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Most Popular Slang Terms Used in the Military

No matter where you live, slang is popular all across the world — even in the military. See a few of the most popular slang terms used in the military. Be warned, some of them are hilarious.

By George NekilanPublished 6 years ago 5 min read
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The use of slang is very popular, especially these days. Some people find it a better and easier way to communicate with others. Just a simple word can mean so much in slang — that's the beauty of it. There isn't technically a set of rules when it comes to the use of slang... people just have to understand where you're coming from.

Even though some slang terms sound super unintelligent and just plain confusing, it makes communicating more fun. I personally love using slang when I talk — I use it for the humor part of it.

But did you know even in the military they use slang? Yup, they're not always solemn individuals — they have slang terms for almost everything that's related to the military. Some of these terms are completely confusing and super bizarre if you never served, but there are also hilarious terms to describe certain people — they're very creative in the slang realm. So, get inside the language of the military and check out a few of the most popular slang terms used in the military.

US Navy

The US Navy is one of the toughest backbones in our country — they’re known for naval warfare when it comes to one of the US military branches. Since the Navy is a separate branch from the Marines, their main focus is Operating Forces and Shore Establishments. And, boy, do they have some of the most popular slang terms used in the military that they use on each other.

Crank – Navy term for a sailor pulling temporary duty in the galley.

Dynamited Chicken – Term originating in the Navy referring to either chicken cacciatore or chicken a la king.

Gedunk – Refers to snack foods, such as candy and chips, as well as the place they're sold. Associated with the Navy, and can be used in the phrase "gedunk sailor" as a pejorative remark for inexperienced sailors.

Gum Shoe – Navy slang for a Sailor Cryptology Technician. The first CT school was located on top of a building where tar would get stuck to the bottom of students' shoes.

Officer's Candy – Navy term used by sailors to describe the scented cake placed in urinals.

People Tank – A US Navy term for the inner hull of a submarine.

Pill Pusher – A US Navy term for a hospital corpsman.

Pollywog – A sailor who has not crossed the equator on a US Navy ship.

Shellback – A sailor who has crossed the equator on a US Navy ship. Responsible for turning all Pollywog's into Shellbacks once they cross the equator themselves.

Uncle Sam's Canoe Club – A US Navy term for the US Coast Guard.

US Air Force

The US Air Force are bald eagles for our country. They’re seen as the “air” army, who operate in aerial warfare for the US military. Their responsibilities are much more distinct compared to the other branches. Their combat and mobility are strictly assigned by the Secretary of Defense. And as stern as the airmen in the Air Force sound, they use some of the most popular slang terms used in the military, and their slang is pretty hilarious.

Farts and Darts – Refers to the clouds and lightning bolt embellishments found on Air Force officer caps.

Flaming ***hole – An Air Force term to describe the fiery effect of a jet plane turning on its afterburners during combat or any other military operation.

Flight Suit Insert – Air Force slang for a pilot.

Grape – A term with two meanings; one for the Air Force and one for the Navy. A Navy Grape is an individual who refuels aircraft. An Air Force Grape, on the other hand, refers to an easy assignment, and can be used as a compliment when a service member makes something look easy.

Latrine Queen – Air Force specific term for a trainee in basic who is in charge of the team responsible for cleaning bathrooms.

Taco – An Air Force term for recieving an "unsatisfactory" grade on a training exercise due to the vague taco-shape of the letter "u."

US Marine Corps

The US Marine Corps used to be part of the Navy, but they’re still seen as a different branch. In fact, the Marine Corps do a lot when it comes to operations and combat — you might not know a lot about the US Marine Corps. They are capable of forcible entry on land, air, and sea. They’re one of the bigger branches in the US Armed Forces because of their capabilities. Even though they’re seen as a different branch, a lot of their slang terms are similar to other branches — but they have three that stick out specifically to the Marine Corps.

Fangs – A Marine Corps term for one's teeth.

Gofasters – A term for sneakers used in the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps.

Ink Stick – Marine Corps term for a pen.

US Army

Seen as the largest branch in the US Armed Forces, the US Army primarily operates on land. They’re also the oldest branch. This specific branch is designed to fight in worldwide conflicts as well as major ground-based offensive and defensive operations for the United States. As big as these soldiers sound, their slang is what makes them even more amazing — making them some of the most popular slang terms used in the military.

Bang-bang – An Army term describing a pistol or rifle.

Dittybopper – A term in the Army refering to signals intelligence radio operators trained to utilize Morse Code. Also used as a verb to describe soldiers marching out of synch with a cadence.

Galloping Dandruff – An Army term used since World War I to refer to crab lice.

Geardo – An Army term for a soldier who spends an inordinate amount of money on gear, regardless of actual need.

Jawa – Term for an Army Soldier who is stationed in a desert area, named after the desert-dwelling aliens of "Star Wars."

Joe – Army term for a soldier. Shortened from G.I. Joe.

Shavetail – A term referring to second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. It primarily refers to the haircuts received in Officer Candidate School. The terms origins date back to the time when the Army used pack animals, and handlers shaved the tale of newly-broken animals to distinguish them from those more seasoned.

Trench Monkey – A derogatory term referring to a member of the U.S. Army.

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About the Creator

George Nekilan

Has a vegetable garden in his backyard, 5th son out of 8 and is a sucker for chick flicks.

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