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The Military Has a Vocabulary All its Own. Here are Some Common Terms and Phrases

How would you respond if you heard someone say, “I’m a 90A, and I just finished up as the S1 for the 728th. I ran the battalion PAC and was responsible for OERs, NCOERs, awards and all MILPO actions”?

The military jargon used to communicate systems, positions, geography and terminology is plentiful. Within the military, it’s a shorthand that makes communication more efficient, although to civilian listeners, it can be confusing to say the least.

The U.S. military uses many unique items and concepts that civilians aren't exposed to. Because of this and the need for expedient, clear communication, service members are immersed in a linguistic world apart from the daily life of a civilian. Some are self-explanatory and others are completely cryptic, but they each have a specific and important (sometimes) meaning.

Be sure to check out Military.com's Glossary of Military Acronyms .

If you want to know more, check out our complete guide to the military alphabet .

What is Military Slang?

Military slang refers to the unique jargon and expressions commonly used by service members in the armed forces. Military slang is a way for soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coasties to not only communicate more efficiently, but also as a way to build camaraderie with “insider” language.

Military slang typically includes abbreviations and other shortened ways of saying things, such as acronyms, nicknames for equipment, and more. It’s often direct and tinged with dark humor, reflecting the culture.

Military jargon and slang can change from region to region, and sometimes evolve over time and with different missions.

Military Terms, Slang, and Jargon

11 Bullet Catcher/Bang-Bang -- An Army infantryman.

40 Mike-Mike -- An M203 grenade launcher, usually mounted under an M-16 or similar weapon.

Air Picket -- Any airborne system tasked with detecting, reporting and tracking enemy aerial movements within a certain area of operation.

Alpha Charlie -- Military alphabet used to represent ass chewing. Defines getting verbally reprimanded.

Anymouse -- A lockbox on Navy ships where sailors may drop anonymous suggestions.

Ass -- Armored vehicles such as Strykers and Tanks.

Ate-Up -- Describes a service member who follows regulations so closely that they disregard the context of the situation. Conversely, may describe a service member who doesn't understand regulations at all.

Band-Aid -- A Vietnam-era term for a medic.

Bang-bang -- An Army term describing a pistol or rifle.

Big Voice -- Term used to describe the loudspeaker on a military base. The Big Voice warns of everything from incoming attacks to scheduled ordnance disposal.

Bird -- Helicopter.

Bitchin' Betty -- Most U.S. military aircraft feature warning systems that frequently utilize female voices. The phrase is derived from the same anthropomorphizing applied to GPS units in cars, only Bitchin' Betty's alert pilots to life-threatening situations.

'Black' on ammo, fuel, water, etc. -- A common phrase denoting a particular resource is gone.

Blowed up -- The state of being hit by an IED.

Blue Falcon -- A euphemism for buddy **** or buddy ****er, which is slang for a backstabber.

Bolo -- A derogatory remark for recruits who cannot pass marksmanship training. The idea being that if one cannot use a rifle, one must resort to a bolo.

Bone -- A B-1 bomber.

Bull**** Bomb -- A package intended to disperse propaganda leaflets.

Bullwinkle Badge -- Another name for the Air Assault Badge.

Burn Bag -- A bag used to hold shredded documents, designed to be burned. May also refer to a useless person.

Cannibalize -- The act of taking workable parts of one item and using them in another.

Chancre Mechanic -- Medical officer who checks service members for venereal diseases.

Charlie Foxtrot -- Commonly used expression utilizing the military alphabet to stand for clusterf***.

Chem-Light Batteries -- A mythical object that would be extremely, functionally pointless. Often the source of fruitless hunts embarked upon by hapless privates.

Chest Candy -- Ribbons and medals worn on a uniform. Can be insulting or applauding.

Chicken plates -- Sheets of protective material, called Small Arms Protective Inserts, which are used in the Interceptor body armor system.

Comics -- Term used to describe maps presented by military intelligence. The term is fairly derogatory in nature as a slight against the accuracy of the maps. It also refers to the brightly colored layouts and symbols usually included.

Commo -- Communications equipment or the individuals who operate it. Usually given to communications officers on U.S. Navy vessels.

CONUS -- Continental United States, the 48 states on the U.S. mainland (not including Alaska or Hawaii.)

Crank -- Navy term for a sailor pulling temporary duty in the galley.

Crumb Catcher -- Military slang describing the mouth.

Crusher -- Hats worn by pilots during World War II. The hat's wide top brim would need to be crushed down to allow for headsets to be worn.

DD 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) -- Every separated service member receives a Department of Defense (DD) Form 214 upon retirement, separation, or discharge from military service. This document states all the information related to their time of service (such as assignments, awards, dates of service, etc.) as well as the type and characterization of the discharge.

Dear John -- Common term referring to a significant other breaking up with a service member through a letter.

Demilitarized Zone -- A specific area in which any type of military force -- including but not limited to personnel, hardware and infrastructure -- are banned.

Digit Midget -- Usually used with a number as a prefix. X digit midget refers to the number of days till an individual goes on leave or retires.

Digies -- Digital camouflage worn by soldiers and Marines.

Dittybopper -- A term in the Army referring to signals intelligence radio operators trained to utilize Morse code. Also used as a verb to describe soldiers marching out of synch with a cadence.

Dope on a Rope -- Derogatory term used for air-assault soldiers.

Dust-off -- Specifically, a medical evacuation by helicopter.

Duty Station -- the geographic location at which a service member is conducting official duties. This may be a temporary location for professional military education or training, or it may be permanent (i.e., home station).

Dynamited Chicken -- Term originating in the Navy referring to chicken cacciatore or chicken a la king.

Embed -- When a reporter stays with the military in order to conduct journalistic business. They typically are provided with security and basic necessities provided by the unit they are embedded with.

Expectant -- A casualty who is expected to pass die.

Eagle Keeper -- Maintenance crew chief of an F-15 .

Fang -- A verb to describe being rebuked, called out or otherwise disparaged.

Fangs -- A Marine Corps term for one's teeth.

Fart Sack -- Refers to a sleeping bag or an airman's flight suit.

Farts and Darts -- Refers to the clouds and lightning bolt embellishments found on Air Force officer caps.

Fashion Show -- A Naval punishment where a sailor is required to dress in each of his uniforms over a period of several hours.

Fast Mover -- A jet fighter. Aptly named due to the rapidity of a jet fighter's movement.

First Light -- The time of nautical twilight when the sun is 12 degrees below the horizon.

Flaming ***hole -- An Air Force term to describe the fiery effect of a jet plane turning on its afterburners during combat or any other military operation.

Flight Suit Insert -- Air Force slang for a pilot.

Fitty -- An M2 .50 caliber machine gun.

Five-Sided Puzzle Palace -- The Pentagon.

FOB (Forward Operating Base) -- Larger than a COP (smaller base located in a particularly hostile area.) A FOB typically offers more resources and comfort provisions such as hot meals, hot water and laundry facilities.

Football Bat -- An individual or way of doing things that is particularly odd.

Force Projection -- The ability of a nation-state to extend military force beyond their borders.

Fourth Point of Contact -- From rolling after a successful parachute drop: a term to describe an individual's buttocks. The first three points are feet, calves and back of the thigh.

Fruit Salad -- Slang for a service member's display of medals and ribbons on a dress uniform.

Fugazi -- Completely out of whack, ****ed up, screwy. This term originated during the Vietnam War and experienced limited use by civilians.

Galloping Dandruff -- An Army term used since World War I to refer to crab lice.

Geardo -- An Army term for a soldier who spends an inordinate amount of money on gear, regardless of actual need.

Gedunk -- Refers to snack foods, such as candy and chips, as well as the place they're sold. Associated with the Navy and can be used in the phrase "gedunk sailor" as a pejorative remark for inexperienced sailors.

Gofasters -- A term for sneakers used in the Army, Navy and Marine Corps.

GOFO -- Literally stands for "grasp of the ****ing obvious."

Gone Elvis -- A service member who is missing in action.

Grape -- A term with two meanings; one for the Air Force and one for the Navy. A Navy Grape is an individual who refuels aircraft. An Air Force Grape, on the other hand, refers to an easy assignment and can be used as a compliment when a service member makes something look easy.

Great Mistakes -- The name sailors have given the Great Lakes Naval Training Center north of Chicago. It references the closing of two other training facilities in San Diego and Orlando, which both feature far more enjoyable weather.

Grid Squares -- A nonexistent item recruits typically are told to go find.

Groundhog Day -- Term originating from the titular movie that refers to deployment s that seem to proceed in the exact same way despite attempts to change them.

Gum Shoe -- Navy slang for a sailor cryptology technician. The first CT school was located on top of a building where tar would get stuck to the bottom of students' shoes.

Gun -- Term for a mortar or artillery piece. Must never be used within the military to describe a pistol or rifle.

Gunner -- A service member who operates a crew-served weapon, such as a piece of artillery or ship's cannon.  

Hangar Queen -- An aircraft that is used primarily for spare parts to repair other planes.

Hardball -- A hard-surfaced road.

Hardened Site -- A structure usually built under rock or concrete designed to withstand conventional, nuclear, biological and chemical attack.

Hat Up -- To change one's location. Refers to the need to wear a hat for the intended destination.

Hawk -- Term for cold weather. Commonly referred to as "the hawk."

Helo -- Short-hand term for a helicopter.

High Speed -- An individual who is highly motivated and at or near peak efficacy. Can be used sarcastically.

Hit the Silk -- Ejecting from an aircraft and utilizing a parachute.

IED (Improvised Explosive Device) -- A popular weapon with insurgencies in Iraq and Afghanistan, IEDs are roughly-organized, inexpensive bombs that are be easily modified to exploit an enemy’s vulnerabilities.

Inactive Status -- Members of the Reserves who are unable to train for points, receive pay and cannot be considered for promotion.

Ink Stick -- Marine Corps term for a pen.

Iron Rations -- Rations used in an emergency survival situation.

Jawa -- Term for an Army soldier who is stationed in a desert area, named after the desert-dwelling aliens of "Star Wars."

Jesus Slippers -- Military-issued shower footwear.

Jockstrap Medal -- Derogatory term for medals given by the military to active CIA members.

Joe -- Army term for a soldier. Shortened from G.I. Joe.

Joint Operation Planning -- All type of planning involving joint military forces in regard to military operations, including, but not limited to, mobilization, deployment and sustainment.

Kinetic -- Slang adjective meaning violent.

Klicks -- Kilometers.

Latrine Queen -- Air Force specific term for a trainee in basic who is in charge of the team responsible for cleaning bathrooms.

Left-Handed Monkey Wrench -- A nonexistent tool. Often the object of fruitless searches undertaken by recruits at the behest of more experienced service members.

Long Pig -- Slang for when a human being is used as a source of food. Typically this happens in extremely desperate situations.

Major Nuclear Power -- Any nation-state with a nuclear arsenal capable of being delivered to any other nation in the world.

Meat Identifier -- A dish or sauce that identifies what type of meat is being served. For example, cranberry sauce indicates turkey while applesauce indicates pork chops.

Meat Wagon -- Slang for an ambulance or any other medical emergency vehicle.

Moonbeam -- Marine term for flashlight.

MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) – Military jobs are classified by codes that attach to their specialty. The Army, Marines and Coast Guard call this an MOS (military occupational specialty) or MOC (military occupation code); the Air Force calls them Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSC). The Navy uses a system of ratings and the Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) system. The Department of Defense lists more than 7,000 codes representing various job skills someone might perform while on duty.

Moving Like Pond Water -- Moving so slowly that a unique term is required to describe it.

Mustang -- Term referring to any officer who was promoted from the enlisted ranks. Can be used respectfully or pejoratively.

Nut to Butt -- The instruction used to tell soldiers to line up in a tight, forward-facing line wherein one's nuts are in extreme proximity to the butt of the soldier before them.

OCONUS – “Outside of the Continental United States”

OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) – The combat operation that Veterans may have deployed to in support of the War on Terror, where the theater of operations was in Afghanistan.

Officer's Candy -- Navy term used by sailors to describe the scented cake placed in urinals.

Officer of the Deck -- Any officer charged with the operation of a ship. Reports to the commanding officer, executive officer and navigator for relevant issues and concerns.

OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom) -- The combat operation that Veterans may have deployed to in support of the War on Terror where the theater of operations was in Iraq.

Over the Hill -- Missing in action or someone who officially has gone missing from their post.

Oxygen Thief -- A biting piece of slang for someone who's useless or talks too much.

Pad Eye Remover -- A nonexistent item used by sailors to trick new service members into a fruitless search. Pad-eyes are used to secure airplanes with chains.

PCS (Permanent Change of Station) -- When a service member and their family from one geographic unit location to another due to orders for a new assignment. This is not temporary; thus, the use of the word “permanent.

People Tank -- A U.S. Navy term for the inner hull of a submarine.

Pill Pusher -- A U.S. Navy term for a hospital corpsman.

Pink Mist -- A distinct effect created by certain types of gunshot wounds.

Pogey Bait -- Snack food. A "pogue" is an individual who does not serve on the frontlines and performs non-combat-oriented roles. "Pogey bait" is, subsequently, a bribe given to these individuals in exchange for expedited or high-quality services.

Pollywog -- A sailor who has not crossed the equator on a U.S. Navy ship.

Puddle Pirate -- Member of the Coast Guard . So called due to a fallacious belief that the Coast Guard never operates in deep water.

PX Ranger -- An individual who purchases, from the Post Exchange, paraphernalia unique to certain prestigious ranks or occupations and passes them off as though they earned the items.

Quay -- A man-made structure between a shore and land that can be used by ships to berth and is typically an area for handling cargo.

Rainbow -- A new recruit in basic training.

Red Team -- A body of experts on a specific topic who are instructed to research and suggest alternative methods regarding a planned course of action.

Remington Raider -- A somewhat derogatory term used for Marines given the harrowing task of performing office duties.

Rocks and Shoals -- U.S. Navy rules and regulations.

Rotorhead -- A helicopter pilot.

Ruck Up -- "Ruck" is short for "ruck sack," which refers to backpacks service members sometimes wear. To "ruck up" is to get through a particularly challenging or stressful situation.

Salad Bar -- Service ribbons found on a military uniform.

Sandbox – A desert area, specifically either Iraq or Kuwait. To say this is a short list is an understatement. Having a “cheat sheet” of commonly used terms is helpful for your hiring managers to refer to and use in interviewing and hiring. As an employer, work with your veteran hires to teach them common lingo and jargon for your company and industry, and accept that it might take time for your veteran employees to break old habits.

Scrambled Eggs -- The embellishments found on some officer's caps.

Self-Propelled Sandbags -- A derogatory term for a Marine based on their emphasis on fighting on the front lines.

Shavetail -- Second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. It primarily refers to the haircuts received in Officer Candidate School. The term's origins date to the time when the Army used pack animals, and handlers shaved the tail of newly broken animals to distinguish them from those more seasoned.

Shellback -- A sailor who has crossed the equator on a U.S. Navy ship. Responsible for turning all Pollywogs into Shellbacks once they cross the equator themselves.

Snake Eater -- Member of the U.S. Army Special Forces .

S*** on a Shingle -- A piece of toast with gravy.

Sky Blossom -- A deployed parachute.

Slick Sleeve -- A sailor who has not yet earned a rank that requires decoration on the sleeves.

Smoke -- To punish a service member with excessive physical work due to a minor infraction.

Snivel Gear -- Any equipment meant for use in cold weather.  

Soap chips -- A psychological operations (PSYOPS) tactic where fake letters from an enemy's home country are written and placed on bodies and battle wreckage. They include sentimental content, hint at the infidelity of loved ones back home and are designed to demoralize combatants.

Soup Sandwich -- An individual, object, situation or mission that has gone horribly wrong. The thrust of the term's meaning derives from the fact that it is incredibly difficult, some would say impossible, to make a sandwich out of soup.

Swoop -- Marine term for a weekend trip off base.

Taco -- An Air Force term for receiving an "unsatisfactory" grade on a training exercise due to the vague taco-shape of the letter "u."

Tango Uniform -- Slang for "tits up," which is the position dead bodies tend to face. The term can be applied to the deceased as well as broken pieces of equipment.

Target Discrimination -- The capability of a surveillance or guidance system to choose certain targets when multiple options are presented.

Trench Monkey -- A derogatory term referring to a member of the U.S. Army.

Twidget -- A sailor who repairs electronic equipment. Suggested by user X-USN-DS1 .

Un-Ass -- To move immediately or leave one's current position.

Uncle Sam's Canoe Club -- A U.S. Navy term for the U.S. Coast Guard.

Unit Identification Code -- An alphanumeric, six-character string that identifies all active, reserve, and guard units of the United States military.

Voice in the Sky -- Term referring to military base announcements broadcast over speakers.

Voluntold -- An assignment that is technically voluntary but understood to be mandatory.

Weapons of Mass Destruction -- Weapons that can cause destruction or death beyond the ability of conventional weapons. These typically are nuclear, biological, chemical, radiological or high-yield explosive in nature. This definition does not include the vehicle, or transportation method, of delivering the weapon.

Zone of Action -- A smaller section of a larger area. Typically these are under the purview of a tactical unit, usually during an offensive maneuver.

Zoomie -- Term used by non-flying service members for anyone who operates a flying vehicle.

Lida Citroën and Tiffini Theisen contributed to this report. 

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Conflict Zones

U.s. military lingo: the (almost) definitive guide.

U.S. soldiers look at a crane that tipped over while trying to move a CHU, or Containerized Housing Unit, at a small COP, or Combat Outpost, in southern Afghanistan. A dozen years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan have created a whole new military vocabulary. David Gilkey/NPR hide caption

U.S. soldiers look at a crane that tipped over while trying to move a CHU, or Containerized Housing Unit, at a small COP, or Combat Outpost, in southern Afghanistan. A dozen years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan have created a whole new military vocabulary.

It's painful for U.S. soldiers to hear discussions and watch movies about modern wars when the dialogue is full of obsolete slang, like "chopper" and "GI."

Slang changes with the times, and the military is no different. Soldiers fighting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have developed an expansive new military vocabulary, taking elements from popular culture as well as the doublespeak of the military industrial complex.

The U.S. military drawdown in Afghanistan — which is underway but still awaiting the outcome of a proposed bilateral security agreement — is often referred to by soldiers as "the retrograde," which is an old military euphemism for retreat. Of course the U.S. military never "retreats" — rather it conducts a "tactical retrograde."

This list is by no means exhaustive (a few phrases were too salty for publishing). And some of the terms originated prior to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. But these terms are critical to speaking the current language of soldiers, and understanding it when they speak to others.

Big Voice: On military bases, loudspeakers broadcast urgent messages. When incoming rocket or mortar fire is detected by radar systems, the Big Voice automatically broadcasts a siren and instructions to take cover. The Big Voice will also warn of scheduled explosions, usually to destroy captured weapons.

A U.S. military helicopter takes off in southern Afghanistan. They may still be called "choppers" in the movies, but troops universally refer to them as "birds." David Gilkey/NPR hide caption

A U.S. military helicopter takes off in southern Afghanistan. They may still be called "choppers" in the movies, but troops universally refer to them as "birds."

Bird: Helicopter. "Chopper" is rarely used, except in movies, where it is always used. A chopper is a kind of motorcycle, not an aircraft.

Black (on ammo, fuel, water, etc.): Almost out.

Blowed up: Hit by an IED. Example: "I been blowed up six times this year."

Bone: The B-1 bomber.

CHU: (pronounced choo ) Containerized Housing Unit. These small, climate-controlled trailers usually sleep between two and eight soldiers and is the primary unit of housing on larger bases. A CHU Farm is a large number of CHUs together. A Wet CHU is a CHU that has its own bathroom, usually reserved for generals and other high-ranking individuals. CHUs are unarmored and very vulnerable to rocket attacks.

COP: Combat Outpost. A small base, usually housing between 40 and 150 soldiers, often in a particularly hostile area. Life at a COP is often austere and demanding, with every soldier responsible for both guard duty and patrolling.

DFAC: (pronounced dee-fack ) Dining Facility, aka Chow Hall. Where soldiers eat. At larger bases the meals are served by contracted employees, often from Bangladesh or India . These employees are called TCNs, or Third-Country Nationals.

Dustoff: Medical evacuation by helicopter. For example, "dustoff inbound" means that a medevac helicopter is on the way.

Embed: A reporter who is accommodated by the military command to observe operations firsthand. Security, food, shelter and transportation are provided by the military for the embed.

Fast Mover: Fighter jet.

Fitty: The M2 .50 caliber machine gun.

FOB: Forward Operating Base. Bigger than a COP, smaller than a superbase. A FOB can be austere and dangerous, but is more commonly provisioned with hot, varied meals, hot water for showers and laundry, as well as recreational facilities.

Fobbit: Combination of FOB and Hobbit. Derogatory term for soldiers who do not patrol outside the FOB.

Geardo: (rhymes with weirdo) A soldier who spends an inordinate amount of their personal money to buy fancy military gear, such as weapon lights, GPS watches, custom rucksacks, etc. Generally refers to a soldier with little tactical need for such equipment. See: Fobbit.

Green Bean: A civilian-run coffee shop common on larger bases in Iraq and Afghanistan, often the locus of the base social scene, such as it is.

Green Zone: In Iraq, the heavily fortified area of central Baghdad where most government facilities are located. In southern Afghanistan, refers to the lush, densely vegetated areas following rivers that Taliban fighters defend vigorously. As opposed to the Brown Zone, which refers to the more barren mountains.

Groundhog Day: From the Bill Murray movie, the phrase is used to describe deployments where every day proceeds the same way, no matter how the individual tries to change it.

Gun: A mortar tube or artillery piece. Never used to refer to a rifle or pistol. Military-issued pistols are usually called 9-mils.

Hajji: A derogatory term for Iraqis, used widely during the Iraq War. A Hajii Shop was an Iraqi-run shop on the base, often selling pirated DVDs, or Hajii Discs. Rarely used to describe Afghans.

IED: Improvised Explosive Device. The signature weapon of the insurgencies in Iraq and Afghanistan, IEDs are low-cost bombs that can be modified to exploit specific vulnerabilities of an enemy. They range in size from a soda can to a tractor trailer and are initiated by anything from a pressure sensor to a suicidal attacker.

IDF: Indirect Fire, or simply Indirect. Mortars, rockets and artillery. Term generally used to describe enemy action.

Inside/Outside The Wire: Describes whether you are on or off a base.

JDAM: (pronounced jay-damn ) A bomb dropped from a U.S. aircraft, ranging from 500 to 2,000 pounds.

Joe: Soldier. Replacement term for GI.

Kinetic: Violent. Example: The Pech Valley is one of the most kinetic areas in Afghanistan.

Mark: The Mk-19 40mm grenade launcher.

Meat Eater: Usually refers to Special Forces soldiers whose mission focuses on violence, as opposed to those whose mission focuses on stability and training.

Medevac: Medical evacuation of wounded personnel by helicopter.

Moon Dust: The powdery, flour-like dust that covers everything in southern Afghanistan and much of Iraq.

MRE: Meal, Ready to Eat. Vacuum-sealed meals eaten by soldiers when no DFAC or local alternative exists. Shelf life is approximately seven years.

OPTEMPO: Operational Tempo, high or low. Describes the pace at which a soldier works, whether that work is combat patrols, making PowerPoint slides or training.

Oxygen Thief: A useless soldier, or one who loves to hear himself or herself talk.

Pink Mist: Produced by certain gunshot wounds.

Plant Eater: See: Fobbit.

POG: (pronounced pogue ) Person Other Than Grunt. Derogatory term for a soldier lacking combat experience. See: Fobbit.

POO: Point Of Origin. The site from which a rocket or mortar was launched at U.S. forces. Most easily calculated by tracking the projectile's trajectory with radar. Example: "We're going out POO hunting."

Powerpoint Ranger: A soldier who is tasked primarily with building PowerPoint presentations for commanders' briefings.

Rack Out: Go to sleep.

Ranger Pudding: A field-expedient Nilla Wafer made from MRE ingredients. Mix a paste of creamer, sugar and water, apply to a cracker. A chocolate version is possible if cocoa powder is available.

Rumint: A combination of rumor and intelligence. Gossip, scuttlebutt.

Sandbox: Usually refers to Iraq, sometimes Kuwait.

Secret Squirrel: Highly classified, top secret. Secrecy confers tremendous status upon soldiers — the most classified missions are often the most prestigious in soldiers' eyes.

Self-Licking Ice Cream Cone: A military doctrine or political process that appears to exist in order to justify its own existence, often producing irrelevant indicators of its own success. For example, continually releasing figures on the amount of Taliban weapons seized, as if there were a finite supply of such weapons. While seizing the weapons, soldiers raid Afghan villages, enraging the residents and legitimizing the Taliban's cause.

Speedball: A body bag filled with supplies, usually ammunition and bottled water, dropped from a plane or helicopter to resupply soldiers far afield or in dire need.

Squirter: A person, assumed to be an enemy, running away from a military attack.

Superbase: The only bases that fall into this category right now are Kandahar Airfield and Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. They are built around supporting the regional military commands, and are logistical hubs for forces in the area. Soldiers stationed at these bases have access to the most comfortable living quarters, the most variety in food, shopping and socializing. For example, Kandahar Airfield has a weekly "Salsa Night" dance party near the TGI Friday's.

T-Man: Taliban.

Tango Mike: Thanks Much.

Terp: An interpreter, usually a local Afghan or Iraqi hired by the military to translate for military personnel when they are communicating with a local. This abbreviation is considered somewhat rude.

TIC: (pronounced tick ) Troops In Contact. Usually means a firefight, but can refer to an IED or suicide attack.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot: What The F#@&, Over.

Willy Pete: White Phosphorus. Delivered by mortar or artillery, this substance burns extremely hot and generates a lot of light. It is only supposed to be used for illumination, as it should be considered a chemical weapon if used against people.

Woobie: Properly called a poncho liner, this lightly insulated blanket is usually issued to soldiers in basic training. The name references the attachment a baby forms with its blanket.

• U.S. military

• General Military Questions

204 Common Military Terms / Slang / Jargon / Lingo

Each Military Branch has terms/slang words that may not make sense to a civilian or a member of a different branch.

Military terms/slang originates for various reasons and changes throughout time.

Movies and TV shows may depict terminology that was used in World War II, that is no longer referenced anymore.

It can be hard to stay current with military slang, so OMK created a list of terms/slang that are new or established, but still used, found below.

1MC: The overhead public address system on US Navy ships.

3rd Deck Dive Team:  Mainly a Marine Corps term, meaning someone is suicidal and should dive off of the third deck.

11 Bang-Bang:  Army infantryman

5 Fingers of Death: Beef franks with beans served in some MREs. Named for the number and unpleasant taste

99:  Navy term meaning the information being discussed is pertinent to all personnel

100mph Tape:  Standard Army green duct tape

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AAV:  Amphibious Assault Vehicle

ACU:  Army Combat Uniform

Ali Baba: Iraqi term for the bad guy, criminal, or insurgent

Alpha Charlie:  Verbally reprimanded

Angel:  Used in Iraq to refer to a soldier killed in combat

AOR:  Area of responsibility

As you were: Return to your previous task or posture

AWOL:  Absent Without Official Leave; leaving post without permission

Azimuth Check: A procedure designed by the Army to help soldiers assess their own well-being and readiness 

BAH:  Basic housing allowance

Bang Bang:  Pistol or a Rifle

Barracks Rat:  Personnel who stay in the barracks during downtime

Battlefield Airman: Air Force Special Operations Command pararescue, combat control, and weather troops

Beans, Bullets, and Band-Aids: Reference to supply items such as food, ammunition, or medical supplies

Beat Feet: Move quickly

Beat Your Face:  Push-ups

BFT:  Blue Force Tracker; Equipment that connects with a satellite to provide locations of units as well as maps and routes

Big Voice/Giant Voice: Term used to describe the loudspeaker system on a military base. It will often make a range of announcements, such as alerting soldiers of incoming attacks, the schedule of upcoming ordnance disposal explosions, and when and where to take cover as an attack strikes. It also broadcasts Reveille and Retreat when in Garrison.

Bird:  Helicopter

Blue Canoe:  Portable toilet

BLUF:  Bottom line upfront

Blue Falcon:  Battle buddy who informs higher command of actions; tattletale

Blue-on-Blue: Refers to an attack in which soldiers are unknowingly fighting against their own side, often ending up with injuries and even death

Blue-on-Green:   Similar to the ‘Blue-on-Blue’, this means your own forces are accidentally engaging forces friendly to your force. 

BOLO: Usually an Army derogatory term for an individual who cannot perform a task or meet basic requirements; also can mean “be on the lookout”

Bone:  B1 Bomber

Brad:  M2 Bradley Armored Personal Carrier (APC)

Bravo Zulu:  Good Job

Bubblehead: Personnel in a submarine

Butter Bar:  2nd Lieutenant

C-Wire:  Razor Wire

CAB: (Army) Combat Action Badge; soldiers who perform in the infantry but do not have an infantry MOS

Cat Hole:  Hole in the ground dug by a soldier to use as a bathroom

CC: Company commander 

CCP:  Casualty Collection Point; closest area to action where personnel are triaged

Charlie Mike:  Continue Mission; continue with your task

Chest Candy: Ribbons or Medals worn on the chest of the uniform

CHU:  Small container housing units on large bases

CIB:  (Army) Combat Infantryman’s Badge; Award for infantry who is under fire

Clearing barrel: Dirt-filled area used to clear weapons at entry points of FOB.

Commo: Communications personnel or equipment

CONUS:  Continental United States

COP:  Small base in a combat area, combat outpost

CP:  Check Point

Crank:  (Navy) Temporary galley duty

Crypto: Code that scrambles a radio signal, or those who work in intelligence gathering

CSH:  Combat Support Hospital

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DAP:  Deltoid Auxiliary Protection. Shoulder armor

Dash Ten: An army publication; usually a user or technical manual

Dear John: Break-up letter sent to a soldier from a significant other

Demilitarized Zone: Area where military forces and equipment are banned from

Dependa:  Dependents of a military personnel

Detail:  Referring to a usually unappealing task such as cleaning

DFAC:  Dining facility

Digies:  Digital Camouflage

Double Gates:  The task of referring to individuals with names not of their own when around detainees

Drive On:  To keep going

Dustoff:  Helicopter medical evacuation

Duty Station: Location where a service member is temporarily or permanently conducting work

Embed: Term for a reporter who is provided security, shelter, and transportation by military personnel so they can observe and report on firsthand operations

ERB: (Army) Enlisted Record Brief; a document containing information such as rank, ASVAB details, promotion points, etc.

ETS:  Expiration Term of Service; the date a soldier completes their contract

Farmer Armor- Improvised armor for a vehicle

Fart Sack:  Sleeping Bag, or in some cases a mattress cover.

Fast Mover: Fighter jet

Fat Cakes:  Unhealthy desserts or sweets

File 13:  Garbage can

First Shirt:  First Sergeant

Five-Sided Puzzle Palace:  The Pentagon

FOB:  Forward operating base; a mid-size base with basic provisions

Fobber or Fobbit- Someone who does not leave the FOB

Fourth Point of Contact: Butt; the term comes from a parachute drop in which the fourth point of contact is the butt.

Fruit Salad: Refers to the display of ribbons on a dress uniform (similar to “Chest Candy”)

FST:  Forward Surgical Team

Galley:  Kitchen on a ship

Geardo:  Soldier who spends a large amount of money on military gear that is generally not needed

Gedunk: Snack Food that can be purchased, usually used by Navy sailors on a ship

Glass House: An example of a target house for rehearsing assaults

Goat Trail:  Dirt road

Gofasters:  Sneakers

Good Cookie: The Good Conduct Medal 

Green Beans: A civilian coffee shop company common on larger bases, especially in the Middle East

Green-on-Blue:  Forces “thought to be” friendly to your force accidentally, or not so accidentally, engaging your forces. 

Groundhog Day: Referring to the movie by the same name, and the feeling that each day is the same during deployment

Grunt:  Infantryman

Gum Shoe:  Sailor Cryptology Technician

Haji: Indigenous Iraqi or person of Arabic descent

Hardball:  Paved Road

Hangar Queen:  Aircraft used for replacement parts

Hawk:  Cold weather

Head:  Bathroom on a ship

Helo:  Helicopter

Hesco:  Dirt-filled bins for absorbing explosions

High Speed:  An individual who is highly motivated and at or near peak efficacy. Can be used sarcastically. Often includes “Low Drag”

HMMWV:  High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle

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IDF:  Indirect fire

IED:  Improvised Explosive Device

Ink Stick:  Pen

INTSUM- Intelligence Summary given after events happened

Iron Rations: Rations used in an emergency situation

Jawa- Soldiers stationed in a desert area

JDAM: A bomb dropped from a U.S. aircraft

Joe:  Soldier

JOP:  Joint Operation Planning; Military forces joining for operations

JTF:  Joint Task Force

Kevlar/Kpot/ACH:  Helmet

Kinetic:  Violent military action

Kicks- Kilometers

Knees in the Breeze:  Airborne term for exiting an aircraft

KP:  Kitchen Patrol; kitchen duty

Lands:  Raised spiral surface in the bore of a weapon

Latrine Queen:  (Air Force) Term for a trainee during basic training who is a team lead responsible for bathroom duty.

Left (or Right) Flank:  The far left or right edge of troops in relation to the enemy

LES:  Leave and Earnings Statement; holds information similar to a civilian pay stub

Lima Charlie:  Loud and Clear

Meat Wagon:  Medical Emergency Vehicle

Midnight Rats: Late night food from the chow hall

Mike:  Minutes

Moonbeam- (Marines) Flashlight

MRE:  Meal Ready to Eat. A vacuum-sealed meal with a long shelf life

MSR:  Main supply route

Mustang:  Officer promoted from enlisted ranks

MWR:  Morale, Welfare, and Recreation; military department in charge of recreational facilities

Naval Landing Party:  Navy personnel for ground-force operations ashore

Net:  Radio Network

NGO:  Non-government Organization

No-Go:  Failure at a training station or job task

Nut to Butt:  Standing very close together

O Dark Thirty:  Early in the morning

Oscar Mike:  On the Move

Oconus:  Overseas; not in the continental U.S.

OCS/OTS:  Officer Candidate School; Officer Training School

Officer’s Candy:  Scented cake placed in urinals

OPTEMPO:  Operating Tempo; the pace at which one is working

OTV:  Outer Tactical Vest

PCC:  Pre-combat check

PCS:  Permanent Change of Station

People Tank:  (Navy) Inner hull of a submarine

Pill Pusher:  (Navy) Hospital Corpsman; or a medic

PLF:  Parachute Landing Fall

POG:  Person Other than Grunt. Anyone who’s not Infantry. In other words, if you ain’t Infantry you’re a POG

Pogey Bait: Tasty snacks that are not normally available to soldiers in the field

POO Site:  Point of Origin site

Pond Water- The speed at which a slug / laggard is moving

Pop Smoke:  To leave without being seen

PSD:  Personal Security Detail

QRF:  Quick Reaction Force; ready to react

Quay- Man-made structure between shore and land

Quick Time: Cadence at 120 steps per minute, or also, double time march

Rack:  Refers to a bed; soldiers ‘rack out’, meaning they go to sleep

Red on Red:  Enemy on enemy fire

Release Point: A geographical point where soldiers change from central command to that of their commander 

REMF: Rear Echelon Mother F**ker — a solider far from the front line

Rocks and Shoals:  (Navy) Rules and regulations

ROE:  Rules of Engagement

Ropeyarn Sunday:  (Navy) Half-holiday

ROTC:  Reserve Officer Training Corps

Rotorhead:  Helicopter pilot

RTO:  Radio Telephone Operator or RO-Radio Operator

Ruck:  Rucksack; backpack

Related Article – Reenlistment Codes For Each Military Branch

Sandbox: Iraq, Afghanistan, or other desert area

Scrambled Eggs:  Embellishments on Officer’s caps

Scuttlebutt:  (Navy) Rumors or gossip

Sky Blossom:  Deployed parachute

Smoked:  Physical punishment for some sort of infraction

Snivel Gear:  Cold weather gear

Soup Sandwich:  Something has gone extremely wrong

Speedball:  Refers to a bag dropped from a plane or helicopter for soldiers in the field that contains supplies

Spoon: A cook or culinary specialist

Squid or Swabbie:  U.S. Navy member

SRB: Selective Reenlistment Bonus; Bonus offered to enlisted members as an incentive to reenlist

Taco:  (Air Force) Receiving an unsatisfactory grade during training; shape of the letter resembles a taco shape

TAD:  Temporary Additional Duty

Take a Knee:  Rest

Tango Mike- Thanks much

Target Discrimination: Ability of a surveillance system to choose an individual target when there are multiple options

TCP:  Traffic Control Point

TDY: Temporary Duty – refers to a short-term assignment, and is sometimes expressed as “Temporary Duty Yonder”

TIC:  Troops in a contact fight; can relate to a firefight or IED

TOC:  Tactical Operations Center

Turtleback:  Swimming on your back to watch for direction and a compass

Twidget:  Sailor who works on electronic equipment

UAV:  Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Underground:  Individuals who support resistant movement through secret operations

Unit Identification code: Six character code that identifies military active, reserve, and guard units

UXO:  Unexploded Explosive Ordnance; potential to explode

VBIED:  Vehicle Borne IED; car bomb

Voice in the Sky:  Military base broadcast announcements

Voluntold:  Assignment that is presented as voluntary but is seen as mandatory

Weapons of Mass Destruction: Advanced weapons with the capability of causing mass destruction of casualties

Wingnut: Term for USAF members — WINGNUT comes from the shape of the Air Force E2 rank with single stripes, which looks like a wingnut.

Wire: Term referring to the base; a person is inside or outside the wire

Woobie:  (Army) Issued poncho liner used as a blanket

XO:  Executive Officer; just below the Commanding Officer

Zone of Action:  Small Section of the total tactical area

Zonk:  Released after formation

Zoomie: Army slang for someone in the USAF, normally a pilot

Related Article – Platoon Size-How the US Army is Organized

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Military Terms

4.8 out of 5 (85 ratings), related articles you might be interested in:, 7 replies to “ 204 common military terms / slang / jargon / lingo ”.

Rob The USAF term WINGNUT comes from the shape of the E2 rank with single stripes, which looks like a wingnut.

Thanks for that William, just got it changed up.

Rob V, thought of a couple more: Knees in the Breeze – Airborne term for exiting an aircraft. No-Go — Failure at a training station or job task PLF — Parachute Landing Fall

Thanks for those Robert, just got them added.

Rob V. Owner / Founder OperationMilitaryKids.org

Rob V, these are all really good but POG stans for Person Other than Grunt, meaning anyone who’s not Infantry. In other words, if you ain’t Infantry you’re a POG. Said pōg.

Also, you’re missing Blue on Blue, meaning, from the speaker’s perspective their own military accidentally fighting another element of its own forces. Blue on Green meaning your own forces accidentally engaging forces friendly to your force. And Green on Blue meaning Forces “thought to be” friendly to your force accidentally, or not so accidentally engaging your forces. (See the February 17th Militia, Sep 11 2012, Benghazi)

Thanks for that Galen, just made the updates. I appreciate it!

Rob V. OMK Founder

Oscar Mike- on the move

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Appendix : Glossary of military slang

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

For the purposes of this article, "military slang" includes slang used by any English-speaking armed forces (armies, navies, air forces).

TIG: Tight incoming ground

(U.S.) Slang for the flight suit worn by aircrew members.

(Canada) Servicewoman who engages in sexual relations with others in a housing area

(U.S.) Promotion one receives due to the death of the person who previously filled that position.

(U.S. Marine Corps) A warehouseman, MOS 3051.

2. Also refers to U.S. Army service prior to the Vietnam era "You were in the brown shoe army" when it changed to black combat/jungle boots and low quarters. 3. (U.S. Navy) Things and people related to the naval aviation community. From the time when brown shoes were authorized only for aviation ratings and officers.

2. (US) Alternately, can refer to warning or signalling others that things being said or done are "bullshit".

(Canada) Canadian Forces Base .

2. (U.S. Navy) Any brand or model of butterfly-folding multi-tool (i.e., a Leatherman®) carried by said crew member.

2. (U.K.) Unprofessional and/or unimportant. 3. (Canada, signals) Probably derived from (1), garbled or incomprehensible signals. 4. (Canada, Navy) Trash, garbage. 5. (U.K.) Very derogatory term for any woman.

(Canada) Government Reject Unfit for Naval Training, Usually refers to infantry/combat arms.

2. (U.S.) A Chinook, a CH-47 twin rotor heavy lift helicopter, see ' Shithook ' below. 3. (USAF Pilot Training) Fail. From the shape of the "U" grade assigned to unsatisfactory training sorties or check rides.

2. (Canada) (Vulgar) A flexible metal nozzle attached to gas cans to facilitate pouring.

2. (U.S. Army) Nickname for the HMMWV .

(USAF Security Forces) Keys to the aircraft, a JEEP joke pulled on gullible first time Close in Sentries. It involves either the Area Supervisor or one of the Alarm Response Teams asking if the Close in Sentry if he received the keys to the aircraft from the sentry whom he relieved of the post, the Flight Sargent and Commander may get involved. The sentry is usually threatened with an article-15 for dereliction of duty, and goes on all night until he gets relieved in the am where he is called into the Flight Sgt.'s or Commander's office where he is told that it was all a joke.

2. Also refers to ordnance type that is neither confirmed nor denied, and is handled by a different Department (See "Weaponettes") . 3. (U.S. Navy) To make a simple task unnecessarily complicated. "Don't nuke this up - it's just stenciling your skivvies."

(Canada) A sea cadet or naval reservist.

2. The NATO phonetic alphabet abbreviation for Shit Hot. It is considered high praise and is the pilot's favorite and all-purpose expression of approval. For example, "That Sierra Hotel pilot just shot down six MiGs and an ICBM !" This is the "polite" military way to say that something is very impressive, and has come into use outside the military.

2. (Canada) A Canadian Armed Forces reservist 3. (U.K.) British Territorial Army - since pressed into service in overseas war zones alongside regular troops

2. Naval white dress uniform. 3. (Canada) Ceremonial white webbing and accoutrements.

2. (U.K.) In Victorian times , a derogatory term for alien or dark-skinned inhabitants of the British Empire . It is probably a shortened version of the term golliwog , although the backronym 'Worthy Oriental Gentleman' is sometimes attributed to it. 3. (U.S. Navy) A "pollywog", or a person who has not yet crossed the equator aboard a ship. Only used in the weeks leading up to "wog day", or the Crossing the Line Ceremony (see Shellback).

1. (Canada) Armored Soldier (Tank crew) . Refers to the common injury among tankers of hitting their head on the hatch or other part of the tank, and having it stitched up, which look rather like zippers. 2. (U.S.) Derogatory term for Vietnamese in general and Viet Cong specifically. 3. (U.S.) Term for Soldiers who part their hair in the middle, front to back; assumed to be dope fiends.

• Appendix:U.S. Navy slang
• Appendix:Australian military slang

Further reading

• The Forces Dictionary on http://www.biscuitsbrown.com or the British Army Rumour Service ( British Army slang)
• Covey Crump 's compilation of Navy slang in the sub-section under the Naval Life section on the Royal Navy website http://www.royal-navy.mod.U.K .
• Air Combat Terminology

• English glossaries
• Slang appendices
• English military slang

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