34 military terms and their meanings

One of the more familiar military terms is "AWOL," an acronym for "absent without leave." Someone who takes on this status is gone without permission, typically in the context of abandoning your post.

An azimuth is an angular measurement in a spherical coordination system. While usually used as a technical term in land navigation, this phrase can generally refer to taking the time to stop and ensure the current task (whatever it may be) is being done right.

A fun-sounding rhyme, "beat feet" means to move from your current location quickly, as in to beat your feet on the pavement. 

An expression you may already be using, legend has it that this saying was derived from having service members bite a bullet during battlefield surgery to distract them from pain. The aphorism means to accept the inevitable or impending suffering and move past it quickly and with fortitude. 

Commonly used in the Marines, "boot" is a somewhat derogatory term for a novice service member, often one who is fresh out of boot camp. Depending on who you ask, it stands for "beginning of one's tour" or "barely out of training."

Another one on the list you may already be using, this phrase is understood to have military origins. The literal meaning is to sit down and eat. "Chow" is a popular word for food for members of the armed forces and is used interchangeably with "mess." Both words lend themselves to dining places: "chow hall" or "mess hall."

"Civvies" is a nickname for civilian (nonmilitary service members) outfits or clothing. 

"Coup de grace" translates in French to "stroke of grace" or "blow of mercy." You may have heard this defined as a mercy kill, but the phrase is also applied to the final action necessary to finish a task.

"Dear John" is when one's significant other breaks up with them through a letter, often when the person is deployed or training away from home. The term (often used as a verb; to "Dear John someone") was popularized by the 2010 film starring Amanda Seyfried and Channing Tatum.

Short for dining facility, some military members use "DFAC" to refer to a "chow hall."

"Dud" has been adopted to mean something that does not work. The technical origin is from the Middle English word "dudde" which refers to worn out clothing and was later expanded to weapons that were worn out or dysfunctional. Now dud is synonymous with junk, and can be applied to anything (or anyone) that does not work as it was supposed to.

Some say the term was applied to weapons from the sound a bomb makes when it does not go off (a "thud" or a "dud").

Exactly what it sounds like, "fangs" is a Marine Corps term for one's teeth. 

Slang for the ribbons and medals on a Marine uniform, due to the rich array of color contrasting with the plain blue uniform. 

"FTA" is an acronym that stands for "failure to adapt." Someone can be reprimanded or discharged for this lack of a versatility, and some modern workplaces may use this terminology to evaluate employees. 

While the origin of "FUBAR" is debated (one source said it was from the German word "furchtbar," meaning frightful, or terrible), it has now been popularized to stand for "f****d/fouled up beyond repair." This term can be heard used famously in movies like "Tango and Cash" and "Saving Private Ryan" and refers to a situation that has gone very wrong. 

Another rhyme on the list, this one means to be wearing all of your battle gear.

A phrase often used to indicate some sort of physically taxing punishment will ensue. The "real estate" is likely a patch of grass or an area of cement where you will be expected to lower your body down on. 

This term refers to repetitive, boring situations. The concept was popularized by a Bill Murray film of the same name in 1993. 

Meaning to have someones back, the phrase applies to physically watching the 6 o'clock of someone on a mission or in battle. Using clock position, the 6 o'clock would indicate behind or below that person. 

"MREs" are packages of food for combat or other field positions, representing "meals ready to eat." 

An "oxygen thief" is witty, derogatory slang for someone who talks too much. 

"Rack" is slang for bed. Beds in boot camp and on ships are notoriously uncomfortable, with rack summoning the vision of an uncomfortable piece of metal. 

"Roger" or "Roger that" is used over radio or phone to indicate message received and understood.

"Skate" or "skate by" means try not to do work. Some say it stands for "seek cover," "keep quiet," "accept no responsibility," "take no action," and "evade."

"Skivvies" is a nickname for undershirt or underwear that one wears under their uniform. 

To "smoke" someone is to punish, particularly with physical exercise.

Similar to "FUBAR" the actual origin of "SNAFU" is debated, but it has come to mean "situation normal all f****d/fouled up."

Another fun one to adopt, a "soup sandwich" is exactly what it sounds like—chaos or a mess. Just picture two pieces of bread holding soup in place. 

"TS" stands for "top secret." It is often applied to specific pieces of information but is also used in "TS/SCI-cleared," which is a blanket top secret security clearance. 

"Uncle Sam" is a personification of the U.S. government and sometimes the U.S. military specifically. Uncle and Sam begin with the country's letters and legend has it is actually meant to be Samuel Wilson, a meatpacker from New York, who lived from 1766–1854.

"Voluntold" is exactly what it sounds like, an oxymoron combining volunteer and told. It is something one is asked to do voluntarily, but it has an unspoken understanding that it is not actually optional.

You may read this as hugs and kisses, but "XO" refers to an executive officer. In many militaries, the "XO" is the second in command and often in charge of day-to-day activities. 

A "zoomie" is a fun way to say pilot. In the military, zoomie generally refers specifically to a member of the U.S. Air Force or a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy.