List of United States Marine Corps Acronyms and Expressions - R

R

• R/S – Respectfully Submitted, used as an end greeting in written communication.

• rack or sack – bed, inappropriate to use the Army term "bunk" except when used in conjunction with "junk on the bunk".

• radio watch – duty monitoring radio networks for relevant traffic, also; the person filling that duty.

• rah - a shortened version of Oorah

• raider cap – cover worn with the M1941 HBT utilities

• ranks – There are no acceptable contractions or shortened ways of addressing the following: Private, Lance Corporal, Corporal, Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer/Chief Warrant Officer, Major, Colonel, and General. The following may be addressed with permission or informally: Private First Class as PFC, a Gunnery Sergeant as "Gunny", a Master Sergeant as "top", a Master Gunnery Sergeant as "Master Gunny", a Second Lieutenant or First Lieutenant as "Lieutenant", a Captain as "Skipper", a Lieutenant Colonel as "Colonel", and a Brigadier General, Major General, and Lieutenant General as "General". It is inappropriate to abbreviate an enlisted Marine's rank (Staff Sergeant or above) as "Sergeant," nor can the nickname "sarge" be used. Appropriate written abbreviations for all ranks can be found on United States Marine Corps rank insignia.

• ratfuck – taking the best available selection and leaving less desirable alternatives for others.

• RCO – Rifle Combat Optic, optical sight issued for use with the M16A4 service rifle or M4 carbine; see also Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight.

• real world – civilian life after discharge. See also outside.

• recon – used as a verb to denote stealthy acquisition by theft. Not to be confused with "Recon". See also acquire.

• Red leg – artilleryman. See also cannon cocker and gun bunny.

• Red Patch – device worn on the uniforms of landing support Marines to distinguish the shore party from landing troops.

• request mast – appealing to increasingly higher links in the chain of command in order to seek satisfaction for a grievance the requester feels was not adequately handled at a lower level; DoN orders permit any Marine to request mast up to the individual's commanding general without repercussions.

• re-up – reenlist, volunteering for an additional period of service.

• Rocks and Shoals – Articles for the Government of the Navy, the pre-UCMJ code of law for the United States Department of the Navy.

• rotate – return home at the end of a deployment.

• RPGs or RPs – Rape Prevention Glasses, unattractive military issue glasses worn at recruit training; so named that the wearer would be so unattractive that even a rapist would avoid her. See also BCGs & portholes.

• ROE – Rules Of Engagement, the restrictions on when and how a servicemember may use force on the enemy and other forces.

• rubber bitch – affectionate name given to the ISO mat or sleeping pad which is made of a rubber foam like material. It is used by Marines when sleeping on the ground or other hard surfaces. It is sometimes used during PT (physical training) for calisthenics.

• running lights – navigational night lights on a ship; Marine's eyes.