Open Question: What does this mean to you?
CAVU: Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited - perfect flying weather. Pronounced as “Ka-Voo”, it is commonly used in sentences such as “CAVU to the Moon”.
CB - Construction Battalion (pronounced Seabees)
CBC: Clean Bitches Clean. A term used to order junior sailors to clean so they can to secure for the day, or to commence field day.
Cellblock 10: Crew-coined term for the USS Juneau. Term could come from the feeling that the Juneau has the homely warmth of a prison cellblock. 10 is the vessel’s hull number.
Cellblock 65: Same as above only referring to the U.S.S. Enterprise (CVN-65).
CC: Com any Commander in bootcamp - the place where new boots start learn all these new ‘hosed up’ terms
CF: (pronounced Charlie Foxtrot) Cluster fuck, meaning completely screwed up.
CFIT (pron. see-fit): Controlled Flight into Terrain - When a pilot flies a perfectly good airplane into the ground or the water. Often fatal if unanticipated.
C-GU11: Seagull. Pronounced “See-Gee-Yuu-Eleven.” Similar to “bulkhead remover,” an inexpensive way to derive enjoyment from inexperienced personnel on watch. “Forward lookout, keep an eye out for signs of C-GU11s in the area, over.” Also sometimes spelled C-6U11, Z-6UL1 or various L33T-like combinations.
Channel Fever: Said if a sailor is anxious when approaching port to get leave. Sometimes cured by the “Channel Fever Shot”, a slap or kick to the backside.
Charles County Crab: Throughout the years the Naval School of Explosive Ordnance Disposal has moved several times. It is currently located at Eglin AFB, Florida. The term “Charles County Crab” refers to the “crab” insignia worn by graduates of Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal, who attended training during the period of time when NAVSCHOLEOD was based at Naval Ordnance Station, Indian Head, Charles County Maryland (old school).
Charlie Foxtrot: See “clusterfuck”
Charlie Noble: The stove pipe from the mess deck, the cleaning of which is a major chore.
Charlie Oscar: Phonetic letters C and O. Refers to the Commanding Officer of a unit.
Chart: What landlubbers call a “map”.
Charting: A practice peculiar to Operations Specialists in which they take any personal gear left unstowed by the previous watch section (usually personal coffee cups) and fling them overboard, marking the location on the chart and subsequently inform the unfortunate owner of the location, remarking that he is free to return to retrieve it at his leisure.
Check Valve (primarily used by Engineering/Reactor departments): A shipmate who is willing to acdddcept (and may even ask for) gedunk or help, but isn’t willing to give. He is being “one way”…(a check valve only allows flow in one direction).
Cheez Whiz: Derogatory term for Chief Warrant Officers, former enlisted personnel who have received a commission for specialized skills. Most Warrant Officers (aka “Warrants”) are former Chiefs but have “moved up” to the officers’ mess (Wardroom), hence there is often a degree of resentment and animosity between the two groups.
CHENG: Chief Engineer
Chicken Suit: A yellow cloth suit that is worn from head-to-toe by navy “Nukes” (see below) when cleaning up radioactive spills or are otherwise in areas that may lead to skin contamination by radioactive material. To complete the ensemble, bright orange rubber gloves are worn as well.
Chit: Name given to the document a sailor fills out to make various types of special request (i.e. emergency leave, move off base to civilian housing, etc.)
My Wife Chit: A special request that uses the wife as the excuse/justification for needing to be absent.
Chop, The: Supply Officer. Taken from the Supply Corps’ porkchop-shaped insignia.
Chow: Food.
Chow Boss: Food Service Officer.
Chow down: Eat.
Chow Hall: Dining room.
Chow Hound: Someone who never misses a meal. A proficient chow hound generally gains membership in the Chub Club.
Chrome Dome: Bright silver helmet worn by officer candidates as part of the “poopie suit” during the first week of OCS.
Chub Club: Sailors assigned mandatory physical training due to being overweight.
Chuckie V: USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Also Chuckwagon, Chuck Bucket.
Chula-juana: Derisive term for the city of Chula Vista, CA, a city where many sailors assigned to NAVSTA San Diego live for its proximity to the base and perceived similarity to Tijuana, Mexico.
CIC: Combat Information Center - see “Combat” below
Cinderella Liberty: Liberty that expires at midnight.
CIVLANT: Form DD-214 transfers you from COMSUBLANT to CIVLANT.
CIWS (pron. sea whiz): Close in Weapon System, or Phalanx gun, also “Captain, it won’t shoot!”, is intended to shoot down incoming missiles, but is frequently under repair.
CLA: A career-limiting action. A truly bad whatever that spells the end. Leads to questions about the location of the truck-driver school phone number. aka CLE event.
Cleaning Stations: Hour-long field day evolution where everyone drops what they’re doing and cleans their spaces. See “XO’s Happy Hour”
Clinometer: 1. (Also known as an inclinometer) An instrument for measuring angles of slope (or tilt), elevation or inclination of an object with respect to gravity. 2. An instrument used on shipboard to indicate the approximate amount of vomit being produced by the ship’s crew.
Clobbered: When the landing pattern or the comms frequency at a field or ship is filled to capacity and you can’t get an aircraft or a word in.
Clusterfuck: Term used to describe an evolution that has gone awry.
Coastie: A Coast Guardsman.
COB: (Submarine Service) Chief of the Boat; a chief (generally a Master or Senior Chief) specifically assigned to the submarine to liaise between the CO and the crew of the boat. Such a good idea, that the surface fleet borrowed it, mucked it up, and created the CMC (Command Master Chief) program.
COD: Carrier Onboard Delivery - the mighty C-2 Greyhound, which ferries people and supplies to and from the carrier on a regular basis. The C-2 Greyhound COD was preceded in service by the smaller C-1 Trader (photo) COD aircraft.
Coffin Locker: A personal storage area located underneath a sailor’s rack (see below).
Cold Shot: A catapult launch from a carrier in which insufficient speed is attained to generate lift. Often fatal for the aircrew if they do not eject in time.
Connex Box Talk: A shipping container used when a Junior “dirt Sailor” is in need of a Physical attitude re-alignment. Although officially illegal under the U.C.M.J. It is rumored to be an effective tool but generally only allowed in the most severe cases.
Combat: Short for Combat Information Center (CIC). This space is a nexus where all of the ship’s sensors and weapons systems come together. The room is filled with various screens and displays, and the Tactical Action Officer (TAO) “fights the ship” from there.
Combat Dump: Evacuating the bowels right before a flight or a mission. Also called “putting the marines ashore” or “drowning an O-4.”
Combo Cover: Short for Combination Cover, which is a type of hat worn by chiefs and officers. It is circular on top and covered with white or khaki fabric. On the front you’ll find the officer’s crest or the (senior or master) chief’s insignia. Below that there is a chin strap and a black brim. AKA visor cap.
Commodore: Title of the Captain (O-6) in charge of a squadron of ships or submarines or a wing of the same type of aircraft. Prior to 1984 this was the designation given to the lowest rank of flag officer (O-7 or one-star); however, there was occasional confusion with the other military branches over whether a Commodore was a flag officer. To be more inline with the other services, the US Navy changed the one-star title to Rear Admiral, Lower Half.
Commodore: The title given for any Captain embarked upon a naval vessel that he is not the CO of the unit, even if the CO of the unit is a Commander, he is the “Captain”. There can be only one Captain. This most commonly occurs on submarines and destroyers.
COMNAVFUDGEPAC: Pejorative for any suspected homosexual sailor onboard a ship or station. Derives from the acronym “COMNAVSURFPAC” (Commander, Naval Surface Forces, Pacific), with the humorous reference to “fudge-pack[ing].”
Comp Time: Compensation Time, time/days off during week for shore-based sailors who had weekend assignments, above and beyond mere watch-standing.
Conar Tech: Slang for Sonar Tech, Coner+Sonar= Conar.
Coner: (Submarine Service) A submarine crewman who is not part of the engineering department (synonymous with retard), especially Torpedomen. Also known as “Forward Pukes” and “Fags” (see below)
Constantly Gone: Guided missile cruiser (CG), especially during the Gulf War due to their lengthly underway time and extended deployments
Cool Breeze: Laid back individual that can be found randomly in fields watching sunsets. Also may or may not be collecting butterflies and placing them in jars. Cool Breezes can be found normally on Whidbey Island.
Corpsman Candy: Sore-throat lozenges handed out at sick bay in lieu of any substantive treatment. Sometimes accompanied by two aspirin.
Corp Whore: A degrading term for a female corpsman.
Countersunk Sailor: Female sailor.
Cover: HEADGEAR - includes the dixie cup (white hat (go figure)), cloth cap (cracker jack cover), watch cap, snoopy headgear, fatigue cap; garrison cap: see “piss cutter”, “cunt cap” and “combo cover”; NOW HEAR THIS: These are NOT hats. Ladies wear hats, sailors and Marines wear “covers”. That is all.
The COW: The Commanding Officer’s Wife
Crab: affectionate slang term for the warefare insignia/ badge worn by special operations personnel qualified in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (BOMB SQUAD).
Cracker Jacks: Slang for the dress blue uniforms worn by sailors E-6 and below. (see Marine Corps Table Cloth)
Crack House: Designated smoking area aboard ship that is not a weatherdeck space. Quickly fills with a haze of smoke. Also called “Crack shack”.
Crank: See “Mess Crank”
Crash & Smash: Permanently assigned flight deck firefighting personnel. Also, a game played by aviation personnel involving several long tables and a great deal of beer, wherein the aviators attempt to replicate with their bodies the arrested landings their aircraft make.
Crazy Ivan: (Submarine Service), demonstrated in the movie The Hunt for Red October. Russian submarines would quickly turn 180 degrees while underway to see whether any American submarines were following. Collisions occasionally resulted during the Cold War.
Creamed foreskins: creamed chipped beef.
Cripler: Tripler Army Medical Center, Oahu, scourge of sailors at Pearl Harbor.
Crotch Crickets: Pubic lice, a/k/a Crabs.
Crow: Black eagle for petty officer rank used on a white uniform
Crow Fever: A term when a sailor reaches E-4 and lets the limited authority of the rank go to his head, causing him to go mad with petty power.
Cruise: A 6-month (or longer) deployment on a ship. Work-ups precede cruise.
Cruise sock: A sock that is sacrificed early in a deployment and used to clean up after masturbating. It is usually kept under the mattress and can stand up on its own by the end of cruise.
Crunch: Aircraft handling mishap that results in structural damage to one or more aircraft.
Crunchies: Marines or soldiers. Derived from the sound they make when tanks roll over them.
Crusty: A term applied to an old, seasoned sailor when he is beyond salty. It’s time for him to retire, but he can’t seem to let go, and the Navy forgot he was still around (frequently the case with geriatric Senior Chiefs). Can also describe a sailor’s underwear, when that sailor has bowel control problems and personal hygiene problems.
Cryppy/Cryppy Critter: Cryptographer, also seen on a highway near the Cryptography School in San Angelo, Texas without vowels, as CRYPPY CRTTR.
Cum Dumpster: A derogatory term for a woman, used by sailors who are looking for a quick sexual release after an extended period of celibacy.
Cumshaw: Other than ethical means of procurement ;^) aka midnight marine supply, etc.
CUNT: Civilian Under Naval Training
Cunt Cap: Garrison Cap (fore-and-aft cover worn by CPO, WO, and commissioned officers. Oh, yes, Marines wear them, too). See “Piss Cutter”
Cut orders (for transfer, travel): Before photocopiers were common, such were prepared by typing a mimeo or ditto master, due to the number pF copies required. (Term may be obsolete today. As with most obsolete Naval terms, still in wide use.)
CVIC: (pron. “civic”) Carrier Intelligence Center - centrally located space on an aircraft carrier occupied by intelligence officers and IS’s. Flight crews often go there to debrief after a flight. The most useful thing in CVIC is usually the high-speed industrial strength paper shredder.
CVE: (pron. cee-vee-ee) Normally it means escort aircraft carrier but it also means “Combustible, Vulnerable, and Expendable” by their crews due to lack of armor.
[edit] D
Danger Nut: A “fun” game in which one or more sailors place a washer or nut around a rod or similar metal device and then hold it to a HP Air hose, 125-700 psi. The washer or nut spins wildly due to the high pressure air venting. Once it reaches a high enough speed, the rod is turned so that the air blows the object completely off the rod and around the machinery room. At which point A-Gangers giggle and try to hide behind the EOG. Thus the beloved name, “DANGER NUT”.
DCA: Damage Control Assistant, usually is a junior officer.
D.C. Dink: A sailor who has failed to qualify in Damage Control in the stipulated time period and has become “Damage Control Delinquent”.
D.B.F.: (Diesel Boats Forever) Unauthorized pin showing a non-nuclear submarine. Originally intended by the makers to be awarded whenever a nuke boat went brokedick and a diesel boat had to fill its role. Later co-opted by the diesel fleet at large and sailors began wearing the pin with stars for each diesel boat they served on, rather than each emergency deployment due to nuclear boat breakdowns.
DDA: Day Dick-Around: In naval aviation, a DDA is a very enjoyable flight during the day when there is no real mission or training to accomplish. The purpose of the flight is to burn gas or hours, often before the end of a quarter or fiscal year.
Death Pillows: Ravioli
Death Pucks: Hamburger Patty
Deck: Floor.
Deck Ape: Non-designated enlisted person serving on the deck force, often as result of washing out of “A” school or being stripped of another rating.
Deep Six: Obsolete term for throwing something overboard; refers to the “deep six”, the lowest fathom (six feet) before the ocean floor. Has been mostly replaced by Float Checking (see below). Is now generally used to refer to getting rid of something in any manner, including Personnel, for example - “Deep six your porn, Inspection at 0630″ See also: Float Test
Deep/Black Water OPs: Throwing things over the side when not authorized, such as trash or broken furniture
Department: Highest organizational level in most naval commands. Common departments are admin, deck, engineering, operations, and maintenance. Broken up into divisions.
Deployment: When your unit travels “over the horizon” and operates at the “pointy end of the spear” in support of national security. Most naval deployments last a minimum of six months (if you’re lucky!). Work-ups precede deployment. See “cruise.”
Det: Short for detachment. When part of a unit leaves and operates at another ship or base. Also used in reference to some “workups” that involve the entire unit. Ex. NAS Fallon det.
Devil Doc: Term used by Marines to describe Corpsmen that they like within Fleet Marine Force Units.
Devil Dolphins: Navy Personel serving with Marines in ground or combat operations or those wishing to do so. A relative new term with regards to the IRAQ and AFGANISTAN conflicts. Specifically Naval Corpsman or Seabee’s.
Dick Skinners: Hands, i.e. “get your dick skinners off my white hat”
Dicking the dog: putting “half-assed” effort into a task (refers to improperly securing the “dogs” on a watertight hatch when passing through. Such a lax procedure could spell doom for a sinking ship if hatches were not absolutely watertight). Also said as “poking the poodle” or “fornicating the canine”. Not to be confused with “screwing the pooch” which refers to royally (often fatally) messing up a task.
Dicksmith: Derogatory term for hospital corpsmen.
Dig-it: Someone who loves the Navy (”digs it”). Also a shortened form of “dig-it tool,” a device such as a Leatherman or Gerber multi-tool often carried by those who love the Navy.
Dilbert: Fictional and clueless cartoon character used in WWII era training material to demonstrate what NOT to do in naval aviation. Dilbert often paid dearly for his ignorance, lack of attention to detail, or carelessness.
Dilbert Dunker: Device used in water survival training (”swims”) to teach aviators how to get out of the cockpit of a fixed-wing aircraft that has crashed or ditched at sea. Much easier than the dreaded “helo dunker.”
DILDO: Direct Input Limited Duty Officer - A civilian teacher hired to train nuclear-field candidates in theoretical math, physics, chemistry, materials, and thermodynamics. The commission was given specifically to these teachers in order for them to have some disciplinary tools and rank above their students. Commissions were for a set amount of time and these teachers did not have normal line officer duties.
D.I.L.L.I.G.A.F: (Do I Look Like I Give A Fuck?), A term indicating supreme indifference; “Gaffer”.
Ding: Similar to “hit” (see below). Also, to cause minor damage to something (Ex. He dinged his aileron when he had a birdstrike on final to the boat.)
Dining-in/Dining-out: Social functions, usually for officers and chiefs, where dinner dress is worn and certain “rules of the mess” are followed. Generally presided over by the Executive Officer (XO) and run by a Chief of Junior Officer (JO) called “Mr. Vice,” these events can become quite rowdy and raucous. The difference between the two is that significant others may attend dining-outs. Dining-ins are for the servicemembers only.
DINK: Acronym for married servicemembers with no children - Dual Income No Kids.
DINQ: (pronounced “Dink”) Acronym for Delinquent IN Qualifications. Ex: “That shitbird is dinq on ship’s quals!” Also Delinquent In Nuclear Quals.
Dipper: An anti-submarine helo with a variable depth dipping SONAR. See “Dome.”
Dirka: Any term referring to the language, money, or products of the Middle East.
Dirtbag: A lazy and almost useless sailor. Produces substandard work-usually creating extra work for his shipmates. Accompanied by a bad attitude and desire to leave service ASAP.
Dirty-dicking: Wiping one’s genital organ around the inside of a senior enlisted or officer’s coffee cup. Laughter ensues when the junior crewmen watch the senior victim “enjoying” their beverage.
Dirty-shirt wardroom: (Aircraft Carrier): Forward wardroom for pilots wearing (sweaty) flight gear. As opposed to formal ship’s wardroom.
Dirt Sailor: Nickname for Seabees who spend most of their time in a fox hole and never set foot on a ship.
Disbo: DISBursing Officer.
DISCO: DISCiplinary Officer. Usually works with Ship’s JAG Officer
Ditch: To intentionally crash land an aircraft as “gently” as possible - usually into the water. This is generally done when fuel is almost all used up with no hope of making it to a safe landing area, or when a slowly developing but potentially fatal emergency is going on.
Dit Dot Bomb: a form of hazing by taking the round paper cutouts left from a hole punch and putting them in a box or other container rigged to open and rain down on another. Mixing with shredded paper will give a greater effect.
DITE (prounuced Dite) acronym for “Dick in the eye” Usually reserved for undesirable tasks forced on one by superiors, “The weps is throwing some major league DITE our way, but we’ll take care of it.”
Ditty Bag: The term is at least 207 years old and originates with our seafarers, and not, as is supposed by some, with our 20th century armies. Ditty bag was originally called `ditto bag’ because it contained at least two of everything: two needles, two spools of thread, two buttons, etc. With the passing of years, the `ditto’ was dropped in favor of `ditty’ and remains so today. Before World War I, the Navy issued ditty boxes made of wood and styled after foot lockers. These carried the personal gear and some clothes of the sailor. Today, the ditty bag is still issued to recruits and contains a sewing kit, toiletry articles, and personal items such as writing paper and pens.
Ditty bag (usage varied): An issued sewing kit, kit of toiletries, or some combination. Occasionally: Any mesh bag, from the use of such to contain soiled laundry. (In days of yore before ample fresh water, such bags were pulled alongside for seawater rinsing.)
Divers: Word passed every 15-minutes when divers are working over the side of a ship. “Divers. There are divers working aboard USS . Do not rotate screws, cycle rudders, take suction from or discharge to the sea or throw anything over the side while diver’s are working aboard USS “.
Division: Middle organizational level in most naval commands, below department and above branch. Usually headed by a junior officer (JO). Common divisions are powerplants, airframes, 1st Lieutenant, etc… Divisions are sometimes divided into branches. A ship may have 1st and 2nd Divisions on the deck, M(Machinery) division and E(electrical) division, and Auxiliaries Division in engineering, Combat Systems division, and Weapons division as examples.
DIVO: DIVision Officer. See above.
Dixie Cup: The canvas white hat Sailors wear with their dress uniforms.
DFOB: (pronounced “dee fob”) Dumbest Fuck On Board.
Dock jumpers: The unfortunates who would have to leap ashore to tie up when no “line handlers” are available.
Dog: A Soft Serve Ice Cream machine. Named from the appearance of the Chocolate flavor in relation to a product of man’s best friend. Also referred to as auto dog.
Dog: To close or “dog down” a water tight hatch.
Dog: When one is overworked by a pissed off superior (”The chief completely dogged us.”), screwed over by a peer (”That brown-nosing little prick found my apple jack, so he went to the MAA and dogged me.”) , or, conversely, as a promise of impending doom (”Just wait until I get you in my galley, you little shitbird… I will dog you out”.)
Dog Log: An “unofficial” log which is kept by watch standers to record the important social events on the ship, such as: “STG3 Dirty Douche was caught with a fellow shipmate in coitus.” It is vital entertainment for shipmates stuck on duty in exotic ports while the rest of the ship gets shit-faced. It can also contain humorous drawings of the LPO, CPO, or DIVO. It is therefore an unauthorized piece of “gear adrift” that is usually hidden in various stations so as not to be found by the meddling higher ups.
Dog Vomit: A breakfast item in the same category as Shit on A Shingle. A mealy paste of tomato juice and hamburger, with bits of leftovers from the previous day’s evening meal. Usually served on toast.
Dog watch: Split of evening watch into two 2 hour watches - 1600-1800 and 1800 - 2000. Done to allow the watchstanders to eat the evening meal.
Dolphins: (Submarine Service) Submarine Qualification Device, called dolphins because of the dolphin fish used in the design.
Dome: A SONAR transmitter/receiver. It may be fixed, as in those mounted on the bow of a ship below the waterline, or mobile like those “dipped” by anti-submarine helos.
Donkey-Dick: Term used for many nozzle shaped implements. Also a large pipe cleaner used in the galley to unclog sink drains and steam jacketed kettles.
Dopey: Green log book hidden somewhere in an engineering space that sailors often write in to vent frustration in the form of prose, poetry or even drawings and cartoons. The information in the dopey could often lead to charges of mutiny and sedition if found. The location is usually well guarded against discovery by senior personnel.
Double-Digit Midget: Less than 100 days to EAOS. Also known as a “Two-Digit Midget”; pick your own favorite alliteration.
Double Nuts: Name given to the (usually brightly painted) CAG bird in each squadron in the airwing - so called because the side number ends with double zeros.
Double Ugly: Nickname for the F-4 Phantom back in the day
Douche Kit: Container (usually zipper closed) for toilet articles such as shaving cream, deoderant, after shave lotion, etc.
Down: Not working, out of commission, broken, “broke-dick.” In aviation, non-flyable, usually for maintenance reasons. When applied to an aviator, it means not allowed to fly. This can be for a variety of reasons: medical, personal, disciplinary, etc… In flight training, a down is a failed flight.
DRB: Disciplinary Review Board. Composed of Chief Petty Officers, a sailor who has committed some infraction usually stands before this board to have his case heard. The board will either dismiss the case (with or without informal punishment) or recommend further review by the XO or the CO.
Drift Count: Monitoring the movement of the ship while at anchor.
Drifty: Sailor lacking the ability to stay focused while attempting to perform a given task. (Petty Officer to sailor: “Is there something the matter with you? You are acting drifty today!”)
Drifter: Sailor who at all times lacks the ability to stay focused. Also called drift-pack, or in the very extreme case “COMNAVDRIFTPAC”, a parody of COMNAVSURFPAC.
Drop a Chit: The act of filling out a chit.
Drop your cocks and grab your socks: A saying that the petty officer of the watch yells in the sleeping quarters when it’s time for everyone to get up. Often done in boot camp.
Drug Deal: A mutually beneficial agreement or compromise worked out between peers, conducted outside of normal channels and without approval from higher authority.
Duck Dinner: Slang for Dishonorable Discharge.
Dynamited Chicken: Chicken a la King or Chicken Cacciatore.
[edit] E
EAOS: End of Active Obligated Service. This is the normal end of enlistment unless the person reenlists. At this point the sailor is transferred into a non-active reserve status if they have spent less the eight years active duty for a length of time to result in eight years total active service or reserves and non-active reserves.
Earth Sack: Pile of shit or turd.
EAWS: Enlisted Air Warfare Specialist. Often pronounced “A-wis”.
Ed’s Motel: Navy Filmmakers’ acronym for Editorials, Motion Picture, and Television Department.
Emergency Blow (Submarine Service); Also known as “Hittin’ the Chicken Switches”: When a submarine is made to rapidly blow all the seawater out of her main ballast tanks; this results in a rapid (and uncontrolled) ascent to the surface. This makes an impressive display as the sub breaks the surface, as seen on TV: few submariners have ever seen this big splash, except on TV. The only thing submarine crewmen get to see during an emergency blow is: (1) the depth gauge moving counter-clockwise towards surface depth, and (2) all the unsecured gear hitting the overhead when surface depth is achieved. Performing this maneuver beneath other ships is not a good idea (see USS Greenville for details).
End-of-the-World Party: A party for a sailor who is about to leave on a cruise, often much like a bachelor party. It is said that this tradition originates with Vikings, who believed that they might sail off the end of world.
Ensign Upper Half: Alternative designation for those who fail to live up to the standards of O-2.
E-Nothin: Used to describe a junior Seaman. Usually reserved for someone right out of bootcamp or A School.
Enswine: Derogatory term for an ensign.
EMI: Extra Military Instruction. Extra work, usually as dirty as possible, assigned as punishment for minor infractions.
EOOW: Engineering Officer Of the Watch.
ESFOAD: Eat Shit, Fuck Off, And Die
ESWS: Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist. Often pronounced “E-swas”.
E-ticket: When an officer has sex with an enlisted sailor it is referred to as the officer “getting his/her e-ticket punched.”
Even Numbered Chief: Pejorative for an E-8 who, through his own ineptitude, is unable to advance to E-9 and who refuses to let E-7’s be. Lonestar.
Evolution: Navy preferred term for exercise.
Expire Before Your ID Card: To die before being discharged.
[edit] F
FAB: Feet, Ass, and Balls. Smells occasionally encountered by the XO during his or her daily messing and berthing inspection.
FAG: Fighter Attack Guy - an F/A-18 Hornet/Super Hornet pilot or naval flight officer (”NFO”). Also a “Fine Academy Graduate” used as a derogatory term to refer to graduates of the Naval Academy. Also “Forward Area Guy” used as derogatory term for submarine personnel other than engineering department, brought upon due to a COB’s ban of the term “Coner” (see above).
F.A.T.A.F.U (pronounced fatafoo) Someone who serves on fast attack submarines (stands for Fast Attack Tough All Fucked Up)
F.A.W.C.U. (pronounced Fuck you) (Submarine Service): Focused After Watch Clean Up: usually between 1 to 2 hours of “Field Day” after every watch rotation.
Fart sack: Canvas mattress cover. (In cold conditions sailors would sleep inside them for extra warmth.)
Fart Suit: Dry suit worn by aviators when flying over extremely cold water. Keeps out the cold water and keeps everything else in.
Fashion Show: Form of remedial instruction usually used to correct deficiencies in uniform appearance. The sailor is required to dress in each service uniform, and stand a uniform inspection in each one, with the sailor’s supervisor or Chief as inspector.
Father: The navigational aid (TACAN) on the Aircraft Carrier (a.k.a. Mother).
Father’s Day: The most confusing day in any wardroom. There is a reason you call them ’sir’.
FEP: Fitness Enhancement Program. Mandatory physical training regimen designed to return sailors to within physical readiness standards. Also refers to sailors who are enrolled in the program… (derogatory acronym for: Fat Enlisted People / Forced Exercise Program”. See “Chub Club”.
Field Day: All hands clean-up. usually lasts on a good day about 3-4 hours. (30 min of cleaning and 2-4 hours of fucking off.)
Field Survey: To discard a worn-out item (”in the field,” often off the end of the pier) instead of submitting for formal “survey” to determine redistribution or disposal. Sometimes items handed down to a needier local unit.
F.I.G.M.O.: (Fuck It, Got My Orders, pronounced fig-mo); refusal of a long or tough assignment near the end of a duty rotation. Also seen as a name badge at this time, so officers/petty officers will forget your real name.
Fighting gear: Eating utensils.
Filet of Mule Tool: the green mystery meat or bologna used frequently for MidRats.
Filipino Mafia: Any group of sailors of Filipino descent at a command, often accused of favoritism and shady practices. Term likely originated in the days when Filipino sailors comprised the majority of Supply Department personnel (cooks, stewards, laundry, barbershop, supply issue) and those with connections to the “mafia” got faster, better service than the common guy.
Filthy Fifteen: The fifteen recruits assigned to maintain cleanliness of the compartment head for the division in boot camp.
Five and Dimes: A watch rotation where the sailor or watch team stand five hours of watch, then have ten hours off (to clean, perform maintenance, train, get qualified, conduct drills, take care of divisional business or their collateral duty, eat, shower, and occasionally sleep). This follows from a three-section watch rotation, and results in the sailor standing watch at a different time every day and night, repeating every three days.
Fish: (Submarine Service) See Dolphins, above. Also “torpedo”.
Flag Deck: command level on large ships for Admirals (flag rank, because they are entitled to show a flag with appropriate number of stars on a car, ship, etc. if they are present)
Flail: An action taken by leadership that is a major response to an extremely minor problem. The orders given usually do not address the original problem at all.
FlailEx: A pointless, flailing exercise. See “flail”.
Flathatting: Flying in a dangerous manner and performing unsafe and unnecessary maneuvers for the purpose of thrillseeking or fun.
Flattop: Aircraft carrier. Also the haircut worn by truly motivated sailors.
Fleet Up: When a second in command takes his senior’s place upon that senior’s transfer, retirement, or other re-assignment.
Fleet Meat: Term used by male sailors to describe sexually active female sailors.
Fleet Tac: Fleet Tactical radio frequency. This frequency is supposed to be monitored by every US and NATO ship in the world at all times. In reality, this is rarely the case.
Flight Deck Buzzard: Chicken (food).
Flight Line: The area on a ship or station where aircraft are made ready for flight. Also used as a prank on gullible new sailors, as in “Go get me 100 feet of flight line from the crash shack.”
Flip me for it: Pulling rank, with the senior sailor obscuring his crow/anchor (or with the submarine-qualified sailor obscuring his dolphins) as if revealing the side of a coin.
Float Check (also Flotation Testing): Throwing something overboard.
Float Test: (Submarine Service) A game usually played by the Topside and Pier Rover. In which items known not to float are thrown or pushed from topside or the pier. I.E. TDU Weights, Compressors, Valves, Level Parts with no tag, etc.
Float she may, shine she must: May be heard from grumbling enlisted when the command decides that ship cleanliness takes precedence over all else. “I have maintenance to do. Why are we out here field-daying the p-way?”
Floating Bellhop: Derisive Army term for sailor.
Float Coat: Jacket worn by almost all personnel on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier during flight operations. Should a sailor find himself blown overboard, the float coat will automatically inflate flotation bladders when it hits salt water. This garment also contains signalling devices and manual inflation tubes. The jackets come in different colors to identify the crewmember’s job on the flight deck. See “skittles”
Flying Bravo: Menstruating; from the signal flag.
Fo’c’s’le Follies: A gathering of all the aviators in the airwing in the carrier’s fo’c’s’le (forecastle). The CAG, ship’s CO, and battle group admiral are also usually invited and present. The “official” reason for this event is to hand out awards to the top aviators. The most enjoyable parts are the “roll calls” from each squadron, and the skits that two or three of the squadrons perform. If the roll call or the skit fails to amuse the rest of the airwing, the offending squadron is booed and belittled mercilessly. Follies are held about every 6 to 8 weeks while on deployment.
FNG: Fuckin’ New Guy - self-explanatory. Pronounced “effin-g”.
Fobbit: ANY person who won’t leave the security of a Forward Operating Base (FOB), except in an overly secure convoy to go to another FOB. Generally denotes someone who has “no clue” that there is a war going on and is viewed by troops in the field as incompetent. Associates itself with the term “Hobbit”- short, fat, scared guy who just wants to go home.
FOAD: Fuck Off And Die. Pronounced “fo-ad”.
FOD: Foreign Object Damage. Caused by Foreign Object Debris, such as nuts, bolts, or anything that could be sucked into a jet engine, damaging it. At aviation commands, FOD can also describe a worthless individual, i.e. “If Airman Smith isn’t in this shop in 5 minutes, write that piece of FOD up.”
FOD Walk Down: A periodic, organized search on an aircraft carrier flight deck, hangar deck, or runway looking for debris that a jet engine might ingest.
Form: Short for formation. This is when two or more aircraft or ships maneuver in close proximity while maintaining constant relative positions to each other.
Foreskins on a raft: Chipped beef in cream sauce on toast.
Foot Soldier: A term used for a Navy female who has no car but will sleep with her male counterparts for a ride.
Forward: The direction towards the bow of the ship (if you are walking towards the bow, you are going forward). May also be used as a relative indicator (as in the “forward berthing areas” or the “forward mess decks”).
“Forward Pals”: Nickname given to Coners after you get in trouble for calling them Coners.
Four (4) by Eight (8) Watch: The worst watch section to be in because your first watch is 0400 to 0800, then you work your duty station until 1600, followed by your second watch 1600 to 2000, every day.
Four Fan Trashcan: P-3 Orion 4 propeller patrol aircraft
Foxtrot Uniform: The polite phonetic pronunciation of saying “Fuck You”
FRED: F*ckin’ Retarded Enlisted Dude
FRED: Fuckin’ Ridiculous Electronic Device, or the Computer guided self training system in B.E.E. (read “B Double E”) Basic Electronics and Electricity School, the “Prep School” for most every Electrical or Electronics “A” School specialty.
Freeboard: On a ship or boat, this is the vertical distance between the waterline and the “gunwale” (see below).
Freq: (pron. freak) Short for frequency
Freidas Napsack: The testicles
Fried hamsters: Chicken or beef cordon bleu
Fried horsecock: Fried bologna
Frock: A procedure in the Navy allowing a recently advanced sailor to wear the insignia of the next higher pay grade (and enjoy the privileges thereto) before he has officially been advanced to that grade. Frocking is generally accompanied by the informal ceremony of “tacking on” your crow (q.v.).
FRS: Fleet Replacement Squadron - see “RAG” below
FTN: Fuck the Navy (common epithet used when complaining about naval policies or regulations). Often scrawled on the walls of toilet stalls by sailors who have been assigned to clean it for a reason. Also can refer to “Free The Nukes,” referring to sailors in the nuclear power field. Also refers to a mythical rate or ship type an “FTN Striker” says he/she is trying to get in (i.e. Fleet Tug-Nuclear, Fire Technician-Nuclear)
FTN Striker: Sailor whose stated goal/desire is get discharged
F.U.B.A.: Female of Unusually Broad Ass. Navy female with said condition.
F.U.B.A.R.: Fouled up beyond all repair, Fucked up beyond all recognition. (Foobar){Fucked up beyond all recognition}
F.U.B.I.J.A.R.: Fuck U Buddy, I’m Just A Reservist (”backbone of the Navy”)
F.U.B.Y.O.Y.O.: Fuck U Buddy, You’re On You’re Own (self explanatory)
F.U.P.A.: Fat Upper Pussy Area, pronounced foopa. A pejorative term referring to an overweight female sailor and the bulge that protrudes from ill fitting pants.
Fuck the mission, clean the position: Break out the swabs.
Fuck You, strong message follows: Seen on a numerical list of epithet substitutions (the unauthorized “Falcon Code,” derived from the “Charlie Echo” code), especially transmitted over radio, which has to stay clean
FuFu Juice: Perfume or cologne
Fun Boss: Morale, Welfare and Recreation Officer
Fun Meter: Fictitious gauge that shows the amount of mirth one is experiencing in any given situation. Most often used sarcastically to express extreme boredom or disinterest. “Please end this redass of an AOM. My fun meter is pegged!” See “suck meter”
[edit] G
Gaff Off: When a junior person ignores or purposely fails to show proper respect to a senior person. Examples may include blowing off an assigned task, not saluting, or using improper forms of address. Also refers to signing undeserved signatures on a qualification card. Can also refer to blazing logs or maintenance. From Give A Flying F*ck. Person concerned is the Gaffer.
Gastro: General term for Gastroentritis, or food-poisoning underway.
Gator-Freighter: Ship used in amphibious warfare, or generally the transportation of marines and their equipment. Especially, a carrier-like vessel (amphibious assault ship) whose primary purpose is to put ass in the grass.
Galley: Crews’ mess, or dining area. Place where food is prepared for consumption.
Gank: To steal something. Most often used to describe taking cleaning gear from other divisions or other “ganking” useless items. i.e. pens, random things from the galley or messdecks, cleaning gear and/or gear adrift
Garrison Cap: (fore-and-aft cover worn by CPO, WO, and commissioned officers. Oh, yes, Marines wear them, too). See “Cunt Cap” “Piss Cutter”
GCE: Gross Conceptual Error. This grading remark often appears on nuke-school exams. See also “ATFQ”.
Gear adrift: Loose or unsecured gear or equipment. Also a less-than-flattering assessment of a sailor “Seaman Jones is gear adrift!”
Gear Adrift: Referring to equipment, items, objects, geegaws, or anything else that can be acquired through judicious use of the saying “Gear Adrift, Must be a gift”
Geedunk: Candy, or a place that sells candy in a short form of Gedunk bar. Also “ice cream”.
General Quarters: (GQ) Every sailor has an assigned duty station to be manned during an emergency (AKA “Battlestations”).
George: The juniormost officer onboard a surface ship. Also spelled “JORG”, meaning Junior Officer Requiring Guidance.
Gerbil: Cordon Bleu. Named so since it looks like a deep fried gerbil. AKA “fried hamster.”
Gerbil Alley: Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates. The only guaranteed port visit during any Persian Gulf deployment.
Gerbil Gym: Exercise space on board ship with treadmills, stationary bikes, and elliptical trainers - all pieces of equipment on which you perform motions that should move you to another place, but you remain in the same position like a gerbil on its wheel.
Getting Slant-Eyed: Masturbating.
Get your khakis: A term used when enlisted personnel sleep with officers, generally happens between low ranking enlisted personnel and low ranking officers.
Ghetto: Open-bay barracks, usually reserved for single sailors who are in transit or otherwise temporarily assigned there.
Ghetto-prise: alternate name the sailors of U.S.S. Enterprise have for their ship.
Ghost turd: The sailor’s term for a dust bunny.
Gig line: The visual line formed by uniform zipper, belt buckle, and buttoned shirt seam. Also used as another in-joke to send new sailors on a wild goose chase. See bulkhead remover.
GITMO: Guantanamo Bay Naval Station on Cuba, which had a shorthand designation of GTMO.
GITMO Cute: Females on Guantanamo Bay who wouldn’t normally get your attention back in the states, also known as OFAFBU (One Flight Away From Being Ugly).
Glasses: Binoculars
GMT: General Military Training, often derisively referred to as “Gross Misuse of Time.”
Goat Herder: Any man (or woman) aboard the ship that spends his or her free time “slinging game” on boat goats or boat ho’s.
Goat locker: Lounge or galley for the exclusive use of Chiefs.
Goatrope or goatfuck: Any situation that is “FUBAR.” An especially FUBARed situation is a Royal Mongolian Goatfuck.
Goes Away: What happens to an enemy aircraft when it is hit by a missile
Goggles: Short for Night Vision Goggles, which greatly amplify ambient light allowing the user to see in a green monochrome at night.
Golden Dragon: A sailor who has crossed the Prime Meridian or the International Date Line into the Eastern Hemisphere.
Golden rivet: Folklore that every ship is built containing a single, commemorative “golden rivet”
Golden Shellback: A sailor who has crossed the equator at the 180th Meridian twice or has gone through the ritual twice.
The Goo: Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). When an aviator flies an aircraft into the clouds, can no longer see the earth or the horizon, and is dependent on instruments for navigation, he is said to be “in the goo.” This is usually done intentionally when flying with an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight plan, but can lead to high “pucker factor” when it is done accidentally.
Good Humor Man: Reference to the Summer White uniform. This is an all-white short sleeve cotton uniform that makes the wearer look suspiciously like the ice cream man.
Goon It Up or Gooned Up: To execute poorly a task that is generally routine or commonplace. (Ex. He really gooned up that landing.)
Gouge: The inside scoop, the skinny, the low-down. Only the information you need to know in a given situation, with nothing else to waste your time. Some black shoes say “Live by the gouge, die by the gouge.” Aviators correctly say “Live by the gouge, EXCEL by the gouge.”
Grape: (Submarine Service) Easy as pie, man. Examples: “This is grape duty” or “That was a grape sig, you jerk.” Latter example can be translated as “Bravo Zulu, shipmate!!” (See Bravo Zulu, above). (Also see “sig” below).
Grape: (Aviation Service) A sailor in an aviation fuels rating. So named because of the purple flight deck jersey.
Great Mistakes: common ephitet used when complaining about RTC/NTC Great Lakes Illinois
Green Scrubby: Mildly abrasive scouring pad. Also called a “Greeny Weeny,” or just a “Greenie.” It’s green, of course.
Green Table Tea Party: Captain’s Mast, Non Judicial Punishment (see “Mast” below)
Grinder: A place at boot camp, normally a parking lot, where the company commander makes you do pushups, other forms of exercise, etc. when you screw up.
Gripe: Slang for a MAF (Maintenance Action Form), which is written when something is wrong with an aircraft.
Grog: Initially, this referred to the watered down rum ration given daily to sailors in the Royal Navy. Presently in the USN, it refers to the alcoholic brew offered at social events like “dining-ins” and “dining-outs.” Depending on the wardroom and in particular on the person preparing the grog, it may be pleasant and delicious or one of the most foul and disgusting beverages ever conceived.
Gronk: (Submarine Service) When a bolt or nut has been or is in process of being tightened so much that the operator of the wrench or ratchet sees stars when applying. “Who the Fuck gronked this nut on so tight?” See “Star tight”
Ground-Pounder: Navy term for the Army or Marines, specifically infantry. Generally pejorative.
G.U.A.M.: “Giving Up and Masturbating”–Common sailor’s complaint about being stationed on the remote island of Guam.
G.U.A.M.: Give Us American Money
G.U.A.M.: Gooks Under American Management
Guard: Standardized emergency radio frequencies that are constantly monitored by ships and aircraft. High Frequency (HF) guard is 40.5 MHz, Very High Frequency (VHF) guard is 121.5 MHz, and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) guard is 243.0 MHz. See “Air Force Common”
GUCCI GEAR:Commonly refered to Sailors (SEABEE’s, Individual Augmentee’s) Who are stationed on the ground most commonly in IRAQ or AFGANISTAN who buy a large amount of commando gear for their rifle’s or personal gear which will rarely get used but used to look as much like a commando IE:Navy SEAL as possible.
Gulfport Slam Hound: Derogatory term given to local women by Navy Seabees stationed in Gulfport, MS. See: Local talent.
Gumby Suit: Brightly colored, puffy anti-exposure survival suit somewhat resembling the claymation character with the same name.
Gundeck: To juryrig something; falsifying or misrepresenting records and reports. The term originates from the days of sail, when ships would sometimes paint black squares along the hull to represent more gun ports than they actually had. Also refers to reports of happenings on the weather decks that were documented on the gun deck without ever having gone to the weather decks.
Gun Boss: Weapons Department head.
Guns: A sailor in the Gunner’s Mate rating.
Gunwale: (pronounced “gunnel”) The top of the hull portion of a ship that runs down the port and starboard sides.
Gussy: USS Augusta
Gut Bomb: A Hamburger
Gyrene: Derogatory Navy term for a U.S. Marine. Also called “Jarheads”
[edit] H
HAC: (pronounced “hack”) Helicopter Aircraft Commander - the pilot in command of a helo.
Hack: Unofficial punishment confining an officer to his stateroom, usually during a port call.
Halfway-Night: (Submarine Service) Party night on pre-determined halfway point of boat’s patrol. Tenderloin and lobster, frozen, but good.
Haji: Anything Middle Eastern in origin. See Abu Dhabi.
Hamster: Chicken cordon bleu that is shaped like a deep fried hamster served on board naval submarines.
Hangar Queen: An aircraft that is chronically down or “broke-dick.” These aircraft are often used for parts to keep the rest of the aircraft flying. See “Cann”
Haole: Pronounced “How-Lee”. Hawaiian term for non-native. A dangerous thing for a sailor to be around Pearl Harbor as some of the natives see them as easy targets for crime, especially when local law-enforcement doesn’t seem to care.
Happy Sock: A soft sock brought for personal use (masturbating) by a sailor underway, or a Seabee in the field.
Hatch: A vertical access for traveling between decks. Also used to describe a door.
Hawser Tech: Any deck rating, especially Boatswain’s Mates
Haze Gray and Underway: Surface ships in arduous duty at sea, in contrast to aircraft carriers or submarines, or naval units in ceremonial roles or in port. It is a term of tribal pride and identification, e.g. surface ship crew use it to distinguish themselves from submarine crew or aircraft carrier crew.
For more details on this topic, see Haze gray and underway.
HAZREP: HAZard REPort - A safety message generated after an unsafe incident that is released to the rest of the fleet so as to prevent the incident from happening again.
Head: Bathroom - The term comes from the days of sail, because wind would blow from the rear of the ship to the front. The bathroom would be located at the front, “Head”, of the ship to carry the foul smell of excrement away from the crew.
Heat Shield: Anyone who is a complete and total fuck-up, and is always in trouble with the LPO, Chief, CO, etc… So called because he keeps the heat off everyone else in the organization. It is good to have one or two of these individuals around.
Helm: Steering wheel of a ship
Heisman: A position assumed by many young women when approached by sailors on liberty; legs crossed, one arm covering the breasts and the other straight out for a block, just like the Heisman Trophy.
Helmet Fire: When a pilot becomes so task-saturated in the cockpit that he loses the big picture and situational awareness (SA). Often leads to mistakes that can produce lethal results.
Helo (pron. hee-low): Term applied to all naval helicopters (from the standard message abbreviation HELO). Calling a naval helicopter anything other than a helo, and especially a “chopper,” is grounds for a serious beat-down.
Helo Dunker: Dreaded training device that all naval aircrew and pilots must endure every few years when they complete water survival training, or “swims.” Designed to simulate crashing a helo at sea, it is basically a huge metal drum with seats and windows that is lowered into a pool and then flipped upside down with the “passengers” strapped into it. There are generally four runs that must be successfully completed. Two of these are blindfolded. It is not fun.
Here today, GUAM tomorrow: Received orders from one island to another island, as in ADAK to GUAM.
Hinge: slang for an O-4, or Lieutenant Commander (LCDR). So called because of the lobotomy that is supposedly mandated as soon as a naval officer is promoted to this rank, in which half of his brain is removed. A hinge is then inserted that allows for reattachment of the removed gray matter later. The hinge also limits the LCDR’s head movement to the fore-aft axis. This is clearly demonstrated as the O-4 is constantly nodding in the affirmative and saying “Yes sir, yes sir…” when in the presence of the CO.
Hit: A discrepancy or failing mark during an inspection. (Ex. He took a hit on his personnel inspection for his unshined shoes.) See “ding”
Hit The Beach: Go on liberty
HMFIC: Head Mother Fucker In Charge, Slang for the sailor who is in charge of an evolution
Hockey pucks: Swedish meatballs (also, trail markers, porcupines, road apples).
The Hole: Area on the deck of an aircraft carrier directly inboard of the island. This is where the airwing’s helos are usually “stuffed.” Also: Slang for a ship’s engineering spaces.
Holiday Routine: Ship’s schedule on Sundays or other national holidays while underway when watches are minimally manned and most of the crew can sleep in (late or no reveille), however some personnel must still be on watch, “Holiday for some, routine for others”
Hollywood Shower (or Hotel Shower): A shower taken aboard a ship in a civilian manner, i.e. in which the water stays on throughout the shower, wasting much of it. (cf. Navy Shower) Definitely frowned upon.
Holy Helo: On Sundays, one of the helos from the carrier flies one or more of the chaplains around to the other ships in the battle group for services. This aircraft is dubbed the holy helo.
Holy Crotch: Between 1960 and 1991, Holy Loch, Dunoon, Scotland was the site of a United States Navy base and home to the Polaris nuclear fleet. Site One, the most forward deployed Submarine Fleet. The weather was mostly horrible and cold but the Scottish girls were quite warm.
Holy stone: The stone or the act of using one. A pumice stone for cleaning a wooden deck, which is generally done while the sailor is on his knees. Sailors figured that anything that put them on their knees so often must be holy.
The Honch: A nickname for the Honcho bar district right outside the gate of the Yokosuka Naval Base, known to be a generally trashy place.
Honch Ho/ Honch Honey: A term used to describe female frequenters of the Honch.
Honch Rat: A sailor who frequents the Honcho bar district in Yokosuka on his/her free time. A Japanese girl who frequents the company of American sailors in Honcho is also called a “Honch Rat.”
Hooligan Navy: WWII Navy pejorative for the Coast Guard, from its flexibility in enlisting men discharged from other services to rapidly expand for Prohibition. (Term endures within CG.)
Hook: Short for “tailhook’”
Hooker: or “Tail-hooker”, One who lands aboard an Aircraft Carrier.
Hoover: Slang for the S-3B Viking, mostly due to its unique engine noises
Hop’n'pop: Dreaded 8-count, 3-part physical exercise that is often inflicted on officer candidates at OCS when they screw up. It is the combination of a jumping jack, squat thrust, and pushup, and the offenders often perform them to the point of physical exhaustion.
Horse Cock: Large log of baloney or Polish Sausage usually put out for lunch or mid rats. Horse Cock sandwich is one of the least favorite boxed lunches served to helo crews when visiting other ships.
Horse Shoe: (Submarine Service) Area aft of maneuvering on 688’s often used for telling sea stories.
Hosed Up: Messed up
Hot Racking or Hot Bunking: Submariners share racks. When one goes off, the other takes his place. (Three men share two racks) The Name is taken from the fact that the bunk more often than not still warm from its last occupant.
“Hot Racking”: Also a term for a sailor climbing into his rack to sleep, without showering.
However,: (spoken “however comma”) An over-the-top method of expressing additional items. Often used by people who have been in the Navy too long (see “dig-it”).
HR Puff and Stuff: A nickname given to sailors who regularly appear for duty in a disheveled manner with their uniform in disarray. It is a combination of a rank (Hospitalman Recruit, the most junior Hospital Corpsman rank) and a name that connotates the obesity and stresses placed on the uniform of just such an overweight and careless sailor. Also used as an admonishment to junior corpsmen and dental techs in order to motivate them to perform regular uniform maintenance.
HSC: (Heavy Shit Carrier) Rate most commonly given to junior sailors, mostly comprised of firemen
Hummer: Slang for the E-2C Hawkeye, mostly for the sound of its props
Hummer Hole: Tight space aft of the island on the flight deck where they parked the E-2C Hawkeye. Since the E-2 could reverse prop and back up, the Yellow Shirts took perverse pleasure in trying to back the Hummer into this tight space, usually as the boat was heeling hard to port, requiring a serious uphill climb.
[edit] I
IA: “Individual Augmentation/Augmentee.” Program currently in use by the U.S. Navy to deploy sailors on an individual basis to the Middle East for 6-14 months in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM. Personnel who complete IAs are (supposedly) given preferential treatment with regards to follow-on orders and promotion boards. IAs are often referred to as “Sand Sailors”, “Dirt Sailors” or “being in the Narmy.” [Navy+Army=Narmy]
I and I: Intercourse and Intoxication. An alternative acronym to R and R
IFBM: Instant Fucking Boatswains Mate. “A” school washout assigned to deck force.
ID10T: Pronounced “Eye-Dee-Ten-Tango.” Similar to “bulkhead remover,” an inexpensive way to derive enjoyment from inexperienced personnel. “Recruit, go get me an ID10T form, and step on it!”
IHTFP: I Hate This Fucking Place. A common expression uttered by midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy. Found carved into most bathroom doors and above most bunks. Originally a term used by MIT students for the identical sentiment. Other meanings: I Have Truly Found Paradise, I Hope There’s a Friday Parade, etc
In-chop: To enter an area of responsibility. “We in-chop to 5th Fleet when we pass through the Straits of Malacca.” From “Change of Operational Control” (CHOP