QRF—Quick Reaction Force
Rack—Bed
Rappel—To descend by rope
RCT—Regimental Combat Team
Recon—Reconnaissance
Recruit—An individual attending boot camp
ROE—Rules of Engagement
Round—Bullet or shell
RPG—Rocket-propelled grenade
S-1—Administrative Section of a unit
S-2—Intelligence Section of a unit
S-3—Operations and Training Section of a unit
S-4—Logistics and Supply Section of a unit
SAW—Squad automatic weapon; a 5.56mm light automatic weapon that is both belt- and magazinefed capable
Scuttlebutt—Rumor, gossip
Secure—Lock up, close, take care of, or finish for the day
Semper Fi—Short for “Semper Fidelis,” which is Latin for “Always Faithful”
Sick bay—Hospital, clinic, or office of medical personnel
Sick call—Assigned time for ill Marines to go to sick bay, usually first thing in the morning
Skivvies—Underwear
SMAW—Shoulder-launched multipurpose assault weapon
SMAWNE—Shoulder-saunched multipurpose assault weapon—novel explosive
SNCO—Staff Noncommissioned Officer
SOC—Special-operations-capable group of Marines assigned to a Marine Expeditionary Unit
SOI—School of Infantry
SOP—Standard operating procedure
Sound off—Shout very loudly
Squad bay—Large room where many Marines live
Squared away—Prepared, taken care of, or sharp looking
Squid—Navy person; also called a “swabbie”
SRB—Service Record Book
SSN—Social Security number
SVBIED—Suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device
The word—Confirmed information
TOW—M-220 tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided missile
UA—Unauthorized absence
UAV—Unmanned aerial vehicle
UH-1E/N—The “Huey”; the standard Marine helicopter able to operate from shipboard
Unsat—Unsatisfactory
UXO—Unexploded ordnance
VA—Slang for Department of Veterans Affairs, formerly Veterans Administration
VBIED—Vehicle-borne improvised explosive Devise
VMA—Marine Corps designation for aviation attack squadron
VMF—Marine Corps designation for aviation fighter squadron
Warrant Officer—A person who holds a warrant in a warrant officer grade
WESTPAC—Western Pacific tour, such as Okinawa
WIA—Wounded in action
WM—Woman Marine
WO—Warrant Officer
XO – –Executive Officer; 2d in command of a unit
My Men are My Heroes Page 26
