The Home Front - Military Times

Some Friday Fun: How well do you know military lingo?

It’s supposed to be tricky, it’s a quiz!

In this house, we share just about everything – events of the day, dreams of the night, who’s on the phone, who’s gotten into trouble.

Secrets are forever leaking out to be exchanged and examined in round robin, open forum fashion. T-shirts are constantly borrowed or traded. House pranks are deviously strategized and quickly scuttle butted to “Headquarters” from bipartisan factions. More information about sex and drugs is conversationally volleyed back and forth over the dinner table than one would expect. Bottom line, there is very little we don’t share as a family.

And yet, one crucial “Restricted Zone” exists amid the 1,500 square feet of our abode. There is a rigid, no-admittance area, which surrounds me, the computer and my blogging.

Blogging, around here, is considered highly “classified.” No one but me has the proper security clearance to access my posts. No one gets to read them before publication. No knows who in the family might be in the blog spotlight tomorrow. It’s understood that everything that happens under this roof is potentially up for grabs as worthwhile fodder for The Home Front.

Members of my family are pretty much okay with that as long as what’s printed in the blog doesn’t involve:
A) projectile vomiting, B) uncontrollable crying or C) any topic remotely connected to soiled underwear.

The one area we do universally agree on is the exchanging of military lingo. We just love learning a new word from such books as Swear Like a Trooper: A Dictionary of Military Terms and Phrases written by William L. Priest, the son of a man who had seen combat with the First Marine Division in WWII.

In the preface, Priest acknowledges his book isn’t just about military swearing. The book contains more then 5,600 entries of popular military slang and jargon encompassing every branch of the Armed Forces, its ranks and divisions as far back as the 17th century.

We also love perusing websites devoted to military lingo and there are tons of them out there for every branch of service, from the first World War to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Using new lingo is like trying a new Papa John’s pizza to our family. We always encourage other military family members to learn as much as they can about military lingo to better understand their service member’s way of life.

It came as no surprise, then, when the Big Guy suggested to me last night, “Honey, why don’t you do a military lingo quiz in the blog each week - like, say, on Fridays? Go by each branch of service. See what everybody knows - or doesn’t know - about the military lingo-wise?”

Sounds like a plan to me! And Daryl looked like a fine enlistee for the job. Here, then, is the first installment of “The Home Front’s Military Lingo Quiz”. (Thank you, Daryl!)

Starting with the Marine Corps, we are using for the quiz the Unofficial Dictionary for Marines, compiled and edited by Glenn B. Knight, a veteran Marine Sergeant and retired Air Force Master Sergeant.

Please note: Some military terms are not exclusive to a certain branch of the Armed Forces. However, the definition given from the resource (in this case, the Unofficial Dictionary for Marines) for that particular branch in the quiz will be considered the correct answer. Correct answers are given at the bottom of the quiz. (No peeking allowed!)
__________________

MARINE CORPS QUIZ

1. The expression “three up and three down” means:

a) A certain field exercise where three men are taken prisoner and must be rescued before they are executed within a 24-hour period.
b) A reference to a First Sergeant or a Master Sergeant (three stripes up and three rockers down).
c) Buying three rounds of drinks for friends after deployment.
d) None of the above.

2. The term “Semper Gumby” means:

a) Situation normal, all fouled up
b) Have a good time in the brig, pal
c) A highly respected Marine who can finish the obstacle course in record time
d) An unofficial motto of the Marines meaning “always flexible”.

3. Having a “Fluff-n-buff” means:

a) Taking a shower and getting a shave
b) Visiting a brothel overseas
c) Getting a lower-ranking person to do your laundry and shine your boots
d) Cammies that are dried and not pressed and boots that are brushed but not spit polished or the person wearing such an outfit.

4. Where could you expect to see Maggie’s drawers?

a) From the rifle pits as a red flag indicating a complete miss of the target during quals.
b) In sick bay where red briefs on a patient indicate scarlet fever
c) During an inspection and the locker is deemed Unsat due to the amount of clutter
d) When the guidon flag wraps around the waist of its carrier during PT runs.

5. Someone described as a “dog robber” is:
a) So hungry between meals that he could steal a dog’s dinner
b) an aide to a general officer whose duties are so varied as to defy explanation
c) A friend who will steal another friend’s date
d) None of the above.

6. The term “Ex Marine” refers to:

a) A retiree of the Marine Corps
b) A Marine that has been sentenced to time in Leavenworth
c) A Marine who has deserted the Marine Corps
d) No such thing. Once a Marine, always a Marine.

7. The term “bag nasty” refers to:

a) A used air sickness bag during a flight
b) A low-quality meal delivered in a paper bag, mostly during Marksmanship Training at boot camp but also at other times as well.
c) An unattractive woman in a bar
d) Bed sheets that are extremely soiled

8. If you are referred to as a “John Wayne”, you are:
a) Someone who thinks they are in charge all the time
b) Someone who is fast with a pistol
c) The tool included in each case of C-Rations used to open the cans.
d) Convinced you are a professional gunfighter

9. What is referred as the “Bird, Ball and Hook?”
a) A specific hand-to-hand combat technique
b) Visual signals for landing an aircraft
c) A dinner of chicken, potatoes and shrimp cocktail
d) A disrespectful reference to the modern emblem of the Marines, the eagle, globe and anchor.

10. What is the definition of the word “boondoggle?”

a) 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.
b) A pin used to hold a bazooka to your rucksack
c) An item used for cleaning your weapon
d) All of the above.

11. What does the term “check your six” mean?

a) You fail an official weigh-in by being six pounds or more overweight
b) Your working party is slacking and needs to be reprimanded
c) Look behind you
d) Stop talking and sit down; the equivalent of shut up

12. To call someone a “Gunny” means:

a) They are gun-crazy and collect all sorts of guns
b) A Marine in general - everybody in the Marine Corps is a Gunny
c) A term of respect for a gunnery sergeant but not generally used by junior Marines.
d) None of the above

13. A “boonie hat” is:

a) What an ignorant person in boot camp wears after fouling up
b) Field cover with a brim all the way around it.
c) A Marine’s exceptionally attractive date at an official formal function
d) What helmets were called during Vietnam

14. What is meant when the term “head shed” or “Hed Shed” is used?

a) Headquarters Command Post where all of the leaders are gathered
b) A slang expression for having to go see a psychiatrist
c) The library on the base
d) A barracks closet used for smoking

15. When you get a “kiwi injection” it is because:

a) You’ve become allergic to the foliage and need a strong antihistamine
b) You’ve lost a bet on a pool game and must buy everybody in the bar a shot of Jagermeister
c) You need a kick in the rear
d) You have caught an STD

16. A “Sam Browne” is:

a) A leather duty belt worn by commissioned and warrant officers only for special occasions such as parades and formal events
b) A special hazing drink of eggs and fish sauce served in private during initiations
c) A hard to execute hand-to-hand combat technique that is designed to break the neck
d) A slang term for the letter you get from a girlfriend’s jealous boyfriend

17. When we hear the term “seagoing Marine” it means:

a) An enlisted Marine who is trying to cross over into the Navy
b) A whale that faithfully follows a naval ship across the ocean
c) A Navy sailor who is dating a Marine
d) A Marine, trained at Sea School and assigned to the Marine Detachment on board ship

18. Where would you find a box of grid squares as a Marine?

a) In an air horn shaft
b) In the head on a flight deck on the female side
c) Aisle Nine of the Commissary, next to the pasta
(d) Nowhere. It doesn’t exist

19. What does “first to fight” mean?

a) Marines always cause trouble in bars
b) Marines have historically been at the forefront of every American war
c) Marines like to beat each other up
d) Marines will hit anyone who says hello to their women

20. The Marine Corps is affiliated with Toys for Tots because:

a) The Secretary of Defense ordered Marines to build toys as a hobby
b) Children overseas need toys to sell to help their families make a living
c) This nationwide program was started by the Marine Corps Reserve to collect toys and distribute them to children in need at Christmas
d) None of the above
___________________________________

Quiz Answers

1. (b) A reference to a First Sergeant or a Master Sergeant (three stripes up and three rockers down).

2. (d) Semper Gumby is an unofficial motto of the Marines meaning “always flexible”.

3. (d) Cammies that were dried and not pressed (fluff dry) and boots that were brushed but not spit polished (buffed), or the person wearing such an outfit. This was especially noticeable during inspections.

4. (a) Maggie’s Drawers is a red flag waved from the rifle pits to indicate a complete miss of the target during qualification firing.

5. (b) A dog robber is an aide to a general officer whose duties are so varied as to defy explanation.

6. (d) There is no such thing as an Ex Marine. Once a Marine, always a Marine.

7. (b) A low-quality meal delivered in a paper bag, mostly during Marksmanship Training at boot camp but also at other times in the fleet. The reference is to the quality of the food contained in the bag.

8. (c) John Wayne is the tool included in each case of C-Rations used to open the cans. Also called P-38.

9. (d) Bird, Ball and Hook is a disrespectful reference to the modern emblem of the Marines, the eagle, globe and anchor.

10. (a) Boondoggle is 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.

11. (c) Check your six means 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.

12. (c) Gunny is a term of respect for a gunnery sergeant but not generally used by junior Marines.

13. (b) Field cover with a brim all the way around it. It became an issue item in 2001 when the no-iron cammies were introduced. May not be worn in garrison.

14. (a) Often Hed Shed. Headquarters or Command Post where all of the leaders are gathered. A great place for a Marine to stay away from.

15. (c) A kiwi injection is a good, sharp, quick kick in the butt.

16. (a) A Sam Browne is 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.

17) (d) A seagoing Marine is the first mission of the Marine Corps. 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.

18.(d) Box of Grid Squares is one of the endless group of nonexistent items that new members of a unit would be sent looking for. This one was used mainly in artillery.

19. (b) 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.

20. (c) Toys for Tots is a nationwide project to collect toys and distribute them at Christmas to children of need. It began within the Marine Corps Reserve and is now assisted by the Marine Corps League. It has been placed within its own corporation, the Toys for Tots Foundation.

How did you do? Next Friday we’ll quiz you on another branch of the Armed Forces…and if you have a quiz of your own like that you’d like to share here, please let me know!

Share This