Military Language; Slang and Jargon

The use of military jargon, as it maybe unknown to the civilian also known as the non-military individual, actually aides in the bonding of service members, as the jargon and slang differ from each branch. Military, for all intensive purposes, throughout this essay, is referring to armed forces. Have you ever wondered why the people in military speak differently? Have you ever considered why many military members speak the way they do? As each branch of the armed forces has its own unique language, A brief description of their similarities and differences for the US Navy, US Air Force and US Army. At no disrespect to the US Marine Corps and US Coast guard, as there jargon is intimately similar to the US Navy’s slang and history. As a US Navy veteran, who has been deployed on several occasions to active war zones, and during times of peace, both in the capacity of the US Navy and Joint or coalition forces, I can relate. As I currently serve a civilian job in the capacity of war fighters, filling a US Army Lieutenant Colonels (LTC) billet as a civilian. I will provide a few examples with regards to the US Navy, US Army and US Air Force. Within the armed forces, the informal language(s) as they are used are accomplished through direct membership in the group, meaning that to fully understand what is being said, you must, “belong.” By using slang and jargon unknown to the outsider, individual members of specific groups form bonds of identification with one another. (Military Language)

The values that this language brings to the service members, is a bond that is hard to break free from and can last a lifetime. As I have been separated from active for some time now, although, I still work side by side with uniformed members; I see that...

... middle of paper ...

...bined Arms Center Blog, n.d. Web.

31 Jan. 2014.

Chambers II, John Whiteclay. "Language, Military: Informal Speech." The Oxford Companion to American Military History. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 31 Jan. 2014 .

Murray, Donald Morison. The craft of revision. 5th ed. Boston: Thomson/Heinle, 2004. Print.

Lunsford, Andrea A. and Christine M. Tardy. Easy writer: a pocket reference. 5th ed. Boston:

Bedford/St. Martin's, 204. Print.

"Military Language: Informal Speech." Answers. Version 1. Answers Corporation,

n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2014.

Wiktionary. "Appendix: Glossary of military slang." Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Version 1.

Wiktionary, 27 Jan. 2014. Web. 31 Jan. 2014. http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:Glossary