Grunt Speak
Deck Ape
Navy
Definition
Boatswain's Mates and other deck department sailors who handle lines, anchors, paint, and everything topside. They are perpetually chipping paint, repainting, and then chipping that paint again.
Example Usage
"The deck apes have been needle-gunning since 0600. I can hear it through three bulkheads and my earplugs."