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The Different Military Services Don't Speak the Same Language


          Terminology and nomenclature, argot and cant, jargon and lingo can be confusing. One reason the military has trouble coordinating joint operations is that the different services don't speak the same language.

          For example, if Navy personnel were told to "secure a building", they would, following a checklist written on a clipboard, unplug the equipment, turn off the lights, lock the doors, and depart.

          Given the same instructions, Army personnel would follow a checklist written in a notebook. They would occupy the building, so that no one could enter, and nothing could leave.

          In execution of the same instructions, and following a plan written on the palm of their hands, Marines would assault the building, capture it by close combat, and defend it with suppressive fire.

          The Air Force, on the other hand, following a protocol printed on a portable computer, would "secure a building" by taking out a three-year lease on it, with an option to buy.



Military Language Conversion Chart

NAVY / USMC ARMY AIR FORCE
Dept. of the Navy Dept. of the Army DoD Lite
Base Post Neighborhood
Midshipman Cadet Débutant
Seaman / Private Private Bobby / Suzy
Chief / Gunny Sergeant Bob / Sue
Captain / Skipper Colonel Robert / Susan
Shipmate / Marine Battle Buddy Honey (Don't Ask, Don't Tell)
Salute Salute Wave
Head Gear / Cover Hat / Beret Lid / Topper
Utilities / Digitals BDUs / ACUs Sportswear / Casuals
Skivvies / U-Trau Underwear Undies
Zoom Bags Flight Suit Business Casual
Boondockers Boots Birkenstocks
Low Quarters Low Quarters Patent Leather Pumps
Ground Grabbers Athletic Shoes Flip-Flops
Obstacle Course Confidence Course Class VI Parking Lot
Grinder / Drill Field Parade Ground Playground
Rack Bunk Single with ruffle and duvet
Berthing / Barracks Barracks Apartment
Head Latrine Powder Room
Ge-Dunk Pogy-Bait Chuck E. Cheese
MRE MRE Happy Meal To Go
Mess Deck / Galley Mess Hall / Mess Café / Delicatessen
Mess Tray Mess Kit Dinnerware
Steward / Slops Server Mess Cook / Cookie Chef / Garde-Manger
Coffee / Mud Coffee / Joe Cappuccino / Mocha
Bug Juice Kool-Aid Shirley Temple
Captain's Mast Article 15 Time Out
Shore Patrol / MP Military Police Security Service
Brig Stockade Day Room
Confined Arrested Grounded
Ship's Store / BX PX / Canteen AAFES Shopping Mall
Quartermaster Supply Procurement
PT Test APFT R & R
Liberty Pass Personal Time
TAD TDY Household Move
Cruise / Float Deploy Huh?
Signals Commo Com-Link
Intel / Poop Intel / Gouge Rumor / Skinny
SEAL / Force Recon SOF Dweeb
Terminate / Kill Take Out RTB for Happy Hour
Hard-Core Strac Lighten-Up
Oouh-Rah! Hoo-ah! Hip-Hip Hurray!
Duty, Honor, Country Duty, Honor, Country Perks, Privileges, Prestige
Die for your Country Die for your Battle Buddy Die for Air Conditioning

The final Murphy Law of Combat is:
"When all is said and done, alot more has been said than done!"





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