Navy Terminology, Jargon & Slang

1MC - The basic one-way communications system on a vessel. Reaches all spaces on a ship. Used for general announcements, and to transmit general alarm system signals. Control stations are located on the bridge, quarterdeck, and central station. Other transmitters may be installed at additional points. There are other MC and JV circuits used for communications within the ship. They are typically system-specific, i.e. weapons systems, navigation communication, engineering systems, firefighting, etc.

130-rpm fish - A form of sea life (type unknown) which makes a sound very similar to a propeller turning at 130 rpm.

90-Day Wonder – Derisive term for a graduate of OCS. The derision arises from the lack of experience and naval knowledge of the typical graduate. Commonly seen as "90-Day Blunder."

99 – (USN aviation) Precedes a radio call which applies to a group of aircraft, e.g. "99 Guntrains" would address all aircraft with a Guntrain callsign.

Aback – Backing a sail is turning it so that the wind hits the front face; the effect is to slow a ship or boat. A sail which is being backed is said to be ‘aback.’ A sailing ship which accidentally goes aback when tacking loses its momentum and is said to be ‘in irons.’ A person is said to be ‘all aback’ when he is confused or surprised.

Abaft – Aft of a given point on a ship; e.g. the bridge is abaft the bow.

ABC – Atomic, Biological, Chemical. An early term since supplanted by NBC.

Accelerated Stall – (Aviation) A stall which occurs during accelerated flight, i.e. while the pilot is pulling G’s. Generally a much more violent event than an unaccelerated stall.

Acey-Deucey – Backgammon, a board game traditionally played in off-duty hours.

Acey-Deucey Club – A club for E-5 and E-6 enlisteds (Second- and First-Class Petty Officers).

ACM - Air Combat Maneuvering. Dogfighting practice.

Acockbill – Out of alignment or awry. In original usage, if a sailing ship’s yards were not all aligned, she was said to be "all acockbill." See also SQUARED AWAY.

Active Homing – A homing (guidance) method where the missile provides its own signal (typically either radar or sonar) transmissions and homes in on the energy reflected off the target.

Adrift – (1) Not secured; scattered about; not properly stowed, or out of place. (2) (RCN) Missing in action. "Oh no, I'm adrift for the meeting and the Bossman'll be there!"

Advance and Transfer – Two separate terms involving a ship’s turn. Advance is the forward progress made between the time that the rudder is put over and the time the ship is steady on her new course. Transfer is the horizontal displacement of the ship during the same period of time. Advance is maximized in a turn of 90 degrees or more; transfer is maximized in a turn of 180 degrees or more.

AEF/A – (USN submarine) Auxiliary Electrician Forward/Aft.

A.F.R.T.S. - Spoken as "a-farts", Armed Forces Radio and Television System is a US system providing television and radio entertainment to forces overseas. Recently, the preferred interpretation has become "American Forces Radio and Television Services."

AFFF - Aqueous Film Forming Foam. A fire-fighting agent which is mixed with water and sprayed on flammable liquids fires. Pronounced "A triple-F". Aka 'Light Water' for the foam's ability to float on oil or gasoline. Replaced protein foam. Unlike blood-based protein foam, AFFF is self-healing, in that holes in the foam blanket will close by themselves, preventing reflash.

Afterburner - A system in the engine(s) of many tactical aircraft (and a very few non-tactical a/c such as the SR-71 and U-2) which dramatically increases thrust at the cost of doubling (or more) the fuel consumption. Analogous term in UK-based countries is ‘reheat.’

A-gang - Auxiliaries Division of the Engineering Department. These personnel operate and maintain the ship's auxiliary equipment (air conditioning systems, distilling units, air compressors, etc.)

A-ganger - Auxiliaryman. Member of A-gang.

A-gear - See ARRESTING GEAR.

AGI - Auxiliary, Intelligence Gathering, aka 'Tattletale'. Refers to Russian 'trawlers' (or, more recently, purpose-built ships) stationed off NATO ports and following major fleet units. The AGI’s mission is both intelligence-gathering and providing location (potentially, targeting) data of key targets such as aircraft carriers.

AGL – (Aviation) Above Ground Level. A method of defining an altitude with respect to local ground elevations. The altitude that really matters for safety of flight. See also MSL.

Air Boss – The watchstander responsible for the safe operation of the carrier’s flight deck. His minions direct the placement of aircraft on the deck, monitor the operation of catapults and arresting gear, and direct firefighting efforts if a crash occurs.

Airdale, airedale - Naval aviator, aka 'BROWNSHOE'. Can also refer to any member of the aviation community, officer or enlisted. From envy, often modified by non-aviation types with the adjective "fucking".

Air Start – (1) The process by which a flamed-out jet aircraft engine may be restarted in flight. (2) The process of starting a large Diesel engine using air to turn the engine over. (3) Blowjob.

Air Wing – The officers and men assigned to the aircraft aboard a ship, whether a carrier (usually referred to as a "carrier airwing") or a smaller vessel (generally referred to as an "air det" (detachment)); the airwing has a separate administrative and operational chain of command.

Airy-fairy – (1) (RN) Fleet Air Arm personnel. See WAFOO. (2) (RCN) Vague or impractical suggestion.

A. J. Squared-Away – The mythical sailor who always has his stuff together.

Aldis – (UK) A handheld signaling lamp.

Alert Five - Aircraft on five-minute alert. This generally requires that the aircrew be seated in the aircraft at all times. There may also be aircraft/aircrews on alert fifteen, etc.

Alpha Mike Foxtrot - Acronym for "Adios, Motherfucker". Polite form: "Adios, My Friend." Also seen as initials, ‘AMF.’

Amateur Night – The day after payday, when nothing seems to go right, especially shipboard evolutions.

Amp Tramp - (RCN) Ship's electrician.

Anchor-faced - (RN) Anyone who is enthusiastic about the Navy.

Anchor Clanker - (1) Boatswain's Mate. (2) (RN) Ordinary seaman. See DECK APE.

Anchor Pool – The betting pool on the hour and minute the ship will drop anchor or tie up.

Andrew (the) - (UK) Nickname for the Royal Navy. Refers to pressgang leader Andrew Miller who, it was said, owned the Royal Navy.

Angled Deck - The landing area of a modern carrier, which is offset 10 degrees to port from the ship's centerline to provide for safe BOLTERs. Aka 'angle deck', 'the angle.'

Angle of Attack – The angle measured between the relative wind and the chord line of an airfoil. Essentially, the angle between the air movement (*not* the horizon!) and the aircraft’s wing. Has a tremendous import in the handling and behavior of the aircraft. Abbreviated AOA. Aka ‘Alpha’, from the engineering notation for AOA. Primarily an aviation term, although it is applicable to other fluid environments such as a ship’s propeller in water.

Angles and Dangles – Operating a submarine at steep angles of ascent and descent, and to perform rapid turns (a submarine in a tight turn will bank in the same fashion as an aircraft).

Anti-Smash Light - The rotating or flashing anti-collision beacon on an aircraft.

AOW - Auxiliaryman Of (the) Watch. Also called 'The Aux'.

ARAB - (UK) Arrogant Regular Army Bastard.

Arresting Gear - Mechanism used to rapidly bring an aircraft to a halt aboard ship or ashore. In field use (ashore), A-gear may be a device as simple as lengths of chain connected to a CROSS-DECK PENDANT (q.v.), though this type of installation is becoming less common. The chain device is usually referred to as 'overrun gear', as it acts to stop an aircraft which is about to run off of the end of the prepared runway surface. Other types of arresting gear, ashore and afloat, involve complicated braking mechanisms.

Arse Bandit – (UK) Homosexual.

Artificer - (RN) Engineering technician.

ASAP – As Soon As Possible. Usually spoken as a word, "A-sap," the first ‘a’ given the long sound.

Ashcan – A depth charge which is cylindrical in shape. See also "TEARDROP"

Athwartships – Moving or placed from side to side aboard ship, or straddling a particular position. At right angles to the ship’s centerline.

At Loggerheads – A serious difference of opinion. A Loggerhead is two iron balls attached by an iron rod, which was heated and used for melting pitch. Sailors sometimes used them as weapons to settle a grudge, i.e. when fighting they were "at loggerheads."

Auto Dog – (USN) Soft serve ice cream, due to its similarity in appearance (at least when having chocolate flavor) to dog feces.

Autorotation – (1) A method of making an emergency landing in a helicopter which has experienced engine failure. Energy is stored in the rotor as rotational momentum, then expended to slow the decent and cushion the landing. (2) Facetiously, a way for a helicopter pilot to keep his hands and feet occupied as he plummets to his death.

AUX - Pronounced ‘ox.’ (1) Verbal shorthand for 'auxiliary', as when referring to a machinery space, 'Aux One'. (2) Alternate form of AOW.

Avast – A command which means, basically, "Stop what you’re doing." This term appears to be from the French "Haud Vast," literally "hold fast."

Aweigh – (sometimes seen (improperly) as "away") When a ship raises (weighs) anchor, the anchor is said to be aweigh as soon as it is no longer in contact with the sea bottom. From the process of weighing anchor; the sequence of reports is usually as follows:

"Anchor’s at short stay" – The ship has been pulled up to the anchor, but the anchor is still lying on the bottom, undisturbed.

"Anchor’s up and down" – The anchor’s flukes have broken free of the bottom, and the shank is more or less vertical. The crown of the anchor is still resting on the bottom.

"Anchor’s aweigh" – The anchor has left the bottom. Legally, at this point the ship is under way, whether or not it is "making way" (moving through the water under its own power).

AWOL Bag – A small canvas or vinyl bag used to carry clothing or personal items while on weekend liberty.

COMMON TERMS


OMBUDSMAN - volunteer, a spouse, who is the well trained link between sailors and their families. Should be contacted in emergency situations by: spouses who need help and guidance, and parents of single sailors who need help and guidance. Parents of married sailors should go through the spouse for info - not directly to the ombudsman.

REVEILLE - Means "wake the heck up!" signaling the start of a work day.

TAPS - Lights out, it's time to sleep.

DECK - The floor.

BULKHEAD - The wall.

OVERHEAD - The ceiling.

HEAD - The restroom.

HIGH DUST - Dust in high areas such as top of lockers or cabinets that are out of reach.

NOONER - A quick nap during lunch hour.

AYE, AYE - I have heard and understood your command/statement.

TURN-TO - Get to work!

SCAMMER/SKATE - One who deviously avoids work.

SHIP RIDER - One that does little or no work onboard ship (syn., scammer)

CAPTAIN'S MAST - A formal ceremony for those whom are accused of participating in criminal or unjust activities, usually resulting in various levels of punishment.

RESTRICTION - Status where a sailor is required to stay onboard ship but is able to move about freely. He/she may leave the ship only on official duty and must be accompanied by an escort.

FAN ROOM - A small confined space that facilitates the ship's ventilation system.

SCULLERY - Hot and steamy room where dishes are washed. Most dreaded area to work when assigned "mess" duty.

MESS DECKS - The crew's dining area.

MESS DUTY - A 90-day obligated duty working on the messdecks when first reporting aboard. aka "Mess-Crank'n"

CRANK (Old Navy)/FOOD SERVICE ATTENDANT (New Navy) - A person working on the messdecks.

GUNDECK - An immoral act of not doing an assignment and carrying on as if it was completed.

SNIPE - Anyone who works in the Engineering department.

SHELLBACK- Known as - After you cross the equator.
A Golden Shellback has crossed the equator at 0 degrees latitude and 180 degrees longitude
An Emerald Shellback crossed at 0-0. (thanks to CTM1 Virts for the skinny on this one)

TREE BARK - Navy Coffee

BLUE NOSE - A sailor who's crossed either the Arctic or Antarctic circle.

USS BACKYARD - where you're stationed after you get out of the NAVY

STEEL BENCH PICNIC - A "cookout" on a ship, usually held on the flight deck, or Steel Beach.

TAD - temporary assigned duty - temporary duty assignment

EAOS - End of Active Obligated Service

PRD - Projected Rotation Date aka PRD

BLACKSHOE - Non-aviation rate enlisted personnel

BROWNSHOE - aviation rate enlisted personnel

GOAT - the Navy mascot

SWEEPERS - A cleaning ritual that involves sweeping assigned areas.

FIELD DAY - Full blown cleaning, sort of like Spring cleaning in overdrive.

WORKING PARTY - A strenuous activity that involves carrying many heavy items to great distances for prolong periods of time.

CHIT - Forms used for requesting anything (leave, a day off, etc.).

MID-WATCH - The midnight watch, the most dreaded watch because one loses the most sleep out of the rotation.

ACRONYMS

UA - Unauthorized Absence

CO - Commanding Officer

XO - Executive Officer

DIVO - Division Officer

CPO - Chief Petty Officer

LPO - Leading Petty Officer

POD - Plan of the Day

PMS - Planned Maintenance System

GQ - General Quarters

ESWS - Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist

CASREP - Casualty Report

DAPA - Drug and Alcohol Program Administrator

PRT - Physical Readiness Test

ARB - Academic Review Board

DRB - Development Review Board

EAOS - End of Active Obligated Service

WOG- Someone who hasn't crossed the equator yet and hasn't gone through the ceremony.

Jerry insisted I add that one. lol.

Its so funny, it slike they don't even speak english. lol

what the heck? i cant believe they actually have a name for that.

proudwifeyandmama wrote:

WOG- Someone who hasn't crossed the equator yet and hasn't gone through the ceremony.

Jerry insisted I add that one. lol.

Its so funny, it slike they don't even speak english. lol

The only reason I know anything of this one is because of the show JAG in the 90's that my family loved. lol

I love when DH gives directions in Navy terms...

Well just put it over on that bulkhead...and watch out for the overhead

(wtf...)

Or

Where's the head?

(the what???)

Sadly when Im on the ship I ask where the head is,and usually they have to get a female from another berthing (sp?) to get in the bathroom for me.