OUR SLANG

Thousand-yard stare – unfocused gaze of a battle-weary servicemember.

1st Civilian Division. Civilian life, usually applied to Marines facing discharge or retirement. As in "getting assigned to 1st Civ Div." Also occasionally referred to as "1st Couch Company."

Forming a complete circle (as in on a compass (360°)) or covering avenues of approach/fire sectors in all 360 degress (every direction)

In hours, the standard liberty periods of two, three, four days.

Derogatory term for the 4th Marine Division, the division to which the ground combat element of the Marine Forces Reserve is assigned; used by active duty Marines to denote displeasure with the difference in culture and operating procedures within the division as opposed to active duty units.

Also known as the 5.56 kiss, this refers to the burn, scar, or blister resulting from a burn suffered (usually on the neck) due to hot brass ejected from a rifle

A three day weekend. you can request out of bounds travel to travel anywhere generally on the same coast. In bounds travel is typically considered a 350 mile radius.

Nickname for Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. so named from its street address at the corner of 8th and I Streets SE.

A four day weekend. You can typically request special liberty out of bounds and travel cross country. In bounds is considered a 500 mile radius around base.

Short for amphibious tractor; also referred to as "Tracks."

Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company

Area of Operation during a deployment.

Ain't Ready to be a Marine Yet

Ammunition Supply Point, where ammo is stored and issued.

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test. Scores on this test are used to determine qualification for MOS's and overall service.
To learn more, visit the ASVAB page.

Insinuates someone's inability to pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

Expression denying responsibility or authority (indicating that the issue should be brought to higher-ranking officials); alternatively, a semi-sarcastic way of telling someone that they're not authorized to receive certain information

When an item is not quite stolen, but definitely "grew legs" away from its rightful owner, which is almost always another unit or the government itself

Personnel that work on board any aircraft that can carry a crew (i.e. UH-1, C-130, CH-53, V-22, etc.), and are normally charged with loading gear, passengers, and manning the door/ tail guns

The whole command; all Marines in the unit, no exceptions

Service Alpha uniform from the phonetic letter A

Area of an encampment where the radio antennae are emplaced.

An individual's hands being inside his or her pockets.

Short for Artillery.

Order to disregard the immediately preceding order