Old Fat Marine Dictionary
A to Z and Be On Your Way
A
ABOARD: on base; with us.
Actual: A term to be used over the radio to specify the commander of the unit.
Adrift: Scattered about
Aft: Referring to or toward the stern (rear) of a vessel.
Aiming Point: The aiming point is the precise point where the tip of the front sight post is placedin relationship to the target.
ALIBI: A round that is fired over because of a weapon malfunction while qualifying on a weapons range.
All hands: Everyone will be involvedAmmo: Ammunition
AMTRACK: amphibious tractor; landing craft.
ARTICLE 15: Nonjudicial punishment (NJP) refers to certain limited punishments which can be awarded for minor disciplinary offenses by a commanding officer or officer in charge to members of his/her command. (Also referred to as Office Hours)
AS YOU WERE!: An informal command given to inform the troops to continue on with what they were doing, before they were interrupted by a higher rank entering the area.
ASSHOLES AND ELBOWS: in a hurry; quickly.
And a wake-up: Expression used when counting down the days before leaving an assignment or duty station.
ASAP: As soon as possible.
AYE: Yes
AYE AYE: statement that is used when a Marine is given an order to complete an action. It differs from the mere “Yes Sir” because aye aye means “I understand the request AND I will comply and complete that request.
AZIMUTH: A compass heading for a destination, usually a target.
B
BARRACKS: Living quarters for recruits.
BARRACKS COVER: garrison (frame) cap.
Battlesight zero (BZO): The elevation and windage settings required to engage point targets from 0-300 yards/meters under ideal weather conditions (i.e., no wind).
BCD: Bad Conduct Discharge.
BELAY: stop; quit.
BERM: earthen embankment designed, or used to protect from weapons fire
BFA: Blank Firing Adapter. An attachment that is needed for the M-16 rifle to be able to fire blank ammunition, in the automatic mode. Without a BFA, attached to the muzzle of the rifle, there would be no “blow-back” and the rifle would not chamber the next blank round. It essentially plugs the barrel to allow the buildup of pressure.
BILLET: assignment or job; place of residence.
BIRD: aircraft.
Black Swan Event: a metaphor that describes an event that comes as a surprise, has a major effect, and does not end well for many people.
BLOUSE: n. jacket; v. tuck in, secure.
BLOUSING BANDS: elastic bands used to secure utility trouser cuffs.
BLUES: Dress Blue uniform
BONE SUPPORT: The body’s skeletal structure supporting the rifle’s weight
BLT: Battalion Landing Team.
BOONDOCKS (BOONIES): rugged isolated back country.
BOOT: recruit.
BOOT CAMP: recruit training
BIVOUC: an encampment, or the act of sleeping outside
BLOUSE: This has a dual meaning. It will either refer to the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU) jacket, or it will refer to adding elastic to the bottom of one’s trousers. By “blousing” one’s trousers insects have a harder time climbing onto one’s leg. Also, the act of being able to “blouse” one’s boots is a sign of a recruit platoon that is nearing graduation, or being in the 3rd Phase of training.
BRAIN HOUSING GROUP: your gourd, mind, brain, or head.
BRASS: officers.
BREATH CONTROL: Procedure used to fire the rifle at the moment of least movement in the body and the rifle
BRIG: jail.
BULKHEAD: wall.
BURST: With the rifle’s selector lever in the burst position, the rifle will fire a maximum of three rounds each time the trigger is pulled
BUTTS: target area on a rifle range where personnel work to raise, mark and lower the targets that are shot at.
BY-THE-NUMBERS: in sequence.
BZO: Battlesight Zero. To align one’s rifle to an individual’s shooting stance. To “zero in”.
C
CAMPAIGN COVER: Hat worn by drill instructors
CANTING: An angular deviation of the weapon to the left or right from a vertical position during firing
CARRY ON: resume what you were doing; as you were.
CASUAL COMPANY: unit of Marines awaiting reassignment.
CBRN: Chemical, Biological, Radioactive, Nuclear
CC: Corrective Custody; jail, the brig.
CENTER OF MASS: A point that is horizontally and vertically centered on the target
CENTERLINE OF THE BORE: An imaginary straight line beginning at the chamber end of the barrel and proceeding out of the muzzle
CG: Commanding General.
CHAMBER CHECK: Procedure used to determine a weapon’s condition
Chinese field day: A form of field day where all furniture in the room is removed for extensive cleaning.
CHIT: written authorization or receipt.
CHOW: food. As a recruit this can be as important as receiving mail.
CHOW HALL: mess hall.
CLICK: one notch of adjustment on a rifle.
CLP: For cleaning personal weapons. Cleaner, Lubricant, and Preservative. CLP does 3 things, it contains solvents to dissolve firing residue and carbon, it lays down a layer of Teflon as it dries to provide lubrication, and to prevent it from rusting.
COLORS: n. the flag; v. ceremony of raising or lowering the flag.
COMMODE: toilet
CORPSMAN: Navy medic serving with Marines.
COVER: Hat.
D
Deck: Floor
Devil Dog: The name “Teufel Hunden” was given to the Marines by the German enemies during World War I. The literal translation refers to bitch and was applied because the Marines fought like “dogs from hell”.
DEUCE-AND-A-HALF: 2 1/2 ton truck.
DI: abbreviation for Drill Instructor, or Dumb Idiot. Highly suggested the term is NOT used by a recruit.
DIDDY BAG: cloth, drawstring bag for small items.
DIDDY BOP: swagger; affected walk.
DOG-AND-PONY-SHOW: special presentation put on for visiting dignitaries.
DOUBLE FEED: The attempted simultaneous feeding of multiple rounds from the magazine
DOUBLE TIME: quickly; at a run.
DRY FIRE: Aiming, cocking, and squeezing the trigger of an unloaded rifle in order to practice firing
DRY RUN: A practice event. A run through.
E
EIGHTH & I: Headquarters Marine Corps.
ENTRENCHING TOOL (E-TOOL): small folding field shovel.
“Esprit de Corps”: The “spirit” of a unit. This spirit is commonly reflected by all members. It implies devotion and loyalty to the Marine Corps, with deep regard for history, traditions and honor.
EYE RELIEF: The distance between the rear sight aperture and the aiming eye
F
FALL IN: the command gave for individuals to assume their place in a unit formation.
FARTSACK: mattress cover.
FAT BODY: overweight recruit
F.O.: Forward Observer. Refers to the Marine that calls in (requests) indirect fire weapons, artillery, mortars, naval gunfire, air support.
FIAT CURRENCY: Money that holds no intrinsic value. The value perceived by the user is simply created from nothing. Most currencies in the world (if not all) hold no real value other than what people believe it to be worth. Fiat currency is actually a confidence game.
FIELD (or) “THE FIELD”: wooded areas outside of garrison, used for combat training. A training environment such as jungle, forest, or desert or anywhere else, other than in garrison.
FIELD DAY: general cleanup of barracks.
FIELD SCARF: a necktie.
FIELD STRIP: disassemble; take apart.
FIRE IN THE HOLE!: warning that explosives are about to be detonated.
Fire Watch: Barracks security
FIRST SHIRT (ALSO TOP): First Sergeant.
FLAG METHOD: Procedure used to determine wind velocity and direction on a Known Distance (KD) range
FLEET: Fleet Marine Force. The units that make up the deployable force in readiness.
FMF: Fleet Marine Force.
FOOT LOCKER: mid-sized wooden box used to stow personal gear like socks.
FOUR-BY: light truck.
FUNCTION CHECK: Procedure used to ensure the rifle operates properly
G
GALLEY: kitchen.
GANG WAY!: stand back! Move away!
GARRISON: the area recruits occupy when not in the field. Does not refer to a specific place, other than the fact they are not in “the field”
GAS OPERATED: A self-loading firearm that utilizes the expanding force of the propellant’s powder gases to extract a fired cartridge case and insert a fresh cartridge while cocking the gun and making it ready to fire
GEDUNK: sweets or a store that sells sweets.
GEAR: equipment.
GEAR LOCKER: storage locker.
GI CAN: garbage can.
GO FASTERS: Sneakers worn in recruit training and are worn intermittently during the early stages of training to allow a time for the issued combat boots to break in.
GOURD: head; where you hang your cover.
GRESHAM’S LAW: in economics, Gresham’s law is a monetary principle. this law states that “bad money drives out good”. For example, if there are two forms of commodity money in circulation, which are accepted by law as having similar face value, the more valuable commodity will gradually disappear from circulation
GRINDER: large black top / asphalt area where drill practice and graduation takes place. Also is called the parade deck.
GUIDON: pennant bearing unit designation.
GUNG HO: lit. Work together; (from Chinese) highly motivated.
GUNGY: gung ho.
GUNNY: Gunnery Sergeant.
GRABASS (ORGANIZED GRABASS): play; sports, frivolous activity.
GRAPE: Your head
GREEN MACHINE: Marine Corps.
GRUNT: A Marine infantryman
Gun: What a new recruit calls their rifle by mistake right before they get extra P.T.
Gyrenes: The term “gyrene” is a jocular reference to Marines which was first used in England as early as 1894. It was used in the United States around the time of World War I. Its exact origin is unknown, but it did appear to have a derogatory meaning in its early usage. It has been suggested that the term may embody a reference to pollywog, a naval slang term for a person who has not yet “crossed” (the equator), hence, a landlubber.
H
HASTY SEARCH: Method for quickly searching an area for enemy activity
HASTY SIGHT SETTING: An adjustment in sight settings from the BZO to compensate for range or wind
HATCH: door.
HARD CHARGER: motivated Marine.
HEAD: bathroom, toilet.
HEAD CALL: trip to the bathroom.
HIGH-AND-TIGHT: standard Marine haircut; shaved sides and short on top.
HOLLYWOOD MARINE: San Diego MCRD graduate.
HOOCH (Jap.): any kind of shelter, residence.
HOUSE MOUSE: Drill Instructor’s go-fer.
HUMP: to march tactically a long distance as a unit. Going on a hump.
I
ILBE: Improved Load Bearing Equipment. Pack system used by all Marines.
IMMEDIATE THREAT TARGET: A target that presents itself at a range anywhere from 0 to 50 yards that requires an immediate engagement to reduce the threat
IFT: Initial Fitness Test consisting of: 1.5 mile timed run, max # of pull-ups and crunches.
INITIAL SIGHT SETTING: Sight setting placed on a rifle that serves as the starting point from which all sight adjustments are made for the initial zeroing process
IPT: Incentive Physical Training (Punishment by forced calisthenics)
IRISH PENNANT: string, thread dangling from clothing indicating unkempt appearance.
J
JARHEAD: a slang term for a Marine. One origin suggests that it is because of the high and tight haircut Marines are known for wearing. Another legend states it is because during World War II the Mason Jar Company stopped making jars and started making helmets for the Marine Corps.
JIBS: teeth, esp. front incisors, e.g., “I’ll bust your jibs.”
Jody: The mythical person that is home making time with your lover.
JOE SHIT THE RAGMAN: bad example, un-squared-away Marine, boyfriend of Rosy Rottencrotch.
JUNK-ON-THE-BUNK: complete clothing and equipment inspection (also Things-on-the-Springs) laid out on the rack.
K
K-BAR: Marine-issue fighting knife.
KEVLAR: often refers to a helmet but in reality describes protective equipment made out of Kevlar.
KLICK: kilometer.
L
LADDER (or ladder way): stairs.
LBV: load Bearing Vest
LCS: Local coin store
Leathernecks: The Marines’ long-standing nickname goes back to the leather stock or neck-piece, which was part of the Marine uniform from 1775 to 1875. The leather bands around their throats were intended to ensure that Marines kept their heads erect.
LEAVE: authorized absence of more than 24 hours.
LIBERTY: authorized absence of less than 24 hours.
LIMITED TECHNICAL INSPECTION: (LTI) An inspection performed by an armorer, on a weapon to determine its operational status. This inspection deals with safety and function, not accuracy.
LINE OF SIGHT: An imaginary line extending from the shooter’s eye through the rifle’s sights and onto an aiming point on a target
LOCK AND LOAD: arm and ready your weapon; get ready!
LTI: See Limited Technical Inspection
M
MCCUU: Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform. “Utilities”
MCRD: Marine Corps Recruit Depot
MCRD PI: Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina
MCRD SD: Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California
MAGAZINE FED: A mechanical, automatic means of supplying a firearm with ammunition to be chambered.
MAKE A HOLE!: stand back! gang way!
MAGGIE’S DRAWERS: red disc used on the rifle range to signify missing the target.
MERITORIOUS PROMOTION: Advancement in rank due to outstanding conduct.
MERITORIOUS RECOGNITION: Advancement in rank due to outstanding conduct.
MRE: Meal ready to eat. Food rations that Marines are issued to eat, while in the field.
Moonbeam: Flashlight
MOS: Military Occupational Specialty or assigned job specialty.
Mustang: A Marine that was an enlisted person that has for whatever reason left the ranks of the enlisted and has been promoted to the rank of a Commissioned Officer.
N
NCO: non-commissioned officer. Corporals and Sergeants
NCOIC: non-commissioned officer-in-charge. Senior NCO within a unit
NJP: Non-judicial punishment permits commanders to administratively discipline troops without a court-martial. Punishment can range from reprimand to reduction in rank, correctional custody (aboard ships only), loss of pay, extra duty, and/or restrictions. The receipt of non-judicial punishment does not constitute a criminal conviction, but is often placed in the service record of the individual.
NATURAL POINT OF AIM: The location at which the rifle’s sights settle if bone support and muscular relaxation are achieved
NON-QUAL: Marine who fails to fire a qualifying score at the rifle range. Non-Qualified
NJP: Nonjudicial punishment. Refers to certain limited punishments which can be awarded for minor disciplinary offenses by a commanding officer or officer in charge to members of his/her command. (Also referred to as Office Hours)
O
OBSERVATION METHOD: Procedure used to determine wind velocity and direction in a tactical situation
OFFICE HOURS: Nonjudicial punishment (NJP) Refers to certain limited punishments which can be awarded for minor disciplinary offenses by a commanding officer or officer in charge to members of his/her command.
Once a Marine, Always a Marine: This truism is now the official motto of the Marine Corps League. The origin of the statement is credited to a gung-ho Marine Corps master sergeant, Paul Woyshner. During a barroom argument he shouted, “Once a Marine, always a Marine!” MSgt. Woyshner was right. Once the title “U.S. Marine” has been earned, it is retained. There are no ex-Marines or former-Marines. There are (1) active duty Marines (2) retired Marines (3) reserve Marines (4) Marine veterans. Nonetheless, once one has earned the title, he remains a Marine for life.
OORAH: a shout used by Marines to show motivation and celebration.
OUTSTANDING!: exceptional; well done!
OVERHEAD: the ceiling.
OVER THE HILL: absent without authorization.
P
PARADE DECK: A large black top / asphalt area where drill practice and graduation takes place. Also, known as “the grinder”.
PASSAGEWAY: corridor; hallway.
PHYSICAL CONDITIONING PLATOON: (PCP) this is where recruits go when they do not have the ability to complete at least the minimal physical standards. This is a platoon that is designed to motivate recruits and the horror stories that are told are not true. Although entry to this platoon may be de-motivating, it is the goal of The Corps to assist and train these recruits to be able to re-join a platoon in a normal training cycle. The time spent in a PCP does not count towards training days.
PFT: USMC Physical Fitness Test. The test consists of a best time possible 3 mile run, maximum number of pull-ups, with the goal of 20, and crunches, with the maximum goal of 100 within 2 minutes.
PIECE: rifle or howitzer
PISS CUTTER: envelope-shaped cover.
PLATOON: group of approx. 70 recruits / Marines
PMI: The Primary Marksman Instructor is the first Marines that the recruits encounter on a daily basis (after T-1 Day) that are not Drill Instructors. These instructors are much nicer to the recruits so an environment of relaxation and learning is created. The recruits meet the PMI’s at the start of Second Phase. The PMI’s teach recruits how to master the art of shooting their rifle.
POGEY BAIT: candy, sweets. The Marines in China before WW II were issued candy (Baby Ruths, Tootsie Rolls, etc.) as part of their ration supplements. At the time, sugar and other assorted sweets were rare commodities in China and much in demand by the Chinese, so the troops found the candy useful for barter in town. The Chinese word for prostitute, roughly translated, is “pogey”. Thus, candy became “Pogey Bait”. Urban Dictionary
POLICE CALL: time allocated to clean up an area.
POLICE UP: clean up.
POOP (also dope, scoop): information.
PORT: Left
PORTHOLE: window
POI: Program of instruction
PROCESSING DAYS: The days spent in recruit training preparing recruits for the actual training days required to graduate boot camp. (Medical testing, uniform issue…)
PT: Physical Training; exercise.
Q
QUARTERS: living space.
QUARTERDECK: Small area of barracks outside the Drill Instructors quarters.
R
RACK: bed, bunk.
RANGE: 1. A place where shooting is practiced. 2. The distance traveled by a projectile to a specified target
RANGE CARD: A rough sketch of an observer’s area of responsibility depicting the range and direction to recognizable objects, terrain features, avenues of approach, and possible enemy positions
RAPPEL: descend from cliff or helicopter by rope.
RECON: (also Force Recon): Force Reconnaissance Marine.
RECYCLE(S): When a recruit fails to master a requirement and is sent back to repeat training with another platoon. It is similar to “being left back” in grade school. This is not a pleasant experience and should be avoided at all ethical costs.
REQUEST MAST: is a procedure in which an individual can discuss any matter with commanding officers in the chain of command.
REVILLE: wake-up time
ROSE GARDEN: large sandbox like area, usually outside of the barracks here IPT is administered. There are no roses…just sand.
ROUND: bullet or artillery or mortar shell.
RUCKSACK: Green backpack used to carry all essential items while in field environment
S
SAND PIT: large sandbox like area, usually outside of the barracks here IPT is administered.
SCRIBE: the one that takes notes.
SCUTTLEBUTT: rumors.
SDI: Senior Drill Instructor
SEABAG: duffel bag. The luggage Marines use to transport personal belongings.
SECURE: tie down or make fast; also to recycle or dispose of; to put something in its proper place; to desist.
SEMIAUTOMATIC: 1. Partially automatic 2. Ejection of the used shell and chambering of the succeeding round of ammunition after the trigger is pulled. With the rifle’s selector lever on semiautomatic, the rifle will fire one round each time the trigger is pulled.
“Semper Fi”: “Semper Fidelis” (Latin for Always Faithful), as in Semper Fidelis – – Always faithful – – to God, Country, and Corps. It is proven by the fact that there has never been a mutiny among U.S. Marines. This motto was adopted about 1883. Before that, there had been three mottoes, all traditional rather than official. The first, “Fortitudine” (With Fortitude), appeared about 1812. The second, “By Sea and by Land,” was obviously a translation of the Royal Marines’ “Per Mare, Per Terram.” Until 1848, the third motto was “To the Shores of Tripoli,” in commemoration of O’Bannon’s capture of Derne in 1805. In 1848, after the return to Washington of the Marine battalion which took part in the capture of Mexico City, this motto was revised to “From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli.” The current Marine Corps motto is shared with England’s Devonshire Regiment.
SEVEN-EIGHTY-TWO GEAR: field equipment; canvas web gear.
SHIT BIRD: messy or undisciplined; a screw up.
SHIT CAN: (v) to dispose of; (n) garbage can.
SICK BAY: clinic or hospital.
SILVER STACKER: A person that purchases silver in coin, round, or bullion form. Not generally considered to be jewelry. Just think of someone stacking silver coins. A friendly term for a person that collects silver.
SIX-BY (six-by-six): standard three-axle truck.
SHOOTER ERROR: Any action generated by the shooter that causes the weapon to fail to fire sight alignment. The placement of the tip of the front sight post in the center of the rear sight aperture
SIGHT ALIGNMENT: The placement of the tip of the front sight post in the center of the rear sight aperture
SIGHT PICTURE: The placement of the tip of the front sight post in the center of the target while maintaining sight alignment
SKIPPER: captain; commanding officer.
SKIVVIES: underwear.
SNAP IN: practice, esp. on the rifle range.
SNOOPIN’ AND POOPIN’: reconnoitering.
SNOT LOCKER: nose.
SOUND OFF!: assertively voice, or to speak loudly.
SPOT PRICE: The spot price is the current price in the marketplace at which a given asset—such as a security, commodity, or currency—can be bought or sold for immediate delivery.
SQUAD BAY: barracks where on platoon resides.
SQUARED AWAY: being neat, orderly, organized.
SQUID: (derog.) sailor.
STACK ARMS!: command given to place rifles in a pyramid.
STAND BY!: Prepare. Marines are ordered to wait for further orders, but do not leave the area.
STANDBY: waiting status.
STOCK WELD: The firm, consistent contact of the cheek with the weapon’s buttstock
STOPPAGE: Any condition that causes the rifle to fail to fire.
SURVEY: dispose of; recycle.
SWAB: mop.
SWABBIE: sailor.
T
Toilet Seat: Refers to the lowest shooting medal a Marine may earn while on the rifle shooting range.
TOP: Sergeant Major. Also called First Shirt
TOPSIDE: upstairs; on deck.
TRAINING DAY: A training day is one on which formal training per the approved POI takes place. The training days will be numbered consecutively from the first training day, and will not include processing days, forming days, Sundays, or holidays. The length of a training day is defined as the period of time beginning with the first period of instruction and ending with the conclusion of the last period of instruction. In this regard, the training day can include nonacademic hours as well as academic hours. The length of the training day will not normally exceed 10 hours with the exception of weapons and field/combat training and the Crucible Event. The training day includes time scheduled for the noon meal, but does not include Basic Daily Routine (BDR), other meals, barracks cleanup, and devotional services.
TRIGGER CONTROL: The skillful manipulation of the trigger that causes the rifle to fire without disturbing sight alignment or sight picture.
TROY OUNCE: A troy ounce is a unit of measure used for weighing precious metals that dates back to the Middle Ages. Originally used in Troyes, France, one troy ounce is equal to 31.1034768 grams, according to the U.K. Royal Mint. … The troy ounce is often abbreviated to read “t oz” or “oz t.”
TROUSERS: pants
TURN TO: begin work.
U
V
W
WILLIE PETER: (WP) white phosphorus.
THE WORD: confirmed official information; the straight scoop.
X
Y
Yellow Footprints: When a recruit steps off the bus at a Marine Corps Recruit Depot the first order they receive will be to stand on the yellow footprints. The term simply refers to the yellow footprints painted on the deck just outside the bus, but the full meaning is actually burnished into a Marine’s memory. The term is ALWAYS associated with the first command a recruit receives when they arrive at boot camp and are ordered to get off the bus and get on the “yellow footprints”.
Z
ZERO-DARK-THIRTY: pre-dawn; early.
