Unofficial, Unabridged Dictionary For Marines - An attempt to capture the lexicon of the United States Marine Corps

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-J-
Jack	A flag at the bow of a ship or sometimes a sailor, from the Royal Navy term for sailor--Jack Tar. The Jack of a United States ship has a blue field and 50 white stars and is flown from the bow while in port. During courts martial or courts of inquiry on board the Jack is flown from the yardarm.
Jacksonville	The civilian community adjacent to Camp Lejeune, NC.
JAG	Judge Advocate General. The head of the legal branch of the military services. Military lawyers are generally called "JAGs" in reference to serving in the JAG's organization.
Jarhead	A pejorative term for a Marine. One account suggests that it refers to the Marine high and tight haircut which is cut almost to the skin at the ears with a bit more as it goes up the head giving the appearance of a jar. Another legend says that during World War II the Mason Jar Company stopped making jars and made the helmets for Marines.
Jetsam	The part of a ship, its equipment, or cargo that is cast overboard to lighten the load in time of distress and that sinks or is washed ashore.
JG	Refers to a Navy lieutenant junior grade.
JJ Did Tie Buckle	(Circa 1983-1995) Mnemonic device for remembering leadership traits. Justice Judgment Decisiveness Initiative Dependability Tact Integrity Enthusiasm Bearing Unselfishness Courage Knowledge Loyalty Endurance
Jody	Traditionally the civilian who moves in on your girl while you are serving in the Marine Corps.
Joe	Coffee. Josephus Daniels (18 May 1862-15 January 1948) was appointed Secretary of the Navy by President Woodrow Wilson in 1913. Among his reforms of the Navy were inaugurating the practice of making 100 Sailors from the Fleet eligible for entrance into the Naval Academy, the introduction of women into the service, and the abolishment of the officers' wine mess. From that time on, the strongest drink aboard Navy ships could only be coffee and over the years, a cup of coffee became known as "a cup of Joe".
Joe Shit The Rag Man	The generic screw up or an un-squared away Marine.
John Wayne	The tool included in each case of C-Rations used to open the cans. See P-38.
John Wayne Crackerbox Junior	A name used by SSgt. Ed Johnson (the editor’s senior drill instructor) in 1962 to refer to any male person. According to SSgt. Johnson, he had a sister named Suzy Rottencrotch--which was a reference to any female person.
John Wayne Crackers or Cookies	The crackers or cookies that were baked round to fit inside the tin of food contained in C-Rations.
Johnson, Eddie R.	Staff Sergeant of Marines. Senior Drill Instructor for Platoon 387 at MCRD Parris Island, SC in 1962-63. He was a veteran of the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. He was the editor's Senior Drill Instructor.
Johnson, Opha Mae	First woman to join the Marine Corps Reserve in 1918.
Join the Navy and Ride the WAVES	An impolite phrase used to deride women sailors who are known as WAVES
Joint Chiefs of Staff	A Department of Defense organization consisting of the Chiefs of Staff of the Army and Air Force, the Chief of Naval Operations and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Their chairman is appointed by the President. While each member retains control of their specific service, the JCS commands the Unified Commands.
Jones, James L.	Thirty second Commandant of the Marine Corps served from July 1, 1999 January 2003. General Jones was responsible for the development of the MARPAT combat uniform, better known as DIGIES. He made history by becoming the first Commandant to remain on active duty after the conclusion of his term in office. He served as Commander of U. S. Forces Europe and Supreme Allied Commander of NATO (the first Marine in the two-headed position) until his retirement in 2006. He was named President Obama's National Security Advisor in 2009. The Missouri native was born Dec. 19, 1943.
Jungle Boots	(Vietnam era)Boots designed to meet the peculiar climate of Vietnam. Made from standard field boots the upper leather was replaced with a breathable canvas that would dry while being worn and the sole was reinforced with a steel shank in response to the Punji Sticks.
Jungle Bunny	(Korean War Period) Grunt, infantryman.
Junior Drill Instructor	See Drill Instructor.
Junk on the bunk	An inspection of a Marine’s uniforms and equipment in which everything is laid out in a specified order on the bunk bed. Also called “things on the springs” or “sea bag inspection”.
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