Military Slang I

Military Slang

About the Quiz

The world is certainly not a safe place, and never really has been.

Since the beginning of time, each nation that rose to prominence did so through the use of its military. 

Just take a look back to the world's first really dominant group, the Romans. They expanded their territory through military might. No negotiations, no diplomacy. Just military might. The Roman army was feared around the world.

The Huns, who eventually sacked Rome, didn't take control by talking their way through the gates of the great city. They burnt them and the city to the ground.

Even in more modern times, military might has remained important. Napoleon and France ... check! Japanese expansion in the Far East ... check. German expansion in Europe under Hitler ... check. All of these nations expanded their territories through their military might, in some cases forcing other countries to capitulate at the mere threat of action.

Even today, military forces around the world are still as important.

And with the military comes a form of slang that is certainly unique. And that's what this quiz is all about.

Sure, you may have heard some of them before, but many will have you stumped!

Let's see how well you do!

Good luck. 

Multiple Choice

In military slang, what does the term "chest candy" refer to?

• Medals and ribbons

• A shirt

• Chest hairs

• A formal jacket

Answer: Medals and ribbons

Think about it, it makes complete sense to call medals and ribbons "chest candy". Although this is usually used in positive way, it can also be very derogatory.

Multiple Choice

"Helo" incoming means what type of vehicle is approaching?

• A fighter aircraft

• A helicopter

• A tank

• A battleship

Answer: A helicopter

"Helo" is military slang for helicopter. They form a vital role in any military situation and have proved an indispensable vehicle as shown to such great effect in the Vietnam War, either bringing soldiers to contact points or removing the injured.

Multiple Choice

An "eagle keeper" is slang for?

• An animal trainer

• An F-15 fighter plane maintenance crew chief

• A marine

• A navy seal

Answer: An F-15 fighter plane maintenance crew chief

The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle was the primary 4th generation fighter in the United States Air Force. It entered service in 1976 and remains in active duty today.

Multiple Choice

In a battle, if someone called for "band-aid" what did they need?

• A grenade

• Ammo

• A radio

• A medic

Answer: A medic

Band-aids in real life fix anything, right? Well, almost anything. In World War II, most soldiers would call for a medic but by the time Vietnam rolled around, a medic had a slang name, a "band-aid".

Multiple Choice

Who or what is a "geardo"?

• A navy cadet

• A junior airman

• A paratrooper

• Someone decked out in all the gear they can carry

Answer: Someone decked out in all the gear they can carry

In the military, a "geardo" is someone who has every piece of gear they can possibly lay their hands on. This is despite the fact that they may not even use half of it. This is not only Army gear but supplementary equipment that they pay for themselves.

Multiple Choice

Marines who are "on the double" are ... ?

• Moving as quickly as possible

• Chowing down

• Sleeping

• None of the above

Answer: Moving as quickly as possible

Now this is probably one that you have heard before. To a Marine, "on the double" means doing whatever task they are performing as fast as possible and certainly without delay.

Multiple Choice

Soldiers looking for a "moonbeam" wanted what exactly?

• Flashlight

• Match

• Cigar

• None of the above

Answer: Flashlight

Actually, that's a brilliant description for a flashlight ... a moonbeam. Gonna use that from now on. Obviously flashlights are never used on the battlefield, but useful in camp on a dark night when you have to find the latrine.

Multiple Choice

Which military units are called "dopes on a rope"?

• Marines

• GI's

• Navy seals

• Air assault soldiers

Answer: Air assault soldiers

A "dope on a rope" is used by other branches of the military to describe air assault soldiers. This phrase is derogatory. Air assault soldiers are not paratroopers but usually alight from helicopters into battle using ropes to reach the ground.

Multiple Choice

In military terms, what is a "bunk"?

• A chair

• A bed

• A locker

• None of the above

Answer: A bed

Again, this one is fairly easy. A bunk is a bed. Bunks are the perfect way to get a lot of men into a small space to sleep. They were particularly useful on ships when transporting troops to the Pacific in World War II.

Multiple Choice

"DZ" stands for?

• Dropzone

• Sleeping

• Eating

• None of the above

Answer: Dropzone

Air assault troopers or paratroops will know all about the dropzone. This is the point which they will aim for when jumping out of their aircraft or helicopter.

Multiple Choice

Pilots reporting "ack ack" have encountered what?

• Enemy aircraft

• Enemy surface units

• Anti-aircraft fire

• None of the above

Answer: Anti-aircraft fire

"Ack ack" refers to enemy fire from the ground aimed at aircraft. It does not included small arms fire but specific anti-aircraft weapons such as cannons etc. In World War I, this was known as "Archie" and in World War II "flak".

Multiple Choice

A soldier asking for new "gofasters" from the supply chain wants what?

• Sneakers

• Rifle

• Overalls

• None of the above

Answer: Sneakers

No, they are not sneakers, they are "gofasters". Although the term is common in the Marine Corps it is also used by other branches of the military including the Army and Navy. I bet you will never call them sneakers again!

Multiple Choice

"Klicks" are a unit of measurement. Which of these below is it?

• Miles

• Kilometers

• Meters

• Yards

Answer: Kilometers

5 klicks till contact, Sir. You understand that right? Yes, a klick is a kilometer. Interestingly, you would not associate the use of kilometers with the US military, but it is used as a standard distance measurement that US allies use as well.

Multiple Choice

When "meat wagons" are called in, what vehicle is on its way?

• Ambulance

• Tank

• Self-propelled artillery unit

• Helicopter

Answer: Ambulance

Sad but true, an ambulance is called a "meat wagon" by the military. This name originated as due to the severity of war injuries, sometimes soldiers left the battlefield missing limbs.

Multiple Choice

"Cage Kickers" are another branch of the U.S. military, often loathed. Who are they?

• Military police

• Air Force pilots

• Space Force soldiers

• None of the above

Answer: Military police

The United States military has its own police force. These are the military police and it is their duty to enforce law and order at military facilities. Generally, they are loathed by regular servicemen, possibly because they break up their parties!