Every region of the country has its own unique phrases, but they have nothing on the complex lexicon that people in the US military share.
Members of the military serve together in close-knit groups that must fully trust each other. Potentially serving in dangerous areas, service members must be able to communicate as efficiently as possible while still being understood.
This need for quick communication, coupled with the strict uniformity of the military, has produced an amazing range of slang terms and acronyms that only military members can understand — “I was on the FOB when the IDP hit, so I radioed the TOC” doesn’t mean much in the civilian world, after all.
Scroll down to learn 25 of the most interesting military slang terms.
Geoffrey Ingersoll wrote the original version of this post.
SEE ALSO: 13 signs that you grew up in a military family
1. “15 minutes prior to 15 minutes prior”
Military people are taught that they must show up to everything (especially an official formation) at least 15 minutes early.
The 15 minutes to 15 minutes arises as the order filters down through the ranks. The captain wants everyone to meet at 0600, so the master sergeant wants folks to arrive at 0545 — and when the order finally finally hits the corporal-level people are told to show up at midnight.
2. “A good piece of gear” (in reference to people)
Only in the service is it OK to refer to one of your coworkers or (worse yet and most frequently) a person working for you in a section you manage as “a good piece of gear.”
3. “Blue falcon”
A Blue Falcon is someone who blatantly throws another Marine/soldier/sailor/airman under the bus. You don’t want to be called a Blue Falcon.
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