ESSENTIAL MILITARY VOCABULARY

BASIC VOCABULARY:

ENGLISH SPANISH ENGLISH SPANISH

fighter jet avin de caza battle batalla
attack ataque bomb bomba
cease fire cese del fuego explosion explosin
commander comandante airforce fuerza area
army ejrcito grenade granada
general general war guerra
helicopter helicptero invasion invasin
casualty lesionado navy marina
missile misil peace paz
soldier soldado weapons armas
weapons of mass armas de destruccin
tank tanque
destruction masiva
ESSENTIAL MILITARY VOCABULARY

Academy Academia ballistic Balstico

admiral Almirante barracks Cuartel
advance Avance base Base
aircraft Avin battalion Batalln
aircraft carrier Portaaviones battle Batalla
Air Force Fuerza Area/ Ejrcito battlefield Campo de batalla
del aire battery Batera
ally Aliado battleship Acorazado
ammo Municin bayonet Bayoneta
ammunition Municin besiege Sitiar / asediar/ cercar
amphibious vehicle Vehculo anfibio
billet Alojamiento
armistice Armisticio bivouac Vivac/ campamento
armor Armadura/ coraza bomb Bomba
armored vehicle Vehculo blindado bombard Bombardear
armory Arsenal/ fbrica de bombardment Bombardeo
armas bow and arrow Arco y flechas
brig Bergantn
arms Armas brigade Brigada
army Ejrcito/ legin bullet Bala
arrow Flecha cadet Cadete
arsenal Arsenal/ fbrica de camouflage Camuflaje
armamento camp Campamento/
acampar
artillery Artillera cannon Can
assault Asalto/ ataque cannon ball Bala de can
canteen Cantimplora
captain Capitn
capture Capturar/ apresar
carrier Portaaviones
casualty Vctima/ herido

catapult Catapulta (de decode Descodificar/ descifrar

lanzamiento) defeat Derrota/ derrotar
defend Defender
cavalry Caballera defence Defensa
chaplain Capelln destroyer Destructor
coast guard Guardacostas detonate Hacer detonar
colonel Coronel division Divisin
combat Combate/ combatir dog tags Placa de identificacin
command Orden/ mando draft Calado/ reclutar/
commander Comandante llamar a filas
commanding officer Oficial al mando
commission Grado de oficial/ encampment campamento
company Nombrar oficial encode codificar/ cifrar
enemy enemigo
conflict Conflicto engage entablar combate
conquest Conquista enlist Alistarse
conscription Servicio Militar ensign Ensea/ pabelln/
Obligatorio alfrez/ abanderado
ESSENTIAL MILITARY VOCABULARY

convoy Convoy/ escoltar epaulet Charretera

corporal Cabo evacuate Evacuar
corps Cuerpo explosive Explosivo
covert Encubierto field hospital Hospital de campaa
crew Tripulacin field marshal Mariscal de campo
fight Luchar/ combatir
fire Fuego/ disparar
fleet Flota
Flotilla Flotilla infantry Infantera
force Fuerza injury Herida
front Frente insignia Insignia
formation Formacin intelligence Servicio de
fort Fuerte informacin/ Servicio
fortification Fortificacin de inteligencia
furlough Permiso/ licencia invade Invadir
garrison Guarnicin/ cuartelar invasion Invasin
general General jeep Jeep
Geneva Convention Convencin de Ginebra jet Motor a reaccin/
grenade Granada reactor
grenade launcher Lanzagranadas lance corporal Soldado de primera
grunt Soldado de infantera clase
guerrilla Guerrilla/ guerrillero leave Permiso/ licencia
gun Pistola/ fusil/ can lieutenant Teniente de navo/
gunner Soldado de artillera lugarteniente
gunnery sergeant Sargento de artillera lose Perder
gunpowder Plvora machete Machete
headquarters Cuartel General major Comandante
helmet Casco marines Infante de Marina
honour Honor medal Medalla
hospital Hospital medic Mdico
howitzer Obs

maneuver Maniobra plane Avin/ planear

marksman Tirador platoon Pelotn/ seccin
mess hall Comedor/ Cantina post Puesto/ base
MIA Desaparecido en POW Prisionero de guerra
accin de prisoner of war (Prisioner of War)
guerra (Missing In
Action) private Soldado raso
midshipman Guardiamarina PT boat Patrulla torpedera
military Militar (Patrol Torpedo)
mine Mina Purple Heart Corazn prpura
missile Misil quartermaster Intendente
mortar Mortero/ Bombardear radar Radar
con morteros rank Fila/ grado/ rango
munition Municin reconnoiter Hacer un
musket Mosquete reconocimiento del
national security Seguridad Nacional terreno/ rea
navy Marina recruit Recluta
neutral Neutral regiment Regimiento
night-vision goggles Gafas de visin rescue Rescatar
nocturna reserves Reservas
offense Ataque/ ofensiva/ retreat Batirse en retirada
delito ribbon Galn
officer Oficial service Militar/ Fuerzas
ordnance Artillera Armadas
ESSENTIAL MILITARY VOCABULARY

parachute Paracadas shell Proyectil/ obs/

paratrooper Paracaidista cartucho
peace Paz shoot Disparar
peace treaty Tratado de Paz shot Disparo
pentagon Pentgono siege Asedio/ sitio
petty officer Suboficial de marina

sabotage Sabotaje tank Tanque/ carro de

sailor Marino combate
salute Salva/ hacer el saludo task force Destacamento
salvo Salva especial/ fuerza de
seaman Marino tareas
section Seccin theater Escenario
sergeant Sargento tomahawk Hacha de guerra de los
sniper Francotirador indgenas
soldier Soldado norteamericanos
spear Lanza torpedo Torpedo
specialist Especialista troops Tropas
squad Pelotn truce Tregua
squadron Escuadrn uniform Uniforme
staff Estado Mayor unit Unidad
star Estrella veteran Veterano
stockade Prisin militar/ volley Descarga
empalizada war Guerra
submarine Submarino warfare Guerra
surrender Rendirse warrant officer Suboficial
tactical Tctico warrior Guerrero
tactics Tcticas weapon Arma
win Ganar
wound Herida
yeoman Alabadero/ Guardia
Real
Zulu time Tiempo Universal
Coordinado
ESSENTIAL MILITARY VOCABULARY

DEFINITION OF MILITARY CONCEPTS I:

Anti-guerrilla Operations: operations which are conducted against guerilla forces.

Area Defense: a type of defense that is oriented toward retaining a particular terrain.
Area defense will rely mainly on the deployed forces that fire to repulse and stop the
attackers.
Assault: the last step on an attack phase. It is rushing to close combat in order to drive
the enemy out for hand-to-hand combat, using hand grenades and bayonets.
Attack: form of offensive combat. It is an offensive type of action that is directed
against the enemy. The purpose is to drive the enemy from his position in order to kill
or capture.
Barrage: protective firing of indirect firing weapons
Boundaries: the company and battalion defense areas which are limited due to terrain
and means of approach.
Caliber: the diameter of the measured bore. It is expressed in decimal inch fractions.
Charge: part of a fire command. It establishes the propellants amount in a shell.
Checkpoint: an easy to identify point on a terrain used for controlling the movement
or identifying locations.
Civic Action: the act of using military forces on certain projects involving its
contribution to economic development purposes for the locals. Some of the projects
usually cover agriculture, education, public works, communications, sanitation, and
health
Close combat: refers to hand-to-hand combat or fighting. It involves the use of
weapons such as pistols, bayonets, rifles, and hand grenades.
Counterattack: refers to the attack by a portion or the entire defensive force against
the attackers. The main purpose of such an attack is to regain the ground that has been
lost, or to destroy the enemys advance units. The objective is to deny the enemy of
friendly territory.
D-day: refers to the day in which an operation will commence.
Debarkation: the process of unloading equipment, supplies, or troops from an aircraft
or ship.
Deployment: the extension of depth or width of a unit. It refers to how a particular
unit is organized for combat.
Direct fire: refers to the fire that is delivered by a weapon which is aimed directly to
its target.
Dump: temporary space to store military supplies.
Ejection: refers to the process of expelling empty cartridges from weapons using an
ejector.
Evacuation: it is the process of relocating casualties from the battlefield. It is also the
clearance of personnel from a locality.
Extraction: the phase of an operation which involves the removal of empty cartridges
through ejection.
Ground Zero: the specific point on a ground where a nuclear weapon xploded.
Guerillas: refers to the combatants which are members of an organized military force.
Their activities usually involve harassment and disruption of the opposing forces.
Infiltrate: the passing of troops in small groups through an entrance in the enemys
side.
Insurgency: refers to rebellious political activity, revolt, or rebellion designed to
overthrow or weaken the authority by its very own people.
ESSENTIAL MILITARY VOCABULARY

Insurrection: the process of rising up to challenge the government by its very own
people.
Obstacle: a natural or artificial barrier that impedes or stops the units movement.
Penetration: form of attack that allows the attacking force to enter or move forward
through the enemys defensive position.
Political warfare: refers to the aggressive approach in using politic methods to fulfill
national plans.
Raid: refers to a small scale operation that involves quickly penetrating hostile
territory in order to secure important information, to rattle the enemy, or to destroy their
installations. When the mission is accomplished, the operation ends with a withdrawal.
Rebellion: refers to open resistance that is organized and armed against the
government.
Revolt: to cast off allegiance to the government.
Revolution: a rebellion that is able to succeed in toppling down the government and
establishing new authority.
Security: actions taken by a certain command in order to protect its group from
sabotage, espionage, and observation.
Withdrawal an action whereby the unit disengages from the enemy as a direct order
from their commander.
Zone of fire: a particular area where a unit delivers or is about to deliver fire.

DEFINITION OF MILITARY CONCEPTS II:

4 Dicks of Death A Marine nickname for the beef links included with beans in certain MREs.
Aptly named for their foul taste and similar appearance to male genetalia.

11 Bullet Catcher/Bang-Bang An Army infantryman.

40 Mike-Mike An M203 grenade launcher, usually mounted under an M-16 or similar

weapon.

Air Picket Any airborne system tasked with detecting, reporting, and tracking enemy aerial
movements within a certain area of operation.

Alpha Charlie Military alphabet used to represent ass chewing. Defines getting verbally
reprimanded.

Anymouse A lockbox on Navy ships where sailors may drop anonymous suggestions.

Ass Armoured vehicles such as Strykers and Tanks.

Ate-Up Describes a service member who follows regulations so closely that they disregard
the context of the situation. Conversely, may describe a service member who doesn't
understand regulations at all.

Band-Aid A Vietnam-era term for a medic.

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

Big Voice Term used to describe the loudspeaker on a military base. The Big Voice warns of
everything from incoming attacks to scheduled ordnance disposal.
ESSENTIAL MILITARY VOCABULARY

Bird Slang for helicopter.

Bitchin' Betty Most U.S. military aircraft feature warning systems that frequently utilize
female voices. The phrase is derived from the same anthropomorphising many apply to GPS
units in cars, only Bitchin' Betty's alert pilots to life-threatening situations.

'Black' on ammo, fuel, water, etc. A common phrase which denotes that a particular resource
is gone.

Blowed up The state of being hit by an IED.

Blue Falcon A euphemism for buddy **** or buddy ****er, which is slang for a backstabber.

Bolo A derogatory remark for recruits who cannot pass marksmanship training. The idea
being that if one cannot use a rifle, one most resort to a bolo.

Bone A B-1 bomber.

Bull**** Bomb A package intended to disperse propaganda leaflets.

Bullwinkle Badge Another name for the Air Assault Badge. Recommended by user David E
Windsor II.

Burn Bag A bag used to hold shredded documents, designed to be burned. May also refer to
a useless person. Recommended by user Gregory Waugh.

Cannibalize The act of taking workable parts of one item and using them in another.

Chancre Mechanic Medical officer who checks service members for venereal
diseases. Recommended by user jloman42.

Charlie Foxtrot Commonly used expression utilizing the military alphabet to stand for
clusterf***.

Chem-Light Batteries A mythical object that would be extremely, functionally pointless.

Often the source of fruitless hunts embarked upon by hapless privates.

Chest Candy Slang for ribbons and medals worn on a uniform. Can be insulting or applauding.

Chicken plates Sheets of protective material, called Small Arms Protective Inserts, which are
used in the Interceptor body Armor system.

Comics Term used to describe maps presented by military intelligence. The term is fairly
derogatory in nature as a slight against the accuracy of the maps. It also refers to the brightly
coloured layouts and symbols usually included.

Commo Communications equipment or the individuals who operate it. Usually given to
Communications Officers on U.S. Navy vessels.

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

Crumb Catcher Military slang describing the mouth.

Crusher Hats worn by pilots during World War II. The hat's wide top brim would need to be
crushed down to allow for headsets to be worn.
ESSENTIAL MILITARY VOCABULARY

Dear John Common term referring to a significant other breaking up with a service member
through a letter.

Demilitarized Zone A specific area in which any type of military force including but not
limited to personnel, hardware, and infrastructure are banned.

Digit Midget Usually used with a number as a prefix. X digit midget refers to the number of
days till an individual goes on leave or retires.

Digies Digital camouflage worn by Soldiers and Marines.

Dittybopper A term in the Army referring 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.

Dope on a Rope Derogatory term used for air-assault Soldiers.

Dustoff Specifically, a medical evacuation by helicopter.

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

Embed When a reporter stays with the military in order to conduct journalistic business.
They are typically provided with security and basic necessities provided by the unit they are
embedded with.

Expectant A casualty who is expected to pass away.

Eagle Keeper Maintenance crew chief of an F-15.

Fang A verb to describe being rebuked, called out, or otherwise disparaged.

Fangs A Marine Corps term for one's teeth.

Fart Sack Refers to either a sleeping bag or an airman's flight suit.

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

Fashion Show A Naval punishment where a sailor is required to dress in each of his uniforms
over a period of several hours.

Fast Mover Slang for a Jet Fighter. Aptly named due to the rapidity of a Jet Fighter's
movement.

First Light The time of nautical twilight when the sun is 12 degrees below the horizon.

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.

Fitty Slang for an M2 .50 calibre machine gun.

Five-Sided Puzzle Palace Slang for the Pentagon.

Football Bat An individual or way of doing things that is particularly odd.

ESSENTIAL MILITARY VOCABULARY

Force Projection The ability of a nation-state to extend military force beyond their borders.

Fourth Point of Contact From rolling after a successful parachute drop: a term to describe an
individual's buttocks. The first three points are feet, calves, and back of the thigh.

Fruit Salad Slang for a service member's display of medals and ribbons on a dress uniform.

Fugazi Completely out of whack, ****ed up, screwy. This term originated during the Vietnam
War and experienced limited use by civilians.

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.

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.

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

GOFO Literally stands for "grasp of the ****ing obvious."

Gone Elvis A service member who is missing in action.

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.

Great Mistakes The name Sailors have given the Great Lakes Naval Training Center north of
Chicago. It references the closing of two other training facilities in San Diego, California and
Orlando, Florida which are both feature far more enjoyable weather.

Grid Squares A non-existent item recruits are typically told to go find.

Groundhog Day Term originating from the titular movie which refers to deployments that
seem to proceed in the exact same way despite attempts to change them.

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.

Gun Term for a mortar or artillery piece. Must never be used within the military to describe a
pistol or rifle.

Gunner A service member who operates a crew-served weapon, such as a piece of artillery
or ship's cannon.

Hangar Queen An aircraft that is used primarily for spare parts to repair other planes.

Hardball A hard-surfaced road.

Hardened Site A structure usually built under rock or concrete designed to withstand
conventional, nuclear, biological, and chemical attack.

Hat Up To change one's location. Refers to the need to wear a hat for the intended
destination.
ESSENTIAL MILITARY VOCABULARY

Hawk Term for cold weather. Commonly referred to as, "the hawk."

Helo Short-hand term for a helicopter.

High Speed An individual who his highly motivated and at or near peak efficacy. Can be used
sarcastically.

Hit the Silk Ejecting from an aircraft and utilizing a parachute.

Inactive Status Members of the Reserves who are unable to train for points, receive pay, and
cannot be considered for promotion.

Ink Stick Marine Corps term for a pen.

Iron Rations Rations used in an emergency survival situation.

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

Jesus Slippers Military-issued shower footwear.

Jockstrap Medal Derogatory term for medals given by the military to active CIA members.

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

Joint Operation Planning All type of planning involving joint military forces in regards to
military operations including, but not limited to, mobilization, deployment, and sustainment.

Kinetic Slang adjective meaning violent.

Klicks Kilometres.

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

Left Handed Monkey Wrench A non-existent tool. Often the object of fruitless searches
undertaken by recruits at the behest of more experienced service members.

Long Pig Slang for when a human being is used as a source of food. Typically this happens in
extremely desperate situations.

Major Nuclear Power Any nation-state with a nuclear arsenal capable of being delivered to
any other nation in the world.

Meat Identifier A dish or sauce that identifies what type of meat is being served. For
example, cranberry sauce indicates turkey while applesauce indicates pork chops.

Meat Wagon Slang for an ambulance, or any other medical emergency vehicle.

Moonbeam Marine term for flashlight.

Moving Like Pond Water Moving so slowly that at unique term is required to describe it.

Mustang Term referring to any officer who was promoted from the enlisted ranks. Can be
used respectfully or pejoratively.

Nut to Butt The instruction used to tell Soldiers to line up in tight, forward facing line
wherein one's nuts are in extreme proximity to the butt of Soldier before them.
ESSENTIAL MILITARY VOCABULARY

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

Officer of the Deck Any officer charged with the operation of a ship. Reports to the
commanding officer, executive officer, and navigator for relevant issues and concerns.

Over the Hill Missing in action or someone who has officially gone missing from their post.

Oxygen Thief A biting piece of slang for someone who's useless or talks too much.

Pad Eye Remover A non-existent item used by sailors to trick new service members into a
fruitless search. Pad-eyes are used to secure airplanes with chains.

People Tank A U.S. Navy term for the inner hull of a submarine.

Pill Pusher A U.S. Navy term for a hospital corpsman.

Pink Mist A distinct effect created by certain types of gunshot wounds.

Pogey Bait Snack food. A "pogue" is an individual who does not serve on the frontlines and
performs non-combat oriented roles. "Pogey bait" is, subsequently, a bribe given to these
individuals in exchange for expedited or high-quality services.

Pollywog A sailor who has not crossed the equator on a U.S. Navy ship.

Puddle Pirate Member of the Coast Guard. So called due to a fallacious belief that the Coast
Guard never operates in deep water.

PX Ranger An individual who purchases, from the Post Exchange, paraphernalia unique to
certain prestigious ranks or occupations and passes them off as though they earned the items.

Quay A man-made structure between a shore and land which can be used by ships to berth
and is typically an area for handling cargo.

Rainbow A new recruit in basic training.

Red Team A body of experts on a specific topic who are instructed to research and suggest
alternative methods regarding a planned course of action.

Remington Raider A somewhat derogatory term used for Marines given the harrowing task
of performing office duties.

Rocks and Shoals U.S. Navy rules and regulations.

Rotorhead Slang for a helicopter pilot.

Ruck Up "Ruck" is short for "ruck sack" which refers to backpacks service members
sometimes wear. To "ruck up" is to get through a particularly challenging or stressful situation.

Salad Bar References the service ribbons found on a military uniform.

Scrambled Eggs Refers to the embellishments found on some officer's caps.

Self-Propelled Sandbags A derogatory term for a Marine based on their emphasis on fighting
on the front lines.

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
ESSENTIAL MILITARY VOCABULARY

the Army used pack animals, and handlers shaved the tale of newly-broken animals to
distinguish them from those more seasoned.

Shellback A sailor who has crossed the equator on a U.S. Navy ship. Responsible for turning
all Pollywog's into Shellbacks once they cross the equator themselves. Snake Eater Member
of the U.S. Army Special Forces.

S*** on a Shingle Slang for a piece of toast with gravy.

Sky Blossom A deployed parachute.

Slick Sleeve Refers to a sailor who has not yet earned a rank which requires decoration on
the sleeves.

Smoke To punish a service member with excessive physical work due to a minor infraction.

Snivel Gear Any equipment meant for use in cold weather. Soap chips A psychological
operations (PSYOPS) tactic where fake letters from an enemy's home country are written and
placed on bodies and battle wreckage. They include sentimental content, hint at the infidelity
of loved ones back home, and are designed to demoralize combatants.

Soup Sandwich Used to describe an individual, object, situation, or mission that has gone
horribly wrong. The thrust of the term's meaning derives from the fact that it is incredibly
difficult, some would say impossible, to make a sandwich out of soup.

Swoop Marine term for a weekend trip off base.

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

Tango Uniform Slang for "tits up," which is the position dead bodies tend to face. The term
can be applied to the deceased as well as broken pieces of equipment.

Target Discrimination The capability of a surveillance or guidance system to choose certain

targets when multiple options are presented.

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

Twidget A sailor who repairs electronic equipment.

Un-Ass To move immediately or leave one's current position.

Uncle Sam's Canoe Club A U.S. Navy term for the U.S. Coast Guard.

Unit Identification Code A an alphanumeric, six-character string which identifies all active,
reserve, and guard unit of the United States military.

Voice in the Sky Term referring military base announcements broadcast over speakers.

Voluntold An assignment that is technically voluntary but understood to be mandatory.

Weapons of Mass Destruction Weapons which can cause destruction or death beyond the
ability of conventional weapons. These typically are nuclear, biological, chemical, radiological,
or high-yield explosive in nature. This definition does not include the vehicle, or transportation
method, of delivering the weapon.
ESSENTIAL MILITARY VOCABULARY

Zone of Action A smaller section of a larger area. Typically these are under the purview of a
tactical unit, usually during an offensive maneuver.

Zoomie Term used by non-flying service members for anyone who operates a flying vehicle.