Marine Vocabulary

Ashore:

Off station, where you go on leave or liberty

Aye Aye,sir,ma'am:

Official ackowledgment of an order

Barracks:

Building where Marines live

Below:

Downstairs

Bivouac:

An area where you pitch tents in the field to stay overnight

Blouse:

Coat

Boondocks:

Woods or wilds, traing area

Brightwork:

Brass or shiny metal, i.e., water faucets, doorknobs, etc.

Bulkhead:

Wall

Bunk or rack:

Bed

Chit:

A small piece of paper, a receipt or authorization

CMC:

Commandant of the Marine Corps

CO:

Commanding Officer

Colors:

A National Flag

Cruise or tour:

Period of enlistment

Deck:

Floor

Drill:

March

Esprit de Corps:

Spirit of camaraderie

Field:

Boondocks where you train

Field day:

Clean up an area

Galley:

Kitchen

Gangway:

Move out of the way or make room

Gear Locker:

Storage room or locker for cleanig purposes

Gung ho:

Working together, in the spirit

Hatch:

Door

Head:

Bathroom

Ladder:

Stairs

Leave:

Authorized vacation

Liberty:

Authorized free time, but not leave

MOS:

Military occupational specalty

NCO:

Noncommissioned officer

NCOIC:

Noncommissioned officer in charge

Overhead:

Ceiling

Paddageway:

Corridor or hallway

Porthole:

Window

PFT:

Physical fitness test

PX:

Post Exchange, comparible to a civilian department store

Quarters:

A place to live, i.e., house, barracks, etc.

Reveille:

Time to get up

Secure:

Stop work, put away, close or lock

Scuttlebutt:

Water fountain, rumors

Snapping-in:

Practicing getting into the firing position

Squad bay:

Large room in barracks where Marines live

Square away:

Straighten up, make neat

Survey:

Turn in unserviceable items

Taps:

Time to sleep

Topside:

Upstairs

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