ALL HANDS - The entire ship’s company, both Officer and Enlisted.

 

ALLOTMENT - An amount of money a Sailor has coming out of regular pay.

 

AVIATION BOATSWAIN'S MATE - Aviation Boatswain’s Mates (AB) work with naval aircraft on land and on flight decks at sea, specializing in anything from aircraft launch and recovery (ABE) to aircraft fueling (ABF) to aircraft handling(ABH).

 

AYE, AYE - Response acknowledging the understanding of a command/statement.

 

BARRACKS - A building where Sailors live when ashore.

 

BELOW - Downstairs, like the next deck below.

 

BLACKSHOE - Non-aviation rate for Enlisted personnel as well as Officers. A “shoe” is a ship driver/Surface Warfare Officer.

 

BLUE NOSE - A Sailor who has crossed either the Arctic or Antarctic Circle. Also applies to Officers.

 

BOATWAIN'S MATE - The oldest rating in the Navy, Boatswain's Mates (BM) are "jack-of-all-trades" Sailors who perform general seamanship duties on board Navy ships - everything from ship maintenance to loading/unloading cargo and supplies and are specialists in line handling, knots, and small craft piloting.

 

BOW - The forward part of a ship or boat.

 

BRIGHTWORK - Brass or shiny metal kept polished rather than painted.

 

BROWNSHOE - Aviation personnel.

 

BULKHEAD - The wall.

 

BUNK - A bed.

 

BUOY - An anchored float used as an aid to navigation or to mark the location of an object.

 

CARRY ON - An order to resume work or duties.

 

CAST OFF - To throw off, to let go, to unfurl.

 

CHAIN LOCKER - Compartment in which anchor chain is stowed.

 

CHIT - Forms used to request taking leave, a day off, etc.

 

CHIT BOOK - Coupon or receipt booklet.

 

CHOW HALL (MESS DECK) - A place to eat.

 

COLORS - Raising and lowering of the National Ensign, the American flag and organization flags.

 

CUP OF JOE - A cup of coffee. Named after Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the Navy 1913–1921, who under General

Order 99 in June 1914 prohibited the use of alcohol on board U.S. Navy ships.

 

DECK - The floor.

 

DEEP SIX - To dispose of or throw away.

 

ENLISTED - The general work force of the Navy and Navy Reserve – generally requires a high school diploma (or GED) as a minimum educational requirement, completion of Recruit Training and training in an occupational specialty area.

 

ENSIGN - The rank of an Officer between Chief Warrant Officer and Lieutenant Junior Grade.

 

FAST - Snugly secured.

 

FATHOM - A unit of length equal to 6 feet used for measuring the depth of water.

 

FIELD DAY - Full-blown cleaning, sort of like spring cleaning in overdrive.

 

FIRST LIEUTENANT - The Officer responsible to the XO for the deck department/division aboard ship.

 

FLAG OFFICER - Any commissioned Officer in pay grade 0–7 or above.

 

GALLEY - The kitchen.

 

GANGWAY - An opening in the bulwark or lifeline that provides access to a brow or accommodation ladder; when

shouted means to get out of the way.

 

GEAR LOCKER - A storage room.

 

GEEDUNK - Candy, gum or cafeteria, sometimes called pogey bait.

 

GENERAL QUARTERS - Battle Stations.

 

GRAD AND GO - A Boot Camp graduate who leaves for the next duty station three hours after graduation.

 

GROUND TACKLE - The equipment used in mooring or anchoring a ship.

 

HATCH - The door.

 

HEAD - The restroom.

 

JACK BOX - Access box to sound-powered phone circuitry.

 

LADDER - A device to move personnel from one level to another. Stairs.

 

LEAVE - Authorized absence, like vacation.

 

LIBERTY - Permission to leave the base, usually for not more than 48 hours.

 

LIFELINE - Lines erected around the weather decks of a ship to prevent personnel from falling or being washed over the side.

 

MARLINSPIKE - A life-size model ship where recruits practice mooring, line handling, putting out to sea and other aspects of basic seamanship.

 

MESS DECK - The crew’s dining area.

 

MESS DUTY - A 90-day obligated duty working on the mess decks when first reporting aboard. (aka MESS-CRANK’N)

 

MID-WATCH - The midnight watch, the most dreaded watch because one loses the most sleep out of the rotation.

 

NAVY RESERVE - Reserve component of the U.S. Navy in which part-time Sailors and Officers are called into Active

Duty, or mobilized, as needed.

 

OFFICER - The leadership and management team of the Navy and Navy Reserve – generally requires a degree from a four-year college or university and completion of an Officer Training program.

 

OMBUDSMAN - Volunteer who is the well-trained link between Sailors and their families.

 

OVERHEAD - The ceiling.

 

P-DAYS - “Processing days.” When recruits first arrive at Boot Camp, they are issued initial equipment, uniforms and supplies.

 

PASSAGEWAY - A hallway.

 

PORT - A place on a waterway with facilities for loading and unloading ships.

 

PORT SIDE - The left side of a nautical vessel.

 

QUARTERS - Assembling all hands for muster. Also refers to a home on base, a residence.

 

RACK - A bed.

 

RATING - A job specialty title.

 

REVEILLE - A signal signifying the start of a workday.

 

RICKY - A recruit.

 

SCULLERY - A place to wash dishes.

 

SCUTTLEBUTT - Originally meant to describe a water fountain. Quickly became a place Sailors would gather and talk.

Term now used primarily for rumors and rumor control.

 

SECURE - To stop or quit work.

 

SICK BAY - Medical facility located in a hospital, aid station or on board ship.

 

SNIPE - Anyone who works in the Engineering department.

 

STARBOARD - The right side of a nautical vessel.

 

STERN - The aft part (rear) of a ship or boat.

 

SWEEPERS - Cleaning ritual that involves sweeping assigned areas.

 

SWAB - A mop.

 

TAPS - Lights out, time for sleep.

 

TURN TO - Begin work.

 

SWO - Surface Warfare Officer Navy Officer who, operate and manage a surface ship such as destroyers and cruisers.

 

TAD - Temporary Assignment Duty.

 

WORKING ALOFT - Working above the highest deck, generally performing maintenance on the ship’s mast.

 

UCMJ - Uniform Code of Military Justice The foundation of all military law in the United States, applicable to all members of uniformed services of the United States.

 

URL - Unrestricted Line Officer, Officer of the line in the U.S. Navy who is qualified to command ships, subs and aviation units and can rise to high Navy leadership positions such as CNO.

 

USN - United States Navy, The sea branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.

 

USNA - United States Naval Academy. The undergraduate college in Annapolis, Maryland, that educates and commissions Navy Officers and Marine Corps Officers.

 

WSO - Weapons System Officer Specific to the F/A-18F and F/A-18D aircrafts, an Officer who specializes in airborne weapons and sensor systems.

 

XO - Executive Officer Naval Officer who is second in command, reporting to the Commanding Officer (CO).

 

AO- Aviation Ordnanceman

 

ASTB - Aviation Selection Test Battery

 

ASVAB - Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test administered by the military to determine qualification for enlistment in the Armed Forces.

 

BMT - Basic Military Training Initial instruction given to new military personnel.

 

BS - Battle Stations, The final test at Boot Camp that determines the passage to becoming a U.S. Navy Sailor. On board ship, a location and conditions to respond to when under attack or experiencing an emergency such as a fire.

 

BUD/S - Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL A SEAL training course that develops mental and physical stamina as well as leadership skills.

 

BUPERS - Bureau of Navy Personnel, Organization served to provide administrative leadership, policy planning and general oversight of the Navy.

 

CB - Construction Battalion (Seabees)

The Navy community of construction workers.

 

CDR - Commander Navy Senior Officer rank (0–5).

 

CEC - Civil Engineer Corps Officer corps that oversees the construction, renovation, maintenance and building of Navy projects all over the world.

 

CNO -Chief of Naval Operations The highest ranking Officer in the U.S. Navy.

 

CO - Commanding Officer A commissioned Navy Officer in charge of a designated Navy command.

 

CREO - Career Reenlistment Objectives

 

DEP - Delayed Entry Program Program that allows recruits to join the Navy but postpone reporting for duty for up to a year.

 

DOD - Department of Defense Federal department in charge of organizing and supervising all agencies related directly to national defense, specifically the Armed Forces.

 

DON - Department of the Navy Department established by Congress to provide support and leadership to the U.S. Navy.

 

EAOS - End of Active Obligated Service Date at which one’s Naval service has been officially completed.

 

EOD - Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians tasked to safely dispose of explosive materials.

 

FAC - Forward Air Controller An individual who directs the action of military aircraft engaged in close air support of land forces.

 

FMF - Fleet Marine Force, HM; Hospital Corpsman Enlisted Sailor tasked with assisting Navy Medical Officers in providing medical care to Navy and Marine Corps personnel and their families.

 

JAG - Judge Advocate General

Corps that provides legal services and advice in all legal matters involving the Navy or the Command.

 

JTF - Joint Task Force The combination of more than one military service.

 

LSO - Landing Signal Officer Naval Aviators specifically trained to facilitate the safe recovery of aircraft aboard aircraft carriers.

 

MCPON - Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy The senior most Enlisted member of the U.S. Navy. MEPS Military Entrance Processing Station Station where recruits take the ASVAB, physical exam, select a rating and take the Oath of Enlistment.

 

NEX - The Navy Exchange A department store for military personnel and their families.

 

NFO - Naval Flight Officer Officer who specializes in aircraft weapons and sensor systems (2nd seat in the cockpit).

 

NKO - Navy Knowledge Online

 

NROWS - Navy Reserve Order Writing System

 

NRC - Navy Recruiting Command Main headquarters for Navy recruiting, located in Millington, Tennessee.

 

NROTC - Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps A college scholarship program used to recruit future commissioned

Officers for the Navy and Marine Corps.

 

NSAWC - Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, Center that provides training and service to aircrews and squadrons.

 

OCS - Officer Candidate School A 12-week training program designed to give Officers a working knowledge of the Navy. It is the equivalent to Officer Boot Camp.

 

OIC - Officer in Charge, A commissioned Navy Officer in charge of an organization, facility or function, responsible for a group of Officers and Sailors in the organization.

 

PAO - Public Affairs Officer, Officer responsible for preparing and disseminating information relative to military operations through news releases, photographs, radio and television, and other informational material.

 

PFA - Physical Fitness Assessment, A required basic physical test conducted to determine the physical fitness of Navy personnel.

 

PIR - Pass-in-review Boot Camp graduation.

 

PRD - Projected Rotation Date Date on which a Navy Officer or Sailor’s next duty station is established based on their pay grade and community.

 

PRT - Physical Readiness Test A required basic physical test conducted to determine the physical fitness of Navy personnel.

 

RDC - Recruit Drill/Division Commander, Sailor responsible for training recruits at the Navy Recruit Training Command (RTC).

 

RL -Restricted Line, A Line Officer is a commissioned Officer who is not eligible for sea command.

RTC

 

Recruit Training Command - Campus located in Great Lakes, Illinois, where Navy recruits train to become Sailors. Also known as Boot Camp.

 

SEAL - Sea-Air-Land (Team) - Members of the Navy Special Operations Force who specialize in direct action and special reconnaissance missions.

 

SECNAV - Secretary of the Navy Civilian head of the Department of the Navy, responsible for conducting all affairs related to the Department.

 

SIQ - Sick In Quarters, Term used when a medical condition or injury is such that in-hospital care is not required to return the patient to a full- or limited-duty status.

 

SWCC - Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman (pronounced: swick) Navy Special Operations Force member who operates the inventory of boats used for mission support.