Naval Definitions

Home

Senior Marine Instructor

Staff

1st Platoon

2nd Platoon

3rd Platoon

Gallery

Schedule

Things to Know

Naval Definitions



	Back Ground The United States Marine Corps is a direct descendant of the British Royal Marines, which was founded in 1664. In fact, many of the original Marines served in the British Royal Marines before the American Revolution. In the beginning, the Royal Marines were intended to be soldiers that could fight aboard ship, and be equally familiar with combat at sea and the ways of the sea as they were with combat ashore. However, King George II saw the need for expeditionary-type forces that could be deployed around the world from vessels of the Royal Navy and project the British influence. In 1740, King George ordered the formation of several British Marine Regiments; four of which were actually formed from men of the British colonies. These Marines fought against pirates and in Britain's war with Spain, and were often used to settle minor territorial disputes. As you may imagine, much of the word usage found in today's Marine corps not only finds its origin in that of the early British Marines, but in that of the Royal Navy. In general, naval terminology used today has not changed much in many years, sometimes in hundreds of years. These terms will be encountered throughout your involvement in the Marines Corps JROTC program.
	Afloat - Supported by the water. Also, at sea, as in "forces afloat". Aft - Pertaining to the stern or towards the rear of a ship or craft. All Hands - All those aboard ship; all personnel. Amidships - In or towards the middle of a ship or vessel. Amphibious Force - Naval landing force, together with supporting forces, trained, organized, and equipped for amphibious operations. As You Were - To continue as before. Below - Downward; below decks; downstairs. Bunk - Bed. Carry on - An order to resume or continue previous activity, usually after being called to attention. Clear - To remove stoppages or fouled gear; to remove ammunition from a gun; to get approved. Colors - Applies to the national flag or to organizational flag of dismounted unit. Also, the ceremony of raising the flag in the morning and lowering it at sunset on a ship not underway or at a shore station. Commissioned Officer - One who derives his authority from a commission under authority of the President, confirmed by the Congress. Courts Martial - Military courts of law for military personnel. Cover - Hat. Cutlass - Sword carried by noncommissioned officers for ceremonial purposes. Deck - Floor. Derelict - Abandoned vessel at sea, still afloat. Dog - Slang for soldier. Dud - An explosive, such as a bomb, that fails to detonate. Enlisted man (woman) - Military person below the rank of Warrant Officer. Ensign - The national flag when displayed onboard naval vessels, and at Navy and Marine Corps commands ashore. Also, junior-most commissioned rank in the .S. Navy. Extra Duty - Additional work assigned as punishment under the Uniformed Code of Military Justice. Field day - Cleaning day; to clean a space and prepare it for inspection. Fleet - An organization of ships, aircraft, marine forces and shore-based fleet activities, all under a commander or Commander-in-Chief. Fleet Marine Forces - A balanced force of combined arms comprising ground, air, and service support elements of the U.S. Marine Corps. A Fleet Marine Force is an integral part of a U.S. Fleet. Fore And Aft- Lengthwise of ship, from stem to stern. Forward - Pertaining to or towards the bow (front) of a ship or craft. Gangway - Move aside, get out of the way. Gig Line - Line created when the shirt edge, belt buckle edge and fly edge are in line. Geedunk - Slang for ice cream, soda, candy, etc. General Orders - Numbered directives of a general nature and wide application issued by the service department and signed by the service secretary. Grunt - Slang for infantryman; also for Marine. Hatch - Access opening on a ship or vessel. head - Toilet and/or washroom. Holiday Routine - Schedule involving no work or drills; normal for Saturday or Sunday. Hospital Corpsman - Navy person who provides medical services, under the supervision of a medical doctor. Inboard - Towards the center of a ship or vessel. Jar Head - Slang for a Marine. Keel Haul - Slang for severe reprimand; derived from ancient punishment of hauling a man from one side of the ship to the other, under the bottom, by means of ropes passed under the keel. Knock Off - To stop. Landing Force - Troops Organized for an amphibious assault. Leatherneck - Slang for Marine. Mameluke Sword - Sword carried by U.S. Marine officers. Mud Puppy - Slang for soldier. Mustang - Slang for an office who was formerly an enlisted man or woman. Muster - Roll call. Non-Judicial Punishment - punishment by a commanding officer or officer-in-charge, without trial by courts martial. Noncommissioned Officer - An officer who serves without a commission , in the rank of Corporal or Sergeant (all enlisted ranks E-4 and above in the Army and Air Force). Office Hours - A military court, non-judicial in nature, where the Commanding Officer or OfficerinCharge Hears charges and awards punishment. Referred to as "Non-Judicial Punishment" or "NJP". Old Man - The Commanding Officer of any ship, unit, or facility. On the Double - Quickly. Outboard - Away from the middle of a ship or vessel. Passageway - Corridor or hall aboard a ship. Police - To clean up an area;i.e, "police up this room." Port - The left side of a ship or craft. Quarter Deck - The ceremonial area of a ship, kept especially neat and clean. Rank - Position of an officer or enlisted person. Reefer - Refrigerator. Salty - Nautical, seagoing; sometimes means cocky. Scuttlebutt - Water fountain; also, rumor. Secure - To cease or stop an activity. Sick Call - A scheduled time at a medical facility when patients are seen without an appointment. Skipper - Commanding Officer or Officer-in-Charge. Squid - Slang for sailor. Square Away - To straighten or correct a uniform item, an individual, a place or thing. Staff noncommissioned Officer - An enlisted person with the rank of Staff Sergeant through Sergeant Major/Master Gunnery Sergeant. Starboard - The right side of a ship or craft. Swab - Mop. Turn to - Go to work. Uncover - Remove the cover (hat). Warrant Officer - An officer, senior to all enlisted personnel and junior to all commissioned officers, who derives his or her authority form a warrant issued by the service secretary. A warrant officer provides specific technical expertise in his/her field. Watch - Duty period. Zoomie - SLang for Air Force personnel.