taco) , it is another form of Tac, but is generally used in the absence of the Tactical Officer's presence. Example: "Hey, have you seen the Tac-O around?"
TACAMO: (US) Take Charge And Move Out. TACAMO is also the Pentagon designation for aircraft which are integral to the U.S. nuclear warfare command and control system.
Tango Mike: (US) NATO phonetic alphabet for "Thanks much."
Tango Uniform: (US) NATO phonetic alphabet for "Tits Up" also used by the FCC, FAA and DOD to mean killed or destroyed. (Alternative more polite translation: "Toes Up").
(US Army & USMC) Not in optimal condition. (e.g. The HUMVEE went Tango Uniform before we even arrived.).
(US Air Force) Dead drunk.
(US) Object Inverted. (Upside Down) (e.g. 'I'm turning the plane Tango Uniform to get a better look.') May be used in a more vulgar fashion as "Tits Up"
Tango Yankee: (INTL) [NATO phonetic alphabet] short for "Thank You.", commonly used over the radio. Commonly just "Tango" over the radio (for "Thanks").
Tapes: (UK) NCO rank insignia (i.e. stripes).
Teeny Weeny Airways: (UK) Army Air Corps, a reference to the fact that the Regiments are equipped with Helicopters that carry very few men.
Teflon-coated: (US) Excellent, especially a piece of equipment. Origin: teflon-coated bullets, widely (but incorrectly) thought to pierce armor.
(UK) Nickname for someone who got themselves out of trouble (The shit didn't stick to their teflon coating).
Tekan: (Singapore) Physical training used as a minor corrective action by instructors, which usually are knock-it-downs; also refers to the process of taking down a peg a soldier who has attitude. See cycled.
Tender Vittles, Tender Ho's: (US Navy) Derogatory term for women that make up crews of repair tenders or drydocks, based on a stereotype that they are promiscuous. Pejorative and offensive.
The World: (US) Used in Vietnam by G.I.'s in reference to the United States.
The Day the Eagle Shits: (US) Payday. Example: "I'm sorry I can't pay you back until the day the eagle shits."
Those people: (US) Euphemism for "enemy forces" used by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee during the American Civil War. The phrase is still widely used.
throttle-jockey: (US) A jet aircraft pilot, particularly one with a penchant for speed.
Thud: (USAF) Nickname for the F-105 Thunderchief.
Titless Wave: (US Navy) Derogatory term for a male clerk, or other non-combatant military occupational specialty, implying it is women's work.
Tommy Atkins or Tommy: A generic name for a soldier in the British Army (now obsolete) .
Tom: (USN) Nickname for the F-14 Tomcat.
Top: (US Army and Marines) The First Sergeant, senior enlisted man at company level.
Towelhead: (US/Europe) A slang term referring to an Arab person. (With the towel being their turbans)
Track Pad: 1. (Canada) boil-in-the-bag omelet from ration pack. Similar in size and (reputedly) texture to the rubber pads fitted to AV tracks 2. (Canada) the rubber pad insert fitted to steel armoured vehicle tracks to prevent damage to asphalt or concrete road surfaces.
Tread: (US Army) An officer or NCO, especially one seen as oppressing enlisted personnel.
Trench monkey: (US) A member of the Army infantry. Mostly used in a derogatory way by members of the Air Force.
trigger puller: (US) A soldier or Marine who is regularly involved in actual combat. I wouldn't want to be out in the shit without the trigger pullers with us.
Triple Threat: (US Army) A soldier who has completed the Special Forces pipeline, Ranger school, and Airborne school and wears all three tabs on his uniform. Also known as the "Tower of Power" due to the extreme difficulty involved in the military schools, and the "Triple Canopy" as a reference to parachuting.
TROBA: (US Air Force) When ABORT is improbable, but desired. Sometimes TROBA dances are initiated, to increase the chance of an aircraft RTB.
Turd Chaser: (US Navy) Slang for a sailor in the HT (Hull Technician) rating. So named because most of their job aboard ship consists of fixing sewage pipe blockages.
Turtle fuck(ing): (US Marines) Striking a Marine on his helmet with another helmet. The clunking of the two kevlar helmets sounds like two empty shells hitting. Sometimes done deliberately among friends, but often as a joke to an unsuspecting trooper.
Twentynine Stumps: (US Marines) Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California. Often simply referred to as "the Stumps."
Two digit midget: (US) A G.I. who has less than 100 days 'in country' left before they rotate back to the USA and/or before discharge. Coined during Vietnam War. See "short".

[edit] U

Un-ass: (US) Meaning to get out of an area. As in, "Un-ass my AO." Originally used to mean simply, "Get off your butt."
Uncle Sam's Canoe Club: (US) The United States Navy.
Uncle Sam's Confused Group: (US) The United States Coast Guard.
Uncle Sam's Misguided Children: (US) Ironic term for the United States Marine Corps. Sometimes also the "University of Science, Music, and Culture", "U Suckers Missed Christmas", and "U Signed the Motherfuckin' Contract".
Unfuck: (US Marines) To bring something or someone into proper order and accord with SOP.
Unsat: (US) Unsatisfactory.
US: (UK, WWII, until 1944) Un Serviceable.

[edit] V

Vandoo or Van Doo: (Canada) Nickname for the Royal 22e Régiment, based on the English perception of the French pronunciation for "22" (Vingt-deux); said to have lead the Germans to believe the regiment was named Voodoo Regiment during WWI or WWII.
Vasco: (RN) Navigator of a private or capital ship; probably derived from Vasco da Gama.
VFR direct: (USAF/USN) To circumvent normal chains of communication or command; for example, "I can't believe the butterbar went VFR direct to the Old Man!" From "Visual Flight Rules", meaning to take the most direct route; said to also be a jocular acronym for "Visually Follow Railroads."
Viper: (USAF) What F-16 Pilots affectionately call the F-16 Fighting Falcon. (An allusion to the fighter from Battlestar Galactica)
Volun-told: (US, Canada) A supposedly optional event, award, assignment, or activity in which a person (or persons) are required to attend either by persons-in-charge nominating them or their peers expecting them to be there. The individual often has no say in the matter, and non-attendance is frowned upon.

[edit] W

WAG Fuel load: (US Air Force) "Wild Ass Guess" Fuel load. Typically used by Job Control ("JC" or "Control") with heavy transport aircraft i.e. (Lockheed C-5 "Galaxy") to discribe the estimated fuel load if none is given by flight operations (i.e. 10,000 "WAG"). The "WAG" fuel load assures the aircraft has at least the minimum fuel required to rapidly deploy if necessary.
Walking Matress: (US) Derogatory term used to describe a woman marine aka WM
Waste of Money: (US) Derogatory term used to describe a woman marine aka WM
Warthog: (US) The A-10 Thunderbolt II.
Wavy Navy: (Canada) The Canadian Naval Reserve. Historically, the Reserve officers wore rank stripes that were wavy instead of straight like a regular Navy officer.
Wayang: (Singapore) to act good in front of authority. The derivation of this term is from the Malaysian/Indonesian word for a shadow puppet show
"Weaponette": (pl: Weaponettes) Pejorative term for a submarine's Weapons Department members as used by Nav/Ops or Engineering, usually when they want their stolen tools back
Weekend Warrior: 1. (US) A National Guard member or reservist.; 2. (Canada) A Canadian Armed Forces reservist; 3. (UK) British Territorial Army- since pressed into service in overseas war zones alongside regular troops
...when "Centurion" was a rank, not a tank: A long time ago. Falling out of usage as the soldiers who can actually remember Centurion tanks retire from service
Whiskey Charlie: (Germany) NATO phonetic alphabet for "water-closet" (Toilet) - not used that much
Whiskey Delta: (US) NATO phonetic alphabet for "Weak Dick". Derogatory term used to describe someone who is not up to the task.
Whiskey Pete: (US) White Phosphorus
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot or WTF: (US, UK) , What the Fuck (NATO phonetic alphabet) .
Whites: 1. (Canada) Coverall-like camouflage used during winter season, usually of uni-white appearance. Worn over the combat uniform, they blend in the snow.; 2. Naval white dress uniform.; 3. (Canada) Ceremonial white webbing and accoutrements.
Whoop: (US Army) Same meaning as "Hooah," although it is considered to be the war cry of the US Army Rangers.
Wife: (Singapore) A soldier's rifle.
Willy Peter: (US) White Phosphorus
Winchester: (US Air Force) Out of a particular type of ammunition (e.g. "Negative, we are Winchester Hellfire.") or all ammunition (if no type is specified). Pay Attention if you hear this, you are likely SOL..
Wing King: (US Air Force) An informal term for the Wing Commander.
Wing Weenie: (US Air Force) A pejorative term for a staffer at Wing Headquarters.
Wog: 1. (Canada) Same as "pog". A person (or personnel) in a combat service support trade, not a front-line soldier. This is usually a derogatory term used by combat arms soldiers. It was, in Victorian times, a derogatory term for alien or dark-skinned inhabitants of the British Empire. It is probably a shortened version of the term golliwog, although the backronym 'Worthy Oriental Gentleman' is sometimes attributed to it. This phrase is also sometimes said to mean "Without Guns", a derogatory reference to a person's support role.; 2. (US Navy) A "pollywog", or a person who has not yet crossed the equator aboard a ship. Only used in the weeks leading up to "wog day", or the Crossing the Line Ceremony (see Shellback).
Wog Stopper: (British Army). A Large Caliber Round - usually 7.62 or above.
Woobie: (US Army). Slang for the poncho-liner that is used as a "blankey" instead of it's proper use when you sleep. Often regarded as the "softest thing the Army issues".
Wookie: (US Marines). Term used to describe a female Marine. Uncommon
Woodentop: (UK). Nickname for soldiers from the British Army Household Division. Consists of The Welsh, Scots, Irish, Coldstream and Grenadier Guards Foot Battalions, The Life Guards and Blues and Royals Cavalry Regiments and the Royal Horse Artillery.
Woollie Pullie: (UK) Woollen Pullover, the old-style thick military sweater.
WTFO: (US) "What the fuck, over?" A question often implying disbelief, confusion, or discontent. The only proper response is "What the fuck, out.".

[edit] X

Xoxing Logs: (US Navy) (pronounced "zoxing," derived from the trademarked corporate name "Xerox") Entering engineering log data eerily similar to the previous hour's log data.
XO: Executive Officer (2nd in command)

[edit] Y

Yankee Sky Pirate: (USAF) Enlisted aircrew. The phrase parodies Communist propaganda.
Yard birds: Chickens; also soldiers standing around with no discernable purpose.
Yomp: (Royal Marines) To march at fast pace while carrying a full bergen and rifle.
Y-Tours: The Bundeswehr (Bundeswehr licence plate codes start with Y)

[edit] Z

Zero Day: (US Army) The day in which a Basic Combat Training company picks up soldiers. Also called "Pick-Up Day" by instructors or "Shark Attack" by trainees.
zero trade: (Canada) Combat arms or combat troops. The Military Occupation Code for personnel in combat zones (infantry, artillery, armoured, combat engineers, and linemen) begin with zero. Not pejorative.
Zipperhead: 1. (Canada) Armoured soldier (Tank crew) . Refers to a piece of headgear, no longer in use, that had a zipper running from front to back.; 2. (US) Derogatory term for Vietnamese in general and Viet Cong specifically.; 3. (US) Term for soldiers who part their hair in the middle, front to back; assumed to be dope fiends.
Zipper-suited Sun God: (USAF) a pilot. Pejorative.
Zippo raid: (US) Refers to the igniting of straw huts in suspected Viet Cong villages during the Vietnam War.
Zoom Bag: (US Air Force) Flight suit.
Zoomie: 1. (Canada and US) Member of the Air Force, akin to "Jarhead" for Marines, "Squid" for Navy, or "Grunt" for Army. Also, a student or graduate of the United States Air Force Academy.; 2. (US Navy) Particles of ionizing radiation (are also referred to in this manner by nuclear-trained sailors).

[edit] See also

Appendix:Australian military slang