Marine "Speak"

Our Sons and Our Daughters have joined the U.S. Marine Corps, they have embarked on a new life. Spread their wings. Shown us they have what it takes to survive. Along with this and all the training they have received they have also taken up a new language, one we "Parents" sometimes have trouble understanding. On this page you will find some new vocabulary words to give you a better idea of what your Marine is saying. 

ABOARD On base, on analogy with "aboard ship".
ABATE Loose from towline or moorings: scattered about, not properly stored.
ACE PILOT A good pilot.
ACK ACK Antiaircraft fire.
ADRIFT Loose from towline or moorings; scattered about; not in proper stowage.
AFT Referring to or toward the stern (rear) of a vessel.
A.G. Adjutant General.
AIR BLIND Nervous and watching the instruments constantly.
AIRDALE An aviator,. particularly a naval aviator.
AIR HOG One who flies at every opportunity.
AIR LOG An altimeter.
ALICE "All-purpose, Lightweight, Individual Carrying Equipment," who everyone calls a backpack.
ALL HANDS All members of a command.
AMEX American soldiers in the first World War.
ANGEL'S WHISPER Bugle call.
ANZAC An Australian or New Zealand soldier.
ARCHIE Antiaircraft artillery or shell.
ARMORED COW Canned milk.
ARMY BIBLE Regulations.
ARMY STRAWBERRIES Prunes.
AS YOU WERE Resume former activity.
ASHORE Any place outside of a naval or Marine Corps reservation.
AWEIGH Said of the anchor. As soon as the anchor has broken away from and is no longer fastened to the bottom.
AWKWARD SQUAD Men who require extra instruction at drill.
AWOL Absent without leave.
AXLE GREASE Butter.
AYE, AYE, SIR Required official acknowledgment of an order meaning I have received, understand, and will carry out the order or instructions; not the equivalent of "Yes".
BABE The youngest man in his class.
BABY CARRIAGE Machine gun cart.
B-ACHE or BELLY-ACHE To complain.
BACK-BITER A tattle-tale.
BAD TIME Time spent in the guard house.
BADGY One who enlists under age.
BAIL OUT To jump from an aircraft in flight with a view to landing by parachute.
BALDIE A haircut
BATTERY ACID, BLACKSTRAP,  BOOTLEG Coffee.
BAM "Broad Assed Marine,"  World War II slang for a Woman Marine.
BCD Bad Conduct Discharge.
BDR Basic Daily Routine.
BEAN GUN A rolling kitchen..
BEANS A mess sergeant or the commissary.
BEAN-SHOOTER Officer in charge of the commissary.
BEARDED LADY A searchlight with diffused rays.
BEAST A new cadet while receiving preliminary  training
BEEF To complain.
BEHAVIOR REPORT To reply to a love letter.
BELAY To make fast or to secure, as in "belay the line," to cancel or to disregard a statement just made
BELLY ROBBER A mess sergeant.
BELOW Downstairs; lower deck
BEND To damage an airplane.
BERTHA, BIG BERTHA Applied to various German guns of large caliper, from Frau Bertha Krupp.
B.G. Brigadier General
BIG JOHN A recruit.
BIG WILLIE Pilot model of the Mark 1 British tank; also known as Mother.
BIG-BOAT PILOT A good sport.
BILLET Assignment, job, or duty
BLOUSE Military for uniform jacket
BLUES Full dress uniform
BOONDOCKERS Field boots, for operating in the boondocks
BOONDOCKS The wilderness
BOOT A recruit, who goes to "Boot Camp"
BOW The front portion of a ship
BREAKOUT Take out of stock or storage; to prepare for use
BRIG A place of confinement; a prison
BRIDGE The portion of a ship's structure from which it is controlled when underway
BROWN BAGGER A married man
BROW A portable walkway from the pier or jetty to the ship's quarterdeck
BULKHEAD A wall, from shipboard usage
BUTTKIT An ashtray
C. P Command Post in the field.
CAMMIES Camouflage uniform
CARRY ON The order to resume previous activity 
CATCH A HIT Being "chewed out"
CHIT A receipt or authorization; a piece of paper
CHOW Food
CHOW DOWN Eat
CHOW HOUND One who enjoys his food immensely, in volume
CMC Commandant of the Marine Corps
COLORS The flag, also the ceremonial raising and lowering thereof.
CORPSMAN A U.S. Navy medical aidman attached to a Marine unit.
COVER A cap or hat
CRUISE An enlistment
DECK From shipboard usage, the floor
DEUCE GEAR Basic equipment, as outlined in the legendary "Regulation 782"
DI Drill Instructor, a God-like being to Boots
DITTY BAG A carry-all, often restricted to containing toiletries
DITTY BOX A place to store things
DOGGIES Army guys
EST Essential Subject Test, annual examination for lower ranking enlisted personnel
FANTAIL The main deck of a ship at the stern
FIELD DAY  Barracks cleanup 
FIELD SCARF Regulation Marine Corps uniform neck tie
FORECASTLE The upperdeck at the bow on which the ground tackle is located
FORWARD Towards the front end of a ship, aircraft, or vehicle
GALLEY Shipboard kitchen; kitchen of a mess hall; mobile field mess
GANGWAY An opening in the rail giving access to the ship. A command announcement to stand aside to let someone through
GATE NAZI What our Sons and Daughters call themselves when they get gate duty. This is one of the duties they perform after graduation if they are held back for med reasons or delays in MOS scheduling
GATOR An amphibious ship; one who serves in the amphibious Navy
GEEDUNK The place (aboard ship) where candy, ice cream, soda, and smokes can be purchased
GOAT LOCKERS Senior NCO quarters
GOD BOX The Chapel
GOOD TO GO Ready, Willing and Prepared to go, 
GREEN WEANIE "Getting screwed"
GRUNT Infantryman, Vietnam are
GUNNY A gunnery sergeant
HASHMARKS Longevity stripes, found on the sleeves of senior enlisted personnel
HATCH Door or doorway
HEAD Latrine or toilet
HIGH AND TIGHT Extreme Marine haircut
HOOCH Ones' quarters, even if only a shelter half
HUMP March
LADDER  Stairs
LEAVE A long holiday; a vacation
LIBERTY Absence of enlisted from the ship or command for less than 96 hours for purposes of rest and recreation which is not charged as leave
MOUNT OUT To load for movement, particularly by sea
MUSTANG An officer who started out as an enlisted man
OLD SALT A long service Marine
OVERHEAD Ceiling
PASSAGEWAY A hallway
PAYBACK Revenge
PETTY OFFICER A Navy NCO, E-4 through E-9
PIECE A weapon, particularly one's own
POGEY ROPES Derisive reference to the French fourragere worn by the 5th and 6th Marines, for their services in France during World War I
POGIE BAIT A piece of candy, cookies, etc.
POLICE To straighten or to tidy up 
PORT Left in relation to the layout of a ship, vehicle, aircraft, as determined by standing on deck and facing its bow
QUARTERDECK  The ceremonial location on board ship when the ship is moored or at anchor (It is located close to the brow or accommodation ladder and is the watch station for the Officer of the Deck). 
RACK A bed, hence "rack out" for "go to bed"
RATE A sailor's occupational specialty 
SACK Also a bed
SCRAMBLED EGGS Gold decoration on the visor of dress caps for officers from Major on up, once referred to as "Chicken Guts"
SCUTTLEBUTT Gossip or unfounded rumor; also a drinking fountain
SEABAG  The bag used to stow personal gear 
SECURE Stop; finish; end; make fast; put away in storage 
SHIPPING OVER Re-enlisting 
SICK BAY Hospital or dispensary
SKIPPER Commanding Officer
SKIVVIES Underwear
SKYLARK Goof-off; to loiter 
SMOKING LAMP When smoking lamp is lit, smoking is authorized. 
SOUND OFF To shout, or to complain
SQUARE AWAY To straighten, make ship-shape, or to get settled. To inform or admonish someone in an abrupt manner. 
STARBOARD Right in relation to the layout of a ship, vehicle, aircraft, as determined by standing on deck and facing its bow
STERN The blunt end (rear) of a ship 
SWAB A mop
SWABBIE A Navy guy, who has been know to wield a swab
TOPSIDE Upstairs; upper deck
TURN TO Begin work; get started 
WARDROOM  On board ship, the officer's living room and dining area; also used to signify all of the officers serving on the ship
WORD
("THE WORD")		 Accurate information
YARDBIRD A loafer