What are the Most Common Military Slang Words? (2024)

My personal favorite:

Errr...-(U.S. Marines) An abbreviated or unmotivated "Oorah". Often used as a form of acknowledgment or greeting. Yes, we really do walk around saying "Errr" at one another in the way normal civilized humans say "Hello."

And other notable euphemisms.

5 fingers of death-(US Army, US Marines) Another name for the MRE beef franks, so named for their number and unpleasant taste. Also known as "Beans and motherf******" for the same reason. Later versions of this meal only contained four beef franks without any beans or sauce and were subsequently nicknamed the "4 d**** of death".

BGB-(US Navy and Marines) Big Gray Boat. Refers to large ships, e.g. carriers and battleships, that are gray in color.

Bird, Ball and Chain-(US Marines) Cynical term for the Marine Corps' Eagle, Globe and Anchor emblem.

boot-Someone lacking in experience. A reference to "boot camp".

broke-dick-(US) A soldier with a medical condition that would hinder the soldier's ability to perform certain tasks; alternatively, equipment that is not operationally ready.

bulkhead-(US Navy, Marines, RCN) The interior structural divider of a ship; used ashore to refer to the interior walls of a building, as well.

cammies-(US Navy and Marines) Camouflage utility uniform. What are referred to as "BDUs" in the Army and Air Force.

cheesedick-(US Marines) To do something with minimal effort. As in "He cheesedicked his way through it."

chem light batteries- (US Marines) A form of snipe hunt. To have a new Marine search for obviously non-existent batteries for chemical light sticks.

dark green-(US Marines) An African-American US Marine; as compared to a "light-green". Intended to promote a sense of oneness among Marines "All Marines are green." Becoming an archaic term; sometimes perceived as offensive instead.

Devil Dog-(US) US Marine. The term comes from a (possibly apocryphal) complimentary term, Teufelhund,applied by German soldiers to Marines during World War I for fighting like shock troops.

firewatch ribbon-TheNational Defense Service Medal, which is given to all members of the military during a wartime event. It is presented during bootcamp and everyone gets one, so among the military people serving beside you... no one cares. Firewatch is a reference to the guard duty you do while at bootcamp.

Good Cookie-TheGood Conduct Medal,which is presented to naval and Marine Corps personal for every three years of service without a major disciplinary offense.

Grape-1. (US Submarine Service) Delightfully easy. Examples: "This is %$# grape duty! I %$# love it!" or "That was a grape sig, you %$#." (See "sig" below)
2. (US Marines, Army) One's head. For example: "Put your cover [hat] on your grape."
3. (USAF Fighter Pilots) : an aircraft/pilot that is easy to shoot down.
4. (US Navy) : The flight deck crewmen on an aircraft carrier tasked with fuel handling (so called for their purple shirts and helmets) . Related to "skittles".

Hump-Walking with a pack approximately half your body weight from one location to another, not to be confused with the similar activities performed unto dog owners by their K9 companions.)

ID10T Form-(USAF/USMC) Idiot form. A non-existent form that ignorant airmen/marines are sent to find. Usually they are new to their unit.

Lance Colonel-(US Marines) A Lance Corporal that always tries to take control of situations, whether or not he/she is the senior Marine, and will inevitably create more problems if actually allowed to take control.

Lance Coolie; Lance Criminal-(US Marines) Cynical terms for Lance Corporals, the third-lowest enlisted rank in the Marine Corps.

Lance Corporal Underground-(US Marines) refers to what the junior enlisted are saying or feeling; a more informed rumor mill.

Last Cleaning Position Left-(US Marines) A play on the abbreviation "LCPL" for Lance Corporal, the highest non-NCO rank. Used to remind a Lance Corporal that they are still subject to having to clean.

libo-(US Navy and Marines) Liberty, time away from work (after hours, on a weekend, during a port-call, etc.) not charged against leave.

Master Guns-(US Marines) Master Gunnery Sergeant; (US Navy) Gunners Mate Master Chief

Moonbeam-(US Marines) A flashlight. We are just as confused as you are.

"OFP"-(US MARINES) Own F****** Program, a term given to a marine who doesn't follow an order given or is not following the marine corps standard.

On the double-(US Navy, Marines) As quickly as possible; without delay.

Oorah!-(US Marines) Term used to respond in the affirmative to a question, acknowledge an order, or generally to express enthusiasm. Comparable to "Hooah" in the Army.

Oscar-Mike-(US) On the Move, from the phonetic alphabet.

Perfect for Cleaning; Personnel for Cleaning-(US Army and Marines) Unenthusiastic synonyms forPrivates First Class(PFCs) in the Army and the Marine Corps.

Professional F******Custodian-(Marine Corps) Private First Class, usually used during field day.

rack ops-(US Marines) The time for sleep, if permitted, while in the field.

"...Since Jesus was a corporal"-(US Army and Marines) For a very long time. e.g.: "I haven't been home since Jesus was a corporal."

sh*tbird-The guy in the unit everyone hates for making life harder on everyone.

Top-(US Army and Marines) The First Sergeant or Master Sergeant (USMC), senior enlisted man at company level.

Turtle f***(ing)-(US Marines) Striking a Marine on his helmet with another helmet. The clunking of the two kevlar helmets sounds like two empty shells hitting. Sometimes done deliberately among friends, but often as a joke to an unsuspecting trooper.

Twentynine Stumps-(US Marines) Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California. Often simply referred to as "the Stumps."

Unf***-(US Army, Marines) To bring something or someone into proper order and accord with SOP.