USN/USMC Terminology

Gunwale (Gun'el)

deck edge

Bridge

the command-and-control area of the ship; contains the helm

Fantail

the aft (rear) part of the main deck

Forecastle (Foc'sel)

the forward (front) part of the main deck

Freeboard

the vertical distance between the waterline and the main deck

Galley

the kitchen on the ship; place where food is prepared

Superstructure

the structure located above a ship's main deck

Wardroom

officers messing compartment

Berthing Compartment

designated sleeping quarters

Bulkhead

vertical walls inside a ship; also known as a partition

Compartment

individual rooms inside a ship

Crows Nest

a platform where lookouts are stationed

Hatch

doors leading from deck to deck

Head

bathroom

Overhead

ceilings

Passageways

hallways

Scuttlebutt

rumor/gossip and/or drinking fountain.

Brow/Gangplank

Gangplank used for crossing from one ship to another and from a ship to a pier.

O.O.D.

Officer of the Deck or Officer of the Day for USMC.

Quarters

(1) Stations for shipboard evolutions. (2) Living spaces.

Liberty

Permission to be absent from a ship or station for a short period of time. (No more than 96 hours)

Gundecking

To falsify a report or official log.

Boot

USMC Junior Marine

MOS/Rating

A USMC MOS/USN Rating is a member's occupational specialization of specific skills/abilities.

UA

An Unauthorized Absence

Cranking

Mess duty for junior enlisted USN members on a ship.

Cover

Hat worn with a specific uniform

Forward

direction towards the front (bow) of the ship

Aft

direction towards the back (aft) of the ship

Topside

to go up to the main deck or above

Below

to go downstairs

Inboard

the direction or movement from either side (port or starboard) towards the centerline

Outboard

the direction or movement from the centerline towards the side (port or starboard)

Port

direction to the left of the ship

Starboard

direction to the right of the ship

Amidship

the midpoint section of the ship

Stern

back part of the ship

Bow

front part of the ship

Brig

military correctional facility or jail

Centerline

an imaginary line that runs fore and aft (lengthwise)

Draft

the vertical distance between the keel and the waterline

Main deck

the uppermost of the decks that run continuously from bow to stern

Quarter Deck

the designated entrance of a ship; the location where the CDO is usually found in port

Berth

"parking space" assigned to a ship

Deck

floor

Dog

lock on hatches/doors

Ensign

the national flag that is flown at the stern (in port) or on main mast (underway)

Helm

steering wheel of the ship

Ladder

stairs

Chit

form/document from a pass to an official letter requesting some privilege. (Leave request form = leave chit)

C.D.O.

Command Duty Officer

OIC

Officer-in-Charge of a section, shop, or unit.

NCOIC

Non-Commissioned Officer-in-Charge (UCMC). The senior enlisted leadership of a section, shop, or unit

LPO/LCPO

USN leading PO/CPO

Judge

SJA on a ship

CQ

Charge of Quarters - similar to a Quarterdeck but used by USMC units.

JAG

A Judge Advocate General is an active or reserve US Military Officer who is a Bar Certified Attorney.

SJA

A Staff Judge Advocate is the CO's legal advisor for all legal matters involving the command.

Billet

Place or duty to which one is assigned.

General Quarters

Condition of full readiness for battle. During GQ, sailors will move about the ship up and forward on the starboard side and down and aft on the port side. Hear announcements over the 1-MC.

Mess

(1) Meal. (2) Place where meals are eaten, as mess hall. (3) A group of personnel who take meals together, as the officer's mess.

Watch

A particular duty. One of the periods, usually four hours, into which a day is divided.

Sound and Security

Engineering watch assignment. The Sound and Security watch is responsible for taking various soundings of tanks and voids and to inspect equipment for unauthorized tampering.

Mast/Office Hours

Non-judicial hearing under which a USN/USMC Commanding Officer issues non-judicial punishment.

Mustang

Prior enlisted USN sailor who has been commissioned as a USN Officer.

Doc

USN Corpsman

Geedunk

A canteen or snack bar/snack area on a ship or within command. Some NCIS offices will run a Geedunk.

Muster/All Hand

A formal assembly of all sailors or Marines on a ship or within a Command.

Bravo Zulu

Well Done!

Airdale

USN pilot or someone within the USN aviation community. Aka "Brown Shoes".

Exchange/Commissary

Department Store and Grocery Store on a Military Base.

Chaps

Slang for military chaplain.

MEU/MEF

Marine Expeditionary Unit/Marine Expeditionary Force-Forward deployed Air Ground Task Force.