List of United States Marine Corps Acronyms and Expressions - B

B

  • baby G – Brigadier General: lowest rank of general.
  • back on the block – behaving like a civilian.
  • bag nasty – A-ration bagged meal issued to Marines (usually recruits or those in-field): it often contain a sandwich, boiled egg, fruit, potato chips, juice or milk.
  • BAH – Basic Allowance for Housing: pay bonus for living off-base; previously known as Basic Allowance for Quarters (BAQ).
  • BAM – Broad Assed Marine; pejorative term for women Marines.
  • BAMCIS – a mnemonic for military tacticians: Begin the planning, Arrange reconnaissance, Make reconnaissance, Complete the planning, Issue orders, Supervise. It is also used as an exclamation of success or accomplishment.
  • barracks cover – fabric-cover frame cap worn green with the service uniform and white with the dress uniform; traditionally officers wear this cap with quatrefoil and gilt devices that increase with rank.
  • barracks rat – Marine who rarely leaves base housing unless ordered to.
  • BAS – Battalion Aid Station: a unit's medical post for routine ailments and injuries; also Basic Allowance for Subsistence. See also sick bay.
  • Battalion Lance Corporal – most senior non-NCO in a unit. See also terminal lance and Lance Colonel.
  • battle blaze – original name for the 1st & 2nd Marine Division shoulder sleeve insignias commemorating service in the Battle of Guadalcanal.
  • battle buddy – ironic term deriving from orders for Marines to not go on liberty alone.
  • battle pin – tie clasp or tie tack; until the start of World War II a metal bar worn on shirt collar.
  • battle zero or battle sight zero or BZO – calibrated settings on a gunsight which contribute to accuracy; used as default before adjusting windage or elevation; also used as verb when triangulating a BZO.
  • BB counter or BB stacker – Marine whose duties are the handling, storage, issue of ordnance.
  • BCGs or BCs – Birth Control Glasses or Boot Camp Glasses: military issue glasses worn at recruit training; so called because they make the wearer too ugly to engage in sexual relations. See also portholes & RPGs.
  • beans, bullets, bandages – basic supplies which military logisticians must provide for: rations, ammunition, medical care.
  • beer garden – social area permitting the consumption of alcohol etc.; may contain barbecue or picnic facilities.
  • belay – to cancel an order; to stop; to firmly secure a line.
  • below – down the ladder well of a ship; below decks.
  • BEQ – Bachelor Enlisted Quarters: living spaces for single enlisted Marines; usually a barracks.
  • BCD – Bad Conduct Discharge; also known as Big Chicken Dinner.
  • big green weenie – denotes that a Marine has been "fucked over" or cheated by the Marine Corps.
  • billet –one's rank or task in a unit (for example the billet of Company First Sergeant is held by the senior enlisted advisor; usually a First Sergeant but could be a Master Sergeant or Gunnery Sergeant).
  • binnacle list – sick list: those excused from duty for health reasons; traditionally posted on or near the binnacle.
  • bird, ball, hook – alternative for Eagle, Globe, Anchor.
  • bird farm – aircraft carrier.
  • blanket party – group assault: victim's head is covered by a blanket so the perpetrators can't be identified.
  • blood stripe – red band on dress uniform trousers; symbolizes blood shed by Marines in war; given to officers and NCOs. Also a form of hazing where NCOs inflict skin-damage on new Corporals.
  • blooper – grenade launcher: from the distinctive noise made when one is fired. See also thump gun.
  • BLT – Battalion Landing Team: the ground combat element of a MEU; not to be confused with a Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato sandwich.
  • blues – Blue Dress uniform.
  • Bn – battalion.
  • boat – naval vessel; a small or medium craft (larger vessels are called ships).
  • boondoggle – project or trip on government time and/or expense which serves no purpose other than to entertain the person making it.
  • boot – recruit or Marine in Boot Camp.
  • boots and utes or boots 'n' utes – boots and utility uniform minus blouse and cover; used in hot environments.
  • boot camp – training hub for new Marines at Parris Island, SC and San Diego, CA; name may derive from the fact that recruits wear boots daily.
  • BOQ – Bachelor Officer Quarters: housing for single Marine officers.
  • box-kicker – pejorative for a Marine who works in supply cf. warehouse clerk.
  • boxsee – hospital corpsman; from the Vietnamese word "Bac Si" meaning "doctor". See also doc.
  • brain bucket – helmet.
  • brain-housing group – thought processing; used in parallel to a rifle's trigger-housing group.
  • brain strap – elastic strap used for securing eyeglasses during rigorous activities; often found on BCG's
  • brass – 1) gun casings; 2) uniform insignia; 3) senior officers (cf. rank insignia).
  • brat – a servicemember's child .
  • break-off session – extraordinarily strenuous or tiring physical activity; usually PT.
  • the bricks – barracks. Also the parade or quarterdeck.
  • brig – Military prison on ship or ashore.
  • brig rat – person who has served much brig time; a habitual offender.
  • brightwork – shiny metal which Marines must polish.
  • broke-dick – Marine on limited or no duty status for medical reasons; also malfunctioning / unserviceable male genital equipment.
  • broken-off or broke-off – feeling severe fatigue. See also break-off session
  • brown-bagger – servicemembers (usually married) who live off base; instead of eating at mess halls they pack meals to work.
  • buddy-fucker or blue falcon – one who disregards a team-member's welfare.
  • bug juice – insect repellent. Also colorful beverages made from dry mix (such as Kool-Aid).
  • bulkhead – wall.
  • bum scoop – bad information.
  • burning man – A Marine who is scorched by hot gun casings.
  • bus driver – Air Force pilot; so called because early USAF uniforms were said to resemble those of municipal streetcar officials.
  • busted or busted down – reduced in rank.
  • butt pack – small pack fastened to waist; see also Fanny pack.
  • "butter bar"- A boot second lieutenant
  • 'Barney-style – to perform strictly according to regulation; idiot proof; simplified for the benefit of mental underachievers; also called "Breaking it down Purple Dinosaur-style"
  • "By your leave sir/ma'am." – used with a salute when passing senior officers who might be advancing in the same direction; some protocols say the senior must give clearance before the junior can pass.

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