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How Well Do You Know USMC Slang?

By: Robin Tyler

4 min

How Well Do You Know USMC Slang?

Image: MTMCOINS/E+/Getty Images

About This Quiz

You have seen them portrayed in hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters. The United States Marine Corps is a feared fighting force and the infantry division of the United States Navy.

These brave men and women have fought in conflicts across the globe. Marines played a massive part in the American war effort during World War II, particularly in the Pacific theatre, where they came across the formidable Japanese army. These battles on islands across the Pacific fiercely fought. The Marines, however, a supremely trained fighting force, prevailed in the end.

Maritime history, however, goes much further back than World War II. The United States Marine Corps was formed in 1775. Their initial task was to guard vessels belonging to the United States Navy during the Revolutionary War. Although the Marine Corp is associated with the United States Navy, it is a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces on its own with representation on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Of course, like most military units, Marines have slang terms that are unique to them. How many of these terms do you know? Let's find out, shall we?

If a Marine is sent to the "brig" where will they be going?

Jail

The "brig" is undoubtedly a place in which a Marine doesn't want to end up. If you are sent to the "brig," you are put into the military equivalent of jail. And how long will a Marine stay in the "brig?" Well, it all depends on their offense.

Bar

Nightclub

Diner

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When experienced Marines call new recruits "boots," these recruits are ________.

Going to clean their barracks.

Fresh out of boot camp.

Old Marines have seen it all. They are no longer "boots." That is the term reserved only for new Marines, fresh out of boot camp and still a little wet behind the ears. But don't worry. In a few months, they will have their own "boots" to mess with!

Going to go on a 5-mile hike.

None of the above.

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Which of these terms is the slang term for a Marine?

Flyboy

GI

Jarhead

The term "Jarhead" has been used to describe Marines since World War II. It was a name given to them by sailors on U.S. naval ships. The term also refers to a book by ex-Marine, Anthony Swofford which was turned into a Hollywood movie starring Jake Gyllenhaal.

Puddle pirate

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When USMC troops are issued with a "box nasty" while in the field, they are given which of these?

Rain jacket

Sleeping bag

Ammunition

Rations

A "box nasty" is something a Marine out in the field will receive. It is the nickname given to rations, particularly "A" rations. A lunch "box nasty" would include a boiled egg, fruit, a sandwich and a drink. It is sometimes referred to as a "bag nasty" since it comes in a brown paper bag.

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When on a vessel, if a Marine is told to go to the "bow," where must they go?

The back of the vessel

The front of the vessel

Naval terms figure strongly in Marine lingo. After all, they do spend plenty of their time at sea. The front of the ship is called the "bow," pronounced as you would say "cow," not as the weapon that shoots arrows.

Below deck

None of the above

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What would a "brain bucket" be in terms of gear issued to troops?

Boots

Infrared glasses

Helmet

Yes, a simple description that tells it like it is. To Marines, a helmet is a "brain bucket" and certainly one of their most important pieces of equipment, along with their weapon, especially in combat!

Gloves

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Marines taking part in a "dog and pony" show are likely to be in which of these?

A physical training contest

An actual dog and pony show

A parade of some kind

A "dog and pony show" is usually a parade of some kind in which Marines will take part. This is usually requested by senior commanders.

None of the above

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Those in the USMC hate them. Which of these best describes a "field day"?

A day spent cleaning their barracks

A "field day" is not a trip away from the base. It is time all Marines hate. "Field days" are spent cleaning the barracks. And this means everything needs to be spic and span. Everything is cleaned and cleaned again, and furniture is moved to ensure all floors are clean as well. And all this is done at night, not during the day.

A trip to the local zoo

A day off

None of the above

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"Deep six" means what exactly?

The time the roll call is taken

To dispose of something overboard

While on a ship, things get thrown overboard. That's called to "deep six" something.

The time Marines must be in their beds

None of the above

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"Fallen Angel" is jargon for which of the following?

Second tour as a Marine

Failed flight school

When a Marine officer fails flight school and takes up another military occupational specialty, or "MOS," they are said to be a "fallen angel." This is used in a derogatory way.

Died in an air crash

None of the above

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A "5.56 hickey" is best described by which of these?

A burn or scar received on the neck from an ejected cartridge

It's a scar, alright, and it's generally in the neck region. This is a result of hot cartridges ejected from a weapon as a Marine fires it. Turning up a shirt collar can help protect the neck, however.

A wake-up call before 6 a.m.

A quick meal before the mess hall closes

None of the above

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When calling for a "moonbeam" what should be handed over?

Match

Flashlight

That's a brilliant description for a flashlight ... a moonbeam! Obviously, flashlights are never used on the battlefield, but they're useful in camp on a dark night when you have to find the latrine.

Weapon

Night vision goggles.

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When a Marine is said to be "D and D" they are _________.

Getting a bite to eat

Playing a role-playing game

Drunk and disorderly

Like most armed forces, Marines enjoy their downtime. That said, they are expected to behave at all times. A Marine that is "D and D," or drunk and disorderly, could end up with a serious problem.

None of the above

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In a unit, who would be the "Grand old man of the Marine Corps"?

The oldest member

In modern Marine slang, the "Grand old man of the Marine Corps" is a term reserved for the oldest member of the unit. It originally was the nickname given to Archibald Henderson, a Commandant of the Corp who served for an incredible 54 years.

The newest member

The youngest member

None of the above.

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What does the term "chest candy" refer to?

A warm bomber jacket

Sweets

Medals and ribbons

Think about it, it makes complete sense to call medals and ribbons "chest candy". Although this is usually used in positive way, it can also be very derogatory.

None of the above

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While on a ship, a Marine going to the "rack" is going to _________.

Sleep

On U.S. Navy ships, Marines, and sailors for that matter, sleep in very close proximity on bunks. These are often called "racks."

Shower

Eat

None of the above

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True or false? "devil dogs" was a term used to describe the USMC in World War I.

True

It's true; Marines are known as "devil dogs." It is thought the phrase came from German soldiers in World War I who were so impressed by the Marines that they called them "teufelhund," which, in German, means ... you guessed it, devil dog.

False

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When attending boot camp, Marines will be issued "BCGs." What are they?

Boot camp glasses

No matter what you tell the Marine Corps when you sign up and attend boot camp, your eyes will be checked. If you need glasses, you will receive special Marine issues. These are called "BCGs," boot camp glasses. And no, they aren't very fashionable.

A uniform

Boot camp gadgets

None of the above

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Which USMC base is known as "K-Bay"?

Chicago

Hawaii

Marines tend to have shortened names for all their major bases. The one on the island of Hawaii is known simply as "K-Bay."

New York

Detroit

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While on board a ship, if you are told to go to the "aft" of that vessel, where must you go?

The right side

The back

The "aft" of the ship is the rear. A good joke when you get there is to say to a fellow Marine, "Do you come here aften?" OK, so maybe it's not such a good joke!

The front

The left side

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Which form of transport would a "helo" be?

Aircraft

Helicopter

Helo" is military slang for a helicopter. They play a significant role in the military and are indispensable vehicles, as demonstrated during a war, either bringing Marines to contact points or removing the injured.

Dinghy

Aircraft carrier

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Marines often tell each other to "SITFU." What does that mean?

Sit in the fuller unit

Suck it the f*** up

When a Marine complains about something, his fellow Marines might take exception and tell him to "SITFU" or "suck it the f*** up!" To tell them subtly, Marines might ask the moaning member of the corps if they are in possession of a straw.

Say it to federal units

See it there fully installed

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During World War II, other than "Jarheads" what was another name given by U.S. Navy crews to Marines?

Dirty Dogs

Bullet Sponges

Marines spend a lot of time on Navy ships. This was especially true during World War II as they moved through the Pacific. Of course, when they got to the field of conflict, the Marines had to do their job. They were called "bullet sponges" by the Navy crews.

Grunts

None of the above

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True or false? Marines are sometimes called "leathernecks."

True

True! The term has been used to describe Marines for many years. It is thought to have originated due to the fact that their stiff collars were made of leather to protect from sword strikes.

False

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What does it mean to perform a "fire watch"?

Preparing food in the mess

On guard duty

A "fire watch" is simply Marine slang for guard duty. And guard duties are handed out from the moment a Marine steps into boot camp and will continue throughout their service.

Going to fight a fire

Taking a nap

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When the call goes out for "all hands" what are Marines expected to do?

Clap

To report to a certain area

"All hands on deck" is a phrase often used in both the U.S. Navy and the Marine Corps. It means all Marines on board that ship must report to the staging area on the deck.

Put on their dress uniform with gloves

None of the above

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In USMC slang, what does "skating" mean?

Swimming

Slacking off

Any Marine said to be "skating" isn't rolling around on small wheels. No, they are "slacking off." For example, when cleaning for an inspection, a Marine not pulling their weight will be said to be "skating." This has another term in the U.S. Army. Here it is known as "shamming."

Sleeping

None of the above

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Who would a "Master Gunny" be?

Major

Master Gunnery Sergeant

A "Master Gunny" or a "Master Guns" is the term Marines affectionately give to the Master Gunnery Sergeant in a unit. You will remember them from many Hollywood movies, as they are often the grizzled veteran who tries to look after all the troops, especially new Marines.

Colonel

Lieutenant

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If Marines receive a command to "muster," what is going to happen?

It's lights out! Time to rest

They will ready their weapons

They will attend a meeting

When U.S. Marines "muster," it is for a roll call (the most likely use of the word) or perhaps for a meeting.

They will be given the weekend off

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"Klicks" refer to what exactly in Marine speak?

Running out of ammo

Kilometers

Five klicks till contact, sir. You understand that, right? A klick is a kilometer. You would not associate the use of kilometers with the U.S. military, but it is used as a standard distance measurement by all branches of the military, including the Marines.

The need to sleep

A shower

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What is a "chit"?

Small talk between Marines

A piece of paper

A "chit" is thought to come from the word "citthi," which were pieces of paper used by Hindu traders for money. It can refer to any type of paper, including dollar bills, Navy orders or a form that needs to be filled out.

A plastic cup

None of the above

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When a Marine tells another to "break it down, Barney-style" what do they want?

To dance.

To have a chat over a beer.

For something to be explained simply.

Struggling to understand something been explained to you? Well, if you were a Marine, you would ask for it to be "broken down, Barney-style." Yes, as in Barney the purple dinosaur explains things to kids. Simply.

None of the above.

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What does it mean to be "on the double"?

Swimming

Training

Moving as quickly as possible

This is probably one you have heard before. To a Marine, "on the double" means doing whatever task they are performing as fast as possible and certainly without delay.

Under fire

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If someone is "A.W.O.L." what are they doing?

They have a weekend pass.

They are on leave with the blessing of their commanding officer.

They are absent without leave.

Marines who have gone "A.W.O.L." have left their post or unit without permission and are said to be absent without leave. This is a very serious offense and can turn into desertion if a Marine is gone for 30 days or more.

None of the above

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