Andy Adkins, Author

Navy "Lingo"

Warning. The following list of phrases includes three languages: English, Military, and Navy.
The reader may find two of the languages offensive.

0'dark hundred: Pronounced "oh dark." Refers to some point really early in the morning, like 0200, which would be pronounced, "oh-two-hundred."

0'dark thirty: One half hour after "0'dark hundred."

1MC: One of many communication circuits aboard a ship, this is probably the most widely recognized. When used, it is heard on every external speaker by everyone aboard the ship.

2MC: The Engineering loudspeaker communication circuit aboard a ship. Similar to the 1MC, but restricted to the Engineering spaces.

7MC: On submarines, this is generally the Ship's Control communications circuit between the OOD on the bridge and the Helmsman below in Control.

21MC: A ship's command intercom circuit, mainly used between the bridge, combat, and flight decks. See "Bitch box."

2-10-2: A derrogatory term used for a unattractive female aboard a ship, which usually has more males than females and who is then paid more attention than she would be on land. E.g., "She was a 2 before going to sea, a 10 while at sea, and back to a 2 when back on land."

2-6-10: An abbreviation for, "It's going to take 2 surgeons 6 hours to remove 10 inches of my boot from your ass." Commonly used to motivate someone who is not pulling their weight. See "Skate."

5MC: The Flight Deck loudspeaker communication circuit aboard a carrier. Similar to the 1MC, but restricted to the Flight Deck.

90 Day Wonder: An OCS graduate, as opposed to a graduate of a 4-year Naval Academy or ROTC training.

A-Farts: A slang term for Armed Forces Radio & Television Service. A-Farts is received via satellite all over the world and offers a variety of shows. Some of the most entertaining offerings are the propaganda commercials it frequently airs since regular advertising is not permitted.

Affirmative: A "yes" response.

A-Gang: A term used to describe the Auxiliaries Division of the Engineering Department. Members are commonly known as "A-Gangers."

AIMD: Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department. A department on aircraft carriers and Naval Air Stations responsible for maintaining aircraft sub assemblies. On an aircraft carrier, this consists of 5 divisions: IM1 (AIDM Admin), IM2 (Airframes and Power Plants, IM3 (Avionics), IM4 (Ground Support Equipment and Aviation Ordnance), and IM5 (IMRL).

Air Boss: Air Officer. A term used to describe the head of the Air Department. His assistant is the "Mini Boss."

Air Force Gloves: Another term for pocket; used when a sailor has his hands in his pockets.

Air Wing: The aviation detachment on board the ship usually comprised of several different air squadrons.

Airedale: A term used to describe a sailor who works on or around aircraft, whether shore duty or at sea.

A.J. Squared Away: A term used to describe a sailor who is always "squared away," meaning always having a perfect shave, perfectly ironed uniform, spit-shined shoes, haircut with less than 1mm of hair, spotless uniform, etc. Anyone who has been designated with this nickname is most likely a lifer who has no life outside the Navy. Compare to "dirtbag" below.

Alpha Mike Foxtrot: An acronym for "Adios, Mother Fuckers."

Another Fine Navy Day!: An expression voiced (in a very cheery manner) on occasions when, in fact, it's not that much of a Fine Navy Day at all.

Assholes and Elbows: A term usually used by a superior enlisted man, such as a CPO and used to describe a deck hand on his hands and knees holystoning a wooden deck. As in "All I want to see is assholes and elbows," as spoken by a Boatswains Mate.

AWOL: An acronym for "Absent without Leave."

Aye: Another word for "Yes" (I understand).

Aye, aye: Another term for "Yes" (I heard the order, I understand the order, and I intend to obey the order). Similar to the Army's "HUA" - Heard, Understood, Acknowledged.

Bag of Dicks: A term used to receive or pass on to a fellow sailor a complete bone job, usually one of which that is given to you at 1500 and will require at least 3 hours to complete. Also called "getting bagged."

Balls to The Wall: An expression that originally referred to the balls on top of the throttles in an aircraft. If one needed full throttle, the balls were, quite literally, pushed forward to the firewall--hence, "balls to the wall."

Bandit: A term used to describe aircraft positively identified as hostile.

Barney Clark: A term used to describe a slider topped with a fried egg. Also known as a "One-Eyed Jack."

Barricade: Also called the barrier, a huge nylon net strung across the landing area of an aircraft carrier's flight deck to arrest the landing of an aircraft with damaged gear or a damaged tail hook.

Batphone: A dedicated outside telephone line (not for personal use) typically for shore power or security purposes, and usually only from one station to another.

Battle Group (BG): A term used to describe a group of warships and supply ships centered around a large aircraft carrier and its airwing. Usually consists of one cruiser, one supply ship, and one or two destroyers, frigates, and submarines. The term has been sanitized and is now referred to as the Carrier Strike Group (CSG).

BCG's: An acronym for "Birth Control Glasses." Nearly indestructible Standard Navy-issue corrective eye wear worn by new recruits. They are so named because they are so thick and hideous that you are guaranteed never to have sex while you are wearing them. The term has become obsolete due to more normal looking frame choices offered nowadays (outside of recruit training, at least).

Beer Day: On many Navy ships, even in the present day, all hands are given two beers if they are underway without a port call for a given period of time--generally 45 days. Both beers are opened when they are given to the crew member to prevent them from being hoarded. Considering what you have to go through to "earn" a beer day, they are definitely not the best deal.

Bells: The Navy way of announcing the time of day aboard ship, usually over the 1MC. One bell corresponds to 30 minutes past the hour. Bells will only be rung as a single strike, or a closely spaced double strike, with a maximum of eight bells (4 sets of 2). Bells repeat themselves every 4 hours. For example 2 sets of 2 bells, followed by a single bell could be 0230, 0630, 1030, 1430, 1830, or 2230.

Benny, bennie: Another term for a treat or a reward, derived from "Benefit."

Bent Shitcan: A term used to describe someone somewhat below Navy standards.

Bilge: The lowest part of a ship, below the engines where fluids like used oil and sea water gather. Also, another term for a very nasty location.

Bilge Rat: A term used to describe someone who works in the engineering spaces.

Bilge Turd: A derogatory term for a "Boiler Technician," typically from Machinist Mates who attend the identical "A" School.

Billet: An assigned position within a command. Usually, a permanent job assignment.

BINGO: A term used to describe the minimum fuel needed to return to base (RTB).

Birdfarm: Another term for an aircraft carrier.

Bitchbox: The intercom or an amplified circuit used to communicate between spaces of a ship; see 21MC.

Bitching Betty: The computer generated female voice heard in an aviator's earpiece when something is not as it should be. Usually caused by unsafe flight conditions or an enemy threat.

Black Shoe: A term used to describe any "surface Navy" personnel. See also "Brown Shoe."

Bluejacket: A term used to describe an enlisted sailor below the rank of E-7 (Chief Petty Officer).

Bluejacket's Manual: The handbook of seamanship issued to new Navy recruits.

Bluenose: A term used to describe an individual in the Navy who has crossed the Arctic Circle.

Boat: Water craft small enough to be carried on a ship, unless a submarine, which is always called a boat. A ship may be called a boat but only by members of its crew, and only those who have actually completed a deployment aboard a "boat."

Boats: A shortened nickname used to describe a sailor in the Boatswain's Mate rating.

Bogey: A term used to describe unknown aircraft which could be friendly, hostile, or neutral.

Bolter: A failed attempt at an arrested landing on a carrier by a fixed-wing aircraft. Usually caused by a poor approach or a hook bounce on the deck, this embarrassing event leads to a go-around and another attempt to "board."

Bomb Farm: Areas on the ship where aviation ordnancemen men store their bombs.

Boondockers: The medium cut combat boots issued in boot camp to new recruits.

Boondoggle: A term used to describe any unorganized, inefficient evolution. It is similar to a "goatrope."

B.O.S.N.I.A.: An acronym for "Big Ol' Standard Navy-Issue Ass," from the apparent widening of the hips due in part to the cut of the working uniforms.

Bosun's Punch: New sailors on ship are sometimes assigned to find this mythical tool in the office of one of the ship's Bosuns (Boatswain). The sailor is then typically punched very hard in the shoulder by the Bosun in question.

Bounce Pattern: A term used when several aircraft are practicing touch and go landings at the same airfield.

Brain Fart: A term used to describe a condition when, under stress, one cannot recall or perform something that would normally be easy or second nature.

Branch: The lowest organizational level in most Navy commands, below department and division.

Bravo Zulu: A term used to describe a job well done.

Bremerloes: A term used to describe a female of husky build. It originated at Bremerton, Washington in the shipyards where they are rather common.

Brig: Another term for jail.

Brigchaser: A term used to describe a Sailor escorting a prisoner to the brig.

Broke-dick: A technical term describing malfunctioning or inoperable equipment. Example: "The fuckin' aux drain pump is a fuckin' broke-dick."

Brown bagger: A term used to describe a married sailor who brings his lunch from home in a paper bag.

Brown Nose: A term used to describe a sailor trying a "little too hard" to make rate by sucking up to superiors. Can also refer to those who wear khakis (Chiefs, Officers) since it is assumed that most have "brown-nosed" to obtain their present position.

Brown Shoe: Any "Naval Aviation" officer or CPO. It is a reference to the brown shoes that were exclusive to the aviation community. It has since become outdated as all naval officers and Chief Petty Officers (Chiefs) wear brown shoes. However, because of cultural bias among "lifers" (career personnel), this term remains active. Note: Aviators still wear brown shoes with their khaki uniforms. Being called a brown-shoe is considered a term of endearment. "Black-shoe" is a derogatory term used by aviators in reference to ship drivers, much like carrier aviators refer to the carrier as "the boat" just to piss off the black shoes.

B.T.S.O.O.M.: An acronym for "Beats the Shit Out of Me." A usual response from a sailor who hasn't a clue.

Bubble head: A term used to describe submariners.

Bug Juice: A term used to describe the Kool-Aid-like beverage in dispensers on the mess deck. They are usually side-by-side--Orange or Red. Before the turn of the century, bug juice was also used as a replacement for cleaning agents used to clean decks.

Bug Juice Sunrise: A term used to describe orange bug juice with a splash of red bug juice.

Bulkhead: Another term for wall.

Bulkhead remover: An in-joke shared by veteran sailors and often delegated as a task to new sailors, as in, "Go get me a can of bulkhead remover."

Bullet Sponge: Another term sailors use to describe a U.S. Marine.

Bun: A term used to describe a sexually active female sailor.

Burn a copy: A term meaning make a Xerox copy of a document or sheet of paper.

Butt Kit: Another term for an ash tray. Aboard ship, it is a can with a hole in the lid, usually hung from the bulkhead near watch stations.

CF (pronounced Charlie Foxtrot): An acronym for "Cluster fuck."

Cadillac: A term used to describe a mop bucket with wheels and a ringer. When sailors are assigned to cleaning duties, they prefer the luxurious Cadillac over the standard bucket.

CAG: A title used when addressing the airwing commander. It is a holdover from the days when airwings were called air groups and stands for Commander Air Group. It can also refer to the airwing itself, as in CAG-14.

Cake Eater: A term used to describe a sailor who reenlists. This is derived from the fact that upon re-enlistment, most commands present you with a cake at your ceremony.

Canoe Club: Another term for the United States Navy.

Canoe U: Another term for the United States Naval Academy.

Captain's Mast: A Navy term for non-judicial punishment under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Depending on the rank or position involved, the name of the procedure may change, i.e. Admiral's Mast, OIC's Mast.

Carrier Strike Group (CSG): See "Battle Group."

Carry on: An officer's reply to a junior person's call to "attention on deck," meaning all present rise and come to attention as a sign of respect. "Carry on" allows personnel to continue whatever they were doing.

CDO: An acronym for "Command Duty Officer."

Chain of Command: The strict order or hierarchy from the least ranking individual up to the highest ranking individual within a particular command. It is also known as the "pecking order."

Chest Candy: The ribbons, insignia, and awards worn on a uniform.

Chit: The name given to the document a sailor fills out to make various types of special requests (i.e. emergency leave, move off base to civilian housing, etc.). The word, "chit" was carried over from the days of Hindu traders when they used slips of paper called "citthi" for money.

My Wife Chit: A special request that uses the wife as the excuse or justification for needing to be absent.

Chit Chipper: Another term for a paper shredder. So named because you can't do anything with a chit, especially one that is "lost in routing."

Chow: Another term for food.

Chow Boss: Another term for the Food Service Officer.

Chow down: Another term meaning to eat.

Chow Hall: Another term for the dining room.

Chowdale: A term given to airwing personnel that spend all their time in line for chow, holding up those that actually have things to do.

Chub Club: Another term for sailors assigned mandatory physical training due to being overweight.

C.I.C.: An acronym for "Combat Information Center."

Cinderella Liberty: Another term for liberty that expires at midnight.

Civvies: Another term for civilian clothing.

Cleaning Stations: An hour-long field day evolution where everyone drops what they're doing and cleans their spaces.

COB (Submarine Service): An acronym for the "Chief of the Boat," usually the senior chief aboard.

COD: An acronym for the "Carrier Onboard Delivery," the mighty C-2 Greyhound, which ferries people and supplies to and from the carrier on a regular basis.

Coffin Locker: Another term for a personal storage area located underneath a sailor's rack.

Cold Shot: Another term for a catapult launch from a carrier in which insufficient speed is attained to generate lift. It is often fatal for the aircrew if they do not eject in time.

Colors: Another term for the American flag. Also, it can mean the raising, lowering, or presentation of the American flag.

Comp Time: A shortened term for Compensation Time, time/days off during the week for shore-based sailors who had weekend assignments, above and beyond mere watch-standing.

Corpsman Candy: Another term for the sore-throat lozenges handed out at Sickbay in lieu of any substantive treatment. Sometimes, they are accompanied by two aspirin.

Cover: Another term for a hat.

Cracker Jacks: A slang term for the dress blue uniforms worn by sailors below the rank of E-7.

Crank: A slang term used to describe a mess deck worker, typically, newly assigned to the mess decks while qualifying for regular watch.

Crash & Smash: A term used to describe the permanently assigned flight deck firefighting personnel in the V-1 Division. Also, a game played by aviation personnel involving several long tables and a great deal of beer, wherein the aviators attempt to replicate with their bodies the arrested landings their aircraft make.

Creamed foreskins: Another term for creamed chipped beef. See also "SOS."

Crow: Another term for the eagle insignia for petty officer rank used on a white uniform.

DD214: A sailor's dream: the official discharge papers.

Davy Jones' locker: A term used to describe the bottom of the ocean.

Dear John Letter: A letter (or nowadays, e-mail) that a sailor receives in which his significant other breaks up with/leaves him while he is underway.

Deck: Another term for floor.

Deck Ape: A term used to describe non-designated enlisted person serving on the deck force, often as result of washing out of "A" school or being stripped of another rating.

Deep Six: An obsolete term for throwing something overboard; refers to the "deep six," the lowest fathom (six feet) before the ocean floor.

Department: The highest organizational level in most naval commands. Common departments are admin, deck, air, engineering, operations, and maintenance. Departments are further broken up into Divisions.

Detailer: The Bureau of Navy Personnel (BUPERS) person responsible for personnel assignments for sailors and officers.

Dickbag: A term used in place of "Douche bag," but also can be used in place of "dirt bag."

Dick Skinners: Another term for hands. For example, "get your dick skinners off my white hat."

Dicksmith: Yet another derogatory term for hospital corpsmen.

D.I.L.L.I.G.A.F: An acronym for "Do I Look Like I Give A Fuck?" A term indicating supreme indifference; "Gaffer."

Dirtbag: A term often used by an annoying lifer who has no life outside the Navy to insult a sailor for having a few wrinkles in his uniform, having missed a spot while shaving, having a small spot on his uniform, or having hair barely touching his ears. Compare to "A.J. Squared Away" above.

Dirty-shirt wardroom: Another term for the forward wardroom for pilots on an aircraft carrier wearing (sweaty) flight gear. As opposed to formal ship's wardroom.

Ditch: To intentionally crash land an aircraft as "gently" as possible--usually into the water. This is generally done when fuel is almost all used up with no hope of making it to a safe landing area, or when a slowly developing but potentially fatal emergency occurs.

Division: Middle organizational level in most naval commands, below Department and above Branch. Divisions are usually headed by a junior officer (JO).

DIVO: An acronym for "DIVision Officer."

Ditty bag: Any mesh bag, but so named because usually used to contain soiled laundry.

Dixie Cup: The white visorless canvas hat sailors wear with their dress uniforms.

Donkey-Dick: A term used for many nozzle shaped implements.

Douche Kit: A container (usually zipper closed) for toilet articles such as shaving cream, deodorant, after shave lotion, etc.

Down: A term used to describe something that is not working, out of commission, broken, or a "broke-dick." In aviation, a non-flyable aircraft, usually for maintenance reasons. When applied to an aviator, it means he or she is not allowed to fly. This can be for a variety of reasons: medical, personal, disciplinary, etc.

Drifty: A term used to describe a sailor lacking the ability to stay focused while attempting to perform a given task. (Petty Officer to sailor, "Is there something the matter with you? You are acting drifty today!"

Drifter: A term used to describe a sailor who at all times lacks the ability to stay focused. Also called drift-pack, or in the very extreme case "COMNAVDRIFTPAC," a parody of COMNAVSURFPAC.

Drop a Chit: The act of filling out a chit.

Drop your cocks and grab your socks: A saying that the petty officer of the watch yells in the sleeping quarters when it's time for everyone to get up. Often first heard in boot camp.

Dynamited Chicken: Another term for Chicken a la King or Chicken Cacciatore.

EOD: An acronym for "Explosive Ordnance Disposal."

Fart sack: Another term for a canvas mattress cover.

Fart Suit: A dry suit worn by aviators when flying over extremely cold water. So called because of the rubber seals at the neck and wrists which keep water out in the event of water entry. These seals also keep all flatulence inside the suit, where it remains hot and mixes with ball sweat, pitstink, and various other foulness. This foul air is released by removing the suit, or more amusingly by pulling one of the wrist seals open while squatting and pointing at an unsuspecting individual, thus forcing all the stench in his direction.

Field Day: A term used to describe when all hands clean-up and usually lasts on a good day about 3-4 hours. (30 min of cleaning and 2-4 hours of fucking off.)

Field Survey: To discard a worn-out item ("in the field," often off the end of the pier) instead of submitting for formal "survey" to determine redistribution or disposal. Sometimes items are passed down to a needier local unit.

F.I.I.G.M.O.: An acronym for "Fuck It, I Got My Orders." It refers to a sailor's refusal of a long or tough assignment near the end of a duty rotation. Also seen as a name badge at this time, so officers/petty officers will forget your real name.

Fighting gear: Another term for eating utensils.

Five and Dimes: A watch rotation where the sailor or watch team stand five hours of watch, then have ten hours off (to clean, perform maintenance, train, get qualified, conduct drills, take care of divisional business or their collateral duty, eat, shower, and occasionally sleep). This follows from a three-section watch rotation and results in the sailor standing watch at a different time every day and night, repeating every three days.

Flag Deck: The command level on large ships for Admirals (called a flag rank, because they are entitled to show a flag with appropriate number of stars on a car, ship, etc. if they are present).

Flattop: Another term for an aircraft carrier. Also, the haircut worn by truly motivated sailors.

Fleet Up: A term used to describe when a second in command takes his senior's place upon that senior's transfer, retirement, or other re-assignment.

Flight Deck Buzzard: Another term for chicken (food).

Flight Line: The area on a ship or station where aircraft are made ready for flight. Also used as a prank on gullible new sailors, as in "Go get me 100 feet of flight line from the crash shack."

Float Check (also Flotation Testing): An expression used to describe the act of deliberately throwing something overboard.

Floating Bellhop: A derisive Army term for sailor.

FNG: An acronym for "Fuckin' New Guy"--self-explanatory. Also referred to as a new "boot."

FOD: An acronym for "Foreign Object Damage." Caused by foreign object debris, such as nuts, bolts, or anything that could be sucked into a jet engine, therefore damaging it.

FOD Walk Down: A periodic, organized search on an aircraft carrier flight deck or hangar deck looking for debris that a jet engine might ingest.

Four (4) by Eight (8) Watch: The worst watch section to be in because your first watch is 0400 to 0800, then you work your duty station until 1600, followed by your second watch 1600 to 2000, every day.

Fried Horsecock: Another term for fried baloney.

FTN: An acronym for "Fuck the Navy," a common epithet used when complaining about naval policies or regulations and is often scrawled on the walls of toilet stalls by sailors who have been assigned to clean it for a reason.

FTN Striker: Another term for a sailor whose stated goal/desire is get discharged.

F.U.B.A.R.: An acronym for "Fouled up beyond all repair" or "Fucked up beyond all recognition."

F.U.B.I.J.A.R.: An acronym for "Fuck You Buddy, I'm Just a Reservist."

Fuck You, "strong message follows.": Seen on a numerical list of epithet substitutions (the unauthorized "Falcon Code").

GAF: An acronym for "Give a Fuck." Often heard as, "I have a GAF attitude."

Gaff Off: A term used to describe when a junior person ignores or purposely fails to show proper respect to a senior person. Examples may include blowing off an assigned task, not saluting, or using improper forms of address.

Galley: Another term for the crews' mess, or dining area. A place where food is prepared for consumption.

Gedunk: Another term for candy, or a place that sells candy in a short form of Gedunk bar.

Gear Adrift: Term used to describe items not properly stowed away. Also sometimes phrased as "gear adrift is a gift."

General Quarters: (GQ) Every sailor has an assigned duty station to man during an emergency.

Ghetto: Another term for pen-bay barracks, usually reserved for single sailors who are in transit or otherwise temporarily assigned there.

Gig line: A term used to describe the visual line formed by uniform zipper, belt buckle, and buttoned shirt seam. It is also used as another in-joke to send new sailors on a wild goose chase. See "Bulkhead Remover."

GITMO: A nickname for Guantanamo Bay Naval Station on Cuba.

Goat locker: A term used to describe a lounge or galley for the exclusive use of Chiefs.

Goatrope or goatfuck: A term used to describe any situation that is "FUBAR."

Golden Shellback: A term used to describe a sailor who has crossed the equator at the 180th Meridian.

Good Humor Man: A term used to reference to the Summer White uniform. This is an all-white short sleeve uniform that makes the wearer look suspiciously like the ice cream man.

Grape (Aviation Service): A term used to describe a sailor in an aviation fuels rating. So named because of the purple flight deck jersey he wears.

Great Mistakes: A common epithet used when complaining about RTC/NTC Great Lakes, Illinois.

Grinder: The exterior paved area of any military compound used for formations.

Grog: Initially, this referred to the watered down rum ration given daily to sailors in the Royal Navy. Presently in the USN, it refers to the alcoholic brew offered at social events like "dining-ins" and "dining-outs." Depending on the wardroom and in particular on the person preparing the grog, it may be pleasant and delicious or one of the most foul and disgusting beverages ever conceived.

Ground-Pounder: A Navy term used to describe Marines, specifically those in the infantry.

Grunts: Another derogatory term for Marines.

G.U.A.M.: An acronym for "Give Up and Masturbate." A common sailor's complaint about being stationed on the remote island of Guam.

Gundeck: A term used to juryrig something; falsifying or misrepresenting records and reports.

Gun Boss: Another term for the Weapons Department head.

Guns: Another term for a sailor in the Gunner's Mate rating.

Gunwale (pronounced "gunnel"): A term used to describe the top of the hull portion of a ship that runs down the port and starboard sides.

Gyrene: A derogatory Navy term for a U.S. Marine. Also called "Jarheads."

Hatch: Another term for a door.

Head: Another term for the bathroom (The term comes from the days of sail, because wind would blow from the rear of the ship forward and the bathroom would be located at the front "Head" of the ship to carry the foul smell of excrement away from the crew).

Helo (pron. hee-low): A term applied to all naval helicopters (from the standard message abbreviation HELO).

Here today, GUAM tomorrow: A term used to describe when a sailor receives orders from one island to another island, as in ADAK to GUAM.

Hockey pucks: Another term for Swedish meatballs (also, trail markers, porcupines, road apples).

Hollywood Shower: A termed used to describe a long shower that wastes water. See "Navy Shower."

Hoover: A slang term for the S-3B Viking, mostly due to its unique engine noises.

Horse Cock: A term used to describe a large log of baloney usually put out for lunch or mid rats. A Horse Cock sandwich is one of the least favorite boxed lunches.

Hot Dog: A term used to describe a sexually active male sailor.

Hot Racking: A term used to describe sharing racks. In the submarine service, there are usually more men than racks, so while one sailor is on duty, the other is in the shared rack.

Hummer: A slang term for the E-2C Hawkeye, mostly because of the sound of its props.

Ice Cream Social: A term used to describe when ice cream is typically served at 2100 on the mess decks on Sundays when underway.

IFBM: An acronym for "Instant Fucking Boatswains Mate." An "A" school washout assigned to the ship's deck force.

ID10T: An acronym for "Idiot," pronounced "Eye-Dee-Ten-Tango." Similar to "bulkhead remover," an inexpensive way to derive enjoyment from inexperienced personnel. "Recruit, go get me an ID10T form, and step on it!"

Irish Pennant: Another term for a loose thread on uniform.

INT WTF: Letters Pronounced Individually. INTerrogative What The Fuck. See "WTFO." Usually used in a text/teletype medium where WTFO is over voice communications.

IYAOYAS: An unofficial acronym commonly found on the uniforms of airedales who specialize in ordnance handling. Read as "If you ain't ordnance, you ain't shit." Pronounced "Yay-OHS" and yelled out during ceremonies.

Jarhead: Another term for a U. S. Marine.

JARTGO: An acronym for "Just Another Reason To Get Out."

Joe Navy: Another term for a lifer with no life outside the Navy.

Knee-knockers: The bottom portion of a passageway opening through a bulkhead. The lower lip of the opening sits at shin height.

Knuckle Buster: A pneumatic tool for removing perfectly good paint from steel.

Ladderwell: Another term for stairs. (This is a holdover from when all climbing was done by ladders.)

LDO: An acronym for Limited Duty Officer--generally a senior and highly qualified enlisted person who is given a commission and continues to work in his or her field.

LDO Security Blanket: Another term for a Good conduct ribbon. Even though an LDO can choose to wear only his/her top three ribbons, they never do. Because they always have at least three higher than Good Conduct and they need to have that one on display lest they be mistaken for a real junior officer. LDOs need their Good Conduct ribbons every bit as much as Linus needs his security blanket.

Leave: Another term for vacation time.

Liberty: A term used to describe free time away from work or the ship, usually after working hours or in port. Differs from "Leave" (see above) in that you must stay close to your home station and it is generally much shorter.

Liberty Boat: A boat assigned to transfer sailors to and from their ship when in a port that requires the ship to drop anchor instead of pulling pierside. Trips to the beach are generally low key. Trips back to the ship in the wee hours of the night are usually very entertaining.

Liberty Hound: A term used to describe a sailor who loves liberty more than anything else.

Liberty Risk: A sailor who loves liberty a little too much. So much so that he puts himself in danger by drinking too much, getting into fights, or pissing off the locals.

Lieu-fucking-tenant: illustrates Navy practice of including a swear word INSIDE another word.

Lifer: a name given to both officers and enlisted men who love the Navy and make it clear they want to be in for 20 or more years. Lifers will try to convince others to re-enlist. Also lifers say things like "there is nothing a sailor needs that is not in his seabag" this usually is a comment implying a sailor does not need to see his spouse or children.

Lifer: An acronym associated with people coasting through their Navy career, stands for "Lazy, Incompetent, F***, Expecting Retirement," or "Lowly Indignant F*** Evading Reality."

Lifer Dog: (See "Lifer" above) "Call me an asshole, call me a cocksucker, call me a son-of-a-bitch; just don't call me a Lifer Dog."

Living the Dream: A sarcastic term used when someone is asked how they are, they reply with this which sounds upbeat and a positive term, and they are actually miserable. "How are you doing today PO Jones?" "Living the dream, Captain."

Loop: An officer, usually a LT or LCDR, who is an admiral's aide. So called because of the gold braided loop that they wear around their arm.

LOST: Line Of Sight Tasking--when a senior officer, usually the XO, tasks the first poor bastard JO who walks across his path with some time-consuming, inane project that he knows absolutely nothing about.

Love Boat: Term referring to a subtender comprised primarily of female sailors. Also, a nickname for CVN-69.

LSO: Landing Safety Officer or Landing Signal Officer. On a carrier, this officer stands just to the port side of the landing area and talks to each pilot as he makes his approach for an arrested landing.

LST: Tank landing ship, or "Large Slow Target," a now removed type of amphibious warfare ship.

L.T.D.B: "Living the Dream Baby." Often used sarcastically in reference to Naval lifestyle.

Mail Buoy: A fictitious buoy that mail for a ship is left on. Usually new sailors are given a mail buoy watch for the entertainment of the more seasoned sailors.

MARINE: acronym for Marines Always Ride in Navy Equipment...or Muscles are Required Intelligence Not Essential... or My Ass Really Is Navy Equipment., or My Ass Rides In Navy Equipment.

Marine candy bars: urinal cakes.

Mast: Preceded by Captain's or Admiral's, but these are generally not spoken. A form of non-judicial punishment in which a sailor finds himself standing tall in front of the old man when he really screws the pooch.

Meat Gazer: Unlucky individual designated to make sure the urine in a "Whiz Quiz" actually comes from the urinator's body. This is accomplished by spending all day meat gazing, or looking at dicks while guys are pissing.

Meat Identifier: A side dish during chow that helps in identifying usually nondescriptive looking main dishes. i.e. Applesauce: indicative of pork chops, Horseradish: Prime Rib Beef...etc.

Meatball: Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System, a visual landing aid used by naval aviators landing on a carrier.

Mess Crank or Mess Bitch: A sailor who works on the mess deck, not rated as a cook.

Mess Decks: Chow Hall or Eating Establishment on board ship.

Mess Deck Intelligence: Rumors (mostly false) that spread throughout the ship like wildfire. Often concern radical changes to the ships schedule. See "Rumor Control" or "Scuttlebutt."

Midnight Requisition: To "borrow" (with varying degrees of consent) a needed item from another unit. Often condoned when essential to get underway.

Mid-Rats: Short for MIDnight RATions. Leftover lunch and dinner plus PB and J.

Mid-Watch: Watch from 0000-0400, usually results in no sleep before or after this watch. Also referred to as "dog watch."

Mustang: An officer who came from the Enlisted ranks.

Muster: to gather or meet with the intention of determining assets. For example, morning muster report indicates who is present and accounted for.

NAVCIVLANT/NAVCIVPAC: described as where a soon to be departing sailor from active duty's next station will be.

NFO: Naval Flight Officer--flies alongside the pilot as weapons officer.

NAVY: acronym used by disgruntled sailors for "Never Again Volunteer Yourself."

Naval Infantry: A derogatory term for the U.S. Marines.

Navy Shower: While underway, fresh water must be manufactured from sea water. A common-sense way of saving it is to first wet down while taking a shower and then TURN OFF THE WATER. Lather up and wash. Finally, TURN ON THE WATER to rinse off. A continual disregard WILL attract a punishment shower with scrub brushes.

No Balls: A term used to suggest that a person does not have the testicular fortitude to perform the action that he claims he can/will do. This is often spoken to female sailors out of sheer habit.

No Load: Another term for a useless sailor, or one who does not pull his share of the load. Named for the maintenance catapult shots where only the shuttle is moved down the track with no aircraft attached.

Non-skid: A rough epoxy coating used for grip on weather decks. Also, another term for toilet paper.

Nonskid Wax: A fictitious substance used for waxing non-skid decks. Usually something junior sailors are sent looking for.

Noted: A term that is usually passed down from an officer, when the sailor tells the officer of something that will have little or no positive effect on the officer, but may have a great effect on the Blue shirt. For example, "Sir, if we do this thing now, I can go home as soon as it's done." Officer: "Noted."

No-Shitter: A sea story which is mostly (never completely) fictional, unverifiable as well. Examples: "Hey, this is no shit, but I once blah blah blah..." or "Hey this is a no-shitter, I got a buddy who once blah blah blah..."

NUB: An acronym for "Non-useful Body," usually used for a sailor recently out of school who hasn't completed their qualifications and therefore useless to their division.

Nuke: Another term for an Engineering Department crew member responsible for turning main shaft via atom-splitting. It also refers to ordnance type that is neither confirmed nor denied, which may or may not be handled by a different Department.

Nuke it out (or simply "nuke it"): A term used to describe a sailor who over thinks a simple task. Alternately, it is often used by nukes to suggest someone ought to put forth at least a little thought before giving up on a problem.

Nuclear Waste: A pejorative term for sailors who exit the Nuclear Power training program without successful completion.

Nut to butt: A term used to describe standing in line, close quarters, body to body, each man's chest pressed to the back of the man ahead, or "nut to butt."

Occifer: Pronounced "ossifur," it is a derogatory reference towards officers in general, particularly junior officers.

Officer's Candy: Another name for urinal cakes.

Old Man: A term used for the Commanding Officer or Admiral in command, regardless of gender. The term is usually used when the CO has gained the respect of subordinates.

Old Salt: Another term for a Navy veteran. See "Salty," below.

On my six: A Naval aviation expression referring to having someone or something at my back, on my tail, directly behind me, relative to the hours of a clock; 12-dead ahead, 3-starboard or to the right, 6-aft or behind and 9-port or to the left.

One-eyed Jack (See also "Barney Clark"): A tasty treat served at mid-rats consisting of a slider topped with a fried egg.

OOD: An acronym for the Officer of the Deck (Officer of the Day); the officer in charge of the ship or the command at that time.

Operation GOLDENFLOW: Another term for a command-wide urinalysis test.

Oscar: A term for the buoyant dummy used during man-overboard drills. Named for the Oscar flag that is flown during a man overboard evolution. Being "Nominated for an Oscar" can refer to a sailor being thrown overboard.

Ouija Board: Another term for the flat board used by the Air Handler in Flight Deck Control with small airplanes, bolts, etc. that can be moved around to indicate aircraft position and status on an aircraft carrier.

Overhead: Another term for a ceiling.

Pad eye: These are the hook points on a ship's surface used to tie down airplanes with chains.

Paddles: Another term for the LSO (see above).

Paper Assholes: Another term for gummed reinforcements (office supplies).

P.A.P.E.R.C.L.I.P.: An acronym for People Against People Ever Reenlisting Civilian Life Is Preferable. A term used to show dissatisfaction with enlistment or unity amongst a brotherhood of bitter and disaffected sailors, specifically submariners. Often symbolized by the wearing of a paperclip on the uniform in varying levels of prominence to indicate the sailor's level of disgruntlement. May also be burned into the skin. C.L.I.P. also used as Civilian Life Incentive Program.

Passageway: Another term for a hallway.

P.C.O.D.: An acronym for "Pussy Cut Off Day," which is slang for the last day of a long deployment that sailors could get laid and still obtain Venereal Disease cures from the Hospital Corpsman and have it be effective in time to return to a wife or girlfriend waiting at home.

Pecker-Checker: A derogatory term for Hospital Corpsman.

PFM: An acronym for "Pure Fucking Magic," a term applied to when things work, but you don't know how, but they work.

Piece: Another term for a rifle, as used in manual-of-arms (rifle drill).

Pier-Queer: An Air Force derogatory term for a Sailor (as opposed to the Navy term for Air Force personnel which is simply "queer").

Pit: Another term for a sailor's rack or bunk. Usually used among those who aren't particularly pleased with shipboard life.

Pineapple Fleet: Another term for the Pacific Fleet which usually refers to the Seventh Fleet (in the western Pacific) and specifically to ships stationed in Pearl Harbor.

POD: An acronym for the Plan of the Day. An official document issued by a command that states all activities going on that day, from 0000 to 2359. It also contains the Uniform of the Day.

POG: An acronym for "Person other than a Grunt." A term often used by Marine Infantry (Grunts) to refer to anyone who is not them.

Polish a Turd: A term used to describe how to make the most of a bad situation.

Pollywog: A term for an individual who has not crossed the Equator, who must go through rituals that sometimes cross the line to be hazing to become a Shellback. This practice can be traced back hundreds of years and is conducted in many Navies across the globe.

The Pond: Another term for the Deep Blue Sea. Where deep-water sailors ply their craft, "The Pond" may be Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, or other. Used in slang expressions such as "Talk to me when you've got some Time on the Pond."

PQS: An acronym for Personal Qualification Standard. A card carrying various qualifications for a warfare badge or similar which must be signed off by a superior or expert.

Port: The Left side of the boat or ship (when facing the bow). Also, the left side of an aircraft when facing the nose from inside. Also a term for place of arrival for ships.

Port and Starboard: Terms used to describe a rotation of two duty sections or watch teams, one designated port, and the other starboard. This is generally not considered to be a good situation.

Port and Re-port: A term used to describe a watch stood without relief. One designated Port, and the other... wait, there is no other... only Port once again, hence the term re-Port.

Powder Monkey: A term referring to a sailor sent back and forth for an item, usually tasked to retrieve something from below-decks. It derives from young boys who served on wooden ships that retrieved powder for broadside firing.

PT: An acronym for "Physical Training." Also, a required exercise regimen.

Pucker Factor: A term used to describe the tension caused by high stress during a difficult or dangerous evolution. So named because your sphincter tends to tighten up or "pucker" involuntarily during such times. For example: The Pucker Factor was high when he landed that Turkey single engine with complete AC power failure at night.

Puddle Pirate: A derogatory term for members of the US Coast Guard.

Pushbutton: A term applied to a six-year enlistee with advanced schooling. The Enlistee is immediately granted E-3 rank upon completion of basic training and E-4 rank upon completion of "A" school. Frequently, the Enlistee also has an opportunity to extend to eight years, and immediately gain E-5 rank within 2-3 years total service, like "pushing a magic button to gain rank."

Quarters: A term used to describe the gathering of all the people in the organization. Quarters can be for the entire command or just the department, division, or branch. Quarters is used to present awards, pass information, and make every sailor squeeze into their ill-fitting, rarely-worn uniforms at least once a year.

Queer: A nickname for the EA-6B Prowler. It is also a derogatory term for Air Force Personnel.

Rack: Another term for a bed.

Rack Burns: A term used to describe the reddish marks seen on the face of a sailor who has just emerged from sleeping in his/her rack. It is scorned upon if he/she was not supposed to be there.

Rack Hound: A derogatory term, but usually spoken with a hint of envy. A term used to describe a sailor that spends more than his/her fair share of time in the "Rack." Usually spoken when seeing somebody with Rack Burns; "You are such a Rack Hound!"

Rain Locker: Another term for a shower.

Raisin: A term used to describe a new recruit or junior sailor, predominantly heard at Naval Training Commands, usually used by seasoned "A" School students to refer to sailors with one or more weeks less time in the service. The Fleet equivalent is "Nub," "Newbie," or "Hey, Shitbird."

Ramp Strike: A term used to describe when an aircraft gets drastically low while attempting to land on a carrier and strikes the "round down," or stern of the ship, usually with devastating results.

Rate Grabber: A term used to describe an enlisted member with the goal of (and succeeding in) making rate (promotion) quickly.

Rats: A shortened term for "mid-rats."

Ready Room: A large space aboard a carrier that is the focal point for each of the squadrons in the airwing. Each squadron has one on the O-3 level, and each pilot has his own seat. The Ready Room is used for a variety of reasons such as training, "AOM's," "Roll-ems," etc.

Red-Roper: A slang term for a Recruit Division Commander (RDC), in reference to the red rope worn around the left shoulder. They used to be called "Company Commander."

Reefer: A term used to describe a refrigeration ship carrying frozen foods.

Rent-A-Crow: A term for a sailor advanced to E-4 because they graduated at the top of their "A" school class. The Navy 'rents' them for an extra year in return for being promoted.

R.H.I.P.: An acronym for "Rank Has Its Privileges." See also "SRDH."

R.O.A.D. Program: An acronym for "Retired on Active Duty," which refers to someone who is approaching retirement so they don't care about getting any real work accomplished.

Roach Coach: A snack or lunch truck that stops by the pier.

Roast Beast: Another term for Roast Beef or any meat served aboard the ship that even the cooks who prepared it don't know what it is.

Roger That: A term of understanding and acceptance when given an order or other information. It can be used with varying inflection and tone without consequence to signify enthusiasm or disgruntledness without stepping outside the bounds of professionalism.

Roll-em's: A term used to describe movie night which is usually shown in the Ready Room or the Wardroom.

Rollers: Another term for Hot dogs.

Rotor Head: A term used to describe a sailor who flies or maintains rotary-winged aircraft (helicopters).

Rubber Hooeys: Another term for condoms.

Rumor Control: The often wildly inaccurate rumors that concern fictitious changes to the ship's schedule. Usually takes the form of "Hey, did you hear had a fire in their main machinery room and can't get underway so our cruise got extended by a month?" See also "Mess Deck Intelligence."

Saltpeter: A chemical supposedly added to "bug juice" or scrambled eggs aboard ship to stifle a sailor's libido.

Salty: A term used to describe an old and experienced (or simply old and sea-worn, as in "my salty hat") sailor. It can also refer to the traditionally profanity-laced language patterns of sailors.

Scrambled Eggs: A term used to describe the gold embroidered decoration on a Commander's/Captain's cover. Admirals have Double Eggs. The similar silver clouds and lightning bolts addition to an Air Force Major's hat is called "Farts and Darts."

Screw: Another term for a propeller.

Scullery: Another term for the washroom for eating implements such as knives, forks, trays, and cups.

Scuttlebutt: Another term for a drinking fountain or rumor (originated from the rumors that would be spread on board ship while gathered about the water barrel).

Sea and Anchor Detail: Every sailor has an assigned duty station to be manned when the ship is either pulling into or out of port. On submarines it's called the Maneuvering Watch. (Coast Guard: Special Sea Detail.)

Sea chest: A trunk or storage container used for a sailor's personal property.

Sea Daddy: A term used to describe a senior, more experienced sailor who unofficially takes a new member of the crew under his wing and mentors him.

Sea Lawyer: A term used to describe an argumentative, cantankerous or know-it-all sailor. A sea lawyer is adept at using technicalities, half truths, and administrative crap to get out of doing work or anything else he doesn't want to do, and/or to justify his laziness.

Sea Stories: A term used to describe often exaggerated or embellished tales from previous deployments or commands told by seniors to juniors. Sea Stories almost always involve alcohol. Good sea stories should involve creative embellishment, in as much as you should tell it better than the guy you heard it from, with yourself (or an un-named "buddy") as the new star. Add some contemporary details and those youngsters are memorized, as they should be.

Secure: In general, a term used to prepare something for stormy travel--to secure a window is to shut it. However, it's often used as a stronger form of "cut it out," as in "talking is secured" or "I'm going to secure your mouth if you don't shut the hell up" or "your fruity ways are secured, Fireman Smitty."

Senile Chief: A slang term for Senior Chief.

Shark shit: A term used to describe a sailor who has fallen overboard and is lost forever.

Shellback: A term used to describe an individual who has crossed the Equator. See also "Pollywog."

Shinbuster: Another term for a "knee-knocker."

Ship over: Another term for re-enlist.

Shipmate: A term used to describe any fellow Sailor. Also, used as a derogatory term against all junior enlisted personnel i.e. E-5 and below. An Officer, Chief, or First Class will use this to show they think so little of you, they haven't bothered to take the time out of their day to learn your name. Used in the Junior Enlisted Community to parody this.

Shipwreck: A term used to describe any fellow sailor. It is often used as a derogatory term.

Shit in a Seabag: Another term for stuffed green peppers.

Shitbag (also Shitweed, shitstick, shithead, shit stain, or shitbrick): A term used to describe any fellow sailor. It is often used as a derogatory term and a term of endearment. Also, a derogatory term for a sailor who has been awarded punishment at mast, or any less-than-par sailor. Also known as "Shitbird."

Shitbomb: A term used to describe an extremely unpopular topic brought up at the end of a (usually long and boring) meeting that requires a lot of work from everyone present. The worst ones are "drive-by shitbombs," where someone pokes their head in, "throws the shitbomb," and leaves.

Shit Can: Another term for a trash can, or the act of throwing something into the trash. As in "Shit can that chit, you're not getting any liberty."

Shit-on-a-shingle: A term used to describe the traditional Navy breakfast: creamed chipped beef on toast.

Shitty Kitty: A slang term for the USS Kitty Hawk which was the worst ship in the United States Navy, and also the oldest. It has been designated this name due to the fact it that it looks like shit, smells like shit, and the chain of command will work you round the clock and not give a shit.

Short Seabag or Without a Full Seabag: A term used to describe a sailor who reports aboard without a full uniform; deficient in aptitude or intelligence.

Short Timer: A term used to describe sailor with less than 90 days until discharge or transfer who has an attitude to match.

Short Timer's Chain: A chain that hangs from the belt of a "short timer" for all to see, with one link representing a day, (signifying too short to care) and usually starts with 30 links. Verbal equivalent is "__ days and a wake-up."

Shutterbug: Another term for a Photographer's Mate (PH).

Sick in Quarters (SIQ): When a sailor is too ill or incapacitated to perform his duties, he is thus required to report to his rack (quarters), where he will remain until healthy again. For personnel aboard ship, this means to remain in bed, while onshore this may simply mean to stay home for the day. Only qualified medical personnel can recommend SIQ, and only the command can authorize it.

Skate: A term used to describe a sailor who avoids work in general while not being detected. For example, the ability to "skate" out of work undetected while being assigned to a 14-man working party.

Skate Golden: The ability to "skate" out of work while being assigned to a 7-man working party undetected.

Skater: A term used to describe a sailor who gets away with doing no work.

Skipper: A term used in reference to the Commanding officer of any Ship, Unit, Platoon, or Detachment regardless of rank. Generally, it is only applied to someone who has earned the speaker's respect.

Skittles: A term used to describe sailors who work on the flight deck of a carrier. So named due to the different colored jerseys they wear.

Skivvies: Another term for underwear.

Skivvy waver: Another term for a Signalman (because of signal flags).

Skylarking: A term used to describe messing around or not doing assigned work. It is derived from the physical activities done by sailors to dislodge an aground sailing ship from the bottom: "All hands lay aft (forward) for dancing and skylarking."

Sliders: Another term for hamburgers and cheeseburgers.

Smoke Pit: Another term for the designated smoking area. This is almost always used when ashore.

Smoking Lamp: A term used to describe when smoking is permitted. "The smoking lamp is out" or "lit in specified spaces or throughout the ship." A 1MC announcement specifying where smoking is permitted or prohibited during certain hours or operations.

Smoking Sponson: A designated smoking area aboard aircraft carriers, usually right below the flight deck on the exterior of the ship's hull. Also, a great place to catch up on scuttlebutt and unwind after a long day.

Smurf: Another term for a recruit who is in his first few days of boot camp who hasn't been issued uniforms yet, and thus wears a "Smurf Suit" (see below).

Smurf Suit: A term used to describe a set of blue sweat pants and sweatshirt issued on arrival at boot camp which is worn for the first several days and thereafter used mostly for PT.

S.N.A.F.U.: An acronym for "Situation Normal All Fucked Up."

Snake Eaters: Another term to describe Special Forces personnel such as Navy SEALs, Green Berets, etc.

Snipes: A term used to describe sailors assigned to the Engineering rates, i.e. Machinists Mates, Boilermen, Enginemen, and Pipefitters.

Snivel: To request time off or to not be scheduled, usually for personal reasons. Most schedule writers will have a "snivel log" for such requests, which may or may not be granted based on the needs of the unit and the sniveler's standing with the schedules officer ("Skeds-O").

SPLIB: An acronym for "Special Liberty," or Comp-Time.

Socked-in: A term used to describe when the ceiling and visibility at an airfield or over an air-capable ship are below minimums for takeoff and landing.

S.O.P.: An acronym for "Standard Operating Procedure."

S.O.S.: An acronym for "Shit-on-a-shingle."

Sparky: Another term for a Radioman.

Split Tails: Another term for female sailors. It was used more often in the early days of surface ship integration.

Spook: Another term for a CT, IS or some kind of intelligence type.

Spudlocker: The area below the ramp of an aircraft carrier. Landing in the spudlocker results in a broken aircraft and is often fatal. Also used for a potato (spud) storage room.

Spunk: Another term for Cool Whip or anything like it.

Squid: A term used to describe a surface warfare sailor, as opposed to one of the other warfare communities. It is increasingly becoming more common to represent ALL sailors, however.

S.R.D.H.: An acronym for "Shit Rolls Down Hill." See also "RHIP."

Starboard: The right side of the boat or ship (when facing the bow). It is also the right side of an aircraft when facing the nose.

Steel Beach Picnic: A term used to describe a celebration on the weather decks of a ship and usually involves near beer and barbecue.

Striker: Another term for a sailor receiving on-the-job training for a designated field (or rate).

Swab: Another term for a mop.

TAD or TDY: An acronym for "Temporary Additional Duty" or "Temporary Duty."

Tape Zebra: A term used to describe the maddening condition aboard ship, especially aircraft carriers, where passageways are "taped off" so that they may be waxed, dried, and buffed in the middle of the night. It seems that the passageways are purposely chosen to maximize delay and frustration when a pilot has to do an oh-dark-thirty preflight or some other duty. Junior enlisted sailors take special delight in denying officers access to these passageways and relish in their disgruntled detours. Likewise, junior officers thoroughly enjoy when a man overboard or general quarters is called in the middle of the night, and they rush to get to the head of the line so as to crash through tape zebra and trample through the wet wax.

T.A.R.F.U.: An acronym for "Things Are Really Fucked Up."

Target: A submariner's term for the Navy surface fleet.

The Boat: An airdale term for the ship their airwing is attached to. "We're going to 'The Boat' for a few weeks."

Tin can: Another term for a Destroyer.

Topsider: A term used to describe anyone who is not a nuke.

Trap: A fixed-wing arrested landing on an aircraft carrier.

Trice Up: A term for making up your rack (bed). The old racks had a trice or hook to hook it to the bulkhead or wall. Hence the term "All hands heave out and trice up." Or, to jump out of your rack and make it. It originally referred to hammocks, in days of yore before berthing spaces.

Tube steak: Another term for hot dogs (also, called "dangling sirloin").

Turkey: A slang term for the F-14 Tomcat.

Turn-to: Another term for "Get to work."

Two-Digit Midget: A term used to describe a sailor with 99 or less days until his/her "End of Active Obligated Service," or EAOS.

Turn 'n Burn: A casual term for "Get busy!" From formal daily announcement, "Turn to ship's work," often given as direct order "Turn to!"

UA: An acronym for "Unauthorized absence." The Navy's term for AWOL.

Uncle Sam's Confused Group (USCG): A derogatory term for the US Coast Guard, an organization that is the 5th armed service, yet falls under the Department of Homeland Security.

UNREP: An acronym for "UNderway REPlenishment." Taking supplies from the supply ship by maneuvering alongside and passing lines between the two vessels. Differs from "VERTREP."

USS Backyard: Another term for a sailor's home of record, to which he or she happily returns upon discharge.

USS LASTSHIP: Another term for a sailor trying to tell a story, or give an example of how business was handled at their last command.

USS Neverdock: Another term for a ship that seems to stay out at sea for unusually long periods of time. For sailors, this is usually their own ship.

USS Neversail: A term for the mock-up ship found in boot camp, also called USS Recruit. It can also refer to real ships that seldom leave port, such as Sub-tenders.

USS Nottagain (DD 214): A term used by sailors separating from the Navy when asked which command they are going to. Also can be used by former sailors when visiting old friends and asked by new personnel which ship they are on. DD 214 is the form that must be filled out for a military member to get discharged. DD was also the type designation for pre-missile destroyers.

Vampire Liberty: A term used to describe when a sailor gets the day off for donating a pint of blood.

VERTREP: An acronym for "VERTical REPlenishment." Taking supplies from the supply ship via helo pick up and drop off. Back in the day this was most often accomplished by the mighty CH-46 Sea Knight ( "Phrog"), although any aircraft with a cargo hook installed can do it. Differs from "UNREP" (see above).

Very well: An acknowledgement from a Senior to a subordinate.

Vitamin M: Similar to "Corpsman Candy" above, but in this context relating to Motrin which is occasionally used to combat the various aches/pains/headaches associated with military service.

Vultures Row: The place where people can watch flight operations without being in the way, typically the O-7 to O-9 level on an aircraft carrier's island.

Wardroom: Another term for the Officer's mess, or dining room. It is also used to collectively refer to all the officers at a command.

Warrant: A term used to describe a warrant officer. In the Navy, warrants are generally older and more experienced in a particular area of expertise than a commissioned line officer, much like an "LDO." Warrants almost always come from the senior (E7-E9) enlisted ranks.

Watch: A term used to describe a period of duty, usually of four-hour duration, six-hours on submarines. The day at sea has long been divided into watches which are called: midwatch (0000 to 0400); rev watch (reveille) (0400 to 0800); forenoon watch (0800 to 1200); afternoon watch (1200 to 1600); and the first watch (2000 to 2400).

WEFT: An acronym for "Wings, Exhaust (or Engine, for prop aircraft), Fuselage, Tail" and is a method by which ship's lookout stations can visually identify aircraft within the vicinity. However, since training for this tends to be spotty at best, identification of aircraft is often incorrect, leading to the second definition: "Wrong Every Fucking Time."

WESTPAC/WESPAC: An acronym used to refer to the western Pacific area of operations; it can also refer to a type of deployment in which a unit heads to multiple locations throughout said area. Often used in, "Damn, we just did a six-month WESTPAC, barely got home for a week, and now we're heading out again?"

Whidbey Whale: A term used to describe a dependent wife that is Orca fat even though her husband has maintained the same basic size during their marriage.

Whiz Quiz: Another term for a "Piss Test" or urinalysis.

Widow/Widower: A term used to describes wives (and now husbands) with spouses on deployment. Single, for all intents and purposes, until the day their spouse returns from deployment. Prefaced by the type or theater of service the deployed spouse is in, e.g. "WESTPAC widow" or "Boomer Widow."

Wings: A term used to describe the Naval Aviator or Naval Flight Officer breast insignia. It can also refer to the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist breast insignia.

Wog: A short term for "pollywog," as in "wog ceremony," or "wog day."

Wolf Ticket: A term used to describe highly suspect information. It can refer to malicious "scuttlebutt," exaggerated "no-shitters," or blatantly phony sea stories.

Working party: When there is a load of supplies, the Quarterdeck will call for a "working party" to be manned by each division of the ship.

Workups: One- to 6-week periods preceding a deployment during which the ship and/or its airwing practice and prepare. Widely known workups involving the carrier and the airwing are TSTA, COMPTUEX, and RIMPAC.

WTF: An acronym for "What the Fuck" (pronounced "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" using the phonetic alphabet). A colorful way of asking what just happened, i.e., "What the Fuck?"

XO: Another term for the Executive Officer.

XOI: An acronym for "Executive Officer's Inquiry." A step in the non-judicial punishment process in which the wayward sailor appears before the executive officer (XO). After hearing the details of the case, the XO may recommend dismissal or refer it to the Commanding Officer (CO) for "Mast."

Yardbird: Another term for a shipyard worker.

ANDY ADKINS