A NUB is pretty much a person who knows nothing around the ship. When a new fresh out of boot camp sailors report to a ship they tend to be worthless. Your first few days are spent looking around and wondering, how do I get back to the outside of the ship? NUB is used more on submarines than it is used on surface ships.

Many variations of this acronym are: New Useless Body, Non-Usable Body, New Underway Buddy, or Nuclear Unqualified Body. And there are other similar phrases that can be directed at those new guys, but remember, Family site.

However, the most widely accepted is "Non-useful body," and is most commonly used by Submariners. Term can be referred to newly reported sailors with no qualifications or experience, but is normally reserved by Submariners for personnel with the (SU) designation, which means they are assigned to the submarine community, but have not earned the Submarine Qualification Breast Insignia, the Silver Dolphins, or Gold Dolphins for Officers. A NUB may not enjoy any special privilege, such as watching movies, playing video games, or any other recreational activity until they have "qualified in Submarines". A NUB is almost always tasked with dirty and nasty jobs.

A NUB is very similar to a "pledge" in a fraternity, and might be called to be a part of the same activities, or accomplices/victims in practical jokes amongst one another. Submariners often say to them "Get qualified, NUB!!"

So, that new kid who doesn’t know a screwdriver from an Allen wrench, perfect person to name NUB.