There are a lot of military and ex-military on this forum, and more than occasionally, military jargon finds its way into the posts. This jargon can be confusing not only to those who have had no military experience, but to those whose experiences are in different branches of service. Hopefully, this post will assist the forum in understanding these often confusing, sometimes humorous terms.
US MILITARY LANGUAGE CONVERSION CHART
NAVY, USMC, / ARMY / AIR FORCE
Head / Latrine / Powder Room
Rack / Bunk / Single with ruffle and duvet
Mess Deck, Chow Hall / Mess Hall, Mess Tent / Dining Facility or 'The Cafe'
'Cookie' / stew burner, Mess Cook / Contract Chef
Coffee / Mud,Cup of Joe / Vanilla Skim Latte'
Bug Juice / Kool-Aid / Shirley Temple
Utilities / Digitals,BDUs / ACUs, Casual Wear
Seaman / Private / Private / Bobby, Jimmy
Chief / Gunny, Sergeant / Bob, Jim
Captain / Skipper,Colonel / Robert, James
Captain's Mast / Article 15 / Time Out
Berthing / Barracks / Apartment
Skivvies / U-Trau, Underwear / Undies
Thrown in the Brig / Put in Confinement / Grounded
Zoom Bag / Flight Suit / Business Casual
Cover / Head Gear, Beret / Optional
Ship's Store / NEXPX (PX Trailer) / AAFES Shopping Mall
TAD / TDY / PCS with family
Cruise, Afloat / Deploy / Huh?
Ground Grabbers / Athletic Shoes / Flip-Flops
Die for your Country / Die for your Battle Buddy / Die for Air Conditioning
Shipmate / Marine,Battle Buddy / Don't Ask, Don't Tell or Honey
Terminate / Kill, Take Out / Back on Base for Happy Hour
Boon Dockers / Jump Boots / Birkenstocks
Low Quarters / Low Quarters / Patent Leather Pumps
SEAL / SF, Ranger / Librarian
Shore Patrol / MPs / SF
Oouh-Rah! / Hoo-ah! / Hip-Hip hurray!
MRE / MRE / Happy Meal To Go
Salute / Salute / Wave
Obstacle Course / Confidence Course / Class 6 Parking Lot
Grinder / Drill Field, Parade Field / What?
Ge-Dunk / Snack Bar / Chuck E. Cheese
PT Test / APFT' / No conversion available'
Dept. Of the Navy / DoD / DoD Lite
Midshipman / Cadet / Debutante
Hard-Core / Strak' / Way Too Serious'
soupbone