Glossary
command department [N-C-u
IN c-U10] the
3-M Coordinator ·s· maintenance
supervisor of a ship ment (3-M)
and material manage
program.
aba ft to [ADJ-U3] clo$er toe the
stern of a ship than st 11 e1s
· b"lls[N-C-U
1. l
14nd
administrative
notices that tell sailors hoV:V a .
when to do routine adrn1nistrat1ve
,. tasks on a ship.
affirmative [N-UNC-US] a.
proword used to communicate
"yes " or to confirm.
aft [ADV-U3] toward the rear end
of a ship.
alee [ADJ-U3] downwind of
something else
antisneak/antiswimmer attack
bill [N-C-U14] a notice that tells
sailors how to defend against a
sneak attack in a foreign port.
astern [ADJ-U3] behind a ship.
athwartship [ADV-U3] across at a
right angle to the centerline of a
ship.
aviation department [N-C-U 11] a
special department that maintains
:. helicopters on non-aviation ships.
bandage [N-C-U8] a piece of
material used to dress a wound,
or to support the dressing of a
wound.
below [ADJ-U3] on or going to a
lower deck of a ship.
berthing and locker bill [N-C-
U14] a notice that tells sailors
where to sleep and put clothing
and other personal belongings.
bleeding [N-UNC-U8] the escape
of blood from the circulatory
system. This can occur inside or
outside the body.
I
-C-U 11] a speci~I
boat group [N amphibious s~_ 11ps
department fo_r and maintain
that help operi1te
boats. nd of a
bow IN-C -U
3] the front e
ship. - 2 a watertight
bulkhead [N-C U lates different
partition that sep:void flooding.
areas of a ship to
-U 11 a barrier th~t
bulwark [N-C the shell plating
extends up fro; weather deck.
and protects t e .
urn [N-C-U8] a type of physical
b. d by excessive heat,
inJu_rY .cause osure to harmful
rad1at1on, or exp
chemicals.
camouflage [N-UNC-U 121 •
clothing that is colored to ~lend in
with the wearer's surroundings.
Captain [N-C-U 1O] a command-
ing officer, or person in charge of
a ship. All personnel on a ship call
the ship's CO "Captain",
regardless of the CO's rank .
centerline [N-C-U3] an imaginary
line dividing the starboard side
from the port side of a ship.
chest compression [N-UNC-U8]
the rhythmic pressing of the heart
of a victim of cardiac arrest in an
effort to simulate a heartbeat and
reestablish a normal pulse. Chest
compressions are used in CPR.
chevron [N-C-U9] a V-shaped
badge that indicates the wearer's
rate.
Chief Master-at-Arms (CMAA)
[N-C-U 1O] an executive assistant
in char~e of order and discipline
on a ship.
combat system [N-c-u a
111
co~mand department that
maintains complex Weapons and
warfare related services on ;:i
suhm:,r;~-
· ains
· or overs 11
a unit t hat maint
particular functi.ons or servicesees
Gr I
a ship .
commanding officer (CO) [N-c. I
U 1O] the title of the person in
charge of a military unit , or a sh :
1
communications department
1
1
C-U11] a comma nd departrnen
1
responsible for radi_o, security ar I
signal commun 1cat1ons on a shir,
compartment [N-C-U2] an I
enclosed area, or room, on a sr
compressed air system [N-C-1 J
pumps that put air under gre.:::~~1
pressure than the air in the
environment . The syst em also I
circulates this compressed air
throughout the ship. The I
compressed air is used for man:,
purposes, includ ing P?wering J
torpedoes and poweri ng
pneumatic tools. I
Condition I [N-UNC-U15] wher
ship is at its highest st ate of I
readiness (such as before battle
and has the largest number of I
personnel on watch.
Condition II [N-UNC-U 15] only I
used on large ships w~en they')
at a high state of readiness for ·1
extended time but some · I
relaxat ion of read ·iness ·15 poss1b
Condition Ill [N-UNC-U 1S] ~heJ
a ship is cruising duri ng wartirn
with roughly one third. Of _·its creJ
keeping watch and manning
weapon stations. J
Condition IV [N-UNC-U1S] whJ
. peacet11
a ship is cruising during
and only a small number of I
personnel are needed to kee~el
watch to deal w ith emerg enc1 I

condition V [N-UNC-U 15] when a
ship is in port at peacetime and
has only enough personnel t o deal
with emergencies or get the ship
moving.
Condition VI [N-UNC-U 15) when
a ship is in port at peacetime and
has only a minimum number of
personnel to keep watch and
handle only the srnallest
emergencies.
conditions of readiness [N-UNC-
U15) levels of conditions that
determine the number of
personnel that need to be on
watch.
cover [N-C-U 12] (also known as a
service cap) a hat worn as part of
a naval uniform .
coveralls [N-C-U12] Naval
uniforms worn only during
industrial or mechanical work .
CPR [N-UNC-U8] (cardio-
pulmonary resuscitation) an
emergency medical procedure
used to physically maintain blood
circulation and brain function for
victims of cardiac arrest until
other measures can be taken .
darken ship bill [N-C-U14] a
notice that tells sailors how to
operate when a ship's non-
necessary lights have been turned
out and its ports have been
blackened.
deck [N-C-U2] a floor on a ship
that extends all the way from one
end of the ship to the other.
decoration (N-C-U 12] an award
given for a particular act of merit
in the Navy.
defibrillator (N-C-U8] a medical
device that delivers electrical
energy to the heart in an effort to
re-establish a normal pulse.
directional method [N -lJN( -lJ6J ,1
method of I hr fl,1sh1nq l1 qht
sv. ! Pm 111 which the SNH lcr h1n0~
the light directly at the rr•ce1ver.
drainage system [N-C-Uil] pipes,
valves and drai ns used to remove
excess w ater from areas on the
ship. One important use of the
system is to keep the ship "trim"
or in balance on t he w ater.
drills [N-C-U 13] training exercises
which sailors repeat to learn a skill
or procedure.
electrical system [N-C-U4] the
devices that generate electricity
used to power many systems on a
ship.
EMCON bill [N-C-U14] a notice
that tells sailors how to control
the use of the ship's electronic
signals to prevent the enemy from
detecting and homing in on them .
emergency bills [N-C-U 14]
notices that tel l sailors what to do
in the event of different types of
emergencies.
engineering department IN-C-
U 11] a command department
that maintains machinery,
electrical systems and water
systems.
enlisted [ADJ-U9] serving below
the level of officer.
executive assistants [N-C -U 10]
officers or enlisted personnel
aboard a ship that answer to the
XO and are in charge of certain
duties.
executive officer (XO) [N-C-U 1OJ
second in command to the
commanding officer.
fantail [N-C -U 1] a curved
overhang that extends to the rear
of a ship's deck.
Glossary
first aid IN -LJrJC-U8 1 th e 1ni t1al
,1rl rn 1ni',I Prtnq o f m ('d1cal c-,re for
illri c-•~-:, or ,rqury hy a non-expert
,1r1
unlil exp!C!rl· (rlre ( r)n bl? provided .
fl aghoist IN-WJ(-U6 1a , y-:; tern o f
cornrnun icat,on that 1-:- u-:;ecJ 0nly
in daytime, and u-:,e, a -:,pe ,al -:,et
of 68 signal flag-;, each of 1t1h1ch
represents a letter or nurnb"!r.
Some flags have a special
meaning .
flashing light (N-UrJC-U6] a
system of communication 1n
wh ich different flashes of light are
used to relay messages in Morse
code.
fog [N-UNC-U7] a cloud of
condensed water vapor that lies
close to the ground that limits
visibi lity.
forecastle [N-C-U 1] the forward
part of a ship's upper deck, often
where crew members are housed.
forward [ADV-U3] toward the
front of a ship.
fracture [N-C-U8] the separation
of a bone into two or more pieces
as a result of excessive strain.
freeboard [N-C-U 1] the part o f a
ship's shell plating between the
waterline and the lowest weather
deck.
fuel system [N-C-U4] the pumps,
tanks, and lines that feed f uel to
the boilers and engines.
full dress [N-UNC-U 12] a set of
non-working Naval uniforms worn
for formal and ceremonial
occasions.
gale warning [N-C-U7] a storm
warning that is issued when
winds between 35-47 knots per
hour are expected .
general quarters [N-UNC-U 15]
another name for Condition I.
Glossary 35
 Glossary
hail IN-UN -U7) ,n, 111 r pC'll(lt \
of froze?n r inw,, tc•r t1i,,1 t. II 1,nin
the sky.
hatch IN-C -U21 • niov<', hi P· 11
coverrn9 a h nront I prninq
between two ,1 1c-.1s.
head IN-C-U 1the room on a s.h,r1
that hou e the torl('t .
hull [N·C ·U 1] 1he she-II of a s.hrp,
made up of the s,dt>s, bottom and
deck .
hurricane warning IN-C-U7] an
off,oal danger message that a
storm with winds of 64 knots or
higher 1s expected.
ice [N-UNC-U7) frozen water in
solid form.
icing [N-UNC-U7) a condition
where ice forms on parts of a
vehicle, sh,p or aircraft.
in port [ADJ PHRASE-U15] docked
in a harbor and not cruising .
inboard [ADV-U3] toward the
centerline of a ship.
infrared [ADJ-U6] light invisible to
the naked eye.
inspections [N-C-U 13] careful
examinations of personnel and
equipment to ensure they are
battle ready.
J system [N-C-US] a two-way,
phone-based communication
system used on a naval vessel that
is powered by sound rather than
electricity.
jettison bill [N-C-U14J a notice
that tells sailors when and how to
throw thin~s overboard the ship
to rmprove its stability.
keel [N-C-U1] a long beam along
the bottom of a ship.
ladder [N-C-U2] a series of steps
that a person uses to move to a
higher or lower deck.
JG Glossary
Ill
l~"w,,rd I/\D . V u II mnv1nq
d,r ('( t111n I I1,, I tl1t• WIii
IN ( ,Ul<ll ,trl
l r,• q,,I Ofli<"' to 111,, (.( J
, id ,1dv1v ir
,,,,1,.1,1111, r 11,,,, r,•q,irdrri'l
,,rl(t XO ()fl rrt,l l Nm1t y w•,tmn fl 1-1JI If. I )'d ,,,,
,n,111,UY 1,1W.
t lN -C-lJll fl noor <HI ;i ~l llP
Ieve
tll.-ll p:,dNldS
Iw ;iy ,1r w'/i
~;y1\r,;:~P. l~lC (T)Al rl
tile sh,r, USIJr, ,
dNk .
. r IN-C-tJ()J
line o ff Ke · ,rn offr<N
who is rcspomihle for
commanding a unit of navr. I
troops.
maintenance [N-UNC-U131 th e
act of keeping a ship in good
working condition.
maintenance data system (MOS)
[N-C-U 13] a way to organize
maintenance information to keep
it updated and accessible to all
necessary personnel .
man [N-V-T-U15] to operate a
machine, piece of equipment, or
weapon station.
mast [N-C-U1] a long, vertical
beam that extends up from a
ship. Modern masts typically carry
flags and signal lights.
MC system [N-C-US] a one- or
two-way, loudspeaker-based
communication system used on a
naval vessel, that uses electricity
to amplify sound.
medical department [N-C-U 1 ] a
1 maneuvering of the ship.
support department that
maintains the health of personnel
oversees hygiene and sanitation ,
and conducts medical inspections.
mooring system [N-C-U4] the set
of ropes or anchoring devices
used to secure a ship in one place.
Mor•,, code 111,u, 1 IJ1,1,1
tl,t1
d l'.1 blflWirl'l ·
rr 1rr1n 11H1 11 ,,t 11 1(1 ',j',lt•rr , If,.,, I J•
,~1,,rr .,,,rl 1,,,,,, fl,r.f,,.,, 111l1 11r,1 •
ii ,•
H 1 ',r
bt•t•p', tr1 ',l'Jfl,d rJlff 1•r1 , r 1I l,,tt 1, ,,
1
mid v111r<l',.
, ,;lt,,,ri,111·11•, twih •,, ., ,u ,1 I fl.,,,, r'
1,,1trt ','/'·'''"' of 11
,rr ,rr,, u w ,.,iv,, '
tJ,,,, LJ'P', rr1·11·,1t, I,: ,r,fr,,,,.,J 1:,,r ,.,
th,it t,.,n <Jrily t,,! ·,,.,.,, b; ,, ,.,1. ...
1
who h,,,, ;:, •,p,:r.1r1I rl,,, ,,.'J '':' ,. 11 ,,
nautical fAGJ -1JJI ,,~l,;t,,rJ t,1 ' "
uv~d in nav,jl rn ;Jttr:r', .
navi9ation dP.partment fl1-r:..
u 11 j a comrnr.1nd cJ,:p,jrtrr,~ •
that navi~FJtP.s a ~h,p ,;,nrJ
mainti-3ins relatP.d equ,prn":r,.
Navy working uniform [rl-C-1 ·i
a type o f modern Naval un,hr-r,
worn during work ta-;ks.
negative [N-UNC-US] a prov10r~
used to communicate "no."
non-directional method [N-U (.
U6] a method of the flashing 1:9; ·
system that is used to signal o
several different receiving ships a:
once, usually using yardarm
blinkers.
officer [N-C-U9] a member of the
Navy who holds a commanding
position.
Officer of the Deck [N-C-U 1O] a
naval officer who represents the
captain in maintaining safe securi
operational bills [N-C-U14]
notices that tell sailors how to
operate the ship's equipment as
part of its mission.
outboard (ADV-U3] away from
the centerl ine of a ship.
overhead [N-C-U2] the underside
of one deck that forms the ceiling
of the deck below.
 I

I
I
Glossary I
I
I
partition !N- -U . ] .a n0n-
1~ att>1 t 1~ht ,,..,cil l 1n a ship
p rop-l' ltl' ·I < 11 I <!" '' " • 1!h rnqM r I I Jr ,r I J'i I p r')'l'IO' d I
,n ,. oh d t' ,, t ,n " '• -111 r 11',"d , n ,.n m1 ,ni,. t c> rh r I
passagewa IN- -li."' lan,J111n pn ptrl~ion ~y~fPm [ ~ ( l J,lj l1f•
n ,~-, -,~,, ,,, rt ~. r- P• 1<>rl ,.I., r I I
t,allwav that conn('cg d1ff1'1f'n1
11'~< '°' • f " I f c r 1'MI'; hP S.:if,-1y r1ff,,-pr I I ,--_ , J ~n I
arf'a " ti r11<.. .. t,..l p 11\h P <,h•p ,.-irh1,n r rr, r~ o r_r; ,r ,rl rJ I
pay grade fN - -LI~] thp Irv('! of fo Md rNJ;irrJ1 nq ~;i ro • 1 rr r•o,-, 0
1t\ and p~v sonieone
I
-r~-i011~1b il -;hip
1 proword ! · -lJ'" l v.orrl or I
ha~ v,, th1n the naval st ructure h i t) ',e USf'd on ,n r;id , or s.3ltw .:iter sy,r~m ; 1-r: -1J1t ;
I
peacetime fN-UNC -U 15] when a I or P co mun,c .'l ,on to convPy w,tpm th,;il P'JII, ,.-31 11.:i•o, 'r'i
the "i"".3 ,ntc) lhP ,h,p r;r t"r-'¼t" / I
3 :,on Is not In a state of war.
a Spf'c 1 1c stc1ndr1rd,1f'd me.:inin
USPS Th e vv.:ir F>r ~ o~ -;tr, a.rj tr,, I
Pe:-sonnel Officer fN-C -U 1OJ pulse IN -C-U8] a measwemen of
f1re f1ght1ng. storod fnr b,i , . I
assists the XO rn matters the frequency of hearthe,;its,
usf'd ro fl11<;h he ' <:> ljs 0r ,f,~1 r: I
ta~en by pressing the fingers
- ng a ship's personnel' t he,r
reJa:-d1
against a maior artery, or by
cool th engine<; I
pe:-s nal ecords, ID cards, and
evai:.Jation forms. listening directly to the heart. say agai n [N-Ur1C-U5i d r;,ro no,; I
used o communrcd e l'-d· I
phonetic alphabet [N-C-US] a radio communication [N-UNC-
message should b repe t
of alphabet used for spelling
ty;)e US] the use of radio transmitters I
that assigns code words (i .e. alpha and receivers to deliver messages screw [N-C-Ul ] a ype f;,rop ,,_ r I
for A, bravo for B, etc) for each over distances. with a sp,ral blade ha w cl I
le~er to ensure accurate around the propeller's ha '
rain [N-UNC-U7] falling drops of I
communications. water that have condensed from semaphore [N-UNC-U6\ I
the vapor in the atmosphere. of communica tion In w ,c, wor
planned maintenance system I
are communicated thro c:;n t e
(PMS) !N-C-U13] a way of rank [N-C-U9] the position of an I
use of arm posItIons that
recording and scheduling repairs officer in the Navy. I
represen t specific letters. At
and upkeep of a ship at regular rank device [N-C-U9] a number of I
greater distances. flags are a1-
intervals. stripes on an officer's uniform used . I
platform [N-C-U2] a raised area, that indicates rank. I
semaphore flag [N-C-U6l a~, .ail.
usually at the top of a ship, where rate [N-C-U9] the position of an I
brightly colored, hand-held f ag
steering and navigation take enlisted member of the Navy. used in semaphore w hen I
place.
rating [N-C-U9] a particular job or communicating over greater I
port [N-WK-U3] on the left side specialty that someone performs distances. I
of a ship when facing the bow. in the Navy. Senior Watch Officer [N-C-U1OJ I
potable water system [N-C-U4] rating badge [N-C-U9] a symbol an executive assistant in charge of I
the set of machinery that worn on the clothing that coordina ting watchst anders and a
transforms non-drinkable salt indicates the wearer's rating . watchstand1ng s hedule.
water into drinkable water, stores service dress [N-UNC-U1 2] a set
rescue breathing [N-UNC-U8I the
it, and circulates it throughout the of non-working naval uniforms
ship. act of breathing for a person who
has stopped brea thing as a result worn for important and
precipitation [N-UNC-U7] water of illness or injury. It involves modera tely formal occasions.
in any form (snow, rain, hail, ice, placing your mouth over the service stripe [N-C-U 12] a stripe
fog) that falls to the earth. mouth of the victim and worn on a uniform that indicates
preservation [N-UNC-U13] the breathing air into his or her lungs. length of naval service.
act of maintaining a ship and its ribbon [N-C-U 12] a symbol of an
equipment in the best condition award or decoration worn on a
Possible naval uniform.
 Glossary
service uniform [N-C-U 12] a.
modern naval uniform worn in
situations when service dress was
traditionally required.
shell plating [N-C-U 1l a metal
piece covering the frame of a
ship.
shock [N-UNC-U8] a serious
medical condition that involves
~ insufficient delivery of blood to
s cells. Shock can result from
' various states of illness or injury.
' signal flag (N-C-U6) one of 68
· flags used in the flaghoist system .
.l small-craft warning [N-C-U7] a
danger message issued when
1 winds are too strong for small
i1 boats to be in the sea .
snow [N-UNC-U7] ice crystals or
flakes of frozen rain water
.I
special bills [N-C-U14] notices
that tell sailors what to do in
special situations not covered by
administrative, operational, or
, emergency bills.
f
j special departments [N-C-U 11]
support departments that serve
on specialized ships with unusual
missions such as aviation or safety.
splint [N-C-U8] a rigid material
used to support and immobilize a
fractured bone so that it can heal.
staff corps [N-UNC-U9] a group
of non-commanding officers who
/ have specialty professions Within
the Navy.
starboard [N-UNC-U3] the right
side of a ship when facing the
bow.
steering system [N-C-U ] the
4
devices that allow a ship to be
directed on its course Th . executive officer w
parts of the system are· the main
rudder, tiller and helm. e
-38·------
Glossary
the part of a ship
stem [N-C-U 1] the keel along
that extends fr_o mholding the two
the front of sh.1p,to ether.
sides of the ship g f
C-U3] the rear end o a
stern [N ·
ship.
U1 l the part of a
sternpoSt [N-C- the keel
h. that extends from
s ip h' and
along the rear of a s ip
supports the rudder.
storm warning [N-C-U7] a~ f ventilation system [N-C-U4] the
official message alerting ships o
approaching dangerous weather
conditions.
superstructure [N-C-U1] the_set
of structures on a ship that sit
above the main weather deck.
supply department [N-C-U 11] a
support department that orders,
maintains and distributes stores
and equipment. It also handles
payroll, mess, stores and laundry
services.
support department [N-C-U 11]
department containing several
subdivisions that are responsible
for legal, medical, dental, daily
living and supply needs of the
ship.
swell [N-C-U7] the rolling
movement of the sea where
waves do not break onto the
shore.
topside [N-ADV-U3] the parts of a
ship that are above waterlin
on deck. e or
training [N-C-U 13 ] d . shipboard duties during
the skill e ucat1on on
to pe f s and procedures needed
r orm Well as a sailor.
Training Officer [N-C-
_U'. OJ an
of a ship's tra· . ho is in charge
in1ng Program.
typhoon [_N-C-U7] a tmpical
storm similar to a hurricane that
occurs in the Western Pacific or
China Sea .
uniform of the day [N-C-U12] th
type of dress required '.or a e
particular day or occasion.
utilities [N-C-U 12] a type of
traditional naval uniform worn
during everyday work tasks.
set of machinery and vents that
circulate fresh air on a ship and
remove stale air (exhaust).
voice tube [N-C-U5] a tube w ith
cones on either end used to carry
the sound of a voice for
communication on a naval vessel.
wartime [N-UNC-U 15] when a
nation is in a state of war.
watch section [N-C-U 13] a
specific group of crew members
assigned to perform a task during
a
a designated time period .
watch station [N-C-U13] the
assigned duties or location that a
watch section maintains.
watch, quarter, and station bill
[N-C-U 14] a notice that tells
sailors the assignments and
responsibilities for everyone in a
division .
Watchstanding [N-UNC-U13) the
act of taking turns to perform
designated time periods.
Waterline [N-C-U 1] the level
along the side of a ship that
meets the surface of the water.
~atertight door [N-C-U2] a door
in a bulkhead that seals to
Prevent Water from passing
through it.
wave N--C-U7] a o
body of wa er cu Is i e i
breaks on o es · o e.
weapons department - -U J
a comma
m 1n1a1
s .
weapon~ ~tat,on ( -C•U J

..
' -