What is your favorite military slang?

2014-01-29T17:27:33-05:00

"Embrace the suck" "I will be there in 5 mikes" "Charlie Mike" "High-speed and Low drag "What is your favorite?

Response by CW3 Catherine Stone (Hannah) made Jan 29 at 2014 5:29 PM

2014-01-29T17:29:18-05:00

Hurry-up and Wait

Response by LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® made Jan 29 at 2014 5:33 PM

2014-01-29T17:33:04-05:00

Here is an article for a US military slang glossary<div><br></div><div>http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/groundtruth-afghanistan/us-military-slang-glossary<br></div><div><br></div><div>My favorites from here: Oxygen Thief, PowerPoint Ranger, Secret Squirrel, Self-Licking Ice Cream Cone, Tango Mike!</div><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://www.globalpost.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/gp3_synimage/photos/2013-November/20131126_glossary_afghanistan3.jpg"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/groundtruth-afghanistan/us-military-slang-glossary">The definitive glossary of modern US military slang</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">The past 12 years at war in Iraq and Afghanistan have given rise to an expansive (and amazing) new military vocabulary.</div></div><div style="clear:both"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div>

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2014 5:46 PM

2014-01-29T17:46:49-05:00

<p>"Stand by for the stand by"</p>

Response by SSG Peter Ludlum made Nov 21 at 2014 2:26 PM

2014-11-21T14:26:27-05:00

Most are not PC anymore but suck it up buttercup was a good one or ate up from the neck up

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Nov 21 at 2014 3:02 PM

2014-11-21T15:02:27-05:00

Fake it til you make it

Admit nothing deny everything and make counter-accusations whenever possible.

Not sure if they are purely military but we used them a LOT.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2014 7:12 PM

2014-11-21T19:12:35-05:00

This isn't slang, but it's one of my favorite slogans: Be All You Can Be!

I came in (/grew up) with that Army motto, and I still think it's a wonderful Army (and life) philosophy.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2014 7:10 PM

2014-11-21T19:10:09-05:00

15 minutes prior to 15 minutes prior....

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2014 12:43 AM

2014-11-22T00:43:08-05:00

Lets not forget BUHICA

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2014 2:29 AM

2014-11-22T02:29:17-05:00

Charlie Foxtrot, BUFF & half a heart beat.

Response by MAJ Chris Ballard made Jan 15 at 2015 9:57 AM

2015-01-15T09:57:08-05:00

Pound sand. It's so much more PC than what you really mean. Also, "Operator head-space and timing."

Response by Cpl D L Parker made Aug 24 at 2016 10:57 PM

2016-08-24T22:57:43-04:00

My favorite slang is "gedunk" but I hear a lot of civilians using "head"

Response by SP5 Roger Henning made Mar 13 at 2017 12:17 AM

2017-03-13T00:17:22-04:00

I now hear movies say "Light em up!" Over in Vietnam, the order was "Smoke em!" Especially in the central highlands. Has it changed in the modern ground pounders to light em
Up!?

Response by SCPO Mark Jenkins made Mar 15 at 2017 4:11 PM

2017-03-15T16:11:47-04:00

BOHICA! "Bend Over Here It Comes Again"!

Response by MSG Charles Sensabaugh made Mar 15 at 2017 4:13 PM

2017-03-15T16:13:04-04:00

As a former Drill Sergeant....."Ate up like a soup sandwich", or if you were pressed for time...simply "soup sandwich".

Response by PO3 John Keas made Mar 15 at 2017 4:16 PM

2017-03-15T16:16:44-04:00

Dumber than a box of rocks.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2017 5:02 PM

2017-03-15T17:02:12-04:00

Blue falcons

Response by MAJ Raymond Haynes made Mar 15 at 2017 5:03 PM

2017-03-15T17:03:24-04:00

How about the old Marine favorites MOOSEMUS and FALKPIG

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2017 5:51 PM

2017-03-15T17:51:20-04:00

soup sandwich

Response by SSgt Christopher Britt made Mar 15 at 2017 7:13 PM

2017-03-15T19:13:47-04:00

Here comes FRED. (Called the C-5s that. F@#king Ridiculous Economic Disaster.)

Response by MSG Steve Wiersgalla made Mar 15 at 2017 9:05 PM

2017-03-15T21:05:16-04:00

O2 Tango (oxygen thief), ID 10 Tango (idiot) , Chicken Noodle Hoagie ( soup sandwich)

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2017 8:15 AM

2017-03-16T08:15:12-04:00

Soup sandwich

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2017 8:15 AM

2017-03-16T08:15:52-04:00

As effed up as a football bat.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2017 9:07 AM

2017-03-16T09:07:29-04:00

Candyass was my fav

Response by SPC Justin Foster made Mar 16 at 2017 9:17 AM

2017-03-16T09:17:53-04:00

ate up, blue falcon, combat 10, FUBAR

Response by PO2 Anthony Christianson made Mar 16 at 2017 2:54 PM

2017-03-16T14:54:42-04:00

DILLIGAFF - do i look like I give a flying fuck. ATFQ - Answer the fucking question. MOTO - Master of the obvious.

Response by PFC Canaan Bailie made Mar 16 at 2017 4:58 PM

2017-03-16T16:58:40-04:00

Get your dick beaters out of your pockets, and shut your cock holster.

Response by SSgt Bob Mobbs made Mar 16 at 2017 9:15 PM

2017-03-16T21:15:25-04:00

a couple of my favorites have always been Beaucoup Dinky Dau (I still use it) and diddy-bopping.

Response by SP5 Roger Henning made Mar 18 at 2017 1:22 PM

2017-03-18T13:22:16-04:00

I happened to be at a local Costco and when I was checking out, security was surrounding someone who was obviously not feeling well. One of the security officers replied to a manager who must have asked what was next -- "DUSTOFF CALLED, ON ROUTE". Now an ambulance was heard coming in the distance so they clearly did not call for Air Ambulance, but I had not heard that term used in decades. Is that still used in the modern day forces when a air extract is needed, or has it been replaced with other slang?

Response by Dawn Callahan made Apr 6 at 2017 3:37 PM

2017-04-06T15:37:05-04:00

SNAFU

Response by TSgt J.L. Brown Jr made Jul 19 at 2018 2:31 AM

2018-07-19T02:31:36-04:00

FUBAR

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Jan 11 at 2019 8:59 AM

2019-01-11T08:59:39-05:00

FNG, F---ing New Guy !

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Jan 11 at 2019 9:43 AM

2019-01-11T09:43:09-05:00

This operation looks like a Monkey doing a football, FUBAB, Piss up a rope, Dumber than a box of rocks, Beat your face

Response by CPL Dave Hoover made Jan 11 at 2019 9:53 AM

2019-01-11T09:53:54-05:00

"Suck It Up And Drive On" (soldiers loved it seeing I had the same name as a vacuum cleaner) "June Bug"

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Jan 11 at 2019 10:25 AM

2019-01-11T10:25:34-05:00

We have a leader on DCOs that always states "I have the stick." I get it- old flight guy, but now a med guy and your phrase sounds like a green dot nightmare.....

Response by SGT John " Mac " McConnell made Jan 11 at 2019 10:26 AM

2019-01-11T10:26:53-05:00

High and tight ! Haircut reference.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jan 11 at 2019 10:45 AM

2019-01-11T10:45:19-05:00

Zero dark thirty, two days and a wake-up.

Response by Maj Robert Thornton made Jan 11 at 2019 11:36 AM

2019-01-11T11:36:42-05:00

Wait one! SNAFU, FUBAR, KMACYOYO!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2019 12:15 PM

2019-01-11T12:15:42-05:00

You’ll pass out before you die!!!

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Jan 11 at 2019 12:34 PM

2019-01-11T12:34:06-05:00

This procedure is dumber than dirt. Used it all the time in the military, first time someone in civilian life heard me say it they looked at me like I was crazy.

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Jan 11 at 2019 1:53 PM

2019-01-11T13:53:01-05:00

Play stupid games win stupid prizes! Get wounded get a lifetime supply of medical issues and a disability check

Response by MSG Andrew Whitish made Jan 11 at 2019 2:58 PM

2019-01-11T14:58:49-05:00

MBWA - Management By Walking Around. UA the AO - Unass the Area of Operation. and of course FUBAR

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2019 3:29 PM

2019-01-11T15:29:42-05:00

LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® Field Day, Diddy Bop, Squared Away, Hump, FNG, Pop Smoke, Squat Thrust Forever, AO, Freedom Bird, SNAFU, Shit Bird, Short Timer, Gung Ho, Secure, fruit Salad, K-Bar, Maggot, Light Up, Mess Hall, Click, As You Were, Scuttlebutt, Shit on a Shingle, and the list is endless.

Response by SPC John Smith made Jan 11 at 2019 5:54 PM

2019-01-11T17:54:54-05:00

Let me break it down for you dummy style.

Don't say anything that's going to mess up your med profile and my 201 file (don't make me kick your ass).

Response by SGT Travis Holbrook made Jan 11 at 2019 10:03 PM

2019-01-11T22:03:45-05:00

Not even slang per say.. but
(mandatory fun) was always nice lol

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jan 12 at 2019 4:13 AM

2019-01-12T04:13:31-05:00

Thank you, my friend LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® for sharing an intriguing question.
KP, police call; butter bar; SOS [breakfast entree]; drop and give me 10 or 20; green girl [USMA cadet comforter]; steel pot, P-38 [can opener], dog tags, boot blouse, are some of my favorite military slang terms.
Thanks fro mentioning me, my friend Maj Marty Hogan
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen PO1 H Gene Lawrence PO2 Kevin Parker CPT Scott Sharon SSG William Jones SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL LTC Greg Henning LTC Jeff Shearer COL Private RallyPoint Member COL Charles Williams

Response by CWO3 Dennis M. made Jan 12 at 2019 6:43 AM

2019-01-12T06:43:44-05:00

There were many slang words used in the Navy, but although not actually slang, but were music to the ears of every sailor was when the ship pulled into port after a long at sea period, the finest words spoken in the Navy was "Liberty Call" over the 1MC LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU®!

Response by LTC David Brown made Jan 12 at 2019 9:16 AM

2019-01-12T09:16:40-05:00

My favorite is “sh-t in your mess kit”.

Response by SPC Mara Manzer (Spurgin) made Jan 12 at 2019 10:10 AM

2019-01-12T10:10:59-05:00

Bravo Foxtrot or Blue Falcon

Response by CWO3 Dennis M. made Jan 12 at 2019 10:16 AM

2019-01-12T10:16:53-05:00

Another one that I think may be only Navy & most likely Marines Is Gedunk! It refers to a snack, or or a place or thing that sold snacks or junk food like the roach couch. It also refereed to the National Defense Service medal. As soon as you graduated from Boot camp you got put on your Gedunk medal.

Response by SPC Mara Manzer (Spurgin) made Jan 12 at 2019 10:36 AM

2019-01-12T10:36:22-05:00

If you have rounds you have time... I don't know why that sticks in my head

Response by SPC John Smith made Jan 12 at 2019 10:38 AM

2019-01-12T10:38:42-05:00

"Let's smoke and joke, I know some jokes" Translation, give me a cigarette.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jan 15 at 2019 11:32 AM

2019-01-15T11:32:28-05:00

Mobile, agile and hostile, stay ready so you waste time getting there.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2019 9:31 AM

2019-03-24T09:31:58-04:00

Tore up from the floor up

Response by PO2 Robert M. made Mar 24 at 2019 10:25 AM

2019-03-24T10:25:39-04:00

FUBAR - or - if it ain't broke, don't fix it! LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU®

Response by CPT Scott Sharon made Mar 24 at 2019 2:15 PM

2019-03-24T14:15:26-04:00

Boo Coup

Response by MSG Frederick Otero made Mar 24 at 2019 8:49 PM

2019-03-24T20:49:04-04:00

If it is not broke there is no need to fix it.

Response by SFC Bill Kurtz made Jun 1 at 2019 1:10 PM

2019-06-01T13:10:21-04:00

Foxtrot Mike Freaking magic (clean version) DILLIGAF ? Do I look like I give a f???

Response by SPC Louis Kennedy made Jun 1 at 2019 3:51 PM

2019-06-01T15:51:36-04:00

This one is wrong but I always found funny, Meat Beaters

Response by SGT Mathew Husen made Jun 1 at 2019 4:02 PM

2019-06-01T16:02:11-04:00

Dedicated Individual Commie Killer is my favorite acronym.

Response by CPO Clifford Henry made Jun 1 at 2019 4:53 PM

2019-06-01T16:53:47-04:00

Hurry up and wait!

Response by LTC Michael Brantley made Jun 3 at 2019 3:15 PM

2019-06-03T15:15:38-04:00

Soup sandwich

Response by SPC Rob Lewis made Dec 9 at 2019 1:36 PM

2019-12-09T13:36:02-05:00

SHORT!

Response by SCPO William Akin made Dec 9 at 2019 2:09 PM

2019-12-09T14:09:16-05:00

Splice the Mainbrace

Response by SGT Terry Letzgus made Dec 10 at 2019 7:31 AM

2019-12-10T07:31:48-05:00

Soup Sandwich.

Response by SSG John Jensen made Jun 8 at 2020 7:08 PM

2020-06-08T19:08:19-04:00

FIDO - F*** It Drive On!
enlisting right after the no swearing by DIs whenever that was - my DIs had phrases that were really funny: 'you are lower than whale s***!' and others - toward the end of my time, I decided to continue in that vein: ' You Miserable excuse for dog food!'

Response by SPC James Blackwell made Jun 8 at 2020 9:31 PM

2020-06-08T21:31:22-04:00

WOMBAT ("Waste Of Money, Brains And Time")

Response by SGM Stanford Brooks made Jun 8 at 2020 10:55 PM

2020-06-08T22:55:58-04:00

Hurry up and wait

Response by SSG Harry Herres made Jun 8 at 2020 11:52 PM

2020-06-08T23:52:28-04:00

It don't mean nothing. Do it and suck it up

Response by PO1 Robert Patterson made Jun 9 at 2020 12:25 PM

2020-06-09T12:25:51-04:00

Sailors belong on ships and ships belong at sea.
Haze grey and underway.

Response by CWO3 Dennis M. made Jun 9 at 2020 1:25 PM

2020-06-09T13:25:18-04:00

To hear the following over the 1MC on ship will get your adrenaline flowing.. "General Quarters, General Quarters.... All hands man your Battle stations... Now General Quarters"

Response by Col John Madison made Jun 10 at 2020 4:38 PM

2020-06-10T16:38:36-04:00

Having used "Charlies Foxtrot" often enough, that about sums up many impractical exercises, whether they were FTX's or played on some game board/computer.

Response by TSgt Brent Strickland made Jun 10 at 2020 8:48 PM

2020-06-10T20:48:17-04:00

Embrace the suck is awesome. But I prefer, The only good day is yesterday!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2020 6:12 PM

2020-07-19T18:12:24-04:00

FIGMO - F**k it, got my orders. "Shut up and color". "We are closed to better serve you" has got to be just for the military.

Response by SSG Jason Penn made Jul 19 at 2020 8:52 PM

2020-07-19T20:52:40-04:00

My favorite is still Blue Falcon... I love it when I have to explain it to my current co-workers, because I enjoy seeing the smile they give when they finally get it.

Response by CPL Kevin Howe made Jul 19 at 2020 9:15 PM

2020-07-19T21:15:53-04:00

WETSU - We eat this s**t up!

Response by PO1 Richard Cormier made Jul 20 at 2020 6:27 AM

2020-07-20T06:27:53-04:00

Surprised I didn't see "Seagull", "Sand Crab" or "Field Day".

Seagull: Eats your food, breathes your air, squawks, and is protected by the government. Sometimes referred to as a rider onboard with no actual duties.

Sand Crabs: Contractors that come on board to rehab systems when ship pulls into port.

Field Day: Navy term for cleaning all spaces.

Response by SPC Donn Sinclair made Jul 20 at 2020 7:36 AM

2020-07-20T07:36:16-04:00

In-country radio transmission and response. "Attitude check,,,, F*ck it."

Response by 1LT Carl Kilgore made Jul 20 at 2020 12:25 PM

2020-07-20T12:25:41-04:00

TOC Jockey

Response by SSgt Kevin Harris made Jul 21 at 2020 9:14 PM

2020-07-21T21:14:29-04:00

FIGMO F**K IT I GOT MY ORDERS

Response by LTC Dave Leppanen made Jul 22 at 2020 12:34 AM

2020-07-22T00:34:00-04:00

Pogey Bait
REMF (Rear Echelon M*therf*cker)
Charlie Foxtrot
PX Ranger

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Jul 22 at 2020 12:53 AM

2020-07-22T00:53:56-04:00

Not slang, but funny: from a very good friend who was nearing retirement from Army as a LtCol. “Stop the Army, I’m getting off”. Still makes me laugh when I think of it.

Response by CW3 John Himes made Jul 23 at 2020 7:22 AM

2020-07-23T07:22:24-04:00

Short!

Response by SGT Daniel Merriman made Aug 11 at 2020 6:46 PM

2020-08-11T18:46:39-04:00

Joe shit the ragman

Response by SGT Carl Blas made Aug 11 at 2020 8:50 PM

2020-08-11T20:50:45-04:00

"Get your head out of your Ying-Yang"!

Response by SGT Charles Pederson made Aug 11 at 2020 10:53 PM

2020-08-11T22:53:12-04:00

A Marine friend calls the shower the "rain locker"! LOL every time he mentions it!

Response by PO1 Lyndon Thomas made Aug 12 at 2020 10:48 AM

2020-08-12T10:48:51-04:00

Too many to list! "IYAOYAS"

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Aug 12 at 2020 1:24 PM

2020-08-12T13:24:01-04:00

Your head space and timing is all fucked up.

Response by LTC Elaine Gullotta made Aug 16 at 2020 11:52 AM

2020-08-16T11:52:15-04:00

Embrace the suck-makes me laugh every time I hear it.

Response by SSG Jason Penn made Dec 12 at 2020 4:53 PM

2020-12-12T16:53:04-05:00

Top of my list is one I still use to this day, even in my new line of work after retiring from the Army, BLUE FALCON.

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Dec 12 at 2020 6:33 PM

2020-12-12T18:33:24-05:00

Private Smuckatelli (not sure on that spelling, but every Marine knows that one from boot camp as basically a no name Marine Recruit)

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Dec 12 at 2020 6:42 PM

2020-12-12T18:42:13-05:00

Close enough for government work!

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Dec 12 at 2020 6:43 PM

2020-12-12T18:43:00-05:00

My next duty station us "The Rock" (Okinawa)

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2020 7:19 PM

2020-12-17T19:19:56-05:00

Embrace the suck

Response by SGT Daniel Merriman made Jun 8 at 2021 3:46 PM

2021-06-08T15:46:28-04:00

Anyone remember, I set Romeo bravo over?

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Jun 8 at 2021 4:05 PM

2021-06-08T16:05:50-04:00

I have to go to the head! (If my students want to go to the bathroom during class they have to ask permission to go to the head. I don't recognize any other reference to it!)

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Jun 8 at 2021 4:09 PM

2021-06-08T16:09:14-04:00

Marine Corps Boot Camp when a recruit addresses their Drill Instructor, Do you...?
DI - Ewe, do I look like a fu*cking sheep? Do you want to Fu*k me private?

Response by SGT Daniel Merriman made Jun 8 at 2021 4:47 PM

2021-06-08T16:47:41-04:00

Def con 1. ,shit sandwich, Joe shit the ragman,duffel bag drag,was a whole more, gotta think of more .

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Jun 8 at 2021 5:22 PM

2021-06-08T17:22:55-04:00

All thrust and no vector!

Response by SPC Roger Giffen made Dec 10 at 2021 1:49 PM

2021-12-10T13:49:24-05:00

FIGMO

Response by PFC Jonathon Luken made Dec 10 at 2021 1:55 PM

2021-12-10T13:55:03-05:00

Kiss - Keep it simple stupid or stupid simple depending on the person

Response by SSG Ralph Watkins made Dec 10 at 2021 2:13 PM

2021-12-10T14:13:38-05:00

Funny how even some veterans forget their military slang while working for the VA. One of the VA docs, a former US Army major, was getting ready to retire. He only stood about 5'6". Every morning I saw him I yelled "Short!". We both laughed. Management (retired military) came down on my case. How dare you call him short, stop it. They were clueless. I simply told them "no". It's an Army thing, did they forget that slang from being up in their castle? The doctor even had a short-timer calendar in his office.

Response by TSgt David Marti made Dec 10 at 2021 2:20 PM

2021-12-10T14:20:36-05:00

Bend over grab your years and yell pop! Good! You just pulled your head outta your ass!

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Dec 10 at 2021 4:19 PM

2021-12-10T16:19:08-05:00

We never embraced the suck, it was always fuck the suck. Back when I was 21 I just assumed the Suck was Marine Corps specific.

Response by PO1 Jose Pena made May 29 at 2022 6:26 PM

2022-05-29T18:26:34-04:00

Squid
Submarine qualified until I die

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 31 at 2022 4:16 PM

2022-08-31T16:16:13-04:00

HOOAH!

Response by CPL Ed Leal made Oct 7 at 2022 11:30 AM

2022-10-07T11:30:47-04:00

Don’t mean nothing