Military Acronyms: Decoding the Language of Defense

Table of Contents

Introduction

Military acronyms play a significant role in the armed forces, serving as a form of shorthand communication that conveys complex information quickly and efficiently. These abbreviations range from unit designations to hardware names and operational terms. While this article will focus primarily on the United States military, it's important to note that every nation has its own set of acronyms specific to its military forces.

The Purpose and Role of Military Acronyms

Military acronyms allow for efficient, clear, and direct communication in a field where precision and timing are paramount. The nature of military operations often involves dealing with complex systems and procedures that require clear articulation. An acronym can encapsulate a great deal of information into a small, easily communicated package, saving time and reducing the risk of miscommunication.

Military acronyms: The basics for new recruits

1. AAFES: Army and Air Force Exchange Service. The retailer that operates post exchanges on Army and Air Force installations.

2. AIT or “A School”: Advanced individual training. The hands-on career training and field instruction each service member receives before being qualified to do a specific military job. This specialized schooling varies by military branch.

3. ASVAB: Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. A multiple-choice test a prospective recruit takes before enlisting to see if they are qualified to join and which military jobs they qualify for.

4. DOD: Department of Defense. The department of the U.S. government responsible for military operations.

5. MEPS: Military Entrance Processing Station. Where service members take the ASVAB, get a physical, choose their military job and swear in.

6. MOS: Military occupational specialty. This is a service member’s specific job in the military, from artillery and aviation to engineering and intelligence.

7. OPSEC: Operational Security. The process of identifying and protecting information about military operations.

8. PT: Physical training. Key to military readiness, service members will be expected to meet fitness standards throughout their enlistment.

9. PX: Post Exchange. A store at a military installation that sells merchandise and services to military personnel and authorized civilians.

Military acronyms: Chain of command

1. CO: Commanding officer. The officer in charge of a military unit, such as captain for a company (Army) and squadron commander for a squadron of aircraft (Air Force).

2. JSC: Joint Chiefs of Staff. A group of senior military leaders who advise the president, the Secretary of Defense, the Homeland Security Council and the National Security Council on military matters.

3. NCO: Noncommissioned officer. A military officer who has not received a commission, such as sergeant (Army) and warrant officer (Navy).

4. XO: Executive officer. The second-in-command to a commanding officer.

Military acronyms: MilLife paperwork

1. BRS: Blended Retirement System. The military’s new retirement system, which extends benefits to about 85% of service members, even if they don’t serve a full 20 years. This system uses the Thrift Savings Plan described below.

2. DEERS: Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. A database of military families and others entitled to receive TRICARE and other benefits.

3. LES: Leave and Earning Statement. This bimonthly statement reports what you’ve earned, how much has been withheld for taxes, your leave balance and what allotments you have. Service members in the Air Force or Army may choose to receive their pay monthly, in which case the LES would be reported only once a month instead of twice.

4. POC: Point of contact. The person you contact about a specific program or assignment.

5. TRICARE: Military health care program. TRICARE provides health benefits to service members, retirees and their families.

6. TSP: Thrift Savings Plan. Similar to a 401(k), the TSP is a government-sponsored retirement savings and investment plan. The TSP is a fundamental part of the military’s new Blended Retirement System, described above.

Military acronyms: Finance and housing

1. BAH: Basic Allowance for Housing. Compensation service members receive to cover the cost of housing when government quarters are not provided.

2. COLA: Cost of Living Allowance. Compensation service members receive to offset the cost of living in more expensive areas of the U.S.

3. OHA: Overseas Housing Allowance. Compensation service members receive for housing outside the U.S. when government quarters aren’t available.

4. POC: Privately Owned Conveyance. A service member’s personal vehicle that is not owned by the government.

Military acronyms: Locations

1. CONUS/OCONUS: The continental U.S., or CONUS, is the 48 connected states and District of Columbia. OCONUS is outside the continental U.S.

2. DITY: Do-It-Yourself, or a personally procured move, which can save a service member a lot of money moving. This is often associated with moving during a permanent change of station.

3. FOB: Forward operating base. A temporary, secured operational position that supports strategic goals and tactical objectives.

4. PCS: Permanent change of station. The relocation of an active-duty service member to a different duty location. Service members may PCS every few years.

5. PPM: Personally Procured Move. A move a service member plans and conducts on their own, instead of having the military do it. PPM expenses may be reimbursed by the military.

6. TDY: Temporary duty station. A temporary assignment at a location other than a service member’s permanent duty station.

Military acronyms: Service branch evaluations

1. EER: Enlisted Evaluation Report. The evaluation form used to record the performance of enlisted members of the Army.

2. EPR: Enlisted Performance Report. The evaluation form used to record the performance of enlisted members of the Air Force.

3. FITREP: Fitness Report. The evaluation form the Marine Corps and Navy used to record the performance of officers and enlisted members. Evaluations are called Chief EVALS or EVALS, depending on rank.

4. OER: Officer Evaluation Report. The evaluation form used to record the performance of officers in the Army.

5. OPR: Officer Performance Report. The evaluation form used to record the performance of officers in the Air Force.

Conclusion

Understanding military acronyms can be a daunting task given the vast number of terms and the various meanings they can have based on context. However, with a bit of study and understanding of the way the military uses language, these acronyms can provide a fascinating insight into the operations, systems, and culture of the armed forces.