USN and USNSCC Terms and Slang

USN, USMC, USCG, & USNSCC TERMINOLOGY, ACRONYMS, SLANG, AND FACTOIDS Note: terms in italics have their own entry in this section 13 October 1775 10 November 1775 04 August 1790 10 September 1962 1MC 688 8-point

8th & I 90 Day Wonder AAF AAR AAV AAW Abaft Abeam Above My Paygrade Above Your Paygrade Accession Training Accountability Adrift Ace ACE ACO Active Duty

The Navy’s birthday The Marine Corps’ birthday The Coast Guard’s birthday The NSCC’s birthday The basic one-way communications system on a ship, used for general announcements A LOS ANGELES class SSN, after the hull number (SSN-688) of the lead ship in the class, the USS LOS ANGELES The cover worn with the by Navy sailors with the NWU, and by Marines with the MCCUU, so named because the crown of the hat has eight sides and eight corners (“points”) Nickname for the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. The oldest post in the USMC, the official residence of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and the main ceremonial grounds of the Corps. So named from its street address at the corner of 8th and I Streets Southeast in Washington, DC. Slang: derogatory description of new officers who have just finished OCS Anti-Aircraft Fire After Action Review – to discuss or debrief a recent training or combat experience Amphibious Assault Vehicle – essentially a floating tank or armored personnel carrier, launched from an LHA, LHD, LPD, or LSD Anti-Aircraft Warfare, as opposed to ASuW or ASW Aft (to the rear) of a given point; the bridge is abaft the bow.

Abreast, relative bearing of 090 or 270 degrees What you tell someone when you don’t have the authority to make a decision, or you are hoping to dodge responsibility. “Can we take liberty tonight?” “Umm, that’s above my paygrade.”

What you tell someone when they are not authorized to know or receive certain information; “How fast can an F-35 fly?” “That’s above your paygrade.”

The initial training attended by a new service member, such as RT, OCS, ODS, or DCOIC. The requirement that you answer for your successes and failures, and those of your subordinates; your obligation to report and explain your performance (and your team’s performance) to the chain of command, and accept the consequences for failure to meet assigned goals.

Not secured, scattered about, not properly stowed A pilot who has shot down five enemy aircraft in air-to-air combat Anchor, Constitution, and Eagle – the insignia of the US Navy, embroidered on the front panel of the NWU Type III 8-point (and the left breast pocket of the NWU Type I blouse) Air Control Officer – NFO aboard the E2-C Hawkeye Status of military members who are serving full-time in their military

occupation; as opposed to reserve duty Anti-submarine warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel – unmanned surface vessel designed to operate and patrol autonomously for 60-90 days ACTUV straight. Meant to hunt for modern quiet diesel submarines using sonar and magnetometers, trail them, and report their positions to other Navy assets. Can be controlled remotely, but generally operates autonomously.

Army Combat Uniform – a digital camouflage uniform worn by the US ACU Army; the digital camouflage is being phased out in favor of OCP Abbreviation for Admiral (O-10) in the USN and USCG; a four-star ADM admiral.

ADMINistrative Officer – the officer responsible for record keeping and ADMIN finance at a command (or NSCC unit) In the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps, any training beyond Recruit Training is Advanced Training considered an “Advanced Training” The progression of a USN enlisted sailor (or USNSCC cadet) from one rate to the next higher rate. What the other armed services would call a Advancement “promotion.” In the USN (and USNSCC), officers are “promoted” while enlisted sailors (and cadets) are “advanced.”

ADministrative SEParation – a discharge from the armed services under ADSEP circumstances not considered dishonorable.

The Aegis Combat System is a ship-based combat command & control system consisting of radar, fire control computers, and weapon systems Aegis Combat which can detect, track, target, and engage multiple air, surface, and System (ACS) subsurface threats. Deployed on ARLEIGH BURKE-class DDGs and TICONDEROGA-class CGs. Some modified Aegis systems can be used for BMD. A lighter-than-air craft (e.g., a balloon or blimp) that is tethered to the Aerostat ground. See JLENS. Airborne Early Warning – a type of aircraft with a powerful radar system used to detect aircraft at large distances from its host CVN, and to perform AEW command and control in an air battle by directing fighter aircraft, similar to an air traffic controller. The E2-C/D Hawkeye is the USN’s carrier-based AEW. Armed Forces Radio & Television Service. Television and radio provided AFRTS via satellite to bases and ships all over the world. Pronounced “ay-farts”.

Aqueous Film-Forming Foam – a firefighting agent used to extinguish Class B fires (see “Fire Classes”); AFFF forms a film over the top of fuel AFFF fires which prevents evaporation and contact with oxygen, which in turn prevents re-ignition.

Aft Toward the stern After That which is farthest aft A component present on some military fighter jet engines, which injects additional fuel into the jet pipe downstream of (after) the turbine; this results in significantly increased thrust (but very high fuel consumption).

Afterburners Jets generally engage their afterburners only when being launched from a CVN, during supersonic flight, or during combat maneuvers. Jet engines are said to be operating “wet” when afterburners are engaged, and “dry” when not.

A-Gang Ahoy Aide-de-camp Aiguillette AIO Air Boss Airedale Air Force Mittens Airframe Air Guard Airman Airwing AJ Squared Away AL ALCON ALICE All Hands Aloft Alongside Amidships Ammo Amphibious Warfare

Anchor

Anchor Clanker ...and a wake-up

Nickname for the Auxiliaries division aboard a ship or submarine A call to greet someone, or to draw attention to something, usually from a distance; from the Middle English greeting “hoy.” Also, “ahoy there!”

An assistant or secretary for a senior military or government officer, from the French for “helper in the camp.” Known as a Flag Aide in the USN. An ornamental braided cord worn around the shoulder to indicate a staff position or military honor. Worn by USN RDCs, OCS instructors, NMTIs, Ceremonial Guard members, and Flag Aides.

Adapt, Improvise, and Overcome – mantra adopted by the USMC Nickname for the Air Officer aboard a CVN; responsible for all aspects of operations involving aircraft, including the hangar deck, the flight deck, and any aircraft within 5 nautical miles of the carrier. Her assistant is known as the “Mini Boss.”

Naval Aviator, NFO, or any member of the aviation community The front pockets of your pants, especially when your hands are in them when they shouldn’t be (also, “Army Mittens”) The structure of an aircraft, including its fuselage, wings, and undercarriage; generally excludes its propulsion system.

See “ANG” A member of the USAF; usually referring enlisted members of the USAF; also, a USN E-3 who is training for an aviation-related rating.

A command made up of all the squadrons on a CVN See squared away; spit-and-polish American Legion – patriotic veterans’ organization formed after WWI All Concerned All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment. A type of LBE used through the end of the Cold War; replaced by MOLLE gear.

All personnel in a command, or aboard a ship or station Above the weather decks and superstructure, usually in the antenna farm By the side of the ship or pier An indefinite area midway between the bow and stern Ammunition – small arms projectiles, consisting of a bullet (the projectile), a case which holds gun powder, and an impact-sensitive primer which, when struck, ignites the powder in the case, sending the bullet down the barrel of a firearm Military operations that employ naval ships to project ground forces (LCACs and AAVs) and air power (usually helicopters and V/STOL aircraft) onto a hostile shore or landing beach A device used to connect a seagoing vessel to the sea bed, in order to prevent the vessel from drifting due to wind or current. Usually made of metal and connected to the ship by chain or cable. Permanent anchors are used in creating moorings. Also, the Midshipman who graduates last in his class at the USNA is known as the “anchor.”

Slang: what Marines sometimes call Navy sailors; occasionally used to refer to a Navy Chief Petty Officer, whose collar rank insignia is an anchor A count of how many full days are left in an assignment or training, as in “twelve days and a wake-up and we’re out of here!”

Air National Guard – a federal military reserve force (the National Guard), which also serves as the aerial militia force of each state under the ANG jurisdiction of that state’s governor. Can be federalized by POTUS, at which point ANG units become an active part of the USAF. Angles & Dangles Slang: placing a submarine at perilous angles, hopefully during shakedown City in eastern Maryland which is home to the US Naval Academy; often Annapolis used to refer to USNA Another Fine Navy An expression often voiced in a sarcastically cheery way on occasions Day when, in fact, it’s really not that fine of a day at all AOL Absent Over Leave; see UA AOM All Officers Meeting AOR Area Of Responsibility APC Armored Personnel Carrier Devices affixed to ribbons or medals, worn to denote an additional award, participation in a specific event, or some other distinguishing characteristic of an award. For instance, an NSCC Citation ribbon with one 3/16” bronze star appurtenance would indicate that the wearer had earned a second Appurtenance NSCC Citation award; an NSCC Service Ribbon with a 5/16” gold star appurtenance would indicate that an officer or midshipman had earned the rank of CPO while a cadet; and a NSCC Marksman ribbon with an “E” appurtenance would indicate that the wearer had scored “expert” on a rifle or pistol.

Aquaflage Slang: nickname for the NWU Type I; a take on “camouflage” A city in northern Virginia, directly across the Potomac River from Arlington Washington, DC, which is the home of the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, and USNSCC NHQ A large military cemetery in Arlington, VA, where the dead of the nation’s conflicts have been buried since the Civil War; built on the grounds of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s estate. There are many military Arlington National cemeteries in the United States and abroad, but internment at Arlington is Cemetery considered among the highest honors for a veteran or other public servant (including John F. Kennedy, William Howard Taft, and several Justices of the SCOTUS).

The United States Army, United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, Armed Forces United States Air Force, United States Space Force, and United States Coast Guard ARMY Derogatory acronym used by Marines: Ain’t Ready to be a Marine Yet Army Proof Explained in simple, easy to understand terms (derived from “fool proof”) Army National Guard – a federal military reserve force (the National Guard), which also serves as the ground-based militia force of each state ARNG under the jurisdiction of the state’s governor. Can be federalized by POTUS, at which point ARNG units become an active part of the USA. Mechanical systems used to rapidly decelerate a fixed-wing aircraft as it lands aboard a CVN, typically consisting of several flexible steel wire ropes (called “arresting cables,” “arresting wires,” or “cross deck Arresting Gear pendants”) laid across the landing area, one of which is snagged by a landing aircraft’s tailhook. On NIMITZ-class CVNs, the kinetic energy of the aircraft is transferred through the arresting cables to hydraulic damping

Artillery ASAP A School

ASROC

ASVAB ASuW ASW As you were Astern Asymmetric Warfare Athwart ATON ATQA Authority Auto Dog Auxiliaries AUXO Aweigh AWOL Aye Aye, Aye Ballistic

Baffles

systems; on FORD-class CVNs, the kinetic energy will be transferred by the arresting cables to electromagnets, which will apply the minimum tension necessary to stop the aircraft, resulting in less wear & tear on ship, aircraft, and pilot.

Large guns meant to fire munitions far beyond the range of small arms and light weapons (more than 10 miles); also, the branch of the USA and USMC that operates such weapons.

As Soon As Possible, pronounced “AY-sap” Three to six-month training which USN sailors generally attend right after Recruit Training (“boot camp”), where they learn the basics of their rating.

A Schools will be getting shorter as part of the Navy’s RRL program.

Anti-Submarine ROCket – a missile system installed on surface vessels; consists of a rocket motor which detaches from an autonomous homing torpedo which drops into the water at the submarine’s last known position (years ago, ASROCs were armed with nuclear depth charges!)

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery; a test administered to people hoping to enlist in the armed forces, which helps determine which jobs or ratings they will be best at Anti-Surface Warfare – naval operations against surface vessels, as opposed to ASW or AAW Anti-Submarine Warfare Command meaning, “resume your former activity or formation” Behind a ship War between belligerents whose relative military power differs significantly, or whose strategy or tactics differ significantly Across; at right angles to Aids To Navigation – any sort of marker which aids a maritime vessel in navigation; includes lighthouses, buoys, and fog signals.

Answer The Question Asked The right to decide; the power to command, enforce laws, exact obedience, determine, or judge.

Self-service soft ice cream dispensed from a machine in the mess deck A division of the Engineering Department aboard a navy vessel which works on systems other than main engines/propulsion, usually including air conditioning, refrigeration, hydraulics, ventilation, plumbing, etc.

Auxiliaries Officer Term used to describe the condition where an anchor is clear of the bottom; when the weight of the anchor is on the anchor cable Absent WithOut Leave; called UA in the USN Yes, meaning “I understand” Reply to a command or order, meaning “I understand and will obey” A projectile which is only guided or aimed during its relatively brief powered launch, and whose subsequent downward (arcing) trajectory is governed by the laws of physics (like an artillery round, or an ICBM or SLBM) The area directly aft of a submarine, in which she cannot hear due to the screw’s turning and a lack of hydrophones; also meant as “behind” or in your blind spot

BAH Bandit Barney Clark Barracks Barricade Battalion Battle Buddy Battle Group Battle Rattle

Battle Stations

BB

BCD BCGs BDUs Beach Beam Bearing Belay Below BEQ Berthing BGO

Basic Allowance for Housing – supplemental pay for living off-base Aircraft positively identified as hostile; compare to bogey A slider topped with a fried egg. Also known as a “One-Eyed Jack.”

Given its lack of nutrition, it is named for the first man to receive an artificial heart.

Living quarters for military personnel, especially during training A huge nylon net strung across the flight deck of a CVN to arrest the landing of an aircraft with damaged landing gear or tailhook.

In the USMC, a military unit made up of 2-6 companies, consisting of 3001,200 Marines; in the USN, a SeaBee Construction Battalion (CB) unit.

A partner chosen or assigned in the NSCC or Armed Forces; they support and encourage each other, promote cooperative problem-solving, and improve safety.

Old term for a CSG or ESG When grunts, infantrymen, and special operators call it when you wear all of your combat gear, including weapons, extra ammo, IBA, FLC, helmet, goggles, knee/ elbow pads, pistol belt, gas mask, canteen, etc etc etc Duties or positions that each member of the ship’s company has been assigned, and will assume when combat is imminent; usually announced as “General Quarters” (GQ) over the 1MC of a USN vessel. Also, slang term meaning that folks are panicking or overreacting to an event.

Hull Classification for “Battleship” – large surface vessels armed with heavy guns, meant for naval engagements and shore bombardment. The USN’s IOWA-class BBs were 890 feet long, displaced 58,000 tons, and were armed with 9 x 16” guns, 20 x 5” guns, over 100 manually-fired 40mm and 20mm anti-aircraft weapons, and (in later refits) multiple missile platforms. The last BBs were launched in WWII, and were quickly replaced by aircraft carriers as the capital ships of the fleet. The IOWAclass BBs were commissioned in WWII, decommissioned in 1958, and recommissioned during Vietnam 1968-69 and again 1982-92 during the Cold War and Gulf War. Given their immense cost, limited range of their guns, and vulnerability to torpedo and guided missile attacks, it’s unlikely we’ll ever see anything like them again.

Bad Conduct Discharge (nicknamed Big Chicken Dinner) – see Discharge Slang: “boot camp glasses” – eyeglasses issued by the military; (or less charitably, “birth control glasses,” since they aren’t very flattering to your appearance) Battle Dress Uniform - what the Army and Air Force called the CUU Slang: the shore The width (breadth) of a ship The direction of an object measured in degrees clockwise from a reference point; true bearing uses true north, magnetic bearing uses magnetic north, and relative bearing uses the ship’s bow as the reference point To secure. Also, to disregard or cancel an order, as in “belay my last” Downward, on a lower deck, downstairs Bachelor Enlisted Quarters – buildings for housing unmarried enlisted Bunk; duty assignment; mooring space assigned to a ship Blue and Gold Officer – volunteers who help guide high school juniors and

Bible Big Eyes Bight Bilge Bilge Party Bilge Rat Bill the Goat Billet Bingo Fuel Binnacle Binnacle List Bird Bird Barn Bitts Bitter End Black Shoe Blood Stripe Blooper Blueberries Blue Berets Blue and Gold Blue on Blue Blue Roper Blue Star Family Blue Water Bluejacket

seniors through the USNA’s application process Slang: any important book or manual, such as this Recruit Manual Slang: large mounted binoculars on or near the bridge Any section of line bent into a U-shape The area below the deck gratings in the lowest part of a ship, where nasty liquids tend to collect Slang: cleaning of the bilges by junior sailors Slang: someone who works in the engineering spaces Mascot of the USNA Your main duty or job; a place or room to which one is assigned The minimum fuel required for an aircraft’s safe return to its CVN or another suitable landing site, plus a cushion of an additional 10-30 minutes worth of flight time.

A stand containing a magnetic compass List of persons excused from duty due to illness, usually attached to the binnacle on a ship’s bridge Slang: a plane. Also, a USN or USCG O-6 Captain, in reference to the rank insignia. In the USA/USMC/USAF, O-6s are often referred to as a “full bird Colonel” to distinguish from an O-5 Lieutenant Colonel.

Slang: aircraft carrier; also, “Bird Farm.” A “Baby Bird Farm” refers to an LHA or LHD. Paired vertical posts mounted aboard ship or on a pier, used to secure lines or hawsers, especially in mooring. Line is generally laid around the bitts in a figure-8. When a ship is moored, mooring lines run from the bitts on the deck, through the chocks, and out to a bollard on the pier.

The end of a line that is tied off, especially to a set of bitts A member of the surface warfare community, as opposed to a brown shoe.

A scarlet stripe worn down the outside leg seams of trousers on the dress uniform of USMC NCOs and officers; symbolizes blood shed by Marines in war.

40mm grenade launcher; so named from the distinctive noise made when one is fired. Also, “thump gun.”

Slang: nickname for the Navy Working Uniform UN Peacekeeping forces, after their light blue berets/helmets The colors of the USN and USNA; also, alternating crews for the same ship, usually SSBNs, to allow for the ships to stay deployed for longer continuous periods Slang: fratricide, or friendly fire – when our own forces accidentally fire on each other. Also, when two sailors engage in fisticuffs.

Slang: US Navy Recruit Training (“boot camp”) Recruit Division Commander (RDC) In Training; they wear a blue aiguillette (shoulder cord) while shadowing RDCs; after training, will become a “Red Roper” A family which has a relative serving during wartime, after the service banner that these families often fly at their homes (red border, white field, blue star); see also Gold Star Family Slang: deep water, away from land; as in “blue water ops” Any enlisted sailor E-1 to E-6; also “Blue Shirt”

Bluenose Blues BLUF BMD

Board

Boat Boats Body Snatcher Bogey Boiler Bollard

Bolter

Bones Boomer Boondockers Boondoggle Boot Camp Bootcamp Bootlicker BOQ Bosun Bow

A sailor who has crossed the Arctic Circle Dress Blue Uniform (“crackerjacks”), generally meaning SDB Bottom Line Up Front – to make sure you don’t waste other people’s time, always deliver the BLUF. Ballistic Missile Defense – a system of sensors and missiles meant to detect, track, intercept, and destroy incoming ICBMs and SLBMs; an important part of the U.S. BMD system is deployed on select Aegisequipped TICONDEROGA-class CGs and ARLEIGH BURKE-class DDGs. To get on or into a ship, aircraft, or other vessel. Also, to land a fixed-wing aircraft on a CVN via the tailhook and arresting gear. A naval aviator’s “boarding rate” is the percentage of the time she successfully boards on the first attempt.

A small seagoing vessel incapable of independent voyages on the high seas, capable of being carried on a ship; or, a submarine. Airedales sometimes call their CVN a “boat” just to irritate the black shoes.

Slang: nickname for a Boatswain’s Mate A staff member who walks behind recruits, cadets, or sailors during long ceremonies, especially graduations. Body snatchers grab (or catch) the recruits who lock their knees and start to pass out.

Unidentified contact – could be friendly, neutral, or hostile...

A closed vessel in which water is heated or boiled by burning fuel (generally fuel oil); one source of steam for steam turbines on navy vessels.

A vertical metal post, generally on a pier, shaped like a mushroom, around which is placed a spliced loop at the end of a ship’s mooring line. When a ship is moored, mooring lines run from the bitts on the deck, through the chocks, and out to a bollard on the pier.

A missed aircraft carrier landing, where a fixed-wing aircraft touches down but fails to catch the arresting gear with its tailhook. Bolter aircraft must immediately accelerate full-throttle to become airborne again and make another pass. Modern supercarriers offset the landing area of their flight deck (approximately 9° to port on USN CVNs) so that bolters can take off again at the same time that aircraft are being launched at the bow, without fear of a collision.

Slang: military doctor Slang: ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) Ankle-height boots worn with the USN’s old utility uniform; now used to refer to boots more generally A trip or conference which is official and on paid orders, but is really just an excuse to get away from their command for an all-expenses paid trip to a desirable location (e.g., Pearl Harbor).

Recruit Training Slang: derogatory name for someone who has not served for long, or who has served for less time than you See “Brown Noser” Bachelor Officer Quarters – buildings for housing unmarried officers Phonetic spelling/pronunciation of “boatswain” The forward end of a ship or boat

Boxkicker Brain Bucket Brain Housing Unit

Branch Branch Brass Brat Bravo Zulu Break Out Breech Bridge Bridge Coat Brig Brigade Brightworks Broadway Brow Brown Noser Brown Shoe Brown Water Bubba Bubble The Bubble Bubblehead

BUD/S

Budweiser

Slang: derogatory nickname for a Supply Officer Slang: what Marines call a helmet Slang: what Marines call their head/skull; also, “Brain Housing Group” Lowest organizational level in most naval commands; divisions may be broken into branches.

The highest level of subdivision in a nation’s armed forces; generally Army, Navy, and Air Force. In the United States: USA, USN, USMC, USAF, USSF, and USCG. Slang: officers, especially senior officers A service member’s child, sometimes said to stand for “Born Raised And Transferred” A job well done To take out of storage, prepare for use The end of the barrel of a gun or firearm into which the projectile or cartridge is loaded; as opposed to the muzzle.

The area in the superstructure from which a ship is operated Heavy wool, knee-length, double-breasted, navy blue jacket with gold buttons, worn by E7 and above with SDB and FDB. Officers’ bridge coats also have shoulderboards.

Jail In the USMC, a military unit made up of 3-6 battalions, and consisting of 3,000-5,000 Marines; similar to a regiment.

Decorative metal that must be constantly shined.

The widest and longest passageway on a ship The temporary bridge connecting a ship’s quarterdeck to the pier A sycophant; a person who flatters their boss to an excessive degree. Also, “bootlicker,” “flunky,” “toady,” “yes man.”

Naval aviator, or a member of the aviation community, in reference to the brown shoes that officers and chiefs are permitted to wear.

Slang: shallow water, often referring to small gun boats and patrol boats used in riverine warfare. Compare to Green Water and Blue Water.

Slang: the crewmen on a ship or submarine who can lift the largest loads.

Also, an affectionate term for a sailor who does the same job that you do.

The trim orientation of a submarine When someone is right on the edge (of passing or failing, or of making a decision), they are said to be “on the bubble” – like being “on the fence” or “on the edge” Slang: a member of the submarine community Basic Underwater Demolitions/SEAL Training – after 8 weeks of training at the Naval Special Warfare Preparatory School at Great Lakes, IL, SEAL candidates attend BUD/S, a 24-week training at the Naval Special Warfare Training Center in Coronado, CA. Split into four basic segments: orientation (3 weeks), physical conditioning (7 weeks), combat diving (7 weeks), and land warfare (7 weeks). Followed by three weeks of Parachute Jump School in San Diego, CA and 26 weeks at SQT at various training centers.

Slang: the SEAL Special Warfare insignia (from BUD/S). Also, “trident.”

Bug Bug juice The Building Bulbous Bow Bulkhead Bull Ensign Bulwark BUMED Bunk Buoy BUPERS Bus Driver Busted Butter Bar Button Crusher

C School

CAC Card Cadence CAG Cake Dryer Camo Camouflage Campaign Campaign Cover

The Seabee Combat Warfare insignia, which consists of a 1903 Springfield rifle, officer’s sword, banana leaves, anchor, and the SeaBee. Slang: a drink similar to Kool-Aid; its color is often unrelated to its flavor The Pentagon A protruding bulb at the bow of a ship, just below the waterline; the bulb modifies the way the water flows around the hull, reducing drag and thus increasing speed, range, fuel efficiency, and stability.

Wall, partition Slang: the senior O-1 Ensign of a Navy ship or command A solid rail or wall extending the ship’s sides above the main deck The USN’s Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Bed, rack Pronounced “boo-ee.” A floating device. Some buoys are stationary, anchored to the sea bed by chain or cable; these include marker buoys, which indicate safe channels for navigation or mark maritime hazards such as rock piles. Other buoys are meant to drift free; these include sonobuoys and submarine communication buoys.

The USN’s Bureau of Naval Personnel Slang: USAF pilot, so called because early USAF uniforms were said to resemble those of municipal streetcar operators Reduced in rank, usually as a disciplinary measure Slang: USN or USCG O-1 Ensign (or USA/USMC/USAF 2nd Lieutenant), in reference to the gold rank insignia; don’t let a Butter Bar hear you say it An imaginary piece of equipment in the ship’s laundry, which explains why uniform buttons look fine coming out the dryer, but end up crumbling to pieces the first time they are handled by the owner.

A two- to twelve-month advanced training, attended after completing A School, which gives sailors more specialized training within their rating or in a new specialty, such as becoming an RDC or NMTI, or obtaining a new NEC Common Access Card – DoD ID card, which is also used to enable physical access to buildings and controlled spaces, and electronic access to DoD computer networks such as NMCI A call-and-response song sung by personnel while running or marching, both to keep in step and for morale-boosting purposes Carrier Air Group – old term for a CVW (carrier air wing); often still used to refer to the CO of a CVW An imaginary piece of equipment in the galley, which could be the only explanation for why every piece of cake and bread is served dry as toast Slang for “camouflage”; also, “cammies” Paint patterns, coverings, or uniforms meant to conceal or disguise equipment or personnel by making them blend into their surroundings A series of military operations intended to achieve a particular objective, or confined to a particular geographical theater A broad-brimmed felt hat, with a high crown, pinched symmetrically at the four corners (a “Montana crease”). The cover worn by USMC DIs, US Army Drill Sergeants, USAF Military Training Instructors, and USCG Company Commanders.

Campaign Medal Canoe U Cape May, NJ Capital Ship Capstan Captain Captain’s Mast CAR Carry On Carrying On CASEVAC CATOBAR CB CBARS CBR

CBRN

CC CDO CEC CENTCOM Centerline Ceremonial Guard CFL

A medal awarded to a member of the armed services who serves in a specific military op or performs duty in a geographical theater during a time of hostilities. Usually involves deployment to sea or to a foreign country; may or may not include service in a combat zone.

Slang: derogatory term for USNA. Don’t get caught saying it to a graduate The USCG’s one and only Recruit Training facility A navy’s most important ships; its leading, primary, or most heavily armed ships. Aircraft carriers (CVNs) are the capital ships of a modern blue-water navy.

A vertical-axled rotating machine used to haul line, rope, or anchor chain; the horizontal version is known as a windlass USN or USCG O-6 (or USA/USMC/USAF O-3); form of address for the CO of a ship or station, regardless of rank A disciplinary proceeding of lesser gravity than a court martial The Combat Action Ribbon, which is awarded to USN or USMC members who have actively participated in ground or surface combat. See “Awards & Decorations of the USN & USMC” later in this Manual.

Command meaning, “resume your former activity or formation” Misbehaving, horsing around, goofing off CASualty EVACuation – see MEDEVAC. Catapult-Assisted Take-Off, Barrier-Arrested Recovery. The method by which jets are launched and recovered aboard USN CVNs. Construction Battalion, pronounced (and often written) SeaBee Carrier-Based Aerial Refueling System Chemical, Biological, and Radiological – see CBRN Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear – WMDs; chemical weapons (e.g., nerve gas, mustard gas), biological weapons (e.g., smallpox, anthrax), and radiological weapons (“dirty bombs” – conventional bombs meant to scatter radioactive material) are outlawed by several international treaties. Nuclear weapons were only used twice in warfare – the United States dropped two nuclear bombs on Japan in August 1945 to end WWII. Company Commander – the senior enlisted in charge of a Coast Guard boot camp Company Command Duty Officer – an officer watch; the CDO is the direct representative of the CO, and exercises command authority in the absence of the CO or XO Civil Engineer Corps – commissioned staff corps officers who are professional engineers, architects, and SCW officers. See also, “Line Officers, Staff Corps Officers, and Warrant Officers” later in this Manual.

U.S. Central Command, the UCC covering the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia (including Iraq and Afghanistan) An imaginary line down the middle of a ship from bow to stern The USN’s official ceremonial unit, based in Washtington, DC. The public face of the Navy in parades, color guards, and funerals at Arlington National Cemetery.

Command Fitness Leader – an enlisted sailor trained to administer semiannual PFTs, manage command/unit PT, and advise the CO on all physical readiness issues.

CG

Chain of Command Chair Force Chairborne Ranger Chaplain Chart CHC Cheng Chest Candy Chevron Chew Out Chief Chiefs’ Mess Chipping Paint Chit Chock Chokers The Chop Chow Chuck CIA

Hull Classification for “Cruiser, Guided Missile” – surface vessels with multiple missions, including ASW, AAW, and ASUW; larger and more versatile than FFGs, and approximately the same size and same capabilities of a DDG. See “Ships, Aircraft, and Weapon Systems of the United States Navy” later in this Manual.

The hierarchy of a command structure; the line of authority and responsibility along which orders are passed within and between units. In general, each military member receives orders from only one superior (at the next level above her in the chain of command) and gives orders only to a clearly defined group of subordinates (at the next level below her in the chain of command).

Slang: derogatory nickname for the US Air Force Slang: derogatory nickname for someone who works in an office environment; a play on “airborne ranger” A commissioned staff corps officer who is a member of the clergy, and whose main duty is spiritual guidance What landlubbers call a “map” Chaplain Corps – commissioned staff corps officers engaged as chaplains.

See also, “Line Officers, Staff Corps Officers, and Warrant Officers” later in this Manual.

Slang: Chief Engineer on a Navy vessel, pronounced “chang” Slang: ribbons and medals. See also, fruit salad.

The V-shaped stripes in USN, USCG, and USNSCC enlisted rate insignia; the inverted-V shaped stripes in USA, USMC, and USAF enlisted rank insignia To chastise or verbally discipline Form of address for an E-7 Chief Petty Officer or Chief Warrant Officer.

Make sure to address E-8 Senior Chief Petty Officers as “Senior Chief” and E-9 Master Chief Petty Officers as “Master Chief.”

On a ship or station, the dining area or lounge which is for E-7 CPOs, E-8 SCPOs, and E-9 MCPOs only. Also refers to the group of CPOs, SCPOs, and MCPOs assigned to a command. See “goat locker.”

What you will do as a recent graduate of the USN’s or USCG’s RT, especially if you are a non-rate.

A small piece of paper, often a request for (or grant of) permission. A “demerit chit” is a card that identifies some failure to comply with regs.

A fixture on the deck of a ship, through which mooring lines are led. When a ship is moored, mooring lines run from the bitts on the deck, through the chocks, and out to a bollard on the pier.

High-collared tunic worn as a component of E-7 – O-10 FDW/SDW. Not authorized in the NSCC without NHQ permission.

Slang: Supply Officer, after the Supply Corps insignia that looks vaguely reminiscent of a pork chop. See “SC” Food. Chow Hall = dining facility. Chow Down = Eat. Chow Hound = someone who never misses a meal.

Slang: a recruit still in boot camp The US government’s primary spy agency, which collects foreign intelligence and provides analysis of this intelligence for use by POTUS,

CIC CICO Circumnavigate Civvies CIWS CJCS Class Class Up Cleaning Stations Cleat CJCS Close-Hold CMAA CMC CMC CMoH or CMH CNO CO Coastie COB

COD

Coffin Locker

the NSC, the DoD, and the Department of State. Serves as the primary clearinghouse for all intelligence gathered by the US. Also involved in “Special Activities,” including clandestine intelligence gathering, paramilitary strikes (see SOG), political subversion, psychological operations, economic warfare, etc.

Combat Information Center – often called “Combat”, where all of a ship’s sensors and weapons systems come together.

Combat Information Center Officer – NFO aboard an E-2C/D Hawkeye To travel all the way around the Earth via the world’s oceans, in one continuous loop.

Slang: Civilian clothes Close-In Weapon System (pronounced see-whiz) – a point-defense weapon for detecting and destroying incoming missiles and enemy aircraft at short range (i.e., which have penetrated outer defenses). USN weapons include the Phalanx and SeaRam, which are essentially autonomous.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. See JCS. A group of ships of a similar design, usually named for the first ship of the design (e.g., FORD class aircraft carriers or VIRGINIA class submarines) To begin a school or training, especially an A-School or C-School A play on “battle stations,” it’s where everyone on a ship drops what they’re doing for an hour-long field day. Also, “XO’s Happy Hour.”

A fixture meant for securing line; typically consisting of two horns parallel to the deck (or pier), around which the line is hitched Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – highest-ranking military officer in the US Armed Forces. See “JCS.” Information that you shouldn’t share, because it is secret or otherwise sensitive Chief Master-at-Arms; head of security and law enforcement aboard a ship or station Command Master Chief – senior enlisted aboard a ship or station; responsible for advising the CO on enlisted issues, and for the morale, welfare, and conduct of all the enlisted members in a command.

Commandant of the Marine Corps Congressional Medal of Honor – the highest decoration for valor in combat Chief of Naval Operations – highest ranking officer in the US Navy, and a member of the JCS See Commanding Officer Slang: a Coast Guardsman Chief of the Boat – senior enlisted aboard a submarine; responsible for advising the CO on enlisted issues, and for the morale, welfare, and conduct of all the enlisted members aboard.

Carrier Onboard Delivery – the use of aircraft to ferry personnel, mail, supplies, and high-priority cargo (such as replacement parts) from shore to a CVN while at sea. The C-2 Greyhound is the USN’s primary COD aircraft.

Slang: the personal storage area located underneath a sailor’s rack.

Misleading, since a coffin would provide significantly more space for your stuff.

Cold War

Color Guard

Colors Combat Combat V Combination (“Combo”) Cover Come About Command Command Command Authority Command Chief Command Triad Commandant of the Marine Corps Commanding Officer Commission (officer) Commissioned (ship) COMMO Commodore

A state of conflict between nations that does not involve direct military action but is pursued primarily through economic and political actions, propaganda, acts of espionage or proxy wars waged by surrogates. More specifically, a protracted geopolitical, ideological, and economic struggle that emerged after World War II between the global superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union.

A small military unit which presents the colors during ceremonies.

Generally includes four members: the color bearers (the national ensign and the branch flag), accompanied by two rifle bearers to protect the colors. In the gruesome close-quarters combat up through the 19th century, color guards marched into combat at the head of their regiments so that soldiers could find their regiment in the chaos of dust and smoke during a battle. Color guards paraded the colors prior to battle to ensure that new conscripts could identify their nation’s and regiment’s flag.

The national ensign; the ceremony of having a color guard parade the colors in front of the unit; or the ceremonial raising and lowering of the ensign.

See CIC The Combat Distinguishing Device; a bronze “V” appurtenance used to indicate that a medal or ribbon was awarded for heroism in combat, as opposed to meritorious service or achievement. Also, “V for Valor.”

Cover which is made of different parts (frame, crown, chinstrap, insignia, bill) – worn by chiefs, midshipmen, and officers in the USN, USCG, and USNSCC with khakis, SDBs, and SDWs. To change course; from the age of sail, when it meant to turn the bow of a ship into and past the direction of the wind An order to be obeyed A military organization which has an OIC or CO; each ship is its own command, each shore station is its own command, etc.

The legal authority that an OIC or CO exercises over a command (or Command Senior Chief or CMC) – senior enlisted aboard a ship or shore station; responsible for advising the CO on enlisted issues, and for the morale, welfare, and conduct of all the enlisted members in a command.

In the USN, the CO, XO, and CMC/COB. Also, “Command Team.”

The highest-ranking officer in the USMC, and a member of the JCS The senior officer in a command; the officer who exercises command (i.e., legal authority) over a military organization An appointment as an officer in the armed forces granting legal authority, earned after training (typically via graduation from a service academy, ROTC program, or OCS) A US Navy vessel in active service, which is crewed by USN sailors; carries the ship prefix “USS” Communications Officer Informal title granted a US Navy O-6 Captain in charge of a squadron of ships/subs. Many years ago, this was the name for the rank O-7, but in 1984 it was changed to “Rear Admiral, Lower Half”.

Company Compartment Complement Concealment Conn Constitution

Conventional Warfare CONUS Convoy Cookie Corfam Corpsman

Corpsman Candy COTC Counter-RAM Course Court Martial Cover Cover Cover Coxswain CPO CPOA

In the USMC, a military unit made up of 2-6 platoons, consisting of between 80 and 200 Marines A room in a ship The number of persons in the ship’s company, including officers and enlisted sailors Anything that affords stealth or hides a person from an enemy; does not necessarily provide “cover”.

The act of controlling a ship (“conning”); or, the station (on the bridge) form which a ship is controlled The supreme law of the United States, ratified in 1789. Defines our form of government, its powers, and limitations, as well as protections for individual rights. What the USS CONSTITUTION is named for. All enlisted sailors and officers in the military take an oath to defend the Constitution.

A form of warfare between two or more belligerent countries in open confrontation; forces on each side are well-defined (e.g., by wearing distinctive uniforms) and primarily target their opponent’s military forces.

Conducted with “conventional weapons” (as opposed to CBRN/NBC weapons). Compare to Unconventional Warfare.

CONtinental United States – the contiguous coterminous states; the 48 lower states, not including Alaska or Hawaii. As opposed to OCONUS A group of ships travelling together for mutual support and protection Slang: the badge worn by the senior enlisted advisor at a command, such as the CMC. See “Badges of the United States Navy” later in this Manual.

An artificial high-gloss leather which does not require shining A USN enlisted medic, from their rating “Hospital Corpsman.” Corpsmen staff health clinics and sick bays at USN shore facilities, and on board ships and submarines. Also accompany USN combat elements (like SEALs) and Marines (since the USMC doesn’t have its own medics or doctors). See “doc” and “devil doc.”

What a corpsman is likely to give you for your complaint: two aspirin, or maybe a throat lozenge. Also, “vitamin M” (for Motrin).

Commanding Officer of the Training Contingent; in the USNSCC, the senior officer at a Recruit Training or Advanced Training Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar – a set of systems used to detect and/or destroy incoming rockets, missiles, artillery shells, and mortar rounds before they hit their ground targets. Essentially a CIWS system on land.

A ship’s desired direction of travel, not to be confused with heading A military court, or trial held therein Any military headgear Anything which is capable of physically protecting an individual from enemy fire. Compare to “concealment.”

When in a formation, the proper alignment with the people in front of and behind you, as in the command “cover down.”

Enlisted person in charge of a boat Chief Petty Officer (E-7) Chief Petty Officer Academy – a USCG leadership school required for promotion to E-8 Senior Chief Petty Officer. Also, “CPOACAD”.

CQB Crab Crackerjacks Crow Cruise Cruise Missile Crunchy Crush Depth Crusty Cryptology CSG CT Cube Cut Orders CUUs

CVN

CVW Cycled Damage Control

DARPA

Close Quarters Battle – violent physical confrontation between opponents at close range, often hand-to-hand. Also, “CQC” – Close Quarters Combat.

Slang: the EOD warfare qualification badge Slang: Enlisted Dress Blues for males, after the art on the Cracker Jack box; consisting of blue jumper, blue 13-button pants, neckerchief, black shoes, and dixie cup.

Slang: the rate insignia of USN Petty Officers, in reference to the eagle A deployment of a ship or submarine, usually referring to a six-month or longer deployment.

A guided missile that uses powered flight (generally a small turbofan engine) and small wings to generate lift, and which is aerodynamically guided long distances on a non-ballistic trajectory, often at extremely low altitudes (to avoid detection by radar).

Slang: what tank drivers call infantrymen, after the noise they make when they’re run over by the tank The depth at which a submarine’s hull will collapse due to pressure; modern USN SSNs and SSBNs are thought to have a crush depth of somewhere between 1,500 and 2,000 feet, where the pressure would be nearly 1,000 pounds per square inch. Greater than the “test depth.”

An old, seasoned sailor who is beyond salty.

The practice of analyzing information and electronic signals to decrypt or decode hidden messages Carrier Strike Group – a group of warships and supply ships centered around an aircraft carrier (CVN) Counter Terrorism A room, specifically a berthing room To generate orders to proceed to a new command, ship, or station Camouflage Utility Uniforms – woodland camouflage uniforms, often referred to as BDUs; replaced in the Navy by the NWU Type III Hull Classification for “Aircraft Carrier, Fixed Wing, Nuclear Powered.”

The “C” in CVN is for cruiser (since most early aircraft carriers were converted cruisers), the “V” is probably for the French word “voler” (meaning to fly), and the “N” is for nuclear. See “Ships, Aircraft, and Weapon Systems of the United States Navy” later in this Manual for more information on USN CVNs. Carrier Air Wing (“CV” is the hull classification for aircraft carriers); the aviation command consisting of multiple squadrons of various fixed wing and rotary wing (helicopter) aircraft aboard an aircraft carrier Slang: as in, “getting cycled” – at US Navy Recruit Training, where the RDC gives PT as punishment for misbehavior or poor performance Emergency maintenance and repairs Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency – component of the DoD responsible for the development of emerging technologies for use by the military (but which are often adopted by the civilian world later on).

Largely responsible for technologies as varied as the computer mouse, driverless cars, UAVs and UCAVs, and the internet itself. Currently involved in the development of technologies like “HELLADS” (High Energy Liquid Laser Area Defense System – a counter-RAM system using

Davit Davy Jones’ Locker DC DCO DCOIC

DD-214

D-Day

DDG Dead Ahead Dead Astern Death Pillows Death Pucks Deck Deck-Ape Decommission Deep six DEFCON

a powerful laser to shoot down missiles, rockets, and artillery); “HULC” (Human Universal Load Carrier – a powered exoskeleton which would allow soldiers to carry up to 200 pounds at a top speed of 10 miles per hour); “Silent Talk” (a direct brain-to-computer interface system); “MAHEM” (Magneto Hydrodynamic Explosive Munition – a weapon which propels molten metal into enemy armor using electromagnetic fields); and “SyNAPSE” (a thinking, learning computer). Is SKYNET next?

A system used to lower an emergency lifeboat to the water, generally consisting of two metal arms which swing out over the side of a ship to lower the lifeboat with rope or line A metaphor for the bottom of the sea; where drowned sailors and shipwrecks are consigned in the depths Dental Corps – commissioned staff corps officers engaged as dentists. See also, “Line Officers, Staff Corps Officers, and Warrant Officers” later in this Manual.

Direct Commission Officer – an officer who earns his or her commission via DCOIC Direct Commission Officer Indoctrination Course – a two-week training in Newport, RI which turns civilians with high-demand skills into commissioned officers (DCOs); as opposed to OCS, ROTC, or USNA Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty – form generated upon discharge from the armed services, which includes verification of service, time spent in combat and/or orverseas, awards, highest rank/rate held, NEC/MOS, schools attended, etc.

The day on which an important operation (especially a combat op) is to be initiated, since such planning must start long before any specific dates are set. D+3 would be three days after D-Day; D-2 would be two days before D-Day. Also, H-Hour, the time an op is to be initiated. The most famous D-Day is 06 June 1944, when the allied forces (US, UK, Canada, and Australia) landed on the beaches of Normandy, France.

Hull Classification for “Destroyer, Guided Missile” – surface vessels with multiple missions, including ASW, AAW, and ASuW; larger and more versatile than FFGs, and approximately the same size and same capabilities of a CG. See “Ships, Aircraft, and Weapon Systems of the United States Navy” later in this Manual.

Directly ahead, relative bearing of 000 degrees Directly behind a ship, relative bearing of 180 degrees Slang: derogatory term for ravioli served in the galley Slang: derogatory term for burnt hamburger patties served in the galley Floor; a structural component of any ship; a level on a ship Slang: derogatory term for non-designated enlisted who must work in the deck department, often after failing A-school or being stripped of a rating.

To remove a ship from active service at the end of its usable life Slang: to throw an object away, or overboard DEFense CONdition – a series of alert conditions that designate the state of combat readiness for military forces, especially the U.S. nuclear weapons arsenal. These conditions can be different for different branches, units, or

Delta Force

Delegate

Department Department Head Deploy Deployment Deputy Director

Designator

Detachment Detail Detailer

geographic areas.

DEFCON 5 (Blue) – Normal peacetime readiness DEFCON 4 (Green) – Normal readiness, but with increased intelligence and strengthened security measures DEFCON 3 (Yellow) – Increase in force readiness above normal readiness; air forces ready to mobilize in minutes; declared on 11SEP01.

DEFCON 2 (Red) – Further increase in force readiness, but less than maximum readiness; ground and naval forces are ready to deploy in a matter of hours; air forces are already airborne; ICBMs and SLBMs are on alert. This is the highest confirmed DEFCON ever declared, during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis DEFCON 1 (White) – Maximum readiness; nuclear war is imminent Short for “1st Special Forces Operational Detachment – Delta”; a U.S. Army tier one special operations command under JSOC, used for hostage rescue and counterterrorism, as well as direct action and reconnaissance against high value targets. Delta Force and its USN counterpart (DEVGRU) are the United States military's primary counter-terrorism units.

The assignment of responsibility and authority to another person (usually a subordinate) to carry out a specific activity. Appropriate delegation requires that the superior ensure that the subordinate understands the goal and has the proper training, adequate resources, and adequate time to accomplish the task. While the subordinate has been granted responsibility and authority, the superior is always accountable for the successful completion of the task.

Highest organizational level or breakdown in most naval commands.

Includes Engineering, Communications, Training, Operations, Medical, Weapons, Deck, etc. Often broken down into Divisions.

On a ship or shore station (or at an NSCC unit or training), the leaders of the various departments who report to the XO To move into position for military action; to put out to sea, especially for combat missions A tour in a foreign (and generally hostile) area; a tour at sea The chief operating officer of the USNSCC; responsible for the day-to-day operations of the NSCC and NLCC at NHQ, for setting NHQ policy, for the supervision of the NHQ staff and NHQ Representatives, and for the quality of training and services provided to our volunteers and cadets. Reports to the NSCC Executive Director.

A four-digit code used by the USN to identify an officer’s type and primary occupation; e.g., 1115 – a reserve line officer qualified as a SWO; 1180 – an active duty officer in training for a Special Warfare Officer (SEAL) qualification; 2503 – a retired JAGC officer; 6480 – an active duty LDO specializing in EOD; 7499 – a Warrant Officer Security Technician retired from the reserves The separation of a number of sailors from their division, department, or command for a particular task or mission. Sometimes abbreviated “det.”

A small detachment; a working party; the task that the group has been assigned A sailor or officer working for BUPERS who assigns personnel to their

DEVGRU

Devil Dog DFAC DGUTS DHS DI DIA

Diesel Engine

Digies Ding Dinner Dress Dipper Direct Action Dirt Sailor

Discharge

next command, based on the needs of the Navy, the individual’s career progression, and the desires of the individual. Can be your best friend or your worst enemy… just depends on where she intends to send you!

United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (previously known as SEAL Team Six); a tier one SEAL command which takes on counter-terrorism, counter-proliferation, high-value target elimination, and high-risk hostage extraction missions. Thought to have killed Osama bin Laden in 2011.

Slang: a Marine; from “Teufelhund,” the nickname the Germans gave to the Marines in WWI Dining FACility – what the Army calls a chow hall Acronym for CAPT James Lawrence’s dying words aboard the USS CHESAPEAKE on 01 June 1813: “Don’t Give Up The Ship”; Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry had the phrase sewn on a flag flown from his flagship (USS LAWRENCE) in the September 1813 Battle of Lake Erie Department of Homeland Security; oversees the USCG Drill Instructor – an enlisted Marine who trains USMC recruits Defense Intelligence Agency – the main military intelligence organization under the DoD An internal combustion engine in which ignition of the fuel that has been injected into the combustion chamber is initiated by the high temperature which the air/fuel mixture achieves when greatly compressed by a rising piston (as opposed to ignition via spark, used in the gasoline engines of most modern cars). Used as main propulsion on some navy vessels, and backup or auxiliary power on most vessels. When used on submarines, fresh air must be accessed to run the diesel engines (either by surfacing or using a snorkel). The diesels charge batteries which in turn run propulsion.

Slang: any digital camouflage uniform; pronounced “dij-eez” See “gig” Formal uniform worn to events at which civilians would wear a tuxedo or evening gown. Worn with miniature medals and bow ties, cloaks, capes, and/or tiaras. There are several versions, all of which are very expensive and are likely to be worn once in your military career. Sometimes called “mess dress.”

ASW helicopter with a variable-depth dipping SONAR. In the context of special operations, short-duration strikes and other smallscale offensive actions conducted in a hostile environments to seize, destroy, capture, exploit, recover, or damage designated targets.

Slang: a member of the Construction Battalions (SeaBees) Separation from the military, which comes in one of five types: Honorable Discharge – administrative separation where a member’s service met or exceeded required standards General Discharge – administrative separation where a member’s service was satisfactory but member failed to meet all expectations for conduct (often including NJP) Other Than Honorable Discharge – most severe administrative separation, often for conviction in a civilian court (can result in loss of many veteran’s benefits)

Discipline DISCO Displacement Ditch Ditty Bag Diving Plane

Division Division Officer Dixie Cup Doc DoD Dogs Dog and Pony Show Dog Watch Dolphins DoN DOR Down Draft Dreadnought Drill Drill Drop Tank

Bad Conduct Discharge – punitive separation given as part of a sentence by a court martial for a violation of the UCMJ (which often includes a prison sentence and forfeiture of all veteran’s benefits) Dishonorable Discharge – punitive separation given as part of a sentence by a court martial for a serious violation of the UCMJ (will include a prison sentence and forfeiture of all veteran’s benefits) Corrective instruction. Compare to self-discipline.

Sounds fun but it isn’t – short for DISCiplinary Officer.

The weight of the water that a ship displaces; that is, the weight of the water that a ship pushes aside as it floats partially in (and partially above) the water. Approximately the weight of a vessel and its contents.

To intentionally crash an aircraft (as gently as possible), when fuel is all but exhausted or a slowly-developing emergency so requires.

Slang: small bag, usually used to hold toiletries and personal items A control surface (or hydroplane) which protrudes from the side of a submarine, which allows a submarine to pitch up or down in surfacing or submerging, or in controlling depth when submerged.

USN: Middle organizational level in most naval commands, below department and above branch; usually headed by a junior officer. May be broken down into several branches. USMC: a military unit made up of several regiments or brigades, and consisting of 10,000 – 30,000 Marines.

An officer in charge of a Division on a US Navy ship or station The USN’s male E-1 – E-6 dress uniform cover Nickname for a Hospital Corpsman; also, “Devil Doc,” a combat Corpsman assigned to a Marine unit (from the nickname for Marines, “Devil Dogs”).

Department of Defense The handles which are turned to make a door or hatch watertight.

Pejorative term for any display, demonstration, or appearance by service members at the request of their superiors for the pleasure of a guest or guests, such as a PIR, change of command ceremony, or parade. Usually requires interminable practice.

Shortened watch periods, generally 1600-1800 and 1800-2000, which allow watchstanders to eat dinner Slang: submarine warfare qualification badge Department of the Navy Drop On Request – quitting a training Not working or flying; or not allowed to fly.

The vertical distance from the keel to the waterline Early battleships with heavy guns and steam turbine propulsion; so named for the HMS DREADNOUGHT, the first of its kind when it was launched in 1906. The name means “fears nothing.” Replaced by “fast battleships” (see BB).

A weekly or monthly meeting of reserve units (or USNSCC units); to train or be trained in a skill or topic by repeated exercises (e.g., mil drill) Close Order Drill – see Mil Drill An auxiliary fuel tank carried externally by aircraft on hardpoints; so-

Dry Dock Dual Cool

Duck Dinner

Ductus Exemplo Dust Bunny Dust Rhinoceros Dynamited Chicken Ebb Echelon e.g.

EGA Electronic Warfare Element Elephant Hat ELF

EMALS

EMI

Enlisted E-Nothing

called because they can be jettisoned after the fuel is used.

A dock, either floating or built into the shore, from which water may be removed for the purpose of inspecting or working on a ship’s keel or hull Slang: Force Recon Marine who has earned both SCUBA and Jump Wing warfare qualification devices As in DD or Dishonorable Discharge - the more severe of the two types of punitive discharge that may be awarded by a court martial (the less severe being a bad conduct discharge). Usually comes with a prison sentence, loss of veteran’s benefits, and often means that the separated member will be unable to get a civilian job after prison.

Latin: “Leadership by Example” Small clumps of dust that form when a space isn’t cleaned regularly A large dust bunny Slang: derogatory term for chicken cacciatore or chicken à la King served in the galley A falling tide A level or stratum in the chain of command. The CNO is the one and only Echelon 1 command in the USN; a fleet would be an Echelon 2 command; and a ship, submarine, or squadron is most likely an Echelon 5 command.

Latin: exempli gratia, “for example” Eagle, Globe, and Anchor – the insignia of the USMC The manipulation of the electromagnetic spectrum to attack an enemy and/or deny their use of some portion of the spectrum; includes radio and radar jamming A detachment, generally bigger than a detail but smaller than a division The pith helmet worn by USMC range coaches; also, “safari hat.”

Extremely-Low Frequency – electromagnetic waves in the range of 3-300 hertz and with very long wavelengths; these signals are the only ones that can be detected by submarines at depths past 75 feet. A one-way communication system generally limited to a few characters per minute; often consist of an order to surface to receive more detailed orders via VLF. ElectroMagnetic Aircraft Launch System – a system for launching (catapulting) aircraft off of FORD-class CVNs. Replaces the steam-piston catapults on the NIMITZ-class CVNs. The EMALS system allows for more graded acceleration, which results in less wear and tear on ship, aircraft, and pilot. EMALS can also be more fine-tuned to launch aircraft that are heavier (or lighter) than the aircraft that could be launched with the steam system. The system weighs considerably less than the steam system and requires less maintenance and fewer personnel to operate.

Extra Military Instruction – additional duties or training given as a disciplinary measure after misbehavior, or as remedial training for poor performance. Not PT, and not punishment, but literally “extra instruction” to improve performance.

A member of the armed services who does not hold a commission or warrant as an officer; who holds an occupational specialty or rating; in the Navy, from E-1 Seaman Recruit to E-9 Master Chief Petty Officer Slang: a derogatory term for a junior sailor, often right out of boot camp or A School; see also “slick sleeve”

Ensign Ensign, Upper Half

EOD Escort ESG

Esprit de Corps etc.

Ethics Eval Evolution EWO Executive Director Executive Officer Ex Scientia Tridens FAC FAC(A) FADM Fair Winds and Following Seas Fantail Fart Sack Fathom FDB FDW

The national flag – flown from the stern of a ship while in port, and from the gaff while at sea; the lowest rank of a USN/USCG commissioned officer (O-1) Slang: derogatory term for an O-2 Lieutenant, Junior Grade; a play on O-8 Rear Admiral, Upper Half; don’t let the LTJG hear you say it.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal – the Navy’s bomb technicians Duty to accompany others for protection, such as a DDG escorting a CVN. In the NSCC, when officers attend trainings it is called “escort duty.”

Expeditionary Strike Group – a group of warships and supply ships centered around an LHA/LHD French: “spirit of the group”; a feeling of pride, fellowship, and common loyalty shared by the members of a group; the capacity of a group’s members to maintain belief in an institution or goal, particularly in the face of opposition or hardship.

Latin: et cetera, “and other things,” “and so forth” The guiding principles of a group or institution; principles which guide decision-making and determinations of right and wrong. Compare to morals, which are more individual and internal guiding principles.

Short for “evaluation” Any training, operation, or activity Electronic Warfare Officer (also, EWO SEVAL – Electronic Warfare Officer/ Signals Evaluator) – NFO assigned to the back seat of an EA-18G Growler The chief executive officer of the USNSCC; responsible for the administration and advancement of the NSCC and NLCC at NHQ, and for strategic planning in partnership with the NSCC Board of Directors.

XO – the second in command of a ship or station; supervises the department heads, and reports to the CO. Usually handles disciplinary matters.

Latin: “from knowledge, sea power”; motto of the USNA Forward Air Controller – ground personnel who guide close air support, ensuring that enemy targets are eliminated and friendly forces are not hit.

Forward Air Controller (Airborne) – a NFO who serves as a FAC, generally from the rear seat of an attack aircraft such as the F/A-18D/F See “Fleet Admiral” What you wish to a cadet or sailor who is embarking on a new journey in their life (off to college, retirement, etc.).

The aft-most weather deck on a ship, right above the stern Slang: sleeping bag Unit of depth, equal to six feet Full Dress Blue – winter dress uniform, worn with medals; blue “crackerjack” jumper, 13-button bell bottom pants, dixie cup, neckerchief, and black leather shoes for E-1 – E-6; black double-breasted suit jacket and pants, white combo cover, and black leather shoes for E-7 – O-10.

Full Dress White – summer dress uniform, worn with medals; white jumper, bell bottoms, dixie cup, neckerchief, and black leather shoes for

Fenders FFG

FFG(X) Field Day Field Rep Field Strip Fine Navy Day Firearms

Fire Classes

Fire Control Fireteam Fire Triangle

E-1 – E-6; chokers, white pants, white combo cover, and white leather shoes for E-7 – O-10.

Cushioning devices hung over the side of a ship, meant to prevent contact between the hull of the ship and the pier (or another ship) Hull Classification for “Frigate, Guided Missile” – surface vessels meant primarily for escorting battle groups and merchant convoys; tough, but smaller and less versatile than CGs and DDGs. The last of the USN’s OLIVER HAZARD PERRY-class FFGs were decommissioned in 2015.

An ongoing competition to design a new class of multimission guidedmissile frigates to replace the decommissioned OLIVER HAZARD PERRY class FFGs To clean a ship or building, often in preparation for inspection Old title for “NHQ Representative” To disassemble a weapon into its major part groups for routine cleaning or lubricating Often, “Another Fine Navy Day,” which usually means that things aren’t actually going all that well.

Portable weapon that launches a projectile down a barrel by the action of an explosive force. In the military, known as small arms. Compare to gun.

Class A Fire – fires whose fuel consists of ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, fabric, plastic, and most kinds of trash. Generally, water can be used to extinguish these fires.

Class B Fire – fires whose fuel consists of flammable or combustible liquid or gas, such as gasoline, JP-5/JP-8, or natural gas. Water can never be used to extinguish these fires, since it will spread the fuel. AFFF, PKP, or CO2 are generally used aboard USN vessels to extinguish Class B fires.

Class C Fires – fires involving potentially energized electrical systems.

The first priority in such a fire is to cut off electricity to the system.

Water should never be used to extinguish these fires, since the water can conduct the electricity and shock firefighters or damage controlmen. CO2 is preferred, although PKP can be used (but will cause corrosive damage to the electrical system).

Class D Fires – fires whose fuel consists of combustible metals, such as magnesium, potassium, titanium, or zirconium. These fires can burn at 3,000° F or higher. If possible, the burning item should be jettisoned overboard. Water can actually excite Class D fires; dry powder extinguishing agents such as sodium chloride (NaCl) are recommended for these fires, which work by smothering and heat absorption. (Note: dry powder extinguishing agents are different from dry chemical extinguishing agents such as PKP. Dry chemical agents applied to a Class D fire may actually increase the intensity of the fire.)

See also, “Fire Triangle.”

Computer systems which use the input of sensors (radar, sonar, laser range-finders, etc.) to track targets and direct weapons (naval guns, missiles, torpedoes, etc.)

In the USMC, the smallest military unit, typically 4 Marines.

A fire requires three elements to ignite: heat, fuel, and an oxidizing agent

First Hat First Shirt Firstie Fish FITREP Five by Five (5x5) Five Jump Chump Fix Fixed Wing Aircraft

Flag Aide

Flag Officer Flag Rider Flag Writer Flagship Flagstaff

Flak

Flak Jacket Flank Speed

(usually O2 in the atmosphere). A fire can be extinguished by removing one or more of these elements: by cooling a fire with water, by denying the fire oxygen by smothering it with CO2 or dry powder, etc. However, using the wrong extinguishing agent can actually exacerbate a fire. See “Fire Classes.”

The Senior DI supervising a USMC Recruit Platoon, in reference to their campaign cover. Has served numerous tours as a DI before being appointed “Senior Drill Instructor.” Compare to “Heavy” and “Kill Hat.” A First Sergeant in the USMC or USAF A first class (fourth year/senior) midshipman at USNA Slang: torpedo. Also, slang: submarine warfare qualification pin FITness REPort – an evaluation From radio protocol, meaning both signal strength and clarity are good (as in “loud and clear”). It has come to mean that any situation is good or going well.

A service member who has only performed the minimum five paratrooper jumps to receive the Basic Parachute Insignia A navigational position measured in relation to external reference points, including landmarks, celestial bodies, GPS signals, or radar.

An airplane, where the thrust of a propeller or jet engine causes forward motion, and the flow of air over the wings generates lift. As opposed to rotary wing.

An officer assigned to a Flag Officer as an aide or secretary. Technically, a “Flag Aide” is assigned to a Flag Officer for a shore command, and a “Flag Lieutenant” is assigned to a Flag Officer for an afloat command. Identified by an aiguillette worn on the left shoulder, with small gold and blue cords in the same number of the stars on their assigned Admiral’s rank – one cord for a Flag Aide to a RDML, two cords for a Flag Aide to a RADM, etc.

An O-7 Rear Admiral (Lower Half) or Brigadier General, or above Slang: a person who works for a flag officer, or whose career successes are largely reliant upon the graces of a flag officer.

A senior yeoman who performs executive, administrative, and secretarial duties for a flag officer; don’t confuse him with a flag rider!

A ship used by the commanding officer of a task force or squadron of ships/submarines, or a fleet (from “flag officer”); can also refer to the lead ship in a fleet – variously meant as the largest, fastest, or best known ship, or the first ship in a class Vertical staff at the stern, from which the national ensign is flown when a ship is moored or at anchor Anti-aircraft fire, from the German FLaK (Flugabwehrkanone - “aircraft defense canon”). As a general term it included many types of weapons, but most often refers to munitions which could be set to explode at a specific altitude, and which sent shrapnel in every direction. This made it more likely that planes at higher altitudes would take damage. Also, “taking flak” – being targeted by hostile fire, or being targeted for criticism. After WWII, SAM became the main weapon used in AAW. An old but still regularly-used term for body armor/ballistic vest (see IBA) A ship’s true maximum speed, reserved for situations when a ship finds

Flat Top FLC

Fleet

Fleet

Fleet Admiral

Fleet Forces Command Fleet Up Flight Flight Deck

itself in imminent danger. (In general, ships steam at “standard” speed for fuel efficiency purposes and to minimize wear and tear on the propulsion systems; “standard” speed is less than “full speed” which is less than “flank speed”).

Slang: aircraft carrier (see CVN) Fighting Load Carrier – a vest with LBE webbing or points (usually MOLLE or ILBE) allowing a grunt or special operator to customize her combat gear.

An organization of ships, aircraft, Marine forces, and shore-based activities, all under one commander, for conducting major operations.

Among its operating forces, the US Navy has seven numbered fleets.

Atlantic Fleet, covering the US East Coast & northern 2nd Fleet Atlantic; HQ in Norfolk, VA 3rd Fleet Pacific Fleet, covering the eastern Pacific; HQ in San Diego Naval Forces Southern Command, covering the Caribbean & 4th Fleet the Atlantic and Pacific around South America; HQ in Jacksonville, FL Naval Forces Central Command (CENTCOM), covering the 5th Fleet Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and portions of the Indian Ocean; HQ in Bahrain Naval Forces Europe/Naval Forces Africa, covering the th 6 Fleet Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic near Europe and the oceans around Africa not covered by 5th Fleet; HQ in Naples, Italy 7th Fleet Pacific Fleet, covering the western Pacific; HQ in Japan 10th Fleet Fleet Cyber Command; HQ at Fort Meade, MD Abbreviated nickname for a Fleet Master Chief; see “Enlisted Rates of the United States Navy” later in this manual.

An O-11 in the USN; a “five-star” admiral, ranking above an O-10 Admiral. Abbreviated FADM. No FADM has been appointed since the end of WWII, and could not be appointed without the approval of Congress. Generally understood that no FADM (or any five-star O-11 rank) will be appointed except in time of war. There have only been four FADMs, all appointed during WWII: William Leahy, Ernest King, Chester Nimitz, and William Halsey.

A descendant of the original “Atlantic Fleet,” which organizes, staffs, trains, and equips naval forces for assignment to UCC commanders. Other missions include deterring, detecting, and defending against homeland maritime threats; and articulating fleet warfighting and readiness requirements to the CNO. Moving up, as when an XO becomes CO, or when an NLCC cadet becomes an NSCC cadet A USAF aviation command, usually consisting of three to six aircraft, their pilots, aircrew, and ground staff. Known as a “Division” in USN aviation.

The deck from which aircraft are launched and recovered on a ship; often a single landing pad for a helicopter or V/TOL aircraft on smaller ships such as DDGs (these are often known as “helo decks”). The entire weather deck of a CVN is a flight deck.

Flight Line Flight Suit FLIR

Float Coat “Float She May, Shine She Must” Flood Fly-by-Wire FMF FOB Fobbit Foc’sle FOD Football Bat forac Force Force Recon Fork & Knife School Forward Forward Deployed FOUO Four-Striper Foxtail FPCON

The area of a ship or station where aircraft are made ready for flight Coveralls worn by Naval Aviators. They like to wear them even when they’re not flying.

Forward-Looking InfraRed – thermographic camera that senses infrared radiation; used to help pilots navigate in the dark or through fog, or to detect warm objects against a cooler background.

A jacket worn by personnel on the flight deck of a CVN during flight operations, which automatically inflates in case the crew member falls overboard. The jackets come in different colors to identify the crew member’s job (see skittles).

What enlisted grumble under their breath when they are ordered to set aside their usual duties to clean the ship, especially for a VIP visit To fill a space with water; a rising tide A control system for an aircraft, ship, or submarine in which controls are entered via an electronic interface rather than manual (often hydraulic) controls Fleet Marine Force – USMC units designed for amphibious operations, integrated with and often serving aboard USN amphibious warfare ships.

Forward Operating Base – a secured military position near (or beyond) the “front lines” of a conflict, used to support local tactical operations Slang – a person who won’t leave the security of the FOB; see “rearechelon pogue” Phonetic spelling for “forecastle,” the forward-most part of a ship Foreign Object Damage – what happens when tools, bolts, rocks, etc. are sucked into jet engines or blown away by propellers. Hence, “FOD Walk,” where personnel line up and walk down the flightline looking for debris.

Slang: derogatory description of something screwed up, as in “this cube is as messed up as a football bat” FOR ACtion – used when asking someone to take over a project... as in, “please take this forac.”

Abbreviated nickname for a Force Master Chief; see “Enlisted Rates of the United States Navy” later in this manual.

Force Reconnaissance – one of the USMC’s special operations commands, meant for both reconnaissance missions (“green operations”) and direct action missions (“black operations”).

Slang: derogatory name for DCOIC, since new officers who attend the two-week course barely have time to learn table manners Toward the bow To be deployed geographically nearer to an expected hot-spot. Forward deployment (in Guam, Japan, or Qatar, for instance), allows US forces to respond with military force quickly and with little notice.

For Official Use Only USN or USCG O-6 Captain, in reference to the rank insignia on their shoulderboards or SDB sleeves Slang: a hand-held brush, usually used with a dustbin during field day Force Protection CONdition – terrorism threat system overseen by DoD, which designates the amount of security measures to be taken at bases around the globe based upon the imminence and specificity of terrorist

threats. Previously known as “THREATCON.”

FQA Freeboard

Frocking

Frog Frosty Fruit Salad FRV FTS FUBAR Fun Boss Fun Meter FYI FYSA Gaff Galley Gangway Garrison Cap

FPCON Normal – no indication of terrorist attack; routine security measures FPCON Alpha – general threat of terrorist attack; increased security measures FPCON Bravo – increased and/or predictable threat of terrorist attack; increased security measures and guards; NSCC personnel may not be able to access facilities at FPCON Bravo or higher FPCON Charlie – a terrorist attack is predicted to be imminent, but a specific target may not be known; strong security measures FPCON Delta – at the base or facility in question, a terrorist attack has occurred, or is predicted to be imminent; strongest security measures.

DoD installations around the world were set to FPCON Delta on 11SEP01.

Fleet Quality Assurance – staff members at RTC Great Lakes who evaluate USN recruits and their assigned spaces, and hand out demerit chits; sometimes referred to as a “briefcase” because they typically carry one The vertical distance between the waterline and the gunwale The practice of allowing an Officer or Petty Officer who is scheduled to be promoted at a later date to wear her new rank or rate prior to their official promotion. No other benefits accrue (pay increase, time in rate calculations, etc). The practice is from the age of sail, when a written recommendation for promotion could take months to be acted upon by the Navy, and officers would receive a frock coat as a symbol of their office.

This practice is explicitly prohibited in the USNSCC. Slang: tiny brass fastener (“butterfly clutch”) that goes on the pointy end of your ribbon bar or nametag pins Slang: to be alert, watchful; as in, “stay frosty” Slang: ribbons and medals. See also, chest candy.

Flame Resistant Variant coveralls – replaced the old polyester/cotton blend poopie suits, which would melt to your skin during a fire. No nametapes – uses a Velcro-backed nametag and metal collar insignia.

Full Time Support – the component of the Navy Reserve which consists of active duty (“full-time”) sailors who support SELRES (“part-time”) sailors Acronym which means that things are going very very poorly Slang: The Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Officer Fictitious gauge that shows the amount of mirth one is experiencing at any given moment. Opposite of the Suck Meter.

For Your Information For Your Situational Awareness; see “SA” A light spar set an angle from the upper part of a mast; the national ensign is usually flown from the gaff while underway Kitchen; chow hall Opening in the bulwark that provides access to the brow; a command to get out of the way A foldable cover worn with the NSU (black) or Service Khaki uniform (khaki).

Gas Turbine Engine

Gatling Gun

Gator Navy Gator Freighter Gear Gear Adrift Geedunk Geneva Conventions Geneva Protocol Ghost Turd GI GI Bill GI Can Gig Gig Line GITMO Glow Belt Goat Locker Goatrope Go Fasters Goldbricker Golden Dragon Gold Star Family Good Humors

A type of engine in which air is compressed by spinning blades, mixed with fuel, and ignited. The high pressure exhaust can be used as thrust in an aircraft engine; in shipboard applications, the exhaust can rotate blades at back end, which can then be used to create electricity or, through gear reductions, turn the shaft.

A rapid-firing weapon in which the loading, firing, and unloading functions are performed simultaneously in different barrels as they rotate, and the rotation also permits the barrels some time to cool. The rotating barrel cluster on most Gatling-type guns is powered by an external force such as an electric motor. The rate of fire on a Gatling-type gun can be as high as 6,000 rounds per minute. More accurately, “rotary cannon” or “rotary machine gun.”

Slang: in reference to amphibious warfare ships and sailors Slang: amphibious ship (mainly LHA, LHD, LPD, or LSD), especially when transporting Marines and their equipment Generic term for equipment, supplies, materiel, etc.

Loose or unsecured gear or equipment Slang: junk food, candy A group of treaties and protocols that establish the standards of international law for the humanitarian prosecution of war. These include protections for medics, basic protections for POWs, protections for the wounded, and protections for civilians in and around war zones.

A treaty prohibiting the use of chemical and biological weapons in international armed conflicts Slang for dust bunny Government Issue; pronounced “gee-eye.” During WWII, became shorthand for anything related to the Army, and soon after for anything related to the armed forces.

A law which provides funds to pay for some or all of a veteran’s college education Trash can A discrepancy or failing mark during an inspection; demerits, or the act of receiving the same The line formed by your buttoned shirt, belt buckle, and the fly on your pants Guantanamo Bay Naval Station, in Cuba. Also, GTMO A reflective safety belt worn to prevent pedestrians from being hit by cars Chiefs’ quarters and chiefs’ mess – generally off limits to anyone not a CPO, SCPO, or MCPO… even officers.

A screwed up situation Slang: sneakers, running shoes Slang: derogatory nickname for anyone who shirks their duty, especially by feigning illness A sailor who has crossed the International Date Line.

A family which has lost a relative while she was serving in the military, after the service banner that these families often fly at their homes (red border, white field, gold star); see also Blue Star Family Slang: reference to the old summer white (short sleeve) uniforms, which looked like the uniform of the Good Humor Ice Cream Man. Also,

Gouge GPS GQ Great Lakes, IL Great Mistakes Green Beret Green Water Grinder Ground-Pounder Grunt Guerilla Warfare

Gumby Suit Gun Gun Boss Gundeck Gunner Gunny Gunwale Guacs GWOT HAHO HALO Hangar Hard Over Hardpoint

“Milkman”. Replaced by the NSU. Slang: the inside scoop Global Positioning System – a space-based satellite navigation system which can precisely locate a person, vehicle, or vessel when a GPS receiver on the surface can communicate with multiple satellites; also used to guide weapon systems (such as cruise missiles) to a precise target. A top secret DARPA project long before it became a ubiquitous feature of modern cars.

General Quarters: the call for all hands to man battle stations The location of the one and only US Navy Recruit Training (“boot camp”) Slang: derogatory nickname for Great Lakes Nickname for a member of the United States Army Special Forces, after their distinctive headgear. Only worn by soldiers who have been awarded the Army Special Forces Tab. Slang: littoral zone Marching area, parade ground – usually just an empty parking lot Slang: derogatory term used by airedales to describe soldiers and Marines Slang: an enlisted Marine, or any infantryman From the Spanish for “fighter”; a form of asymmetric warfare in which a small group of combatants (civilian or military) use military tactics (such as ambushes, sabotage, raids, hit-and-run, and mobility) to fight a larger and less-mobile traditional military force.

An immersion survival suit meant to keep sailors dry and warm if they must abandon ship; it is usually orange, puffy, and has oversized booties (to allow it to be put on quickly over boots)… resembling the old claymation character Gumby A naval artillery piece (rifles and pistols are “small arms”, not “guns”) Weapons Department head To intentionally falsify a report, or do something not according to regs Form of address for a USMC Warrant Officer with the specialty Infantry Weapons Officer Nickname for a USMC E-7 Gunnery Sergeant; usually OK to say it to her face in informal settings.

Where the sides join the main deck of a ship, pronounced “gunnel” Short for “guacamoles,” pronounced “gwocks.” Nickname for the NWU Type III uniform, as their main color is light green.

Global War on Terror High Altitude, High Opening – parachuting from high altitude (typically 15-35,000 feet) and opening the parachute almost immediately. Requires oxygen. Often used where the noise of a parachute opening at low altitude would compromise a mission.

High Altitude, Low Opening – parachuting from high altitude and opening the parachute at the lowest safe altitude. Requires oxygen.

A large closed building meant to hold aircraft in protective storage To turn the rudder of a ship all the way port or starboard; also, to be firm or adamant in an opinion or position A mounting position on an airframe designed to carry an external load, such as bombs, missiles, or drop tanks. More formally known as a

Hashmarks Hatch Hawspipe Hawser Haze Gray Haze Gray and Underway Head Heading Heave Heave out and trice up Heavy Helm Helo High Speed, Low Drag Hit Hit the deck Hit the sack HMCS HMMWV HMS Hold Fast Holiday Hollywood Marine Hollywood shower Homeport Hooah Hoorah Hooyah Hotracking

“station” or “weapon station.”

See “service stripes” An opening in the deck; often used to mean “door” A pipe which guides the anchor chain or cable out through the deck/hull A thick line used in mooring or towing a ship The gray color that USN surface vessels are typically painted, which is meant to make ships blend into the horizon and thus harder to see Being on sea duty on a surface vessel (as opposed to shore duty, or a submarine deployment… since submarines are painted black) Toilet, bathroom – from their position at the bow on old sailing ships The direction towards which the ship’s bow is pointing at a given instant; not be confused with course To pull, hoist, or raise Command given during reveille, originally meaning to get out of your rack and move your hammock or bed so that the deck could be swept/swabbed The second-most senior DI supervising a USMC Recruit Platoon. Has already served several prior tours as a junior DI, and has been given the designation “Experienced Drill Instructor.” Also, “Second Hat,” “Heavy Hat,” or “Drill Hat.” Compare to “First Hat” and “Kill Hat.” Steering wheel of a ship; also refers to the sailor or sailors who man the helm Helicopter, pronounced “hee-low” High quality and high efficiency; lean and mean; simple and streamlined but not at the expense of quality See “gig” Get up, as in “rise and shine” Turn in, go to sleep Her/His Majesty’s Canadian Ship – ship prefix, equivalent of “USS” for Canadian naval vessels High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or “Humvee” – a fourwheel drive military automobile in wide use in the US armed forces.

Her/His Majesty’s Ship – ship prefix, equivalent of “USS” for British naval vessels An order to stop what you’re doing; from the Dutch “hou vast”, from which we get the pirate term “avast” meaning the same thing Slang: a missed spot in a paint job Slang: a Marine trained at Recruit Depot San Diego (as opposed to Parris Island) Slang: an excessively long shower www.homeport.seacadets.org – the online source for official NSCC and NLCC regulations, policies, manuals, references, and forms. Named after a “home port,” the port at which a ship is based.

US Army: battle cry, verbal greeting, expression of enthusiasm USMC: battle cry, verbal greeting, expression of enthusiasm US Navy: battle cry, verbal greeting, expression of enthusiasm Where berthing space is limited (especially aboard submarines), the practice of assigning more than one junior sailor to a rack; when one is on

Hot Wash House Howitzer HQ HUA HUD Hull

Hull Classifications

duty, the other is sleeping A review of an exercise, training, or other evolution soon after its conclusion in order to share, discuss, or evaluate Slang: the barracks A type of indirect fire artillery piece used by the USA and USMC Headquarters – the location where most of the important central functions of a command are coordinated US Army soldiers’ response to questions or orders: “Heard, Understood, and Acknowledged”; pronaounced “hoo-ah” Heads-Up Display – a transparent display that presents data without requiring pilots to look away from their usual viewpoints The outer shell or plating of a ship, from keel to gunwale Also known as “Hull Codes” – a classification system of two to four letters which identifies the type of ship; followed by a unique hull number. For example: USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CVN-79), USS HYMAN G. RICKOVER (SSN-795), USS TRIPOLI (LHA-7), or USS MICHAEL MURPHY (DDG-112) CG – Cruiser, Guided Missile

CVN – Aircraft Carrier, Nuclear Powered

LHD/LHA – Amphibious Assault Ship

SSN – Attack Submarine, Nuclear Powered

DDG – Destroyer, Guided Missile

SSBN – Ballistic Missile Sub, Nuclear Powered

FFG – Frigate

SSGN – Guided Missile Sub, Nuclear Powered

LPD – Amphibious Transport Dock

LSD – Dock Landing Ship

AFSB – Afloat Forward Staging Base

LCS – Littoral Combat Ship

MCM – Mine Countermeasures Ship

AS – Submarine Tender

Nickname for the E-2C/D Hawkeye tactical airborne early warning aircraft; also, nickname for the HMMWV To carry or lift a heavy load; also, a forced march while carrying a full Hump equipment load. See “ruck march.”

When a superior rushes a unit to a location and subsequently makes them Hurry Up and Wait wait for the final evolution Hydrophone An underwater microphone, used in passive sonar Hydroplane See “diving plane” IAW In Accordance With Individual Body Armor – a bullet-resistant vest used by the armed forces.

There are many variations: Interceptor Body Armor, Outer Tactical Vest, Improved Outer Tactical Vest, Modular Body Armor Vest, Modular IBA Tactical Vest, and Scalable Plate Carrier to name a few. Most are made with Kevlar, have MOLLE LBE/FLC webbing for carrying gear, and have options to add ceramic plates which can stop high-powered rifle rounds.

InterContinental Ballistic Missile – land-based missile designed to reach targets at 7,500 miles or more, each with as many as 3 thermonuclear ICBM MIRV warheads. The USAF operates an arsenal of Minuteman ICBMs from underground missile silos across the United States.

ICO In Case Of ICW In Cooperation With ID Identification; usually meant as your NSCC ID card I-Day Induction Day – the day that brand new plebes report to USNA, usually in Hummer

i.e.

IED IEP IFRV ILBE IMC Inboard

Indirect Fire Infantry

Infrared

INS

Intelligence

late June or early July Latin: id est, meaning “that is” (use when you mean “in other words”) Improvised Explosive Device – a bomb (typically an artillery round rigged with a detonating device) meant for an ambush attack, typically used by terrorists or in unconventional warfare. Also, “roadside bomb.”

International Exchange Program – an NSCC program which sends cadets abroad to train with Sea Cadets from nearly 20 other countries. See ISCA Improved Flame Resistant Variant coveralls – a poopie suit which doesn’t catch on fire, or melt to your skin when exposed to flame (like your NWUs do – no kidding). IFRV’s flame resistance lasts through more washings than the FRV coverall.

Improved Load Bearing Equipment; the newest iteration of LBE, which replaced MOLLE gear Instrument Meteorological Conditions – when an aviator is flying through clouds and must rely only on instruments for navigation. Known as flying “in the goo.”

Toward the centerline (or in the barracks, toward the main passageway).

When referring to placement of awards or insignia on the uniform, it refers to the center of the body.

Light weapons or artillery which fire ammunition on a ballistic trajectory, such that gun crew is not in line-of-sight with the enemy. Can be fired from fortifications, from behind a hill, or (in the case of artillery) from miles away.

The element of the USA and USMC that fights on foot; troops intended to engage, fight, and defeat the enemy in face-to-face ground combat.

Invisible radiant energy; i.e., electromagnetic radiation with longer wavelengths than those of visible light, extending from the red edge of the visible spectrum. Most of the thermal radiation emitted by objects near room temperature is infrared. Used both in night vision applications, and in passive missile guidance systems (“heat-seekers”).

Inertial Navigation System – a navigation aid that uses a computer, motion sensors (accelerometers) and rotation sensors (gyroscopes) to continuously calculate the position, orientation, and velocity (direction and speed of movement) of a moving object without the need for external references A military discipline that exploits a number of information collection and analysis approaches to provide guidance and direction to commanders in support of their decisions.

SIGINT - Signals Intelligence, the interception of communications and other electronic signals; broken down into Communications Intelligence (COMINT) and Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) HUMINT – Human Intelligence, information gathered by means of interpersonal contact, including observation, interviews, and interrogations. Most military HUMINT activities don’t involve spies or defectors – that’s more likely to be managed by the DIA or CIA IMINT – Imagery Intelligence – the collection and analysis of images taken by satellite, aircraft, and drones MASINT – Measurement and Signature Intelligence – detecting, identifying, and tracking the distinctive characteristics (“signature”) of

Irish pennant IRR IRT Island ISCA ISIC ISR Jack Jacked Up Jackstaff JAG or JAGC Jamming Jarhead

JCS

Jettison JG Jibe JJ DID TIE BUCKLE JLENS

JLTV

targets by their sound, motion, radiated energy (e.g., nuclear, thermal, or electromagnetic), magnetic properties, etc. These might be used to identify a new class of enemy submarine or the velocity of an enemy missile.

Slang: any dangling or loose thread on a uniform Individual Ready Reserve – a portion of the reserves made up of service members at the end of their service commitment; individuals assigned to the IRR typically receive no pay and are not obligated to drill, conduct annual training, or participate in any military activities. IRR members can be involuntarily recalled to active status.

In Reference To An aircraft carrier’s only superstructure, containing the bridge, the flight control tower, and radar/sensor masts International Sea Cadet Association – the organization of Sea Cadet programs from nearly 20 countries which promotes cooperation between programs and facilitates exchange programs, such as the NSCC’s IEP Immediate Superior in Command – your boss; the person just above you in the chain of command Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance The Navy Jack, flown on the bow of USN ships in port Slang: screwed up Vertical spar at the stem to which the jack is hoisted Judge Advocate General’s Corps – the legal specialty branch of the armed services; commissioned staff corps officers engaged as attorneys. See also, “Line Officers, Staff Corps Officers, and Warrant Officers” later in this Manual.

The intentional disruption of electronic signals, such as radio or radar Slang: a United States Marine Joint Chiefs of Staff – a body of senior uniformed leaders in the DoD who advise SecDef, the NSC, and POTUS on military matters. Includes a Chairman, a Vice Chairman, the CNO, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Chief of Staff of the Army, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the Chief of Space Operations, and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau.

To throw overboard Slang: short for LTJG, US Navy O-2 Lieutenant Junior Grade A change of course in which a sailing vessel’s stern crosses the wind.

Mnemonic for the 14 leadership traits taught by the USMC and at USN OCS: Justice, Judgment, Dependability, Initiative, Decisiveness, Tact, Integrity, Enthusiasm, Bearing, Unselfishness, Courage, Knowledge, Loyalty, Endurance.

Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System – a sensor system using aerostat-mounted radar designed to track boats, ground vehicles, cruise missiles, and manned & unmanned aircraft Joint Light Tactical Vehicle – the truck which will replace the HMMWV over the next decade – includes more armor and armor-mounting points, an automatic fire-suppression system, and jam-resistant doors which allow crew to escape after taking damage from (e.g., from RPGs or IEDs).

JO JO Jungle Jodie/Jody Joe Johnny Cash Joint JORG JP-5

JSOC

JTAC Jumper Jump Jet Jury Rig Keel Keelhaul Keel Laying Kevlar

Khakis KIA Kill Hat King Neptune KISS Klick or Click

Junior Officers – O-1 Ensign through O-4 Lieutenant Commander, although only O-5 Commanders and above think O-4s are JOs A junior officers’ stateroom, where six to eight JOs are billeted A guy who steals your girlfriend while you’re deployed or at training; hence “Jodie calls,” cadences which lament this sad situation Slang: coffee Slang: reference to the old winter blues (black pants, black shirt, black tie) uniforms, which looked like what Johnny Cash (“The Man in Black”) would typically wear. Replaced by the NSU. A command or operation between two or more military services or branches.

Slang – Junior Officer Requiring Guidance, pronounced “George.” Don’t let the JORG hear you say it… unless you outrank her.

Jet Propellant – jet fuel used by the US Navy Joint Special Operations Command – a component command of SOCOM charged with ensuring interoperability and equipment standardization among the special operations forces of the USA, USN, USMC, and USAF. JSOC plans and conducts combined exercises and training, develops joint special operations tactics, and executes special operations missions worldwide, mainly identifying and eliminating terrorists worldwide.

Joint Terminal Attack Controller – see FAC The top of the USN E-1 to E-6 Dress Blue and Dress White uniform, with a flap at the back of the neck A VTOL or V/STOL aircraft, such as the AV-8B Harrier II A temporary fix, a makeshift device; to fashion such a device The lowermost structural member of a ship, running from bow to stern at the centerline; the spine of a ship To reprimand or discipline severely; from the ancient brutal punishment of dragging mutinous sailors from one side of the ship to the other under the ship’s keel, where the vast majority of sailors were cut to pieces by barnacles and/or drowned The first step in the construction of a ship in dry dock A high-strength synthetic fiber, used in body armor (“bullet-proof” vests), which has a strength-to-weight ratio five times greater than steel (i.e., for much less weight than steel, you can get much more protection). Used as armor, laid in 2.5” thick layers over vital areas in modern CVNs and other vessels.

Short for “Service Khaki uniform,” worn by E-7 through O-10, consisting of khaki shirt, khaki pants, khaki belt, black leather shoes, and khaki garrison cap or combination cover. Meant for office environments. Also, slang for Chief Petty Officers or Officers.

Killed In Action The junior DIs supervising a USMC Recruit Platoon, in reference to their campaign cover. Primarily tasked with discipline and punishment. Also, “Third Hat” or “Fourth Hat.” Compare to “First Hat” and “Heavy”.

The senior shellback on a ship Keep It Simple Stupid Slang for kilometer. A kilometer is 1,000 meters, or 0.621 miles (3,280.8

Knee-Deep Navy Knife & Fork School Knot Knuckle Dragger Krabby Patty

kt

Ladder Ladderwell Lance Colonel Landlubber

LASER

Latitude

Law of War

lb LBE LBE lbf LBV LBWA

feet), or 0.540 nmi. One mile (5,280 feet) is 1.609 kilometers. One nmi (6,076 feet) is 1.852 kilometers.

Slang: derogatory term used by Navy sailors to describe the USCG Slang: derogatory term used to describe ODS and DCOIC schools (as opposed to OCS, ROTC, or USNA), since the training can be as brief as 14 days and focuses largely on customs and courtesies One nautical mile (6,076 feet) per hour Slang: a derogatory term for a member of the A-gang A delicious undersea treat if nautical nonsense be something you wish Kiloton – a measurement of the energy released in an explosion (or “yield”). One kiloton is the equivalent of 1,000 tons of TNT (trinitrotoluene), or 4.184 x 1012 Joules. Modern US MIRV warheads typically have a yield between 100 and 500 kt. The fission bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 had yields of 15 and 20 kt, respectively.

Stairs Stairwell Slang: a derogatory term for a low-ranking Marine who tries to take control of situations s/he shouldn’t, or who has spent too long as an E-3 An awkward or unskilled sailor; it not a corruption of “land lover,” as many think; the Middle English word “lobre” meant a clumsy or stupid person Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation – an intense beam of light which can be used in targeting weapons or to blind an adversary. Future laser weapons, while requiring massive amounts of energy, could destroy aircraft or missiles almost instantaneously.

A position along an imaginary line around the Earth; these lines run eastwest, and are parallel to each other (and perpendicular to lines of longitude). The equator is the largest circle of latitude; circles of latitude get smaller as the distance from the equator increases.

Limits on the prosecution of war created by treaties and historical precedent, including: requirements for declarations of war and surrender; requirements that belligerents wear distinctive uniforms, care for POWs and the wounded, and protect medics; and outlawing perfidy, hostagetaking, and attacks on personnel who are surrendering. Also, “law of armed conflict.” See Geneva Conventions.

Abbreviation for pound – the unit of weight. From the Latin “libra,” meaning scales or balance Leadership By Example – the primary requirement of good leadership.

The opposite of LBE is “do what I say, not what I do.” See also, LBWA. Load Bearing Equipment – vests, suspenders, belts, pouches, and packs meant to keep essential and commonly-used equipment in easy reach Pound-Force – a measurement of force (often a measurement of the thrust of an airplane’s engines), equivalent to 4.45 newtons.

Load Bearing Vest – personal equipment used to keep essential and frequently-used gear within easy reach. See also ILBE and MOLLE. Leadership By Walking Around – the secondary requirement of good leadership – getting away from your office/desk to see what’s happening in

LCAC

LCM or LCU LCPO LCS

LDO

Leadership Leatherneck Leave Lettuce Browner

LHA or LHD

Liberty Lidar Lifeline Lifer Light Colonel Light Weapons

the field. See also, LBE. Landing Craft, Air Cushion – a large hovercraft meant for delivering personnel and equipment to shore from an LHA, LHD, LPD, or LSD. See “Ships, Aircraft, and Weapon Systems of the United States Navy” later in this Manual.

Landing Craft, Mechanized and Landing Craft, Utility – flat-bottomed boats meant to run up on a beach to deliver vehicles and equipment from an LHA, LHD, LPD, or LSD. The bow of the boat is also flat, and doubles as a ramp.

Leading Chief Petty Officer Hull Classification for “Littoral Combat Ship” – relatively small surface vessels intended for operations in the littoral zone. See “Ships, Aircraft, and Weapon Systems of the United States Navy” later in this Manual.

Limited Duty Officer; an officer selected for commissioning based on skill and expertise, and not required to hold a bachelor’s degree; must have been E-6 Petty Officer First Class or above in the Navy and served ≥ 8 years; cannot advance beyond O-6 Captain; generally not eligible to Command at Sea The art of influencing others to want to achieve a common goal. Compare to management and mentorship.

Slang: a United States Marine; for the high leather collar worn on early formal uniforms, and the leather gorget (throat armor) worn during ship raiding parties Military term for vacation time An imaginary piece of equipment in the galley, which could be the only explanation for why every shred of lettuce has that rich, brown hue Hull Classifications for “Landing Helicopter Assault” (or General-Purpose Amphibious Assault Ship) or “Landing Helicopter Dock” (Multi-Purpose Amphibious Assault Ship) – small aircraft carriers, capable of V/STOL, STOVL, VTOL, and rotary wing operations; most have a well deck in the stern for launching and recovering LCAC, LCM, and AAVs. Meant to transport and land an MEU into hostile territory. LHDs are of the WASP class; the newer LHAs are of the AMERICA class. See “Ships, Aircraft, and Weapon Systems of the United States Navy” later in this Manual.

Sanctioned absence from a ship or station for short time; different from leave because you must stay close to your ship/station. “Cinderella liberty” expires at midnight.

LIght Detection and Ranging – a remote sensing technology that measures distance by illuminating a target with a laser and analyzing the reflected light The line or rope above the gunwale that prevents sailors from falling in the ocean; don’t lean on it!!

Slang: a person who intends to (or already has) spent 20+ years serving in the military Slang: an O-5 Lieutenant Colonel in the USA, USMC, and USAF. Also, “half-bird” or “short colonel.” Don’t get caught saying these to a Lieutenant Colonel’s face.

Portable weapons meant to be operated by a small crew (generally two or

Lima Charlie Line

Line Officer

List Littoral Zone LMD Lock and Load Lock it Up Lock-Out Chamber Log

Logistics

Longitude Look Alive Loop LOST Lozenge

LPD LPO LSD

three personnel) which can be fired without a special mount, and used mainly against personnel or armored equipment; includes heavy machine guns, grenade launchers, shoulder-fired anti-aircraft or anti-tank weapons, small mortars, etc. Compare to “Small Arms.”

Loud & Clear (from the phonetic alphabet “LC”) Any rope that is not made of wire Unrestricted Line Officers hold commissions in the US Navy, are warfare qualified (Surface, Submarine, Aviation, Special Warfare), and are eligible to Command at Sea. Restricted Line Officers hold commissions, have nonwarfare specialties or qualifications (Engineering, Intelligence, Public Affairs, etc.), and are not eligible to Command at Sea. Compare to a Staff Corps officer.

When a ship leans to one side That part of the ocean which is near to shore Slang – Large Metal Desk or Large Mahogany Desk – what senior officers are derogatorily said to command To lock a magazine into battery in a weapon, and then chamber a round; more generally, to prepare for a mission or evolution Order meaning to quiet down and demonstrate self-discipline and military bearing A chamber in a submarine which can be flooded to equalize pressure, and from which sailors can escape to the surface or SEALs can be deployed while still submerged Book or ledger in which data or events that occurred during a watch are recorded The discipline of equipping, moving, and maintaining military personnel and materiel. Includes the development, acquisition, storage, distribution, and maintenance of materiel; the transport of equipment and personnel; the acquisition, operation, and maintenance of facilities; and the furnishing of support services, such as health care and messing.

A position along an imaginary line around the Earth; these lines run northsouth, from the north pole to the south pole. Lines of longitude are perpendicular to lines of latitude.

Admonishment to be alert or move faster An officer (usually O-3 LT or O-4 LCDR) who serves as a Flag Aide, from the gold braided aiguillette (shoulder cord) they wear.

Line-of-Sight Tasking – the habit of senior officers tasking the first JO they see with time-consuming projects the JO knows nothing about and is probably not qualified to take on That symbol in the middle of a USMC, USA, or USAF First Sergeant’s rank insignia, from the French losange, meaning diamond-shaped Hull Classification for “Landing Platform, Dock” – amphibious warfare ship with a well deck for launching LCACs and AAVs, and a helicopter deck and a hangar. USN LPDs are of the SAN ANTONIO class. See “Ships, Aircraft, and Weapon Systems of the United States Navy” later in this Manual.

Leading Petty Officer Hull Classification for “Landing Ship, Dock” – amphibious warfare ship

LSO LT Lucky Bag LZ MAA

Mach

MAD

MAD Madre Magellan Magnetometer MAGTF Mail Buoy Main Deck Make Fast Make Way Management Manning the Rails

with a well deck for launching LCACs and AAVs, and a helicopter deck (but no hangar for helicopters). USN LSDs are of the WHIDBEY ISLAND and HARPERS FERRY classes. See “Ships, Aircraft, and Weapon Systems of the United States Navy” later in this Manual.

Landing Signal Officer – an experienced pilot who is responsible for the visual control of aircraft in the terminal phase of the approach to a CVN immediately prior to landing.

Pronounced “ell-tee” – nickname for anyone ranked Lieutenant (USN O-2 or O-3; USA/USMC/USAF O-1 or O-2).

Locker maintained by the CMAA, used to collect and store gear adrift Landing Zone – a clearing designated as the place where a helicopter (or other VTOL aircraft) can land Master-at-Arms; a member of a ship’s police force A measurement related to supersonic flight; at Mach 1, a jet is travelling at the speed of sound (for the extant atmospheric conditions); at Mach 2, a jet is travelling at twice the speed of sound (for the extant atmospheric conditions), etc. The speed of sound varies considerably based upon air temperature, humidity, and altitude, so the Mach number is not a precise indication of airspeed.

Mutually Assured Destruction – a military doctrine which states that the full-scale use of nuclear weapons would lead to the destruction of both the aggressor and the retaliator, thus deterring either side from using the weapons.

Magnetic Anomaly Detector – a sensor used to detect minute variations in the Earth's magnetic field; magnetometers deployed in military aircraft can detect the disturbance in the Earth’s magnetic field created by submerged submarines.

Slang: a female chaplain; from the Spanish for “mother”, and a play on “padre”. Be careful about saying it to her face. www.magellan.seacadets.org – the NSCC/NLCC’s online personnel management system; named after Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese explorer who organized the first circumnavigation of the Earth in 1519.

A sensor which can detect magnetic fields, given off by ferrous metals such as steel. Used in MADs, or laid on the sea floor to detect ships or submarines passing above (and at the airport to detect weapons) Marine Air-Ground Task Force (pronounced “mag-taff”) – a balanced airground combined arms task force of the USMC under a single commander, structured to accomplish a specific mission.

Practical joke played on new sailors: watching for the delivery of mail in the middle of the ocean The principal deck of a vessel; usually but not always the weather deck To tie off, to secure A command to get out of the way The coordination and stewardship of personnel and resources in the accomplishment of organizational goals. Compare to leadership.

A method of saluting or rendering honors used by naval vessels, usually to POTUS or a foreign head of state. When manning the rails, the crew are stationed along the rails and on the superstructure. A similar (but less

MARAD

Marine MARINE Marine Proof

Maritime Academies

Maritime Service MARSOC Master-at-Arms Master Guns Materiel

Mayday

MC

MCADS MCCUU

formal) ceremony is placing the crew “at quarters” when the ship is entering or leaving port.

United States MARitime ADministration – an office of the Department of Transportation which administers programs to develop, promote, and operate the U.S. Maritime Service and the U.S. Merchant Marine; determines services and routes necessary to develop and maintain American foreign commerce and requirements of ships necessary to provide adequate service on such routes; conducts research and development activities in the maritime field; regulates the transfer of U.S. documented vessels to foreign registries; maintains equipment, shipyard facilities, and reserve fleets of government-owned ships essential for national defense.

A member of the USMC, enlisted or officer Derogatory acronyms: Muscles Are Required, Intelligence Not Essential, or Marines Always Ride In Navy Equipment See Army Proof Colleges and universities which prepare students for careers in marine transportation and engineering. Many graduates go on to either serve in the armed forces or the Merchant Marine. There are seven degree-granting maritime academies in the United States: the USMMA, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Maine Maritime Academy, California State University Maritime Academy, State University of New York Maritime Academy, Great Lakes Maritime Academy, and Texas A&M Maritime Academy.

The U.S. Maritime Service trains men and women to become officers and crewmembers on merchant ships that form the U.S. Merchant Marine. Its commissioned officers function as administrators and instructors at the USMMA and the state maritime academies.

United States Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command – USMC special forces component of SOCOM MAA; a member of a ship’s police force Nickname for a USMC E-9 Master Gunnery Sergeant; usually OK to say it to her face in informal settings.

French: “equipment” or “hardware” – military equipment and supplies A distress call during an emergency, usually made by radio and repeated three times to ensure that other ships or stations cannot mistake the call.

Beginning a call with “mayday, mayday, mayday” gives the sender priority over all other radio communications, and all ships in the area are obligated to render aid, if possible. “Mayday” is the anglicized version of the French “m’aidez” (“help me”).

Medical Corps – commissioned staff corps officers engaged as medical doctors. See also, “Line Officers, Staff Corps Officers, and Warrant Officers” later in this Manual Maritime Craft Aerial Deployment System – a method of deploying SWCC RIBs by parachuting them out of a C-130 or C-17 directly into the water; the SWCC personnel and SEALs parachute immediately after. Compare to MEATS. Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform. The working and combat uniform of the USMC, which comes in woodland and desert versions.

MCM MCPOCG MCPON MCPOO MEATS

Medal

MEDEVAC

Mentorship

Mercator Projection

Merchant Marine Meridian Mess Mess Deck Mess Deck Intel MEU

Hull Classification for “Mine CounterMeasures Ship” – small surface vessels designed to clear mines from vital waterways. USN MCMs are of the AVENGER class.

The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard – the highest-ranking enlisted in the USCG. Serves as an advisor to the Commandant of the Coast Guard for all issues regarding enlisted Coast Guardsmen.

The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (pronounced “mick-ponn”), the highest-ranking enlisted sailor in the USN. Serves as an advisor to the CNO for all issues regarding enlisted sailors.

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Obvious; derogatory title for know-it-alls Maritime External Air Transportation System – a method of deploying or extracting SWCC RIBs by rigging them to the underbelly of a large helicopters and dropping the into (or picking them up from) the water.

Compare to MCADS. A decoration awarded by the uniformed services for heroism, meritorious service, achievement, or participation in a campaign. Usually consists of a medallion suspended from a distinctively-patterned ribbon. Only worn with FDB, FDW, or dinner dress uniforms. Compare to ribbon. See “Awards & Decorations of the USN & USMC” later in this Manual.

Medical Evacuation – rapid movement and en route care of wounded personnel, often directly from the battlefield, to better-equipped medical facilities.

An interpersonal relationship in which a more experienced or more knowledgeable person (the mentor) helps to develop, guide, counsel, and support a less experienced person (the mentee, or protégé). Mentorship is more than just teaching, and is an important part of developing leaders.

A map which flattens the spherical surface of the Earth into two dimensions. It became the standard map projection for nautical purposes because of its ability to represent lines of constant course, known as rhumb lines or loxodromes, as straight segments that intersect all lines of longitude at the same angle (i.e., a path with a constant bearing relative to the north pole). While the linear scale is equal in all directions around any point, the Mercator projection distorts the size of objects as the latitude increases from the Equator to the poles, where the scale becomes infinite (e.g., Greenland and Antarctica appear much larger relative to land masses near the equator than they actually are).

The U.S. Merchant Marine is composed of both privately- and government-owned vessels, and staffed primarily by civilian mariners. The USMM transports cargo and passengers during peacetime; in times of war, the Merchant Marine can be an auxiliary to the USN, and can be called upon to deliver military personnel and materiel for the military.

A line of longitude A meal; a place where meals are eaten; a group of people that take meals together, as in “officer’s mess” or “chief’s mess” Crew’s eating area Slang – rumors and gossip (mostly false); see scuttlebutt Marine Expeditionary Unit – USMC quick reaction force generally consisting of an infantry battalion, a combat logistics battalion, and a

MIA MIDN Midrats Midshipman Midwatch Mil Drill

Military Bearing Mine Mini Boss Minigun MIRV Mosquito Wings Mk Mod MOLLE Mom and Dad Moor Mooring Mortar MOS Motivator MOUT MRAP

number of helicopter and other VTOL combat and support aircraft. Part of an ESG, generally deployed on an LHA or LHD. Missing In Action Abbreviation for Midshipman Food served at midnight for ongoing watchstanders; “midnight rations” A student at the US Naval Academy or in an ROTC program; not an officer yet, but an officer-in-training A watch stood from 0000-0400 Military Drill – the procedures and methodology of handling weapons and moving troops about in an orderly fashion. Mil Drill enables a commander or NCO to move her unit from one place to another in an orderly manner; instills habits of precision and immediate response to orders; and provides NCOs practice commanding troops.

Comportment (behavior) which reflects alertness, competence, confidence, and control.

Self-contained explosive device placed in a waterway to damage and destroy ships and submarines; can be detonated by contact or by the magnetic or water-pressure influence of a passing vessel The Air Boss’s assistant The GAU-17 (or M134) rotary machine gun – a not-so-small Gatling-type weapon capable of firing up to 4,000 rounds per minute of 7.62x51mm, typically mounted on helicopters or SWCC boats Multiple Independently-targetable Re-entry Vehicles – ICBM or SLBM payload containing several thermonuclear warheads, each capable of being independently aimed to hit a different target Slang for a USMC E-2 (Private First Class) or USA E-2 (Private) after their rank insignia – a single chevron. Also, “skeeter wings.”

Mark – a synonym of “version” Modification – another synonym of “version” – usually a smaller change than a change of Mk MOdular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment – a type of LBE which replaced ALICE gear and has since been replaced by ILBE Slang: the CO & XO. Don’t let Mom or Dad hear you say it.

To make fast to a pier, another ship, or a mooring buoy Any permanent structure to which a sea-going vessel may be secured, including quays, wharfs, jetties, piers, or anchor/mooring buoys.

A portable, muzzle-loaded, indirect fire weapon consisting of a metal tube affixed to a baseplate, aimed by raising or lowering its angle with bipod legs. Mortars are an indirect fire weapon, launching explosive shells in a high-arcing ballistic trajectory.

Military Occupational Specialty – what the USA and USMC use instead of the USN’s ratings and NECs. A term of endearment from a superior to a subordinate, when the subordinate displays great motivation, as in, “nice job, motivator!”

Military Operations in Urban Terrain Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected – term for vehicles designed specifically to withstand IED attacks, such as the Cougar

MRE

MSC MSC

Mt

MTS Multicam Munitions Mustang Muster Mutiny Muzzle Muzzle Velocity Mystery Meat N/A Nametag

Nametape

NAS National Guard

Meal (Ready-to-Eat) – portable, long-lasting, and slightly nasty food rations meant to be carried for long periods without refrigeration. Also known as “Meals Rejected by Everyone” and “Meals Refusing to Exit”.

Medical Service Corps – commissioned staff corps officers engaged in medical support duties, including researchers and administrators. See also, “Line Officers, Staff Corps Officers, and Warrant Officers” later in this Manual.

Military Sealift Command – Under Fleet Forces Command, a Navy organization that coordinates and controls replenishment of ships at sea Megaton – a measurement of the energy released in an explosion (or “yield”). One megaton is the equivalent of 1,000,000 tons of TNT (trinitrotoluene), or 4.184 x 1015 Joules. The largest thermonuclear warheads built by the United States had a yield of 15-20 megatons; the largest thermonuclear explosion in history was a 57 megaton bomb tested by the Soviet Union in 1961. Compare to kt.

Master Training Specialist – USN member qualified in curriculum design and evaluation, effective teaching skills, and schoolhouse management A camouflage pattern worn by the Army in the field in recent middleeastern conflicts, which replaced the ACU digital pattern Military weapons and ammunition, including small arms ammo, grenades, ordnance, bombs, rockets, missiles, warheads, mines, etc.

An officer who started as an enlisted sailor and earned a commission Roll call; to assemble for a roll call Conspiracy to openly oppose or overthrow a lawful authority; resistance or disobedience to lawful orders from the chain of command The end of the barrel of a gun or firearm from which the projectile will exit; as opposed to the breech.

The speed of a projectile at the moment that it leaves the muzzle of a gun or firearm.

Slang: a meat-like substance whose true origin is unknown (even to the cooks) which is served in the chow hall Not Applicable A plastic tag worn on the right side of your uniforms to identify you; or, a leather or fabric tag with Velcro backing worn on a flight suit, FRV coveralls, or IFRV coveralls.

Strip of cloth with your name embroidered on it; made of the same material as the uniform on which it is affixed. On NWUs, worn above your blouse pockets (right is your name and left is your branch: “USNSCC”), and above your back right trouser pocket. On the NWU Type I, E-1 through E6 nametapes are embroidered with silver thread, and E-7 through O-10 are embroidered with gold thread. All NWU Type III nametapes are embroidered with black thread.

Naval Air Station A part of the reserve forces of the US armed forces, composed of the 50 state ANGs and ARNGs. Most guardsmen are part-time reservists, but their command and control is generally performed by full-time Active Guard & Reserve personnel. The ANGs and ARNGs are state militias, and can be called up by the governor of each state to assist in time of emergency

NATO

Nautical Mile

Naval Aviator

Navigation

NAVSTA NAVY Navy Jack Navy Shower NBC NC

NCO

N-Codes

(generally natural disasters). ANGs and ARNGs can also be federalized by POTUS, at which point those units become active parts of the USAF and USA. North Atlantic Treaty Organization – international military alliance of collective defense, where member states (including the USA, Canada, UK, and most of western Europe) agree to mutual defense in response to an attack by any external party 6,076 feet (as opposed to a statute mile of 5,280 feet). The nautical mile remains in use by sea and air navigators worldwide because of its convenience when working with charts, especially the Mercator Projection. The nautical mile is nearly equal to one minute of latitude on a Mercator Projection chart, so a distance measured with a chart divider can be roughly converted to nautical miles using the chart's latitude scale.

Abbreviated “nmi.”

A commissioned officer qualified as a pilot in the USN, USMC, or the USCG The methods by which ships are moved safely from one place to another, using piloting (visual reference to land), celestial navigation (obtaining a fix by making reference to position of the sun, moon, and stars in the sky), dead reckoning (estimating a new fix based on speed and heading from a previously determined fix), radar navigation (using RADAR to identify the distance and bearing to charted objects to determine a fix), and satellite navigation (see GPS).

NAVal STAtion Pejorative acronym – Never Again Volunteer Yourself Maritime flag flown from the jackstaff of ships in port; consists of a rattlesnake superimposed on 13 red/white stripes, with the phrase “Don’t tread on me” at the bottom Slang: a water-saving shower; get wet, turn off the water, lather up, then rinse off Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical – see “CBRN” Nurse Corps – commissioned staff corps officers engaged as nurses. See also, “Line Officers, Staff Corps Officers, and Warrant Officers” later in this Manual Non-Commissioned Officer; an enlisted sailor with command responsibilities in addition to (or in place of) their technical/occupational duties; in the USN and USCG, E-4 through E-6; in the USMC, E-4 and E5. Compare to “SNCO”.

Codes representing the organization of the staff of the Navy, or a Navy command; large commands will have personnel in all departments, while smaller commands will have personnel only in essential functions.

N0 – Command N1 – Manpower & Personnel N2 – Naval Intelligence N3/N5 – Plans, Policy, & Operations N4 – Fleet Readiness & Logistics N6 – Space, Electronic Warfare, Comms, and Command & Control N7 – Training & Doctrine

NEC

NECC NEX NFO NHQ NHQ Representative

NJP NKO NLCC NLT NMCI nmi NMTI No Man’s Land

N8 – Resources, Requirements, & Assessments N9 – Warfare Systems Codes are then expanded to identify the role of an office or individual service member; N00 is the CNO’s office; N09 is the VCNO; N00N is the Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program; N77 is the Director of Training for Submarine Warfare; etc. These lower-level N-Codes can vary from command to command. J-Codes, similar to N-Codes, are for a joint command.

Navy Enlisted Classification – a four-digit code which identifies a skill, knowledge, aptitude, or qualification which is not necessarily held by all members of a rating; an additional area of specialization, often learned in a C School. There are over 1,400 NEC codes, ranging from 0389 (Trombone Instrumentalist) to 5326 (SEAL) to 8148 (Master Photojournalist) to 8348 (F-35C Aircraft Systems Organizational Maintenance Technician) to 8403 (Fleet Marine Force Reconnaissance Independent Duty Corpsman) to 9RUS (Russian speaker) to 9554 (Master Naval Parachutist)...

Navy Expeditionary Combatant Command. Under Fleet Forces Command, the single functional command for the Navy’s expeditionary forces, including EOD, riverine units, diving operations, CBs, etc.

Navy Exchange – department stores located aboard Navy shore stations Naval Flight Officer – a commissioned officer in the USN or USMC that specializes in airborne weapons and sensor systems (such as a WSO); not a “naval aviator” or pilot, but nevertheless may go on to command a squadron, CVW, CVN, or CSG. National Headquarters – the USNSCC’s HQ, located in Arlington, VA High-level USNSCC staff, who oversee one of six large geographic sectors of the Naval Sea Cadet Corps, including multiple Regions and as many as 60 NSCC/NLCC units. NHQ Reps supervise multiple RDs, and report directly to the Deputy Director at NHQ. Generally, NHQ Reps are retired USN or USCG senior enlisted or officers. Sometimes referred to as “Field Reps,” after an old job title.

Non-Judicial Punishment – legal punishment imposed by a unit commander, in lieu of a court martial. Usually carries a lighter punishment than a court martial. Slang: “ninja punch.”

Navy Knowledge Online – an online portal used by active and reserve USN personnel for career management, personal development, learning, references, leadership training, etc. Much maligned by USN personnel...

Navy League Cadet Corps – the junior program of the USNSCC No Later Than Navy & Marine Corps Intranet – DoN program which provides the vast majority of information technology services for the USN and USMC. Due to its frequent problems, also known derogatorily as “Non Mission Capable Internet”.

Nautical Mile – 6,076 feet Navy Military Training Instructor – the enlisted sailor in charge of students in an A School or C School; NMTIs wear a red and white aiguillette (shoulder cord) and are a toned-down version of an RDC. In World War I, the area of land between two enemy trench systems, which

Non-Qual Non-Rate NORDO NOSC NQP

NSA

NSC NSCC NSCS NSF NSI NSU NSW NUB

Nuclear Reactor

Nuclear Weapon

both sides would leave unclaimed due to the dangers in attempting to cross or seize it. Each side’s trench lines were protected from assault by barbed wire, mines, and machine gun nests. Crossing no man’s land meant exposure to mortar and artillery fire.

A sailor or officer who has yet to earn a qualification for a watch, or in their warfare specialty. See NQP. A USN or USCG enlisted member in rates E-1 to E-3 who does not yet have a rating. Compare to “striker.”

Abbreviation for “No Radio” – when an airplane suffers a malfunction in radio communications; also used to describe someone who is not returning your phone calls or emails Navy Operational Support Center – a reserve drilling space Non-Qual Puke. A crewman not yet able to stand watch, or who has not yet earned their warfare qualification pin.

National Security Agency – a US intelligence agency responsible for Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) – global monitoring, collection, decoding, translation, and analysis of information and data for foreign intelligence and counter-intelligence purposes. Unlike DIA and CIA, does not perform Human Intelligence (HUMINT) operations.

National Security Council – the principal advisory group to POTUS on national security matters; generally includes VPOTUS, SecDef, CJCS, the Secretary of State, the Director of National Intelligence, the National Security Advisor, and a number of others.

Naval Sea Cadet Corps; the senior program of the USNSCC Naval Sea Cadet Ship; the equivalent of “USS” for an NSCC ship Naval Security Force New Student Indoctrination – a two-week standardized accession training for new NROTC midshipmen, held at RTC Great Lakes, IL Navy Service Uniform – a year-round service uniform for E-1 to E-6 enlisted personnel; consists of black pants, khaki shirt, black belt, black leather shoes, and black garrison cap. Meant for office environments.

Don’t call them “khakis”! Nicknamed “peanut butters”.

Naval Special Warfare – see USNSWC Slang: pronounced “noob” – a newbie, deadweight. Literally, “non-usable body”. Recently changed to “new underway buddy” to be less harsh.

A device used to initiate and control a sustained nuclear chain reaction; heat from nuclear fission (the splitting of uranium atoms) in a closed system is used to heat water in a separate system, which is converted to steam and run through steam turbines to run propulsion and/or create electricity. Used as main propulsion and electrical generators on CVNs, SSNs, SSBNs, and SSGNs. An explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions – either fission, or a combination of fission and fusion (see thermonuclear). Both release vast energy from relatively small amounts of matter (since E =mc2), have yields measured in kt or mt, and are capable of destroying an entire city with a single warhead. A nuclear blast also results in radioactive contamination, and can make a target inaccessible to unprotected personnel for years.

Nuke (or Nuc)

NVR

NWU

Oak Leaf OCONUS OCP OCS ODS Oh Dark Thirty

Officer Officer Country OIC Old Ironsides Old Man

Navy personnel who operate nuclear reactors (and receive significantly more training than their non-nuke counterparts). Also, to make a simple task unnecessarily complicated or overthink something, as in, “don’t nuke this up”. Also, to solve a problem, as in, “you’ll just have to nuke it out”.

Naval Vessel Register – the official inventory of ships and service craft in custody of the USN, including ships that have been decommissioned (“stricken” from the register) but not yet disposed of by sale or transfer to another country’s navy. Available at www.nvr.navy.mil.

Navy Working Uniform. The NWU Type I was the blue and gray digital camouflage working uniform of the US Navy for all personnel E-1 to O10; consists of blouse, pants, boots, and 8-point cover. It was phased out by the Navy in favor of the Type III in October 2019, but is still an active NSCC and NLCC uniform. The NWU Type II is a digital desert camouflage uniform which is worn only by USNSWC personnel. The NWU Type III is a digital woodland camouflage uniform which was originally restricted to Navy ground units, but has become the standard working uniform of the US Navy. The NSCC is currently authorized to wear the NWU Type I and Type III with appropriate modifications.

USN or USCG O-4 Lieutenant Commander or O-5 Commander (or USA/USMC/USAF O-4 Major or O-5 Lieutenant Colonel), in reference to their rank insignia Outside CONtinental United States – anywhere outside the continuous conterminous United States (the 48 lower states). Includes Alaska, Hawaii, foreign countries, and the world’s oceans.

Operational Camouflage Pattern – a camouflage pattern being phased in by the US Army, to replace the ACU digital pattern; similar to MultiCam Officer Candidate School; a training offered by each branch of the armed services to turn civilians (and high-performing enlisted) into commissioned officers; the Navy’s OCS program is a 12-week training in Newport, RI Officer Development School – a 5-week Navy training in Newport, RI that turns doctors, dentists, nurses, lawyers, and clergy into commissioned Staff Corps officers Slang: very late at night (or more precisely, very early in the morning); also, “zero dark thirty,” “zero stupid thirty,” “oh dark stupid,” “oh silly hundred,” and “sparrow fart.”

A member of the armed (or uniformed) services who holds a position of authority and is eligible to command; in the US armed forces, most officers must hold a bachelor’s degree, and receive a commission after training at a service academy, ROTC, or OCS; in the Navy, O-1 Ensign through O-10 Admiral That portion of the barracks or ship which is occupied by officers Officer-In-Charge Nickname for USS CONSTITUTION, the oldest commissioned ship in the USN, earned when cannonballs from the HMS GUERRIERE bounced off the hull of Constitution on 19 August 1812. An American sailor was heard to exclaim, “Huzzah! her sides are made of iron!”

The commanding officer; sometimes used even when the CO is female.

Generally used respectfully, but still – don’t use this term in the Old Man’s

Old Salt OMSG ONI On Report On the Double OOD OOW Op OPD Operating Forces Operator OPFOR OPS or OPSO Optempo Order

Order of Precedence

Orders Ordnance Oscar OTC Outboard Out of Pocket Overboard Overhead Overstand

presence.

See “salty” Officer/Midshipman Study Guide – a test required of new NSCC adult volunteers which tests their knowledge of essential NSCC regulations Office of Naval Intelligence – the USN’s military intelligence agency, whose main goal is collecting information on other nations’ navies, including movements, deployments, and advances in technology.

The state of having been notified that you are being investigated or face NJP. As quickly as possible, without delay Officer of the Deck – officer watch duty; responsible to the CO (or CDO) for the operations of the ship at sea, or for the quarterdeck watch when moored Officer of the Watch Operation – a planned or coordinated activity Officer Professional Development – a series of day-long courses taken by NSCC adult volunteers to improve their knowledge of NSCC regulations, and to discuss best practices in leadership and unit management Those commands, ships, fleets, or other forces whose primary mission is to participate in combat; as opposed to logistics or staff corps Slang: SEALs and other special operations warriors; see also “snake eater” OPposing FORce – military unit tasked with representing an enemy for training purposes Operations Officer Operations Tempo – the frequency or intensity of military operations or deployments, often used to describe the wear and tear on equipment and personnel. During wartime, optempo increases significantly.

An instruction or command given by a superior, or a standing instruction (such as the 11 General Orders, reproduced on the back cover of this manual) A sequential hierarchy of the importance or significance of awards; the CMoH is at the top of the USN’s order of precedence, followed by the Navy Cross, the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, etc. (see “Awards & Decorations of the United States Navy,” later in this manual). Indicates the order in which the medals and/or ribbons should be worn on the uniform, with the highest worn on the top row, and inboard.

A document which contains an order, usually to proceed to a new ship or station.

Military weapons and ammunition The buoyant dummy used during man-overboard drills. Named for the O (“oscar”) signal flag flown during these evolutions.

Officer Training Command – the parent command of OCS, ODS, and DCOIC, headquartered at NAVASTA Newport, RI Away from the centerline; in the barracks, away from the main passageway Traveling; not available Over the side of a ship Ceiling Slang: when you understand something really well… you overstand

PAC Padre

Pan-Pan

PAO Parallels Paratrooper Parris Island Party Passageway Pass the Word

Paygrade

Pay Out PCS PCO PCU P-Days PDQ Pea Coat Peanut Butters

The Pentagon

People Tank Perfidy

Polaris Advancement Course – a self-guided online learning course required for advancement in the NLCC or NSCC Slang: a chaplain, from the Spanish for “father.”

A distress call during a situation which may become an emergency (such as an engine failure), usually made by radio and repeated three times to ensure that other ships or stations cannot mistake the call. Beginning a call with “pan-pan, pan-pan, pan-pan” gives the sender priority over all other radio communications, except a mayday call. “Pan-pan” is the anglicized version of the French “panne” (“broken” or “broken down”).

Public Affairs Officer – personnel at large commands who deal with the media and the local community Lines of latitude Military parachutists – personnel trained and qualified in parachuting A Marine Corps recruit training facility in South Carolina A group on temporary assignment or engaged in a common activity, as in a “working party” or “line-handling party” Hallway, corridor, abbreviated “p-way” Repeat the message, broadcast the information DoD system of designating a service member’s pay and benefits.

Corresponds to rank and rate, but not the same thing. While different ranks may be used among the services, pay grades are uniform and equivalent between the services, and can be used to determine seniority among a group of members from different services. Enlisted service members have paygrades from E-1 to E-9, Warrant Officers from W-1 to W-5, and Officers from O-1 to O-10.

To feed out or lengthen a line Permanent Change of Station – the official relocation of an active duty service member (along with her family) to a new duty location, such as a base or ship. PCS orders last until new PCS orders are issued or the completion of active duty.

Prospective Commanding Officer Pre-Commissioning Unit – ship prefix used for USN ships prior to being commissioned into service (PCU will be replaced by “USS” upon commissioning) Processing Days – the first seven to ten days of USN Recruit Training Pretty Damn Quick Heavy wool, hip-length, double-breasted, navy blue jacket with blue plastic buttons, worn by E1-E6 with SDB, FDB, and NSU. See also reefer.

Slang: the Naval Service Uniform (NSU) The headquarters of the DoD, located in Arlington, Virginia (just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.). So named because the building is pentagonal in shape. One of the largest office buildings in the world, over 23,000 military and civilian DoD employees work in the Pentagon. “The Pentagon” is often used to refer to the DoD itself, rather than the physical building.

Slang: the pressure hull (interior) of a submarine, where the crew lives and works In the context of war, perfidy is a form of deception in which one side

Petty Officer PFA PFC PFD PFT PGM Phone Commander Pier Pin Pin On Ping Ping Jockey Pinning Ceremony Pipe Down Piping Aboard PIR Piracy PKP Plank Owner Plastic Bag Platoon Plebe PLOC POAM Pocket Class

promises to act in good faith (e.g., by raising a flag of surrender) with the intention of breaking that promise once the enemy has exposed themselves.

USN NCOs E-4 through E-6; from the French “petit” or small Physical Fitness Assessment – another name for PFT Private First Class (US Army E-3 or USMC E-2). Also, slang: “Perfect for Cleaning” or “Personnel for Cleaning”.

Personal Flotation Device; a life preserver or life jacket Physical Fitness Test Precision-Guided Munition – a bomb which is guided to a precise target by infrared homing, laser guiding, radar, or GPS; a “smart bomb” Slang: derogatory term to describe an O-4 Lieutenant Commander who introduces himself as “Commander” on the phone in the hopes of being mistaken for an O-5 Commander (also, “Phone Colonel”).

Structure extending from land into water to provide mooring for vessels Usually referring to a warfare qualification badge. See “Badges of the United States Navy” later in this Manual.

To receive a promotion (as in, “when do you pin on Lieutenant?”), or to receive a warfare qualification badge A pulse of sound energy from a sonar transmitter Slang: a sonar technician A formal event at which a sailor or officer receives a promotion, or a warfare qualification badge. In particular, the ceremony at which at sailor is promoted from E-6 Petty Officer First Class to E-7 Chief Petty Officer.

Originally, a call on a Boatswain’s whistle sending the crew below. Now means “be quiet” A ceremony where the arrival of a senior officer is signified by the blowing of a Boatswain’s whistle Pass-in-Review; a graduation ceremony An act of robbery or criminal violence at sea Purple-K (Powder) – a dry-chemical fire suppression agent meant primarily for extinguishing Class B fires (see “Fire Classes”), used in some dry chemical fire extinguishers. A last resort for extinguishing Class C fires, since PKP can corrode metal parts in an electrical system.

A member of the original commissioning crew of a ship – traditionally presented with a piece of wood decking upon departure Slang: nickname Summer Whites and the old SDW, since they are made of polyester (a form of plastic), don’t breathe very well, and if not carefully maintained look like a wrinkled white plastic grocery bag In the USMC, a military unit made up of 2-4 squads, consisting of 25-70 Marines.

A fourth-class (first-year/freshman) midshipman at the USNA; from the Latin plebius, “common people” or lower class Punitive Letter Of Counseling – a formal reprimand or punishment for violations of regulations or poor performance Plan of Action and Milestones An informal period of instruction, usually brief, delivered on the spur of the moment. Something you can teach to your unit or division or

POD Pogue

Point Defense POLA

Polaris Police Pollywog POM PON Pop Smoke POV POW Pooka Poopie Suit Port POTUS Powder Monkey Powerpoint Ranger PPPPPP or P6 or 6P

PQS PRO Pro Patria Promotion

detachment between evolutions, or in place of a scheduled event in case of cancellation or delay (see “hurry up and wait”). Can also be taught to a select group to correct a deficiency. Also, “hip pocket class,” since you pull the material out of your pocket, literally or figuratively.

Plan of the Day – schedule of the day’s routine published aboard a ship or station Slang: derogatory term for non-combat and support elements, as applied by combat personnel (especially infantry). Sometimes POG, short for Personnel Other than Grunts The defense of a single area or ship, usually against guided missiles; point defense weapon systems tend to have a short range and must be mounted on or very near the object to be protected, such as the Phalanx and SeaRam CIWS. As opposed to “area defense.”

Petty Officer Leadership Academy – US Naval Sea Cadet Corps leadership training, mandatory for promotion to PO2 The star Alpha Ursae Minoris, known as the North Star or Pole Star, because it lies nearly in a direct line with the Earth’s rotational axis above the north pole, and therefore stands almost motionless in the night sky. An essential reference point in celestial navigation. Also, the name of the USNSCC’s online learning management platform.

To pick up or clean Slang: one who has not crossed the equator; to be taken as an insult Plan of the Month (see POD) Slang – Petty Officer of the Navy – a know-it-all junior Petty Officer who tends to offer his opinion, even when it’s wrong (which is most of the time) To call for extraction by use of a colored smoke grenade; also, to finish a duty or leave a training.

Privately Owned Vehicle – pronounced pee-oh-vee Prisoner of War; or Plan of the Week (see POD) Slang: a small storage space Slang: blue coveralls A hole or opening in the side of a ship; left of centerline when facing forward (opposite of starboard); a location along the coast where ships can dock and transfer people or cargo to or from land President of the United States Slang: a sailor sent back and forth to retrieve or deliver items or messages; from sailing days, when young boys called Powder Monkeys were used to climb down into the powder room near the keel to retrieve powder Slang: derogatory term for a service member who spends too much time in an office (rather than in the field); named after the Microsoft slide-show program.

Prior Planning Prevents P!$$ Poor Performance Personnel Qualification Standards – formal instruction, assessment, and on-the-job training leading to a qualification.

Physical Readiness Officer – the officer responsible for the physical conditioning of the personnel in a Navy unit. See also CFL. Latin: “For Country” A service member’s progression from one rank to the next higher rank. In

Prop Propulsion Prow PRT PT PTU PT Rat Pucker Factor Puddle Pirate Puzzle Palace P-Way

Qualification

Quarterdeck Quarters Quatrefoil R/ R2-D2 Rack Rack Rack Burns Rack Ops Radar

the USN and USNSCC, enlisted sailors (and cadets) are “advanced,” not promoted.

An aircraft’s propeller; note... a ship’s propeller is called a screw The mechanism or system used to generate thrust to move an aircraft through the air, or a ship or submarine through the water; on USN vessels, likely to be one of the following: diesel engines, gas turbine engines, or steam turbine engines.

The forward-most part of a ship’s bow that cuts through the water; that part of the bow above the waterline Physical Readiness Test – another name for the PFT Physical Training Physical Training Uniform Slang: derogatory term to describe a service member who does a lot of PT, usually by themselves Slang: the extent to which a situation causes anxiety Slang: derogatory term to describe a member of the USCG The Pentagon, or NHQ, or any high-level bureaucracy in which it is difficult or impossible to understand how or why decisions are made Abbreviation of passageway A certification that a sailor or officer meets the minimum standards necessary to do a specific task, or work in a particular field. A formal system of instruction, assessment, and on-the-job training results in “qualification.” They start with basic watchstanding qualifications which may take weeks to earn, and go all the way to Aviation, Surface Warfare, Submarine Warfare, and SEAL qualifications (which may take months or years to earn, and usually come with a badge or “pin” to signify the qualification). See also, PQS, Warfare Qualification, and Non-Qual. See “Badges of the United States Navy” later in this Manual.

Ceremonial area of the main deck; station through which all personnel and visitors must be screened before passing; the domain of the watchstanders Military housing, barracks; or, to gather for muster, inspection, and instruction Four-pointed embroidered pattern stitched on the top of a USMC officer’s barracks cover; originally used so that friendly sharpshooters could spot their own officers during boarding actions during the age of sail.

A closing to a message or email, meaning “respectfully.” Usually used when a superior is writing to a subordinate. Compare to “V/r”.

Nickname for the Phalanx CIWS, as its radar system resembles the famous droid from Star Wars.

Bed, bunk The set of service ribbons worn on your uniform The red marks and lines on your face which reveal that you have just gotten out of your rack Sleeping, especially for sick or exhausted sailors RAdio Detection And Ranging – a system that uses electromagnetic radiation to detect aircraft, ships, missiles, and even weather formations. A radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio waves or microwaves that bounce off objects in their path, back to the dish. Analysis of the returned radiation can and determine the range, altitude, direction, and speed of

RADM Raider

Railgun

Railroad Tracks Rain Locker RAM Rank

Rate

Rating

RD

RDC RDML Rear-Echelon Pogue Recruit Redline

detected objects.

Abbreviation for Rear Admiral, Upper Half (O-8) in the USN and USCG; a two-star admiral; compare to RDML. A member of MARSOC; “Marine Raider” would be used to describe a USMC special operator the same way “Navy SEAL” would be used to describe a USN special operator.

An electromagnetic weapon which uses massive amounts of electricity to create a magnetic impulse which can propel ferrous projectiles significantly further and faster than explosive-powered guns. Railguns are in prototype and have yet to be deployed on a USN warship, but are expected to be able to fire a small projectile over 100 nmi, with a muzzle velocity of up to 7,000 miles per hour. The power supply must be massive and delivering the power requires special hardware including low-inductance high-voltage capacitors. But given that the projectiles do not require explosive propellants, they are cheaper, smaller, lighter, and easier and safer to store.

What happens when you iron poorly – parallel creases just a few millimeters apart; also, the connected silver bars of an O-3 Lieutenant’s collar insignia Slang: shower Rolling Airframe Missile – a type of missile which rotates during flight to stabilize its flight path (like a bullet). The USN’s RIM-116 is a RAM. A service member’s relative position in the chain of command. In the USN, only Officers have “rank” (O-1 Ensign through O-10 Admiral); enlisted USN sailors, NSCC, and NLCC cadets have a “rate” or “paygrade,” not a rank.

A US Navy enlisted sailor’s relative position in the chain of command; E-1 Seaman Recruit through E-9 Master Chief Petty Officer. In the USN and USNSCC, enlisted sailors and cadets have “rate” and officers have “rank.”

See “Enlisted Rates of the United States Navy” later in this Manual.

A US Navy enlisted sailor’s area of occupational specialization, such as Boatswain’s Mate (BM), Master-at-Arms (MA), Intelligence Specialist (IS), Hospital Corpsman (HM), or Special Warfare Operator (SO). See “Ratings of the United States Navy” later in this Manual.

Regional Director – the next level in the USNSCC chain of command above a local unit’s Commanding Officer, but below a NHQ Representative. Responsible for the oversight and evaluation of training, recruiting, administrative, and financial functions of the units in their region/AOR. Recruit Division Commander – the senior enlisted in charge of a US Navy Recruit Training Division. Also, Red Roper.

Abbreviation for Rear Admiral, Lower Half (O-7) in the USN and USCG; a one-star admiral; compare to RADM and Commodore.

Slang: derogatory term for a person who chooses to stay behind the front lines to avoid danger; see “pogue” A brand new enlisted member of the USN, USCG, USMC, NSCC, or NLCC, with no rank, training, experience, or authority. There very bottom of the chain of command.

The maximum output in speed or pressure or voltage that a mechanical or

Red Roper Reefer Reefer Regiment Region Relief Reserve Duty Reserves Reservist Responsibility Re-Up Reveille RFI RIB

Ribbon

Rick or Ricky Ricky Carwash Ricky Crud Ricky Vacuum Rig Ring Knocker Riverine Warfare

electrical system can deliver before damaging the components of the system. Also, pushing any device (or person) to their maximum capability.

From the red lines on a gauge or dial which indicate this threshold.

Slang: US Navy Recruit Training (“boot camp”) RDCs and OCS instructors, after the red aiguillette worn on their left shoulders.

Refrigerated space A peacoat with gold buttons, worn by USN Chief Petty Officers and Officers. Officers’ reefers also have shoulderboards.

In the USMC, a military unit made up of 3-6 battalions and consisting of 3,000-5,000 Marines; similar in size to a brigade.

Geographic subdivision of the USNSCC; usually a state or a portion of a state, overseen by a Regional Director (see “RD”).

A person assigned to take over the duties of another Status of military members who are serving part-time in their military occupation; as opposed to active duty A component of each branch of the armed services, consisting primarily of members who serve in a part-time capacity; meant to be available for mobilization into active duty in time of war or national emergency.

A military member in the reserves; usually refers to SELRES Having a duty or obligation to fulfill; a goal or task which one is expected to complete and has been granted authority to complete.

To re-enlist; to volunteer for an additional service commitment. The more appropriate term for the USN is “Ship Over” Pronounced “rev-el-ee”; waking the ship’s company for the day, from the French “réveiller” meaning “to awaken.”

Request for Information Rigid Inflatable Boat – lightweight but high-performance boat with a solid, shaped hull and flexible, inflated tubes along the gunwale. Used by many elements of the USN and USCG, including SWCC units. Also known as a RHIB – Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boat.

A decoration awarded by the uniformed services for heroism, meritorious service, achievement, or participation in a campaign. Consists of a piece of distinctively-colored ribbon mounted on a small bar and worn on service uniforms. Some ribbons stand in place of a medal (since medals are only worn on FDB, FDW, and dinner dress uniforms), and some are awards in and of themselves. See “Awards & Decorations of the USN & USMC” later in this Manual.

Slang: a recruit still in boot camp; also, “chuck” The quick shower that recruits are required to take; even shorter than a Navy shower The creeping, crawling bugs and illnesses that recruits pass to each other Slang: a recruit using his hands to pick up dustbunnies and dirt To set up device or equipment Slang: USNA graduate, after their oversized college rings and their tendency to reminisce fondly with each other over their time at Annapolis.

Don’t get caught saying it to a graduate.

Warfare that takes place on rivers, prosecuted with small gunboats and patrol boats. See “brown water.”

RO ROAD Roast Beast Rocker Roger Rollers Rope Rope Rotary Wing Aircraft ROTC

Rotor RPG R&R

RRL

RT

RTC Great Lakes Ruck March Rudder Rudder Orders

Radar Officer – NFO aboard an E-2C Hawkeye Slang – Retired On Active Duty – derogatory description of a short-timer, or a service member who is lazy or disinterested See “mystery meat” The curved stripe above the three chevrons on the rate insignia of a Chief Petty Officer in the USN, USCG, or USNSCC; the curved stripe at the bottom of the rank insignia (i.e., below the chevrons) on USA, USMC, and USAF enlisted rank insignia.

Radio procedure response meant as “heard and understood”. Also, “roger that”.

Hot dogs Rope made of metal wire; compare to “Line” An aiguillette (shoulder cord), worn on the left shoulder by USN RDCs, RDCs-in-training, OCS instructors, and NMTIs. A helicopter, where lift is generated by rotating wings (or rotor blades), that revolve around a mast; as opposed to a fixed-wing aircraft Reserve Officers Training Corps – officer training program based at civilian and private military undergraduate colleges; upon graduation and completion of the ROTC training program, graduates are commissioned as an O-1 (Ensign or 2nd Lieutenant) and are required to serve a term of years.

Competitive students can receive tuition from ROTC. Pronounced rot-see.

The rotating wings or blades which generate the lift and thrust on helicopters; the “main rotor” generates lift and thrust, while the “tail rotor” counteracts the torque effect of the spinning main rotor. Lift and thrust are created by changing the pitch (angle) of the blades (see variable-pitch).

Rocket-Propelled Grenade – a shoulder-fired anti-tank or anti-personnel weapon that fires a rocket equipped with an explosive warhead Rest & Recuperation; Rest & Relaxation; or Rest & Recreation – a break from your duties Ready Relevant Learning – an USN initiative to modernize the training that enlisted sailors receive; training previously delivered all-at-once at an A School will be redistributed across multiple schools and during the first few tours of a sailor’s career. This will schedule training closer to time a sailor will actually put the training to use.

Recruit Training, or “boot camp.” The basic accession training used to indoctrinate new recruits in the USN, USCG, USMC, and NSCC. Military discipline is intense at RT, delivered by RDCs, CCs, or DIs; and recruits have little to no freedom or autonomy. Training at an RT typically focuses on self-discipline, self-confidence, teamwork, accountability, grit, physical fitness, and basic military knowledge.

Recruit Training Command Great Lakes – the Navy’s one and only “boot camp” A relatively fast march over a long distance carrying a full equipment load A primary control surface on a ship or submarine which is used to steer the vessel; generally a flat, vertical, hinged piece of metal behind the screw An order to the helm to change the angle of the rudder. This is a singleevent action, as opposed to a heading order, which might require ongoing rudder adjustments

SA Sailor Salty SAM Sandbag SAPRO SAR SC SCBA Scrambled Eggs Scientiæ cedit mare SCOTUS Screw SCUBA Scullery Scuttle Scuttlebutt

SDB

SDI SDV

SDW

SEA SEA

Situational Awareness – keeping the big picture in mind but still seeing the details. Losing SA leads to disaster.

A member of the USN; usually referring to enlisted members of the USN Slang: one whose level of experience is extreme; someone “in the know” about all matters maritime Surface-to-Air Missile Slang: to do things behind a shipmate’s back; to throw under the bus Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office – the organization in the USN charged with the reduction of sexual assaults, and for the legal, religious, military, and emotional support of victims.

Search and Rescue Supply Corps – commissioned staff corps officers engaged in supply, logistics, contracting, and fiscal issues. See also, “Line Officers, Staff Corps Officers, and Warrant Officers” later in this Manual.

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Leaf-shaped embellishments added to the bill of the combination cover of high-ranking navy officers; USN O-5 Commanders and O-6 Captains have one row, while O-7 Rear Admirals and above have two rows Latin: the sea yields to knowledge; motto of the USCGA Supreme Court of the United States A ship or boat’s propeller Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus Where dishes are washed in the chow hall To cut a hole in something, as in making holes in a ship to sink it on purpose. Also, to cancel (or give up on) a project or idea.

Originally, a water barrel (butt) which had a tap (scuttle) in it for drinking; now, rumors or gossip; from the habit of crewmembers of talking while at the scuttlebutt Service Dress Blues – winter dress uniform worn with ribbons; blue “crackerjack” jumper, 13-button bell bottom pants, dixie cup, black neckerchief, and black leather shoes for E-1 – E-6; black suit jacket and pants, white shirt with black tie, white combo cover, and black leather shoes for E-7 – O-10.

Senior Drill Instructor – the senior enlisted Marine in charge of a platoon of USMC recruits; see also “First Hat”.

SEAL Delivery Vehicle – small submersible designed to transport combat swimmers and their equipment (including compressed air tanks) long distances underwater; the SDV is flooded, so swimmers are exposed to the water. Operated by SDV Teams (SDVTs).

Service Dress Whites – summer dress uniform worn with ribbons; white jumper, white bell bottoms, dixie cup, black neckerchief, and black leather shoes for E-1 – E-6; chokers, white pants, white combo cover, and white leather shoes for E-7 – O-10.

Senior Enlisted Advisor – the most senior enlisted member attached to a unit, ship, or shore station. In the USN and USCG, the command chief, command senior chief, or CMC. Senior Enlisted Academy – a school at NAVSTA Newport, RI for senior

Sea and Anchor Detail Seabag Seabag Drag SeaBee SEAC Sea Lawyer

SEAL

Seaman Drifty Sea Story Sea Trial SecDef SecNav Secure Self-Discipline SELRES Semper Fidelis Semper Fortis Semper Paratus Sequimini Meum Exemplum Sensor

Sentry SEPCOR

enlisted sailors; a requirement for promotion to E-9 Master Chief Petty Officer, or appointment as a CMC or COB. A duty station assigned to every sailor when their ship is pulling in or out of port; on a submarine, known as maneuvering watch Large duffle bag into which you attempt to stuff all of your possessions Travelling to a duty station or waiting in line to be processed with your gear; manually carrying your personal items A nickname (and the mascot for) the Construction Battalions, from the pronunciation of the abbreviation “CB” Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman. Most senior NCO in the armed forces, appointed by the CJCS to advise the Chairman and the JCS on issues relating to enlisted personnel to the highest-ranking members of the DoD. Slang: a person who claims to have great knowledge of the finer points of the rules and regs (but usually doesn’t) SEa, Air, Land – the USN’s principal special operations force; part of SOCOM. US Navy SEALs conduct direct action strikes in all settings and conditions, and are highly trained in ground combat, amphibious operations, diving, and parachuting (see HAHO and HALO). See also “BUD/S” and “SQT.” A fictional Sea Cadet who looks like he just rolled out of the Goodwill bin, who hasn’t shaved, who shuffles around with poor posture, and who has no motivation Slang: a tale of nautical derring-do (usually exaggerated or plain old false) See “Shakedown Cruise” The Secretary of Defense; the civilian leader of the DoD The Secretary of the Navy; the civilian leader of the DoN To make fast; to cease or stop Self-control; the ability to foresee consequences and delay gratification; the willpower to persist at difficult or unpleasant tasks; a person’s mastery over himself and his own desires SELective REServe – the largest component of the Navy Reserve, which consists of part-time sailors who typically drill one weekend per month plus a two-week commitment. Compare to FTS. Latin: “Always Faithful”; the USMC’s official motto Latin: “Always Strong”; the USN’s unofficial motto Latin: “Always Ready”; the USCG’s official motto Latin: “Follow My Example” An instrument or device whose purpose is to detect events or changes in its environment, and then provide a corresponding output; e.g., thermometer, barometer, compass, depth gauge, tachometer, speedometer, accelerometer, microphone, hydrophone, camera, magnetometer, MAD, radar, sonar, lidar, etc.

A guard; a sailor on watch who is on duty to prevent or detect unauthorized entry to a ship or station. See the “Eleven General Orders of Sentry” on the back of this manual.

SEParate CORrespondence – sounds like a cool abbreviation but it’s not –

SERE

Service Academy

Service Jacket

Service Stripes

Shaft Shakedown Cruise Shellback Shinbuster Ship Shipmate Ship Over Ship Prefix Ship’s Company Shipshape Shipwreck Shooter Shore Shore Patrol Short-Timer

it just means that you’ll send some info to someone in a new email Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape – training that service members (especially pilots and special forces) undergo to help them evade capture, resist interrogation, and escape if captured Federally operated schools offering undergraduate education and training for future commissioned officers of the US Armed Forces: the Army’s US Military Academy (“West Point”), the US Naval Academy (“Annapolis”), the US Coast Guard Academy, the US Merchant Marine Academy, and the US Air Force Academy; education is free but requires a minimum tour of service upon graduation and commissioning A service record; the collection of material which provides a documentary history of a cadet’s activities, awards, and accomplishments, as well as their medical history and original application.

Stripes worn on the lower left sleeve of USN enlisted dress uniforms, each of which signifies four years of service. They are navy blue on the FDW/ SDW and red on the FDB/SDB uniforms. After 12 years of service, enlisted sailors are authorized to wear gold service stripes on their FDBs/SDBs (the chevrons and rockers on their rate insignia turn gold at this point as well).

The mechanical component that connects the propulsion system of a ship or submarine to the screw; also, “drive shaft” or “propeller shaft” A period during which all of a ship’s systems are tested to the redline, usually upon entering service (pre-commissioning), or after a major repair or overhaul. Also, the process of testing any new technology, system, or method.

A sailor who has crossed the equator (see pollywog) Slang: an opening through a bulkhead on a ship; the lower lip of the opening sits precisely at shin-height...

A large seagoing vessel capable of independent voyages on the high seas Any fellow sailor (or Sea Cadet). Depending on the tone with witch it is said, can be a team-building term or a derogatory term. Sometimes used when you can’t remember someone’s name.

To re-enlist; to volunteer for an additional service commitment Combination of letters (usually an abbreviation), used to identify the affiliation (and sometimes the type) of ship; see USS, USNS, PCU, USCGC, HMS, or HMCS All officers, chiefs, and enlisted members aboard a Navy ship or station Neat, clean, tight Slang: a corruption of “shipmate” – a fellow sailor (or Sea Cadet) who is a walking disaster (see “football bat” and “soup sandwich”) Naval Aviators or NFOs responsible for all aspects of catapult maintenance and operation on board CVNs. The meeting of land and sea, often meant as “not at sea”. Also, verb meaning to brace bulkheads and decks with timbers during damage control efforts Personnel tasked with ensuring that sailors on liberty (particularly while their ship is in a foreign port) do not get too rowdy A service member nearing the completion of her present tour of duty

Shot Shoulderboards Shove Off Shower Shoes shp Shrapnel Sick Bay Sick Bay Commando Sidearm Side Straddle Hop Silkies SIQ SitRep Skate Skimmer Skipper Skittles Skivvies Skylarking SLA Slack SLBM

SLCM Slick Sleeve Sliders Small Arms

One “shot” of anchor chain is 15 fathoms (90 feet) long; the second-to-last shot of anchor chain is generally painted yellow; the last shot is painted red Epaulette-style rank insignia worn on the shoulders of officer Summer Whites, SDW/FDW (“choker”) uniforms, reefers, and bridge coats.

To leave the vicinity; from the process of pushing off the shore or a pier Rubber sandals (flip-flops) worn in the shower to limit the spread of infections and athlete’s foot Shaft HorsePower – a measurement of the power delivered to the shaft of a ship or submarine Fragmented metal pieces from exploding munitions (such as a grenade), meant to spread the damaging effects outward from the blast.

Space on a ship or station that serves as a hospital or medical clinic Slang: derogatory nickname for military members who malinger (feign illness) to avoid duty or PT A weapon (usually a pistol) carried by watchstanders and sentries What the USMC calls a jumping jack The very, very, very short green PT shorts worn by the USMC Sleep In Quarters – an order to sleep off illness or exhaustion Situation Report Slang: getting away with not doing your assigned work Slang: surface sailor (as they are known by submariners) Nickname for the CO – one of the few it’s OK to say to her face.

Collective nickname for the sailors who work on the flight deck of a CVN, so named for the different colored jerseys they wear identifying their job (purple for fuel, red for ordnance, etc).

Slang: underwear Horsing around, goofing off, being lazy when you should be working Senior Leadership Academy – a high-level training focusing on ethical leadership and mentoring skills, for NSCC CPOs To allow a line to feed out and loosen; undisciplined, as in “slacking off” Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile – missile designed to be launched from a submerged SSBN, and capable of reaching targets at distances of 7,500 miles. Each SLBM can be armed with as many as 8 thermonuclear MIRV warheads. The USN operates an arsenal of Trident II SLBMs aboard its 14 OHIO-class SSBNs. Submarine-Launched Cruise Missile – missile designed to be launched from a submerged SSN or SSGN, and capable of reaching precise targets at distances of over 1,000 miles. The USN’s SLCM is the UGM-109 Tomahawk, typically armed with a 1,000 pound warhead.

Slang: an E-1 with no rating and who has not yet earned a service stripe, and thus has no insignia on his left sleeve Slang: cheeseburgers, from the tendency for them to slide right through your digestive system. The origin of this term is apparently unknown by the many restaurant chains who call their tiny appetizer burgers “sliders.”

Firearms meant to be operated by one person and mainly used against personnel or lightly armored/unarmored equipment; revolvers, pistols, shotguns, rifles, submachine guns, and light machine guns. Compare to

Smart Smokey Bear Smokin’ & Jokin’

Smoking Lamp

Smurf Suit SNAFU Snake Eater SNCO Snipe Hunt Snot Locker SOCOM

SOG

Soldier Sonar

Sonobuoy SOP SOS

“Light Weapons.”

Snappy, seamanlike, shipshape Slang: a Campaign Cover, worn by USMC DIs, US Army Drill Sergeants, USAF Military Training Instructors, and USCG Company Commanders.

Also, the person wearing the cover. Also, “Hat,” “Lemon Squeezer,” “Brown Round”.

Slang: goofing off, taking a break. From the days when sailors were more likely to smoke cigarettes.

In the days of sail, fire was an even greater danger to a ship than it is today.

One oil lamp was kept lit to allow sailors to light their cigarettes and pipes (rather than have them using and discarding matches all over the ship).

When the smoking lamp was lit, sailors were allowed to smoke. When the smoking lamp was extinguished, no more smoking was allowed on the ship for the day. Has since been used figuratively to define when smoking was allowed on USN vessels, although there are very few (if any) places a sailor may smoke on a ship today.

Slang: the blue sweatpants and sweatshirts worn by recruits during the first few days of US Navy Recruit Training (“boot camp”).

Acronym meaning that things are going very very badly, as usual Slang: SEALs and other special operations warriors; see also “operator” Senior Non-Commissioned Officers – E-7 through E-9 in the USN and USCG; Staff Non-Commissioned Officers – E-6 through E-9 in the USMC. See “NCO.” A practical joke in which a junior sailor is sent searching for something that doesn’t exist, such as the Mail Buoy, or the “keys to the ship” Slang: nose US Special Operations Command – the UCC charged with overseeing the various Special Operations commands of the US Armed Forces Special Operations Group – department within the CIA’s Special Activities Division responsible for the collection of intelligence in hostile countries and regions, especially where the US government does not wish to be associated. As such, members do not carry any objects or clothing which would associate them with the US government, and operate knowing the government may disavow them (deny any knowledge or association). SOG selects operatives from tier one special operations units in USNSWC, MARSOC, and others.

A member of the US Army (see “USA”) SOund NAvigation and Ranging – a technique that uses sound propagation (the movement of sound through water) to assist in navigation, and the detection of objects on or under the water. Passive Sonar is essentially listening for the sound made by naval vessels using hydrophones; Active Sonar is emitting pulses of sound (“pings”) and analyzing the echoes.

A relatively small, expendable sonar system that is dropped or ejected from aircraft or ships conducting ASW; sonobuoys float on the surface, drop a hydrophone to a pre-determined depth, and send acoustic information back to sonar operators on their mother aircraft/ship.

Standard Operating Procedures Save Our Ship: international distress signal, adopted because it’s quick

SOSUS Soup Sandwich South Maryland Small Boat & Barge Institute Space Spar Special Boats Special Forces

Special Operations

Special Reconnaissance Splice Spit and Polish Spook

SQT

Squad Squadron Square Away Squared Away Squid

and easy to communicate in Morse Code: ꞏ ꞏ ꞏ – – – ꞏ ꞏ ꞏ SOund SUrveillance System – a system of hydrophones deployed in the North Atlantic, originally designed to track Soviet submarines on their way toward the United States Slang: derogatory description of something that is screwed up, as in “this rack looks like a soup sandwich” Slang: derogatory term for USNA. Don’t get caught saying it to a graduate A room or compartment in a ship or building The nautical equivalent of a pole See “SWCC” Military units trained to perform special operations Military operations which are carried out by limited numbers of highlytrained “special forces” such as Navy SEALs, Marine Raiders, the US Army’s Delta Force, etc. The primary goal of SpecOps is to achieve a political or military objective where a conventional force alternative does not exist, is too expensive or impractical, or might negatively affect the overall strategic outcome. SpecOps are usually conducted in a low-profile manner that aims to achieve the advantages of speed, surprise, and violence of action against an unsuspecting target. See also, “unconventional warfare,” “guerilla warfare,” “special reconnaissance,” and “direct action.”

Reconnaissance missions conducted by small special operations units and/or military intelligence, operating behind enemy lines, avoiding detection or combat, while gathering intelligence, placing remote sensors, and otherwise preparing for the arrival of other forces.

The joining of two lines or ropes (or creating a loop in the end of a line/rope) by partly untwisting and then interweaving their strands.

Extreme individual or collective military neatness, extreme devotion to the minutiae of traditional military procedures and/or ceremonies; from spitpolishing boots and dress shoes.

Slang: anyone involved in intelligence SEAL Qualification Training – following 8 weeks at the Naval Special Warfare Preparatory School, 24 weeks at BUD/S, and 3 weeks at Parachute Jump School, SEAL candidates attend SQT, a 26-week training that provides polish to their tactical skills, including CQB, small unit tactics, land navigation, demolitions, unarmed combat, medical skills, SERE, and cold weather training in Alaska. Followed by 12- to 18-months of Individual Specialty Training and unit-level training prior to deployment.

In the USMC, a military unit made up of 2-3 fireteams, consisting of 8-15 Marines. Also, one column in a military formation.

A group or organization of destroyers or submarines; an aviation command consisting of three to four divisions or flights, generally 12-24 aircraft To put in proper order; to make things shipshape In its proper order, shipshape, ready for inspection Slang: what jarheads and grunts call sailors, sometimes meant specifically to describe submariners

SRB SS SSBN SSDD SSGN SSM SSN

Staff Corps Stand By Stand Tall Stand Up Star Starboard Stateroom Station STEAL Stealth Steam Steam Turbine Steel Beach Stem

Selective Re-enlistment Bonus – a monetary incentive paid to enlisted members to encourage re-enlistments and retention in critical military skills Silent Service – the submarine service Hull Classification for “Submarine, Ballistic Missile, Nuclear Powered” – large submarines designed for launching SLBMs at distant shore targets.

See “Ships, Aircraft, and Weapon Systems of the United States Navy” later in this Manual.

Same Stuff, Different Day – an expression of frustration with boring or repetitive circumstances Hull Classification for “Submarine, Guided Missile, Nuclear Powered” – large submarines designed for launching SLCMs at shore targets. See “Ships, Aircraft, and Weapon Systems of the United States Navy” later in this Manual.

Surface-to-Surface Missile Hull Classification for “Submarine, Nuclear Powered” – attack submarines designed for attacking and sinking other submarines and surface vessels with torpedoes, and for attacking shore targets with SLCMs. See “Ships, Aircraft, and Weapon Systems of the United States Navy” later in this Manual.

An officer holding a commission in the US Navy, who is a member of the Medical Corps, Dental Corps, Nurse Corps, Chaplain Corps, Supply Corps, Civil Engineer Corps, or JAG Corps; as opposed to a Line Officer. See “Line Officers, Staff Corps Officers, and Warrant Officers” later in this Manual A command to wait To be proud, to present a military appearance. Also, having to answer to higher authority for misbehavior or poor performance (as in “standing tall before the man”).

To start The rank insignia of flag officers (O-7 – O-10), as in “one-star general” or “three-star admiral.”

Right of centerline when facing forward (opposite of port) A compartment in which an officer lives A shore-based command or base; often home to fleet support services or training schools Stealthily Transport Equipment to Another Location Technology used to make ships and aircraft less visible to radar, infrared, sonar, and other detection methods. For example, angular designs are used on modern aircraft, ships, and weapon mounts to reduce their radar crosssection.

As a verb, meaning to travel A device that generates rotary motion from the passage of expanding steam over a series of blades in a closed system (these blades look similar to the blades in a jet airliner’s turbofan engines). The rotation can be used to create electricity, or through gear reductions, turn the shaft. Water is heated to steam by boilers or by the heat created in a nuclear reactor.

Slang: barbeque or cookout on the flight deck / weather deck of a ship Extreme forward of the bow

STEM Stern Stew-Burner Stores STOVL Stow Striker Stuffed Subordinate Subsonic Summer Creases Summer Whites

Supercarrier

Supersonic Superior Superstructure SUPPO Susie/Suzy Swab Swap Paint

SWCC

SWO Sympathy Chit Tack

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math – what you should study in college if you want a high-paying job The aftermost part of a vessel A Navy cook Supplies Short Take-Off, Vertical Landing To put away A junior sailor (E2 or E3) without a rating who is trying out for a specific rating and receiving on-the-job training for that rating; a “designated striker” can wear the rating badge of their rating A naval aircraft is said to be stuffed when its wings or rotors are folded, and it is parked in close proximity to other aircraft A person who reports to you; a person generally of lesser rate/rank who is below you in the chain of command.

Slower than the speed of sound (approximately 760 miles per hour or 660 knots at sea level on a dry 68°F day) Slang: a bad job ironing a uniform: “some are here, some are there”.

White service uniform worn by E-7 – O-10, consisting of white shortsleeved button-up shirt, white pants, white combo cover, and white leather shoes.

An imprecise term used to describe the largest aircraft carriers, which displace nearly 100,000 tons and carry 80+ aircraft (only the USN operates supercarriers: the NIMITZ- and GERALD R. FORD-class CVNs). Compare to: “fleet carriers” operated by nations such as Great Britain, Russia, and China, which displace around 65,000 tons and carry 40-50 aircraft.

Compare also to “light carriers” operated by nations such as Italy, Japan, and Brazil, which displace 20-30,000 tons and carry 30 aircraft.

Faster than the speed of sound (approximately 760 miles per hour or 660 knots at sea level on a dry 68°F day) A person to whom you report; a person generally of greater rate/rank who is above you in the chain of command That part of a ship which projects above her main deck Supply Officer The female version of Jodie A mop; the act of mopping; nickname for a sailor; also, a fourth-class (first-year/freshman) cadet at the USCGA Slang – a euphemism for when two ships or aircraft collide Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewman – (pronounced “swick”) – special operations force that operates and maintains an inventory of small, speedy boats meant to operate in shallow water areas, used to support special operations missions, particularly the clandestine infiltration and extraction of SEALs and other special operators. Also known as “special boats.”

Surface Warfare Officer A fictional chit to be issued to whiny personnel so that others can feel bad for them A change of course which puts a sailing vessel’s bow into and through the wind. Compare to jibe. Sometimes used colloquially for “course,” as in,

Tack and jibe TAD Tailhook Taps Tattoo TBD TBS TDU

Terrorism

Test Depth

Theater Thermonuclear Thousand Yard Stare Time Machine Tier One

Tiltrotor

Tin Can Tip of the Spear TO or TNG or

“we need to take a new tack on this project.”

See individual entries for tack and jibe. To operate a sailing vessel when the wind is not coming from the stern, the vessel must zig-zag to find the wind, known as tacking and jibing.

Temporary Additional Duty A device attached to the empennage (rear) of a fixed-wing aircraft which is meant to snag an arresting cable and allow for rapid deceleration during landings aboard a CVN. Also, “arresting hook.” See “arresting gear.”

A musical piece sounded at military funerals, and as a signal for “lights out”; the time that the ship’s company retires to their racks A five minute warning to taps To Be Determined The Basic School – a six-month combat and leadership training required of all newly commissioned USMC 2nd Lieutenants and newly appointed USMC warrant officers; located in Quantico, Virginia.

Trash Disposal Unit – on a submarine, trash must be compacted and ejected, and must sink to the ocean floor or else potentially reveal the position of the submarine – more complicated than you might think Violent acts intended to create fear, perpetrated for a religious, political, or ideological goal, and which deliberately target or disregard the safety of non-combatants, mostly undertaken by non-state actors (such as al-Qaeda or ISIS).

The maximum depth at which a submarine is permitted to operate under normal peacetime circumstances, and which is tested during sea trials.

Generally set at 50-60% of crush depth. Thought to be 1,000 feet or more for modern USN SSNs, SSBNs, and SSGNs. A specific area or region in which military operations are planned or take place; for instance, on the grandest scale, WWII was split between campaigns in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters.

Nuclear weapon design that uses the energy from a primary nuclear fission reaction to compress and ignite a secondary nuclear fusion reaction The unfocused gaze of a battle-weary service-member Slang – your rack The most elite special operations units, generally thought of as the USA’s Delta Force, the USN’s DEVGRU, and the USAF’s 24th Special Tactics Squadron An aircraft which generates propulsion by powered rotors (large spinning blades) mounted on rotating engine pods (or “nacelles”) usually mounted at the ends of a fixed wing; combines the vertical lift capability of a rotarywing aircraft with the speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft. For takeoff, the rotors are horizontal (like a helicopter); as the aircraft gains speed, the rotors are tilted forward until they are vertical (like a propeller aircraft), where the flow of air over the wings provides lift. The MV-22 Osprey is the only tiltrotor aircraft in operation in the USN. Slang: a destroyer Term for a unit that enters enemy territory first Training Officer – the officer responsible for the training of sailors at a

TRNG Top Topside Touch and Go’s

Tour Training Ship Trim Tumblehome Tun Tavern

Turbine

Turbofan

Turn to TYCOM

Type I

Type II Type III Type Command

command (or cadets at a unit) Nickname for senior enlisted in the USMC (E-8 Master Sergeant or E-9 Master Gunnery Sergeant) and USA (E-8 First Sergeant); might be OK to say it to her face in informal settings, but you better make sure first.

Above, generally referring to the deck or decks above When aviators practice landing by descending, briefly touching down, and then taking off again for another run. Also, when you fall asleep for just a moment in a boring class or meeting, and your head dips forward before you snap it back… and then dips forward…

A period of duty, especially at sea, or in a combat or hostile environment in a foreign country. As in, “SOC Chris Kyle served four tours in Iraq.”

Also, “tour of duty.”

A unit which only enrolls and focuses solely on the training of NLCC cadets A measurement of whether the draft is the same at the bow and stern of a ship The narrowing of a ship’s hull with greater distance above the waterline; when the beam of the uppermost deck is less than the maximum beam of the vessel. ZUMWALT-class DDGs have a tumblehome design.

A tavern and brewery in Philadelphia at which tradition holds the USMC held its first recruiting drive during the American Revolution.

A mechanical device that extracts energy from fluid flow (generally steam or heated air) over a rotor (a shaft which spins when the fluid passes over/through attached blades). Many USN ships and submarines use steam turbines or gas turbine engines for propulsion, and jet aircraft generally use turbofans to create thrust.

An engine used on many commercial and military jets; a combination of a gas turbine engine (which takes mechanical energy from combustion) and a ducted fan at the front (which uses the mechanical energy from the gas turbine to suck air in and accelerate it rearwards). Some of the intake air is bypassed around the turbine by the fan; military jets use low-bypass turbofans.

Get to work, get busy Type Commander NWU blue-and-gray digital camouflage pattern. What it is camouflage against is a mystery – the best explanation offered is that haze gray paint won’t show up on the uniform if you accidently get some on yourself while painting. Except… sailors usually wear their poopie suits while painting?

Was an approved uniform for all sailors from 2009 through 2019; phased out in favor of the NWU Type III in the USN, but still an authorized USNSCC uniform.

NWU digital desert camouflage pattern (mostly tan and brown), restricted to USNSWC personnel NWU digital woodland camouflage pattern (mostly green and brown), originally restricted to USN ground units (like CBs, MAAs, and riverine units), but now the standard working uniform for the USN. Authorized in January 2020 for wear by USNSCC personnel.

A large USN command organized by type: Aviation, Surface, Submarine,

etc. Type commanders are the principal advisors to fleet commanders on their particular type of ship or squadron, and have authority over the manpower, training, modernization, and maintenance component for their respective units and vessels. Type Commanders control ships and squadrons during primary and intermediate training cycles, after which they are deployed to a fleet under the operational control of a fleet commander. Examples include: COMNAVAIRFOR – Commander, Naval Air Forces. The type commander for naval aviation units, supervising COMNAVAIRLANT (Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic under Fleet Forces Command) and COMNAVAIRPAC (Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet).

COMNAVIFOR – Commander, Navy Information Forces. Under Fleet Forces Command, the type commander supervising meteorology and oceanography, cryptology/SIGINT, cyber, electronic warfare, information operations, intelligence, networks, and space disciplines.

COMNAVSURFLANT – Commander, Naval Surface Force, Atlantic. Under Fleet Forces Command, the type commander supervising all surface ships based on the eastern US and Gulf Coast, as well as ships forward deployed to Spain.

COMNAVSURFPAC – Commander, Naval Surface Force, Pacific. Under the Pacific Fleet, the type commander supervising all surface ships based on the west coast of the US, Hawaii, Japan, and other Pacific bases.

COMNECC – Commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command. Under Fleet Forces Command, the type commander supervising expeditionary warfare operations, training, maritime and port security, logistics support, construction, littoral and coastal warfare and patrol, coastal riverine warfare, EOD, expeditionary diving and combat salvage, and combat photography.

COMSUBLANT – Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic. Under Fleet Forces Command, the type commander supervising all submarines out of Norfolk, Groton, Kings Bay, and Portsmouth on the east coast.

COMSUBPAC – Commander, Submarine Force Pacific. Under the Pacific Fleet, the type commander supervising all submarines out of Bangor, San Diego, Pearl Harbor, Japan, and Guam.

UA UAV

UCAV

UCC

Unauthorized Absence Unmanned Aerial Vehicle – an aircraft with no pilot on board, which is operated remotely via a ground station, or flown autonomously based on pre-programmed flight plans. Most US-operated UAVs (such as the Predator) are meant primarily for ISR. Also known as “drones”.

Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle – a UAV which is meant for combat operations, including precision missile strikes. The first UCAVs were just Predator UAVs with Hellfire missiles; newer UCAVs (such the future operational versions of the X-47B) will someday replicate the capabilities of fighter jets.

Unified Combatant Command – a DoD command composed of forces from multiple services, and with a large (“theater-level”) geographic AOR or specific mission. Commanded by a 4-star General or Admiral.

USAFRICOM – U.S. Africa Command – geographic UCC covering the continent of Africa, except the country of Egypt USCENTCOM – U.S. Central Command – geographic UCC covering Egypt, the Middle East, and Central Asia (including Iraq and Afghanistan)

USEUCOM – U.S. Europe Command – geographic UCC covering Europe, Russia, Greenland, and Israel USNORTHCOM – U.S. Northern Command – geographic UCC covering the contiguous United States, Alaska, Peurto Rico, Canada, and Mexico USPACOM – U.S. Pacific Command – geographic UCC covering the Pacific Ocean and southeast Asia including India, China, North and South Korea, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia.

The State of Hawaii is part of PACOM, and its HQ. USSOUTHCOM – U.S. Southern Command – geographic UCC covering South America, Central America to the southern border of Mexico, and the Caribbean.

USSOCOM – U.S. Special Operations Command – functional UCC charged with overseeing the various Special Operations commands of the US Armed Forces USSTRATCOM – U.S. Strategic Command – functional UCC charged with overseeing space operations, information warfare, BMD, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and the U.S. nuclear weapon arsenal USTRANSCOM – U.S. Transportation Command – functional UCC charged with providing air, land, and sea transportation for the DoD, both in times of peace and war

UCLASS

UCMJ UDT UN Unconventional Warfare Underway Uniformed Services

Unit

Unit UNODIR UNREP

Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike – the Navy’s UCAV program, which will produce remotely-operated and autonomous jets for reconnaissance, surveillance, electronic warfare, and precision long-rage strikes. Since no pilot is required, these vehicles can operate for days at a time with midair refueling. Several military contractors are competing to build the UCLASS vehicle for the USN. Uniform Code of Military Justice – code of laws that apply to the military.

Underwater Demolition Teams – the precursor to the present-day SEALs United Nations A form of guerilla warfare; activities conducted to enable a resistance movement or insurgency to coerce, disrupt or overthrow an occupying power or government by operating through or with an underground, auxiliary, and/or guerrilla force in a hostile area. In the US armed forces, generally conducted by special forces through US SOCOM In motion; at sea or proceeding to sea The United States Army, United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, United States Air Force, United States Space Force, United States Coast Guard, United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps A homogenous military subdivision that includes personnel predominantly from a single branch of the armed services, generally focused on one mission (air combat; SEAL delivery; construction; etc), with self-contained administrative and command functions.

In the NSCC, the local organizational structure to which all cadets and officers belong. Minimum required manning is five officers (CO, XO, TO, OPS, and ADMIN) and 25 cadets. Also, “home unit” and “local unit.”

UNless Otherwise DIRected UNderway REPlenishment – a method of transferring fuel, munitions, and stores from one ship to another while underway. Compare to VERTREP.

Unsat US USA USA USAF

USCG

USCGA USCGC USMA

USMC

USMM

USMMA

USMS USN

Unsatisfactory United States United States of America United States Army – the ground warfare service of the armed forces, and the largest of the services (1,015,000 active and reserve soldiers, including National Guard).

United States Air Force – the aerial warfare service of the armed services, formed into a separate branch in 1947 (more than 10,000 aircraft, and 485,000 active and reserve airmen, including Air Guard).

United States Coast Guard – a maritime, multimission service unique among the armed services, since it operates under the DHS, but can be transferred to the DoD during wartime (which last happened in WWII). It operates toward a number of goals: marine safety, maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, drug interdiction, marine environmental protection, port/waterway/coastal security, ATON maintenance, and ice operations (keeping otherwise frozen waterways open with icebreakers).

The smallest of the armed services, the USCG consists of 238 USCGC, 1,523 boats, 187 aircraft, 36,235 active and 7,350 reserve personnel.

The US Coast Guard Academy – the Coast Guard’s service academy, located in New London, CT; upon graduation, USCGA cadets receive commissions in the USCG and are required to serve a term of years in consideration for a free education United States Coast Guard Cutter – ship prefix for commissioned USCG vessels, generally 65’ or greater in length and with a permanent crew United States Military Academy – the Army’s service academy, located in West Point, NY; upon graduation, USMA cadets receive commissions in the USA and are required to serve a term of years in consideration for a free education United States Marine Corps – the DoD’s expeditionary force-in-readiness; the DoN’s landing force; the branch of the armed services responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the USN to rapidly deliver MAGTF. The USMC is a separate branch of the armed services, and its Commandant is a member of the JCS, but there is no “Department of the Marine Corps”... the USMC is organized under the Department of the Navy (220,500 active and reserve marines). Also, “Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children” See Merchant Marine U.S. Merchant Marine Academy – a maritime academy and one of the five federal service academies, charged with training officers for the U.S. Merchant Marine, branches of the military, and the transportation industry.

USMMA midshipmen are trained in marine engineering, navigation, ship's administration, maritime law, personnel management, international law, customs, and many other subjects important to the task of running a large ship. Located in Kings Point, New York.

See Maritime Service United States Navy – the naval warfare service of the armed services, whose missions include sea control, power projection, crisis/disaster response, and nuclear deterrence. Currently consists of 274 ships, 3,700

USNA

USNS

USNSCC USNSWC USS

USS CONSTITUTION

USSF

USV VA VADM Vampire Vampire Liberty Variable-Pitch Propeller/Rotor VCNO VERTREP Veteran VFW

aircraft, 324,000 active and 108,000 reserve personnel.

The US Naval Academy – the Navy’s service academy, located in Annapolis, MD; upon graduation, USNA midshipmen receive commissions in the USN and USMC and are required to serve a term of years in consideration for a free education United States Naval Ship – ship prefix for naval vessels owned by the USN but operated by primarily civilian crews; these include hospital ships, replenishment ships, cargo ships, tankers, salvage ships, survey ships, surveillance ships, etc.

United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps; used to refer to the overall program, encompassing both the NSCC and NLCC, and to differentiate the American NSCC from the naval cadet programs in ISCA. US Naval Special Warfare Command – the naval component of SOCOM, composed of SEALs, SWCC, and SDVTs United States Ship – ship prefix for commissioned USN vessels One of the six original frigates authorized by the Naval Act of 1794; named after the Constitution of the United States by George Washington. Most famous for defeating five British warships in the War of 1812 under the command of Captains Isaac Hull, William Bainbridge, and Charles Stewart. The oldest commissioned warship still afloat, she is crewed by 60 active duty USN officers and enlisted sailors a the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston, Massachusetts.

United States Space Force – the space operations branch of the armed services, organized under the Department of the Air Force. Established as an independent branch in December of 2019, its mission is to protect American interests in space and to provide space capabilities to the armed services, including satellite operations and missile warning systems.

Unmanned Surface Vehicle – a ship or boat that is operated remotely, or operated autonomously (using sensors and computer software to navigate and carry out missions). See, e.g., ACTUV. US Department of Veterans Affairs – a government-run veteran’s benefit organization, which oversees such functions as veteran’s hospitals and health administration, pensions, and the GI Bill.

Abbreviation for Vice Admiral (O-9) in the USN and USCG; a three-star admiral.

Inbound missile Liberty earned for donating blood A type of prop, rotor, or screw witch can change the pitch (angle) of the blades to increase or decrease the thrust created, and/or to increase fuel efficiency Vice Chief of Naval Operations VERTical REPlenishment – the transfer of cargo between ships by using helicopters or tiltrotor aircraft. Compare to UNREP. A person who performed active duty service and was discharged under any conditions other than dishonorable; sometimes meant to mean a military member who served during wartime, or served in a combat zone Veterans of Foreign Wars – patriotic veterans’ organization formed after the Spanish-American War

VLF

VLS VIP Voluntold VPOTUS V/r V/STOL VTOL Wardroom Warfare Qualification

Warrant Officer

Watch

Watch, Quarter, & Station Bill Water Wings Waterline Wave Off

Very Low Frequency – electromagnetic waves in the range of 3,000 – 30,000 hertz; can be detected by submarines at depths up to 60 feet. A one-way communication system that can transmit approximately 400 words per minute. Submarines often carry a VLF antenna attached to a buoy on a long cable to receive VLF messages while at greater depths. See also, “ELF.” Vertical Launch System – a system on surface ships for launching various types of SAM, SSM, BMD, ASROC, and cruise missiles; and on submarines for launching SLCMs Very Important Person When you are “volunteered” by your superior for a task Vice President of the United States A closing to a message or email, meaning “very respectfully.” Usually used when a subordinate is writing to a superior. Compare to “R/”.

Vertical or Short Take-Off and Landing Vertical Take-Off and Landing Compartment aboard ship where the officers eat; where officers meet; the complement of officers aboard ship A qualification earned in a warfare field (such as surface warfare, submarine warfare, aviation, special warfare, EOD, etc.) through training, experience, and testing. Once earned, most come with a qualification insignia (see “US Navy Badges” later in this Manual).

An officer holding a warrant from SecNav (rather than a commission) who is a technical specialist; no bachelor’s degree is required. To be appointed a CWO-2, a sailor must have been E-7 Chief Petty Officer or above in the Navy and served ≥ 12 years. The rank WO-1 was recently re-introduced for cryptologic technicians in the rate of E-5 or above with ≥ 6 years of service. See “Line Officers, Staff Corps Officers, & Warrant Officers” later in this Manual).

One of the periods into which the day is divided; a duty shift; a period during which a sailor or officer is assigned to guard, supervise, oversee, or ensure the safety of a space, a function, a piece of equipment, or even the entire ship/station. In the USN, usually scheduled as such: Midwatch Morning Watch Forenoon Watch Afternoon Watch First Dogwatch Second Dogwatch Evening Watch (First Watch)

0000 – 0400 0400 – 0800 0800 – 1200 1200 – 1600 1600 – 1800 1800 – 2000 2000 – 2400

A comprehensive listing of the entire ship’s company, which sets out every sailor’s watch assignments, and where their duties are in case of shipboard emergencies such as GQ, fire, flooding, or man overboard Surface Warfare Officers’ warfare qualification badge, so named by airedales.

The line where the hull of a ship meets the surface of the water In naval aviation, to voluntarily discontinue a landing approach due to unsafe conditions. Can mean to stop any activity after learning about some

new circumstance.

Weather Deck Weigh Anchor Well Deck Weps Wheelbook Wheels Up Wilco Winch Windlass Wing Wings The Wire The Word Working Party Work-Ups WSO WTD XO XOI XO’s Happy Hour Yardarm Yeoman Yeoman’s Work Yes Man Youngster Zarf Zoomie

Any deck of a ship that is exposed to weather To hoist the anchor clear of the bottom A hangar-like deck at the stern of an amphibious warfare vessel; by taking on water, the ship can lower its stern and flood the well deck, allowing small boats, AAV, and LCAC to deploy or dock.

Weapons Officer A small notebook, generally top-bound, for keeping track of your tasks Aviator’s term for actual launch time; “I want to be wheels up at 0600” means to be on the way at 0600, not preparing to get underway Radio procedure abbreviation for “Will Comply” A mechanical device used to pull in (wind up) or let out (wind out) or otherwise adjust the tension of a line or rope; unlike a windlass or capstan, line is generally stored around the winch.

A horizontal-axled rotating machine used to haul line, rope, or anchor chain; the vertical version is known as a capstan An aviation command, usually consisting of multiple squadrons based on land. Compare to a CVW. Insignia of a naval aviator The defensive perimeter of a base; “crossing the wire” means leaving the safety of the base.

General term for instructions, orders, and information that is required for all members of a unit to know. As in, “pass the word.”

Sounds fun but it isn’t; a small detail assigned to a particular task, usually cleaning or carrying heavy objects The preparations on board a ship which precede a cruise.

Weapons Systems Operator (pronounced “wizzo”); NFO manning the weapon systems of fighter aircraft; including the F/A-18D and F/A-18F WaterTight Door See Executive Officer Executive Officer’s Inquiry – where the XO hears details of a case, and then decides to either dismiss or forward to the CO for mast Daily hour-long mandatory cleaning evolution The port or starboard half of a spar set athwartships across the upper mast An enlisted sailor who performs administrative and clerical work; see “Ratings of the United States Navy” later in this manual.

Very hard but very well done work, especially in support of a cause A subordinate who always agrees with a superior, even when the superior is clearly wrong; also, “brown noser.”

A third-class (second year/sophomore) midshipman at the USNA A cupholder on a submarine. No one knows why.

An aviator. Also, particle radiation originating from a nuclear reactor or nuclear weapon, as in “his brain has taken too many zoomies in his career.”