buck private
Newest enlisted rank
A buck private is a soldier at the lowest enlisted rank in the U.S.
Army or Marine Corps—someone with no stripes on their sleeve.
The term emphasizes the absence of any rank whatsoever: He entered the Army as a buck private and retired a colonel.
Buck here intensifies, suggesting rawness or basicness.
Color of vegetation
- rookieInexperienced newcomer
- rawIn original state
- noviceInexperienced newcomer to field
- greenhornInexperienced, gullible newcomer
untrained · unseasoned · beginner · fledgling · neophyte · entry-level · new recruit · enlistee
Signed up formally
- soldierArmed forces member
- armyOrganized land-based military
- uniformIdentical throughout
- infantryGround combat troops
rifleman · platoon · squad · company · regiment · chain of command · promotion · sergeant
Initial military instruction program
- drillHole-boring device
- basic trainingInitial military instruction
- drill sergeantTrains raw recruits harshly
- PTRehab discipline initials
physical training · obstacle course · fatigues · marching · formation · barracks · discipline · calisthenics
green
Color of vegetation
greenhorn · untrained · unseasoned · beginner · fledgling · neophyte · entry-level · new recruit · enlistee · inductee
enlisted
Signed up formally
infantry · rifleman · platoon · squad · company · regiment · chain of command · promotion · sergeant · corporal
boot camp
Initial military instruction program
- drillHole-boring device
- basic trainingInitial military instruction
- drill sergeantTrains raw recruits harshly
PT · physical training · obstacle course · fatigues · marching · formation · barracks · discipline · calisthenics · mess hall
infantry
Ground combat troops
fireteam · squad · platoon · foxhole · trench · maneuver · reconnaissance · ambush · camouflage · engagement
buck privategeneral
Widespread, not specialized
commanding general · four-star general · field marshal · commander-in-chief · admiral
buck privateveteran
Experienced former soldier
career soldier · old hand · combat veteran · old soldier · lifer
buck, private, bucks, bucked, bucking, privately, privates, privacy, privateer