Dictionary of Marine Corps Terms and Words Used in Vietnam

[David]

ABOARD: on base; with us.

ACTUAL: radio talk for unit commander.

ALL HANDS: everyone.

AMTRACK: amphibious tractor; landing craft.

AO DAI (Viet.): formal attire worn by Vietnamese women.

AS YOU WERE!: resume what you were doing; correction.

ASSHOLES AND ELBOWS: in a hurry; quickly.

BA MUI BA ("33"): Vietnamese beer.

BAC SI (Viet.): Doctor, used for Corpsman.

BAM: Broad Ass Marine; derogatory name for Woman Marine.

BARRACKS COVER: garrison (frame) cap.

BATTLE PIN: necktie clip.

BCD: Bad Conduct Discharge.

BELAY: stop; quit.

BILLET: assignment or job; place of residence.

BIRD: aircraft.

BLOUSE: n. jacket; v. tuck in, secure.

BLOUSING BANDS: elastic bands used to secure utility trouser cuffs.

BLUES: Dress Blues.

BLT: Battalion Landing Team.

BOONDOCKS (BOONIES): rugged isolated back country.

BOONDOCKERS: low-topped work boots issued to reservists.

BOOT: recruit.

BOO-COO: (Fr. beaucoup) much, many.

BRAIN HOUSING GROUP: your gourd, mind, brain, or head.

BRASS: officers.

BRIG: jail.

BRIG RAT: jail inmate.

BRIG CHASER: MP assigned to escort prisoners.

BROTHER: black Marine (also Splib).

BROWN SIDE-OUT: desert camouflage pattern.

BULKHEAD: wall.

BY-THE-NUMBERS: in sequence.

CANNON COCKERS: artillerymen.

CARRY ON!: resume what you were doing; as you were.

CASUAL COMPANY: unit of Marines awaiting reassignment.

CC: Corrective Custody; jail, the brig.

CHUCK: black Marine's term for white Marine.

CG: Commanding General.

CHIEU HOI (Viet.): freedom; safe conduct pass; program whereby
VC who surrendered were assured safe conduct.

CHIMPO: see choda.

CHIT: written authorization or receipt.

CHODA: same as chimpo.

CHOW: food.

CHOW HALL: mess hall.

CLICK: one notch of adjustment on a rifle.

CINDERELLA LIBERTY: time off which ends at midnight.

CO (Viet.): girl, woman.

COLORS: n. the flag; v. ceremony of raising or lowering the flag.

CON BIET? (Viet) do you understand?

C-RATS: C rations, canned field rations.

COM RATS: commuted rations; in lieu pay for meals eaten off base.

CORPSMAN: Navy medic serving with Marines.

COVER: hat.

COVER ASS: take precautions to avoid blame.

THE CROTCH: derogatory term for Marine Corps.

CRUISE: period of enlistment; tour of duty.

DECK: floor.

DEUCE-AND-A-HALF: 2 1/2 ton truck.

DI-DI (Viet.): leave, go, move out.

DI-DI MAU (Viet.): emphatic of Di-di.

DIDDY BAG: cloth, drawstring bag for small items.

DIDDY BOP: swagger; affected walk.

DINK: Vietnamese.

DINKY-DAU (Viet): crazy.

DOG-AND-PONY-SHOW: special presentation put on for visiting dignitaries.

DOUBLE TIME: quickly; at a run.

DRY FIRE: practice.

DRY RUN: practice.

DU-DIT (Viet): fuck you!

EIGHTH & EYE: Headquarters Marine Corps.

ENTRENCHING TOOL (E-TOOL): small folding field shovel.

EVERY SWINGING DICK: All hands, everyone.

EYE FUCK: scrutinize; inspect closely.

FARTSACK: mattress cover.

FIELD DAY: general cleanup of barracks.

FIELD SCARF: necktie.

FIELD STRIP: disassemble; take apart.

FIRE IN THE HOLE!: warning that explosives are about to be detonated.

FIRST SHIRT (ALSO TOP): First Sergeant.

FLOAT PHASE: sea deployment of a Marine unit.

FMF: Fleet Marine Force.

FOUR-BY: light truck.

FRONT LEANING REST POSITION: pushup position ("the Position").

GALLEY: kitchen.

GANG WAY!: stand back! move away!

GEDUNK: sweets or a store that sells sweets.

GEAR: equipment.

GI CAN: garbage can.

GIZMO: gadget; anything that defies discription.

GOURD: head; where you hang your cover.

GREEN SIDE-OUT: woodland pattern camouflage.

GRAB A HAT: leave.

GRINDER: parade ground.

GUIDON: pennant bearing unit designation.

GUNG HO: lit. work together; (from Chinese) highly motivated.

GUNGY: gung ho.

GUNNY: Gunnery Sergeant.

GRABASS (ORGANIZED GRABASS): play; sports, frivolous activity.

GREEN MACHINE: Marine Corps.

HAM: Hairy Assed Marine; male Marine.

HAM AND MOTHERS: "Ham and Motherfuckers;" generally detested C-ration meal
posing as ham and lima beans.

HATCH: door.

HARD CHARGER: motivated Marine.

HEAD: toilet.

HIGH-AND-TIGHT: standard Marine haircut; shaved sides and short on top.

HOLLYWOOD MARINE: San Diego MCRD graduate.

HOOCH (Jap.): any kind of shelter, residence.

HONCHO (Jap.): boss; man in charge.

HOUSE MOUSE: Drill Instructor's go-fer.

HUMP: to march; to carry; to be burdened with.

HUSS: a favor; a break e.g., "gimme a huss;" archaic name for HU34D helicopter.

INCOMING!: hostile fire being received!

IRISH PENNANT: string dangling from clothing indicating unkempt appearance.

ITR: Infantry Training Regiment.

JARHEAD: Marine.

JIBS: teeth, esp. front incisors, e.g., "I'll bust your jibs."

JING (also jing-wa, Jap.): change; money.

JOE SHIT THE RAGMAN: bad example, un-squared-away Marine,
boyfriend of Rosy Rottencrotch.

JUNK-ON-THE-BUNK: complete clothing and equipment inspection
(also Things-on-the-Springs) laid out on the rack.

K-BAR: Marine-issue fighting knife.

KLICK: kilometer.

LADDER (or ladderway): stairs.

LAI DAY (Viet.): come here!

LEAVE: authorized absence of more than 24 hours.

LIBERTY: authorized absence of less than 24 hours.

LOCK AND LOAD: arm and ready your weapon; get ready!

MAKE A HOLE!: stand back! gang way!

MAGGIE'S DRAWERS: red disc used on the rifle range to signify missing the target.

MOS: assigned job specialty.

MUSTANG (Mustanger): enlisted man who becomes an officer.

NON-QUAL: Marine who fails to fire a qualifying score at the rifle range.

OFFICE HOURS: summary court marshall, official inquiry or reprimand.

OFFICE POGUE: desk-bound Marine.

ONTOS: armored tracked vehicle mounting six 106 mm recoiless rifles.

OUTSTANDING!: exceptional; well done!

OVERHEAD: ceiling.

OVER THE HILL: absent without authorization.

OVER THE HUMP: more than halfway through enlistment.

PASSAGEWAY: corridor; hallway.

PIECE: rifle.

PISS CUTTER: envelope-shaped overseas cap.

PISS-AND-PUNK: bread and water punishment.

PISS TUBE: field urinal; rocket launcher (bazooka) which resembles one.

POGUE: lazy individual, also office worker.

POGEY BAIT: candy, sweets.

POLICE CALL: time allocated to clean up an area.

POLICE UP: clean up.

POOP (also dope, scoop): information.

POP-FLARE: hand held and launched aireal illumination flare.

PT: Physical Training; exercise.

QUARTERS: living space.

RACK: bed, bunk.

RAPPEL: descend from cliff or helicopter by rope.

RECON (also Force Recon): Force Reconnaissance Marine.

ROMP 'N' STOMP: to drill, march.

ROUND: bullet or artillery or mortar shell.

RUBBER LADY: inflatable air mattress.

SALT: experience; an old-timer Marine.

SALTY: smart-mouthed; opinionated.

SCOSHI (or scosh'): small, short, a little bit.

SCUTTLEBUTT: rumors; a drinking fountain.

SEABAG: duffle bag.

SEA DUTY: billited aboard a ship.

SEA GOING BELLHOP: derog. for Marine, from Marines assigned to the bridge
of a vessel.

SEA STORY: a lie or an exaggeration.

SEA LAWYER: self-appointed expert.

SECURE: tie down or make fast; also to recycle or dispose of;
to put something in its proper place; to desist.

SEVEN-EIGHTY-TWO GEAR: field equipment; canvas web gear.

SHIT BIRD: messy or undisciplined; a fuck up.

SHIT CAN: (v) to dispose of; (n) garbage can.

SHORT: nearing the end of a tour of duty or enlistment.

SHORT ROUND: ordnance which is landing short of the intended target.

SHORT TIME: a very brief love affair.

SHORTTIMER: Marine nearing the end of an enlistment period.

SICK BAY: clinic or hospital.

SIX-BY (six-by-six): standard three-axle truck.

SIX-SIX-AND-A-KICK: The ultimate General court marshall punishment consisting
of six months forfeiture of pay, six months hard labor,
and a dishonorable discharge.

SKIPPER: captain; commanding officer.

SKIVVIES: underwear.

SKIVVIE HONCHO: a lothario; a ladies man.

SKIVVIE HOUSE: brothel.

SLOPCHUTE: diner; restaurant.

SMOKING LAMP: authority to smoke when it is lit.

SNAP IN: practice, esp. on the rifle range.

SNOOPIN' AND POOPIN': reconnoitering.

SNOT LOCKER: nose.

SOUND OFF!: assertively voice.

SORRY 'BOUT THAT!: assertion of mock apology.

SPUD LOCKER: pantry.

SQUAD BAY: barracks.

SQUARED AWAY: neat, orderly, organized.

SQUID: (derog.) sailor.

STACK ARMS!: command given to place 3 rifles in a pyramid.

STACKING SWIVEL: appendage near muzzle of rifle allowing stacked arms; neck.

STAND BY!: prepare.

STANDBY: waiting status.

STARCHIES: starched utilities.

STROKE BOOK: porno magazine.

SURVEY: dispose of; recycle.

SWAB: mop.

SWABBIE: sailor.

TI TI (Viet.) (pron. tee-tee): little, small.

TOP: Sergeant Major.

TOPSIDE: upstairs; on deck.

TROPS: khaki tropical summer dress uniform.

TURN TO: begin work.

UA: Unauthorized Absence.

UD: Undesireable Discharge.

UTILITIES: olive drab field uniform.

WILLIE PETER: white phosphorus.

THE WORD: confirmed official information; the straight scoop.

ZERO-DARK-THIRTY: pre-dawn; early.

[82Rigger]

a few more...

782 GEAR

BLOOD STRIPE

SECTION EIGHT


I'll let one of the Gyrenes tell ya what they mean.

[Yossarian]

Don't forget REMF

[MarineAO]

Originally posted by 82Rigger a few more...

782 GEAR = Web Gear, Canteen, Firstaid Kit etc

BLOOD STRIPE = Red Stripe down the side of dress blues troursers

SECTION EIGHT = Nut Case


I'll let one of the Gyrenes tell ya what they mean.