Naval Terminology, Jargon and Slang FAQ
This FAQ is maintained by Jeff Crowell; please send all corrections, comments, additions, etc. to him.
Notes
*'RN' denotes Royal Navy usage. Similarly, RCN=Royal Canadian Navy, RAN=Royal Australian Navy, RM=Royal Marines
*Terms in ALL-CAPS have a separate listing.
*Special note: Since days of yore, sailors (and the military in general) have often had a rather pithy (dare I say 'tasteless'?) manner of speech. While I have attempted to present things with a bit of humor, if you are easily offended, then this FAQ may not be for you. You have been warned.
ACM - Air Combat Maneuvering. Dogfighting practice.
Adrift - (RCN) Missing in action. "Oh no, I'm adrift for the meeting and the Bossman'll be there!"
AEF/A - Auxiliary Electrician Forward/Aft (Nuclear, submarine).
A-farts - Spoken form of A.F.R.T.S. (Armed Forces Radio and Television System), a US system providing television and radio entertainment to forces overseas.
AFFF - Aqueous Film Forming Foam. A fire-fighting agent which is mixed with water and sprayed on flammable liquids fires. Pronounced "A triple-F". Aka 'Light Water' for the foam's ability to float on oil or gasoline. Replaced protein foam.
Afterburner - A system in the engine(s) of many tactical aircraft (and a very few non-tactical a/c such as the SR-71) which dramatically increases thrust at the cost of doubling (or more) the fuel consumption. Analogous term in UK-based countries is reheat.
A-gang - Auxiliaries Division of the Engineering Department. These personnel operate and maintain the ship's auxiliary equipment (air conditioning systems, distilling units, air compressors, etc.)
A-ganger - Auxiliaryman. Member of A-gang.
A-gear - See ARRESTING GEAR.
AGI - Auxiliary, Intelligence Gathering, aka 'Tattletale'. Refers to Russian 'trawlers' (or, more recently, purpose-built ships) stationed off NATO ports and following fleets. A secondary mission was to ‘keep tabs’ on key NATO seagoing assets.
Airdale, airedale - Naval aviator, aka 'BROWNSHOE'. Can also refer to any member of the aviation community, officer or enlisted. From envy, often modified by non-aviation types with the adjective "fucking".
Airy-fairy – (1) (RN) Fleet Air Arm personnel. See WAFOO. (2) (RCN) Vague or impractical suggestion.
Alert Five - Aircraft on five-minute alert. This generally requires that the aircrew be seated in the aircraft at all times. There may also be aircraft/aircrews on alert fifteen, etc.
Alpha Mike Foxtrot - Acronym for "Adios, Motherfucker". Polite form: "Adios, My Friend." Also seen as initials, ‘AMF.’
Amp Tramp - (RCN) Ship's electrician.
Anchor-faced - (RN) Anyone who is enthusiastic about the Navy.
Anchor clanker - (1) Any Boatswain's Mate. (2) Any ordinary seaman (RN). See DECK APE.
Andrew (the) - (RN) Nickname for the Royal Navy.
Angled Deck - The landing area of a modern carrier, which is offset 10 degrees to port from the ship's centerline to provide for safe BOLTERs. Aka 'angle deck', 'the angle.'
Anti-Smash Light - The rotating or flashing anti-collision beacon on an aircraft.
AOW - Auxiliaryman Of (the) Watch. Also called 'The Aux'.
Arresting Gear - Mechanism used to rapidly bring an aircraft to a halt aboard ship or ashore. In field use (ashore), A-gear may be a device as simple as lengths of anchor chain connected to a CROSS-DECK PENDANT, though this type of installation is beco ming less common. The chain device is usually referred to as 'overrun gear', as it acts to stop an aircraft which is about to run off of the end of the prepared runway surface. Other types of arresting gear, ashore and afloat, involve complicated braking mechanisms.
Artificer - (RN) Engineering technician.
AUX - Pronounced ‘ox.’ (1) Verbal shorthand for 'auxiliary', as when referring to a machinery space, 'Aux One'. (2) Alternate form of AOW.
Back Afty - (RN) Anything to do with the nuclear power plant or the people who operate it. See NUKE.
Back in Battery - Originally an artillery term for a gun which has completed its recoil/postfiring cycle and is ready to fire again. Common usage now is 'ready to go', or recovered. Also seen as 'Back to Battery.' "I set my hair on fire last night, bu t five hours' rack time and I'm back in battery."
Bag - (1) Get, or collect. "Let's go bag some traps." (2) Stop, or leave. "Let's bag this project."
Ball (the) - The glowing image projected by the FRESNEL LENS. Gives glideslope reference.
Bandit – (1) Air contact positively identified as hostile. (2) (RCN) A sailor often in trouble.
Bang Seat - (British) Ejection seat.
Banjo, butty – (1) (RN) A sandwich. Also 'sarnie'. (2) Nickname for F-2 Banshee fighter.
Banyan - (RCN) A barbecue or party on the flight deck, usually with steaks and beer. USN form is STEEL BEACH (without the beer).
Barricade (the) - (1) A device vaguely similar to a tennis net which can be rigged and used to stop an aircraft which is unable to TRAP. Aka 'barrier'. (2) In the days of the straight-deck carriers, a series of devices rigged during normal landing oper ations to prevent an aircraft which failed to trap from smashing into THE PACK, graduating from a low barrier which just engaged the landing gear, all the way to a device more similar to the contemporary one.
BB Stacker - Generically, any ORDIE.
Beagle - (RN/RAN) Wardroom steward.
Benny - A treat or reward, cf. 'benefit'.
Benny Sugg - Beneficial Suggestion program.
BFM - Basic Flight Maneuvers.
Big Chicken Dinner – Bad Conduct Discharge. In many ways, equivalent to a felony conviction.
Bilge - (1) (Traditional) The area below the deck gratings in the lowest spaces of the ship, where things, especially liquids, tend to collect. (2) To fail or do poorly. "Poor Smitty bilged the quiz." (3) To name a classmate or shipmate involved in wro ngdoing, or to identify a mistake made by someone else.
Bingo - (1) Fuel level or status requiring either an immediate return to base or vector to a tanker, 'bingo fuel'. As a verb, the act of returning to base or a tanker because of low fuel state.
Bird farm - Aircraft carrier.
Birds - (1) Term for the rank markings of a USN Captain or USMC Colonel (silver eagle, O-6 paygrade). (2) (RCN) Punishment consisting of confinement to the ship, base, etc., or sailors under punishment (cf. British slang for ‘jailbird.’) (3) Generic, a irplane. (4) Missiles, especially in the surface community. "Birds Free" means permission has been granted to fire missiles.
Bitchbox – (surface) Intercom or amplified circuit used to communicate between spaces of the ship.
Bittersweet - A radio call signifying that friendly aircraft are in danger from a surface AAW missile launch, or that the presence of friendly aircraft is preventing a missile shot.
Black Cat Merchant - (RN) Someone who is always exaggerating.
Black-Hand Gang - (RN) See SNIPE. Older (ca. WW II), less politically-correct form is 'Black Gang' (USN usage). Originally, it referred to the appearance of men who had been shoveling a lot of coal.
Black-shoe - Member of the surface or submarine community. Until recently, the only approved footwear for these communities was black in color. More recently, brown footwear is optional, but seldom seen due to tradition.
Blank flange - (1) A plate bolted onto an open pipe to prevent flooding or leaks while work is performed on a piping system. (2) Pancakes. (3) Someone who acts like an idiot (aka 'blank file').
Bleed Air – In gas turbine engines, compressed air that is removed (‘bled’) from the compressor section at various points. Can be used for various applications, such as to maintain clean airflow in the engine, anti-icing, air conditioning, or to provid e start air to another engine.
Blivet - (1) Traditionally, "Ten pounds of shit in a five-pound sack." (2) A rubber fuel bladder. (3) A modified droptank (may be purpose- built or a field modification) used to haul small cargo, especially in tactical aircraft, or used to haul danger ous or toxic cargo outside of the aircraft.
Bloggins - (RN) The catch-all name. "Ordinary Seaman Bloggins fucked up again." Similar to the USN's "Joe Shit the Ragman" (qv), or "Seaman Jones".
Bloodhound – Radio codeword for Mark 46 ASW torpedo.
Blowdown - A generic engineering term which can be used as noun or verb. A cleaning and/or venting process. Some specific applications: (1) A process for cleaning water-sides of a boiler. A top blow removes scum and floating contaminants, a bottom blow removes sludge. (2) To backflush and clean a SEACHEST. (3) The process of removing excess pressure from a system, or venting it completely.
Blue Force - Friendly forces in a wargame exercise.
Blue on Blue - A friendly-fire kill. UK term is 'own-goal.'
Blue-Shirt – (1) (aviation) Aviation Boatswain's Mate. During flight deck ops, wears a jersey color-coded blue. Responsible for positioning and chaining down aircraft. Aka 'Chock and Chain boys'. A type of KNUCKLEDRAGGER. Often a non-rated person. (2) Anyone E-6 or below wearing the dungaree uniform. Similar to the traditional term "bluejacket."
Blue Water - Literally, 'deep water,' or 'deep draft,' but more traditionally, 'away from land.' A 'blue water navy' is capable of prosecuting battle away from shore-based support in vessels of sufficient size and endurance to do so safely.
Blue Water Ops - Flight ops carried out beyond range of a bingo or divert field. At this point it is literally sink or swim for the pilot--if he cannot trap successfully, he and his aircrew will have to eject or bail out.
Boarding Rate - The percentage of carrier approaches that result in successful arrestments. May be counted for a pilot, a squadron, or an airwing.
Boards - Speed Brakes
Boat - (1) Traditional term of reference for a submarine. (2) Traditional aviation term used to refer to an aircraft carrier. (3) Any small Naval vessel incapable of making regular independent voyages on the high seas.
Bogey - Unidentified air contact. May turn out to be friendly, neutral, or hostile.
Bogey Dope - Radio calls to the intercepting fighter giving data on the bogey's position, course, altitude, etc.
BOHICA - Acronym for "Bend Over, Here It Comes Again."
Bolter - The go-around that occurs when the carrier plane's tailhook misses the wires. Only possible on modern carriers with an ANGLED DECK (qv). Prior to the advent of the angled deck, missed wires often resulted in a BARRICADE engagement or a crash i nto the PACK.
Bomb (The) - (submarine only) The oxygen generator system.
Bomber - See BOOMER.
Bonedome - Flight helmet. Aka 'hardhat', 'brain bucket'.
Boomer - (1) (Naval) Ballistic missile submarine. Primary mission is nuclear deterrence. (2) (Air Force) The operator of the boom, the pipe extending below the aircraft which is used to transfer fuel. The boom is "flown" (controlled) into contact with the receiving aircraft.
Boondoggle - Travel which is more fun than functional. Applies to many military schools.
Boresight - (1) A rough method of aligning guns to a sighting system. (2) Excessive concentration on one situation in a time of plenty, i.e. tunnel vision. Aka "Head Up And Locked." (3) A location on the aircraft's datum line, often used as a center p oint for dogfight radar scan modes, or when telling the RIO to get a lockup, goddammit!
Boot – Rookie, or newbie.
Bootneck (RN) - See ROYAL MARINE.
Bounce - (1) Carrier landing practice. (2) (older usage) Surprise air-to-air attack by a fighter, usually from behind.
Brain Fart - Conceptual discontinuity. Loss of the bubble. Polite forms: 'brain fade', 'brain cramp'.
Bravo Zulu - Phonetic pronunciation of 'BZ' from the NATO signals codes. signifies 'Good Job', or 'Well Done'.
Break (the) - Maneuver used by pilots of tactical aircraft to slow to pattern speed. Typically, a 180-degree turn to the downwind leg at 4.5-6 G's (depending on speed of entry).
Broke Dick – Non-functional. See ‘TITS UP.’
Brown-Shirt – (Aviation) A Plane Captain, so called because of the brown jersey he wears.
Brownshoe - Member of the aviation community. Refers to the brown boots or shoes which once were worn by aviation personnel with the Aviation Green uniform. Unauthorized footgear for a while, but recently re-approved for all USN service communities.
Brown Water - Shallow water or shallow draft, especially a ship or force whose ships are not suited to deep (or open) water and deep-water combat.
Brown Water Ops – Naval operations in shallow water, typically consisting of water depths of 100 fathoms or less.
Bubblehead - Member of the submarine community. Frequently modified by members of the surface fleet with the adjective "fucking". See 6 D's.
Buffer - (RN/RCN/RAN) The senior rate responsible for seamanship evolutions, typically a Chief Boatswain's Mate.
Bug juice - A substance not entirely unlike Kool-Aid which is served as a beverage aboard USN ships. Its color has no bearing on its flavor. Largely composed of ascorbic acid. Used extensively as an all-purpose cleaner/stripper for bulkheads, decks, br ass fire nozzles, and pipes.
Bug Out - 'Getting the hell out of Dodge.' An escape maneuver from an air-to-air fight, generally consisting of unloading and selection of ZONE FIVE.
Bulkheading - Loudly criticizing a fellow officer.
Bulldog – Codeword for Harpoon cruise missile.
Bull Ensign - Senior ensign aboard. In multi-unit ships, such as a carrier with its airwing embarked, generally each squadron will have its own Bull Ensign.
Bull Nuke - Senior nuclear-trained CPO aboard a sub. Junior in authority to the COB.
Bullnose - A chock placed right over the stem, or 'in the eyes' of the ship.
Bullpen - Term for the large antenna arrays associated with a shore HFDF (High Frequency Direction Finding) station.
Bunting Tosser, bunts (RN) - Signals or Radio personnel. The term originates from the use of semaphore flags for visual signals. Analogous USN terms: ‘flag wagger,' 'skivvy waver.'
Burner - (1) In a submarine, a system that burns carbon monoxide and hydrogen out of the air, converting H2 to water and CO to CO2. CO2 is then removed by the SCRUBBER. (2) In aviation, short for afterburner.
Buster - Aviation term for maximum speed available without using afterburners.
Butt – (1) Cigarette. (2) (obsolete) A wooden cask or barrel.
Butter Bar – Ensign/Second Lieutenant (O-1 paygrade), so called for the gold bar collar device.
Butt Kit - Ashtray.
CAG - Carrier Air Group. Can also refer to the Carrier Air Group commander. Sometimes seen as CAW for Carrier or Commander Air Wing.
Call the Ball - A radio transmission from a pilot that he has sighted the BALL during approach to the carrier. Typically consists of SIDE NUMBER, aircraft type (to ensure proper ARRESTING GEAR settings), and amount of fuel onboard in thousands of pound s, e.g. '205 Tomcat ball, 3.5'.
Camel Station - Rendezvous point for ships in the Indian Ocean.
CAMS - Central Atmosphere Monitoring System. A mass spectrometer that samples the atmosphere on submarines.
Cannon Cocker - Gunnery specialist.
CAP - Combat Air Patrol. Usually defensive in nature. There are several types: TARCAP (TARget CAP), BARCAP (BARrier CAP), RESCAP (REScue CAP, i.e. for SAR operations).
Captain's Mast - Non-judicial disciplinary procedure, usually meted out by unit commanders.
Captain of the... - (RN) Person in charge of a particular part of the ship, i.e. Captain of the Focs'l. Derogative, ‘Captain of the Head.’
Captain's Table - (RN) A disciplinary hearing. See CAPTAIN'S MAST.
CAS – Close Air Support. Moving mud to help out the grunts.
CAVU - Aviation term, short for 'Ceiling And Visibility Unlimited'.
CERA - (RCN, pronounced 'sarah' or ‘Chief ERA’) Chief Engine Room Artificer.
Cha - (RN) Tea. Also spelled 'char'.
Charlie Oscar - Commanding Officer.
Charlie Sierra - Chickenshit. The unnecessarily thorough enforcement of a regulation.
Charlie Time - Assigned time for carrier aircraft to land. "Your Signal Charlie" means 'commence approach immediately and land upon arrival.'
Cheng - CHief ENGineer. Pronounced 'chang'.
Chicken of the Sea - Ballistic missile submarine, or a crewmember of same; the nature of their mission is to avoid detection by whatever means necessary. Their motto is "We hide with pride." See BOOMER.
Chinstrap - (RM) So tired, usually from running, that one's head drops. Any naval personnel are assumed to be 'on their chinstraps' at all times.
Chop – (1) Supply Officer. See PORKCHOP. (2) CHange of OPerational command, spoken as "inchop" (entering a command region or zone) or "outchop" (leaving a command region), e.g. "We will inchop MIDEASTFOR at 0830 tomorrow."
Civvy Street – Civilian life.
CIWS - Close-In Weapon System, a short-range anti-missile point defense system commonly comprised of a radar system and rotary-barreled Gatling gun. In NATO, the Vulcan Phalanx. A newer version, Goalkeeper, uses the GAU-8 30mm Gatling gun found in the A-10 Thunderbolt for increased range and destructive power. Can have anti-surface modes as well. Derisive interpretations of the acronym include: 'Christ, It Won't Shoot', and 'Captain, It Won't Shoot'.
Clear Datum - (1) Submarine: to leave the area where you have been detected (see DATUM). (2) To leave the scene of the crime, especially when liquor and members of the opposite sex are involved, and particularly if the member of the opposite sex in que stion is a GRONK.
Clankie, Clanky - (RN) Mechanical Engineer.
Clara - The radio call from a carrier pilot on approach signifying that he has not sighted the BALL. May be due to conditions of poor visibility.
Clobbered - Weathered in, as in "We made a good approach, but the field was clobbered and we had to divert." Similar to WOXOF.
CMC - Command Master Chief. Similar to the COB, but for surface, shore, and aviation commands. See also MCPOC.
CO - Commanding Officer. The captain or skipper of a vessel. Generally spoken as 'Charley Oscar'.
COB - Chief Of (the) Boat. Senior enlisted onboard a submarine; acts as liaison between the crew and the XO.
Coffeepot - Nuclear reactor. Aka TEAKETTLE.
Collision Mat - Pancake.
Con Level – Altitude at which contrails occur. To be avoided in tactical situations, as they make for easy visual detection.
Condition 1 - General Quarters (battle stations). May be modified for certain conditions, such as Condition 1AS, in which all antisubmarine watch stations and weapons are manned, but AAW stations may not be. Modified conditions are used to minimize cre w fatigue, which can be a significant factor over a prolonged period at battle stations.
Condition 2 - A material condition of readiness commonly associated with wartime steaming where some, usually half, of the ship's weapons are kept in a manned and ready status.
Condition 3 - A material condition of readiness commonly associated with peacetime steaming. There are no weapons in a ready status.
Coner - aka 'noseconer'. A crew member on a submarine who does not work in the engineering spaces. A non-nuke.
Contact Coordinator - (submarine only) Senior Enlisted/Junior Officer that mans the submarine periscope during surface operations in order to help track and assess surface contacts.
Counter battery - Firing on enemy artillery. 'Doing unto them before they can do unto you.'
COW - Chief Of (the) Watch. (submarine only) Responsible for coordinating shipboard evolutions such as housekeeping, watchstanding, wake-ups, etc. Also controls the BCP (ballast control panel) while underway.
Cox - (RN) The Coxswain. The senior rate on a destroyer, frigate, or smaller vessel. Responsible, among other things, for discipline.
Crab, crabfat - (RN) A member of the Royal Air Force. From the color (light blue) of the uniform, which is the same as the crabfat grease used on gun breeches, etc., in the RN.
Cranie - Protective headgear worn by flight deck crewmembers. Incorporates hearing protection and impact protection. May be color-coded like the flight-deck jerseys.
Crank - See MESSCRANK.
Crash and Smash Crew (or Team) - Crash and Rescue personnel. They wear red flight deck jerseys.
Crinkleneck - Small fish that wait for waste to drop from the SCUTTLE. Derogatory term for officers and enlisted that figuratively do the same.
Crippie - Cryptographic personnel.
Critter fritters - Fried mystery meat.
Cross-Decking - The practice of transferring men or equipment from one ship to another, especially when transferring from a ship returning from deployment to a ship departing or about to depart on deployment.
Cross-Deck Pendant, CDP - The wire (cable) which the hook of a carrier aircraft catches to accomplish an arrested landing.
Crow - The rate insignia of a USN Petty Officer (E-4 through E-6), so-called because of the eagle surmounting the rate chevrons.
Crusher - (RN) A member of the Regulating Branch, i.e. Naval Shore Patrol.
Cumshaw - Procurement of needed material outside the supply chain, usually by swapping, barter, or mutual backscratching. Often involves coffee or other food items. Officially frowned upon, but a widespread practice.
Dabtoe - (RN) Surface sailor.
DACT – Dissimilar Air Combat Training. ACM conducted between aircraft of different types. Also seen as DACM. Valuable in that it teaches an aircrew to consider comparative performance points of their aircraft and others.
Datum - A point or location where a submarine has been detected or has made its own detection possible, especially by firing missiles or torpedoes.
DC - Damage Control.
DCA - Damage Control Assistant. Responsible, under the Chief Engineer, for damage control and stability of a ship.
Dead Horse - An interest-free loan which is paid off via payroll deduction. Often used to cover relocation expenses, or to pay back a disbursing error which was originally in your favor.
Deck ape - Surface fleet personnel, usually Boatswain's Mates, that care for topside gear and equipment. A type of KNUCKLE-DRAGGER.
6 D's - Deep Diving Death Defying (or Dealing) Denizens of the Depths. Term used by submariners to refer to themselves. Often used to detect SKIMMERs by their helpless laughter upon hearing the phrase.
Deeps - (RN) Submariner.
Deep Six - Originally, a call of the leadsman signifying that the water is more than 6 fathoms deep, but less than seven. Euphemism for throwing something overboard. Also seen as 'splash', 'float check', 'float test'.
DIB - (RCN) Any non-engineering personnel.
Dick the dog – (1) Being unproductive. "When you guys are done dicking the dog, I could use a hand here."
Dink - Spoken form of 'Delinquent In Qual.’ Someone delinquent in PQS qualification points. A weekly points goal is typically set by each command that an NQP (qv) must achieve. Failure to do so means daily mandatory study hours supervised by the duty C hief.
Dip - To lower a sonar transducer into the water from a hovering helicopter.
Dit - (RN) Short written note.
Dive the intakes - Cleaning engine intakes, usually by crawling into them.
Dixie Cup - The USN sailor's white hat. See also WHITEHAT.
Dixie Station - One of the two positions typically occupied by an aircraft carrier off the coast of Vietnam. 'Dixie' was the southern station, tasked with troop support (CAS).
Dobie - (RCN) Laundry. Also seen as 'Dhobi.'
Dobie Dust - (RCN) Laundry soap.
Dockyard Tour - (RN) An excuse to slide away early when at a fleet school.
Dodge City - Diego Garcia, a British possession in the approximate middle of the Indian Ocean. US military forces also operated from there.
Dog Watch – (1) A shortened watch period. Generally, two two-hour watches, designated First and Second (or First and Last, RCN), arranged so that personnel on watch can eat the evening meal. Usually 16:00 to 18:00, and 18:00 to 20:00. Also serves to al ternate the daily watch routine so sailors with the midwatch one night will not have it the next time. Origin of term unclear. (2) (RCN) An unpopular watch, usually the 2400-0400 or 0400-0800.
Dolphins - The warfare insignia of the submarine fleet. Aka 'tin tunas', 'pukin' fish'. Represented as two heraldic dolphins flanking the prow of a WW II-type submarine, gold for officers and silver for enlisted. "Getting (one's) dolphins"--achieving t he status of a qualified submariner.
Donkey Dick - (1) The nozzle of an inline proportioner in a firefighting hoseline for AFFF. Note: this term is also used for literally dozens of other objects in the naval service.
Double Nuts - Aircraft with side number zero-zero. Often the CAG's bird.
DOW - Diving Officer of the Watch.
Down to the Short Strokes - Nearly done; almost finished.
Draeger Tubes - An older method of sampling atmosphere, in which a hand-held pump is used to draw samples into the test system.
Drilling holes in the water - Term for the underwater operations of a submarine. Also refers to sailing from point A to point B for no particular reason.
Drip - (RN) Complain. "The Chief was dripping about the state of the world."
Droplights - Red lights arranged vertically below the RAMP, on the approach centerline, on the carrier's stern. Used to provide lineup cues for night landings.
DTG - (1) Days To Go. Short-timer's record-keeping. (2) Date-Time Group, part of the header of a message which indicates the date, time, and timezone of the message's origin.
Duff - (RCN, RN) (1) Dessert. (2) Broken, or useless.
Dusty- (RN) Stores rating, especially one concerned with food or clothing. More fully 'Jack Dusty'. USN usage, 'Jack o' the Dust.'
EAB - Emergency Air Breathing mask. A sealed mask with an airhose and a quick disconnect to attach to the main EAB system. When using this, a crewman is said to be 'sucking rubber'.
8 o'clock Reports - Reports made by all department heads to the XO, who then takes them to the CO. The reports usually consist of equipment reports and position reports, significant events of the day or of the day to come, etc.
ELSA - (RN) Emergency Life Support Apparatus. Consists of a clear plastic hood and an air bottle, used to escape from smoke-filled spaces.
EM – (1) Electrician’s Mate. (2) Extra Mechanic. (nuke) Electrician’s Mates often stand Motor Machinist (MM) watches to support the watchbill.
EMCON - EMissions CONtrol. Various conditions of electronic silence. 'EMCON Alpha' is total emissions silence, 'EMCON Bravo' allows radiation of certain non type-specific emitters, etc.
EMI - Extra Military Instruction. Duties assigned as punishment which are also intended to improve one's military knowledge. Chipping paint would not qualify as EMI, while inventorying the ship's pubs (publications) would.
EOOW - Engineer Officer Of the Watch. Pronounced 'ee-ow'.
EOS – Enclosed Operating Space. Space from which engineering spaces are controlled. Generally air-conditioned and soundproofed, the wimps.
Essence - Good, pleasant, or attractive. "Having a totally essence time--the weather is here, wish you were beautiful."
Evap - Distilling unit, aka 'the still'. Used to produce fresh water at sea, both for the boilers and for potable usage.
FAG - Fighter-Attack Guy. The pilot of an F/A-18.
Fancy Dinns - Steak and wine night at sea. Usually hosted by the various departments.
Fast Attack - Refers to submarines whose primary missions are sealane control, anti-shipping operations, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence operations.
FESTA - (obsolete) ire Extinguishing System, Twin Agent. An installation which pairs an AFFF-dispensing system with a PKP-dispensing system. Often found in engineering spaces. See TAU.
Field Day - To scrub or otherwise clean a ship's spaces. Usually ordered when the COB or the XO thinks morale is low.
FIGMO - Fuck It, (I) Got My Orders. Equivalent to "Go away and don't bother me". (no polite form)
First Lieutenant - (1) (USN) Deck Division officer aboard ship, or officer responsible for general seamanship and deck evolutions. In a ship with a large deck department, especially where it is key to the ship's mission, such as a carrier or amphib, ge nerally the deck department head. (2) (RN) Executive Officer of a ship, if a
Lieutenant Commander or below.
Fishhead - (RN) WAFU term for the rest of the RN surface crowd.
Fist - (RN) To make a 'good' fist of something is to do it well. To make a 'real' fist of something is to do it badly.
Flaming Datum - A burning ship or a missile breaking water. See also DATUM.
Float Test - Testing the buoyant qualities of unwanted material while at sea.
FOD - Foreign Object Damage. Can be used as a noun ("Look at the piece of FOD I picked up.") or a verb ("Dave FODded his engine last night.") Any object , including people, which might be sucked into and thereby damage a jet engine
FOD walkdown - (1) Unpopular activity aboard aviation ships where personnel not on watch and 'gawkers, walkers, and talkers' (innocent bystanders and onlookers) line up and walk the flight deck from end to end, picking up any object that might damage a n engine or, if picked up by jet blast, an eye. The human broom picking up any and every small item on the flight deck.
Foul Deck - A flight deck which is unsafe for landings. May be due to a crash, location of an aircraft, gear, or personnel, or condition of the deck surface.
Foul Line - Painted lines on the flight deck which delineate an area which must be kept clear for flight operations to proceed safely.
Four-ringer - (RN) Captain.
Fox One (two, three, etc.) - Used to report the launch of a air-to-air missile, from the 'Foxtrot' (F) of the phonetic alphabet. 'Fox One' is a radar missile, usually Sparrow or AIM-120. 'Fox Two' is a heat- seeking missile, e.g. the Sidewinder. 'Fox T hree' is a Phoenix (AIM-54) missile (the Air Force sometimes uses this to report firing of guns.) 'Fox Four' is sometimes used derisively to refer to a midair collision.
Fox Oscar - Fuck Off.
Fresh Air Snipe - Rates which spend at least some of their time in the engineering spaces, and are members of the Engineering Dept., but do not work solely with engineering machinery. Includes rates such as IC (Interior Communications Electrician) and EM (Electrician's Mate), though nuke EMs are seldom seen outside the plant.
Fresnel Lens, The Lens - An arrangement of lights that gives a pilot glideslope information during his approach to an arrested landing, or when simulating same ashore. A yellow image, called 'THE BALL,' is visible to the pilot on approach. The ball mov es vertically as the aircraft position varies on the glideslope. If the ball is lined up with a row of green 'datum' lights, the aircraft is on glideslope. The ball turns red if the pilot gets too low. Found also on almost all Naval Air Stations. Also has lights mounted on it which can be used to give waveoff or ‘cut’ commands. A simplified form of the lens is mounted on ships which operate helicopters.
Friday/Sunday Routine - (RN) Field day aboard, followed by CO's rounds. A cake or a couple of cases of beer are awarded to the cleanest mess on the ship.
FTN - 'Fuck The Navy.' Term used by short-timers, attitude cases, and sailors having a bad day. Facetiously, Fun-Time Navy.
FTN Space (the) - An obscure, hard-to-get-to space, compartment, or void used to hide from officers or chiefs. According to legend, some ships have had such spaces which do not show up on the blueprints at all. Persistent rumors exist of entire, fully- outfitted machinery spaces which do not officially exist.
FUBAR - Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition.
G - The acceleration force felt by aircrews when maneuvering.
Gash - Garbage or rubbish. Also used to refer to any unwanted item.
Gate - Aviation term for maximum afterburners. Aka 'zone five'.
Gawkers, Walkers, and Talkers - Off-duty personnel.
Gear (the) - Arresting gear.
Geedunk, gedunk - (1) Dessert/junk food/candy, or a place to buy same. Aka 'pogey bait'. (2) "Extras" or benefits, awards, ribbons, or medals. (3) Easy or "sweet" duty.
GIB - "Guy In Back". More common in Air Force usage, refers to the backseater (non-pilot, NFO) of a 2-place tactical aircraft, aka ‘the pitter,' the guy in the 'pit.’ In USN/USMC fighters, more commonly called the RIO. In A-6's, the Bombardier/Navigato r or BN, even though he sits beside the pilot rather than behind. In S-3 Vikings, more properly an Overwater Jet Navigator (OJN).
GLOC - G-induced Loss Of Consciousness. Pronounced 'gee-lock'.
Can be induced by magnitude or duration of the G load, the rate at which G's are applied, or a combination of these factors.
Goat Locker - Chiefs' Quarters and Mess. The term originated during the era of wooden ships, when Chiefs were given charge of the milk goats on board.
God Botherer - (RN) The chaplain. Aka 'Sin Bosun', 'Sky Bosun'.
God's G - The acceleration due to gravity.
Goffa - Any non-alcoholic drink (why bother?).
Goffer - (RM) A large wave. Usually shouted as a warning.
Golden BB - That one bullet or shell that ruins your day in a dogfight, or when conducting ground attacks.
Golden Rivet - The mythical last rivet which completes a ship. Generally found in the depths of the engineering spaces, a maneuver used to get a female guest to bend over. "And if you look 'way down there, you can see the golden rivet!"
Golden Shellback - One who has crossed the Equator at the International Date Line.
Gong – (RN/RCN/RAN) Medal.
Gonk - (RN) To sleep, perchance to doze. "I think I'll have a gonk before we hit the beach."
Gonzo Station - The rendezvous point for aircraft carrier battle groups off the Straits of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf.
Goofers – See VULTURE’S ROW.
Gopping - (RN) Awful, horrible.
Gouge (the) - Information, or the 'inside scoop'. Aka 'the poop', 'the gen' (USAF). See SCUTTLEBUTT.
GQ - General Quarters. The call for all hands to man battle stations. Can be used for almost any shipwide emergency. Action stations (RN).
Grand Slam – Radio call for the successful SPLASH (destruction) of an air contact. "Grand Slam with birds" signifies a kill with missiles.
Grape - (1) Easy pickings, esp. in ACM. (2) Member of the flight deck fuels crew, who wear purple jerseys.
Grape sig - An easy signature on your quals, generally given in return of a favor. The signature is traditionally in purple ink, and the practice is frowned upon.
Gray Funnel Line - (RN) The Royal Navy surface fleet.
Greenie - (RN) (1) Electrician. (2) Weapons Electrical Branch. (3) A board used to track and display landing scores of the pilots of a squadron, the 'greenie board.' (4) A fiber-type scrubbing or scouring pad. (5) Green (solid, not just spray) water co ming aboard.
Green Maggots - (RCN) Sleeping bag.
Gripe – (Aviation) A discrepancy noted (on a ‘gripe sheet’) for maintenance action.
Gronk - (RN) Ugly or unattractive, especially a member of the opposite sex.
Grunt - Marine infantry. Aka Leatherneck.
G-suit - A piece of gear worn by flight crews in tactical aircraft. Uses compressed air to squeeze the calves, thighs, and stomach to reduce the blood-pooling effects of hard maneuvering.
Guard – (1) International distress radio frequencies, including 243.0 MHz and 121.5 kHz. (2) To maintain a specific type of watch on a radio net or circuit.
Gulch – (RN/RCN/RAN) A collection of PITs. Berthing space.
Gun Boss - WEPS.
Gun Busters - (RCN) Naval weapons ratings.
Gundeck - To mark a maintenance or PMS check as complete without doing the work. Aka 'Pencil-whipping,' especially when intentionally falsifying logs or records, filling in the blanks just before an inspection. Aka 'Radioing in' a report. May also be u sed to refer to work that is logged before it is performed.
Gunner - (1) Aviation: the CAG Weapons Officer. Responsible for the air-launched weapons. (2) Surface: Term of address for a Warrant Officer gunnery or weapons specialist.
Gunny - Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant (E-7).
Hack - (1) Informal confinement to quarters or to squadron spaces. (2) Time check, though this usage is more common to USAF than USN.
H and I - A military mission emphasizing Harassment and Interdiction of enemy forces and supply routes.
Hanging Out - (RM) Similar to CHINSTRAP (q.v.), but worse, i.e. 'Hanging out of their arses.'
Hatch - An opening in the deck, and its closure. Sometimes (incorrectly) used to mean a watertight door, which is mounted vertically in a bulkhead.
Heaving Deck - Call from the LSO to a pilot on approach that the vertical movement of the deck due to the action of wind and wave is sufficient to be a factor in the approach. Not only may BALL indications be erroneous, but upward deck movement combine d with aircraft descent rate may result in damaging impact at touchdown.
Hi-Pac - High Pressure Air Compressor.
Hold Down - In ASW, to hold contact on a sub long enough to force it to surface due to battery exhaustion or lack of oxygen aboard. Only applies to non-nuke subs.
Hollywood shower - An excessively long shower.
Hong Kong Haircut – Oral sex.
Hook Point - The part of the tailhook that actually engages the wires. It is replaced periodically, as it is worn down by contact with the deck or by field arrestment. Field traps are particularly rough on the hook point, as it is common practice to t ouch down well prior to the gear and roll into it. As the hook is held down on the deck by a pressurized snubber, wear is accelerated.
Hooky - (RN) Leading rate. So called from the fouled anchor rate badge.
Hoover - (1) S-3 Viking, so called for the vacuum cleaner-like sound of its turbofan engines. (2) Any jet aircraft, for their tendency to suck objects and debris up off the ground, especially one with a chin or beard intake, such as the A-7 Corsair II.
Horse-cock - Sandwich meat, usually served at MIDRATS, made with mystery meat masquerading as bologna or other lunch meat. The legendary 'tube steak.' Aka 'Cylindrical Sirloin', 'Fillet of Mule Tool.'
Huffer - A cart used to provide start air to an aircraft.
Hummer - (1) E-2 Hawkeye, so-called for the sound of its turboprop engines. (2) Any propeller-driven aircraft.
Hunter-killer – (1) A SAG whose primary mission is ASW; a term coined in WWII. (2) FAST ATTACK sub.
IFR - Instrument Flight Rules. Derisively, 'I Follow Roads'. An FAA-defined set of flight rules where the aircraft is under positive radar control. Legal responsibility for safe flight and collision avoidance rests with the Air Traffic Control center, although a certain amount of legal and moral responsibility always rests with the pilot(s). Has nothing to do with meteorological conditions.
Illuminate, illumination - (abb. 'illum') (1) The targeting of an object with radar, especially for weapons guidance purposes. Differs from 'PAINT' (qv) in that painting is generally used to denote detection and tracking, while illumination is generall y for guidance of missiles. (2) The lighting-up of an area with flares.
Illumination Round - Star shell
IMC - Instrument Meteorological Conditions. A set of FAA-defined criteria for inflight visibility.
Inflight Arrestment - Occurs during an arrested landing if the hook engages while the main gear are not on deck. Generally the result of a significantly non-excellent approach, visually it looks like what happens to the dog in the cartoon when he hits the end of the chain. Aircraft damage can result.
INT - Short form of the radio pro-word "Interrogative". Also used as a phrase in flag or Morse comms.
Irish Pennant - (1) (RN) Loose mop strings left in the flat. May be seen as ‘Irish Pendant.’ (2) (USN) More generically, any dangling or loose thread on a uniform, or lines left adrift or dangling from upper works or rigging of the ship.
Iron Lung - (RN) Soda dispenser filled with beer.
Jack - (1) (RN) General nickname for Royal Navy sailors. (obsolete, from 'Jack Tar') (2) The Union Jack, a small flag flown from the jackstaff on the bow of USN ships inport; has a blue field and 50 white stars. It is also flown from the yardarm when a court martial or court of inquiry is in session aboard. (3) To slowly turn the propeller shaft or shafts of a ship when engines are stopped, both to maintain the oil film in shaft bearings and to prevent shaft bowing.
Jacking Gear - The machinery used to jack a shaft. May also be used to lock the shaft.
JANFU - Joint Army-Navy Fuck-Up.
Jarhead - GRUNT.
Jimmy, Jimmy the One - (RN) First Lieutenant of a ship.
Joe Shit the Ragman - The generic dirtbag or screwup. Also seen as 'J.S. Ragman'. Aka Seaman Jones.
Joker – (Aviation) Critically low fuel state.
Joss, jossman - (RN) Master at Arms. The 'Fleet Joss' was the Fleet Chief Petty Officer Master at Arms.
Judy - Radio call signifying that the fighter has radar contact on the BANDIT and can complete the intercept without further assistance.
Ki, kai - (RN) Hot chocolate made from slab chocolate shavings mixed with water into a cloyingly sweet drink. Pronounced 'kye'.
Killick - (RN, RCN) Leading rate. Often used with the branch name or nickname, e.g. Killick Stoker, Killick Bunting Tosser.
King Neptune - The mythological God of the Sea. He always presides, with his court, at the LINE-CROSSING CEREMONY.
Knee-knockers - The coaming of a watertight door or bulkhead opening. These coamings are a foot or so off the deck. So called because they can wreak havoc on the shins of those new to a ship.
Knuckle-dragger - Any sailor whose job requires more brawn than brain. See DECK APE, ORDIE.
Laundry Queen - (submarines) A junior sailor, usually an NQP, especially if DINK, assigned to handle a division's laundry chores.
Lawn Mower - (RN) 'Flashing up a lawn mower' is used when a sailor is about to steal or woo another sailor's companion away. Cutting one's fellow sailor's grass.
Leatherneck - Marine. Derives from the historical use of a leather collar, ostensibly to protect the neck from saber cuts. Also BOOTNECK (RN), GRUNT, JARHEAD, MUDPUPPY. All terms frequently modified by Naval personnel with the adjective "fucking".
Lens (the) - See FRESNEL LENS
Light Water - AFFF.
Line-Crossing Ceremony - The ceremony which turns POLLYWOGs into SHELLBACKs. Enjoyed much more by the Shellbacks than by the 'Wogs. Held when a vessel crosses the Equator. During the ceremony, POLLYWOGS are made to go through a number of ordeals, each more disgusting than the last. These trials are conducted in full view of KING NEPTUNE and his court. Once the ceremony is completed, the POLLYWOG is now a SHELLBACK. Similar ceremonies are conducted for Orders of the BLUENOSE and REDNOSE.
Loadtoad – (1) (aviation) See REDSHIRT. (2) (surface) A small ceramic frog used as a talisman to prevent loss of the load (qv). Similar to the chicken bones used by other rates to ward off evil spirits.
Log Room - An engineering space used for engineering admin purposes, often used as the office for the engineering dept.
Lose the Bubble - Originally, to assume such an extreme up- or down-angle in a submarine that the bubble of the inclinometer is no longer visible. In common usage, to lose SITUATIONAL AWARENESS. See BRAIN FART.
Lose the load – To lose electrical power. Also seen as 'Drop the load.'
LoPac - LOw Pressure Air Compressor
LSO - Landing Signals Officer. Aka 'Paddles'. A specially-qualified pilot who observes landing approaches aboard a carrier. A pilot's 'passes' (approaches) are critiqued and graded as follows: OK ('okay underline pass') is the elusive perfect pass, and counts as 4 points. OK ('okay pass') counts 3 points. A 'no grade pass' is worth 2 points;
A 'bolter pass' (which grade can be assigned whether the aircraft traps successfully or not) is worth 1 point. A 'cut pass' counts zero points and is considered to have put ship, plane, and pilot in danger.
Lucky bag - A compartment maintained by the Chief Master at Arms where gear adrift is stored. Personnel can retrieve gear adrift items by working off EMI. If after a period of time the items are not claimed, they are sold with the funds going to the Re c Fund. Also scran-bag (RN).
MAD - (1) Magnetic Anomaly Detector; as in MAD boom, MAD bird. (2) Marine Aviation Detachment.
MADMAN - The call of the MAD operator when his gear detects an undersea object (ostensibly, a submarine).
Mail Buoy Watch - A practical joke pulled on inexperienced crewmembers and midshipmen which revolves around convincing the victim that mail is delivered to a ship at sea via a buoy.
Main Control - The engineering space from which the operations of the engineering spaces are controlled. Watchstation of the EOOW.
Main Space - The engine room.
Make a play for the deck - A maneuver guaranteed to attract the ire of the LSO, where the pilot tries to salvage a non-excellent approach with a dive for the deck and the arresting wires. Can result in damage to the aircraft, even a rampstrike. Improve s the BOARDING RATE but costs at the GREENIE BOARD.
MARDET - MARine DETachment.
Masker - A noise-reduction system which pumps air into the water from belts in the vicinity of the engineering spaces.
Matelot - (RN) A sailor. Actually, the word is French and means, literally, sailor.
Material Condition Xray - A material condition where fittings or closures (hatches, watertight doors, valves, flappers, etc.) marked with an 'X' ('X-ray, in the phonetic alphabet) must be closed. Generally seen only inport. Surface ships only.
Material Condition Yoke - Closures marked 'X' and 'Y' must be kept closed. This is the normal daylight underway material condition, and represents a minimal condition of watertight integrity.
Material Condition Zebra - All fittings and closures marked 'X', 'Y', and 'Z' must be closed. Maximum watertight integrity. "Set Condition Zebra" is the command to close all water-tight doors, hatches, and fittings throughout the ship. Usually follows the call to GQ.
Material Condition Circle William - A material condition involving ventilation fittings and machinery marked with a 'W' inside a circle. Used to control the spread of smoke in a fire belowdecks, or in preparation for an NBC attack.
Max Conserve - Signal to aircraft to use power levels appropriate for maximum endurance. 'Loiter' is similar, although loitering usually involves staying in one place. 'Max Conserve' more properly applies to an aircraft flying a long-range profile.
MCAS - Marine Corps Air Station.
MCPOC – (pronounced ‘mickpock’) Master Chief Petty Officer Of the Command. Senior MCPO assigned to the unit. Similar to the COB of a submarine.
Meatball - (obsolete) A system in which a red light was reflected off a large parabolic mirror and projected aft to provide glideslope data to the pilot on approach. In common usage today, synonymous with the luminous yellow display of the FRESNEL LENS system which replaced it.
Menopause Manor - (RN) See GOAT LOCKER.
Messcrank - aka CRANK. Food service personnel, especially nonrated personnel provided by the ship's other departments (non-Supply depts.) to perform scutwork such as busing tables, washing dishes, etc.
Mess Mother - (RN) Senior hand of the mess, responsible to the COX'N for the cleanliness and good order of the mess decks.
Mickey Mouse Book - See PIPING TAB.
Midrats - Food served at midnight for offgoing watchstanders. Usually a combination of leftovers, plus something new to round out the service.
Midwatch - A watch stood from midnight (2400) until 4 a.m. (0400).
Mike Mike – Phonetic for ‘millimeter.’
Military power - Aviation term for maximum 'dry' power, i.e. without afterburner.
MMR - Main Machinery Room.
Monkey dicks - Sausages.
Monkey on a stick - Derisive term for dish similar to satay chicken, served on skewers, by street vendors in any port of call. In third-world countries, only consumed by drunk sailors and Marines, due to questionable sanitation practices.
Monkey Fist - The complex knot surrounding (sometimes taking the place of) the weight on the end of a heaving line.
Monkey Shit - Room-temperature-vulcanizing packing material (caulking) used for stuffing tubes, etc.
MPA - Main Propulsion Assistant. Division Officer for MP Division, the group that operates and maintains the ship's main engines.
Muscle Bosun - Physical Training rating.
Mustang - An officer who has 'come up through the ranks', i.e. started out as an enlisted man and earned a commission.
NAAF - Naval Auxiliary Air Field
NAAFI - (RN) Navy, Army, and Air Force Institute. Provides canteens, shops, and other services to the armed forces ashore and afloat.
NAFOD – Abbreviation for "No Apparent Fear Of Death." What a frightened LSO writes on your grade card. Indicates consistent unsafe practices.
NALF - Naval Air Landing Field
NAM - Navy Achievement Medal. Said to be given to SONAR GIRLS for tracking a stationary object.
NAS - Naval Air Station
Nav (the) - (1) Navigator, or having to do with navigation. (2) The Navy (USN).
NavSta - Naval Station.
Navigator - Officer responsible, under the captain, for safe navigation of the ship. Aka 'Gator', 'Nagivator', 'Old Clueless'.
NBC Warfare - Nuclear/Biological/Chemical Warfare.
Neats - (RN) Straight rum (as opposed to GROG (q.v.). Also seen as 'Neaters'.
NFO - Naval Flight Officer. Derisively, Non-Flying Officer.
NJP - Non-Judicial Punishment. See CAPTAIN'S MAST.
Nonskid - An epoxy compound applied to deck surfaces to improve traction for feet and wheels. At the end of a cruise, when a flight deck's nonskid is mostly gone, not to mention oily and/or greasy, taxiing or landing can be even more of an adventure. U sually applied to all weather decks of any ship.
NQP - Non-Qual-Puke. (submarines only) One who has not yet received his DOLPHINS. Also used as a derogatory term for a Dolphin wearer who screws up on something he should have known.
Nub – Newbie, or someone who does not stand watches and is therefore deadweight to the department.
Nugget - First-tour pilot or NFO. A diamond in the rough, or at least with a few rough edges.
Nuke, nuc - Nuclear-trained crewmember, whether surface or sub.
Number 8's - (RN) Action working dress. The equivalent of US dungarees.
Nuts and Bolts - (RN) Stores rating concerned with equipment.
OBA - Oxygen Breathing Apparatus. An oxygen generating and rebreathing system used for firefighting.
OBE - Overcome By Events. Eaten by the snakes in the cockpit; the victim of task saturation. What happens to the pilot who forgets that his actions go in the following order: Aviate, Navigate, Communicate.
OD - (RN) (1) An ordinary seaman. (2) Derogatory term for anyone acting 'green'. Frequently modified with the adjective "fucking".
O-ganger - Officer.
Oh Dark Thirty - Very late at night, or very early in the morning. Aka Zero Dark Thirty.
1MC - The basic one-way communications system on a vessel. Reaches all spaces on a ship. Used for general announcements, and to transmit general alarm system signals. Control stations are located on the bridge, quarterdeck, and central station. Other t ransmitters may be installed at additional points. There are other MC and JV circuits used for communications within the ship. They are typically system-specific, i.e. weapons systems, navigation communication, engineering systems, firefighting, etc.
130-rpm fish - A form of sea life (type unknown) which makes a sound very similar to a propeller turning at 130 rpm.
Opposite Number - (RN) Anyone carrying out comparable or equivalent duties on another watch or ship.
Oppo - (RN) Friend. Aka 'Wings', 'Winger'. cf OPPOSITE NUMBER.
Orange Force - Opposing force in a wargame exercise.
Order of the Golden Dragon - Awarded for crossing the equator at the International Date Line. An event similar to a LINE-CROSSING CEREMONY is staged for the victim's benefit.
Ordie - See REDSHIRT.
Oscar - (1) The dummy used for man overboard drills. (2) The international signal flag hoisted for "man overboard".
Oolie - (Submarine) A difficult question that may not pertain to one's duties, or one that tests one's system knowledge to the limit. Also seen as Ouly or owly.
Own Goal - See BLUE ON BLUE.
Pack (the) - Aircraft ranged about the deck of an aircraft carrier, especially forward of the landing area.
Padeye - (1) A recessed tie-down point on a flight deck or a flight line. (2) Almost any anchor point on a bulkhead or deck.
Paint - To track or detect an object with radar.
Papa Hotel - Phonetic pronunciation of the flag signal 'P-H'. Acronym for "all hands return to ship".
Parrot - IFF transponder
Paybob (RN) - Supply officer, especially one responsible for accounts.
Paygrade - Alphanumeric designation corresponding to rank (officer) or rating (enlisted). Used to denote pay level or as an analog to rank/rating. For example, O-1 is an Ensign (USN/USCG) or 2nd Lieutenant (USA/USMC/USAF); an E-1 is a Seaman Recruit (USN) or Basic Airman (USAF).
Peeping Tom - An F-14 Tomcat fitted with the TARPs pod. Reconnaissance Tomcat.
Pigeons, Pigeon Steer - Heading and distance to homeplate. "Your pigeons 285 for 125 miles."
Pigging, pigged - The use of a prepared expendable ship (engines run by remote control, no crew below decks) run over a mined area repeatedly to trigger influence-type mines. The drone ship is a 'guinea pig'. An area cleared of mines is said to be "pig ged".
Pig of the Port - The least attractive member of the opposite sex brought aboard during a port visit. Awards and honors are often granted.
Pig Palace - A bar populated with ugly women, watered booze, etc.
Pilot - (RN) The navigating officer.
Pinkie - A landing occurring at first or last light which is generally counted as a night landing (night landings are logged separately).
Ping - (RM) To recognize someone or something.
Piping TAB - On submarines, a book that has all the systems drawn out. Used as a study guide. TAB stands for Training Aid Booklet, and actually there are two, one for piping systems and one for electrical systems. The systems bibles. Aka 'The Mickey M ouse Book'.
Pistol - (Aviation) An aircraft gun, whether built-in or podded.
Pit – (1) (Aviation) The back seat of a two-seat aircraft. Where the GIB sits. (2) (RN/RCN/RAN) Rack (bed).
PKP - Purple K Powder. Potassium carbonate. A dry firefighting agent that chemically prevents combustion.
Plastic Bug - Derisive term for the F/A-18, due to the large proportion of synthetic materials in its makeup.
PLAT - Pilot Landing Aid Television. Two cameras which record landings aboard the carrier. One is mounted flush in the landing area of the flight deck, one is mounted on the island. Often called upon to resolve pissing contests between pilots and LSOs.
Podunk - A small town, or one's hometown.
Police - Pick up or clean up. 'Policing the brass' would be to shine or clean brass fittings and/or fixtures or, on a firing range, to pick up expended brass.
Pollywog, polliwog - One who has never crossed the Equator and become a SHELLBACK. Aka 'wog'. Frequently modified by the adjective "slimy".
Pollywog Ceremony - See LINE-CROSSING CEREMONY.
Pongo - (RN) Soldier. May be mistakenly used to refer to a ROYAL MARINE.
Poopie Suit - (1) Blue coveralls worn by sub crews underway. (2) Immersion survival suit worn by aviators in cold-water ops.
Pork Chop, Chop – (USN) Supply Officer. From the resemblance of the collar device (actually oak leaves and three acorns) to a pork chop.
PQS - Personnel Qualification System. A method of formalizing and tracking the qualification process of personnel toward watchstation certification. Often abbreviated as 'Qual System'. Used by all warfare specialties, but has reached its ultimate in th e submarine service.
Prairie - A noise-masking system which pumps air out of holes in a screw blade to reduce cavitation noises.
Proword – Radio procedure word. Used to standardize and expedite voice radio communications.
Pucker Factor - A measure of the stressfulness of a situation. High pucker factor events are usually accompanied by 'that old sinking feeling'.
Punch Elvis - Eject.
Purchase Cable - The part of the arresting gear that connects the CROSS-DECK PENDANT to the arresting engines belowdecks.
Pusser, pussers - (RN) (1) Supply officer. (2) Anyone who goes 'by the book'. (3) Of or belonging to the Royal Navy. The term is a corruption of "Purser".
Pusser Neats - (RCN) Issue rum, rarely seen but a few bottles still exist. Aka 'Blue Label Rum', 'Instant Stupid.'
Puzzle Palace - (1) The Pentagon or, more generally, headquarters of any sort. (2) (RM) The maze of offices on any UK camp.
Qual card - A listing of necessary PQS qualification points. Each completed goal is acknowledged by the signature of the appropriate duty Chief or other authorized signer.
Queer - (1) An EA-6 Prowler, or the pilot of same, from the VAQ squadron identifier.
Rabbits - (1) (RN) Souvenirs. (2) Any unofficial job. (3) Hydraulic tracks that move weapons horizontally in a US SSN's torpedo room. (4) (RCN) Items stolen from the ship or shipyard and smuggled out the main gate.
Rack - Bed, especially the combination bed and locker found as enlisted sleeping accommodations.
Radioing a Report - See GUNDECKING.
Rain Locker - Shower.
Ramp (the) - The aftmost several feet of the flight deck. Slopes toward the water at about 45 degrees. Aka 'ROUND-DOWN'.
Ramp Strike - Occurs when an aircraft on carrier approach lands short and hits the RAMP. Damage sustained can range from loss of the hook point to destruction of the aircraft.
RAST – Recovery Assist Secure and Traverse. A mechanical aid to landing or moving helicopters aboard a small boy, especially during heavy weather.
Rate - Enlisted rank.
Rating - (1) (USN) Enlisted specialty, e.g. GSM (Gas Turbine Specialist, Mechanic), GMG (Gunner's Mate, Gun), etc. (2) (RN) Enlisted personnel.
Rattle (in the) - (RN) In official trouble, on report.
RCH - Smallest unit of linear measurement known.
Redass - Official flap about something of little consequence. A pain in the butt. "Man, that gender sensitivity training was a real redass."
Red Force – Opposing force in wargames.
Rednose - One who has crossed the Antarctic Circle.
Redout - A condition caused by excessive negative G's. Temporary loss or obstruction of vision caused by too much blood in the retinas.
Redshirt - Aviation Ordnanceman. Wears a red jersey. Responsible for loading and downloading ordnance from aircraft, and other ordnance- handling duties such as assembling and attaching guidance packages. Aka 'ordie', 'loadtoad'. Members of Crash and S mash Team also wear red jerseys.
Reheat - British term for afterburners.
REMF – Rear Echelon MotherFucker.
Rig for angles and dangles - Submarine usage: to prepare for sharp, swift dives and/or ascents, or to practice same.
Ring Knocker - US Naval Academy graduate
RIO - Radar Intercept Officer, the NFO in a fighter aircraft. Aka the 'GIB'.
ROAD - aka 'ROAD Program.' Retired On Active Duty. A (non)work strategy employed by some senior members of the naval service.
RON - Remain overnight.
Round-Down - See RAMP.
Royal Baby - The junior (or, often, the fattest) member of KING NEPTUNE's court. During the LINE-CROSSING CEREMONY, all POLLYWOGS must kiss his belly, which is usually smeared with grease, oil, or salad dressing.
Royal Marine - (RN) British Marine. "Her Majesty's Royal Marines," when they are up and dressed (seldom). Aka 'bootneck', 'jolly'.
RPO - (RN) Regulating Petty Officer.
RTB - Return To Base.
Rug Dance - Quality time spent with a senior officer or NCO, usually in a very one-sided conversation. Typical topics of discussion include one's parentage and probable eventual fate. Aka 'chewing out.'
Sandcrab - A sideways-walking, scavenging beach creature. Refers to a civilian Naval contractor or civil service.
Sandy Bottoms - (RM) The usual result of making a hot WET (q.v.) with snow.
SAPFU - Surpassing All Previous Fuck-Ups.
SAR – Search And Rescue. Pronounced as a word, not initials.
Scran - (RN) General term for food.
Scratch - (RN) The Captain's secretary.
Screw the Pooch - Mess up, especially a serious mistake.
Scrubber - On a submarine, removes or "scrubs" CO2 out of the air.
Scullery Slut - (RCN) Junior hands assigned to work in the mess decks (enlisted cafeterias) to clean dishes, serve the Chiefs, make coffee, etc. Similar to USN 'MESSCRANK.'
Scuttle - (1) A water-tight opening set in a hatch or bulkhead. (2) To intentionally sink a ship or object. (3) To punch a hole in something.
Scuttlebutt - (1) Drinking fountain; Originally, a BUTT with a hole punched in the top, used to hold drinking water for crew access in sailing ships. (2) Gossip or rumors. Originated from the habit of crewmembers of talking while at the scuttlebutt.
Sea Bat - A practical joke akin to a snipe hunt.
Sea Chest - The cavity inside a SEA SUCTION from which pumps draw seawater to circulate it, often for cooling purposes.
Sea Chicken – Derisive term for NATO Sea Sparrow. Not the same as ‘Chicken of the Sea’ (qv).
Sea Daddy - Someone who takes a less-experienced crewmember under his or her wing and expert tutelage. Often, when a CPO takes care of and educates a boot ensign.
Sea Lawyer - Someone who professes to have significant knowledge of the fine points of the rules and regs. This knowledge is often used for personal gain, or to claim why something cannot be done.
Sea Suction - Underwater opening in a ship's hull. May be several feet in diameter. Usually fitted with a grating to prevent the entry of large, unwanted objects such as divers and other sea life.
Sewer pipe - Submarine.
Shaft Alley - Engineering space aft of engine rooms, where propeller shafts pierce the hull. Location of shaft seals, etc.
Shellback - One who has crossed the Equator. Frequently modified with the adjective "trusty".
Shellback Ceremony - See LINE-CROSSING CEREMONY.
Shift Colors - When a ship moors, the national colors are broken on the stern, the Jack is broken on the bow, and the national colors ("steaming colors") are hauled down at the masthead, all as soon as the first line goes over. When the ship gets under way, as soon as the last line is cast off the dock, the Jack and colors are struck at bow and stern while the national ensign is broken at the masthead.
Shitcan - Trash can, or when used as a verb, to throw something away. Can be used to refer to people: "He was a dirtbag, so we shitcanned him to Surface Line."
Shooter – The catapult officer. The one who directs the firing of the catapult.
Short - (or short-timer) Someone whose rotation or transfer date is rapidly approaching. Can lead to usage of the term ‘FIGMO.’
Short-Timer's Chain - A length of chain carried by a short-timer, where the number of links equals the number of days remaining before discharge. Each day, the short-timer cuts off another link.
Side number - Numbers painted on the nose of an aircraft to serialize it as to type and squadron. 1XX and 2XX are fighters. 3XX and 4XX are attack aircraft. 5XX is the EW (EA-6 Prowler) detachment, 6XX is the E-2 Hawkeye detachment, and 7XX is the ASW (Viking) squadron.
Sierra Hotel - From the phonetic alphabet for SH, the polite form of 'Shit Hot'. Excellent, skilled, etc. "Man, that was a sierra hotel takeoff."
Sippers - (RN) Drinks, usually containing alcohol.
Situational Awareness - Especially in aviation, one's awareness of the surroundings, circumstances, and tactical situation, though it is used in all warfare communities. Loss of situational awareness is often fatal in combat, and can be fatal at other times as well.
Skate - (RCN) One who avoids work. See BANDIT.
Skimmer - A surface ship, or officers/crew of same. Frequently modified by members of the submarine community with the adjective "fucking".
Skive Artist - (RCN) One who avoids work.
Skivvy Waver - See BUNTING TOSSER.
Skivvy Folder - Parachute rigger.
Skosh - From the Japanese sukoshi, literally 'small' or 'little'. The F-5 was long known as the Skoshi Tiger. (1) Little or low, as in "They better get that foul deck cleared; Dave's coming in skosh fuel." (2) Fast, or quickly, as in "We need to get th is job done most skosh."
Slammer - The AIM-120 AMRAAM missile, which is in service but has not been assigned an official name, although 'Bounty Hunter' appears in some early Hughes Missile Systems documents.
Sliders - (1) Hamburgers. So greasy, they "slide". (2) (RN) Leaving early, either by departments or individually.
Sliders with lids - Cheeseburgers.
Slops - (RN) Uniforms and other official clothing for sale. The 'slop chit' is the authorization to obtain clothing from stores.
Sloshy - (RN) The cook.
Small boy - Frigate or destroyer.
Smoking Lamp - From the square-rigger days, a lamp from which personnel could light their pipes or cigars. In contemporary usage, signifies whether smoking is permitted or not. If the smoking lamp is out, no smoking is permitted.
SNAFU - Situation Normal, All Fucked Up.
Snake-eater - SEAL's and other Special Forces personnel.
Snipe - Crew members in the engineering rates; someone who works in the engineering spaces and seldom is seen topside when underway. MM's (Machinist's Mates) and BT's (Boiler Technicians) are ultimate snipes. In today's modern gas turbine fleet, also includes GSM (Gas Turbine Specialist, Mechanic), GSE (Gas Turbine Specialist, Electrician), and EN (Engineman). It is believed that true snipes cannot stand direct sunlight or fresh air, must have machine oil in their coffee in order to survive, and get n osebleeds at altitudes above the waterline. It is also firmly believed that fresh-air sailors who venture into SNIPE COUNTRY are never seen again. Aka BLACK-HAND GANG (RN), BLACK GANG. See STOKER (RN).
Snipe Country - The engineering spaces, bilges, and voids where the snipes dwell. Considered to be extremely dangerous territory for non-snipes. "The snipes will get you" is commonly used to deter sailors from going too far below decks.
Snivel - (1) A request that one not be assigned a watch or other duty (flight, etc.) due to other obligations. (2) A log for recording same, the 'Snivel Log'. (3) Whining.
Snorkers - (RN) Sausages.
Snotty - (RN) Derogatory term for a midshipman.
SNUB – Shortest Nuke Onboard
Sonar Girls - Submarine sonar operators. The rate is STS. The term is somewhat derogatory, and refers to behavioral and hygiene habits. Minus the behavioral quirks, the equivalent rates are ST (surface) and AW (aviation).
Spanner - (RN) Wrench.
Sparker, sparks - (RN) Radio operator.
SpecOps - Special Operations. Any mention of SpecOps is generally followed with "If I told you, I'd have to kill you."
Speeding Ticket - A citation written by the MAA, often for a Charley Sierra infraction such as "out of uniform."
Splash - Signifies an air-to-air kill, e.g. "Cowboy one-six, splash one."
Splice the Main Brace - Have a drink. Originated in the days of the sailing navies.
Squawk - To use an IFF transponder, or the numeric code set into such a device.
Squid - Sailor. Frequently modified by the other services, especially Marines, with the adjective "fucking".
Speed Jeans - G-suit.
Spook - Intelligence personnel.
Spud Locker - The stern gallery of a carrier. Where a really low ramp strike ends up.
Steaming as before - The beginning of a log entry made at when changing the watch. If at the beginning of the day (i.e. midnight), it is followed with a detailed narrative of ship, system, and machinery status.
Steel Beach - Barbecue on the flight deck or other weather deck. Often hosted by a department to give the cooks a break.
Stew Burner - Cook.
Still - See EVAP.
Stoker, stokes - (RN) Marine Engineering Mechanic, Technician, or Artificer.
Strangle - Shut off or disable. "Strangle your parrot" is a common call to shut off an aircraft's IFF.
Striker - Crewmember, usually a nonrate, who 'tries out' for a specific rate.
Stripey - (RN) Able rate with two or three good conduct badges.
Subby - (RN) Sub-lieutenant.
Sub - (RN) Pay advance, loan.
Suck Rubber - To use an EAB mask.
'Swain - (RN) Ship's Coxswain. Similar to the COB in the US Navy.
Sweat Grenade - Someone whose sweat pumps are always running at full speed. An excitable person, or one who takes humorous situations too seriously.
Sweet - Good, or functional. "Homeplate, I have sweet lock on your gadget (TACAN)."
Swinging Dick - Men (or personnel), as in "I want every swingin' dick in Deck Division working on the problem!"
Swinging the Lead - (RCN) To work in a lazy manner. "OS Bloggins has BIRDS for swinging the lead."
TACAN – TACtical Air Navigation. A radio navaid (navigational aid) which provides bearing and distance data to the aircraft. Slang term is ‘gadget.’
Tack - (1) A piece of rope (line) used as a blank in a signal hoist, used for punctuation or to set aside a part of the message. (2) A punctuation mark in a written or voice message, written as a dash.
Tacking On - "Tacking on the crow" refers to the practice of punching the arm of a newly-promoted PO, a practice now in disfavor due to past abuses. See CROW.
TAD - Temporary Additional Duty, as when attending a school. Generally less than 6 months. Facetiously, 'Traveling Around Drunk.'
Tallyho - Call signifying visual contact.
Target - Submarine usage: a surface vessel.
TARPS - Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod. Turns an F-14 into a ‘Peeping Tom.’
Tattletale - See "AGI."
TAU - Twin Agent Unit. On an aircraft carrier, a tractor that has been modified or purpose-built for firefighting. It has two nozzles: one sprays PKP, the other sprays AFFF.
TDU - Trash Disposal Unit. Essentially, a vertically-oriented torpedo tube used to dispose of trash aboard a submarine.
Teakettle - The nuclear engineering plant.
Texaco - Airborne tanker.
Tickler - (RN) Tobacco, especially naval issue.
Tiddly suit - (RN) Best uniform.
Tiff - (RN) Artificer. Usually used with the rate, e.g. 'Chief Tiffy'.
Tilly - (1) (USN) A wheeled aircraft crash and salvage crane on an aircraft carrier. It is typically parked aft of the island. (2) (RN) Crew bus or other transport.
TINS - "This Is No Shit." The opening line to a sea story.
Titless Wave - A (male) Yeoman. Can also be used to refer to PN's (Personnelman).
Tits Duty - Easy or sweet duty.
Tits Up - Inoperative, or broken. "It's dead, Jim." Polite forms: 'sneakers up', 'belly up'.
TLD - Thermo-Luminescent Dosimeter. Found in nuclear vessels, used to determine exposure to radiation.
TMOW - Torpedoman Of (the) Watch. Responsible for all onboard weapons systems of a submarine. This includes the safe shipping and storage of torpedoes and torpedo-tube launchable missiles. Considered by some to be a KNUCKLE-DRAGGER.
Tomachicken – Tomahawk cruise missile.
Tot - (RN) A half-gill measure of Pussers Rum. Used to be daily issue, served neat to Chiefs and Petty Officers; mixed with two parts water for other rates.
Transient - (ASW) A sudden sound emitted from a sonar contact. May be anything from a dropped wrench to the sound of torpedo or missile tube outer doors opening. Tends to generate high PUCKER FACTOR in other subs or surface ships.
Trap - (1) Arrested landing aboard a carrier. "Night traps" are night landings. "Field traps" (arrested landings on a shore base) are an entirely different kettle of fish, being nowhere near as abrupt or unforgiving. (2) (RN) Toilet cubicle. (3) (RN) A ctivity with members of the opposite sex, probably derived from some obscure analog to tailhooks.
Trim Party – A prank often perpetrated on a newly-qualled Dive Officer or Chief of the Watch, where men and other weights are shifted for and aft to affect the trim of the boat.
Tunnel (The) - Room either above or next to the reactor compartment that allows fore/aft travel.
Turn Count - Estimating a vessel's speed by counting screw beats via sonar.
Tweak - See TWIDGET.
12 o'clock reports - Reports on fuel and water, magazine temperature, and position. These reports are made to the OOD (Officer of the Deck) by the engineering officer, the weapons officer, and the navigator respectively. The OOD then reports to the CO.
Twidget - Any of the electronics/computer/communications technicians.
Two-blocked - To reach the maximum limit of something. Can also mean just right, or perfect. The term originates in the use of block and tackle for hoisting. When the two blocks touch, lifting can proceed no farther. RN/RCN is "chock-a-block" or "choke rs."
Two-and-a-half (RN) - Lieutenant Commander.
UA - Unauthorized Absence. The Naval/Marine equivalent of AWOL (Absent Without Leave).
Uder - (RN, pronounced like the cow's appendage) The stoker in charge of the fuel tanks, fresh water, and fuels reports.
UNREP - UNderway REPlenishment. The transfer of supplies, fuel, and munitions from one ship to another while at sea. Also seen as RAS (Replenishment At Sea), esp. RN/RCN.
Unsat – Unsatisfactory.
Up homers - (RN) Being invited to someone's home, especially a female's.
US – (RN/RCN/RAN) UnServiceable.
Ustafish - (1) General term for a previous submarine command one has served in. Often used as "That's not how we did it aboard the USTAFISH." Generally followed by various short comments from others present. (2) A rogue submarine manned by members of t he Sci.Military.Naval newsgroup.
Vasco - (RN) See NAVIGATOR.
VFR - Visual Flight Rules. An FAA-specified series of flight rules used when an aircraft is not under positive radar control. When flying VFR, an aircraft's pilot has sole legal responsibility for safe flight and collision avoidance.
Vittled In - Something good. OS Bloggins really vittled in when he cut the MESS MOTHER'S grass at the PIG OF THE PORT contest.
Vittler - (RCN) The stores rating who looks after issuing rations to the cooks and takes care of the ordering and storing of food onboard. From the word ‘victual’ (which is pronounced ‘vittle’).
VMC - Visual Meteorological Conditions.
Vulture's Row - The catwalks and galleries along the island of an aircraft carrier, where crewmembers often congregate to watch flight operations. RN/RCN form is "goofers" (goofing stations).
XO - Executive Officer. Second -in-command of a vessel.
WAA - Wide Aperture Array. An advanced passive ranging sonar.
Wafoo, wafu - (RN) Naval aviator; Fleet Air Arm personnel. Aka 'AIRY-FAIRY'.
Water Buffalo - (1) A water tank on wheels used by SeaBees and/or other ground forces to carry drinking water. (2) Someone who uses excessive water, such as by taking HOLLYWOOD SHOWERS (submarines).
Water Wings - Warfare qualification pin for a Surface Warfare Officer. Represented as the bow of a ship superimposed on crossed swords.
Wave – (Aviation) The actions of an LSO when he directs and monitors the landing operations aboard a carrier. Also seen as "Wave Aboard."
Waveoff - A call by the LSO directing a go-around. Unlike most calls to a pilot, a waveoff is not advisory in nature.
WEPS - The weapons officer.
Wets - (RN) Drinks.
WFW - "Waaah Fucking Waaah". Used to tell someone to quit whining.
Whinge – To whine with extreme overtones of self-pity.
Whitehat – Enlisted personnel (E-1 through E-6).
WILCO - WILl COmply. May only be used by unit commanders.
Willy Pete - White phosphorus. From the old phonetic alphabet, ‘William Peter.’
Winchester – Radio proword for "out of ammunition," whether completely, or for a particular ammunition type, e.g. "Cowboy two-six is Winchester twenty mike-mike."
Wind Tunnel - Typically, an area of a ship where the ship’s movement and natural winds combine with ship's architecture to cause significant air movement. Commonly used on old '27-Charlie' aircraft carriers.
Winger - (RCN) Mate, buddy, or pal.
Wings - The insignia of an aviator. Represented as wings flanking a shield that is surmounted over an anchor, or in the case of NFO's, two crossed anchors. "Getting (one's) wings" – achieving the status of a qualified aviator.
Wire - (1) Nautical term for what a civilian would call a cable or wire rope. (2) Cross-deck pendant of the arresting gear aboard a carrier. Numbered from aft forward, 1 to 4. In older, straight-deck carriers (ca. WWII and Korean War), there could be a s many as 20 or more wires.
'Wog - POLLYWOG.
Woop – USNA slang for West Point cadets.
WOXOF - Pronounced "walks-off". FAA/Aviation weather report terminology for 'visibility zero, ceiling zero, sky obscured by fog'. See CLOBBERED.
Wrap - (RM) Give up. "He's just wrapped his tits."
WTD - WaterTight Door.
WTF - "What/who/where the fuck?" Sometimes spoken as "What the fuck, over?" (WTFO), or spoken phonetically, "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot."
Yankee Station - One of the two positions typically occupied by an aircraft carrier off the coast of Vietnam. 'Yankee' was the northern station, tasked with disruption of commerce and logistics.
Yellow Gear - Flight deck support gear, such as power or start carts, crash gear, etc.
Zed Shed - (RM) A classroom, or any area where a lecture takes place. Probably from the British phonetic 'Zed' for 'Z' (snoring).
Zero - Officer. Derogatory. Comes from the "O" in the paygrade designation.
Zero Dark Thirty - See OH DARK THIRTY.
Ziplip - Carrier flight operations conducted under radio silence.
Zone 5 - Maximum afterburners. Afterburners on most modern aircraft can be modulated from minimum (zone 1) to maximum.
Zoomie - Air Force personnel.
Zulu 5 Oscar - Personnel making a deliberate attempt to board a ship unauthorized, usually at the direction of higher authority to test security procedures. The standard intruder drill.
ZULU Time - Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Used in radio traffic when the origin of a dispatch is expressed in GMT, i.e. "1700 ZULU".