Billy Ray in Cowtown

Scarlett Grace

2011-05-22T21:28:00.002-05:00

Beautiful grandbaby!

More Scarlett

2011-04-04T21:23:00.002-05:00

Scarlett

2011-04-04T21:09:00.002-05:00

Modeling career should begin now

2010-09-01T13:53:00.001-05:00

Puddn's first day of First Grade

2010-08-25T19:32:00.000-05:00

After three long years

2010-07-22T20:47:00.002-05:00

Looks like we may finally get to see my wife's youngest three granddaughters.

2010-07-19T05:03:00.000-05:00

Hybrid Elephant Ears! Mojitos are Too Cool.

2010-06-07T18:47:00.003-05:00

Did not know there existed such exotic stuff as these. Hope they live and make more bulbs!

Time to play Cowoys and Muslims

2010-06-02T21:53:00.000-05:00

Not yet two years old and using an iPad!

2010-05-22T20:41:00.001-05:00

Rough day on the job

2010-05-21T12:02:00.000-05:00

Popasmoke Reunion in Reno, July 2010

2010-05-17T10:29:00.002-05:00

Looking forward to driving out to Reno with an old Marine buddy this summer to drink beer and tell lies with the other Marine Corps Combat Helicopter Association guys. Gonna make a swing by KFRAN's house afterwards and get some good grandbaby time with Her Highness!

Chinese Spam

2010-05-10T17:15:00.004-05:00

To the Chinese spammer who keeps making "comments" not in the language of the free world - English..... STFU. You no more send spam! Go 'way!

My Mother, My Granddaughter

2010-05-02T10:39:00.000-05:00

Missing this grandbaby. We were so close.

2010-04-29T21:16:00.003-05:00

Striking a pose

2010-04-24T00:37:00.004-05:00

Sikorsky CH-37 "Deuce"

2010-04-22T09:19:00.002-05:00

What a machine!

Easter chick

2010-04-19T08:26:00.000-05:00

KFRAN's first "school" pictures

2010-04-09T13:17:00.001-05:00

Dangerous

2010-03-29T21:57:00.000-05:00

First day of spring in North Texas

2010-03-20T19:45:00.002-05:00

Snow on the ground Sunday morning, 70s by mid week

Fess Parker, one of my childhood heroes - gone

2010-03-18T21:36:00.001-05:00

Ugly Angel

2010-03-13T07:53:00.001-06:00

This thing is going to fly again. Repaint, check out engine, refurb & refit as a Marine Corps UH34D, paint as an HMM362 Ugly Angel bird, and hopefully fly it around Dallas.

Ashes, ashes, all fall down!

2010-03-06T10:06:00.001-06:00

Apparently, Her Highness enjoys playing the dance game about the plague?

KFRAN's baby doll "crime scene"

2010-03-04T21:54:00.001-06:00

This 20 month old kid is laying out her dolls and stuffed animals like crime scenes. Don't tell me babies don't absorb everything that goes on around them.

KFRAN watches cop shows

2010-02-28T17:20:00.001-06:00

You wouldn't think a 20 month old could understand but she started laying her stuffed animals out on the floor with butler cloths over them like they are deceased. I added the chaukline around Piglet's body as she arranged him.

Srpoingo

2010-02-22T21:39:00.001-06:00

Gypsy

2010-02-20T23:22:00.003-06:00

Lucy On the Rocks

2010-02-20T21:50:00.000-06:00

Contrast

2010-02-19T22:18:00.002-06:00

Forgot about the prickly pear flower we were suprised with last summer. A week ago we had the most snowfall ever to hit Fort Worth. Now they say we may get some more snow this week. I hate snow!

Daughter and Mom

2010-02-18T11:04:00.001-06:00

Little wonder KFRAN is so pretty. Look at her mom. She's still a beautiful red head!

Wesley's birthday was yesterday.

2010-02-15T23:14:00.002-06:00

Wesley is a freshman at Motley County High School. Sure would like to see him sometime soon.

How to survive snowstorm in Fort Worth

2010-02-14T13:19:00.001-06:00

Pootie, Black Bear and Lucy "trying to get thru the storm." Notice that I lost my seat...

Nowhere but Teas

2010-02-13T23:05:00.000-06:00

Spike, the hog dog, truck surfing.

COWTOWN all time record snow: 12+"

2010-02-12T09:50:00.002-06:00

Winnie, the three-legged Brittany Spaniel and June, the dumpster terrier trying to find the bits of old feta cheese I tossed into the drift in the back yard. Real pretty snow early this morning. It looks best in first light of the day.

Snow in Cowtown Feb 11, 2010

2010-02-11T10:13:00.002-06:00

From this:

To this

New sensitivity form

2010-02-10T15:48:00.000-06:00

Marines

2010-02-09T23:58:00.005-06:00

Marine "Persuasion"

2010-02-09T11:51:00.004-06:00

Marine Motivators 1

2010-02-08T22:41:00.004-06:00

Welcome aboard

2010-02-07T21:27:00.003-06:00

Satie, Mary, Lbooth & Nickie, welcome to my little blog. Been busy with homework for school.

I am hoping to apply for a gummint job, so you might notice I scrubbed all the politics off this blog, for obvious reasons. Can't be too careful. I 'magine once I start running my mouth in school, SOMEBODY's going to decide to check me out and look for evidence of a Tea Party. noam sain?

Blue Eyes

2010-02-06T21:07:00.002-06:00

1949 to 2010

2010-02-02T23:39:00.001-06:00

Kat and Boo in San Fran

2010-01-31T22:56:00.003-06:00

Kat and Boo (grandad) in SF. Guess where I left my heart!

The best reason to travel to California

2010-01-28T14:42:00.001-06:00

Headed to San Jose to see KFRAN

2010-01-26T10:32:00.001-06:00

Gonna do some granddad babysitting with Katharine! Taking two cameras, just in case.

The Men of Marine Air Group 16

2010-01-21T20:16:00.002-06:00

My first shot at a video

2010-01-20T22:16:00.003-06:00

Doughboy obituary

2010-01-17T22:09:00.003-06:00

Doughboy meets three stooges

2010-01-17T21:05:00.002-06:00

My girls in San Jose

2010-01-16T22:12:00.002-06:00

My awesome daughter - the horse lady

2010-01-13T20:46:00.002-06:00

This young lady can handle any kind of animal. Horses, dogs, cats, ducks, parrots. She even named the appaloosa after her older sister.

I love you, Baby.

Old Czech Lodge in Bryan, Tx.

2010-01-11T10:03:00.001-06:00

Looking for descendants of these Schmada folks

2010-01-10T22:39:00.002-06:00

Long Lost Family

2010-01-10T19:39:00.002-06:00

My grandparents had these photos ever since they received them back in 1901 from some cousins and friends who moved to Kansas from Texas. I had one last name, a Czech name and the city and state where the photography studio was. Did a people search and the first person by that name answered the phone! Found cousins after 108 years!

Snow in Cowtown on Jan. 29, 2009

2009-12-29T17:19:00.000-06:00

Texas Girl's First Pair of Boots

2009-12-27T20:06:00.000-06:00

Not 'fraid of Santa!

2009-12-21T20:24:00.001-06:00

No fear in this kid.

Christmas Eve, 41 Years Ago

2009-12-18T12:45:00.000-06:00

2010 Hooters Calendar

2009-12-18T08:52:00.001-06:00

More Great Great Grandparents

2009-12-17T23:03:00.003-06:00

Great Great Grandma and Grandpa Hudec. Moravian (Czech) immigrants. I let my son take this old curved glass photo to school and they piled books on top of it and broke it. I kick myself for risking this precious piece but maybe somebody knows how to restor old photos.

Company D, 63rd Alabama Infantry, CSA

2009-12-14T08:38:00.003-06:00

My Great, Great, Great Grandparents. Randall & Susanah

Day after Pearl Harbor Day

2009-12-08T11:20:00.001-06:00

Cut & Run is not an option - EVER

Curtains for Nebraska - on to Pasadena & BCS

2009-12-06T15:54:00.001-06:00

Top 15 Tiger Jokes

2009-12-04T13:22:00.002-06:00

Top 15 Tiger Woods Jokes
15. Tiger’s car still runs, but it goes “putt, putt, putt…”
14. Tiger said the fault of the accident was his Escalade. It’s typical of a golfer—always blame the caddy.
13. Tiger’s confused. Every other time he made a hole-in-one, everyone was all happy about it.
12. Elin found out he’s not a Tiger, he’s a Cheetah.
11. Tiger's new movie is out: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Hydrant.
10. Tiger Woods is so rich that he owns lots of expensive cars. Now he has a hole in one.
09. What's the difference between a car and a golf ball? Tiger can drive a ball 400 yards.
08. It was just reported that Phil Mickelson contacted Tiger's wife to pick up some tips on how to beat Tiger.
07. What were Tiger Woods and his wife doing out at 2.30 in the morning? They went clubbing.
06. Tiger Woods crashed into a fire hydrant and a tree. He couldn't decide between a wood and an iron.
05. Perhaps Tiger should be using a driver?
04. This is the first time Tiger's ever failed to drive 300 yards.
03. Apparently, Tiger admitted this crash was the closest shave he's ever had. So Gillette has dropped his contract.
02. Apparently the police asked Tiger's wife how many times she hit him. She said, "I don't know exactly, but put me down for a 5."
01. Apparently, the only person who can beat Tiger Woods with a golf club is his wife.

Popasmoke Ugly Angel at the wall

2009-11-28T23:45:00.001-06:00

THE LONG BLACK WALL AND THE UGLY ANGELS OF HMM-362

In Constitution Gardens , in our Nation's Capitol , a Long Black Wall
stands silent, serene, poignant and still,
But it's message thunders like the boom of artillery across valleys,
Paddies, jungles and hills.

And engraved on the face of this "Silent Sentry" are fifty eight thousand
and some odd names.
Only their loved ones, families , friends , and comrades in arms remember
their faces and from whence they came.

Each was a precious and living person,
filled with hope, ambition and dreams,
Some were veterans with years of experience , others , fresh from
mother's arms , died in battle while still in their teens.

Some gave their lives on a mission of mercy,
their valor too often unheralded, unpraised,
Their last gallant act was rescuing the wounded,
or sadly retrieving the KIA's.

Such is the legend of The Ugly Angels, HMM 362,
An elite collection of the Marine Corps's finest, the "High Calling" of the
mission "hand picked" each crew.

To a wounded Marine, soldier, airman or sailor , awaiting rescue ,
an Ugly Angel , was the prettiest sight in the Universe,
Descending to rescue them from the "Grim Reaper" , taking "hits" from
machine gun and artillery bursts.

A wounded Leatherneck , Soldier , Sailor , or Airman , took comfort just
knowing he'd live to go home.
OR if the mission of mercy failed , at least he wouldn't be DYING ALONE!

Greater love hath no man" than to give his own life to rescue a friend.
And for too many men of "The Ugly Angels" that is how their mission would end.

One question would haunt their comrades in arms , their commanders ,
those that saved , "God WHERE do we FIND men such as THESE"?
And where do we find such magnificent , dependable , faithful
"Birds" , as the "Ugly Angel" UH-34'D's?

She was MUCH MORE THAN A "BEAST OF BURDEN",
She carried a spirit gallant and brave.
She was always determined to accomplish Her mission, bring back the
bodies , and rescue the wounded She was trying to save.

She often struggled to stay in the air , or lift off , over loaded ,
shot up and battered from multiple hits.
More often than not she ACCOMPLISHED that mission, in SPITE of the odds
SHE NEVER QUIT!!!

Many of her crew were wounded and ravaged , physically and emotionally ,
their bodies and minds still carry the scars,
And there's never a moment in their daily lives , that they ever forget ,
their comrades now resting under the stars.

Their names are seared forever in memory as they rest in peace beneath
Hallowed sod,
Some "Missing In Action", their last resting place, their identity and
age known only to God.

Many feel guilt for simply "surviving", a cross that they'll carry
the rest of their lives.
But they should take comfort, it's not THEIR decision , on who will die
and who will survive.

THEY "stacked the odds" on the side of survival and too many died
performing that mission.
Grant them peace, solace and comfort for doing the impossible under
Hellish conditions.

And let them know that in spite of the cowards , "exercising their freedom"
who spat on and cursed them , that the "silent majority" in their country's ranks,
Can never find the words to convey ,
our profound respect, admiration and THANKS!

Non-combatants can never intrude , upon the "turf" ,
nor understand the depth of their pain.
BUT we can stand in respect and salute , and vow on our honor , that
these gallant men , haven't fought or perished in vain!!!

From my self published book, "The Poet's Salute To Valor".
Ivan L. Fail (C) 1999

Viet Nam facts

2009-11-28T08:33:00.003-06:00

"Of the 2,709,918 Americans who served in Vietnam ; less than 850,000 are estimated to be alive today, with the youngest American Vietnam veteran's age approximated to be 54 years old."
So, if you're alive and reading this, how does it feel to be among the last 1 /3rd of all the U.S. Vets who served in Vietnam ? Don't know about you, but kinda gives me the chills, considering this is the kind of information we are used to reading about WWII and Korean War vets.
So the last 1 4 years we are dying too fast, only a few will survive by 20 1 5...if any. If true, 390 VN vets die a day. So in 2,190 days from today you're lucky to be a Vietnam veteran alive..... in only 6 years..
These statistics were taken from a variety of sources to include: The VFW Magazine, the Public Information Office, and the HQ CP Forward Observer - 1 st Recon April 1 2, 1 997.
STATISTICS FOR INDIVIDUALS IN UNIFORM AND IN COUNTRY VIETNAM VETERANS:
* 9,087,000 military personnel served on active duty during the Vietnam Era (August 5, 1 964 - May 7, 1 975).
* 8,744,000 GIs were on active duty during the war (Aug 5, 1964-March 28, 1 973).
* 2,709,918 Americans served in Vietnam , this number represents 9.7% of their generation.
* 3,403, 1 00 (Including 514,300 offshore) personnel served in the broader Southeast Asia Theater ( Vietnam , Laos , Cambodia , flight crews based in Thailand , and sailors in adjacent South China Sea waters).
* 2,594,000 personnel served within the borders of South Vietnam (Jan. 1 , 1965 - March 28, 1973). Another 50,000 men served in Vietnam between 1960 and 1 964.
* Of the 2.6 million, between 1 - 1 .6 million (40-60%) either fought in combat, provided close support or were at least fairly regularly exposed to enemy attack.
* 7,484 women (6,250 or 83.5% were nurses) served in Vietnam .
* Peak troop strength in Vietnam : 543,482 (April 30, 1 968).
CASUALTIES:
The first man to die in Vietnam was James Davis, in 1958. He was with the 509th Radio Research Station. Davis Station in Saigon was named for him.
Hostile deaths: 47,378
Non-hostile deaths: 1 0,800
Total: 58,202 (Includes men formerly classified as MIA and Mayaguez casualties). Men who have subsequently died of wounds account for the changing total.
8 nurses died -- 1 was KIA..
61 % of the men killed were 2 1 or younger..
11,465 of those killed were younger than 20 years old.
Of those killed, 17,539 were married.
Average age of men killed: 23. 1 years
Enlisted: 50,274 22.37 years
Officers: 6,598 28.43 years
Warrants: 1,276 24.73 years
E 1 : 525 20.34 years
11B MOS: 1 8,465 22.55 years
Five men killed in Vietnam were only 1 6 years old.
The oldest man killed was 62 years old.
Highest state death rate: West Virginia - 84.1 % (national average 58.9% for every 100,000 males in 1 970).
Wounded: 303,704 -- 153,329 hospitalized + 150,375 injured requiring no hospital care.
Severely disabled: 75,000, -- 23,214: 100% disabled; 5,283 lost limbs; 1,08 1 sustained multiple amputations.
Amputation or crippling wounds to the lower extremities were 300% higher than in WWII and 70% higher than Korea .
Multiple amputations occurred at the rate of 18.4% compared to 5.7% in WWII.
Missing in Action: 2,338
POWs: 766 (114 died in captivity)
As of January 15, 2004, there were 1,875 Americans still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.
DRAFTEES VS.VOLUNTEERS:
25% (648,500) of total forces in country were draftees. (66% of U.S. armed forces members were drafted during WWII).
Draftees accounted for 30.4% (17,725) of combat deaths in Vietnam .
Reservists killed: 5,977
National Guard: 6,140 served: 101 died.
Total draftees ( 1965 - 73): 1 ,728,344.
Actually served in Vietnam : 38% Marine Corps Draft: 42,633.
Last man drafted: June 30, 1973.
RACE AND ETHNIC BACKGROUND:
88.4% of the men who actually served in Vietnam were Caucasian; 10.6% (275,000) were black; 1 % belonged to other races.
86.3% of the men who died in Vietnam were Caucasian (includes Hispanics);
12.5% (7,241 ) were black; 1.2% belonged to other races.
170,000 Hispanics served in Vietnam ; 3,070 (5.2% of total) died there.
70% of enlisted men killed were of North-west European descent.
86.8% of the men who were killed as a result of hostile action were caucasian; 12.1 % (5,711 ) were black; 1.1 % belonged to other races.
14.6% (1,530) of non-combat deaths were among blacks.
34% of blacks who enlisted volunteered for the combat arms.
Overall, blacks suffered 12.5% of the deaths in Vietnam at a time when the percentage of blacks of military age was 13.5% of the total population.
Religion of Dead: Protestant -- 64.4%; Catholic -- 28.9%; other/none -- 6.7% SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS:
Vietnam veterans have a lower unemployment rate than the same non-vet age groups.
Vietnam veterans' personal income exceeds that of our non-veteran age group by more than 1 8 percent.
76% of the men sent to Vietnam were from lower middle/working class backgrounds.
Three-fourths had family incomes above the poverty level; 50% were from middle income backgrounds.
Some 23% of Vietnam vets had fathers with professional, managerial or technical occupations.
79% of the men who served in Vietnam had a high school education or better when they entered the military service. 63% of Korean War vets and only 45% of WWII vets had completed high school upon separation.
Deaths by region per 100,000 of population: South -- 31 %, West --29.9%; Midwest -- 28.4%; Northeast -- 23.5%.
DRUG USAGE & CRIME:
There is no difference in drug usage between Vietnam Veterans and non-Vietnam Veterans of the same age group. (Source: Veterans Administration Study)
Vietnam Veterans are less likely to be in prison - only one-half of one percent of Vietnam Veterans have been jailed for crimes.
85% of Vietnam Veterans made successful transitions to civilian life.
WINNING & LOSING:
82% of veterans who saw heavy combat strongly believe the war was lost because of lack of political will.
Nearly 75% of the public agrees it was a failure of political will, not of arms.
HONORABLE SERVICE:
97% of Vietnam-era veterans were honorably discharged.
91 % of actual Vietnam War veterans and 90% of those who saw heavy combat are proud to have served their country.
74% say they would serve again, even knowing the outcome.
87% of the public now holds Vietnam veterans in high esteem..
INTERESTING CENSUS STATISTICS & THOSE TO CLAIM TO HAVE "Been There":
1,713,823 of those who served in Vietnam were still alive as of August, 1995 (census figures).
During that same Census count, the number of Americans falsely claiming to have served in-country was: 9,492,958.
As of the current Census taken during August, 2000, the surviving U.S. Vietnam Veteran population estimate is: 1,002,511. This is hard to believe, losing nearly 711,000 between '95 and '00. That's 390 per day.
During this Census count, the number of Americans falsely claiming to have served in-country is: 13,853,027. By this census, FOUR OUT OF FIVE WHO CLAIM TO BE Vietnam vets are not.
The Department of Defense Vietnam War Service Index officially provided by The War Library originally reported with errors that 2,709,918 U.S. military personnel as having served in-country. Corrections and confirmations to this erred index resulted in the addition of 358 U.S. military personnel confirmed to have served in Vietnam but not originally listed by the Department of Defense. (All names are currently on file and accessible 24/7/365).
.
Isolated atrocities committed by American Soldiers produced torrents of outrage from anti-war critics and the news media while Communist atrocities were so common that they received hardly any media mention at all. The United States sought to minimize and prevent attacks on civilians while North Vietnam made attacks on civilians a centerpiece of its strategy. Americans who deliberately killed civilians received prison sentences while Communists who did so received commendations.From 1957 to 1973, the National Liberation Front assassinated 36,725 Vietnamese and abducted another 58,499. The death squads focused on leaders at the village level and on anyone who improved the lives of the peasants such as medical personnel, social workers, and school teachers. - Nixon Presidential Papers.

Elephant stew recipe

2009-11-25T22:07:00.000-06:00

1 Elephant, med size
2, Rabbits, if desired
2 Bushels -- mushrooms
Lots of brown gravy
Salt and pepper to taste

Cut the elephant into bite-size pieces.
Allow about two months.
Reserve the trunk...you need something to store the pieces in.
Add the gravy and mix in the mushrooms.
Cook over a kerosene fire for about four weeks @ 465 deg.
This will serve approx. 3,800.
If more are expected, the two rabbits can be added.

DO THIS ONLY IF NECESSARY, most people do not like tofind hare in the stew!

It's Hard to Kiss the Lips

2009-11-23T21:49:00.001-06:00

http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/The-Notorious-Cherry-Bombs/It's-Hard-to-Kiss-the-Lips-at-Night-That-Chew-Your-Ass-Out-All-Day-...--33444851

Utopia

2009-11-16T22:02:00.002-06:00

That's a black buck anelope in the middle of the pasture. They like to hang in the middle so they have plenty of open ground to eye scan for preadators.

Don't know what they taste like. Never ate antelope.

Did you say Texas is all flat and desert?

2009-11-15T10:18:00.002-06:00

World War I

2009-11-12T23:31:00.003-06:00

My grandpa's WWI dogtag and the 8mm German bullet he dug out of his arm at Meuse-Argonne.

He had a watch shop put a swivel in the bullet and made a watch fob out of it.

November 11, 2009 was the first ever Veterans Day that we celebrated with no living American WWI veterans.

They are all gone.

We are less of a nation without them.

R.I.P. Doughboys. We will never forget Flander's Field, where poppies grow....

Flying over Hill 55 in 1969

2009-11-11T11:43:00.002-06:00

How to earn extra pay:

Join the Marine Corps

Waive sole surviving son

status and volunteer for
Viet Nam.

$65 @ month combat pay

$65 @ month flight pay

I made $2,488 in 1969!

Happy Marine Corps Birthday

2009-11-09T21:14:00.006-06:00

November 10, 2009

Happy 234th Birthday
From the Halls of Montezuma

To the shores of Tripoli

We fight our country's battles

In the air, on land and sea

First to fight for right and freedom

And to keep our honor clean;

We are proud to claim the title

Of United States Marine.

Our flag's unfurled to every breeze

From dawn to setting sun;

We have fought in every clime and place

Where we could take a gun.

In the snow of far-off Northern lands

And in sunny tropic scenes;

You will find us always on the job --

The United States Marines.

Here's health to you and to our Corps

Which we are proud to serve;

In many a strife we've fought for life

And never lost our nerve.

If the Army and the Navy

Ever look on Heaven's scenes,

They will find the streets are guarded

By United States Marines.

The Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James T. Conway delivers the 234th Marine Corps Birthday message.
" Carrying On A Legacy Of Valor " It honors all Marines past and present.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7Bicfc9dp0

God bless the United States and God Bless the United States Marine Corps.

Pet's Last Will and Testament

2009-11-06T10:50:00.003-06:00

I, your ever-faithful companion because of my burden of my illness upon me, I realize the end of my life is near, so I hereby leave you my words for my Last Will and Testament. I have little to give you in a material way. So many of your human companions strive for material gain. You know how this divides families at the end.

There is nothing that I have to bequeath except my love and faith. These I leave to all those who have loved me.I ask for my owners to remember me always; but not to grieve for me too long. All my life I have tried to be a comfort to them in sorrow and in indeed joy in their life’s happiness.

It is very painful for me to think that even in death, I am causing them pain.
Let them know that I have had a wonderful life but now I am growing ill and have much pain. I should not want my pride to sink to humiliation. It is time for me to say “Goodbye.” It will be very sorrowful to leave you but; not a sorrow for me to die.

Animals do not fear death as humans do. We accept this as part of our lives. What will become of me after death? I will be in a place where I will always be young. A place that will be a paradise for me. Some people call that “Heaven” Yes, animals have souls. God has a special place in heaven just for us.

I have another request. Please find another animal to be at your side. I know no one can take my place, but I will feel better knowing you are taking special care of another pet.

I will leave that pet my leash, or my collar. My favorite pillow, or the special place in the car. It would be a poor tribute to me, if no one ever followed me.

One last word of farewell dear ones…Whenever you think of me say to yourself that I was the one you loved; and how much you loved me. No matter how deep my sleep, I shall hear you and not all the power of death can keep my spirit from wagging a grateful tail.

May the angels always watch over you as they watch over me.

Remember…I will always be with you in love.

Grew up with guns of all kinds

2009-11-05T22:30:00.010-06:00

Facts about Chuck Norris

2009-11-04T22:36:00.002-06:00

Guns don't kill people. Chuck Norris kills People.
There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of animals Chuck Norris allows to live.
Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.
The chief export of Chuck Norris is Pain.
There is no chin under Chuck Norris' Beard. There is only another fist.
Chuck Norris has two speeds. Walk, and Kill.
The leading causes of death in the United States are: 1. Heart Disease 2. Chuck Norris 3. Cancer
Chuck Norris drives an ice cream truck covered in human skulls.
Chuck Norris is my Homeboy.
Chuck Norris doesn't go hunting.... CHUCK NORRIS GOES KILLING
Chuck Norris once roundhouse kicked someone so hard that his foot broke the speed of light, went back in time, and killed Amelia Earhart while she was flying over the Pacific Ocean.
Crop circles are Chuck Norris' way of telling the world that sometimes corn needs to lie down.
Chuck Norris is ten feet tall, weighs two-tons, breathes fire, and could eat a hammer and take a shotgun blast standing.
The Great Wall of China was originally created to keep Chuck Norris out. It failed miserably.
Contrary to popular belief, Chuck Norris, not the box jellyfish of northern Australia, is the most venomous creature on earth. Within 3 minutes of being bitten, a human being experiences the following symptoms: fever, blurred vision, beard rash, tightness of the jeans, and the feeling of being repeatedly kicked through a car windshield.
Most people have 23 pairs of chromosomes. Chuck Norris has 72... and they're all poisonous.
If you ask Chuck Norris what time it is, he always says, "Two seconds 'til." After you ask, "Two seconds 'til what?" he roundhouse kicks you in the face.
Chuck Norris drives an ice cream truck covered in human skulls.
When Chuck Norris sends in his taxes, he sends blank forms and includes only a picture of himself, crouched and ready to attack. Chuck Norris has not had to pay taxes, ever.
The quickest way to a man's heart is with Chuck Norris' fist.
Chuck Norris invented Kentucky Fried Chicken's famous secret recipe, with eleven herbs and spices. But nobody ever mentions the twelfth ingredient: Fear.
CNN was originally created as the "Chuck Norris Network" to update Americans with on-the-spot ass kicking in real-time.
Chuck Norris can win a game of Connect Four in only three moves.
There is no theory of evolution, just a list of creatures Chuck Norris allows to live.
Chuck Norris once ate three 72 oz. steaks in one hour. He spent the first 45 minutes having sex with his waitress.
What was going through the minds of all of Chuck Norris' victims before they died? His shoe.
Chuck Norris is the only man to ever defeat a brick wall in a game of tennis.
Police label anyone attacking Chuck Norris as a Code 45-11.... a suicide.
Chuck Norris doesn't churn butter. He roundhouse kicks the cows and the butter comes straight out.
Chuck Norris doesn’t wash his clothes, he disembowels them.
A Handicapped parking sign does not signify that this spot is for handicapped people. It is actually in fact a warning, that the spot belongs to Chuck Norris and that you will be handicapped if you park there.
Chuck Norris will attain statehood in 2009. His state flower will be the Magnolia.
Someone once videotaped Chuck Norris getting pissed off. It was called Walker: Texas Chain Saw Masacre.
If you spell Chuck Norris in Scrabble, you win. Forever.
Chuck Norris originally appeared in the "Street Fighter II" video game, but was removed by Beta Testers because every button caused him to do a roundhouse kick. When asked bout this "glitch," Norris replied, "That's no glitch."
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool Chuck Norris once and he will roundhouse you in the face.
The opening scene of the movie "Saving Private Ryan" is loosely based on games of dodgeball Chuck Norris played in second grade.
Chuck Norris once shot down a German fighter plane with his finger, by yelling, "Bang!"
Chuck Norris once bet NASA he could survive re-entry without a spacesuit. On July 19th, 1999, a naked Chuck Norris re-entered the earth's atmosphere, streaking over 14 states and reaching a temperature of 3000 degrees. An embarrassed NASA publically claimed it was a meteor, and still owes him a beer.
Chuck Norris has two speeds: Walk and Kill.
Someone once tried to tell Chuck Norris that roundhouse kicks aren't the best way to kick someone. This has been recorded by historians as the worst mistake anyone has ever made.
Contrary to popular belief, America is not a democracy, it is a Chucktatorship.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is based on a true story: Chuck Norris once swallowed a turtle whole, and when he crapped it out, the turtle was six feet tall and had learned karate.
Chuck Norris is not hung like a horse... horses are hung like Chuck Norris.
Faster than a speeding bullet ... more powerful than a locomotive ... able to leap tall buildings in a single bound... yes, these are some of Chuck Norris's warm-up exercises.
Chuck Norris is the only human being to display the Heisenberg uncertainty principle -- you can never know both exactly where and how quickly he will roundhouse-kick you in the face.
In the Bible, Jesus turned water into wine. But then Chuck Norris turned that wine into beer.
Chuck Norris can hit you so hard that he can actually alter your DNA. Decades from now your descendants will occasionally clutch their heads and yell "What The Hell was That?"
Time waits for no man. Unless that man is Chuck Norris.
Chuck Norris discovered a new theory of relativity involving multiple universes in which Chuck Norris is even more badass than in this one. When it was discovered by Albert Einstein and made public, Chuck Norris roundhouse-kicked him in the face. We know Albert Einstein today as Stephen Hawking.
Chuck Norris doesn't shower, he only takes blood baths.
The Chuck Norris military unit was not used in the game Civilization 4, because a single Chuck Norris could defeat the entire combined nations of the world in one turn.
In an average living room there are 1,242 objects Chuck Norris could use to kill you, including the room itself.
According to the Encyclopedia Brittanica, the Native American "Trail of Tears" has been redefined as anywhere that Chuck Norris walks.
Chuck Norris does not teabag the ladies. He potato-sacks them.
Pluto is actually an orbiting group of British soldiers from the American Revolution who entered space after the Chuck gave them a roundhouse kick to the face.
When Chuck Norris goes to donate blood, he declines the syringe, and instead requests a hand gun and a bucket.
There are no steroids in baseball. Just players Chuck Norris has breathed on.
Chuck Norris once challenged Lance Armstrong in a "Who has more testicles?" contest. Chuck Norris won by 5.
Chuck Norris was the fourth wise man, who gave baby Jesus the gift of beard, which he carried with him until he died. The other three wise men were enraged by the preference that Jesus showed to Chuck's gift, and arranged to have him written out of the bible. All three died soon after of mysterious roundhouse-kick related injuries.
Chuck Norris sheds his skin twice a year.
When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.
Chuck Norris doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.
There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.
Outer space exists because it's afraid to be on the same planet with Chuck Norris.
Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.
Chuck Norris is currently suing NBC, claiming Law and Order are trademarked names for his left and right legs.
Chuck Norris is the reason why Waldo is hiding.
Chuck Norris counted to infinity - twice.
There is no chin behind Chuck Norris’ beard. There is only another fist.
When Chuck Norris does a pushup, he isn’t lifting himself up, he’s pushing the Earth down.
Chuck Norris is so fast, he can run around the world and punch himself in the back of the head.
Chuck Norris’ hand is the only hand that can beat a Royal Flush.
There is no such thing as global warming. Chuck Norris was cold, so he turned the sun up.
Chuck Norris can lead a horse to water AND make it drink.
Chuck Norris doesn’t wear a watch, HE decides what time it is.
Chuck Norris gave Mona Lisa that smile.
Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door.
Chuck Norris does not get frostbite. Chuck Norris bites frost
Remember the Soviet Union? They decided to quit after watching a Delta Force marathon on Satellite TV.
Contrary to popular belief, America is not a democracy, it is a Chucktatorship.
Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door.

Chuck Norris thinks, therefore you are.

Chuck Norris is the reason Waldo is hiding.There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.Chuck Norris invented cancer because he was tired of killing people.

Chuck Norris was once in a knife fight, The knife lost.

And Chuck Norris does not do push-ups, he is pushing the earth down.

Chuck Norris doesn't read books, he just stares at them 'til he gets the information he wants.

Chuck Norris can kill to stones with one bird.When Chuck Norris falls out of a boat, he doesn't get wet, the water gets Chuck Norris.Some people can pee their initials in the snow, Chuck Norris can pee his initials in concrete.

Texisims

2009-11-04T00:14:00.002-06:00

Texas Vocabulary

1. AS WELCOME AS A SKUNK AT A LAWN PARTY. Self- explanatory.

2. TIGHTER’N BARK ON A TREE.Not very generous.

3. ALL HAT, NO CATTLE.All talk and no action.

4. WE'VE HOWDIED BUT WE AIN'T SHOOK YET.We've made a brief acquaintance, but not been formally introduced.

5. HE THINKS THE SUN CAME UP JUST TO HEAR HIM CROW. He has a pretty high opinion of himself.

6. IT'S SO DRY THE TREES ARE BRIBIN' THE DOGS.We really could use a little rain around here.

7. JUST BECAUSE A CHICKEN HAS WINGS DON'T MEAN IT CAN FLY. Appearances can be deceptive.

8. THIS AIN'T MY FIRST RODEO.I've been around awhile.

9. HE LOOKS LIKE THE DOG'S BEEN KEEPIN' HIM UNDER THE PORCH. Not the most handsome of men.

10. THEY ATE SUPPER BEFORE THEY SAID GRACE.Living in sin.

11. TIME TO PAINT YOUR BUTT WHITE AND RUN WITH THE ANTELOPE. Stop arguing and do as you're told.

12. AS FULL OF WIND AS A CORN-EATING HORSE.Rather prone to boasting.

13. YOU CAN PUT YOUR BOOTS IN THE OVEN BUT THAT DOESN'T MAKE THEM BISCUITS. You can say whatever you want about something, but doesn't change what it is.

14. THAT DOG DON'T HUNT IN THESE WOODS.That story you told, sounds like a lie to me.

15. WE'RE IN HIGH COTTON.Things are going well.

16. UGLIER’N SIN DIPPED IN MYSERY. Very unattractive.

17. WILDER’N TWO ACRES OF SNAKES. Hyperactivity

18. UGLY ENOUGH TO GAG A MAGGOT OFF A GUT WAGON. Repulsive.

19. RODE HARD’N PUT UP WET. Abused.

20. WHUPPED LIKE A RED-HEADED STEPCHILD. Mistreated.

21. SHE COULD PICK HER NOSE WITH HER THUMB. She's skinny.

22. COULDN’T HIT THE BROAD SIDE OF A BARN. Poor shot.

23. DAMNED IF YA DO… DAMNED IF YA DON’T. Connundrum.

24. IBEEDAM. I will be damned.

25. JUMPIER’N A LONG TAIL CAT IN A ROOM FULLA ROCKIN’ CHAIRS. Nervous.

26. PISSIN’ INTO THE WIND. Futility.

27. HE GOT LESS SENSE THAN GOD GAVE A COMMODE FLOAT. He’s unintelligent.

28. HE’S DUMMER’N A SACK FULL OF HAMMERS. He’s less intelligent than #27.

29. YA RECKON? Really?

30. HAPPIER’N A PIG EATIN’ SHIT. Ecstatic.

31. SO UGLY, SHE’D MAKE A FREIGHT TRAIN TAKE A CALICHI ROAD. She has a nice personality.

32. IF BRAINS WERE LARD, HE WOULDN'T GREASE A MIGHTY BIG PAN. He's kinda slow.

33. I AIN'T HAD THIS MUCH FUN SINCE THE HOGS ATE MY LITTLE SISTER. This is fun.

34. UGLIER'N A MUD FENCE. Homely

35. SHE'D MAKE A FREIGHT TRAIN TAKE A DIRT ROAD. Very homely.

36. He doesn't know if he is shooting or loading.

37. He doesn't know if he is washing or hanging out.

38. Keep cussin.’ I’m reloading.

Greatest Movie Ever Made

2009-11-01T23:10:00.003-06:00

The "Real" Lonesome DoveIn my opinion (if anyone cares) the movie "Lonesome Dove" is the greatest Western classic of all time, based on the true accounts of Oliver Loving and Charles Goodnight. In one of our RVing ventures "Out West" to find, and place, a Confederate headstone at the grave of our relative Samuel Willis Tucker Lanham buried in the Greenwood Cemetery at Weatherford, Texas, the last Confederate veteran to be governor of the great state of Texas, we found two other graves in that cemetery of men who shaped the West. Their names were Oliver Loving and Boze Ikard. From Weatherford we drove north on Highway 287 to Goodnight, Texas, to find the grave of Charles Goodnight, Oliver Loving's partner in establishing the Goodnight-Loving Trail. We were once again...hooked on history. An article written by Diane Alden of NewsMax.com tells the story of these men.

Goodnight and LovingCome gather 'round me boys,And I'll tell you a tale,All about my troublesOn the old Chisolm Trail ...In the history of the West gunfighters and ne'er-do-wells got most of the glory and most of the ink. The History Channel does four efforts on outlaws and lawmen for every one they do on the parade of people who were not so notorious.The fact is the outlaws and lawmen were not THE story of America or the West. Ordinary and not-so-ordinary men and women are the real story. There have been all kinds of cowboys and cattlemen over the years. They included Teddy Blue Abbott, Bose Ikard, Britt Johnson, John Chisholm, WJ Wilson, John Chisum, Bill Pickett, Jim Foley, Grant Kohrs, Granville Stewart, and the King family of Texas. If you ever read Larry McMurtry's “Lonesome Dove” or saw the made-for-TV movie of the same name, you have the gist of the story of Charlie Goodnight and Oliver Loving. Goodnight kept meticulous records, correspondence and diaries.

If ever there was a true man and spirit of the West, it was Charles Goodnight. His exploits have been made the basis of most Western movies of the last 100 years. Goodnight was born on March 5, 1836, in Macoupin County, Ill. He moved his family to Milam County, Texas, in 1845 with his stepbrother John Sheek, taking a herd of cattle from the Brazos River to the Keechi Valley, Palo Pinto, Texas. Goodnight also served as a guide to the Texas Rangers. He participated in the 1860 raid that retrieved Indian chief Quanah Parker's mother from the Comanches. The John Ford-John Wayne epic "The Searchers" was based on the Elm Creek Raid and subsequent events, wherein Goodnight played a major role. In 1867, Charles Goodnight met the famous cattle drover Oliver Loving. Loving had been driving cattle for years before he met Goodnight. A former Confederate soldier, he was a religious family man with nine children. At the time the two met, Loving was 24 years older than Charles Goodnight, but the two men hit it off instantly and became partners in the cattle business.

In J. Marvin Hunter's "The Trail Drivers of Texas," Goodnight wrote about his friend: "Oliver Loving, senior, is undoubtedly the first man who ever trailed cattle from Texas. His earliest effort was in 1858 when he took a herd across the frontier of the Indian Nation or "No Man's Land," through eastern Kansas and northwestern Missouri into Illinois. His second attempt was in 1859; he left the frontier on the upper Brazos and took a northwest course until he struck the Arkansas River, somewhere about the mouth of the Walnut, and followed it to just about Pueblo where he wintered."He continued: "In 1867 we started another herd west over the same trail and struck the Pecos the latter part of June. After we had gone up this river about one hundred miles it was decided that Mr. Loving should go ahead on horseback in order to reach New Mexico and Colorado in time to bid on the contracts which were to be let in July, to use the cattle we then had on trail, for we knew that there were no other cattle in the west to take their place."Their first cattle drive was organized from Fort Belknap, Texas, to the Pecos River and up to Fort Sumner, N.M. This route became known as the "Goodnight-Loving Trail." At Fort Sumner 8,000 starving Indians were gathered together. The cattle that Goodnight and Loving had been taking to Colorado were bought by the Army to feed the Indians instead.

More: http://www.ejlanham.com/TheRealLonesomeDove.html

Charlie Don't Surf

2009-11-01T22:55:00.002-06:00

Amazing Disgrace

2009-10-31T13:22:00.002-05:00

This had to come from one of my fellow Dallas Cowboys fans. Hate me some deadskins!

Some of my favorite knives

2009-10-26T10:49:00.002-05:00

40+ YEARS AGO

2009-10-22T21:45:00.007-05:00

Spring Classes for Women at THEADULT LEARNING CENTER

2009-10-22T11:24:00.001-05:00

Spring Classes for Women at THEADULT LEARNING CENTER
REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETEDBy Tuesday, OCTOBER 13, 2009
NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY LEVELOF THEIR CONTENTS, CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM.

Class 1
Up in Winter, Down in Summer - How to Adjust a Thermostat Step by Step, with Slide Presentation.Meets 4 wks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hrs beginning at 7:00 PM ..

Class 2
Which Takes More Energy - Putting the Toilet Seat Down, or Bitching About It for 3 Hours?Round Table Discussion.Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.

Class 3
Is It Possible To Drive Past a Wal-Mart Without Stopping?--Group Debate.Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 4
Fundamental Differences Between a Purse and a Suitcase--Pictures and Explanatory Graphics..Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.

Class 5
Curling Irons--Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Bathroom Cabinet?Examples on Video.Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginningAt 7:00 PM

Class 6
How to Ask Questions During Commercials and Be Quiet During the Program.Help Line Support and Support Groups.Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM

Class 7
Can a Bath Be Taken Without 14 Different Kinds of Soaps and Shampoos?Open Forum..Monday at 8:00 PM , 2 hours.

Class 8
Health Watch--They Make Medicine for PMS - USE IT!Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 9
I Was Wrong and He Was Right!--Real Life Testimonials.Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined.

Class 10
How to Parallel Park In Less Than 20 Minutes Without an Insurance Claim.Driving Simulations.4 weeks, Saturday's noon, 2 hours.

Class 11
Learning to Live--How to Apply Brakes Without Throwing Passengers Through the Windshield.Tuesdays at 7:00 PM , location to be determined

Class 12
How to Shop by Yourself.Meets 4 wks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM .

Class 13
How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy--Remembering To Take a List To The Store, Avoiding Separate Trips for Each Item Needed.Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered.Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours...

Class 14
The Stove/Oven--What It Is and How It Is Used.Live Demonstration.Tuesdays at 6:00 PM , location to be determined. Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the survivors

Texas undefeated, OU is 3-3, sux to be sooners!

2009-10-17T22:30:00.002-05:00

Big 12 Conference

3 Texas 6-0
16 Oklahoma State 4-1
Texas Tech 5-220
Oklahoma 3-3
Texas A&M 3-2
Baylor 3-2

Sat., Oct . 17, 2009DALLAS (AP) -

Colt McCoy was a mess. His right thumbnail was ready to fall off, a nagging cold was wearing him down and Oklahoma was confusing him with blitzes he'd never seen.

Then, with a chance to put the game away for No. 3 Texas midway through the fourth quarter, he threw an interception that could've turned into a go-ahead touchdown for the Sooners.

McCoy salvaged it all, though. He made a game-saving tackle on the pickoff return, then, after his defense got him the ball back, managed to grind out the final 3:31, sending No. 3 Texas to a 16-13 victory Saturday over a No. 20 Oklahoma team that again lost Heisman winner Sam Bradford.

Three stages in a man's life

2009-10-17T11:13:00.002-05:00

Invitation... not so much

2009-10-13T14:16:00.000-05:00

How bad is the US economy?

2009-10-11T17:53:00.000-05:00

The economy is so bad that I got a pre-declined credit card in the mail.
It's so bad, I ordered a burger at McDonalds and the kid behind thecounter asked, "Can you afford fries with that?"
The economy is so bad that CEO's are now playing miniature golf.
The economy is so bad if the bank returns your check marked "InsufficientFunds," you call them and ask if they meant you or them.
The economy is so bad Hot Wheels and Matchbox stocks are trading higherthan GM.
The economy is so bad McDonalds is selling the 1/4 ouncer.
The economy is so bad parents in Beverly Hills fired their nannies andlearned their children's names.
The economy is so bad a truckload of Americans was caught sneaking intoMexico.
The economy is so bad Dick Cheney took his stockbroker hunting.
The economy is so bad Motel Six won't leave the light on anymore.
The economy is so bad the Mafia is laying off judges.
The economy is so bad Exxon-Mobil laid off 25 Congressmen.

And finally...Congress says they are looking into this Bernard Madoff scandal.Oh Great!! The guy who made $50 Billion disappear is being investigatedby the people who made $1.5 Trillion disappear!

Restoration at Cavanaugh Flight Museum

2009-10-10T20:17:00.000-05:00

Grandbaby "Awwww" time

2009-10-08T17:34:00.000-05:00

Respect them Girl Scouts!

2009-10-07T21:57:00.000-05:00

Marines, various perspectives

2009-10-05T10:27:00.000-05:00

The Marine as seen by..Himself:
A Stout, Handsome, Highly-Trained Professional Killer and Female Idol, who wears a star sapphire ring, carries a finely honed K-Bar, is covered with a crisp cammie cover and is always on time due to the reliability of his Seiko Diver's Watch.

As Seen By His Wife:
A stinking, gross, foul mouthed bum, who arrives home every 6 months or so with a sea bag full of filthy utilities, a huge ugly watch, an oversized knife, a filthy hat, and a hard-on.

As Seen By Headquarters:
A drunken Brawling, HMMWV stealing, women corrupting liar, with a star sapphire ring, Seiko watch, unauthorized K-Bar, and a f****d up cover.

As Seen By His Commanding Officer:
A fine specimen of a drunken Brawling, HMMWV stealing, women corrupting bullsh**r, with a star sapphire ring, fantastically accurate Seiko watch, finely honed razor sharp K-Bar, and a salty cammie cover.

As Seen By Headquarters Marine Corps:
An over paid, over-rated, tax burden, who is however, indispensable since he will volunteer to go anywhere, at any time, and kill whoever he is told to, as long as he can, drink, brawl, steal HMMWV's, corrupt women, kick cats, lie, sing dirty songs,
wear filthy cammies, big Sapphire rings, over-sized knives, Seiko watches and really f*****d up covers.

Helicopter Crewman's perspective on fighter pilots

2009-10-05T10:18:00.001-05:00

Fighter Pilots

How do you know when your date with a fighter pilot is half over?
he says "enough about me, now let's talk about flying."

What is the ideal cockpit crew?
A pilot and a dog. The pilot is there too feed the dog and the dog is there to bite the pilot in case he tries to touch anything.

How many fighter pilots does it take to change a light bulb?
Just one. He holds the bulb and the world revolves around him.

How do you know if there is a fighter pilot at your party?
He'll tell you.

What's the difference between God and fighter pilots?
God doesn't think he's a fighter pilot.

What is the difference between a fighter pilot and a pig?
The pig doesn't turn into a fighter pilot when he's drunk.

What do fighter pilots use for birth control?
Their personalities.

What is the difference between a fighter pilot and a jet engine?
A jet engine stops whining when it pulls in to the parking spot.

Touching eulogy

2009-10-02T23:21:00.000-05:00

A Powerful Message from Stevie Wonder On Michael Jackson’s Death:........ .. … … .. …..... . .. … . . .. .. . .. . ... …. .. .. . … .. ..... ... .. ... ... .... ... .... ....... ... ... ... .... ..... .. ...... . . … .. . . . ....... . .... ... ..... ..... ......... .... .... .... ..... ..... ..... ... . . .... ........ .. . .. . .. . ... .. .. ........... ... ... ... .. ... ........ .. .. ..... ... ... .... ....... .. .. .... .... ... . .. . . . .. .. … .. ... .... ... ... ... ....... ...... .......

Deep stuff. I nearly cried when he said “. .. . . . .. ... … . .. . . .... ....”

Tired Soldier

2009-10-02T07:55:00.001-05:00

An American Soldier in World War II

An American soldier, serving in World War II, had just returned from several weeks of intense action on the German front lines. He had finally been granted R&R and was on a train bound for London.

The train was very crowded, so the soldier walked the length of the train, looking for an empty seat. The only unoccupied seat was directly adjacent to a well-dressed middle-aged lady and was being used by her little dog.

The war weary soldier asked, "Please, ma'am, may I sit in that seat?"

The English woman looked down her nose at the soldier, sniffed and said, "You Americans. You are such a rude class of people. Can't you see my little Fifi is using that seat?"

The soldier walked away, determined to find a place to rest, but after another trip down to the end of the train, found himself again facing the woman with the dog. Again he asked, "Please, lady. May I sit there? I'm very tired."

The English woman wrinkled her nose and snorted, "You Americans! Not only are you rude, you are also arrogant. Imagine!"

The soldier didn't say anything else. He leaned over, picked up the little dog, tossed it out the window of the train and sat down in the empty seat.

The women shrieked and demanded that someone defend her and chastise the soldier.

An English gentleman sitting across the aisle spoke up, "You know, sir, you Americans do seem to have a penchant for doing the wrong thing. You eat holding the fork in the wrong hand, you drive your autos on the wrong side of the road. And now, sir, you've thrown the wrong bitch out of the window."

Marine Lingo

2009-09-30T08:05:00.001-05:00

UNOFFICIAL DICTIONARY OF MARINES

0 Dark 30. Very early in the morning, pronounced oh, dark thirty.

(Vietnam) The northernmost of three corps areas in South Vietnam. I Corps was the province of the U. S. Marines while II and III Corps were U. S. Army areas. Pronounced “eye-corps.”

1-MC. The communication system aboard ship which allows orders and information to be passed immediately to all members of the crew. Usually a series of speakers throughout the entire ship.

(Vietnam) The MOS for an unlucky cocksucker.

25-MC. The communication system aboard ship which allows orders and information to be passed immediately to specific compartments and preselected crew members.

72. A 72-hour absence from duty. Granted by commanding officers and not charged as leave.

782 Gear.
Originally individual equipment owned by a unit and issued to a Marine while assigned to that unit. In boot camp that included a bucket, cleaning equipment, a poncho and a shelter half. The name is derived from the number of the form on which it was originally issued. Present use refers to the Load Bearing Vest, cartridge belt and the equipment attached to the belt.
8th and Eye. Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps. From its address at 8th and I Streets SE, Washington, DC.

90-Day Wonder.
Unflattering term for an OCS graduate. Refers to the early practice of training commissioned officers in three months rather than the four years in the Naval Academy or the 4 year part-time training in ROTC. Also, 90-day blunder.

96. A 96-hour absence from duty. Granted by commanding officers for outstanding duty, unit successes or special holidays. Not charged as leave.

A. J. Squared Away.
A Marine with everything in place and in order. The perfect Marine.
Abaft.
Aft of any given point on a ship.
Acme Beer.
World War II era beer made in San Jose, California and sent to the South Pacific specifically for Marine units. It came in both a green and a brown bottle but only the brown colored bottles were fit to drink. The green bottles contained a liquid that smelled like a skunk.
AD.
Active Duty.
Admiral.
The highest naval rank in peacetime (See Fleet Admiral). The rank insignia consists of four silver stars in a row. The admiral ranks did not appear in the U. S. Navy until the Civil War. Prior to that time a captain was the highest rank in that service. When placed in command of larger units he was sometimes designated a Flag Officer, but that was a billet, not a rank. The current admiral ranks (from junior to most senior) are: Rear Admiral (lower half), one star; Rear Admiral (upper half), two stars; Vice Admiral, three stars; Admiral, four stars and Admiral of the Fleet, five stars.
Admiral of the Fleet.
A rank given to Admiral Dewey to place him above all other admirals. See Fleet Admiral.
Adrift.
Floating aimlessly, usually without a rudder or compass. Missing in action. Setting ones self off from the norm.
AFRTS.
Pronounced A-farts. American Forces Radio and Television Service, provider of commercial type radio and television programming to ships and overseas stations. Depending on the politically correct form at the time American can be replaced with Armed and Service can be replaced with System.
AFSC.
Air Force Specialty Code. The Air Force equivalent of an MOS.
Aft.
Behind, from the naval term for the after section of the ship.
AFU.
All Fucked Up.
Air Force.
One of the five uniformed military branches. Also, in the Air Force, a unit consisting of multiple wings and given a numerical designation (e.g. 8th Air Force). Used from World War II until the 1970s.
Air Start.
Blowjob.
Airdale.
Anyone serving in aviation.
Airman.
A Navy enlisted rank. See Seaman. Also an Air Force enlisted rank. See private first class. Or a generic term for anyone in the Air Force.
AK-47.
Soviet-manufactured Kalashnikov semi-automatic and fully automatic combat assault rifle, 7.62-mm; the basic weapon of the Communist forces.
Alfa Mike Foxtrot.
Adios, Mother Fucker. Goodbye. A polite form is Adios My Friend.
Allotment.
A specific amount deducted from a Marine's pay and sent to another entity.
Anchor Clanker.
In the Navy, a Boatswain's Mate. Or anyone in the Navy.
Anchor Pool.
A betting pool, the winner of which has come closest to the time logged by the Officer of the Deck for dropping or weighing anchor.
ARA.
Aerial Rocket Artillery. A Cobra AG-1H helicopter with four XM-159C 19-rocket (2.75 inch) pods.
ASAP.
As Soon As Possible.
ASVAB.
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (skills test)--required to join the armed forces.
Aye.
Yes. A naval expression.
Aye Aye.
I understand your order and will comply. A naval expression.
B1RD. Humorous identification for a non-existent Air Force plane. See GU11.
Ba Mu'o'i Ba.
Brand name of a Vietnamese beer.
Bad Conduct Discharge.
A discharge ranking between Honorable and Dishonorable. It is reported that Walt Disney's Bad Conduct Discharge from the Marine Corps was framed and hung behind his desk--its distinctive yellow color can be seen in early introductions to "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color" on ABC in the 1950s and 1960s.
BAM.
A pejorative term for a Woman Marine, reportedly meaning broad assed Marine. Never used much in the presence of female Marines out of fear of bodily harm. Women Marine recruits in the 1960s, when it was most used, were taught that the letters meant "Beautiful American Marine".
BAQ.
Basic Allowance for Quarters.
BAR.
Browning Automatic Rifle. The automatic weapon of a fire team from World War II until Vietnam. See SAW.
Barnett, George.
Twelfth Commandant of the Marine Corps. The Wisconsin native who was born on Dec. 9, 1859 became the first graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy to be appointed Commandant. He served as Major General Commandant from February 25, 1914 until June 30, 1920. He died April 27, 1930.
Barracks.
Buildings where single Marines live or a duty station where they serve.
BAS.
Basic Allowance for Subsistence.
Base Pay.
The amount a servicemember earns per month based on rank and years of service.
Basket Leave.
An extended leave of absence from duty (beyone a 96 for example) that ends up not being charged as leave. Usually caused by a clerk "misplacing" the forms or a commander who simply "forgets" to inform the first sergeant.
Baton.
See Field Marshall and Drum Major.
Battalion.
A unit containing multiple companies. It is typically commanded by a lieutenant colonel. Battalions are normally assigned to a regiment.
Battle Stations.
See General Quarters.
Battery.
An artillery unit equivalent to an infantry company.
Bayonet.
A knife-like weapon attached to the muzzle of a rifle used for hand-to-hand combat.
BB Stacker.
Anyone dealing with ordinance or a member of a bomb disposal unit.
BC Glasses.
Marine Corps issue eyeglasses (officially F-9). Named Birth Control glasses by the troops due to their repulsive effect on the opposite sex.
BDU.
Battle Dress Uniform. The official name for cammies.
Belay.
Stop. Make fast, from the Naval practice of tying off a line with a belaying pin. Disregard, as in "Belay my last".
Bells
A system of time on board ship. The routine day was broken into six shifts of 8-hours each. The shift on duty was responsible for maintaining the time so each half hour a bell would be rung beginning at 30 minutes into the watch with one bell and ending up at the end of the watch with eight bells. Shifts began at 12, 4 and 8 so that at that times eight bells were struck.
Bennie.
Shortened form of benefit. All services provided to or for soldiers, sailors, airmen or Marines are considered bennies.
BEQ.
Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (barracks).
Bib.
The portion of a Navy enlisted uniform that hangs from the back of the neck. In the wooden navy it was fashion for sailors to have long hair but it would get blown about by the winds and get stuck in the rigging or machinery. To counteract this sailors at sea would braid their hair and dip it in tar (used to seal the boards on the ship). When ashore on liberty (as opposed to a longer leave where they would wash the tar out of the hair) they would cut a bib out of sack cloth and tie it around their neck to keep from getting tar on their one good shirt. The bib eventually became an official part of the enlisted uniform.
Biddle, William.
Eleventh Commandant of the Marine Corps. The Pennsylvania native was born on Dec. 17, 1853 and died on Feb. 25, 1923. He served as Acting Commandant in the rank of Colonel from Dec. 1, 1910 until Feb. 2, 1911 when he was appointed Major General Commandant and served until Feb. 12, 1914. During his commandancy the term of office was set, by law at 4 years.
Big Chicken Dinner.
Bad Conduct Discharge.
Bilge.
An acrid mix of sea water, petrolium products and other brackish material that settles to the bottom of a ship. Also, information that is of no value or garbage. Or to fail at something.
Bilge Rat.
The sailors who drain and maintain the bilge on ship or a Marine who was assigned to bilge duty as a form of non-judicial punishment.
Billet.
A specific job authorized within a unit structure.
Bingo.
In Naval and Marine Aviation a fuel level or condition requiring return to base or ship or aerial refueler.
Bird Farm.
An aircraft carrier.
Birdmen.
A pejorative term for airmen.
Bitchbox.
The 1-MC on board ship or any amplified system used to pass information widely.
Blivet.
Anything overstuffed or a rubber fuel bladder. Also a modified fuel tank used to haul small cargo outside the aircraft. (WWII)Two pounds of shit in a one pound bag.
Blood Groove.
A groove in a fighting knife or sword to allow for blood to flow from a wound so that the blade can be removed easier (a significant concern in close combat).
Blood Stripe.
A red stripe worn down the outside of the legs on dress blue uniforms. It is worn by noncommissioned officers, warrant officers and commissioned officers, traditionally to honor the high number of casualties among those ranks at the Battle of Chapultapec in the Mexican War.
BLT.
Battalion Landing Team, main body of infantrymen that make up a MEU.
Blue Water Sailor.
One who sails on the deep seas, as opposed to members of the Coast Guard who are Shallow Water Sailors. See Brown Water Navy.
Boat.
Any small vessel incapable of making regular independent voyages on the high seas. Traditionally, a submarine.
Boondockers.
Shoes with high sides, found effective for walking in the boonies.
Boondocks.
Anyplace out in the country.
Boondoggle.
Any situation in which the Marine gets more out of an assignment, job or situation than the Marine Corps. A good time at the Uncle's expense.
Boonies.
Boondocks.
BOQ.
Bachelor Officer Quarters.
Boot.
A recruit, a rookie, a newbie. Applicable to all U. S. military services.
Boot Camp.
In the Marine Corps it is officially Recruit Training and it is conducted at Marine Corps Recruit Depots at Parris Island SC and San Diego CA.
Bogey.
An unidentified object, usually an aircraft, ship or other mobile weapons system.
Brady, James.
Former Marine. Press Secretary to Ronald Reagan who was shot during an attempted assasination of the President. He suffered severe brain trauma. A journalist and author. His name was given to a law that requires a waiting list for the purchase of handguns and he became an advocate of hand gun control.
Brain Fart.
Discontinuity, lost of concentration, a senior moment.
Brain Housing Group.
The human head. Also melon or grape.
Brat.
See Military Brat.
Bravo Zulu.
Well done. From the NATO signals code for well done.
Bridge.
The compartment aboard ship, usually in the superstructure, where the captain controls the ship by issuing orders. It is the ship's at sea headquarters.
Brig Chaser.
A Marine, now normally an MP, assigned to guard a prisoner while being transported to a location outside the brig, often for a work detail.
Brig Rat.
A prisoner or someone who is frequently in trouble.
Brig.
A jail in the naval services usually operated by Marines. Also a small warship under sail during the 18th and 19th Centuries.
Brig Step.
A regular step as in marching but the distance between the front of one prisoner and the back of the one in front is reduced to about four inches so that they must all step together. It is a common method of controlling prisoners while moving them from place to place. It is an illegal step for anyone other than a prisoner.

Brigadier General.
First of the Flag Officer ranks of commissioned officers signified by a silver star on the collar of the uniform. The pay grade is O-7 and is the same in the Army and the Air Force. In the Navy and Coast Guard the rank is Read Admiral (lower half) and at some times the rank of Commodore has been used. The rank is additionally indicated on the sleeves of various uniforms by a two inch gold band topped by a one inch gold band and an insignia indicating the branch of the service to which the officer is assigned (most often a gold star indicating a line officer). Shoulder boards are mostly gold with a silver fowled anchor and one silver star.
Brigadier.
A rank in the Royal Marines equivalent to Brigadier General in the U. S. Marine Corps.
Brown Shoe Marine.
An old salt. Until Secretary of Defense MacNamara, under President Kennedy, forced all of the services to use the same shoes, Marines were issued brown shoes. In the early 1960s the shoe color changed to black but the old salts continued to wear their brown shoes as long as they could get away with it. In the Navy, any member of the aviation community is called Brown Shoe in reference to the aviator's brown flying boots.
Brown Water Navy
Operations in rivers and other shallow water locations. See Shallow Water Sailor.
Bucket of Steam.
A commodity used in a practical joke by “salty” Marines who would send inexperienced comrades on a mission to find one as part of an informal initiation rite. Taken from a similar tactic among sailors.
Bug Juice.
Colored, sweetened water served on ship or in mess halls.
Bug Out.
To leave quickly, usually as a unit.
Bulkhead.
Wall, from the naval term for the water-tight structure between compartments on a ship.
Bull Run.
The first major battle of the Civil War in which a battalion of inexperienced Marines from the Washington Navy Yard performed well beyond what should have been expected of them. With an average of 3 weeks since enlisting, the Marines were trained enroute to the battle by Major John G. Reynolds, the battalion commander, and his officers. They supported the 11th New York "Fire Zouaves" in the first attack during which the Zouaves broke and ran--never to be seen again on the battlefield-taking the Marines with them from the field. The Marines were rallied four times and entered the battle (a rate equal to the professional soldiers of the Federal Army) five times. On the fifth attack the field was swept by fresh Confederate troops (in blue uniforms) who had just been brought in by train from the Shenendoah Valley. General McDowell and his officers roundly praised the Marines for their skill and tenacity but Colonel Commandant John Harris, in his report to the Secretary of the Navy, wrote, "It is the first instance in history where any portion of its members turned their backs on the enemy." Ignoring fact, the Commandant attempted to hurt the career of Major Reynolds and established a lie in the annals of the Corps.
Burrows, William Ward.
Second Marine Commandant. Appointed a major under the authority of the Act of July 11, 1798 which established the Marine Corps he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel Commandant on May 1, 1800 under the authority of the Act of April 22, 1800. He was born in South Carolina on Jan. 16, 1758 and died in office on March 6, 1804.
Butt.
A cigarette or a wooden cask or barrel in the wooden Navy.
Butt Kit.
Ash tray. Often a #10 tin can filled with dirt or sand.
Butter Bar.
Second lieutenant or ensign, from the gold color of their rank insignia. A pejorative term.

Bursting Bomb.
An ancient insignia used in the Marine Corps to designate a warrant officer with the MOS that entitles him or her to be called "gunner" and on the enlisted grade insignia of master gunnery sergeant.
By your leave...
A phrase spoken by a junior when overcoming a senior prior to passing. Also a request to be allowed to depart. Usually followed by "sir" or "ma'm".
C-Rations.
Individual meals used in the field from World War II until Vietnam. They came in a box containing cans of food and a foil accessory pack. They were replaced by the Meal, Ready to Eat.
Cadillac.
Marine Corps issued boots. The predominant form of transportation for recruits and infantry Marines.
CAMMIES
The field uniform of the Marine Corps since the 1970s. The original design was stolen by the Army and then every other military service and in 2002 the “pixilated” design was introduced. The design itself includes tiny Marine Corps emblems and blends better into most natural settings.
Campaign Cover.
The hat worn by drill instructors. Sometimes called a Smoky Bear hat.
Cannon Cocker.
A Marine in the artillery or a Navy gunner's mate.
CAO.
Casualty Assistance Officer.
CAP.
(aviation) Combat Air Patrol. (Vietnam)Combined Action Platoon, Marines and Vietnameese soldiers working together, generally as part of the "Pacification Program".
Captain. (Navy)
The sixth grade of commissioned officer of the Navy or Coast Guard indicated by silver eagles worn on the collar points or by four broad gold stripes topped by a gold star or insignia of branch of service on the shoulder board or jacket sleeve. The pay grade is O-5 and in the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps is a colonel.

Captain. (Marine)
The third grade of commissioned officer and most senior of the company grade officers indicated by two silver bars on the collar of the uniform. The pay grade is O-3 and is the same in the Army and the Air Force. In the Navy and Coast Guard the rank is lieutenant and is additionally indicated on the shoulder boards and sleeves of various uniforms by two broad silver bands topped by the insignia indicating the branch of the service to which the officer is assigned (most often a gold star indicating a line officer).
Captain Jinx of the Horse Marines.
A popular square dance tune from the 19th Century. The captain is actually an Army officer but the tune was so popular that no application of fact could change the words.
Captain’s Mast.
Non-judicial punishment exercised by a ship captain.
Catipult.
A device on aircraft carriers that hurls an aircraft into the air. Operated by a giant steam piston it shakes the entire ship when engaged.
CG.
Commanding General.
Chain of Command.
The continuous chain of authority that links the most junior private to the Commander in Chief and vice versa. Many argue that the U. S. implementation of the chain of command is the most important strategy employed by our military forces. In other armies the loss of a commander would throw the entire organization into disorder while in the U. S. military, the next most senior person present just assumes command. It is taught that whenever two Marines are walking together, one is in charge.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
A general or admiral appointed by the President to serve as his senior military advisor. He works with the Secretary of Defense and has no direct authority over the individual services. He does, however, direct the Unified Commands as the direct superior to their Commanders in Chief.
CHAMPUS.
Civilian Health And Medical Program of the U.S. (The military HMO)--now TRICARE.
Chaplain.
A religious leader commissioned into the Navy to provide religious services to and for members of the Naval establishment. They are addressed as Chaplain regardless of rank.
Charlie.
(Vietnam)A Viet Comunist soldier, abbreviated VC or Victor Charlie, thus Charlie.
Charlie Echo Code.
A numerical code devised by aviators during the Vietnam War after they were admonished for their frequent use of profanity and unkind references to staff and command personnel. The code was a three-digit number with each number having a specific meaning. It was used in the form “Charlie Echo 103”.
Charlie Sierra.
Chicken Shit.
Check your six.
Look behind you. From the aviation term, “your 6 o’clock” referring to the relative location of an aircraft with 12 o’clock being directly in front of the airplane.
Cheeseburgers.
See Sliders.
Chesty.
Lieutenant General Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller, legendary former enlisted Marine (see Mustang) who commanded Marines during the Korean War. Many Drill Instructors require their recruits to recite, “Good night General Puller, wherever you are.” Upon retiring at night. Also a favorite name for a bulldog who is the mascot of a Marine unit.
Marine PFC

Chevron.
A basic element of the enlisted rank structure. Until the late 19th Century chevrons were worn in the European tradition with the point facing down. Now the normal position for a chevron in the United States military is with the point up.
Chicken Shit.
Stupid and petty stuff usually directed by someone of more rank or authority.
Chief of Naval Operations.
Abbreviated CNO, this is the highest ranking Naval Officer, reporting to the Secretary of the Navy. He sits as a regular member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and is eligible to serve as Chairman. He holds the rank of admiral. The Commandant of the Marine Corps does not report to the CNO.
Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
The highest ranking officer in the Air Force, reporting to the Secretary of the Air Force. He sits as a regular member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and is eligible to serve as Chairman. He holds the rank of general.
Chief of Staff of the Army.
The highest ranking officer in the Army, reporting to the Secretary of the Army. Prior to the Civil War an officer in this position was often called General-in-Chief. It was last applied to Winfield Scott, commander of U. S. troops in the Mexican War. He sits as a regular member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and is eligible to serve as Chairman. He holds the rank of general.
Chief of the Boat.
The senior chief petty officer on a submarine.

Chief Petty Officer.
A Navy and Coast Guard enlisted rank consisting of three inverted chevrons with an inverted rocker on top and a Navy eagle sitting on the rocker. See Gunnery Sergeant of Marines.
China Marines.
Marines of the 4th Marine Regiment assigned to China in the first half of the 20th Century. Also called Horse Marines.
Chit.
Any piece of paper authorizing something (light duty chit, leave chit, etc.) within the Naval establishment.
Chop Chop.
Quickly or in a hurry. Derived from Chinese by the old China Marines.
Chosin Reservoir.
The fiercest and most costly battle in the Korean War was a retreat under fire in 30 below temperatures against a well-trained, much larger force. Chesty Puller's Marines were professional in all aspects of the operation. They won the respect of everyone from General MacArthur to the newest Army private who fought with them. See Puller, Lewis B.
Click.
An inexact distance derived from artillery sightings in which each click of site elevation would move the impact point depending on a number of diverse options. Usually taken to mean either a mile or a kilometer. Used mostly since Vietnam.
Close Air Support.
A concept devised in World War II and perfected in Korea in which aircraft strafe enemy positions or formations only yards from the Marine front line. Marine aviators are most proficient at it but flying sailors also do an acceptable job. The Navy calls it, "Moving mud to help out the grunts."
Cluster Fuck.
(Vietnam) A mission, operation or activity gone bad. Confusion.
Cinderella Liberty.
Liberty that expires at midnight. Used mostly in foreign ports where the captain is concerned for the safety of his crew or as a subliminal form of punishment.
CMC.
Commandant of the Marine Corps. Also, in the Navy, Command Master Chief Petty Officer
One of the five armed services and the only one not in the Department of Defense. In peacetime they are part of the Treasury Department because of their missions which include water search and rescue, drug interdiction and waterway safety.
Coastie.
A member of the Coast Guard.
Code Talkers.
Mostly Marines who were recruited during World War II to serve as field radio operators. They would take the orders of the various commanders and translate them into Navajo and sending the information to another Code Talker who would translate it back into English. It is the only field code never broken by the Japanese.

Colonel.
The sixth grade of commissioned officer and senior field grade officer indicated by a silver eagle (head facing the front or center of the body) on the collar of the uniform. Air Force and Marine colonels wear two eagles while Army colonels wear the eagle only on the left collar while the insignia of their branch of service is worn on the other. The pay grade is O-6 and in the Navy and Coast Guard the rank is captain.
Commandant's Own.
Name given to the United States Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps.
Combat Correspondents.
Marines who report war news from the front and who assist the news media in reporting about Marines in combat. They are trained at the
Commandant of the Coast Guard.
The highest ranking officer in the Coast Guard reporting to the Secretary of the Treasury in peace time and the Secretary of the Navy in wartime. He holds the rank of admiral.
The highest ranking person in the Marine Corps. The first CMC was a captain and the rank has increased until today he holds the rank of general. He is appointed by the President and reports to the Secretary of the Navy. He sits as a regular member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and is eligible to serve as Chairman.
Commander in Chief.
The President of the United States or the senior officer in a unified command.
Commander.
One who is in charge of a military unit or, in the Navy and Coast Guard a rank equivalent to a Marine lieutenant colonel. See lieutenant colonel.
Commanding General.
A general officer in charge of a unit with the authorities granted under the UCMJ to dispense justice appropriate to his or her rank.
Commanding Officer.
A person in charge of a unit with the authorities granted under the UCMJ to dispense justice appropriate to his or her rank.
Grocery store on base run by DeCA (Defense Commissary Agency).
Commissioned Officer.
Officers who have been designated as “officers and gentlemen” by the Congress on the advice of the President. Noncommissioned officers are rated and warrant officers are granted warrants to their grade. Enlisted Marines are fond of making note that their parents made them gentlemen, it did not require an act of Congress.
Company Grade.
A commissioned officer in the first three grades. In the Navy and Coast Guard they are ensign, lieutenant (junior grade) and lieutenant. In the Army, Air Force or Marine Corps they are first and second lieutenants and captain. Traditionally, particularly in the Naval services, these officers may be addressed as mister, but a smart Marine doesn’t follow this tradition.
Company Gunny.
Usually a gunnery sergeant in a company who is charged with training. It is a billet and not a rank.
Company.
A unit containing more than one platoon. They are typically commanded by a captain. Companies are assigned within Battalions.
Confederate States Marine Corps.
Many of the officers of the CSM were formerly officers or noncommissioned officers in the U. S. Marine Corps who resigned to "go south". Their headquarters were at the fort at Drewry's Bluff on the James River keeping the U. S. Navy from firing on Richmond, the Confederate capital.
Confidence Course.
A series of large scale obstacles that a Marine must overcome, particularly in boot camp. It is generally not a timed event and is most often an individual effort to overcome fears of height and to develop confidence in recruits. See Obstacle Course.
Congressional Medal of Honor.
See Medal of Honor.
Constructionman.
A Navy enlisted rank. See Seaman.
CONUS.
Continental United States.
Corfam®.
A material used to make dress shoes and boots that has a high gloss finish. See Spit Shine. A registered product of the DuPont Company.
Corp.
An abbreviation for the word corporation which is frequently used incorrectly in place of the word Corps.

Corporal of Marines.
The first of the noncommissioned officer ranks is indicated by two chevrons and crossed rifles below them worn on both sleeves. The pay grade is E-4 and is equivalent to corporal in the Army, senior airman in the Air Force and petty officer third class in the Navy and Coast Guard..
Corps.
A military unit containing multiple Divisions or a unique, specified military organization given the designation.
Corpsman.
An enlisted member of the Navy Medical Corps. See Doc.
Cosmolene®.
A protective fluid placed on rifles and other metal objects which hardens and keeps the item from rusting or corroding. It must be removed before the item can be used. Also refers to something new as in, "it was still in cosmolene".
Cover.
Caps, hats and other things worn on the head. Marines wear covers, regardless of what the headgear actually is.
Coxswain.
One who steers a boat or has charge of its crew.
Crossing the Line.
An alegorical ceremony performed aboard ship whenever the ship crosses a navigational line such as the equator or into another ocean. Very colorful and usually involves an initiation of those who have never crossed the line before.
Crow.
General reference to the Naval Eagle in the rank insignia of U. S. Navy petty officers.
Crucible.
A 54-hour training event in which Marine recruits are physically and mentally challenged by lack of sleep, minimal food, forced marches, teamwork exercises and leadership opportunities. It is the final major training event of boot camp and is designed to pull together everything they have been taught previously and survive a real challenge. Parents of recruits or potential recruits should be told that while it will be difficult for their child, it is safe and well supervised. It culminates in the Warrior Breakfast and signals a change in their drill instructors from task masters to mentors.
Cruise. See Deployment.
Crumb Catcher. The mouth.
Cumshaw.
A present or gratuity, often a piece of needed equipment that appears when needed (while at the same time a similar item disappears from another unit). A cumshaw artist is generally prized within a unit for his or her ability to provide-and few questions are asked. From the old Chinese term “kam sia” meaning grateful thanks.
DD Form 4. The enlistment contract.
DD Form 214.
The certificate of service issued upon discharge. It lists all pertinent service information such as rank, date of rank, awards, special education and nature of service (honorable, bad conduct, dishonorable).
Dap.
A complicated and unique hand shake devised by African American Marines in Vietnam as a demonstration of racial pride. Quickly picked up by non African Americans and eventually a common form of greeting. It came back to the United States with many of the veterans and became widespread for more than a decade.
Date of Enlistment.
For enlisted personnel this is the third level used to determine precedence among individuals of the same rank. The senior of two persons of the same rank is determined by the earliest date of rank while among two or more where rank and date of rank are identical, the one with the earliest date of enlistment is senior.
Date of Commissioning.
For commissioned officers this date serves the same purpose as Date of Enlistment does for enlisted personnel.
Date of Promotion.
The day on which a promotion warrant or order is signed.
Date of Rank.
The day on which a promotion is effective. Usually the date of rank is prior to the date of promotion (sometimes by days, sometimes by weeks, sometimes by years depending on the requirements of the promoting authority). Date of rank is used to establish precedence for promotion to the next higher rank and to establish seniority among individuals of the same rank (See General of the Armies).
Deck. Floor, from the naval term.
Deck Ape.
Anyone in the Deck Force on board ship (those sailors who chip paint, swab decks, mend canvas and create ornamental rope work). Generally a Boatswain's Mate or Boatswain's Mate striker.
Deep Six.
To throw something overboard or away. Originally the call of a sailor to the bridge that the debth of the water is more than six but not quite seven fathoms.
Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (used to register dependents for CHAMPUS).
Delayed Enlistment Program.
A recruiting procedure which allows a person to enlist in the inactive reserve prior to reporting for duty. It legally binds the person to enlistment and gives him or her seniority when the enlistment into active duty takes place.
Delta Sierra. Dumb Shit.
DEP. Delayed Enlistment Program.
Department of the Navy.
The unit, under the Department of Defense, that manages the Navy and Marine Corps. There are also Departments of the Army and Air Force.
Dependent.
Usually the spouse and children of military people. Others can be dependents but it usually requires a civil court order.
Deployment.
Leaving the normally assigned duty area, usually as a unit, to serve temporarilly in another area, normally on board ship. See Float.
DEROS. Date of Estimated Return from Overseas.
Deuce Gear. See 782 gear.
Devil Dog.
A Marine. The name “Teufel Hunden” was given to the Marines by their German enemies in World War I, probably as an insult since hunden translates more correctly as "bitch". It has come to be considered a sign of respect for the dogged determination of Marines.
DI.
Abbreviation for drill instructor. It is never used in speaking. Also a mid-20th Century movie about a drill instructor at Parris Island, SC starring Jack Webb
Di Di.
Pronounced D-D. From the Vietnamese term Di Di Mau which was loosely translated to mean "move quickly".
Didie Bop.
To move in such a manner as to be extremely cool. (Vietnam) Diddy; to move on, usually quickly.
Dinky Dau. A Vietnamese term translated by Americans to mean crazy.
Division.
A unit containing multiple regiments, traditionally under the command of a Corps.
Dixie Cup.
Headgear worn by enlisted sailors through the grade of E-6 (first class petty officer). See White Hat.
Dixie Station.
One of two positions typically occupied by an aircraft carrier off the coast of Vietnam. Dixie was the southern station and was charged with troop support.
DMZ.
Demilitarized Zone. In Vietnam, a section of South Vietnam between the Marines of I Corps and North Vietnam. In Korea, the line drawn at the 38th Parallell. Any point between two beligerant camps.
Doc.
A term reserved for Navy enlisted medical corpsmen assigned to duty with Marine Corps combat units. These sailors are generally given the same respect that one Marine gives to another Marine. In fact, Navy corpsmen who earn service medals during duty with the Marine Corps are authorized to wear a miniature eagle, globe and anchor on their ribbon-something not even authorized for Marines.
Doctor.
A commissioned officer in the Navy with a medical degree, usually referred to by their military rank.
Dog Robber.
An aide to a general officer whose duties are so varied as to defy explanation.
Dog Tags.
Originally metal disks embossed with personal information that could be left with a body on the field of battle for identification. Eventually it evolved into a rounded rectangle with a small indentation on one side so that it could be set on the teeth of a deceased soldier and kicked into the head so that the enemy could not strip the dead soldier of his identity. See also Toe Chain.
Dog Watch.
The normal watch from 1600 until 2000. It is broken into two smaller watches (first dog and second dog) so that everyone has the opportunity to eat the evening meal and to change the rotation of the watches where there are only two groups of watch standers (mostly from the days of smaller wooden ships).
Dogs. Feet. Also a pejorative term for soldiers.
Double Time.
A marching pace which is double “quick time” in which the arms are bent at the elbow and the troops run in step.
Dress Blues, Tennis Shoes, and a Light Coat of Oil.
A flip response to the question, "what is the uniform" or "what will you be wearing".
Drill Instructor.
A noncommissioned officer charged with the training of Marine recruits and the making of Marines. Each recruit platoon usually has three drill instructors, a senior drill instructor and two junior drill instructors.
Drill Instructor’s Hut.
The office and duty quarters of the drill instructors, it is located within the recruit squad bay.
Drilling Holes in the Sky. Flying.
Drownproofing. Survival swimming taught to every recruit.
Drum Major.
The musician in charge of a band or musical unit. Usually elaborately dressed and carrying a baton which is used to signal changes in march and to provide a tempo to the music. Usually holding the rank of a staff noncommissioned officer.
Duty.
At work (on duty) or having special requirements after normal working hours. Units will have a Duty Officer, Duty NCO or Duty Driver.
Department of Veterans Affairs. See VA.
Eagle Globe and Anchor. The emblem of the United States Marine Corps adopted in 1868 under Brigadier General Commandant Jacob Zeilen following the Civil War. Prior to that time the Marines wore the Army infantry horn with a red field in the center and the letter “M” in Old English script.
EAS. End of Active Service.
EGA. An abbreviation for Eagle Globe and Anchor generally not used.
El Presidente.
Brand name of a Dominican Republic beer in 1965 when the Marines landed in that country.
El Espanol.
The hotel in the Dominican Republic that was headquarters for the 6th Regimental Landing Team (including BLT 3/6) in 1965.
Elliott, George.
Tenth Commandant of the Marine Corps. Born in Alabama on Nov. 30, 1856, he lived until Nov. 4, 1931. Appointed Brigadier General Commandant to replace Major General Commandant Heywood, the law was changed on May 13, 1908 establishing the position of Major General Commandant to which he was promoted.
Embassy Marine.
A Marine assigned to a State Department billet, usually at a United States embassy overseas.
EST. Essential Subjects Training.
Ex Marine. No such thing. Once a Marine, always a Marine. See Former Marine.
Exchange. See Marine Corps Exchange.
Falcon Code. A variation of the Charlie Echo Code.
Fantail. An open deck at the rear of a ship, usually where trash was dumped overboard.
Feather Merchant.
A person short or of slight build or a person in a comfortable or easy assignment such as headquarters duty or some staff billet.
Field Day. A day set aside for the thorough cleaning of barracks or offices.
Field Grade. A commissioned officer in the grade of major, lieutenant colonel or colonel.
Field Marshall.
A rank in many foreign military forces, including the Royal Marines, usually the highest ranking officer of the service. They are generally identified by the highly decorated baton that they carry on official occasions. Vaguely equivalent to Commandant of the Marine Corps or Chief of Naval Operations or one of the Chiefs of Staff. Not used in the military services of the United States.
Field Marshall’s Baton. See field Marshall.
Field Scarf. A necktie.
FIIGMO.
Fuck It, I Got My Orders. Often written FIGMO. Someone who has received permanent change of station orders or is ending their term of service. Either way they are Short Timers and don't much care about anything but leaving.
Final Strength Test.
A physical fitness test given near the end of recruit training to determine if a recruit has improved sufficiently based upon the results of the Initial Strength Test.
Fire Team.
The basic infantry fighting unit consisting of various weapons and support. Fire teams are combined into squads.
Fireman. A Navy enlisted rank. See Seaman.
First Lieutenant.
The second grade of commissioned officer, indicated by a silver bar on the collar of the uniform. The pay grade is O-2 and is the same in the Army and Air Force. In the Navy and Coast Guard the rank is lieutenant (junior grade) and is additionally indicated on shoulder boards or coat cuffs by one wide and one narrow gold stripe topped by an insignia indicating a branch (usually a gold star in the Navy or a gold shield in the Coast Guard indicating a line officer). In the Navy it refers to the Deck Division officer or person in charge of general seamanship.
First of foot and right of the line.
Honor bestowed on the U. S. Marine Corps by the Secretary of the Navy on Aug. 9, 1876. It means that Marines take the place of honor in any Naval formation.
First Sergeant of Marines.
The senior noncommissioned officer in a company indicated by three chevrons and three rockers with a diamond (lozenge) between chevrons and rockers, worn on each sleeve. The pay grade is E-8 and is the same in the Army. In the Air Force the rank is senior master sergeant which is a technical sergeant insignia with two chevrons above it. In the Navy and Coast Guard the rank is senior chief petty officer which is a chief petty officer with a star above the eagle. First sergeant in the Air Force is a billet and is indicated by a lozenge between chevrons and rockers on any insignia between master sergeant and chief master sergeant.
First to Fight.
Marines have been in the forefront of every American war since the founding of the Corps. They entered the Revolution in 1775, even before the Declaration of Independence was signed! Marines have carried out more than 300 landings on foreign shores. They have served everywhere, from the Arctic to tropics; their record for readiness reflects pride, responsibility, and challenge.
Flag Officer.
Any of the general or admiral ranks or any officer whose billet authorizes him or her to fly a personal flag. Prior to the Civil War Navy captains in charge of squadrons or fleets were called flag officers as a point of courtesy.
Fleet.
A group of ships unsually under the command of a flag officer. Also, "In the Fleet" a term used to indicate the Marine Corps beyond boot camp and technical school. It is "in the fleet" that a Marine does his or her job.
Fleet Admiral.
A wartime rank given to full admirals who command a fleet. The rank insignia consists of five silver stars in a circle. Fleet Admirals do not retire.
Float.
To be deployed at sea, usually on a MEU as in "six month float"
Flotsam.
Naturally occuring objects floating in the ocean (tree limbs, dead fish and birds and the like). See jetsam.
FMF.
Fleet Marine Force.
FNG.
Fucking New Guy.
Fore.
In front. From the naval term.
Forecastle.
Pronounced fok' sil. An open deck on board most ships at the bow, usually where the anchors were secured. Generally a place for off duty sailors to gather, tell sea stories and smoke.
Formed.
Reference to a unit of Marines who are under the control of someone and are standing, walking, marching, sitting or even lying in a prescribed manner. It is said that whenever two Marines are walking together, one is in command and the other is formed.
Former Marine.
An acceptable term for a Marine who is not currently serving, but make no mistake, that person is a Marine and always will be a Marine.
Fortitudine.
The original motto of the Marine Corps, Latin for fortitude. It has been replaced by Semper Fidelis.
Frag.
(Vietnam) To kill a person of superior rank, usually by throwing a fragmentation grenade into the room or area where he or she is located (such as a hooch or a latrine). Also to bombard with excess for the purpose of causing a problem or creating a distraction. Additionally, a fragmentary order giving subordinate commanders the information they require to conduct their portion of an operation.
French Fourragere.
The government of France honored the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments and the 6th Machinegun Battalion with the Fourragere for their fighting skills during World War I. Those units still wear the award today.
Frog.
Nickname for the CH-46 helicopter which sits with the rear portion of the craft lower than the front, squatting like a frog. Also, the green scarf worn wrapped around a Marine's neck in winter.
Frozen Chosin. See Chosin Reservoir.
FTA. Fuck the Army.
FTN. Fuck the Navy.
FUBAB. Fucked Up Beyond All Belief.
FUBAR. Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition. Another version is Fucked Up Beyond All Repair.
Fuller, Ben H.
Fifteenth Commandant of the Marine Corps. The Michigan native who was born Feb. 27, 1870 graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy and was appointed Major General Commandant on the death of Wendell Neville, July 9, 1930 and served until Feb. 28, 1934. He died June 8, 1937.
Funeral Pace. The pace of march for funerals, approximately half of quick time.
Gale, Anthony.
Fourth Commandant of the Marine Corps. Born in Ireland on Sept 17, 1782, as a young Marine officer serving in the Ganges he had been struck by a Navy junior officer whom he "called out" and shot. The action was received as honorable by then Commandant William Burrows. Following the death of Commandant Wharton in 1818 the position was filled in an acting capacity by Adjutant and Inspector, Brevet Major Samuel Miller and then by Brevet Major Archibald Henderson. Gale's short tenure as Lieutenant Colonel Commandant was punctuated with the dislike of the Secretary of the Navy who charged him in a court martial. The specifications included, "being intoxicated in common dram shops and other places of low repute." He pleaded not guilty by reason of temporary insanity but was found guilty and sentenced to dismissal from the service. He died about 1843 and his place of burial is unknown. He also remains the only Commandant for whom no likeness exists.
Gangway.
An order to clear space for an approaching senior officer.
Garrison Cover.
A uniform cover invented in the 20th Century it consists of a peaked cap running for and aft on the head displaying on the front left the eagle globe and anchor and on the right the rank insignia of commissioned and warrant officers. No rank is worn on the cap by enlisted personnel. See Pisscutter.
Gas Chamber.
A building used for the training of recruits and Marines in the actions to be taken during a Nuclear, Biological or Chemical attack. Various gasses are used in training and all of them are noxious but none are fatal.
Gear.
Things. Personal things such as clothing and equipment or unit things such as 782 gear. Essentially all things.
Gear Afrift. Anything not properly stowed, tied down or otherwise secured. Geedunk.
A snack bar on ship. Any place that candy and pogey bait are sold.
General.
Highest rank in the Marine Corps. The Commandant of the Marine Corps is a general. The pay grade is O-10 and is designated by four silver stars worn on collar points. The rank is the same in the Army and Air Force. In the Navy the rank is admiral and is additionally designated by a two inch gold band and four one inch gold bands topped by a star on the jacket sleeves. The shoulder boards are mostly gold with a silver fowled anchor and four silver stars..
General of the Air Force.
A wartime rank given to commanders of numbered Air Forces. The rank insignia is five silver stars in a circle worn on collar points.
General of the Armies.
A rank given to General Pershing to place him above all other general officers. Unlike Generals of the Army, Pershing did retire. In the late 20th Century Congress promoted Lt. Gen. George Washington to this rank but gave him an earlier date of rank (See Date of Rank).
General of the Army.
A wartime rank given to commanders of Armies. The rank insignia is five silver stars in a circle worn on collar points. Generals of the Army do not retire.
General Orders.
There are eleven general orders and every Marine must memorize them:
To take charge of this post and all government property in view.
To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing.
To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce.
To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guardhouse than my own.
To quit my post only when properly relieved.
To receive, obey, and pass on to the sentry who relieves me, all orders from the commanding officer, officer of the day, and officers and noncommissioned officers of the guard only.
To talk to no one except in the line of duty.
To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.
To call the corporal of the guard in any case not covered by instructions.
To salute all officers and all colors and standards not cased.
To be especially watchful at night, and during the time for challenging, to challenge all persons on or near my post and to allow no one to pass without proper authority.
General Quarters.
The highest condition of alert on board ship it pulls the crew from their normal work assignments to a warfighting stance. In wooden ships with rigging, a portion of the Marine Detachment would report to the rigging as sharpshooters while others would report to a gun crew. In the modern Navy the Marines usually man one or more guns (which are usually painted with an eagle globe and anchor and generally are know to have the highest accuracy of all gun crews).
GI. Government Issue. A member of the military services.
GI Bill.
Originally GI Bill of Rights. Financial assistance provided to people who have or are serving in the military for educational and home purchasing purposes. Administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
GMT. See Zulu Time.
Goat Locker.
Navy Chief Petty Officer's quarters. From the Naval tradition that goats brought on board for milk were under the charge of the chiefs. Probably the origin of the phrase Old Goat.
Gofasters. Sneakers.
Good to go.
A phrase delivered with the usual Marine exuberance meaning I am ready or the piece of equipment is ready or that despite what may appear to be obstacles, the mission will be completed.
Grade.
The relative position of a person to other persons of similar rank. See pay grade.
Greenwich Mean Time. See Zulu Time.
Grinder.
A large field, usually paved, upon which formations and parades are held. See Parade Deck.
Grog.
An alcoholic beverage issued to sailors and Marines aboard ship until the Civil War. The recipe varried but was most commonly half rum and half water. See Splice the Main Brace.
Grunt.
Originally a pejorative term for Infantry Marines but now a source of pride.
GU11. The Navy version of the Air Force B1RD.
Guide.
The person responsible for the unit guidon and upon whom the unit forms when in formation.
Guidon.
The official pennant of a platoon, company, battalion or squadron. Above those levels the unit has official colors and they parade in relation to the national flag.
Gung Ho. Eager and ready to accomplish whatever task necessary.
Gunner.
A Marine warrant officer in a specific MOS. The name is often given to all warrant officers but that is not correct. A person of this rank will replace the insignia of rank on his right collar with a bursting bomb insignia. See also “lipstick lieutenant”.

Gunnery Sergeant of Marines.
A noncommissioned officer in pay grade E-7 who wears three chevrons and two rockers with crossed rifles between them on both sleeves of his or her uniform. In the Army that pay grade is a sergeant first class (essentially the same insignia in different colors without the crossed rifles) and in the Air Force it is master sergeant (the insignia of a technical sergeant with one chevron above the five rockers. In the Navy and Coast Guard it is chief petty officer (three inverted chevrons with an inverted rocker above, upon which is perched an American eagle).
Gunny.
A term of respect for a gunnery sergeant but not generally used by junior Marines. See Company Gunny.
Gyrene. A diminutive form of Marine. Seldom used by Marines.
Harper's Ferry.
The location of John Brown's ill fated uprising in 1859 and of his capture by U. S. Marines under the command of Army Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Lee. The Marines were led by Lt Israel Greene who later resigned his commission to join the Confederate States Marines. Marine Private Luke Quinn was killed when he breached a hole in the firehouse door and was shot by John Brown and can, arguably, be considered the first casualty of the Civil War.
Harris, John
Sixth Commandant of the Marine Corps. Born in Chester County, PA on May 20, 1790 he became Colonel Commandant on the death of Archibald Henderson and served through the Civil War. His leadership is overshadowed by his personal battles with other senior Marine officers, one of which resulted in his report to the Secretary of the Navy after the First Battle of Bull Run in which he ignored the accolades of senior Army commanders on the field and reported that it was "the first instance in history where any portion of its members turned their backs on the enemy." The erroneous report has stained the reputation of the Corps for eternity. He died, in office, on May 12, 1864.
Hashmark.
Stripes worn on forearm of dress and service uniforms by enlisted Marines, each denotes 4 yrs of service.
Hatch. Door, from the naval term for the entrance to a compartment.
Head. Latrine or toilet, from the naval term.
Henderson, Archibald.
Fifth Commandant of the Marine Corps, known as the "Grand Old Man of the Corps" he served the longest in the position--38 years. The Virginia native was born on Jan. 21, 1783 and served as Acting Commandant from Sept. 16, 1818 until Gale's appointment on March 3, 1819. He was named Lieutenant Colonel Commandant at the conclusion of Gale's court martial which cashiered him from the service, Oct. 17, 1820. During Henderson's tenure he led the Marines in the Indian Wars in Florida, reportedly tacking a note to the door of the Commandant's House saying, "Gone to fight the Indians, be back when the war is over". He also became the first Colonel Commandant and was awarded a Brevet promotion to Brigadier General. In the social setting of Washington he was known as General Henderson but he always signed official documents as Colonel Commandant.
Henderson Hall.
Headquarters of the U. S. Marine Corps in Arlington, VA. The building was named for Brevet Brigadier General, Colonel Commandant Archibald Henderson, the Grand Old Man of the Corps.
Heywood, Charles.
Ninth Commandant of the Marine Corps. Born in Maine Oct. 3, 1839 he became Colonel Commandant on Jan. 30, 1891 and served in the position until Oct. 2, 1903. On March 3, 1899 the billet of Commandant was again raised to Brigadier General and on July 1, 1902 a law was passed promoting the incumbent to Major General Commandant but requiring that his replacement be a Brigadier General. He died on Feb. 26, 1915.
High and Tight. The traditional Marine haircut.
HMFIC.
Head Mother Fucker In Charge. An Eubonic version is HMFWIC for Head Mother Fucker What's In Charge.
Holcomb, Thomas.
Seventeenth Commandant of the Marine Corps. Born in Delaware Aug. 5, 1879 he was named Major General Commandant on Dec. 1, 1936. On Jan. 20, 1942 a new law provided for the Commandant to be a Lieutenant General and provided that the title be "Commandant of the Marine Corps", dropping the reference to rank. He retired from the Marine Corps on Dec. 31, 1943 and the next day was promoted to General on the retired list, the first Marine to hold that rank. He died May 24, 1965.
Hole. Window, from the naval term porthole. See “make a hole”.
Hollywood Marines.
Marines trained at MCRD San Diego, CA. It is rumored among Parris Island Marines that Hollywood Marines are issued sun glasses in boot camp. There are no female Hollywood Marines since all female Marines go through boot camp in the 4th Recruit Training Battalion (formerly WM Battalion) at MCRD Parris Island, SC.
Hooch.
(Vietnam) Living quarters, originally occupied by enlisted Marines, the word later become a general term for wherever a Marine was living. The civilian word crib is essentially the same.
Horse Marines. See China Marines.
Hospital Corners.
A method of making a rack where the top blanket is squared off at the corners leaving one 45 degree angle on each corner. The procedure allows the blanket to be tucked under making it straight and tight.
Hostess House. An on-base hotel for guests of Marines.
House Mouse.
A recruit who provides assistance to the drill instructor in the form of keeping the drill instructor hut tidy and other minor tasks and chores. It is an informal position and the person is selected by the drill instructor. Often it leads to one of the promotions given at the conclusion of basic training.
HQMC. Headquarters Marine Corps.
Huey.
HU1E, the designation of a helicopter used extensivelly in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam period.
Hump. A field march or extended hike. To work hard.
IBGB.
Itty Bitty Gook Boats. Small Vietnamese fishing junks in the DaNang area. Early in the 1960s they were prevalent but by the end of the decade they were nearly extinct.
IG. Inspector General.
Ike Jacket.
A uniform jacket authorized just after World War II and continuing into the early 1960s. It was a forest green fabric with a belt and no skirt below the belt. Made famous by Army General “Ike” Eisenhower it was used in the Army, Army Air Corps and Marine Corps.
In Country. Serving in Vietnam.
In the Fleet. See Fleet.
Initial Strength Test.
A physical test given early in the training of a recruit to determine if the recruit meets minimum fitness standards and to set a baseline for measuring progress.
Ink Stick. Pen (a writing instrument).
Irish Pennant.
A string hanging randomly from a Marine’s uniform. Longer ones are sometimes called rappelling ropes or cables. A squared away Marine will be free of Irish pennants, particularly at an inspection.
Iron Mike. A statue of a World War I Marine on Parris Island, SC.
Jack.
A flag at the bow of a ship or sometimes a sailor, from the Royal Navy term for sailor--Jack Tar. The Jack of a United States ship has a blue field and 50 white stars and is flown from the bow while in port. During courts martials or courts of inquiry on board the Jack is flown from the yardarm.
JAG. Judge Advocate General. The legal branch of the military services.
Jarhead.
A pejorative term for a Marine. One account suggests that it refers to the Marine high and tight haircut which looks like someone placed a jar on the head and cut off any hair that was sticking out.
Jetsam.
Items floating in the ocean that did not get there naturally (milled wood, paper, trash and other items jetisoned into the oceans). See flotsam.
JG. Refers to a Navy lieutenant junior grade.
Joe.
Coffee. Josephus Daniels (18 May 1862-15 January 1948) was appointed Secretary of the Navy by President Woodrow Wilson in 1913. Among his reforms of the Navy were inaugurating the practice of making 100 Sailors from the Fleet eligible for entrance into the Naval Academy, the introduction of women into the service, and the abolishment of the officers' wine mess. From that time on, the strongest drink aboard Navy ships could only be coffee and over the years, a cup of coffee became known as "a cup of Joe".
Joe Shit The Rag Man. The generic screw up.
John Wayne. The tool included in each case of C-Rations used to open the cans. See P-38.
John Wayne Crackerbox Junior.
A name used by SSgt. Ed Johnson (the editor’s senior drill instructor) in 1962 to refer to any male person. According to SSgt. Johnson, he had a sister named Suzy Rottencrotch--which was a reference to any female person.
Joint Chiefs of Staff.
A Department of Defense organization consisting of the Chiefs of Staff of the Army and Air Force, the Chief of Naval Operations and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Their chairman is appointed by the President. While each member retains control of their specific service, the JCS commands the Unified Commands.
Junior Drill Instructor. See Drill Instructor.
Junk on the bunk.
An inspection of a Marine’s uniforms and equipment in which everything is laid out in a specified order on the bunk bed. Also called “things on the springs” or “seabag inspection”.
K-bar. A fighting knife used by reconnaissance Marines. Also called a Kaybar.
King Neptune.
The mythological God of the Sea. He always presides, with his court, at Line-Crossing Ceremonies.
Kiwi®.
The preferred brand of shoe polish for Marines since World War II. Also the national bird of New Zealand, and a nickname for a New Zealander. A registered trade mark of the Sara Lee Corporation.
KP. Kitchen Police. Duty assigned to junior enlisted Marines, sometimes as punishment.

Lance Corporal.
The rank between private first class and corporal. It is not a noncommissioned officer rank and the insignia is a single chevron with crossed rifles beneath it worn on each sleeve of the uniform. The pay grade is E-3 and is equivalent to a private first class in the Army (who wears a single chevron and a rocker) and an airman first class in the Air Force (who wears two inverted chevrons with a star in a circle covering the points of the chevrons). In the Navy and Coast Guard the rank is seaman (three angular stripes in a box on the left sleeve only).
Landing Party Manual.
The complete book of what to do and when to do it that guided the Marine Corps through most of the 20th Century. Now obsolete, copies are prized by professional Marines for the wealth of information and simple approach to leadership, morale, discipline, warfighting and professionalism.
LBV.
Load Bearing Vest. A vest that holds magazines of amunition, grenades and a cartridge belt to which are attached other equipment such as first aid kit, canteens and cup. See 782 Gear.
Leatherneck.
A Marine. The phrase comes from the early days of the Marine Corps when enlisted men were given strips of leather to wear around their necks. The popular concept has it that the leather was to protect the neck from a saber slash. Truth is that it was to keep the Marines from slouching in uniform by forcing them to keep their head up.
A magazine published for Marines by the Marines
Leave.
An authorized absence from duty. Marines earn 30 days of leave each year and are encouraged to take the time off.
Lejeune, John Archer.
Thirteenth Commandant of the Marine Corps. Legendary World War I commander he was the first Marine to command Army troops. Born in Louisiana on Jan 10, 1867 he died on Nov. 20, 1942. He was first appointed Major General Commandant on July 1, 1920 and was the first Commandant to be reappointed, serving untilMarch 4, 1929. He was also a graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy.
LES. Leave and Earnings Statement.
Liberty.
An authorized absence from duty. Usually the time when not at work or on duty. Liberty is granted by the local commander and may be as long as 96 consecutive hours. It does not count as leave.
Lid. Another acceptable word for cover.
Lieutenant Colonel.
The fifth grade of commissioned officer indicated by a silver oak leaf on the collar of the uniform. The pay grade is O-5 and is the same in the Army and the Air Force. In the Navy and the Coast Guard the rank is commander and is additionally indicated with three broad gold bands topped by an insignia representing a branch (usually a gold star in the Navy and a gold shield in the Coast Guard) on shoulder boards or cuffs.
Lieutenant Commander.
The Navy and Coast Guard rank equivalent to a Marine major. See major.
Lieutenant General.
Third of the flag officer ranks indicated by three silver stars on the collar of the uniform. The pay grade is O-9 and is the same in the Army and the Air Force. In the Navy and Coast Guard the rank is vice admiral and is additionally indicated with a two inch gold band topped with three one inch gold bands and a gold star in the Navy and gold shield in the Coast Guard on coat cuffs. Mostly gold shoulder boards sport a silver fowled anchor and three silver stars.
Lifer.
A person apparently intending to serve on active duty until retirement. One with extensive experience. See Refil.
Line.
All rope and cord used on board ship is called a line.
Line Crossing Ceremony.
Held when a ship crosses the Equator. King Neptune and his court preside as Pollywogs are turned into Shellbacks. Similar ceremonies are held when a ship crosses other international lines.
Line Officer.
A Navy officer who is “with a ship of the line” which is every officer not a staff officer such as supply, medical, judge advocate, chaplain, etc.
Lipstick.
In the mid-20th Century the lipstick worn by Women Marines was all the same shade-Montezuma Red. The color survives in the color of the cord on the female enlisted Marine’s garrison cap.
Lipstick Lieutenant.
A pejorative term for a Marine warrant officer. The term is derived from the fact that the insignia for warrant officers are the first and second lieutenants’ gold and silver bars with stripes of red. Well liked warrant officers are informally addressed as gunner, all others are addressed as Mister or warrant officer.
LPM. See Landing Party Manual.
Lubriplate®.
A commercial lubricant used to protect the wear points of weapons.
LZ. Helicopter Landing Zone. A field position usually designated with a name (LZ Lark, LZ Betty, LX Mouse).
M-1.
The U.S. rifle caliber .30, M1, is an air-cooled, gas-operated, clip-fed, and semiautomatic shoulder weapon. The primary infantry weapon of World War II and Korea. It replaced the Springfield 05 and was replaced by the M-14.
M-14 Rifle

M-14.
[currently seeking the nomenclature of this 7.62 mm rifle which was used between Korea and Vietnam] It replaced the M-1 as the basic infantry weapon and was replaced at the start of the Vietnam War by the Matel M-16.
M-16 Rifle.
Basic infantry weapon that replaced the M-14 at the start of the Vietnam War. It was designed by Eugene Stoner for the Armalite Company and was produced by Colt. See Mattel.
M-1911A1.
The automatic pistol, caliber 45 is a recoil operated, magazine fed hand weapon. Used from World War I until the 1990s, it has been replaced by the M-9.
Maggie’s Drawers.
A red flag waved from the rifle pits to indicate a complete miss of the target during qualification firing.
Mail Buoy.
A non-existent navigational aid used in a practical joke by "salty" Marines and sailors. Allegedly, the mail buoy or sea buoy was a device to which passing ships or aircraft would attach packets of mail. Inexperienced Marines or sailors were assigned to "guard duty" and told to be on the look out for the buoy. It was part of an informal initiation rite.
Mainside.
The main portion of a base or installation where the headquarters are located along with the Marine Corps Exchange and theater. As opposed to “in the field” or the boonies.
Major.
The fourth grade of commissioned officer and first of the field grades is indicated by a gold oak leaf on the collar points. The pay grade is O-4 and is the same in the Army and Air Force. In the Navy and Coast Guard the rank is lieutenant commander and is additionally indicated with two broad bands of gold with one narrow band between them topped with an insignia representing the branch to which the officer is assigned (most often a gold star in the Navy or a gold shield in the Coast Guard).
Major General.
Second of the flag officer ranks indicated by two silver stars on the collar points of the uniform. The pay grade is O-8 and is the same in the Army and the Air Force. In the Navy and Coast Guard the rank is rear admiral (upper half) and is additionally indicated with a two inch gold band and two one inch gold bands and a gold star (Navy) or gold shield (Coast Guard) above on the coat cuffs. The shoulder board is the same as rear admiral (lower half) except that there are two silver stars rather than one.
Make a hole.
A phrase used to move a group of people not in formation out to the way of a formed unit or a person senior in rank.
Malingerer.
A Marine or recruit who spends too much time at sick call or makes other excuses to get out of training or duty. It is a punishable offense under the UCMJ.
Maltreatment.
A problem in Marine Corps recruit training in the middle of the 20th Century, now resolved. Recruit training, while difficult and demanding, is not life threatening. Each of the very few accidents is thoroughly investigated and reviewed. See Ribbon Creek.
Mameluke Sword.
The sword worn on parade and formal occasions by Marine commissioned and warrant officers. The first Mameluke sword was presented to Marine Lieutenant Presley N. O’Bannon by Prince Hamet Bey the Pasha of Tripoli in 1805 during which the United States flag was flown for the first time in the Old World.
Manning the Rails.
When entering or leaving port or when rendering special honors the ship's compliment will dress in full dress uniforms and stand along the rails or in the rigging at the position of attention.
Manual of Arms.
The prescribed movements involving the use of weapons, including swords, in parades and ceremonies.
MarDet. Marine Detachment.
MCA At Guantanamo Bay, Cuba 25 April 1913, Marines of the Second Provisional Brigade formed the Marine Corps Association. John A. Lejeune, then a lieutenant colonel, headed its first executive committee. The purpose of the MCA was defined then and continues to drive the Association. To disseminate knowledge of the military art and science among members.
 To provide for professional advancement.
 To foster the spirit and preserve the traditions of the Marine Corps.
 To increase the efficiency of the Marine Corps and to further the interest of the military and Naval Services in all ways not inconsistent with the good of the general government.
Marine Corps Birthday Ball.
Any event from a buffet dinner to a mess night held on or close to November 10th each year to commemorate the birthday of the United States Marine Corps in 1775. To qualify it must have a decorated cake so that the first two pieces go to the oldest and youngest Marine present and the reading of the Commandant’s Birthday Order and the Birthday Order of Major General Commandant John A. Lejeune.
Marine Corps Exchange.
The correct name of the PX. On Navy bases you will find a Navy Exchange and on Army and Air Force installations they will have Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES).
The magazine for professional Marines.
Marine Corps Hymn. Does not exist. See Marines’ Hymn.

National organization of Marines and former Marines with local detachments throughout the country.
Marine Detachment.
A small unit of Marines assigned as part of the ship's compliment to provide guard duties, operate the brig, provide orderlies to the senior Navy officers and man one or more of the guns on board. See Seagoing Marine.
Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB).
Consisting of a Regimental Landing Team, Marine Air Group and a services support group the MEB is commanded by a brigadier general and is a self-sufficient fighting element.
Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF).
Built around a complete Division-Wing team with combat support and combat service support groups, the MEF consists of about 53,000 Marines and sailors.
Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).
The smallest of the expeditionary organizations is built around a Battalion Landing Team and a Composite Air Squadron. It consists of approximately 2,500 Marines.
Marines’ Hymn.
The official song of the United States Marine Corps.
From the Halls of Montezuma, to the Shores of TripoliWe will fight out country's battles in the air, on land and seaFirst to fight for right and freedom, and to keep our honor cleanWe are proud to claim the title of United States Marine.Our flag's unfurled to every breeze, from dawn to setting sunWe have fought in every clime and place, where we could take a gunFrom the snows of far off northern lands, and in sunny tropic scenesYou will find us always on the job, The United States MarinesHere's health to you and to our Corps, which we are proud to serveIn many a strife we've fought for life, and never lost our nerveIf the Army and the Navy, ever looked on heaven's scenesThey would find the streets are guarded by, The United States Marines
Master at Arms.
A ship’s policeman. Usually a senior petty officer charged with keeping order aboard ship or in a Navy organization. When necessary he would call upon Marines to assist in his duties.
Master Gunnery Sergeant of Marines.
The senior enlisted technician in any MOS. His or her insignia is three chevrons and four rockers with a bursting bomb between chevrons and rockers. The pay grade E-9 is shared with sergeant major and none of the other services has a similar technical rank at that grade.
Master Sergeant.
Army and Air Force enlisted ranks. See Master Sergeant of Marines.
Master Sergeant of Marines.
Three chevrons and three rockers with crossed rifles between chevrons and rockers. The pay grade E-8 is shared with First Sergeant of Marines and in the Army the rank and insignia are the same without the crossed rifles. In the Air Force the rank is senior master sergeant who wears a technical sergeant insignia with one chevron above. Navy and Coast Guard equivalents are senior chief petty officer who wears the chief petty officer insignia with one star above the eagle.
Mattel.
A 20th Century toy company reported to have been the original manufacturer of the M-16 rifle (See M-16). The rifle was detested by soldiers at the start of the Vietnam war as it was prone to sand and dirt induced jams and the stocks broke with very little impact. The problems were resolved and was produced for years. It has been replaced by the M-16A2.
Mayday.
The international distress signal, particularly during voice communication. See SOS and Police Flag.
MCRD.
Marine Corps Recruit Depot. There is one at Parris Island SC and one at San Diego CA.
McCawley, Charles.
Eighth Commandant of the Marine Corps. Born in Pennsylvania on Jan. 29, 1827 he was named Colonel Commandant on the resignation of Brigadier General Jacob Zeilin on Oct. 31, 1876. The law making the Commandant a brigadier general had been repealed during Zeilin's term. McCawley resigned Jan. 29, 1981 and died on Oct. 13 of that year.
McKeon, Matthew.
Staff Sergeant of Marines. See Ribbon Creek.
MCAS. Marine Corps Air Station.
MCRD
Marine Corps Recruit Depot. There are two in the Marine Corps, one at Parris Island, SC and the other at San Diego, CA. See Hollywood Marines.
MCX. Marine Corps Exchange.
MEB. Marine Expeditionary Brigade.
The nation’s highest award for bravery. It is not the Congressional Medal of Honor. More correctly it is the Army, Navy or Air Force Medal of Honor. (Navy version shown)
MEF. Marine Expeditionary Force.
Menopause Manor. See Goat Locker, from the Royal Navy term.
Meritorious Mast.
A formation during which awards and promotions are made. From the navy tradition of gathering the crew around the main mast of the ship to deliver punishment and rewards. In the modern Marine Corps it is a written recognition of work well done and is of greater value than a Letter of Appreciation or a Certificate of Commendation.
Mess Deck. Dining room, from the naval term.
Mess Night.
A formal dinner and ceremony having strict rules, toasts and responses. The uniform is always full dress (often called mess dress) unless the unit is in the field where the appropriate field uniform is acceptable. It is a unique evening of fraternity open only to Marines or specifically invited guests (spouses are seldom, if ever allowed to attend).
MEU. Marine Expeditionary Unit.
Midrats.
Midnight Rations. Food served from midnight to reveille for those getting off or going on duty during the middle of the night.
Midwatch. Midnight until 0400. See Watch.
Mighty Mite.
M422-A-1. A small Jeep-like vehicle made specifically for the Marine Corps by American Motors Corporation during the Vietnam War.
Military Brat.
The child of someone in the military. Originally a put-down, it is now a term embrased by most Military Brats. They take pride in the informat education that living with their military dad or mom (or both) in many and unique places has afforded them.
MOS The career field and job of a Marine.
Miller, Samuel.
Adjutant and Inspector of the Marine Corps and a Brevet Major, he served as Acting Commandant of the Marine Corps from the 2nd to the 15th of Sept. 1818. He was replaced as Acting Commandant by Brevet Major Archibald Henderson who served from Sept 16, 1818 until March 2, 1819 when Anthony Gale was appointed Commandant.
Molly Marine.
A statue of a Woman Marine located in New Orleans, LA. The first statue of a woman in military service in the United States.
Montezuma Red.
The crimson color of the Blood Stripe on the dress uniform of Marine commissioned and noncommissioned officers. Also the color of the lipstick worn by early Women Marines.
Moose.
An indiginous female in Korea or Vietnam who serves as a mistress to a Marine while in the country. They would maintain an off-base home environment and sex for a small payment and black market supplies.

MOS Military Occupational Specialty.
MP.
Military Police. At one time an additional duty, now a professional MOS with both guard and law enforcement responsibilities.
MRE.Meal, Ready to Eat. See C-Rations.
MULEDesignated an M274 and used around the Vietnam period it was little more than a platform on wheels, with a two-cylinder opposed Tecumseh engine started with a pull-cord just like your power lawnmower. It has four-wheel drive and steering and could be driven by a Gyrene lying prone for a low profile. And it could carry, literally, a ton of supplies.
Mustang. A commissioned officer who served previously as an enlisted person.

Napalm.
Highly volatile gasoline in a jelly form used for burning out caves during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Also used by the Air Force to defolitate large areas of forests or jungles.
NAS. Naval Air Station.
Navajo Code Talkers. See Code Talkers.
Navy Construction Battalion. Combat engineers and construction forces known as Seabees.
NBC. Nuclear, Biological and Chemical. See Gas Chamber.
NCO. Noncommissioned officer.
NCOIC.
Noncommissioned officer in charge. The senior enlisted Marine in detachments and guard units, particularly when there is no commissioned officer assigned. See HMFIC.
Neville, Wendell.
Fourteenth Commandant of the Marine Corps and recipient of the Born May 12, 1870 in Virginia he lived until July 8, 1930. A Naval Academy graduate he was appointed Major General Commandant on March 5, 1929 and died in office.
Nicholas, Samuel.
First "Commandant" of the Marine Corps. Born in 1744 in Pennsylvania he was commissioned a "Captain of Marines" by the Continental Congress on Nov. 28, 1775 and was promoted to major on June 25, 1776. While the resolution of Congress on Nov. 10, 1775 provided for a colonel to command two battalions of Marines, Nicholas was the senior officer when the organization ceases to exist in 1781 and is therefore considered to be the first Commandant. He died Aug. 27, 1790.
Nicholson, Augustus S.
Acting Commandant from May 13 until June 9, 1864. Major, Adjutant and Inspector of the Corps. Serving between the death of Harris and the appointment of Zeilin.
NJP.
Non-judicial punishment.
Noncommissioned Officer.
Enlisted persons serving in positions of responsibility. Their ranks usually contain corporal or sergeant in them (although a lance corporal is not an NCO).
Noncommissioned Officer Sword.
The 1859 Field and Staff Officer sword. A badge of office worn on parade or in formal situations by NCOs.
Non-judicial Punishment.
Punishment under the UCMJ that does not require a courts martial. It is for minor infractions and is usually administered by the Marine’s commanding officer or ship’s captain.
O'Bannon, Presley N.
Lieutenant of Marines. See Mamaluke Sword.
Obstacle Course.
A series of physical barriers over which a Marine must cross in a race against time. See Confidence Course.
Officer.
General use refers to commissioned officers and warrant officers. Noncommissioned officers are also officers but are generally referred to as NCOs or specific rank.
Officers’ Country.
The area aboard ship where the commissioned officer living compartments are located. Off limits to all enlisted personnel unless on official duty.
Oh Dark Thirty. See 0 Dark Thirty.
Old Goat. See Goat Locker.
On Station.
Usually refers to a ship being at its assigned position on the ocean. Also sometimes used to mean on duty.
A Vietnam era fighting vehicle that looked like a small tank with six externally mounted 105mm recoilless rifles attached. Ammunition and a loader were carried inside but he had to get out to load the tubes. When all six rifles were fired at the same time the Ontos would stand up on its hind section. The word is reportedly Greek for "thing".
Ooohraah. A sound made by a Marine to indicate agreement or to provide encouragement.
Op Tempo.
Operational Tempo; how frequently a unit deploys or goes to the fieldep ops: short for operations.
Order of the Golden Dragon.
Awarded for crossing the International Date Line. See Line Crossing Ceremony.
Orderly Sergeant.
The highest ranking enlisted rank in the Marine Corps during the Civil War. Most of the ships' Marine Detachments were commanded by Orderly Sergeants. Not presently in use.
Oscar.
The name of the dummy used for man overboard drills. Also, the flag that is hoisted when there is a man overboard.
Outfuckingstanding. A Marine expletive meaning very good.
Overhead. Ceiling, from the naval term.

P-38.
The tool contained in every case of C-Rations used as a can opener. It is so versatile that Marines used it as a phillips and slot screw driver, rudimentary box opener, scraper and even push tool. Generally worn with the Dog Tags around the neck. See John Wayne.
Parade Deck. See Grinder.
Parris Island SC
Location of the Marine Corps' east coast Recruit Depot. Named for its previous owner it has be a Naval facility since the Civil War and a Marine Corps activity since 1915. It is the only training site for female Marines.
Passageway. A hallway or corridor from the naval usage.
Pay Grade.
The relative ranking of military people for the purpose of pay. Pay grades in the Marine Corps are:
E-1
Private
W-1
Warrant Officer
O-1
Second Lieutenant
E-2
Private First Class
W-2
Chief Warrant Officer
O-2
First Lieutenant
E-3
Lance Corporal
W-3
Chief Warrant Officer
O-3
Captain
E-4
Corporal
W-4
Chief Warrant Officer
O-4
Major
E-5
Sergeant
W-5
Chief Warrant Officer
O-5
Lieutenant Colonel
E-6
Staff Sergeant

O-6
Colonel
E-7
Gunnery Sergeant

O-7
Brigadier General
E-8
Master Sergeant or First Sergeant

O-8
Major General
E-9
Master Gunnery Sergeant or Sergeant Major

O-9
Lieutenant General

O-10
General

PCS.
Permanent Change of Station. Leaving one unit to be assigned to another, it generally involves travel pay and household goods shipments and a total disruption of life.
PEBD.
Pay Entry Base Date. The date from which pay longevity is computed. Usually the first enlistment or commissioning date.
Permanent Party.
A person assigned to a base, station or ship on Permanent Change of Station orders as opposed to someone assigned temporarilly.
Permissive TAD.
Permissive Temporary Additional Duty is granted for temporary duty away from the normal assigned duties but no additional pay is given. PTAD is granted for "recruiter assistance" duty. Also Permissive TDy.
Petty Officer.
A Navy and Coast Guard series of ranks vaguely equivalent to noncommissioned officers. The insignia consists of from one to three inverted chevrons with a Navy Eagle perched on top. Between the eagle and the chevrons is a graphic which indicates the specialty of that particular petty officer.
PFT.
Physical Fitness Test. A biannual test to ensure that Marines are within the Marine Corps' physical standards. The test includes a timed three-mile run, pull-ups (for men), bent arm hang (for women) and crunches (up to 100 in a two minute period). The Marine's height to weight ratio is also measured and must fall within established standards.
Pinning On.
A tradition among enlisted Marines in which anyone senior in rank to a newly promoted Marine is allowed to punch the new rank insignia, thereby pinning them on. Also Tacking On.
Pisscutter.
A Marine’s garrison cover. The word was used extensively in the middle 20th Century, presently out of vogue due to a serious lack of political correctness. The etymology of the word is not known. Please contact the editor at "mailto:Glenn@4merMarine.com" if you have any information on the origins of this word.
Pith Helmet.
A khaki colored cloth covered fiber helmet used extensivelly for the jungle environment. Worn by Marines throughout the 20th Century in boot camp, in war, in the fleet and presently worn by primary marksmanship instructors.
Pitts.
A place behind a mound on a firing range where targets are pulled and marked and repaired before being hoisted to be fired upon again.
Platoon.
A unit consisting of a number of squads. It is assigned to a company and is generally commanded by a lieutenant. It is the basic working unit in boot camp where its leaders are drill instructors.
PLC.
Platoon Leaders' Course. An innovative officer training program in which participants take part in officer training during the summers of their college years and upon graduation from college are commissioned Second Lieutenants of Marines.
Podunk.
Any small town or someone's home town unless they are from a big city.
Pogey Bait. See Geedunk.
Pogey Bait Rope. A pejorative term for the French Fourragere.
Police.
To clean up or pick up an area such as policing the firing line for brass.
Police Flag.
Sometimes called the Distress Flag it is the national flag flown upside down. It was only used when an extreme situation confronted the captain on board ship. It is never used ashore.
Pollywog. See Shellback.
Portholes.
Eyeglasses. Originally holes in the sides of ships to provide light and sometimes ventilation.
Port.
Left, from the naval term. Originally larboard the term was changed in the late 18th Century to keep from confusing it with starboard, which means right. The port side of a ship will be illuminated with a red light.
Precedence. See Date of Enlistment.
President's Own.
Name given to the United States Marine Corps Band, the official band for the President of the United States.
Prick25.
(Vietnam). Radio Set AN/PRC-25 (RT-505)(NSN 5820-01-857-0934) Man portable, nautical radio - one tube. Was the predecessor of the PRC-77.
Private.
A Private Marine. The first enlisted rank in the Marine Corps which is identified by having no insignia of rank. The pay grade is E-1 and is equivalent to an Army private who also wears no rank insignia. An airman basic in the Air Force also wears no rank insignia. In the Navy and Coast Guard a seaman recruit wears a single slash in a box on the left sleeve only.
Private First Class.
The second enlisted rank in the Marine Corps is designated by a single chevron on each sleeve. The pay grade is E-2 and is equivalent to an Army private (the Army has two ranks of privates) who also wears a single chevron. In the Air Force an airman wears an inverted single stripe with a star in a circle which covers the point of the chevron. Navy and Coast Guard seaman apprentices wear two slashes in a box on the left sleeve only.
PT. Physical Training.
PT Gear.
The clothing worn for PT. It is a prescribed uniform consisting of t-shirt and shorts or sweats and usually green on green unless a unit t-shirt has been authorized..
Pucker Factor.
A measure of the stress in any situation. A high pucker factor means high stress.
Pugil Sticks.
Padded training sticks used to simulate bayonet fighting.
Puller, Lewis B.
Lieutenant General of Marines. The living icon of a Marine whose exploits, on and off the battlefield, are the genesis on many legends. His command of the Marines at the Chosin Reservoir in Korea earned him the love of his men and an entire Corps. For decades, Marine Drill Instructors would have their recruits recite, "Good night General Puller, wherever you are" before retiring for the night. See Chosin Reservoir.
Puzzle Palace. Specifically the Pentagon or often any headquarters.
PX. See Marine Corps Exchange.

Quarterdeck.
The location of the officer of the deck aboard ship. The ceremonial seat of authority in any shore-based unit. Where one goes to report in to a new command.
Quartermaster Sergeant.
The second ranking enlisted grade in the Marine Corps during the Civil War. Not presently used.
Quatrefoil.
A four-pointed decoration on the top of a warrant or commissioned officer’s dress and service caps. Tradition tells that the design was first used on sailing ships so that Marine sharpshooters in the rigging did not shoot their own officers on the deck.
Quick Time. The normal pace in marching, approximately 120 steps per minute.

R and R. Rest and Relaxation. A respite from combat.
Rack. Bed, usually bunk beds.
Rank.
Relative position within the structure of a unit. Not to be confused with grade. A person’s grade is best measured as pay grade but rank is determined by additional factors so that each person will have an exact place in the line of authority. Time in service, date of rank and date of promotion are some of the factors that go into a person’s rank. Rank insignia is based upon a person’s pay grade.
Rate. Any of the ranks within the Navy or Coast Guard enlisted structure.

Recruit
A person enlisted into the Marine Corps in anticipation of attending boot camp or a person in boot camp. A recruit must earn the title "Marine" by successfully completing boot camp.
Recruit Punishment.
Unofficial punishments given to recruits by drill instructors for minor infractions of the rules. While at the time some of them may sound cruel they are, in fact, essentially harmless and are good tools for teaching a lesson. Some of them are: Duck Walk.
Walking with the knees bent 180 degrees.
Extended Port.
The recruit is ordered to port arms and then directed to extend the arms until the elbows are not bent. In this position the weapon becomes heavy and the arms ache. (Ca. 1962)
Funeral Services.
A recruit at attention does not move for anything unless an order is given. Some times a bug or, at Parris Island, a sand flea may cause a recruit to flinch or smack at the pest. On seeing this a drill instructor would order that the pest be given an honorable funeral. Sometimes they were then later ordered to dig it up and reinter it somewhere else. (Ca. 1955, from the movie "The DI" starring Jack Webb)
Group Tighteners.
The entire purpose of the first portion of weapons training is to fire and make tight groups on the target. From there it is simple to adjust the sights and account for wind to bring the group onto the bull's eye. After the first day of live firing a drill instructor might ask if anyone would like to be issued "group tighteners". On lining up the hapless recruits received some form of painful reminder to tighten their groups. (Ca. 1962)
Watching TV.
A series of uncomfortable positions that the recruit is put into. (Ca. 1962)
 Channel 1. The recruit lies on the tile or wood deck on his or her stomach and elevates on the toes and the elbows.
 Channel 4. The recruit backs to the edge of his or her rack grabbing the outside bars with both hands while moving the feet far enough forward to keep the rear end off the bed and suspended in air.
Recycle.
A boot camp term meaning that a recruit is removed from his or her platoon and placed in another platoon in order to repeat some portion of training. It usually occurs because the recruit did not successfully complete a required training item or in order to improve the recruit’s physical conditioning or, in some cases, because the recruit’s attitude is bad. This is a traumatic event for the recruit and means that they will spend more time in training but it is not the end of the world and often turns out to be a good thing.
Refil.
A lifer. At times when commanders consider the calling of a career person a lifer, they will direct that it not be used. In those instances the term Refil is often substituted to the same effect.
Request Mast.
Every Marine’s right to be heard. At every step up the chain of command any Marine may request to see the next person in authority all the way to the Commandant of the Marine Corps. When a request mast is asked for the Marine does not have to explain why, but he or she must make the request at every step up the ladder. If a Marine requests mast to the CMC he or she had better have a good reason.
Retread.
Has a number of uses in the military, usually referring to a person who makes a change. A person who gets out of the military and then comes back in would be reffered to in this way as would someone who retrains from one MOS to another.
Retreat.
A bugle call sounded when the U. S. flag is being lowered at the end of the day.
Ribbon Creek.
A small river that flows through Parris Island in an area once used for field training. In 1956 six recruits died while on a training exercise here. Staff Sergeant Matthew McKeon, their Senior Drill Instructor, was court martialed and found guilty of neglegence and drinking on duty. The investigations that followed highlighted the general practices of maltreatment of recruits and caused extensive revisions in the training program.
Riki Tik. Quickly. From an oriental phrase. Use mostly in the form Mo Riki Tik.
Ring Knocker.
A graduate of the Naval Academy, Military Academy or Air Force Academy. "Absentmindendly" tapping the ring on a bar brings attention to it so that everyone is aware that the officer is an academy grad.
Rollers. Hot dogs, frankfurters, from the Naval term.
RON. Remain Overnight.
Rope.
All rope used on a ship is called line. A former name for a female drill instructor. Until they were authorized to wear the campaign cover, female Marine drill instructors were designated with a crimson agulet worn on the left shoulder.
Route Step.
A normal pace in marching in which it is not necessary to march in step. Used mainly in the field when moving from place to place as a unit.
Russell, John H.
Sixteenth Commandant of the Marine Corps and fifth consecutive Commandant to graduate from the U. S. Naval Academy. The Californian was born Nov. 14, 1872 and was named Major General Commandant March 1, 1934. He served until Nov. 30, 1936 and died March 6, 1947.

S-1.
The administrative section of a unit. Administrative personnel are usually given 01 MOSs.
S-2. The intelligence section of a unit. The 02 MOS is assigned to intelligence personnel.
S-3. The operations and training section of a unit.
S-4. The logistics and supply section of a unit.
Sally Port. A gate or passage into a fortified place.
Salty.
Referring to someone or something with a lot of experience, particularly at sea. A salty Marine is one who has been around a while. A salty uniform is more faded and obviously used but still sharp. Salty language is language salted with profanities or obscenities.
Sam Browne.
A leather duty belt worn by commissioned and warrant officers consisting of a belt around the waist with a second belt running from left hip over the right shoulder back to the left hip. It would give added support for the wearing of a sword. Worn only for special occasions such as parades and formal events.
Sand Crab.
A sideways-walking beach scavenger. It refers to a civil service employee or a civilian contractor on board ship.
San Diego CA.
Location of the Marine Corps' west coast Recruit Depot it is located in San Diego adjacent to the airport. See Hollywood Marine.
SAW.
Squad Automatic Weapon. The automatic weapon for each fire team. It replaced the BAR after Vietnam.
Scarlet and Gold.
The official colors of the U. S. Marine Corps as ordered by Major General Commandant John A. Lejeune in 1921.
Screw the Pooch.
To make a major mistake, particularly one that will have serious ramifications.
Scribe.
A recruit who takes notes and makes lists for the platoon and the drill instructors. This is an informal position selected by the drill instructors.
Scrimshaw.
Intricate drawings and etchings, usually on whalebone. Sailors would spend many of the boring hours at sea creating these masterpieces of art.
Scuttlebutt.
A keg of water on board ship around which sailors would gather and swap tales and gossip. Present use is as unverified information passed informally as well as a water fountain or bubbler.
Sea Bat.
A mythical creature used in a practical joke by salty Marines and sailors against inexperienced compatriots, usually aboard ship. There are a number of permutations of this joke, some quite nasty.
Sea Buoy. See Mail Buoy.
Sea Lawyer.
Someone who appears to know all the angles and methods to escape punishment or who provides legal advice while not a lawyer.
Sea Snake.
A legendary creature for which newer crew members would be sent to find or which would be used to intimidate inexperienced members of the ship's compliment. During Vietnam, however, great masses of white churning fish would follow the illuminated hull of the USS Repose (hospital ship) as she plied her course at Yankee Station.
Seabag.
A large canvas bag into which sailors and Marines stuff their entire issue of uniforms and personal items when being transferred. In the Army it is a duffel bag.
Seabees. Navy Combat Construction Battalions.
Seagoing Marine.
A Marine, trained at Sea School and assigned to the Marine Detachment on board ship. While most Marines at some time in their career will spend time on ship, only those Marines assigned as members of the ship’s compliment earn this title. The insignia of a seagoing Marine is a gold seahorse superimposed on a gold anchor within a crimson lozenge. In 1998 all Marine Detachments on board ships were disbanded, thus ending a tradition that dated to 1775 and the first duty of the Marine Corps.
SEAL.
Sea, Air, Land. The guerilla and reconnaisance force of the U. S. Navy, specially trained for covert operations.
Seaman.
An enlisted sailor in the pay grade E-3, equivalent to a Marine lance corporal. The non-rated grades wear slash marks on the upper left arm only. Seaman is a "deck force" rate and is indicated with white slashes. Airman is an "aviation" rate and is indicated with green slashes. Fireman is a mechanical rate and is indicated with red slashes. Constructionman is for members of Navy Construction Battalions (Sea Bees) and the slashes are blue.

Seaman Apprentice.
An enlisted sailor in the pay grade E-2, equivalent to a Marine private first class. See Seaman.
Seaman Recruit.
An enlisted sailor in the pay grade E-1, equivalent to a Marine private. See Seaman.
Secretary of the Navy.
The civilian appointee of the President responsible for the efficient management of the Navy. Abbreviated SecNav.
Second Lieutenant.
The first grade of commissioned officer indicated by a gold bar on the collar of the uniform. The pay grade is O-1 and is the same in the Army and the Air Force. In the Navy and Coast Guard the rank is ensign and is additionally indicated with a broad gold stripe topped by a gold star (or insignia of staff branch) in the Navy or a gold shield in the Coast Guard worn on shoulder boards or jacket cuffs.
Secure. To stop work or to lock up for safe keeping.
Semper Fidelis.
Latin for “always faithful”. The current motto of the U. S. Marine Corps. Often expressed informally as Semper Fi.
Semper Gumby.
An unofficial motto of the Marines in a mixed Latin/cartoon dialect meaning “always flexible”.
Senior Drill Instructor. See Drill Instructor.
Sergeant Major of Marines.
The senior enlisted person in a battalion, regiment or higher. His or her insignia consists of three chevrons and four rockers with a star between the chevrons and rockers. The pay grade is E-9 and it is shared with the rank of master gunnery sergeant. In the Army the rank is the same but the insignia contains one less rocker. In the Air Force the rank is chief master sergeant and the insignia is a technical sergeant insignia with three chevrons on top. In the Navy and Coast Guard the insignia is worn on the left arm only and consists of a chief petty officer insignia with two stars above the eagle.
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.
This is a billet and not a rank. He or she is the senior enlisted advisor to the Commandant of the Marine Corps and the insignia is the same as a sergeant major except that, between the chevrons and rockers is an eagle globe and anchor flanked by stars. The pay grade is E-9 and is shared with sergeants major and master gunnery sergeants. The other services have equivalent billets. The Sergeant Major of the Army’s insignia replaces the star with the Army eagle flanked by two stars. The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force wears a chief master sergeant rank except that the silver star is contained within a wreath. The Chief Petty Officer of the Navy and the Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard wear chief petty officer insignia with three stars above the eagle.

Sergeant of Marines.
The second step in the noncommissioned officer ranks is indicated by three chevrons with crossed rifles. The pay grade is E-5 and is equivalent in the Army to a sergeant who wears three chevrons. In the Air Force a staff sergeant wears four inverted chevrons with the top three covered at the angle by a blue field and a silver star. In the Navy and Coast Guard the rank is petty officer second class and is indicated by two inverted chevrons under a Navy eagle, on the left arm only.
Sewer Pipe Sailor. A member of the submarine service (pejorative).
SGLI. Servicemen's Group Life Insurance. GI Life Insurance.
Ship Over. To reenlist.
Ship's Compliment.
The sailors and Marines who make up the permanent party of a ship, as opposed to those who are assigned for a single cruise or action. See Seagoing Marine.
Shallow Water Sailors.
Coast Guardsmen. There is a Navy joke that inquires of a Coastie of short stature, how he was able to enlist. When asked what is meant by that the response is, "You guys in the Coast Guard have to be 6 feet tall so that when your ship sinks you can walk ashore."
Shellback.
Anyone who has crossed the Equator and gone through the initiation. All others are Pollywogs.
Shit Bird. A screw-up. Someone who regularly gets into trouble.
Shitcan. A trash can or to remove a person from his or her position.
Shithook. A pejorative term for the H-47 Chinook helicopter.
Shitter.
Nickname given to CH-53 helicopters due to the huge amounts of exhaust smoke that they "shit" out of their exhausts. See Super Shitter.
Sick Bay. The location on ship where sick and injured people are treated.
Sick Call.
A designated time and place for people to report themselves as sick and unable to perform their duties.
Sierra Hotel. Shit Hot meaning the best or in prime form.
Signal Bridge.
A small open deck in the superstructure of a ship, usually above the bridge, for the hoisting of flags and pennants which were used to signal to other ships and to shore installations from ship.
Skipper.
A term of respect for a company grade officer (usually a captain). Not used much in the modern Marine Corps.
Slick.
(Vietnam) A Huey helicopter with the seats removed so that a larger number of combat troops could be transported (from the helicopter's slick deck).
Sliders.
Hamburgers, from the Naval reference to the amount of fat and grease on them, allowing them to slide down the throat. "With Lids" refers to cheeseburgers.
Slop Chute.
A bar for lower enlisted grades having few amenities and serving only low content beer-no hard liquor.
Smoking Lamp.
When the smoking lamp is lit it is alright to smoke, when it is out smokining in prohibited. From the naval phrase. Fire is the most dangerous threat at sea so, particularly on wooden ships, it was necessary to strictly control the use of fire and smoking materials. A lamp was hung on the forecastle, where sailors were allowed to sit and relax, and the sailors knew they could smoke their pipes if the lamp was lit. If it was not lit, smoking was not allowed.
SNAFU. Situation Normal, All Fucked Up.
SNCO. Staff Noncommissioned Officer. An NCO in the rank of staff sergeant or above.
SOC.
Special Operations Capable. A designation usually placed after the title of a Marine unit and usually within parenthesis (SOC). See Marine Expeditionary Unit as an example of an organization that can be given this additional designation.
Soldier.
A member of a military force that trains for and fights in wars. General reference is to a member of the Army while in fact soldiering is practiced by Marines, certain sailors and some airmen.
SOP. Standard Operating Procedure.
SOS.
An international distress signal used mostly with morse code communications. See Mayday. Also, Shit of a Shingle, a breakfast meal consisting of creamed chipped beef served on toast.
SP.
Shore Patrol. Duties performed by both Navy petty officers and Marine noncommissioned officers, usually as an additional duty, to police sailors and Marines on liberty in a foreign or domestic port. Not a professional MOS but now often performed by MPs. See MP.
SPAR.
Semper Paratus, Always Ready. The motto of the U. S. Coast Guard and the group name for a woman in the Coast Guard. Also a wooden or metal pole such as a boom, yard or bowsprint used to support sails. See Women Marines.
Special Sea and Anchor Detail.
A shipboard situation in which everyone has a special job on entering and leaving a port. This may include Manning the Rails.
Spit Shine.
An unauthorized reference to “high gloss footwear”. It came by its name honestly as it had been customary to use saliva when shining leather shoes and boots before Corfam became the norm.
Splice the Main Brace.
A Naval term indicating that the crew should muster for their regular issue of Grog. The issue of Grog on U. S. flag vessels ended during the Civil War. It is still practiced in the Royal Navy. The main brace is the line (not rope) that holds the main sail in place. It was always a target of battle and after the battle the first duty of most sailors was to take care of the main brace and splice it if it was torn. On completion of that arduous task it was customary to take a drink of strong spirits to also strengthen the men.
Squad.
A unit consisting of a number of fire teams. It is assigned to a platoon and is usually led by a sergeant or staff sergeant.
Squad Bay.
The living quarters for a recruit platoon it consists of a large open space where bunk beds are set up, a head, a drill instructor’s hut and a small meeting area.
Squared Away. In good shape, everything in place, prepared.
Squids. A pejorative term for sailors.
SRB. Service Record Book.
SSAN. Social Security Account Number. Attack Nuclear Submarine
SSN. Social Security Number. Nuclear Submarine.
Stacking Swivel.
A clip near the muzzle of most military rifles allowing for the stacking of weapons when in a garrison setting. Often a euphemism for the neck. A drill instructor might, for instance, threaten to grab a recruit by the stacking swivel if he or she were particularly upset with the recruit.
Staff Sergeant of Marines.
The first staff noncommissioned officer rank is indicated by three chevrons with a single rocker connecting them and crossed rifles in between chevrons and rocker. The pay grade is E-6 and the Army equivalent is also a staff sergeant who wears the same insignia except for the color and without the crossed rifles. In the Air Force the rank is technical sergeant which is indicated by five inverted chevrons with the top three partially covered with a blue circle containing a star. Navy and Coast Guard equivalents are petty officer first class and their insignia of three inverted chevrons topped with a Navy eagle is worn on the left arm only.
Stanchion.
On board ship, any pole or pillar used to support the overhead.
Starboard.
Right, from the naval term. The starboard side of a ship will be illuminated with a green light.
Steel Beach. A party on board a ship.
Stow.
To put away in its assigned place and neatly. Or to stop as in the Navy phrase "stow that bilge" meaning stop talking garbage.
Strength Test. See Initial Strength Test and Final Strength Test.
Striker.
A sailor in training for a rate is said to be striking. Someone learning to be a fire control technician is called a fire control striker.
Super Shitter. Nickname reserved specifically for the CH-53E Super Sea Stallion helicopter. See Shitter.
Superstructure. All of that portion of a ship above the main deck. The bridge is located in the superstructure.
Swinging Dick.
A male individual. Used most often in the phrase, "every swinging dick" meaning all present.
Tacking On. See Pinning On.
TAD.
Temporary Additional Duty. An assignment in addtion to the normal billet, usually without additional compensation.
Tango Uniform. Tits Up.

Technical Sergeant.
A World War II and Korea period rank, the insignia of which was three chevrons and two rockers. In the 1960s the rank became gunnery sergeant and the crossed rifles were added. Also a current Air Force rank upon which the insignia of the top three enlisted grades are constructed. See Staff Sergeant of Marines.
Terminal Leave.
Leave from which a Marine is not expected to return to duty, such as just prior to retirement or separation. Usually taken to get a jump on civilian life or to use up any unpaid leave remaining on the books.
TDY.
Temporary Duty. An temporary assignment other than the normal billet, often at another location and frequently with additional pay during the period.
Tie-Tie.
A length of cord with two clips every 10 inches issued to recruits. The recruit would cut between the clips and use the resulting length of cord to tie laundry to a line to dry. Clothes clips were not used in boot camp in the mid-20th Century.
TINS. This Is No Shit. Sort of the "Once upon a time" of Sea Stories.
Tits Up. Dead, broken, inoperative.
TLA. Temporary Living Allowance.
TMO.
Traffic Management Office. Where one goes to arrange for the shipment of household goods, vehilces or other items on a permanent change of station.
To the Colors.
A bugle call sounded in the morning as the U. S. flag is being raised. See Retreat.
Toe Chain.
The smaller of two chains holding the dog tags. It could be draped on the big toe to identify a casualty while the tag on the larger chain went to Graves Registration.

Tootsie Roll A candy that was air dropped to the Marines who were cut off at the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. It kept many of the Marines from starving to death as all of the other food they had required heating due to the 30 degrees below zero temperatures. Tootsie Rolls could be put inside clothing, close to the skin, and it would thaw out enough so that it could be eaten. In addition, as their trucks and jeeps were being shot up by the Chineese the Marines would repair the holes by placing a chewed up Tootsie Roll into the hole where it would immediately freeze and create a weld.
Topside.
The deck or floor(s) above, from the naval term. Also used to refer to the upper levels of the chain of command.

Toys For TotsA nationwide project to collect toys and distribute them at Christmas to children of need. It began within the. It has been placed within its own corporation, the Managed health care program for the military, dependents and retirees. Replaced CHAMPUS.

Tunns Tavern
A tavern in Philadelphia where the first Marines were recruited for service in 1775. It was also the home of the Grand Lodge of Masons in Pennsylvania.
Two Block. To tighten or straighten a field scarf (necktie).

UA. Unauthorized Absence. The Marine equivalent of AWOL (Absent Without Leave).
UCMJ. Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Uncommon valor was a common virtue.
Refers to the victories in World War II, especially at Iwo Jima, the largest all-Marine battle in history. Admiral Nimitz's ringing characterization of Marines fighting on Iwo Jima was applied to the entire Marine Corps in World War II: "Uncommon valor was a common virtue."
Uncover. To remove the headgear. A Marine never wears headgear indoors unless under arms.
Under Arms.
Equipped with a pistol, rifle or sword, an indication that the Marine is on duty. It is the only time that a Marine may remain covered indoors.
Undress Blues.
A term that identified the dress blue uniform worn with ribbons rather than medals. The term is not used anymore.
Unfuckingbelievable. A Marine expletive similar to YGTBSM.
Unified Commands.
Units under the control of the Joint Chiefs of Staff containing elements from all of the U. S. armed forces. They are normally commanded by a four star general or admiral and are given the title Commander-in-Chief.
UCMJ
The system of justice for the military services. It is a federal law enacted by Congress. It replaced the “Rocks and Shoals” system of justice practiced previously in the Naval service.
USMCCCA
An association of Marines and former Marines who were involved in the Public Affairs, Photographic or Motion Picture career fields or former Marines now working in journalism or public relations.
Unsat. Unsatisfactory.
Utility Uniform.
The field uniform prior to the adoption of cammies, it was an olive green shirt and trousers with the khaki Marine belt and combat boots.

VA Veterans Administration. More correctly DVA, Department of Veterans Affairs.
Vandegrift, Alexander A.
Eighteenth Commandant of the Marine Corps and recipient of the " The hero of Guadalcanal was a Virginia native born March 13, 1887 and as a lieutenant general on Jan. 1, 1944 he was appointed Commandant of the Marine Corps. A March 21, 1945 law permitted the President to appoint the Commandant to the rank of general, which he did effective that date. An Act of Aug 7 1947 fixed the rank of the Commandant at general.
VC. Vietcom. See Charlie.

Viet Nam Wall The monument in Washington DC that lists the names of all the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who died during the Vietnam War.

WAAC. Women's Army Air Corps. See Woman Marine.
WAC. Women's Army Corps. See Woman Marine.
WAF. Woman in the Air Force. See Woman Marine.

Warrant Officer.
An officer who ranks below a commissioned officer but above all enlisted personnel. Most warrant officers are former enlisted. They wear the insignia of first and second lieutenants with various red stripes painted on the insignia.
Warrior Breakfast.
The meal served to recruits upon completion of the grueling 54 hour crucible. For many it is the first good mean in two days.
Water Buffalo. A water tank on wheels.
WAVES. Women Available for Volunteer Emergency Services. See Woman Marine.
Webb, Jack. "
Hollywood producer and actor, best knows as Sgt. Joe Friday from the television series Dragnet in the mid-20th Century. He was lead actor in a movie from the 1950s called "DI" about a Marine Drill Instructor at Parris Island SC. His production company was Mark VII.
Wetting Down.
A party held to celebrate a promotion (in the past it involved copious amounts of alcoholic beverage).
Wharton, Franklin.
Third Commandant of the Marine Corps. A Pennsylvania native born on July 23, 1767 he was named LtCol Commandant on March 7, 1804 and served until his death on Sept 1, 1818.
White Hat.
An enlisted sailor, from the headgear worn with the enlisted uniform. See Dixie Cup.
WILCO. Will Comply.
Willie Peter (WP).
White phosphorus, an incinderary material that burns hot and is not extinguished with water. Used in WP hand grenades and long range artillery rounds.
Wing Wiper. A pejorative term for a Marine assigned to an aviation unit.
Former term for a female Marine. No longer in use because women are integrated into the Corps and are identified, like all, as Marines. Similar groups in the other services were WAC for Women’s Army Corps; WAAC for Women’s Army Air Corps; WAF for Women in the Air Force; WAVES for Women Available for Volunteer Emergency Services in the Navy and SPAR for Semper Paratus Always Ready for the Coast Guard.
WM.
Abbreviation for Woman Marine, acceptable for use from 1947 when women were first accepted into the active Marine Corps until the late 1990s when it was decreed that they will be Marines (without prefex).
WR.
Abbreviation for Woman Reserve, used from the time women were first allowed to join the Marine Corps Reserve until 1947 when they were allowed to join the active Marine Corps.
WTFO. What the fuck, over.

X-Ray.
A watertight condition on board ship in which certain hatches and portholes must remain closed to insure the integrity of the individual compartments.
XO. Executive Officer. Second in command.

Yankee Station.
One of the two positions typically occupied by an aircraft carrier off the coast of Vietnam. Yankee was the northern station responsible for disruption of commerce and logistics.
Yeoman. A clerk in the Navy.
Yeomanette.
Nickname given to women in the Navy during World War II due to the fact that the only authorized rate was yeoman.
YGTBSM. You've Got To Be Shitting Me. A Marine's expression of disbelief.

Zeilin, Jacob.
Seventh Commandant of the Marine Corps. A Philadelphian born July 16, 1806 he had fought Mexicans in California and was a company commander at the First Battle of Bull Run before becoming Colonel Commandant on June 10, 1864 following the death of Harris. He became the first Brigadier General Commandant and was responsible for the creation and adoption of the Eagle, Globe and Anchor emblem of the U. S. Marine Corps.
Zero.
Any officer. Taken from the pay grades (O-1 to O-10). Also a Japanese aircraft in World War II.
Zoomie.
A pejorative term for Marines assigned to an aviation unit or all members of the Air Force.
Zulu Time.
The current time at the Royal Observatory on the Prime Meridian in Greenwich England. Used as a time standard worldwide.

Stuff for old aviators

2009-09-28T18:35:00.002-05:00

For old Aviators:
The strength of the turbulence is directly proportional to the temperature of your coffee.---

Gunter's Second Law of Air TravelThe three worst things to hear in the cockpit: The second officer says, "Damn it!" The first officer says, "I have an idea!" The captain say, "Hey, watch this!"

Lady, you want me to answer you if this old airplane is safe to fly? Just how in the world do you think it got to be this old? "

Both optimists and pessimists contribute to the society. The optimist invents the aeroplane, the pessimist the parachute."--- George Bernard Shaw

When asked why he was referred to as 'Ace': "Because during World War Two, I was responsible for the destruction of six aircraft, fortunately three were enemy." - Captain Ray Lancaster, USAAF.

If helicopters are so safe, how come there are no vintage/classic helicopter fly-ins- Anonymous

Death is just nature's way of telling you to watch your airspeed. - Anonymous

"When it comes to testing new aircraft or determining maximum performance, pilots like to talk about "pushing the envelope." They're talking about a two dimensional model: the bottom is zero altitude, the ground; the left is zero speed; the top is max altitude; and the right, maximum velocity, of course. So, the pilots are pushing that upper-right-hand corner of the envelope. What everybody tries not to dwell on is that that's where the postage gets canceled, too."--- Admiral Rick Hunter, U.S. Navy.

"It only takes five years to go from rumor to standard operating procedure." - Dick Markgraf

"Real planes use only a single stick to fly. This is why bulldozers & helicopters -- in that order -- need two." --- Paul Slattery

"I've flown every seat on this airplane, can someone tell me why the other two are always occupied by idiots?" --- Don Taylor The only three things a wingman should ever say are:
1. Two's up.
2. You're on fire.
3. I'll take the ugly one.

There are only three things the copilot should ever say:
1. Nice landing, Sir.
2. I'll buy the first round.
3. I'll take the ugly one.

As a new copilot on a bomber I was told to say these three things and to otherwise keep my mouth shut and not touch anything:
1. Clear on the right.
2. Outer (marker) on the double (indicator)
3. I'll eat the chicken. (Crew meals consisted of one steak and one chicken to avoid possible food poisoning of the cockpit crew).

As an aviator in flight you can do anything you want... As long as it's right... And we'll let you know if it's right after you get down.

You can't fly forever without getting killed.

As a pilot only two bad things can happen to you and one of them will.
a. One day you will walk out to the aircraft knowing that it is your last flight in an airplane..
b. One day you will walk out to the airplane not knowing that it is your last flight in an airplane..

Any flight over water in a single engine airplane will absolutely guarantee abnormal engine noises and vibrations.

There are Rules and there are Laws. The rules are made by men who think that they know better how to fly your airplane than you. Laws (of Physics) were made by the Great One. You can, and sometimes should, suspend the Rules but you can never suspend the Laws.

More about Rules:
a. The rules are a good place to hide if you don't have a better idea and the talent to execute it.
b. If you deviate from a rule, it must be a flawless performance. (e.g., If you fly under a bridge, don't hit the bridge.)

The ideal pilot is the perfect blend of discipline and aggressiveness.

About check rides:
a. The only real objective of a check ride is to complete it and get the bastard out of your airplane.
b. It has never occurred to any flight examiner that the examinee couldn't care less what the examiner's opinion of his flying ability really is.

The medical profession is the natural enemy of the aviation profession.

Ever notice that the only experts who decree that the age of the pilot is over are people who have never flown anything?

Also, in spite of the intensity of their feelings that the pilot's day is over I know of no expert who has volunteered to be a passenger in a non-piloted aircraft.

It is absolutely imperative that the pilot be unpredictable.

Rebelliousness is very predictable.

In the end, conforming almost all the time is the best way to be unpredictable.

He who demands everything that his aircraft can give him is a pilot; he that demands one iota more is a fool.

If you're gonna fly low, do not fly slow! Anti Submarine Warfare pilots know this only too well.

It is solely the pilot's responsibility to never let any other thing touch his aircraft.

If you can learn how to fly as a 2nd Lt and not forget how to fly by the time you're a Maj. you will have lived a happy life.

Night flying:
a. Remember that the airplane doesn't know that it's dark.
b. On a clear, moonless night, never fly between the tanker's lights.
c. There are certain aircraft sounds that can only be heard at night.
d. If you're going to night fly, it might as well be in the weather so you can double count your exposure to both hazards.
e. Night formation is really an endless series of near misses in equilibrium with each other.
f. You would have to pay a lot of money at a lot of amusement parks and perhaps add a few drugs, to get the same blend of psychedelic sensations as a single engine night weather flight.

One of the most important skills that a pilot must develop is the skill to ignore those things that were designed by non-pilots to get the pilot's attention.

At the end of the day, the controllers, ops supervisors, maintenance guys, weather guessers, and birds; they're all trying to kill you and your job is to not let them!

Remember that the radio is only an electronic suggestion box for the pilot. Sometimes the only way to clear up a problem is to turn it off.

It is a tacit, yet profound admission of the preeminence of flying in the hierarchy of the human spirit, that those who seek to control aviators via threats always threaten to take one's wings and not one's life.

Remember when flying low and inverted that the rudder still works the same old way but hopefully your instructor never taught you "pull stick back, plane go up".

A tactic done twice is a procedure. (Refer to unpredictability discussion above)

The aircraft G-limits are only there in case there is another flight by that particular airplane. If subsequent flights do not appear likely, there are no G-limits.

One of the beautiful things about a single piloted aircraft is the quality of the social experience.

If a mother has the slightest suspicion that her infant might grow up to be a pilot, she had better teach him to put things back where he got them.

The ultimate responsibility of the pilot is to fulfill the dreams of the countless millions of earthbound ancestors who could only stare skyward...and wish.

There are bold pilots, and there are old pilots, but there are no old, bold pilots.

Marine bully

2009-09-25T23:01:00.000-05:00

A Marine's letter to Dad.Dear Dad,A funny thing happened to me yesterday at Camp Bondsteel (Bosnia): A Frencharmy officer walked up to me in the PX, and told me he thought we(Americans) were a bunch of cowboys and were going to provoke a war inIraq.

He said if such a thing happens, we wouldn't be able to count on thesupport of France. I told him that it didn't surprise me. Since we had cometo France's rescue in World War I, World War II, Vietnam, and the Cold War,their ingratitude and jealousy was due to surface at some point in the nearfuture anyway.

I also told him that is why France is a third-rate military power with asocialist economy and a bunch of sissies for soldiers. I additionally toldhim that America, being a nation of deeds and action, not words, would dowhatever it had to do, and France's support was only for show anyway.

Just like in ALL NATO exercises, the US would shoulder 85% of the burden,as evidenced by the fact that this French officer was shopping in theAmerican PX, and not the other way around.

He began to get belligerent at that point, and I told him if he would liketo, I would meet him outside in front of the Burger King and whip his ass in front of the entire Multi-National Brigade East, thus demonstrating thateven the smallest American had more fight in him than the averageFrenchman.

He called me a barbarian cowboy and walked away in a huff. With friendslike these, who needs enemies?.Tell Mom I love her, Your loving daughter
Mary Beth Johnson LtCol, USMC

Muphy's Laws of Helicopter Combat

2009-09-23T09:07:00.000-05:00

Murphy’s Laws of Rotary Wing Combat (or, Everything I Need to Know in Life, I Learned as a Marine Helicopter Crew Chief in Viet Nam)

1. Once you are in the fight, it is way too late to wonder if this is a good idea.
2. Helicopters are cool!

3. It is a fact that helicopter tail rotors are instinctively drawn toward trees, stumps, rocks, etc. While it may be possible to ward off this natural event some of the time, it cannot, despite the best efforts of the crew, always be prevented. It's just what they do.

4. NEVER get into a fight without more ammunition than the other guy.
5. The engine RPM, and the rotor RPM, must BOTH be kept in the GREEN. Failure to heed this commandment can affect the morale of the crew.

6. A billfold in your hip pocket can numb your leg and be a real pain in the ass.
7. Cover your Buddy, so he can be around to cover you.
8. Letters from home are not always great.
9. The madness of war can extract a heavy toll. Please have exact change.
10. Share everything. Even the Pound Cake.
11. Decisions made by someone over your head will seldom be in your best interest.
12. The terms "Protective Armor" and "Helicopter" are mutually exclusive.
13. The further away you are from your friends, the less likely it is that they can help you when you really need them the most.
14. Sometimes, being good and lucky still was not enough. There is always payback.
15. "Chicken Plates" are not something you order in a restaurant.
16. If everything is as clear as a bell, and everything is going exactly as planned, you're about to be surprised.
17. The BSR (Bang Stare Read) Theory states that the louder the sudden bang in the helicopter, the quicker your eyes will be drawn to the gauges.
18. The longer you stare at the gauges, the less time it takes them to move from green to red.
19. It does too get cold in Vietnam.
20. No matter what you do, the bullet with your name on it will get you. So too can the ones addressed "To Whom It May Concern".
21. Gravity: It may not be fair, but it is the law.
22. If the rear echelon troops are really happy, the front line troops probably do not have what they need.
23. If you are wearing body armor, the incoming will probably miss that part.
24. It hurts less to die with a uniform on than to die in a hospital bed.
25. Happiness is a belt-fed weapon.
26. If something hasn't broken on your helicopter, it's about to.
27. Eat when you can. Sleep when you can. Visit the head when you can. The next opportunity may not come around for a long time. If ever.
28. Combat pay is a flawed concept.
29. Having all your body parts intact and functioning at the end of the day beats the alternative.
30. Air superiority is NOT a luxury.
31. If you are allergic to lead it is best to avoid a war zone.
32. It is a bad thing to run out of airspeed, altitude, and ideas all at the same time.
32a. Nothing is as useless as altitude above you and runway behind you.
33. While the rest of the crew may be in the same predicament, it's almost always the pilot's job to arrive at the crash site first.
34. When you shoot your gun, clean it the first chance you get.
35. Loud sudden noises in a helicopter WILL get your undivided attention.

36. Hot garrison chow is better than hot C-rations, which, in turn is better than cold C-rations, which is better than no food at all. All of these, however, are preferable to cold rice balls (given to you by guards) even if they do have the little pieces of fish in them.

37. WHAT is often more important than WHY.
38. Boxes of cookies from home must be shared.
39. Girlfriends are fair game. Wives are not.
40. Everybody's a hero on the ground in the club after the fourth drink.
41. There is no such thing as a small firefight.
42. A free-fire zone has nothing to do with economics.
43. The farther you fly into the mountains, the louder the strange engine noises become.
44. Medals are OK, but having your body and all your friends in one piece at the end of the day is better.
44a. The only medal you really want to be awarded is the Longevity Medal.
45. Being shot hurts.
46. Thousands of Vietnam Veterans earned medals for bravery every day. A few were even awarded.
48. Running out of pedal, fore or aft cyclic, or collective are all bad ideas. Any combination of these can be deadly.
49. Nomex is NOT fire proof.
50. There is only one rule in war: When you win, you get to make up the Rules.
51. Living and dying can both hurt a lot.
53. While a Super Bomb could be considered one of the four essential building blocks of life, powdered eggs cannot.
54. C-4 can make a dull day fun.
55. Cocoa Powder is neither.
56. There is no such thing as a fair fight, only ones where you win or lose.
57. If you win the battle you are entitled to the spoils. If you lose you don't care.
58. Nobody cares what you did yesterday or what you are going to do tomorrow. What is important is what you are doing NOW to solve our problem.
59. If you have extra, share it quickly.
60. Always make sure someone has a P-38.
61. A sucking chest wound may be God's way of telling you it's time to go home.
62. Prayer may not help . . . but it can't hurt.
63. Flying is better than walking. Walking is better than running. Running is better than crawling. All of these however, are better than extraction by a Med-Evac, even if this is technically a form of flying.
64. If everyone does not come home none of the rest of us can ever fully come home either.
65. Do not fear the enemy, for your enemy can only take your life. It is far better that you fear the media, for they will steal your HONOR.

66. A grunt is the true reason for the existence of the helicopter. Every helicopter flying in Vietnam had one real purpose: To help the grunt. It is unfortunate that many helicopters never had the opportunity to fulfill their one true mission in life simply because someone forgot this fact. (NEVER FORGET THIS!)
67. "You have the right to remain silent" is always EXCELLENT advice.
________________________________________________________

WISDOM - FROM THE MILITARY MANUALS

2009-09-19T08:28:00.003-05:00

WISDOM - FROM THE MILITARY MANUALS

'If the enemy is in range, so are you.' - Infantry Journal -----------
'It is generally inadvisable to eject directly over the area you just bombed.' - US. Air Force Manual ------------------------
'Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never encountered automatic weapons.' - General Mac Arthur -----------------------
'You, you, and you ... Panic. The rest of you, come with me.' - U.S. Marine Corp Gunnery Sgt. ---
'Tracers work both ways.' - U.S. Army Ordnance --------------------
'Five second fuses only last three seconds.' - Infantry Journal ---------------------
'Any ship can be a minesweeper. Once.' ------------------------
'Never tell the Gunnery Sergeant you have nothing to do' - Unknown Marine Recruit -----------
'If you see a bomb technician running, try to keep up with him.' - USAF Ammo Troop -----------
'Though I Fly Through the Valley of Death , I Shall Fear No Evil. For I am at 50,000 Feet and Climbing.' --------------------
'You've never been lost until you've been lost at Mach 3.' - Paul F. Crickmore (test pilot) -------- 'The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire.' --------------
'If the wings are traveling faster than the fuselage, it's probably a helicopter -- and therefore, unsafe.'----------------
'When one engine fails on a twin-engine airplane you always have enough power left to get you to the scene of the crash.' --------------------
'Without ammunition, the U.S. Air Force is just another expensive flying club.' ---------------
'What is the similarity between air traffic controllers and pilots?If a pilot screws up, the pilot dies;If ATC screws up, .... The pilot dies.' ---------------
'Never trade luck for skill.'---------------
The three most common expressions (or famous last words), in aviation are: 'Why is it doing that?' 'Where are we?' And ...'Oh Shit...!' ------------------------
'Airspeed, altitude and brains. Two are always needed to successfully complete the flight.'-------
'Mankind has a perfect record in aviation; we have never left one up there!' ---------------
'Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it.' -------------
'The Piper Cub is the safest airplane in the world; it can just barely kill you.'
---------------- Attributed to Max Stanley (Northrop test pilot) ------------------
Airman, maintain thy air speed, lest the earth rise up and smite you! ---------
'There is no reason to fly through a thunderstorm in peacetime.' Sign over the Squadron Ops. Desk at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, 1970
'If something hasn't broken on your helicopter, it's about to.' ------------------
'You know that your landing gear is up and locked when it takes full power to taxi to the terminal.' ----------------------
As the test pilot climbs out of the experimental aircraft, having torn off the wings and tail in the crash landing, the crash truck arrives; the rescuer sees a bloodied pilot and asks, 'What happened?' The pilot's reply: 'I don't know, I just got here myself!' --------------------------
-------------- Attributed to Ray Crandell (Lockheed test pilot)