A person entering a new trade must learn the vocabulary of that trade. As you have probably already surmised, the Navy has a language all its own. In the list below, you will find many commonly used naval terms and acronyms. Words that appear in the definitions and are defined elsewhere in the glossary are italicized.
Most of the terms you will have to learn pertain to shipboard life, but you should be aware that you will hear these terms used ashore in naval establishments as well. For example, Sailors will, more than likely, call a floor in a hallway at the Pentagon “a deck in the passageway.”
1MC—ship’s announcing system
abaft—farther aft, as in “abaft the beam”
abeam—abreast; on a relative bearing of 090 or 270 degrees
aboard—on or in a ship or naval station
accommodation ladder—a ladder resembling stairs that is suspended over the side of a ship to facilitate boarding from boats
adrift—loose from moorings and out of control (applied to anything lost, out of hand, or left lying about)
AFFF—aqueous film-forming foam
AFPD—armed-forces police detachment
aft—toward the stern (not as specific as abaft)
after—that which is farthest aft
afternoon watch—the 1200 to 1600 watch
aground—that part of a ship resting on the bottom (a ship “runs aground” or “goes aground”)
ahoy—a hail or call for attention, as in “Boat ahoy”
AIMD—aircraft intermediate maintenance department
AIRLANT—Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet
alee—downwind
all hands—the entire ship’s company
aloft—generally speaking, any area above the highest deck
alongside—by the side of the ship or pier
amidships—an indefinite area midway between the bow and the stern; “rudder amidships” means that the rudder is in line with the ship’s centerline.
anchorage—an area designated to be used by ships for anchoring
anchor cable—the line, wire, or chain that attaches a vessel to her anchor
AOR—area of responsibility
AP—air police
ARG—amphibious ready group
armament—the weapons of a ship
ashore—on the beach or shore
ASN—assistant secretary of the Navy
ASROC—antisubmarine rocket
astern—behind a ship
ASUW—anti-surface warfare
ASVAB—Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
ASW—antisubmarine warfare
ATD—airtight door
athwart—across; at right angles to
auxiliary—extra, or secondary, as in “auxiliary engine”; a vessel whose mission is to supply or support combatant forces
avast—stop, as in “avast heaving”
aweigh—an anchoring term used to describe the anchor clear of the bottom (the weight of the anchor is on the cable)
AWOL—absent without leave
Aye, aye—Reply to a command or order, meaning “I understand and will obey”
BAH—Basic Allowance for Housing
barge—a blunt-ended craft, usually non-self-propelled, used to haul supplies or garbage; a type of motorboat assigned for the personal use of a flag officer
barnacles—small shellfish attached to a vessel’s undersides, pilings, and other submerged structures, the accumulation of which can slow a vessel down
BAS—Basic Allowance for Subsistence
batten down—the closing of any watertight fixture
battle lantern—a battery-powered lantern for emergency use
BCD—bad conduct discharge
BDS—battle dressing station
beam—the extreme width (breadth) of a vessel, as in “a CV has a greater beam [is wider] than a destroyer”
bear—to be located on a particular bearing, as in “the lighthouse bears 045 degrees”
bear a hand—provide assistance, as in “bear a hand with rigging the brow”; expedite
bearing—the direction of an object measured in degrees clockwise from a reference point (true bearings use true north as the reference, relative bearings use the ship’s bow as the reference, and magnetic bearings use magnetic north)
belay—to secure a line to a fixed point; to disregard a previous order or to stop an action, as in “belay the last order” or “belay the small talk”
below—beneath, or beyond something, as in “lay below” (go downstairs); or “below the flight deck”
bend—two lines tied together (see “knot” and “hitch”)
berth—bunk; duty assignment; mooring space assigned to a ship
BIBS—Bibliography for Advancement-in-Rate Exam Study
bight—a loop in a line
bilge—lowest area of the ship where spills and leaks gather; to fail an examination
billet—place or duty to which one is assigned
binnacle—a stand containing a magnetic compass
binnacle list—list of persons excused from duty because of illness
bitt—cylindrical upright fixture (usually found in pairs) to which mooring or towing lines are secured aboard ship or on a pier
bitter end—the free end of a line
block—roughly equivalent to a pulley
BLS—basic life support
BMOW—boatswain’s mate of the watch
board—to go aboard a vessel; a group of persons meeting for a specific purpose, as in “investigation board”
boat—a small craft capable of being carried aboard a ship
boat boom—a spar rigged out from the side of an anchored or moored ship to which boats are tied when not in use
boatswain’s chair—a seat attached to a line for hoisting a person aloft or lowering over the side
boatswain’s locker—a compartment, usually forward, where line and other equipment used by the deck force are stowed
bollard—a strong, cylindrical, upright fixture on a pier to which ships’ mooring lines are secured
bolo line—a line with a padded lead weight or a monkey fist on it that is designed for greater distance when throwing a line (as from a ship to a pier)
boom—a spar, usually movable, used for hoisting loads
boot topping—black paint applied to a ship’s sides along the waterline
bow—the forward end of a ship or boat
bowhook—member of a boat’s crew whose station is forward
break out—to bring out supplies or equipment from a stowage space
breast line—mooring line that leads from ship to pier (or another ship, if moored alongside) at right angles to the ship and is used to keep the vessel from moving laterally away from the pier (another ship)
BRF—Base Reaction Force
bridge—area in the superstructure from which a ship is operated
brig—jail
brightwork—bare (unpainted) metal that is kept polished
broach to—to get crosswise to the direction of the waves (puts the vessel in danger of being rolled over by the waves)
broad on the bow or quarter—halfway between dead ahead and abeam, and halfway between abeam and astern, respectively
broadside—simultaneously and to one side (when firing main battery guns); sidewise, as in “the current carried the ship broadside [parallel] to the beach”
brow—a walkway used for crossing from one ship to another, and from a ship to a pier (Note: Although you sometimes hear it used to describe a brow, “gangplank” is not a naval term.)
bulkhead—a vertical partition in a ship (never called a wall)
buoy—an anchored float used as an aid to navigation or to mark the location of an object
BUMED—Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
BUPERS—Bureau of Naval Personnel
cabin—living compartment of a ship’s commanding officer
CAC—Common Access Card
camel—floating buffer between a ship and a pier (or another ship) to prevent damage by rubbing or banging (similar to a fender except that a camel is in the water whereas a fender is suspended above the water)
can buoy—a cylindrical navigational buoy, painted green and odd-numbered, which in U.S. waters marks the port side of a channel from seaward
carry away—to break loose, as in “the rough seas carried away the lifelines”
carry on—an order to resume previous activity after an interruption
CASEVAC—casualty evacuation
CBR—chemical, biological, and radiological
CCDR—combatant commander (unified combatant commander)
CCOL—compartment check-off list
centerline—an imaginary line down the middle of a ship from bow to stern
CFL—command fitness leader
chafing gear—material used to protect lines from excessive wear
chain locker—space where anchor chain is stowed
chart—nautical counterpart of a road map, showing land configuration, water depths, and aids to navigation
chart house—the navigator’s work compartment
chip—to remove paint or rust from metallic surfaces with sharp-pointed hammers before applying paint
chock—deck fitting through which mooring lines are led
chow—food
CIC—combat information center
CINCPACFLT—Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet
CIWS—close-in weapons systems
CJCS—Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
cleat—a permanent fixture mounted to a bulkhead, deck, or pier that has a pair of projecting horns for belaying (securing) a line
CMAA—chief master-at-arms
CMC—command master chief (general)
CMDCM—command master chief petty officer (rate abbreviation)
CNO—Chief of Naval Operations
CO—commanding officer
coaming—raised area around a hatch that prevents water from pouring down through the opening when the hatch cover is open
COB—chief of the boat
COCOM—combatant command
COD—carrier on-board delivery
Colors—the national ensign; the ceremony of raising and lowering the ensign
combatant ship—a ship whose primary mission is combat
commission pennant—a long, narrow, starred and striped pennant flown only on board a commissioned ship
COMNAVCRUITCOM—Commander, Navy Recruiting Command
companionway—deck opening giving access to a ladder (includes the ladder)
compartment—interior space of a ship (similar to a “room” ashore)
conn—the act of controlling a ship (similar to “driving” ashore); also the station, usually on the bridge, from which a ship is controlled
CONREP—connected replenishment
CONUS—continental United States
COSAL—coordinated shipboard allowance list
course—a ship’s desired direction of travel, not to be confused with heading
cover—to protect; a shelter; headgear; to don headgear
coxswain—enlisted person in charge of a boat (pronounced “cock-sun”)
CPO—chief petty officer
crow’s nest—lookout station aloft
CTOL—conventional takeoff and landing
cumshaw—a gift; something procured without payment
CV—aircraft carrier
DANTES—Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support
darken ship—to turn off all external lights and close all openings through which lights can be seen from outside the ship
davits—mechanical arms by means of which a boat is hoisted in or out
Davy Jones’ locker—the bottom of the sea
DC—damage control
DCA—damage-control assistant
DCC—Damage Control Central
DCNO—Deputy Chief of Naval Operations
DCPO—damage-control petty officer
DD—dishonorable discharge; destroyer
dead ahead—directly ahead; a relative bearing of 000 degrees
dead astern—180 degrees relative
deck—horizontal planking or plating that divides a ship into layers (floors)
deck seamanship—the upkeep and operation of all deck equipment
decontaminate—to free from harmful residue of nuclear or chemical attack
deep six—to throw something overboard (see also “jettison”)
DEERS—Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System
DELREP—delay in reporting
dinghy—a small boat, sometimes equipped with a sail, but more commonly propelled by outboard motor or oars
dip—to lower a flag partway down the staff as a salute to, or in reply to a salute from, another ship
distance line—a line stretched between two ships engaged in replenishment or transfer operations under way (the line is marked at twenty-foot intervals to aid the conning officer in maintaining the proper distance between ships)
division—a main subdivision of a ship’s crew (1st, E, G, etc.); an organization composed of two or more ships of the same type
DJMS—Defense Joint Military Pay System
DLA—Dislocation Allowance
dock—the water-space alongside a pier
DOD—Department of Defense
dog—a lever, or bolt and screws, used for securing a watertight door; to divide a four-hour watch into two two-hour watches
dog down—to set the dogs on a watertight door
dog watch—the 1600–1800 or 1800–2000 watch
DON—Department of the Navy
double up—to double mooring lines for extra strength
draft—the vertical distance from the keel to the waterline
dress ship—to display flags in honor of a person or event
drift—the speed at which a ship is pushed off course by wind and current
drogue—sea anchor
dry dock—a dock, either floating or built into the shore, from which water may be removed for the purpose of inspecting or working on a ship’s bottom; to be put in dry dock
EAOS—end of active obligated service
ebb—a falling tide
EEBD—emergency-escape breathing device
eight o’clock reports—reports received by the executive officer from department heads shortly before 2000
EMCON—emission control
ensign—the national flag; an O-1 pay grade officer
EOD—explosive ordnance disposal
escape scuttle—an opening with quick-acting closures that can be placed in the larger hatch cover to permit rapid escape from a compartment
ESO—educational services officer
ESR—Electronic Service Record
EW—electronic warfare
executive officer—second officer in command (also called “XO”)
eyes—the forward most part of the forecastle
fake—the act of making a line, wire, or chain ready for running by laying it out in long, flat bights, each one alongside and partially overlapping the other
fantail—the after end of the main deck
fathom—unit of length or depth equal to six feet
fender—a cushioning device hung over the side of a ship to prevent contact between the ship and a pier or another ship
field day—a day devoted to general cleaning, usually in preparation for an inspection
firemain—shipboard piping system to which fire hydrants are connected
first lieutenant—the officer responsible, in general, for a ship’s upkeep and cleanliness (except machinery and ordnance gear), boats, ground tackle, and deck seamanship
first watch—the 2000–2400 watch (also called evening watch)
five-star admiral—a rank above admiral; no longer used (also known as “fleet admiral”)
flag officer—any officer of the rank of rear admiral (lower and upper half), vice admiral, or admiral
flagstaff—vertical staff at the stern to which the ensign is hoisted when moored or at anchor
fleet—an organization of ships, aircraft, marine forces, and shore-based fleet activities, all under one commander, for conducting major operations
fleet admiral—a rank above admiral; no longer used (also known as “five-star admiral”)
flood—to fill a space with water; a rising tide
FLTCM—fleet master chief petty officer
FMS—final multiple score
FOD—foreign object damage
FORCM—force master chief petty officer
fore and aft—the entire length of a ship, as in “sweep down fore and aft”
forecastle—forward section of the main deck (pronounced “FOHK-sul”)
foremast—first mast aft from the bow
forenoon watch—the 0800–1200 watch
forward—toward the bow
foul—entangled, as in “the lines are foul of each other”; stormy
FOUO—for official use only
FPCON—Force Protection Condition
gaff—a light spar set at an angle from the upper part of a mast (the national ensign is usually flown from the gaff while under way)
galley—space where food is prepared (never called a kitchen)
gangway—the opening in a bulwark or lifeline that provides access to a brow or accommodation ladder; an order meaning to clear the way
general quarters—the condition of full readiness for battle
gig—boat assigned for the commanding officer’s personal use
GMT—General Military Training; Greenwich Mean Time
GPO—Government Publishing Office (formerly Government Printing Office)
GPS—Global Positioning System
GQ—general quarters
ground tackle—equipment used in anchoring or mooring with anchors
GS—General Schedule
gunwale—where the sides join the main deck of a ship or boat (pronounced “GUN-nel”)
halyard—a light line used to hoist a flag or pennant
handsomely—steadily and carefully, but not necessarily slowly
hard over—condition of a rudder that has been turned to the maximum possible rudder angle
hashmark—a red, blue, or gold diagonal stripe across the left sleeve of an enlisted person’s jumper, indicating four years of service
hatch—an opening in a deck used for access
haul—to pull in or heave on a line by hand
hawser—any heavy line used for towing or mooring
HAZMAT—hazardous materials
head—the upper end of a lower mast boom; compartment containing toilet facilities; ship’s bow
heading—the direction toward which the ship’s bow is pointing at any instant
headway—motion or rate of motion as a vessel moves through the water in a forward direction
heave—to throw, as in “heave a line to the pier”
heave around—to haul in a line, usually by means of a capstan or winch
heaving line—a line with a weight at one end, heaved across an intervening space for passing over a heavier line
helm—steering wheel of a ship
helmsman—person who steers the ship by turning her helm (also called steersman)
helo—helicopter
highline—the line stretched between ships under way on which a trolley block travels back and forth to transfer material and personnel
hitch—to bend a line to or around an object (see “knot” and “bend”); an enlistment
holiday—space on a surface that the painter neglected to paint
hull—the shell, or plating, of a ship from keel to gunwale
hull down—a lookout term meaning that a ship is so far over the horizon that only her superstructure or top hamper is visible
IC—interior communications
ICBM—intercontinental ballistic missile
IFF—identification friend or foe
IFR—instrument flight rules
inboard—toward the centerline
island—superstructure of an aircraft carrier
ISR—intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance
IVCS—Integrated Voice Communications System
jack—starred blue flag (the American flag without the stripes); once flown at the jackstaff of a commissioned ship not under way (now replaced by the “Dont Tread on Me” flag).
jackstaff—vertical spar at the stem on which the “Dont Tread on Me” flag is hoisted
Jacob’s ladder—a portable rope or wire ladder
JAG—judge advocate general
JCS—Joint Chiefs of Staff
JDAM—joint direct attack munition
JETDS—Joint Electronics Type Designation System
jettison—to throw overboard
jetty—a structure built out from shore to influence water currents or protect a harbor or pier
joiner door—a nonwatertight door (such as a door between offices)
JOOD—junior officer of the deck
JOOW—junior officer of the watch
jump ship—to desert a ship
jury rig—any makeshift device or apparatus; to fashion such a device
kingpost—a short, sturdy mast capable of supporting a large amount of weight; used in handling cargo
knock off—quit, cease, or stop, as in “knock off ship’s work”
knot—one nautical mile per hour; also a line tied to itself (see “bend” and “hitch”)
ladder—means of going from one deck to another (can be vertical like a traditional ladder; can also be a flight of steps)
landing craft—vessel especially designed for landing troops and equipment directly on a beach
landing ship—a large seagoing ship designed for landing personnel and heavy equipment directly on a beach
lanyard—any short line used as a handle or as a means for operating some piece of equipment; a line used to attach an article to the person, as a pistol lanyard
lash—to secure an object by turns of line, wire, or chain
launch—to float a vessel off the ways in a building yard; a type of powerboat, usually over thirty feet long
lay—movement of a person, as in “lay aloft”; the direction of twist in the strands of a line or wire
LCAC—landing craft, air cushion
LCM—landing craft, mechanized
LCPL—landing craft, personnel, large
LCU—landing craft, utility
LDGP—low drag, general purpose (bombs)
LDO—limited duty officer program
lee—an area sheltered from the wind; downwind
leeward—direction toward which the wind is blowing (pronounced “loo-ard”)
LES—leave and earnings statement
LGB—laser-guided bombs
LHA—amphibious assault ship
LHD—amphibious assault ship
liberty—sanctioned absence from a ship or station for a short time for pleasure rather than business
life jacket—a buoyant jacket designed to support a person in the water
lifelines—in general, the lines erected around the edge of a weather deck to prevent personnel from falling or being washed overboard; more precisely (though not often used), the topmost line (from top to bottom, these lines are named lifeline, housing line, and foot-rope)
line—a length of rope that is being used for some purpose
list—transverse inclination of a vessel (when a ship leans to one side)
log—a ship’s speedometer; book or ledger in which data or events that occurred during a watch are recorded; to make a certain speed, as in “the ship logged 20 knots”
look alive—admonishment meaning to be alert or move faster
lookout—person stationed topside on a formal watch who reports objects sighted and sounds heard to the officer of the deck
LOX—liquid oxygen
LPO—leading petty officer
LSD—dock landing ship
LSE—landing signal enlisted personnel
lucky bag—locker under the charge of the master-at-arms; used to collect and stow deserter’s effects and gear found adrift
MAA—master-at-arms
magazine—compartment used for the stowage of ammunition
main deck—the uppermost complete deck (An exception is the aircraft carrier, where the main deck is defined as the hangar bay rather than the flight deck, which arguably fits the criterion of the definition.)
mainmast—second mast aft from the bow on a vessel with more than one mast; the tallest mast on a vessel (On a ship with only one mast, it is usually referred to simply as “the mast.”)
main truck—the top of the tallest mast on a vessel
make fast—to secure (attach)
man—to assume a station, as in “to man a gun”
manhole—an opening that is normally closed but provides access to spaces that are entered only on rare occasions (like voids and tanks used to keep fuel or water)
man-o’-war—a ship designed for combat
MARCENT—U.S. Marine Forces Central Command
marlinespike—tapered steel tool used to open the strands of line or wire rope for splicing
marlinespike seamanship—the art of caring for and handling all types of line and wire
master-at-arms—a member of a ship’s police force
mate—a shipmate; another Sailor
MCM—Manual for Courts-Martial
MCPO—master chief petty officer
MCPON—Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
MDS—Maintenance Data System
mess—meal; place where meals are eaten; a group that takes meals together, as in officers’ mess
messenger—a line used to haul a heavier line across an intervening space; one who delivers messages
midwatch—the watch that begins at 0000 and ends at 0400
moor—to make fast to a pier, another ship, or a mooring buoy; also, to anchor
mooring buoy—a large anchored float to which a ship may moor
morning watch—the 0400–0800 watch
motor whaleboat—a double-ended powerboat
MP—military police
MRC—maintenance requirement card
MSC—Military Sealift Command
MSTS—Military Sea Transportation Service
MUC—Meritorious Unit Commendation
muster—a roll call; to assemble for a roll call
MWR—Morale, Welfare, and Recreation
NAS—Naval Air Station
NAVAIR—Naval Air Systems Command
NAVCOMP—Comptroller of the Navy
NAVEDTRA—Navy Education and Training
NAVFAC—Naval Facilities Engineering Command
NAVMILPERSCOM—Navy Military Personnel Command
NAVSEA—Naval Sea Systems Command
NAVSHIPSTECHMAN—Naval Ships’ Technical Manual
NAVSO—Executive Offices of the Secretary of the Navy (Navy Staff Office)
NAVSTA—Naval Station
NAVSTDS—Naval Standards
NAVSUP—Naval Supply Systems Command
NCIS—Naval Criminal Investigative Service
NCP—Navy College Program
NEC—Navy Enlisted Classification
nest—two or more boats stowed one within the other; two or more ships moored alongside each other
NETC—Naval Education and Training Command
NEX—Navy Exchange
NJP—nonjudicial punishment
NKO—Navy Knowledge Online
NME—National Military Establishment
NMT—Navy Military Training
NOAA—National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOFORN—information that cannot be disclosed to foreign nationals
NOS—National Ocean Service
NPC—Navy Personnel Command
NRTC—Non-Resident Training Courses
NSIPS—Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System
NSTC—Naval Service Training Command
NUC—Navy Unit Commendation
nun buoy—a navigational buoy, conical in shape, painted red and even-numbered, which marks the starboard side of a channel from seaward
NWTD—nonwatertight door
NWU—Navy working uniform
OBA—oxygen-breathing apparatus
OCCSTDS—Occupational Standards
OCS—Officer Candidate School
OINC—officer in charge
OJT—on-the-job training
on the beach—ashore; a seaman assigned to shore duty, unemployed, retired, or otherwise detached from sea duty
OOD—officer of the deck
OPNAV—Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
OPSEC—operational security
OSD—Office of the Secretary of Defense
OTH—other than honorable
outboard—away from the centerline
overboard—over the side
overhaul—to repair or recondition; to overtake another vessel
overhead—the underside of a deck that forms the overhead of the compartment next below (never called a ceiling)
P2P—peer-to-peer (file sharing programs)
P-Days—processing days
PACFLT—United States Pacific Fleet
party—a group on temporary assignment or engaged in a common activity, as in “line-handling party,” or a “liberty party”
passageway—a corridor used for interior horizontal movement aboard ship (similar to a hallway ashore)
pay out—to feed out or lengthen a line
PCS—permanent change of station
PSR—Performance Summary Record
PFA—physical fitness assessment
PFB—pseudofolliculitis barbae (shaving bumps)
PHA—physical health assessment
PHS—U.S. Public Health Service
pier—structure extending from land into water to provide a mooring for vessels
pigstick—small staff from which a commission pennant is flown
PII—personally identifiable information
pilot house—enclosure on the bridge housing the main steering controls
piloting—branch of navigation in which positions are determined by visible objects on the surface, or by soundings
pipe—to sound a particular call on a boatswain’s pipe
pitch—vertical rise and fall of a ship’s bow and stern caused by head or following seas (see “roll”)
plane guard—destroyer or helicopter responsible for rescuing air crews during launch or recovery operations
plank owner—a person who was assigned to the ship’s company when he or she was commissioned
Plan of the Day—schedule of a day’s routine and events ordered by the executive officer and published daily aboard ship or at a shore activity (see POD)
PMS—planned maintenance system
PNA—passed but not advanced
PO—petty officer
POD—Plan of the Day
pollywog—a person who has never crossed the equator (pejorative)
port—to the left of the centerline when facing forward
POW—prisoner of war
PQS—Personnel Qualification Standards (System)
PRD—projected rotation date
PREP—preparative pennant
PRT—Physical Readiness Test
PSD—personnel support detachment
PTU—physical training uniform
PUC—Presidential Unit Citation
QMOW—quartermaster of the watch
quarterdeck—deck area designated by the commanding officer as the place to carry out official functions; station of the officer of the deck in port
quartermaster—an enlisted assistant to the navigator
quarters—stations for shipboard evolutions, as in “general quarters,” “fire quarters”; living spaces
quay—a solid structure along a bank used for loading and offloading vessels (pronounced “key”)
radar—a device that uses reflected radio waves for the detection of objects; derived from “radio direction and ranging”
RADHAZ—radiation hazard
range—the distance of an object from an observer; an aid to navigation consisting of two objects in line; a water area designated for a particular purpose, as in “gunnery range”
rat guard—a hinged metal disk secured to a mooring line to prevent rats from traveling along the line into the ship
RCPO—recruit chief petty officer
RDC—recruit division commander
reef—an underwater ledge rising abruptly from the ocean’s floor
relief—a person assigned to take over the duties of another
replenishment—to resupply a ship or station
RHIB—rigid hull inflatable boat
ride—to be at anchor, as in “the ship is riding to her anchor”
riding lights—navigational lights shown at night by a moored vessel
rig—to set up a device or equipment, as in “to rig a stage over the side”
rigging—a general term for wires, ropes, and chains used to support kingposts or other masts, or to operate cargo-handling equipment. Standing rigging describes lines that support but do not move. Examples of standing rigging are stays, which are rigged fore and aft to support masts, and shrouds, which are rigged athwartships to provide support. Running rigging includes movable lines such as topping lifts and guys.
roll—side-to-side movement of a ship while under way (see “pitch”)
rope—fiber or wire line (fiber rope is usually referred to as line, while wire rope is called rope, wire rope, or wire)
ropeyarn Sunday—a workday or part of a workday that has been granted as a holiday for taking care of personal business
RT—radiotelephone (voice radio)
RTC—Recruit Training Command
rudder—device attached to the stern that controls a ship’s direction of travel
running lights—navigational lights shown at night by a vessel under way
running rigging—see “rigging”
SAMID—Ship’s Anti-Missile Integrated Defense
SBP—Survivor Benefit Program
scope—length (of anchor chain)
SCPO—senior chief petty officer
scuttle—a small opening in a larger door or hatch cover that can be used to pass through without having to open the larger (heavier) door
scuttlebutt—a drinking fountain (originally, a ship’s water barrel, called a “butt”) that was tapped (scuttled) by the insertion of a spigot from which the crew drew drinking water; rumor (the scuttlebutt was once a place for personnel to exchange news when the crew gathered to draw water)
sea anchor—a device streamed from the bow of a vessel for holding it end-on to the sea
SEAL—Sea-Air-Land (Navy special forces personnel)
seamanship—the art of handling a vessel; skill in the use of deck equipment, in boat handling, and in the care and use of line and wire
sea painter—a length of line secured to the bow of a boat for towing or making fast (attaching)
sea state—condition of waves and the height of their swells
seaworthy—a vessel capable of withstanding normal heavy weather
SECDEF—Secretary of Defense
SECNAV—Secretary of the Navy
second deck—first complete deck below the main deck
secure—to make fast (firmly attach), as in “secure a line to a cleat”; to cease, as in “secure from fire drill”
SEED—supplemental emergency egress device
service force—organization providing logistic support to combatant forces
SGLI—Servicemembers Group Life Insurance
shake down—the training of a new crew in operating a ship
shellback—a person who has crossed the equator
shift colors—to change the arrangement of colors upon getting under way or coming to moorings
ship—any large seagoing vessel capable of extended independent operation; to take on water unintentionally
ship over—to reenlist in the Navy
ship’s company—all hands permanently attached to a ship or station; the crew
shipshape—neat, clean, taut
shoal—a structure similar to a reef, but more gradual in its rise from the floor of the ocean
shole—a flat piece of material (such as wood) that is placed under the end of a shore to distribute pressure
shore—land, usually that part adjacent to the water; a timber used in damage control to brace bulkheads and decks
shroud—see “rigging”
SI—International System of Units (metric system)
sick bay—shipboard space that serves as a hospital or medical clinic
side boy—one of a group of seamen who form two ranks at the gangway as part of the ceremonies conducted for visiting officials
side light—one of a series of running lights (the starboard side light is green and the port side light is red)
sight—to see for the first time, as to sight a ship on the horizon; a celestial observation
SIGINT—signals intelligence
SIQ—sick-in-quarters
skylark—to engage in irresponsible horseplay
slack—to allow a line to run out; undisciplined, as in a “slack ship”
SLAD—slewing arm davit
SLAM—standoff land attack missile
small craft—any less-than-ship-size vessel
smart—snappy, seamanlike, shipshape
SOC—Special Operations craft
SOF—Special Operations Forces
SOPA—senior officer present afloat
SORM—Standard Organization and Regulations of the U.S. Navy
sound—to determine the depth of water; to dive deep (of marine animals); a body of water between the mainland and a large coastal island
SP—shore patrol
spar—the nautical equivalent of a pole
special sea detail—crewmembers assigned special duties when leaving and entering port
splice—to join lines or wires together by intertwining strands; the joint so made
spring line—a line that is rigged from ship to pier to prevent or minimize forward and aft movement—in other words, motion parallel to the pier
square away—to put in proper order; to make things shipshape
square knot—simple knot used for bending two lines together or for bending a line to itself
SRB—selective reenlistment bonus
SRF—Shipboard Reaction Force
SSBN—nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarine
SSGN—nuclear-powered guided-missile submarine
SSIC—Standard Subject Identification Code
SSN—nuclear-powered attack submarine
stack—shipboard chimney
stage—a platform rigged over the side of a ship from which maintenance (such as painting) can be performed on the hull
stanchion—vertical post for supporting decks; smaller, similar posts for supporting lifelines, awnings, and so on
standing rigging—see “rigging”
starboard—direction to the right of the centerline as one faces forward
state room—a living compartment for an officer or officers
station—an individual’s place of duty; position of a ship in formation; location of persons and equipment with a specific purpose, as in “gun-control station”; order to assume stations, as in “station the special sea and anchor detail”
stay—see “rigging”
stem—extreme forward edge of a ship’s bow
stern—the aftermost part of a vessel
stern light—white navigation light that can be seen only from astern
STOVL—short takeoff/vertical landing
stow—to store or pack articles or cargo in a space
STREAM—Standard Tensioned Replenishment Alongside Method
structural bulkhead—transverse strength bulkhead that forms a watertight boundary
SUBLANT—Naval Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet
SUBPAC—Naval Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet
superstructure—the structure above a ship’s main deck
SURF—Standard Underway Replenishment Fixture
SURFLANT—Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet
SURFPAC—Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet
swab—a mop; to mop
SWCC—special warfare combat crewman
TA—tuition assistance
tackle—a combination of blocks and lines used either to change the direction of an applied force or to gain a mechanical advantage
TAD—temporary additional duty
tarpaulin—canvas used as a cover
taut—under tension; highly disciplined and efficient, as in “a taut ship”
TDY—temporary duty
tender—one who serves as a precautionary standby, as in “line tender for a diver”; a support vessel for other ships
TIR—time in rate
topside—weather decks; above (referring to the deck or decks above)
TRAMAN—training manual
trice up—to secure (older type) bunks by hauling them up and hanging them off (securing them) on their chains
truck—the uppermost tip of a mast
T&T—travel and transportation
turn in—to retire to bed; to return articles to the issue room
turn out—to get out of bed; to order out a working party or other group, as in “turn out the guard”
turn to—to start working
UA—unauthorized absence
UAV—unmanned aerial vehicle
UB—utility boat
UCMJ—Uniform Code of Military Justice
UD—undesirable discharge
UDT—underwater demolition team
under way—not moored
UNREP—underway replenishment
USHBP—Uniformed Services Health Benefit Program
USMTF—Uniformed Services Medical Treatment Facility
USW—undersea warfare
VA—Department of Veterans Affairs
VCNO—vice chief of Naval Operations
VERTREP—vertical replenishment
VFR—visual flight rules
VGLI—Veterans’ Group Life Insurance
VLS—vertical launch system
void—an empty tank aboard ship
V/STOL—vertical/short takeoff and landing
waist—the amidships section of the main deck
wake—trail left by a vessel or other object moving through the water
wardroom—officers’ messing compartment; collective term used to signify the officers assigned to a ship
watch—one of the periods, usually four hours, into which a day is divided; a particular duty, as in “life buoy watch”
watertight integrity—the degree or quality of watertightness
WB—workboat
weather deck—any deck exposed to the elements
weigh anchor—to hoist the anchor clear of the bottom
WFCOM—wire-free communication
wharf—structure similar to a quay but constructed like a pier
whipping—binding on the end of a line or wire to prevent unraveling
windward—in the direction of the wind
WQ&S—watch, quarter, and station
WTD—watertight door
XO—executive officer; second in command
yardarm—the port or starboard half of a spar set athwartships across the upper mast
yaw—(of a vessel) to have its heading thrown wide of its course as the result of a force, such as a heavy following sea