How to Understand Common Navy Jargon (for Spouse or Newbie Recruit)

What the heck kind of language does my spouse speak? I thought the head was on the shoulders, but "boat talk" is pretty easy to master and finally understand what Navyese amounts to.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• internet
• notebook

1. There are two different languages sailors speak in: Acronyms and nautical or common Navy jargon. You can jot them down on a notebook so you can start to decode what your spouse is talking about when he discusses work or while on the ship. Your spouse will be more apt to talk about his work if he doesn't have to explain everything to you.
2. Here are some examples of common Navy terms:
   
   Above: Upward, higher, as to go above; the flight deck
   
   Aft: Toward the stern
   
   Athwart ship: At a right angle to the centerline, as a passageway which runs from port to starboard as opposed to fore and aft.
   
   Below: Downward, beneath, as to lay below; below the flight deck.
   
   Bow: The forward end of a ship or boat.
   
   Bridge: Area in the superstructure from which the ship is operated.
   
   Bulkhead: A vertical partition, never called a wall.
   
   Chow: Food
   
   Deck: (1) Shipboard floor, horizontal plating which divides a ship into layers. (2) Shipboard floors from Main deck and below numbered 1, 2, 3.
   
   Fantail: The after end of the main deck.
   
   Forecastle, Foc'sle: Forward section of the deck on which the anchor handling equipment is located. Forward section of the 02 level on the Carl Vinson.
   
   Frame: An athwartship beam which provides structural strength to a ship.
   
   Galley: Space where food is prepared. Never called a kitchen.
   
   Hatch: A square or rectangular access in a deck.
   
   Island: Superstructure on the starboard side of the flight deck on an aircraft carrier.
   
   Ladder: A shipboard flight of steps. Never called stairs.
   
   Level: Shipboard floors above the main deck. Numbered 0-1, 0-2, 0-3.
   
   Main Deck: Highest watertight (complete) deck aboard ship. On aircraft carriers, the hangar deck is the main deck.
   
   Mess: (1) Place where meals are eaten, such as Mess Decks, Captain's Mess, etc. (2) A group who takes meals together, such as officer's mess or chief's mess.
   
   Midwatch: (The Mid) The watch which begins at 0000 and ends at 0400.
   
   Mid Rats: (Midnight Rations) Meal served around midnight for those crewmembers going on or off watch.
   
   OOD: Officer of the Deck
   
   Overhead: The underside of a deck from the overhead of the compartment next below. Never called a ceiling.
   
   Passageway: A corridor used for interior horizontal movement aboard ship.
   
   Port: To the left of the centerline when facing forward.
   
   Scuttle: Round, watertight opening in a hatch.
   
   Scuttlebutt: (1) Drinking fountain. (2) A rumor.
   
   Second Deck: First deck below the main deck.
   
   Secure: (1) To make fast, as to secure a line to a cleat. (2) to cease, as to secure from a fire drill.
   
   Sickbay: Shipboard space used as a hospital or medical center.
   
   Square away: To put in proper place, to make things shipshape.
   
   Starboard: Right of centerline when facing forward.
   
   Stateroom: A living compartment for an officer.
3. As far as acronyms go, there are countless sites and other sources to explain to you acronyms. The most common are XO (executive officer), CO (Commanding Officer), and CMC (Command Master Chief)
4. Although they may not seem like it, officer grades are part of this communication. Again the internet can provide a wealth of knowledge as to what your spouse is speaking of and where he falls on the food chain known as the COC (chain of command).
5. Remember that once you took your vows with your sailor you became an unpaid (and sometimes under appreciated) employee in the Navy and a partner in your husband's career. Whether he's a career sailor or just doing a stint it's important that your support is unconditional and unwavering in order to steer the turbulent waters of the US Navy.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't be afraid to research, don't allow yourself to be ignorant of where your spouse is coming from. That is a whole part of their life that you want to be a part of.
• Know basic customs and courtesies to avoid embarrassing situations.
• This is TRULY the toughest job in the Navy, but arm yourself with knowledge. It will put you on an even playing field with veteran wives.
• Your spouse will NOT be able to divulge classified information EVER. Don't take it personally it is not secrecy from you but in general.
• Don't make every conversation about their work, but don't hesitate to ask it is normal to want to know what your partner does all day. Remember you are the partner in his career he can't do it without you. Not even close!