A Dictionary of Military Terms

Iwo Jima Memorial Harlingen, TXSay What??: A basic dictionary for military boarding school parents

 

Just like any career field, the military has its own jargon – and it’s quite extensive!

If your child is attending a military boarding school, he or she will definitely learn to speak a new language. Even if it sounds like English, you might be thrown for a loop the first time your child comes home and starts to speak to you.

If you’d like to know what “wall locker,” “pogey bait” or “PT” mean, refer to this basic military dictionary courtesy of Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas, and learn some common military words and terms.

MIILTARY WORD TRANSLATION

  • ASHORE: Any place off academy grounds
  • AYE AYE SIR: I understand and will obey
  • BARRACKS: Dormitories
  • BASE: Campus
  • BLUES: The “dress blue” uniform
  • BILLET: Position or job assignment
  • BOONDOCKS: The wilderness
  • BOOT CAMP: Introductory training period
  • BULKHEAD: Wall
  • BUNK: Bed
  • CAMMIES: Camouflage utility uniform
  • CARRY ON: Continue with what you were doing
  • CO: Commanding officer
  • COC: Commandant of Cadets
  • CHOW: Food
  • CHOWHOUND: A hearty eater
  • CHOW DOWN: Eat
  • CHIT: A receipt or authorization paper
  • CLOSED CALL TO QUARTERS (CCQ): Restriction to barracks, usually time dedicated to study
  • COLORS: U.S. flag
  • CORPS OF CADETS: Student body
  • COVER: Cap or hat
  • COVERED: To wear a cap or hat
  • CUMSHAW: To obtain at no cost
  • DECK: Indoors, a floor. Outdoors, the ground.
  • DEEP SIX: Discard or get rid of
  • DISCIPLINARY TOUR: Extra marching or physical work
  • DOPE: Information
  • DI: Drill instructor
  • ED: Extra duty
  • ESPRIT DE CORPS: Feeling of pride, fellowship and loyalty among the student body
  • FIELD HAT: Hat worn by DI’s
  • FIELD SCARF: Necktie
  • FORE-AND-AFT CAP: Garrison camp (no brim)
  • GALLEY: Kitchen
  • GEDUNK: Location to acquire sweets or snacks
  • GRAVEL CRUNCHER: Infantryman
  • GREENS: The service green uniform
  • GRUNT: Infantryman
  • GUNG HO: Enthusiastic, work together
  • HALYARD: Rope to raise a flag or sail
  • HATCH: Door
  • HEAD: Toilet or restroom
  • LADDER: Stairs on a ship
  • LEAVE: Vacation
  • LIBERTY: Authorized time-off ashore
  • MAST: A hearing by the president pertaining to cadet behavior
  • MESS: A meal or meal time
  • MESS HALL: Cafeteria
  • OLD MAN: Commanding officer
  • OVERHEAD: Ceiling
  • PADRE: Chaplain
  • PARADE DECK: Parade field
  • PLEBE: New cadet
  • POGEY BAIT: Candy
  • POOP: Information
  • PORT HOLE: Window
  • PT: Physical training
  • QUARTERMASTER: The supply officer
  • RACK: Bed
  • RANK: A cadet’s leadership status
  • REVEILLE: Wake up call
  • SACK RAT: A person who spends too much time in bed
  • SCOOP: Information
  • SCUTTLEBUTT: Gossip. Drinking fountain.
  • SEA LAWYER: Someone who attempts to shirk responsibility by finding loopholes in orders
  • SEA STORY: No quite the truth
  • SECURE: To lock up. Stop. Make safe.
  • SHORT TIMER: Someone with little time to go
  • SHOVE OFF: Leave or depart
  • SICKBAY: Nurse’s office or clinic
  • SICK BAY COMMANDO: Someone who rides the sick list to avoid duty
  • SKINNY: Information
  • SKINNY SHEET: Written information
  • SKIVVIES: Underwear
  • SOP: Standard operating procedure
  • TAPS: Bed time. A musical piece played on a bugle or trumpet at dusk, particularly at military funerals
  • TWO-BLOCK: Run the flag to the top of the mast. A field scarf to the top of the collar.
  • UNDER ARMS: Carry a rifle or sword. Wear a cartridge or fair-leather belt.
  • WALL LOCKER: Closet
  • WORD: Orders and information

Click if you would like to learn more Marine Corps terms.

Click if you would like a comprehensive list of all military terms.

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