Military Acronyms List
If there is one thing the Army is full of, it's acronyms. In order to survive as an Army wife, Army mom or any other Army family member, it will help to know at least the basics.
A
ACS: Army Community Service
ACU: Army Combat Uniform
AD: Active Duty
AER: Army Emergency Relief
AFTB: Army Family Team Building
AIT: Advanced Individual Training
APFT: Army Physical Fitness Test
APO: Army Post Office
AWOL: Absent Without Leave
B
BAH: Basic Allowance for Housing
BAS: Basic Allowance for Subsistence (food allowance)
BCT: Basic Combat Training
BDU: Battle Dress Uniform (camo)
BN: Battalion
BX: Base Exchange
C
CINC: Commander in Chief
CHAMPUS: Civilian Health and Medical Program for the Uniformed Services
COLA: Cost of Living Allowance
CONUS: Continental United States
CQ: Charge of Quarters (duty after regular hours)
D
DCU: Desert Combat Uniform
DEERS: Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System
DEP: Delayed Entry Program
DFAC: Dining Facility
DITY: Do It Yourself Move
DOD: Department of Defense
DS: Drill Sergeant
DTP: Delayed Training Program
E
EN: Enlisted
ETA: Estimated Time of Arrival
ETS: Estimated Time of Separation
F
FORSCOM: Forces Command
FRG: Family Readiness Group
FSA: Family Separation Allowance
FTX: Field Training Exercise
G
GO: General Officer
H
HHC: Headquarters and Headquarters Company
HOR: Home of Record
HQ: Headquarters
I
ITB: Infantry Training Brigade
J
JAG: Judge Advocate General
K
KIA: Killed in Action
KISS: Keep it simple stupid/sweetie
KP: Kitchen Patrol
L
LES: Leave and Earnings Statement (his pay stub)
M
MEPS: Military Entrance Processing Station
MGIB: Montgomery GI Bill
MI: Military Intelligence
MIA: Missing In Action
MOS: Military Occupational Specialty
MP: Military Police
MRE: Meals Ready to Eat
MWR: Morale, Welfare and Recreation
N
NCO: Non Commissioned Officer
NLT: Not Later Than
O
O: Officer
OCONUS: Outside Continental United States
OSUT: One Station Unit Training
P
PAC: Personal Administration Center
PCS: Permanent Change of Station
PDQ: Pretty Damn Quick
POA: Power of Attorney
POV: Privately Owned Vehicle
PT: Physical Training
PX: Post Exchange
Q
QTRS: Quarters
R
RD: Rear Detachment (also referred to as "Rear D")
RDF: Ranger Dining Facility
REGT: Regiment
RIP: Ranger Indoctrination Program
RLTW: Rangers Lead The Way
R&R: Rest and Recreation
S
SD: Staff Duty
SOCOM: Special Operations Command
T
TDY: Temporary Duty
U
USO: United Service Organization
V
VA: Veterans Affairs
VTC: Video TeleConference
W
WO: Warrant Officer
X
XO: Executive Officer
Acronyms you’ll see on message boards:
PAF: Proud Army Fiancée
PAG: Proud Army Girlfriend
PAM: Proud Army Mom
PAW: Proud Army Wife
SO: Significant Other
Stacey Abler is an Army Wife and the owner of www.marriedtothearmy.com.
A
ACS: Army Community Service
ACU: Army Combat Uniform
AD: Active Duty
AER: Army Emergency Relief
AFTB: Army Family Team Building
AIT: Advanced Individual Training
APFT: Army Physical Fitness Test
APO: Army Post Office
AWOL: Absent Without Leave
B
BAH: Basic Allowance for Housing
BAS: Basic Allowance for Subsistence (food allowance)
BCT: Basic Combat Training
BDU: Battle Dress Uniform (camo)
BN: Battalion
BX: Base Exchange
C
CINC: Commander in Chief
CHAMPUS: Civilian Health and Medical Program for the Uniformed Services
COLA: Cost of Living Allowance
CONUS: Continental United States
CQ: Charge of Quarters (duty after regular hours)
D
DCU: Desert Combat Uniform
DEERS: Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System
DEP: Delayed Entry Program
DFAC: Dining Facility
DITY: Do It Yourself Move
DOD: Department of Defense
DS: Drill Sergeant
DTP: Delayed Training Program
E
EN: Enlisted
ETA: Estimated Time of Arrival
ETS: Estimated Time of Separation
F
FORSCOM: Forces Command
FRG: Family Readiness Group
FSA: Family Separation Allowance
FTX: Field Training Exercise
G
GO: General Officer
H
HHC: Headquarters and Headquarters Company
HOR: Home of Record
HQ: Headquarters
I
ITB: Infantry Training Brigade
J
JAG: Judge Advocate General
K
KIA: Killed in Action
KISS: Keep it simple stupid/sweetie
KP: Kitchen Patrol
L
LES: Leave and Earnings Statement (his pay stub)
M
MEPS: Military Entrance Processing Station
MGIB: Montgomery GI Bill
MI: Military Intelligence
MIA: Missing In Action
MOS: Military Occupational Specialty
MP: Military Police
MRE: Meals Ready to Eat
MWR: Morale, Welfare and Recreation
N
NCO: Non Commissioned Officer
NLT: Not Later Than
O
O: Officer
OCONUS: Outside Continental United States
OSUT: One Station Unit Training
P
PAC: Personal Administration Center
PCS: Permanent Change of Station
PDQ: Pretty Damn Quick
POA: Power of Attorney
POV: Privately Owned Vehicle
PT: Physical Training
PX: Post Exchange
Q
QTRS: Quarters
R
RD: Rear Detachment (also referred to as "Rear D")
RDF: Ranger Dining Facility
REGT: Regiment
RIP: Ranger Indoctrination Program
RLTW: Rangers Lead The Way
R&R: Rest and Recreation
S
SD: Staff Duty
SOCOM: Special Operations Command
T
TDY: Temporary Duty
U
USO: United Service Organization
V
VA: Veterans Affairs
VTC: Video TeleConference
W
WO: Warrant Officer
X
XO: Executive Officer
Acronyms you’ll see on message boards:
PAF: Proud Army Fiancée
PAG: Proud Army Girlfriend
PAM: Proud Army Mom
PAW: Proud Army Wife
SO: Significant Other
Stacey Abler is an Army Wife and the owner of www.marriedtothearmy.com.
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