General
rainbow
What does rainbow mean?
A recruit newly arrived at basic training, still wearing colorful civilian clothing before being issued uniforms.
"The rainbows shuffled off the bus in their street clothes."
Origin
U.S. military basic-training slang.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 'rainbow' in basic training?
It is a brand-new recruit who has just arrived and is still wearing colorful civilian clothes before being issued a uniform.
Why are they called rainbows?
Because the mix of bright civilian outfits looks like a rainbow next to the uniform sea of military-issued clothing.
How long does someone stay a 'rainbow'?
Only until they are issued uniforms and squared away — the term applies to those first arrival moments in street clothes.
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