terminology

If you're new to the military, or simply new to the Navy, be warned. You're going to have to learn a whole new vocabulary to communicate with your soon to be Sailor.
Actually, Sailor is the first term you must learn. Although your Recruit is officially in the United States Navy from the swearing in ceremony, he or she is at first just that - a lowly Recruit. It's part of their name, now; when you get the address to boot camp, you'll see that you have to write "SR" (Seaman Recruit) as part of the name. Your Recruit also will wear a hat with "Recruit" emblazoned across the front. After battlestations, Recruits are officially known as Sailors. There is a capping ceremony, during which a new NAVY hat is given to the new Sailors. One more point of interest is that the word Sailor should always be capitalized.

Navy - Never Again Volunteer Yourself - Slang from the mouth's of the Sailors themselves.


PIR - Pass In Review - Boot Camp Graduation.

ASMO - Assignment Memorandum - to be sent back in recruit training. RDC's frequently threaten their Division with being ASMO'd. Recruits do get ASMO'd for disciplinary or medical, or because a recruit has not passed a test.

Brother (or Sister) Divisions - Divisions sharing the same ship and PIR date.

Ship - Barracks

Division - A group of about 88 recruits that live, work, train, and (hopefully) will graduate together.

SIQ - Sick In Quarters - Really Recruits who are very sick or have extensive dental work are confined to their rack.

Ricky Crud - The upper respiratory, headaches, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and nosebleeds that plague a very large number of those in Boot Camp.

Ricky Heaven - An area in the RTC NEX which has games, fast food, internet access and telephones. Toward the end of boot camp, divisions may be awarded time in Ricky Heaven.

NEX - The Navy Exchange - A department store for Navy personnel and their families. The NEX at RTC is small, and sells items the Recruits will need during boot camp, as well as Navy souvenirs

PT - Physical Training

P-Days - Processing Days, also known as P-Week - P-Days occur when Recruits first arrives at boot camp. During P-Days, they are issued initial equipment, uniforms, and supplies. They are undergo medical and psychological tests, are interviewed, and are ultimately assigned to a division. When P-Week is over, Boot Camp officially begins.

IT - Intensive Training - Getting IT’d is a consequence for all sorts of infractions.

PI - Personal Inspections - An inspection of a recruit's personal appearance and uniform. A recruit can earn between one and five points for PI. Points are taken away for irregularities such as an off center belt.

Captain's Cup - A field day, during which the divisions compete against each other. It is usually held the Saturday before graduation.