USMC Slang



We Marines have our own unique language that only Marines understand.  

Marine slang has been around since the founding of the Corps on 10, November 1775.  USMC terms and phrases have changed with each new generation of Marines, but some Marine slang, Leatherneck for example, has been with us from the early days of the Corps.  This list isn't all inclusive and we've left out some of the more "colorful" Marine slang.

USMC Slang

782 Gear:  Organizational equipment issued to a Marine by his or her unit. Includes load-bearing equipment, pack, body armor, helmets and other field gear. "782" References an obsolete inventory form. Marines also refer to it as
"deuce gear".
Barracks Rat: A Marine to broke to go "out in town" during liberty.

Brain Bucket: Kevlar helmet.

Brig Rat: A Marine who often frequents the brig, typically as a prisoner.
 
Broke Dick: A Marine with a medical condition that hinders his ability to perform physical tasks, go to the field etc.

Bug Juice:  Nickname given by Marines for the powdered drink served on onboard ships or in Vat Cans with hot chow in the field.

Bulkhead:   Naval term used by Marines in place of wall.

Cammies:  USMC Marine Pattern (MARPAT) camouflage utility uniform. Woodland and Desert pattern. Never referred to as BDUs (Army).  

Cluster:  Used by Marines to describe a disastrous situation. In polite company this is referred to as a Charlie Foxtrot.

Cover:  Marine headgear.  Never referred to as a hat. 

Deck:  Floor.
Devil Dog:  Term of respect used by one Marine to another. Comes from a the word, Teufelhund, used by German soldiers to describe Marines during World War I. 

Dittybop:  Out of step.  Taking your own sweet time.

Doc:  A Navy Corpsman assigned to a Marine Unit.  Although they are not in the Marine Corps, they are treated just like Marines by the Marines they support.  Doc is Marine Infantryman's best friend.
 
Dual Cool:  A phrase used to describe a Marine that has earned both the Scuba Bubble and Gold Jump Wings (usually Recon, Force Recon or MARSOC).

EGA: The most important device or insignia worn on a Marine's uniform. The Eagle, Globe and Anchor, the emblem of the US Marine Corps.

Errr: An unmotivated Oorah.  Sarcastic response by a Marine.  
Fangs: Teeth.  "Recruits, when I give you the command to fallout, go brush your fangs!"

Field Day:  A detailed cleanup of a barracks. Normally Thursday nights throughout the Corps.  An inspection usually follows field day.

Gaggle:  A unorganized group or mob of Marines.  See cluster above.
 
Gedunk:  Marine term used to describe candy, junk food or snacks.

Gig Line: An line running down the front of a uniform formed by the edges of the trousers fly placket, right belt buckle edge and the blouse or shirt button.

Goat Rope:  A useless, or foolish activity. A waste of time directed by higher headquarters.

Go Fasters:  Running Shoes.

Good Training: "We had rain for three days during the field problem, but it was all good training."

Gouge:  Information, the straight scoop. 
 
Grape:  A Marines head.  "Put your cover on your grape." 
 
Grunt:  An infantry Marine (MOS 03XX). 

Hardball:  Hard-surfaced road.

Hatch:  Door.

Head:  Toilet. 

Head Call:  Use the bathroom.

High Speed: Excellent.  Great equipment.

Hollywood Marine:  Enlisted Marine who graduated from recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego.

Jacked up:  Screwed up.

Jody:  A civilian who steals a Marine's girl while he's deployed, or in the field.  Jody also refer to cadences used during forced marches or unit runs. Cadences have become known as jodies or jody calls.

Leatherneck: U.S. Marine. Term comes from the high leather collar worn on Marine Corps Uniforms.  Marines were issued a leather gorget on ship to protect their necks while serving on boarding parties.
Ma Deuce: M2 - .50 cal Machine Gun.
Master Guns: Master Gunnery Sergeant.

Moonbeam: Marine term for a flashlight.

Mustang:  Nickname for a Marine officer promoted from the enlisted ranks.

Oorah:  Marine term used to positively respond to a question in an enthusiastic way.

Pop Smoke:  Marine term used to call for extraction from an LZ via helicopter.

Porthole: Window.

Quaterdeck(ing):  Marine term for performing incentive PT as a minor punishment in Boot Camp.  Takes place on the squad bay known as the Quarterdeck.  "Private get on my Quarterneck, NOW!"

Rack:  Bed.

Screw the pooch:  Screw up badly.

Scuttlebutt:  Gossip or drinking fountain.

Sea Lawyer:  A Marine who thinks he knows the Uniformed Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and offers advice (usually bad) to his fellow Marines. 

Shut up and Color:  Quit complaining! 

Sick, Lame and Lazy:  Reference to someone who doesn't perform their duties up to full speed. 

Sickbay Commando:  A Marine who spends an excessive amount of time in sick bay (usually during PT or when his unit is in the field).
 
Squared Away:  Looks good, ready for inspection.

Squid:  Derogatory term for a sailor.  

Suzy:  A Marine's girl back home.  She often runs off with Jody.  

Teflon-coated:  Outstanding piece of equipment. 

The Stumps:  Marine Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, CA.   

Un-Ass:  Get out of my area - ASAP! 

Willy Peter:  White Phosphorus.

Zero Dark Thirty:  Any time before 0530 in the morning.


Got More?  Let us know what we missed!

Resources: 

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:English_military_slang

http://www.misanthropytoday.com/marine-corps-language-slang-lesson-part-1-2/


Posted by Leading Marines.com at 5/21/2009 12:12 PM
Categories: General Leadership
Tags: Quotes Marines Marines Sayings USMC Slang
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