Military Language Conversion Chart
Terminology and nomenclature, argot and cant, jargon and lingo can be confusing. One reason the military has trouble coordinating joint operations is that the different services don't speak the same language.
Army personnel would follow a checklist written in a notebook. They would occupy the building, so that no one could enter, and nothing could leave.
Marines, following a plan written on the palm of their hands, would assault the building, capture it by close combat, and defend it with suppressive fire.
If Navy personnel were told to "secure a building", they would, following a checklist written on a clipboard, unplug the equipment, turn off the lights, lock the doors, and depart.
The Air Force, on the other hand, following a protocol printed on a portable computer, would "secure a building" by taking out a three-year lease on it, with an option to buy.
| NAVY / USMC | ARMY | AIR FORCE |
|---|---|---|
| Dept. of the Navy | Dept. of the Army | DoD Lite |
| Base | Post | Neighborhood |
| Midshipman | Cadet | Débutant |
| Seaman / Private | Private | Bobby / Suzy |
| Chief / Gunny | Sergeant | Bob / Sue |
| Captain / Skipper | Colonel | Robert / Susan |
| Shipmate / Marine | Battle Buddy | Honey (Don't Ask, Don't Tell) |
| Salute | Salute | Wave |
| Head Gear / Cover | Hat / Beret | Lid / Topper |
| Utilities / Digitals | BDUs / ACUs | Sportswear / Casuals |
| Skivvies / U-Trau | Underwear | Undies |
| Zoom Bags | Flight Suit | Business Casual |
| Boondockers | Boots | Birkenstocks |
| Low Quarters | Low Quarters | Patent Leather Pumps |
| Ground Grabbers | Athletic Shoes | Flip-Flops |
| Obstacle Course | Confidence Course | Class VI Parking Lot |
| Grinder / Drill Field | Parade Ground | Playground |
| Rack | Bunk | Single with ruffle and duvet |
| Berthing / Barracks | Barracks | Apartment |
| Head | Latrine | Powder Room |
| Ge-Dunk | Pogy-Bait | Chuck E. Cheese |
| MRE | MRE | Happy Meal To Go |
| Mess Deck / Galley | Mess Hall / Mess | Café / Delicatessen |
| Mess Tray | Mess Kit | Dinnerware |
| Steward / Slops Server | Mess Cook / Cookie | Chef / Garde-Manger |
| Coffee / Mud | Coffee / Joe | Cappuccino / Mocha |
| Bug Juice | Kool-Aid | Shirley Temple |
| Captain's Mast | Article 15 | Time Out |
| Shore Patrol / MP | Military Police | Security Service |
| Brig | Stockade | Day Room |
| Confined | Arrested | Grounded |
| Ship's Store / BX | PX / Canteen | AAFES Shopping Mall |
| Quartermaster | Supply | Procurement |
| PT Test | APFT | R & R |
| Liberty | Pass | Personal Time |
| TAD | TDY | Household Move |
| Cruise / Float | Deploy | Huh? |
| Signals | Commo | Com-Link |
| Intel / Poop | Intel / Gouge | Rumor / Skinny |
| SEAL / Force Recon | SOF | Dweeb |
| Terminate / Kill | Take Out | RTB for Happy Hour |
| Hard-Core | Strac | Lighten-Up |
| Oouh-Rah! | Hoo-ah! | Hip-Hip Hurray! |
| Duty, Honor, Country | Duty, Honor, Country | Perks, Privileges, Prestige |
| Die for your Country | Die for your Battle Buddy | Die for Air Conditioning |
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