- Magnetostrictive Effect
Sonar sound waves are made by passing electrical current through coils wrapped around iron bars with flat faces. The bars expand or contract and make the sound waves.
- Masking Tape
Thick rolls with one sticky side out and used to clean lint off dress blues.
- Master at Arms
The ship's official police officer, usually a bos'n mate.
- MEA
Meals Ready To Eat. Three lies in four words.
- Mess-cook
A "privileged" term reserved for seamen and firemen new to the ship. It usually lasted only for a month or two unless the recipient earned extra time through various means.
- Mid Rats
A snack served at the mess decks before the mid watch while underway.
- Midwatch
The "worst watch" which was from midnight till 0400 and for which you were
usually allocated an extra hour of sleep in the morning.
- MK-1A (Mark One Able)
Electro-mechanical (analog) computer. The
"father" of all modern fire-control computers. Used aboard virtually
every U.S. Navy destroyer, cruiser, and battleship of World War Two.
- MK-1A
Another definition, usually the "designation" of any
"first-time" equipment newly introduced into use by the U.S. Navy.
- Marlinspikes
Metal fids.
- Mickey Mouse
Chicken shit. Make-work or other onerous and unnecessary duties to keep swabbies busy and out of trouble.
- Monkey's Fist
A rounded knob at the end of a light throwing line which the Boatswain's
mates would use to heave the first line across to another ship or pier.
The Monkey's Fist had a lead weight in the center to give it extra momentum
when the bosun's mate aimed it at some unwary seaman in the target area.
- Most Skosh
In just a little while.
- Mustang
An officer that came up from enlisted rank.
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