Military jargon

About this list

Ranks, drills, weapons, and the slang soldiers use among themselves. Some terms are specific to one army or one war, and the meanings usually say so.

200 terms, A to Z

A ring

The innermost circle of a nuclear explosion, within which all structures are destroyed.

able

The letter "A" in Navy Phonetic Alphabet.

about-face

An abrupt turn to face the opposite direction.

about-turn

A turn of 180 degrees, typically in a military formation .

act of war

An action that would justify the initiation of hostilities against the perpetrator; an action that by its nature comprises a cessation of peace.

action group

A component of a naval task force.

active service

Full-time occupation in the military.

air base

A military airport, providing housing and support for aircraft and personnel.

air cover

protection (of land or sea operations) by aircraft

air defense

The use of systems, equipment, and personnel to prevent or reduce the impact of an attack by enemy aircraft or missiles.

air support

The act of using aircraft to attack an enemy to assist ground military forces.

all standing

Brought to a sudden halt.

All-American

Of a regiment or division: composed of members from every state in the Union.

American round

five ends, of six arrows each, shot at each of three distances

area of operations

An overarching term encompassing more descriptive terms for geographic areas which military operations are conducted.

Army General

A title used in many countries to denote the rank of general nominally commanding an army in the field.

at the double

In double time.

attention

Used as a command to bring soldiers to the attention position.

back-class

To retake a failed part of training.

bar shot

A double-headed shot, consisting of a bar, with a ball or half ball at each end; formerly used for destroying the masts or rigging in naval combat.

base chief

A chief petty officer, the highest ranked warrant officer on a military base.

base hospital

A fixed or semipermanent medical facility located in the rear of a theater of operations or within a secure zone.

basic pay

The monthly pay granted to members of the active-duty military, determined by pay grade.

battle

A general action, fight, or encounter, in which all the divisions of an army are or may be engaged; a combat, an engagement.

battle line

The notional line on either side of which opposing forces are arrayed, and at which they meet in battle; a fortified line, short of the line where battle is expected, and behind which forces are arrayed; a forward line…

black radio

Radio broadcasting propaganda whose source and motivation are covert.

black site

A location at which an unacknowledged black operation or black project is conducted.

blue force

The friendly or allied units in military training exercises or simulations.

blue-on-blue

Friendly fire.

body press

A splash; a move where the wrestler jumps forward from a raised platform such as the top turnbuckle, landing stomach first across an opponent lying on the ground below.

broken time

A sudden change in the tempo of one fencer's actions, used to fool the opponent into responding at the wrong time.

call sign

Any combination of characters or pronounceable words, which identifies a communication facility, a command, an authority, an activity, or a unit; used primarily for establishing and maintaining communications.

case-shot

A mixture of stones and old iron, put into a wooden case and fired from a cannon as an anti-personnel weapon.

change hand

To turn a horse around; especially, when exercising in a circle, to cross the center and resume circling in the other direction.

chief of staff

The senior officer of any of several services of the armed forces of several nations.

click

A kind of throw.

close the range

To move oneself or one's vehicle(s) (warships, tanks, aircraft, etc.) closer to the enemy in order to allow them to fire on the enemy, either more effectively or at all.

code name

A name used to clandestinely identify somebody or something, either for military or espionage purposes, or for commercial confidentiality.

come in from the cold

Of a spy: to return home after having gone undercover in enemy territory.

come in hot

To enter a scene of conflict quickly and aggressively.

common time

The ordinary pace of marching, in which ninety steps, each twenty-eight inches in length, are taken in one minute.

contact line

Synonym of line of contact.

contact shot

A gunshot executed in such a way that the muzzle of the firearm is in direct contact with a body at the moment of discharge.

country team

A group of people in charge of a state's intelligence operations in a foreign country, typically led by an ambassador.

cover name

A name used to clandestinely identify somebody or something for confidentiality.

crime

To subject to disciplinary punishment.

D-Day

The date of any major event planned for the future.

dead drop

A location used to secretly transfer items between two people, without requiring them to meet.

dead ground

an area of ground hidden from an observer due to undulations in the land

dead-pay

Pay drawn for soldiers, or others, really dead, whose names are kept on the payroll.

decision

To defeat an opponent by a decision of the judges, rather than by a knockout

deep cover

The cover of a spy who penetrates a target for an extended time by embedding committedly into the surrounding culture and operating under a long-term false identity.

direct action

Small-scale raids, ambushes, sabotage, etc. carried out by the military.

double-A

Synonym of AA (“anti-aircraft”).

double-shot

To load (a cannon) with twice the shot, for increased damage at the expense of range.

double-time

To march at double time.

draw

Pull back your bowstring in preparation to shoot.

effective

a soldier fit for duty

end state

The specified situation at the successful completion of the final phase of a military operation.

eyes right

A command to a group of soldiers to turn their heads right towards a superior officer.

eyes-only

Meant to be read only, and not discussed, by the named recipient; classified.

face turn

A situation in which a wrestler previously identified as a villain changes to being considered a hero.

fall of shot

The pattern and location of impacts of projectiles fired from a weapon system.

field army

A large military formation capable of independent action and usually composed of a headquarters and two or more corps.

field out

To deploy (equipment) into the field.

field train

A department of the Royal Artillery responsible for the safety and supply of ammunition during war.

fire and forget

A kind of missile guidance system which does not require further control after launch, and can hit its target without the launcher being in line of sight of the target.

fire at will

Fire when ready. As a command, it orders troops to use weapons at their discretion and choose their own targets, allowing the individual soldier a greater freedom of timing the shot with target movement and similar.

fire mission

A communication between the fire direction center (FDC) and an observer to direct artillery on a target.

fire step

A step or platform dug into the front side of a military trench - allowing soldiers to stand on it in order to fire over the parapet.

first-rate

Of a Royal Navy ship of the line in the Napoleonic Era: having at least 100 guns across three gun decks, a complement of 850–875, and weighing approximately 2,500 tons burthen.

forces

Troops.

French leave

Desertion or temporary absence from duty or service without permission; absence without leave, AWOL.

full house

Having ammunition loaded to full allowable power, usually in reference to magnum handgun cartridges and shotgun shells.

gas check

A gasket-type component of ammunition, used to inhibit the buildup of lead in the barrel and to improve accuracy.

general officer

An officer above the rank of colonel.

general staff

A group of officers in charge of an army under the control of the commander-in-chief.

general-in-chief

A military rank or title in various armed forces.

go code

A launch code to commence a nuclear attack.

go dark

To cease operation or shut down, often for purposes of concealment.

go the distance

To participate in a boxing match for its maximum number of rounds.

Gold Star

A high-level military service award (medal).

gold star family

the immediate family of a U.S. soldier who was killed in action.

gold star father

The father of a member of the U.S. armed forces who was killed in action.

gold star mother

The mother of a member of the U.S. armed forces who was killed in action.

gold star wife

The widow of a member of the United States armed forces who was killed in action.

green army

The regular army, not including any special forces.

green charge

A mixture of ingredients used in gunpowder before it undergoes an intensive mixing in the incorporating mill.

green cross

A chemical warfare pulmonary agent used during World War I.

green door

The barrier between compartmentalized intelligence information and those without access to it, especially military personnel who may need it.

green girl

The green sleeping-blanket issued to cadets at a military academy.

ground forces

The military units operating on the ground, including tanks, soldiers, artillery, etc.

gun line

the tactical firing position of artillery or naval guns

hair match

A wrestling match in which the loser undergoes the forfeit of having the head shaved bald.

hard kill

The neutralization of an incoming munition by destroying it rather than avoiding it.

high line

The target area above the opponent's midriff.

hit home

To strike its target with damaging effect.

hit the gold

To shoot an arrow that lands in the center yellow ring of the target.

hot shot

Round shot that has been heated to a glow before firing in order to set wooden enemy ships afire.

in country

In combat in a foreign country, especially in Vietnam during the Vietnam War

international call sign

A call sign assigned in accordance with the provisions of the International Telecommunications Union to identify a radio station. The nationality of the radio station is identified by the first or the first two…

John

A new recruit at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

kill box

An area preprepared to allow friendly forces to immediately fire on any enemy forces who enter.

kill team

A small group of combatants that work together to attack an enemy.

killed in action

The designation for a member of an organization (primarily military) who has died while on duty.

land down

To intercept (a missile) and bring it to ground before it reaches its target.

left face

The act of a person turning to the left.

left turn

A command to a soldier or other person who is marching: turn ninety degrees to your left!

light ball

A ball of combustible materials, used to provide light, and sometimes made so as to fired from a cannon or mortar, or to be carried up by a rocket.

line ahead

A type of warship formation with the ships proceeding one after another and the trailing ships following behind the lead ship on the same path.

line of battle

The position of troops arranged in their usual order without any determined maneuver.

line of contact

The demarcation between two or more given armies, whether they are allied or belligerent.

line of fire

A direction in which a weapon fires.

line of march

The arrangement of troops during a march.

line of operations

That portion of a theater of war which an army passes over in attaining its object.

little guy

A Vietnamese man, particularly in the Vietnam War.

live drop

A location where two people meet to exchange items or information.

low line

The target area below the opponent's midriff.

Major

Title for an army officer with the rank of major.

man-of-war

A man whose occupation is fighting in wars; a soldier, a warrior.

men

Enlisted personnel (as opposed to commissioned officers).

mike

A minute.

military time

A specific system of denoting and pronouncing the times of the 24-hour clock.

missing in action

The designation for a member of an organization (usually military) with whom contact is lost and whose whereabouts are not known, but whose death is not confirmed.

morning gun

At military posts, a gun fired at the first note of reveille; the firing of this gun.

morning report

A document produced every morning for every basic unit of the United States army, detailing personnel changes for the previous day.

morning star

A weapon consisting of a heavy ball set with spikes attached rigidly to a staff, in contrast to a flail.

near-fall

A wrestling maneuver where shoulders are pinned to the mat for between one and two seconds. Alternatively a two second approach of shoulders to within two inches of the mat also counts for scoring.

official cover

A cover which is a position at a governmental agency (e.g. posing as a member of the diplomatic service).

open city

A city which has announced (during wartime) that it has abandoned all defensive efforts, generally in the event of its imminent capture.

open field

A large, unobstructed area of land with minimal cover, exposing troops to potential enemy fire with little opportunity to hide or take cover.

open order

A military unit formed up so as to allow space between its ranks.

open the range

To draw oneself or one's vehicles (warships, tanks, aircraft, etc.) out of range of the enemy's fire.

order arms

To adopt such a position.

order of battle

The arrangement of units or other divisions of the armed forces in combat; specifically, the deployment plans of an enemy, or a written record of this.

pass box

A box used to carry cartridges from the service magazine to the piece.

physical training

cardiovascular and strength training

point man

In combat, the soldier who takes point; the soldier who assumes the first and most exposed position in a combat military formation; the lead soldier/unit advancing through hostile or unsecured territory.

point target

A relatively small target requiring accurate placement of ordnance in order to neutralize or destroy it.

point-in-line

An established threat made with the extended arm.

police positive

Synonym of police special (“pistol manufactured for police use”).

police special

A pistol manufactured for police use.

post-captain

A captain of the 18th or 19th-century Royal Navy in command of a vessel, with his subsequent promotions almost always determined by seniority rather than merit or ability.

private ship

A warship that is not the flagship of a fleet or squadron.

quick time

A fast marching pace of 120 thirty-inch steps per minute.

re-up

One who reenlists.

red force

The opposing or adversarial units in military training exercises or simulations.

red lead

Tomato ketchup.

return fire

The firing initiated after receiving incoming fire.

right cross

A cross (hook thrown over the opponent's punch) made with the right hand

right face

The act of a person turning to the right.

rock happy

eccentric or crazy as a result of spending a long time on a remote island

round shot

A solid, usually iron, spherical projectile fired from a smoothbore cannon.

run point

Synonym of take point (“to assume the first and most exposed position in a formation”).

say again

To repeat part of or entire message transmitted over the radio, used instead of "repeat" which is an artillery procedure word.

Sea Lord

Any member of the British Board of Admiralty who is also a serving admiral in the navy.

sea story

An anecdote from a person's time serving in the navy.

second line

The second battle line used to support the front line.

second-rate

Of a Royal Navy ship of the line in the Napoleonic Era: having 80–98 guns across three gun decks, a complement of 700–750, and weighing approximately 2,200 tons burthen.

seven-level

A person who has qualified for "Craftsman" level of skill in the United States Air Force, with more training than "Journeyman" (five-level), but less than a "Superintendent" (nine-level)

ship of the line

A large square-rigged warship large enough to have a place in the line of battle, with up to 140 guns on at least two decks. A capital ship from the age of sail, superior to a frigate; usually, a seventy-four, or…

ship of war

warship

ship over

To reenlist.

sick call

A daily lineup of military personnel requiring medical attention.

single action

A trigger mechanism with such behavior.

single up

To act alone.

single-shot

Of a firearm: holding only a single round of ammunition, thus needing to be reloaded after each shot.

slow time

A slow marching pace, consisting of about sixty to eighty paces per minute, traditionally used at funerals and on ceremonial occasions.

sound off

Command instructing a person to speak up or acknowledge something.

spot report

A report on enemy activity filed immediately after observation.

staff officer

An officer who fulfills a non-combat support function, often in a headquarters or planning office.

stand at attention

To stand straight with eyes forward and feet together.

stand easy

a command to soldiers standing at ease that they may relax further

stand fast

A warning not to pass between the arrow and the target.

stand fire

To put oneself in the way of an enemy's firing.

stand-by-bed

An inspection of soldiers' bunks, lockers and belongings for tidiness and cleanliness.

stand-down

A time when soldiers are not on alert

stand-to

A state of readiness assumed by ground troops at dawn and dusk in wartime.

stay-behind

An agent who resides in a foreign country, and can be activated in certain circumstances.

step short

To diminish the length or rapidity of the step of a march in a military drill according to the established rules.

stop-loss

A requirement for soldiers to remain in service beyond their normal discharge date.

take French leave

To desert or be temporarily absent from duty or service without permission; to go absent without leave (AWOL).

take on strength

To commission a soldier, animal or vehicle into the service of the armed forces.

take point

To assume the first and most exposed position in a formation in combat; to serve as the lead soldier or unit advancing through hostile or unsecured territory.

take the count

To be knocked out.

take the fall

To willingly lose a match, as in a fixed fight.

third-rate

Of a Royal Navy ship of the line in the Napoleonic Era: having 64–80 guns across two gun decks, a complement of 500–650, and weighing approximately 1,750 tons burthen.

training ground

A place or ground used for training.

turn together

To change course simultaneously, without waiting to reach the turning point of the leading ship.

under arms

Equipped with weapons (of a country, army etc.); in a state of armed, military readiness.

unit of issue

Synonym of unit (“a standard or basic quantity into which an item of supply is divided, issued, or detailed”)

walk about

An order of an officer to a sentry, waiving the customary salute.

walk down

To continually advance (on an opponent) and punch (the opponent) in order to control the fight and dominate the opponent, while shrugging off the opponent's punches.

walking fire

A line of infantry equipped with automatic weapons advancing in a coordinated attack.

war baby

An officer owing his position to the need of the time rather than competence.

war game

A simulation (by whatever means, physical or digital), for training and strategy purposes, of a military operation involving two or more opposing forces using rules, data, and procedures designed to depict an actual or…

weight class

A division of competition used to match competitors against others of their own weight

well-served

(of a gun, artillery, etc.) Operated well.

white radio

Radio broadcasting propaganda whose source and motivation are apparent.

York round

six dozen, four dozen, and two dozen arrows shot at each of three distances