Mike sanders books
Glossary
This is a combination of official terminology with slang terms. What you encounter may vary by your branch and by those you encounter. The slang terms are fluid, and you need to stay attuned to how people use them.
A
“A” and “C” Schools
Advanced Training schools in the Navy and Coast Guard.
AAR (After-Action Review)
A debriefing session after a mission or exercise to review what happened, what went well, what didn't, and how to improve.
ACU (Army Combat Uniform)
The standard uniform worn by U.S. Army soldiers, consisting of a camouflage pattern designed for various environments.
AIT (Advanced Individual Training)
The training period following Basic Combat Training (BCT) where recruits learn the specific skills for their chosen Military Occupational Specialty (MOS).
Attention on Deck
The first person who sees an officer enter a room will call out “attention on deck” and everyone stands up. They do not salute in the Navy.
ASVAB
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery–An aptitude test developed by the Department of Defense that measures a young adult’s strengths and potential military success.
AWOL
Absent Without Leave; leaving a post or duty without permission.
B
Barracks
The building where military members are houses in a group.
Battle Buddy
A fellow soldier assigned to ensure mutual safety, support, and accountability, particularly during training.
BCT
(Basic Combat Training) The initial training phase for Army recruits, focusing on physical fitness, basic soldiering skills, and discipline.
BDU
(Battle Dress Uniform) The older camouflage uniform replaced by the ACU, still referred to in some contexts.
Blue Falcon
Slang for a "buddy f*er," someone who betrays their comrades.
Boot
A new recruit or someone fresh out of boot camp.
Bravo Zulu
(BZ) Well done; a term of praise.
C
Cammies
Camouflage uniforms.
Chow
Food.
Chow Hall
The dining facility on a military base.
Civvies
Civilian clothes, as opposed to military uniforms.
CO
(Commanding Officer) The officer in charge of a unit, responsible for its overall operations, discipline, and well-being.
CQ
(Charge of Quarters) A duty in which a soldier is assigned to monitor the entrance of a barracks, typically for 24 hours.
CONUS
(Continental United States) Refers to the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
Cover
Refers to anything that offers protection from enemy fire; also used to refer to a military hat.
Commander in Chief
The president of the United States. Often asked of the recruit to try to confuse them.
Commissary
The grocery store operator on base. Only military and dependents may shop here.
CPO
(Chief petty officer) An enlisted rank in the Navy and Coast Guard for E-7 to E-9. They wear the same uniform as officers with different insignias.
D
Day watch
The watch during normal work hours.
Deck
The floor, particularly in a ship or barracks.
Detail
An assignment or task, usually involving a group of people.
Dependent
People a military member takes care of such as spouse or children.
DFAC
(Dining Facility) The cafeteria or mess hall where soldiers eat.
DOD
The Department of Defense.
Dog Tags
Metal identification tags worn by military personnel that include essential information like name, blood type, and religious preference.
Drill Sergean
A non-commissioned officer responsible for training new recruits during Basic Combat Training.
Duty Station
The location where a soldier is assigned to work after training.
E
Enlistment
The act of joining the military and committing to a specific term of service.
Eve watch
The watch that starts at end of the workday which lasts until midwatch starts.
Exchange
A general store operated on base. Only military and dependents may shop here.
F
Falcon 123
You Obviously Have Me Confused With Someone Who Gives A Shit
Firewatch
A duty where a soldier is responsible for watching over an area or equipment, especially at night.
Formation
A structured arrangement of soldiers for drills, marches, or ceremonies.
G
Garrison
A military post or the soldiers stationed at such a post, typically in a non-combat environment.
Gear Adrift
Equipment that is not secured or properly stored.
Geardo
Someone who is overly enthusiastic about their gear and equipment.
Gedunk
A snack.
Go-Faster
Slang for running shoes or sneakers.
Grunt
Infantry soldier; someone who serves on the front lines.
H
Head
Military term for a bathroom or restroom, especially on ships or in field environments.
Hooah/Hooyah/ Oorah
A motivational term used to acknowledge a command or express enthusiasm and determination.
HMMWV
(Humvee) High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, a versatile military vehicle used for various purposes.
High Speed
A term for someone who is highly motivated or performing well.
I
Infantry
The branch of the Army that engages in ground combat operations.
In-Processing
The procedure new recruits undergo when they arrive at a new duty station, involving paperwork, medical exams, and orientation.
J
JAG
Judge Advocate General, the name of the legal branch in military. They act as prosecutors and defense attorneys.
Jarhead
Slang for a U.S. Marine.
Jody
A term used to describe a civilian male who is back home with a soldier's significant other while the soldier is deployed.
K
KIA
Killed In Action
L
Leave
Authorized time off from duty, often used for vacation or personal matters.
Liberty
Free time granted to service members, usually on weekends or holidays. Members may leave the base and may be allowed to wear civilian clothes.
Lifer
A service member who intends to serve in the military for their entire career. Often used as a pejorative. Do not use this term.
LZ
(Landing Zone)–A designated area where helicopters or other aircraft land.
M
Mess Hall
The building where recruits eat.
Mess Call
An announcement that it is time to go eat.
MEPS
(Military Entrance Processing Station) The facility where recruits undergo medical examinations, take the ASVAB, and sworn into service.
Midwatch
The overnight watch, typically starting at 11 PM or 2300.
MOS
(Military Occupational Specialty)–The specific job or career field a soldier is trained for in the Army.
MRE
(Meal, Ready-to-Eat)–Pre-packaged meals used by soldiers in the field.
N
NCO
Non-commissioned officer. An enlisted member of the rank E-4 to E-9 in the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corp.
NCOIC
(Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge) The senior NCO responsible for a specific task or unit.
No-Go
A term used during training to indicate that a task was not performed to standard, requiring a retake or retry.
O
Officer
Military members in the pay grades of O-1 to O-9. They are the managers and leaders with the most responsibility.
P
Pay Grade
The pay level of a military member. It is E for enlisted and O for officer. It is followed by a number 1 to 9.
PCS
(Permanent Change of Station) The relocation of a service member and their family to a new duty station for an extended period.
Petty Officer
A Navy enlisted member from E-4 to E-6.
Piece
The rifle used when marching.
Pogey Bait
Snacks or candy, often traded or bartered.
PT
(Physical Training) The daily exercise routine required of all soldiers to maintain physical fitness.
PX
(Post Exchange) A retail store on a military base where soldiers can purchase goods and services.
Q
Quartermaster
A military officer responsible for providing supplies, equipment, and logistics support.
Quarters
Housing provided to military personnel, either on base or in military-owned properties.
Quick Time
A standard marching pace of 120 steps per minute, used during drills.
R
R&R
(Rest and Recuperation) Authorized leave granted to soldiers for rest and recovery, typically after a deployment.
Rack
A bed or sleeping area.
Report
To put someone on report is to charge them with a violation of the UCMJ.
Roving patrol
A watch assignment where they walk around a designated area such as the barracks.
Ruck March
A march or hike carrying a loaded backpack, used to build endurance and simulate combat conditions.
S
Scuttlebutt
Gossip or rumors.
Sergeant
A rank in the Army, typically responsible for leading a squad or section.
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)
A federal law allowing active-duty service members to terminate leases, reduce interest rates and other rights.
Sick Call
The designated time to report a medical issue.
SITREP
(Situation Report) A report that provides updates on the current status of an operation or mission.
Skivvies
Underwear.
SOP
(Standard Operating Procedure) Established procedures that must be followed in specific situations.
Squad
A small military unit, typically consisting of 8-12 soldiers, led by a Sergeant.
Squared Away
A term used to describe someone or something is in good order.
Stack Arms
To place rifles in a triangular formation, usually during a break in training or a ceremony.
Swab
Mop
T
Tango Uniform
Military slang for "Tits Up," meaning something is broken or non-functional.
TDY (Temporary Duty Assignment)–A temporary assignment to a location other than your permanent duty station.
Top
A term for a Master Sergeant, often used as a sign of respect.
Tricare
The military health insurance plan. This is used when no military healthcare is available.
U
UA
Unauthorized absence; this replaces AWOL
UCMJ
(Uniform Code of Military Justice) The legal code governing the conduct of all U.S. military personnel.
Unit
A military organization made up of soldiers, ranging from small teams to large divisions.
USO
(United Service Organizations) A nonprofit organization providing support and entertainment to U.S. service members and their families.
V
Veteran
A person who has served in the armed forces, particularly one who has seen active duty.
Voluntold
Slang for being volunteered for a task without having a choice in the matter.
VX
(Visual examination) A process where soldiers are visually inspected for uniform compliance and other regulations.
W
Warrant Officer
A ranking system between enlisted and officer. It is usually used for skills that may be highly technical and allows the member to work in their specialty and still advance in pay. They are treated as officers and saluted.
Warrior Ethos
The creed by which soldiers live, emphasizing duty, honor, and commitment to the mission.
Watch
A duty shift, especially in the Navy or Coast Guard.
Weapons Qualification
The process of testing a soldier’s proficiency with their assigned weapon, typically conducted during training.
Wingman
A term borrowed from the Air Force, referring to someone who supports and looks out for a fellow service member.
Write up
To put someone on report for a violation of the UCMJ.
X
XO
(Executive Officer) The second-in-command of a military unit, responsible for assisting the Commanding Officer.
Y
Yellow Ribbon Program
A support program for service members and their families during deployments and homecomings.
Yield Point
In combat terms, the point at which a unit must retreat or surrender due to overwhelming force.
Z
Zero Dark Thirty
Slang for an unspecified early morning hour, often before sunrise, usually when operations begin.
Zone Recon
A type of reconnaissance mission to gather information about a specific area or zone.
Zonk
To leave or disappear quickly, often without notice.
Zoomie
Slang for an Air Force pilot or a member of the Air Force in general.