USMC for Dummies

Being in the military and working with the military involves being immersed into a culture that is unique. The Marines have their own verbiage for everyday items and if you don’t know what they are talking about then you are truly lost. Every now and then there is a sympathetic member of the military that will take you under their wing and teach you the language. Thankfully, I found those individuals who were willing to give me the required lessons for Marine speak.

To make matters worse, I work in the supply and logistics area and this area has its own nomenclature that you have to learn. For example, the item that you screw into a light fixture is called a light bulb. In supply speak it is referred to as an incandescent bulb.

Here are some of the words that I encounter everyday that now I not only use but I understand.

Skivvy shirt – This is a green undershirt/t-shirt that Marines are required to wear. This is visible when they are wearing the uniform.

Blouse – This is the uniform top. Some people would call this a button down or top but the Marines refer to it as their blouse.

Trousers – This is the uniform bottoms. They are not called pants or slacks. Trousers is the only acceptable word.

Silkies – These are the shorts worn by all Marines when they are engaging in physical activities like running and working out. They are called this because they can either be the best thing you have ever seen on someone or they look like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird did in the NBA during the 1980’s. This is the best part about going to the gym. Oh wait, I am married. So it is a huge distraction and they should change it. Silkies work for woman, not men. Maybe one day they will change their standards slightly to allow men to cover up more of their legs.

Cover – This is their primary hat. This has a bill on the front of it.

Boonie – This is an alternative hat that they can wear and it looks like the hat the Gilligan wears on Gilligan’s Island or that which a fisherman would wear. I also wear one of these but I am a nerd.

Cami’s – This is how the Marines refer to their combat uniform if they are referring to it as a set but not individually. If they are referring to any item individually it is a blouse or trouser.

Boot Blousers – These are little straps that they wrap around their boots (or just above the boot, depending on the Marine) and they tuck the bottom of their trousers underneath this so that it forms a uniform seal around their leg. Note: Marines do not tuck their trousers into their boots like the Army does. They find this repulsive and thing that you don’t know what you are talking about.

Dress Blues – This is the formal Marine Corps uniform and it worn at any formal ceremony. They use a boatload of starch on these at the dry cleaner and having any sort of wrinkle or unnecessary crease is very taboo. Remember, the USMC requires Marines to look the part at all times. If you are sloppy then you won’t be in the Marine Corps for long.

Blood Stripe – This is what Marines have to earn when they get promoted to the rank of Corporal (E-4/Enlisted Rank 4). At this point the Marine is a Non-Commissioned Officer and has more responsibility and leadership. On their dress blues, Marines will get a red stripe that goes down the length of their trousers. When a Marine is promoted to Corporal, they get this stripe. Every other Marine will physically strike the newly promoted Corporal in the thigh so that they “earn their blood stripe.” This Corporal will be very sore and tender for a few days because other Marines in their unit will make them feel like they don’t want to walk ever again. This is an initiation rite and of course is banned by the DOD and USMC.

Blanket Party – This is when Marines will take disciplinary matters into their own hands and they will put a blanket over the head of a Marine who is not up to par and they will strike the Marine repeatedly until they feel that the Marine has learned a valuable lesson. This is also banned by the DOD and USMC.

Chevron – This is the part of the Marine insignia that signifies their rank. This is worn on their collar. This looks like a wide, upside down V. The more you have, the higher your rank. For example, no chevron means Private, one chevron is Private First Class, one chevron with two rifles crossing underneath it mean Lance Corporal, two chevrons with the rifles is Corporal and three chevrons with the rifles is Sergeant.

Rocker – As with a chevron, this is the bottom part of their rank (if they are high enough). Marines with rockers will have all of the chevrons and rifles and this looks like a half circle and it connects upward to the chevron. The more that you have, the higher your rank is. For example, one rocker is a Staff Sergeant, two is a Gunnery Sergeant, and three is a Master Sergeant. The highest rank is Master Gunnery Sergeant or 1st Sergeant and that has something completely different.

High and Tight – This is what they call their haircut. Marines don’t say they are going to the barber or they are getting their hair cut. They will say they are going to get a high and tight.

AGDAG or PAX – This is what they call the airport on a military base. Never call it the airport. Flight line is also another acceptable phrase.

Chow – This describes where you are going. You are going to chow, not breakfast, lunch or dinner. You are going to eat. You are going to chow.

Field Meet – This is like a big field day that is a competition. This is mainly done for morale and PT.

PT – This is physical training. Working out is not the same as PT if you ask the Marines.

Rifle – Never call it a weapon or a gun. It is a rifle.

Magazine – This is what Marines place into their rifle and holds bullets. Never call this a clip.

Marine – This is a title of honor and it is earned. Once a Marine, always a Marine. Never call a Marine a soldier. Seriously, bad things might happen to you if you do.

Good to go – This is the most overused phrase in the USMC and it has a variety of meanings. Sometimes it means you understand what was said. Sometimes it means you will take action. Sometimes it means shut the !@#$ up. This is paramount to the phrase “forget about it” as it was explained in the movie Donnie Brasco. Or possibly the F word. This is extremely versatile.

You now know more than you ever wanted to know about the Marine Corps. Most of this was learned the hard way over the past two months but once you speak their lingo, you are good to go.