dirt Navy

n. a part of a naval military force that does not serve at sea. Subjects: English, Military

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Citations: 1998 [CeeJay] Usenet: alt.folklore.military (Oct. 28) “Re: Gays in Uniform”: I’m in the brown “dirt” Navy and don’t alway’s follow on the “fleet speach.” 1999 [Charles L. Decker Jr.] Usenet: alt.smokers.pipes (Nov. 18) “Re: US Navy and smoking”: I have heard rumors that on some ships, the ships store no longer carries tobacco, even though smoking is allowed in the designated area.…Fortunately this is my last tour, and I am spending it as a part of the Dirt Navy, so I will not have to deal with that problem in the future. 2001 Judith Minthorn Stacy Maggie Sweet (Apr.) @ (Apr. 1, 2004): The Navy always called us Seabees the “dirt Navy.” We built barracks, cleared land. 2005 [An ex-Squid] FirstOnes.com Forums (Dec. 19) “Looks like I’m goin’ to the Gulf for a Year…”: I’m not likely to end up back on a ship anytime soon (if ever).…You could say I’ve gone from the “blue-water” Navy to the “dirt” Navy—or the “sand” Navy in this case. 2005 [MIUWDOG] Military.com Discussion Boards Navy— (May 4) “NJP Captains Mast moving to the reserve”: Your now part of the Dirt Navy. You can pack and store your Dungres and your working uniforms. Its time to break out the Cammies and eight point covers. 2005 [rare lizard] The Goalie Store Bulletin Board (July 20) “Shooters are Stupid”: Don’t **** off the sailor in the dirt Navy. 2005 Joanne Kimberlin @ Quantico Virginian-Pilot (Hampton Roads, Va.) (Oct. 18) “Navy considers sailors trained for close-quarters assault”: These are the sights, sounds and smells of the “Dirt Navy,” the buzz words for a new initiative that, if put into play, could thrust sailors into a domain long reserved for foot soldiers. 2005 [Jack Linthicum] Usenet: sci.military.naval (Oct. 22) “Re: A Brain Pentagon Wants to Pick”: It appears the new CNO has read it and uses it to justify a “dirt Navy,” a replacement for the on-board Marine detachments that seem to be forming their own force.

Posted 31 Oct 05 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

Reader comments:

This phrase has been around since I was active duty (1985-1989). As a mineman during that time period, we were called “Dirt Sailors” because we did not go to sea.

by Tracey Hays 10 May 06, 0130 GMT

Thanks! Very useful. Do you have any written examples of the term from that period?

by Grant Barrett 10 May 06, 0131 GMT

Nice to find myself cited! Yup, “Dirt Navy” was the phrase we always used for the ratings that did not serve on ships. Blue water, brown water, dirt or sand, I think I got to try all of them at one time or another.

by Charles L. Decker Jr. 04 Feb 07, 0508 GMT