-M-

M1

The U.S. rifle caliber .30 [30-06], M1, is an air-cooled, gas-operated, clip-fed, semiautomatic shoulder weapon. The primary infantry weapon of World War II and Korea. It replaced the Springfield M1903 and was replaced by the M14.

M1/M2

.30 cal. carbine rifle.

M103

Heavy gun tank with a 120 mm main cannon of extremely long range.

M14

The U.S. rifle, caliber 7.62 mm [308 Winchester], M14, is an air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed, shoulder weapon. It is designed primarily for semiautomatic fire. An infantry weapon in use between Korea and early Vietnam. It replaced the M1 and was replaced by the M16.

M15

White phosphorous hand grenade replaced by the M34.

M16

The U.S. rifle, caliber 5.56 mm [223 Remington], M16, is a lightweight air cooled, gas operated, magazine fed, shoulder weapon. It is capable of both semiautomatic and full automatic fire. The basic infantry rifle that replaced the M14 at the start of the Vietnam War. It was designed by Eugene Stoner for the Armalite Company and was produced by Colt. See Mattel.

M170

Bipod for the M224 mortar.

M18

Colored Smoke Hand Grenade. Emits either red, green or yellow smoke for up to 1.5 minutes. Color is marked on the canister.

M1903

Springfield bolt-action .30 cal rifle which was replaced by the M1 in the mid 1930s. The Marine Corps used them through much of World War II.

M1911A1  

The automatic pistol, caliber 45 is a recoil operated, magazine fed hand weapon. Used from World War I until the 1990s, it has been replaced by the M9.

M1917A1

Browning water cooled machine gun.

M1918

Browning Automatic Rifle, known universally as the BAR.

M1919A4

Browning .30 cal. machine gun.

M2

"Heavy barrel" .50 cal. machine gun developed just after WWI and still being used into the 21st Century.

M203

Light weight, single-shot, breech-loaded, pump action (sliding barrel), shoulder-fired weapon attached to the M16A2 rifle.

M224

60 mm Mortar consisting of the M225 cannon, the M170 bipod and the M64 sight as well as two types of base plates, the circular M7 and the rectangular M8.

M225

Cannon for the M224 mortar.

M228

Hand grenade fuse.

M249

SAW or Squad Automatic Weapon, it replaced the BAR. The SAW is a gas-operated, belt/magazine-fed, aircooled, automatic, shoulder-fired weapon 5.56 mm. Typically there are nine SAWs in a basic infantry platoon.

M25A2 CS

Riot Control Hand Grenade weighing 7.5 oz with 3.5 oz of CS gas with a unique arming system unlike any other grenade in the inventory. The use and effect is the same as the M7A3.

M26

Fragmentation hand grenade. Hand-thrown with a 7-second delay from arming to explosion.

M34

White phosphorous smoke hand grenade. This 27.2 oz weapon contains 12 oz of white phosphorous.

M3A1

Shoulder fired, blowback operated .45 cal. submachinegun with 30-round magazine known as the "grease gun". A favorite of garrison officers. Standard on-board weapon for most tank crews.

M47

Dragon Weapon System. Man-portable, shoulder-fired, medium range antitank weapon.

M48A3

Main battle tank in Vietnam with a 90 mm main gun, coaxial mounted .30 cal machine gun and a coupola mounted .50 cal. machine gun with a crew of 4. The 850 horse Chrysler air-cooled diesel engine provided a crusing range of approximately 200 miles. It weighed 52 tons combat loaded.

M60

Air cooled, belt fed, gas-operated, fully automatic, shoulder-fired standard infantry machine gun 7.62 mm with bipod and replacement barrels.

M64

Sight for the M224 mortar.

M67

Fragmentation hand grenade. This 14 oz hand weapon contains 6.5 oz of composition B. The average Marine can throw it 40 meters and it has a casualty producing radius of 15 meters.

M67A2

Flame thrower tank with 260 gallon bottle of napalm, a coaxial mounted .30 cal. machine gun and a crew of three. It had a cruising range of 200 miles and weighed 50 tons combat loaded.

M69

Training and practice grenades. The training version has all inert or expended parts, the only removable item is the pin. The practice grenade is the same as the training grenade except that it uses an active M228 fuse to indicate delay times and add realism to training.

M7

Larger, circular baseplate for the M224 mortar.

M79

Shoulder-held, 40 mm, single shot grenade launcher with a range of 400 meters. Called a "blooper" from the sound it made when fired.

M7A3 CS

Riot Control Hand Grenade. This 19 oz weapon contains 9.5 oz of CS that when ignited gives off a thick cloud of irritating agent for approximately 60 seconds.

M8

Smaller, rectangular baseplate for the M224 mortar.

M9

Baretta 9mm pistol with 15 round magazine which replaced the M19llA1 in the 1990s.

MAG

Marine Air Group. A unit in an air wing equivalent to an infantry regiment. Commanded by a colonel.

Maggie’s Drawers

A red flag waved from the rifle pits (or butts) to indicate a complete miss of the target during qualification firing.

Maggot

One of the lowest forms of life. Also a Marine who spends most of his or her time trying to obtain a discharge.

MAGTF

Marine Air Ground Task Force. A unit with both air and ground elements but not MEU or MEB.

Mail Buoy

A non-existent navigational aid used in a practical joke by "salty" Marines and sailors. Allegedly, the mail buoy or sea buoy was a device to which passing ships or aircraft would attach packets of mail. Inexperienced Marines or sailors were assigned to "guard duty" and told to be on the look out for the buoy. It was part of an informal initiation rite.

Main Bottle

360 gallon bottle of napalm on the M67A2 flame thrower tank. A cluster of nine air bottles surrounded the main bottle to provide air for combustion.

Mainside

The main portion of a base or installation where the headquarters are located along with the Marine Corps Exchange and theater. As opposed to “in the field” or the boonies.

Major General

Second of the flag officer ranks indicated by two silver stars on the collar points of the uniform. The pay grade is O-8 and is the same in the Army and the Air Force. In the Navy and Coast Guard the rank is rear admiral (upper half) and is additionally indicated with a two inch gold band and two one inch gold bands and a gold star (Navy) or gold shield (Coast Guard) above on the coat cuffs. The shoulder board is the same as rear admiral (lower half) except that there are two silver stars rather than one.

Major

The fourth grade of commissioned officer and first of the field grades is indicated by a gold oak leaf on the collar points. The pay grade is O-4 and is the same in the Army and Air Force. In the Navy and Coast Guard the rank is lieutenant commander and is additionally indicated with two broad bands of gold with one narrow band between them topped with an insignia representing the branch to which the officer is assigned (most often a gold star in the Navy) or a gold shield in the Coast Guard.

Make a hole

A phrase used to move a group of people not in formation out of the way of a formed unit or a person senior in rank.

Malingerer

 A Marine or recruit who spends too much time at sick call or makes other excuses to get out of training or duty. It is a punishable offense under the UCMJ.

Maltreatment.

A problem in Marine Corps recruit training in the middle of the 20th Century, now resolved. Recruit training, while difficult and demanding, is not life threatening. Each of the very few accidents is thoroughly investigated and reviewed. See Ribbon Creek.

Mameluke Sword

The sword worn on parade and formal occasions by Marine commissioned and warrant officers. The first Mameluke sword was presented to Marine Lieutenant Presley N. O’Bannon by Prince Hamet Bey the Pasha of Tripoli in 1805 during which the United States flag was flown for the first time in the Old World.  The Mameluke is a dress sword, during the Civil War both officers and non-commissioned officers wore the sword that is now identified with the Marine Non-commissioned Officer.

Manning the Rails

When entering or leaving port or when rendering special honors the ship's compliment will dress in full dress uniforms and stand along the rails or in the rigging at the position of attention.

Manual of Arms

The prescribed movements involving the use of weapons, including swords, in parades and ceremonies.

MarDet

Marine Detachment.

Marine Band

The United States Marine Band, "The President's Own," is located at Marine Barracks 8th and I, Washington, DC. It is the official band of the Marine Corps. Other bands exist at division, air wing and depot levels throughout the Marine Corps.

Marine Brat

See Military Brat.

Marine Combat Training

Infantry training provided to every Marine not assigned an Infantry MOS. See School of Infantry.

Marine Corps Association

At Guantanamo Bay, Cuba 25 April 1913, Marines of the Second Provisional Brigade formed the Marine Corps Association. John A. Lejeune, then a lieutenant colonel, headed its first executive committee. The purpose of the MCA was defined then and continues to drive the Association. To disseminate knowledge of the military art and science among members.

·         To provide for professional advancement.

·         To foster the spirit and preserve the traditions of the Marine Corps.

·         To increase the efficiency of the Marine Corps and to further the interest of the military and Naval Services in all ways not inconsistent with the good of the general government.

Marine Corps Birthday Ball

Any event from a buffet dinner to a mess night held on or close to November 10th each year to commemorate the birthday of the United States Marine Corps in 1775. To qualify it must have a decorated cake so that the first two pieces go to the oldest and youngest Marine present and the reading of the Commandant’s Birthday Order and the Birthday Order of Major General Commandant John A. Lejeune.

Marine Corps Exchange

The correct name of the PX. On Navy bases you will find a Navy Exchange and on Army and Air Force installations they will have Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES).

Marine Corps Gazette

The magazine for professional Marines.

Marine Corps Hymn

Does not exist. See Marines’ Hymn.

Marine Corps League

National organization of Marines and former Marines with local detachments throughout the country.

Marine Detachment

A small unit of Marines assigned as part of the ship's compliment to provide guard duties, operate the brig, provide orderlies to the senior Navy officers and man one or more of the guns on board. See Seagoing Marine.

Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB)

Consisting of a Regimental Landing Team, Marine Air Group and a services support group the MEB is commanded by a brigadier general and is a self-sufficient fighting element.

Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF)

Built around a complete Division-Wing team with combat support and combat service support groups, the MEF consists of about 53,000 Marines and sailors.

Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)

The smallest of the expeditionary organizations is built around a Battalion Landing Team and a Composite Air Squadron. It consists of approximately 2,500 Marines.

Marine House

Used often in embassy duty to designate the residence for Marines located in a civilian neighborhood overseas or on the grounds of an embassy. Sometimes generally used for any free-standing barracks for Marines.

Marine One

The call sign of the Marine aircraft in which the President of the United States is either passenger or pilot. Usually one of the specially built helicopters assigned to Andrews Air Force Base, Md. for Presidential Support. Most often used to transport the President fromt he White House lawn to Air Force One or to Camp David, Md.

Marine Regs

A term used in the Navy to refer to Navy medical or dental personnel who opt to wear Marine Corps uniforms while serving with Marine Corps units. They agree to meet Marine Corps uniform regulations including grooming and physical standards.

Marines Hymn.

The official song of the United States Marine Corps.

From the Halls of Montezuma, to the Shores of Tripoli
We fight out country's battles in the air, on land and sea
First to fight for right and freedom, and to keep our honor clean
We are proud to claim the title of United States Marine.

Our flag's unfurled to every breeze, from dawn to setting sun
We have fought in every clime and place, where we could take a gun
In the snow of far off northern lands, and in sunny tropic scenes
You will find us always on the job, The United States Marines

Here's health to you and to our Corps, which we are proud to serve
In many a strife we've fought for life, and never lost our nerve
If the Army and the Navy, ever gazed on heaven's scenes
They would find the streets are guarded by, The United States Marines

Hear the Marines' Hymn played by the United States Marine Band. (Windows Media Player required)

MARTD

Marine Air Reserve Training Detachment.

Mary Jane

See Grass.

Massaro, John E.

Eighth Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps serving from April 1, 1977 through Aug. 15, 1979. He was born on May 22, 1930 in Cleveland, OH.

Master at Arms

A ship’s policeman. Usually a senior petty officer charged with keeping order aboard ship or in a Navy organization. When necessary he would call upon Marines to assist in his duties.

Master Gunnery Sergeant of Marines

The senior enlisted technician in any MOS. His or her insignia is three chevrons and four rockers with a bursting bomb between chevrons and rockers. The pay grade E-9 is shared with sergeant major and none of the other services has a similar technical rank at that grade.

Master Sergeant of Marines

Three chevrons and three rockers with crossed rifles between chevrons and rockers. The pay grade E-8 is shared with First Sergeant of Marines and in the Army the rank and insignia are the same without the crossed rifles. In the Air Force the rank is senior master sergeant who wears a technical sergeant insignia with one chevron above. Navy and Coast Guard equivalents are senior chief petty officer who wears the chief petty officer insignia with one star above the eagle.

Master Sergeant

Army and Air Force enlisted ranks.

Mattel

A 20th Century toy company erroneously reported to have been the original manufacturer of the M16 rifle (See M16). The rifle was detested by soldiers at the start of the Vietnam war as it was prone to sand and dirt induced jams and the stocks broke with very little impact. The problems were resolved and was produced for years. It has been replaced by the M16A2.

Mattress Pressing

Sleeping.

Mattress

A prostitute or other person who spends a lot of time in the prone or supine position giving sexual gratification to Marines.

MAW

Marine Air Wing. In Marine Aviation, a unit equivalent to an infantry division. Commanded by a major general.

Maxwell, Smith

The most senior enlisted Marine on the battlefield at Bull Run, during the Civil War. He had been busted from sergeant to private the previous December for drinking on duty and was made Quartermaster Sergeant for the battle, then was rated Sergeant until December when he was again "reduced to the ranks" and a few days later discharged for completion of his 4 years of service.  Less than a year later he joined the 19th Pennsylvania Cavalry as Commissary Sergeant and finished the war in New Orleans, LA as Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant, where he disappeared.  Please contact the editor if anyone has any information on this Marine.

Mayday

The international distress signal, particularly during voice communication. See SOS and Police Flag.

MCAS

Marine Corps Air Station.

MCB

Marine Corps Base.

MCBH

Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

McCawley, Charles

Eighth Commandant of the Marine Corps. Born in Pennsylvania on Jan. 29, 1827 he was named Colonel Commandant on the resignation of Brigadier General Jacob Zeilin on Oct. 31, 1876. The law making the Commandant a brigadier general had been repealed during Zeilin's term. McCawley resigned Jan. 29, 1891 and died on Oct. 13 of that year.

McHugh, Thomas J.

Third Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps having served from June 29, 1962 until July 16, 1965. He was born Dec 23, 1919 in New York City and died in 1999.

MCI

Marine Corps Institute. Correspondence school for Marine Corps leadership and technical training.

McKeon, Matthew

Staff Sergeant of Marines. See Ribbon Creek.

MCMAP

Marine Corps Marial Arts Program.

McMichael, Alford L.

Fourteenth Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps and the first black to serve in that position began his duties on July 1, 1999 and served until June 26, 2003. He was born in Hot Springs, AR.

MCRD

Marine Corps Recruit Depot. There are two in the Marine Corps, one at Parris Island, SC and the other at San Diego, CA. See Hollywood Marines.

MCT

Marine Combat Training. Infantry training provided to every Marine who is not assigned the Infantry MOS. See School of Infantry.

MCX

Marine Corps Exchange.

MEB

Marine Expeditionary Brigade.

Medal of Honor.

The nation’s highest award for bravery. It is not the Congressional Medal of Honor. More correctly it is the Army, Navy or Air Force Medal of Honor. (Navy version shown) .

Medevac

Evacuation of wounded usually by helicopter. First used in the Korean War and perfected in Vietnam it is now a standard medical term used worldwide.

Medical Battalion

A Navy medical unit which provides additional support to Marine operational units in the field and to Marine units who do not have corpsmen assigned to them.

MEF

Marine Expeditionary Force.

Menopause Manor

See Goat Locker, from the Royal Navy term.

MER

Maximum Effective Range. The distance at which a weapon system can be expected to regularly hit a target.

Meritorious Mast

A formation during which awards and promotions are made. From the navy tradition of gathering the crew around the main mast of the ship to deliver punishment and rewards. In the modern Marine Corps it is a written recognition of work well done and is of greater value than a Letter of Appreciation or a Certificate of Commendation.

Mess Deck

Dining room, from the naval term.

Mess Hall

Dining Hall.

Mess Night

A formal dinner and ceremony having strict rules, toasts and responses. The uniform is always evening dress unless the unit is in a forward area where the appropriate field uniform is acceptable. It is a unique evening of fraternity open only to Marines or specifically invited guests (spouses are seldom, if ever allowed to attend). Separate events are held for Commissioned and Warrant Officers, Staff Non-commissioned Officers, Non-commissioned officers or, sometimes it is open to All Ranks.

MEU

Marine Expeditionary Unit.The smallest of the expeditionary organizations is built around a Battalion Landing Team and a Composite Air Squadron. It consists of approximately 2,500 Marines.

MIA

Missing In Action.

Mickey Mouse Boots

Cold weather boots worn by Marines.

Midrats

Midnight Rations. Food served from midnight to reveille for those getting off or going on duty during the middle of the night.

Midshipman

A student at the U. S. Naval Academy and in Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps units. Prior to the establishment of the Naval Academy in 1847 it was an entry-level rank to commissioning as a Naval officer. Appointments as midshipman were given, by politicians, to boys as young as 9 years of age who would be assigned to serve on board a ship for the purposes of learning seamanship and leadership. When they felt prepared they would apply to a Naval School in Boston, New York, Baltimore or Norfolk where they would study in preparation for an examination. Successful completion of the examination made the midshipman a Passed Midshipman and he was eligible for promotion to lieutenant.

Midwatch

Midnight until 0400. See Watch.

Mighty Mite

M422-A-1. A small Jeep-like vehicle made specifically for the Marine Corps by American Motors Corporation during the Vietnam War.

Mike Mike

Milimeter.

Mikes

Milimeters or minutes as appropriate.

Military Brat

The child of someone in the military. Originaly a put-down, it is now a term embraced by most Military Brats. They take pride in the informal education that living with their military dad or mom (or both) in many and unique places has aforded them.

Military Creases

On uniform shirts, vertical creases ironed into the uniform--two on the front running through the shirt pocket buttons and three evenly spaced on the back. Some Army and Air Force types had them sewn in while Marines always had them ironed in.

Military Occupational Specialty

The career field and job of a Marine.

Miller, Samuel

Adjutant and Inspector of the Marine Corps and a Brevet Major, he served as Acting Commandant of the Marine Corps from the 2nd to the 15th of Sept. 1818. He was replaced as Acting Commandant by Brevet Major Archibald Henderson who served from Sept 16, 1818 until March 2, 1819 when Anthony Gale was appointed Commandant.

Missing Man Formation

A flight of, usually five, aircraft in a fly-over formation. When the flight reaches the honor point, one of the aircraft peels off into a steep climb leaving his or her position vacant. It is a formal salute rendered to POW and MIA as well as to deceased military people--usually aviators.

Mk1

Illuminating Hand Grenade. The burning magnesium emits 55,000 candlepower for about 25 seconds.

Mk19 Mod 3

40 mm Machine gun. An air-cooled, blow back operated, belt fed heavy machine gun.

M-NU

A fluid used by Marines to renew emblems and metal rank which are showing metal through the black coloring. Originally dark brown since Marine Corps emblems were that color until about 1960 when emblems and shoes became black. The name stands for eMblem-reNU.

Mo Skosh

Very small. See Skoshi.

MOH

Medal of Honor. It is not Congressional Medal of Honor. There are three separate designs: Army, Navy and Air Force; but the criteria is the same for all. It is the most senior award that can be given to a military person.

MOJO

Originally a concoction of hard liquors designed for the sole purpose of getting drunk. Also used to mean a swaggering approach or smooth talking individual, as in "He's got his MOJO goin'."

MOLLE

Modular Lightweight Load Carrying Equipment. A system which replaced the traditional harness, belt and pack system to allow the Marine to "wear" rather than "carry" his or her equipment.

Molly Marine

A statue of a Woman Marine located in New Orleans, LA. The first statue of a woman in military service in the United States.

Montezuma Red

The crimson color of the Blood Stripe on the dress uniform of Marine commissioned and noncommissioned officers. Also the color of the lipstick worn by early Women Marines, the color of the rope chin strap on the current female garrison cover and the rope worn by female Drill Instructors before they were authorized to wear the "hat"..

Montford Point

A section of Camp Lejeune, NC at which black Marines were trained during World War II. Prior to that time there were no black Marines.

Moonbeam

Flashlight.

Moose

An indigenous female in Korea or Vietnam who served as a mistress to a Marine while in the country. They would maintain an off-base home environment and sex for a small payment and black market supplies.

Mortar

An ancient field weapon that fires a projectile in a high arch to reach an impact point.

MOS

Military Occupational Specialty.

Motor T

Motor Transport. Present and former motor transport personnel can join the USMC Motor Transport Association.

Mount Up

A cavalry term meaning to mount your horse and prepare to move out. In the infantry it is often said "mount out" and means to go into battle or begin a march or some similar event.

MP

Military Police. At one time an additional duty, now a professional MOS with both guard and law enforcement responsibilities.

MPC

Military Pay Certificates. Script issued instead of dollars to Marines in Japan (following WWII) and Vietnam (during that conflict).

Mr. Charles

(Vietnam) A Viet Communist soldier. Usually called Charlie.

MRE

Meal, Ready to Eat. Often called Meal that Refuses to Exit. See C-Rations.

MSG

Marine Security Guard. See Embassy Marine.

MSSG

MEU Service Support Group, Combat Service Support Element of a MEU.

Mud Marines

(World War II and Korea)A term used by Marine aviation personnel to identify infantry Marines.

Mule

Designated an M274 and used around the Vietnam period it was little more than a platform on wheels, with a two-cylinder opposed Tecumseh engine started with a pull-cord just like your power lawnmower. It has four-wheel drive and steering and could be driven by a Gyrene lying prone for a low profile. And it could carry, literally, a ton of supplies or be mounted with M60 mortars, small cannon or the 105mm recoilless rifle. The mule was retired due to the faulty design of the tires and lack of proper protection for the driver.

Multi-fueler

A vehicle designed to use multiple types of fuel including gasoline, diesel or jet fuel. See Deuce and a Half.

Mundy Jr., Carl E.

Thirtieth Commandant of the Marine Corps serving from July 1, 1991 until June 30, 1995. The native Georgian was born July 16, 1935.  Until 2000 he was chairman and CEO of the USO (United Services Organization) and is presently chairman of the Marine Corps University Foundation.  He is a combat Marine with two Combat Action Ribbons and a Purple Heart Medal.  His personal awards include Distinguished Service Medals from the Department of Defense, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard as well as a Legion of Merit and a Bronze Star Medal with "V" device for valor.

Mustang

A commissioned officer who served previously as an enlisted person.

myMarine

A Yahoo group open to parents, friends, relatives and sweethearts of Marine recruits. It is an on-line support group run by people who have been in the same position. They provide honest, un-filtered, supportive advice during the 13 weeks that are Marine Boot Camp. It is free and moderated.

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