Here is your guide to the most common military acronyms. From AAF to USN, learn phrases, acronyms, AND their definitions below!
AAF – Army Airfield
Another name for a military installation.
ACS – Army Community Services
These programs support Soldiers, civilian employees and Families in maintaining readiness by coordinating and delivering comprehensive, responsive services that promote self-reliance, resiliency and stability. Learn more here.
AD – Active Duty
Full time service option that is an option within each military branch.
ADDP – Active Duty Dental Program
A dental program designed for Active Duty and acvitated Guard/Reserve members.
A&FRC – Airmen and Family Readiness Center
The main family program for the Air Force and Space Force. Learn more here.
AIT – Advanced Individual Training (Army)
After BCT, one of the two options up next is AIT. There, they receive specialized training based on their MOS. Learn more here.
ANG – Air National Guard
A reserve component of the Air Force that consists of part-time employees that perform both a state and federal mission.
ARNG – Army National Guard
A reserve component of the Army that consists of part-time employees that perform both a state and federal mission.
APO – Army Post Office
The Post Office located on Army and Air Force installations. Learn more here.
ASVAB – Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery
A multiple choice timed test to determine qualifications for military service, to determine your best branch placement, and to determine strengths.
AT – Annual Training (National Guard and Reserve Corps)
A two week period of Training in Active Duty status, occurring once a year for ANG, ARNG, and RC members.
BAH – Basic Allowance for Housing
An allowance intended to partially cover housing costs. Read more about BAH here.
Base
Another name for a military installation.
BCT – Basic Combat Training (Army)
Basic Combat Training is a training for new recruits who are enlisting in the Army.
BOP – Base of Preference
Technically, this term is only used for enlisted Air Force members. However, this is sometimes used loosely over all branches. It refers to the top preference base that you wish to be stationed at next.
BMT – Basic Military Training (Air Force, Space Force, & ANG)
Basic Military Training is a training for new recruits who are enlisting in the Air Force, Space Force, Air Force Reserves, and Air National Guard.
BWE – Beneficiary Web Enrollment
An online portal where you can enroll in medical and dental benefits, unenroll, update your PCM, and update your primary address. View this portal when you log into MilConnect.dmdc.osd.mil.
BX – Base Exchange (Army, Air Force, & Space Force)
Department store and/or strip mall located on base. Many have uniform stores, fast food, barber shops, and more. Shop online here.
CAC – Common Access Card
A personal identification card given to service members, dependents, and other eligible employees, reserve members, and veterans.
Casual Status
This is a period of time where the service member get paid but don’t “work” in their job. Sometimes a temporary job is assigned, like cleaning or office work.
CGW-L – Coast Guard Work-Life (Coast Guard)
The objective is to support the well-being of active duty, reserve and civilian employees and family members. Learn more here.
CO – Commanding Officer
A service members superior officer.
Commissary
The grocery store on base. They have all the essentials, and usually at a better price than the local grocery stores. There is also often a gas station nearby.
CONUS – Continental United States
The 48 connected states and Washington, D.C.
DA – Department of the Army
DEERS – Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System
This is a database that contains your spouse’s information, as well as all of their dependents. This is how you receive Tricare. When you have a child, this is what they are added to. It is important to keep updated so you are always receiving the correct amount of income, BAH, and any other additional pay.
Dependent
A spouse, any children under age 21, and family members (only in certain cases) of the service member are officially considered dependents.
DFAS – Defense Finance and Accounting Service
The agency responsible for all Department of Defense finances, such as income, as well as financial management and operations.
DITY – Do It Yourself
You are reimbursed to pack up, drive, and unpack yourself, or hire a moving company to do it for you. Check out my top 10 tips for moving here.
DLA – Dislocation Allowance
A partial reimbursement for expenses made in moving your family through a PCS.
DoD – Department of Defense
United States government agency consisting of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Space Force and Air Force. It is responsible for matters of national security.
DoDEA – Department of Defense Education Activity
A federally-operated school system designed to plan, direct, coordinate, and manage pre-k through 12th grade for military-connected students.
DPS – Defense Personal Property System
A system where you upload your orders and create a shipment(s) for your move with your preferred method of moving (PPM, HHG, etc.).
DSN – Defense Switched Network
A Department of Defense telephone system, which can only call and accept numbers dialed from the same network.
EFMP – Exceptional Family Member Program
A program within each branch that provides support, assistance, and resources for families with a member that has special medical or educational needs, such as ADHD, Autism, Depression, or Chronic Illness.
Links for each branch: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force/Space Force, Coast Guard equivalent
Enlisted
Enlisted refers to a type of enrollment into, and position in, a military branch. They perform specific job functions and have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to ensure the success of their unit’s missions. Enlisted members make up over 80% of the armed forces.
FEDVIP – Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program
A dental and vision program intended for eligible Federal and Postal employees, retirees, and their eligible family members. Learn more about dental and vision care.
FFSP – Fleet and Family Support Program
The main Navy program for families. Learn more here.
FPCON – Force Protection Condition
A system put in place by the DoD that describes the level of security on base in response to the current terrorist threat level.
FPO – Fleet Post Office
The Post Office associated with Navy installations and ships. Learn more here.
FRG – Family Readiness Group
This program is now known as SFRG. You can learn more about this program here.
Garrison
Another name for a military installation.
HHG – Household Goods Move
A move completed by a government-provided moving company. During a HHG move, your TSP is responsible for packing all of your belongings and transporting them to your new location.
HPCON – Health Protection Condition
A guideline for installations on handling different levels of health threats.
IA – Individual Augmentee (Navy)
Sailors who support other commands in the Navy, Army, or Marine Corps for a short time using their specific skills.
IFT – Initial Flight Training (Air Force)
A flight training program for Air Force members that are training to be Pilots or Combat Systems Officers.
KS – Key Spouse Program (Air Force & Space Force)
A program to facilitate communication between the unit command and the family members of those within the unit. Read more here.
LES – Leave and Earning Statement
The statement that reports all things to do with their paycheck, such as taxes withheld, total money earned, and their leave balance.
MCCS – Marine Corps Community Service
The main family program for the Marine Corps. Learn more here.
MCRT – Marine Corps Recruit Training (Marine Corps)
Recruit Training is a training for new recruits who are enlisting in the Marine Corps.
MCX – Marine Corps Exchange
Department store and/or strip mall located on base. Many have uniform stores, fast food, barber shops, and more. Shop online here.
MFLC – Military and Family Life Counseling
Confidential, non-medical counseling program worldwide. Professionals can help you manage issues such as moving preparations, stress management, and deployment adjustment. Learn more here.
MOS – Military Occupational Specialty (National Guard, Army, Marine Corps)
In the National Guard and Army, MOS refers to your job or carrer choice.
MRE – Meal, Ready to Eat
Individual rationed meals bought by the Department of Defense intended for use out in the field and in other conditions where a food facility is not available.
MTF – Military Treatment Facility
Military hospitals, medical centers, and care facilities located on military installations.
MWR – Morale, Welfare, and Readiness (Navy, Army)
The MWR program is for all navy service members and their families, and it’s purpose is to provide programs and services that contribute to resiliency, retention, readiness, and quality of life.
MyCAA – Military Spouse Career Advacement Account
A scholarship program to help assist military spouses in receiving certificates, associate degrees, and licenses needed for employment. Military spouses of specific ranking service members are eligible. Learn more here.
NAS – Naval Air Station
Naval Air Base of the US Navy.
NCO – Noncommissioned Officer
A service member who has not yet commissioned (AKA Enlisted or Warrant Officer).
NEX – Navy Exchange (NAVY)
Department store and/or strip mall located on Naval bases and Air Stations. Many have uniform stores, fast food, barber shops, and more.
OCONUS – Outside the Continental United States
Anywhere not in the lower 48 states or D.C.
OCS – Officer Candidate School (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard)
A school that allows Enlisted service members to become Officers. Learn more about Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard OCS.
OHA – Overseas Housing Allowance
This is similar to BAH, however, is specifically designed to partially cover overseas housing costs. Learn more here.
Ombudsman (Navy, Coast Guard)
An Ombudsman acts as a liaison between families of the service member and the unit command. Learn more about the Coast Guard and Navy programs.
OPSEC – Operations Security
A process used to keep potential enemies from learning information that could put service members at risk. Read more here.
OTS – Officer Training School (Air Force, Space Force)
A school that allows Enlisted service members to become Officers. Learn more here.
PCM – Primary Care Manager
If you have Tricare Prime, you are always assigned a PCM, which is a doctor on base. They serve as your primary care doctor and are who you make requests through when needing specialized care. Learn more about Tricare here.
PCS – Permanent Change of Station
Relocation to a new permanent duty station for at least 20 weeks on orders. Get PCS tips here.
Per Diem Pay
When traveling to your next assignment or duty station, as well as during training, your service member will receive “per diem” pay. It is intended to assist in housing and food costs. Find your estimated per diem rates here.
POS – Point of Service
An option while covered under Tricare Prime where you do not need a referral, but pay a small out-of-pocket fee. Learn more here.
Post
Another name for a military installation.
POV – Privately Owned Vehicle
A vehicle not owned by the Government.
POW/MIA – Prisoner of War/Missing in Action
This phrase refers to those service members who have been prisoners of war or missing in action throughout our Nation’s wars and conflicts. There is a POW/MIA Recognition day on the third Friday every September.
PPM – Personally Procured Move
Also known as a DITY, you are reimbursed to pack up, drive, and unpack yourself, or hire a moving company to do it for you. Check out my top 10 tips for moving here.
PT – Physical Training
Service members are expected to meet specific standards of physical health. PT is a function designed to accomplish this.
PTO – Paid Time Off
This is a type of leave where you still continue to get paid. (Ex. Maternity/paternity leave)
PX – Post Exchange (Army)
Department store and/or strip mall located on Army posts. Many have uniform stores, fast food, barber shops, and more.
QLE – Qualifying Life Event
A Qualifying Life Event is an event that might change your healthcare options, such as a birth, marriage, death, or move. Read about all QLE’s here, or learn more about Tricare here.
Rank/Grade
A service members hierarchy within their respective branch.
RAPIDS – Real-time Automated Personnel Identification System
RC – Reserve Component
An organization within all branches (except for the Space Force) consisting of part-time service members who can augment the active duty component when needed.
ROM – Restriction of Movement
This is a period of time where your service member is asked to limit activities and actions in order to obey local directives or to protect physical health.
ROTC – Reserve Officers’ Training Corps
A program for college students offered by the Army, Air Force, and Navy/Marines. In exchange for a potential to receive a full-tuition scholarship, plus additional monthly stipends, the student commits to return service to the Military as an Officer within their respective branch.
RTC – Recruit Training Command (Navy)
Recruit Training is a training for new recruits who are enlisting in the Navy.
SFRG – Soldier and Family Readiness Group (Army)
The SFRG program is a unit-sponsored official program that helps soldiers and their families find resources and assistance during deployment, as well as enhance overall readiness. Learn more here.
TAD – Temporary Additional Duty (Navy)
Another name for TDY or TCS, a temporary change of station from your permanent duty station, always on orders.
TAO – Tricare Area Office
When using Tricare Overseas, the Tricare Area Offices can help solve complex issues and represents the management organization for the overseas contractor. Find a list of phone numbers here.
TCS – Temporary Change of Station
A temporary change of station from your permanent duty station, always on orders. Also know as TDY or TAD.
TDP – Tricare Dental Program
The Tricare Dental Program (TDP) is a voluntary dental program for military families. Learn more here.
TDY – Temporary Duty Station
A temporary change of station from your permanent duty station, always on orders.
TOP – Tricare Overseas Program
A healthcare program for uniform service members, retirees, and their families living outside of the United States. Learn more here.
Tricare
A worldwide health care program run by the Department of Defense for uniformed service members, retirees, and their families. Learn the basics here.
TSP – Thrift Savings Plan
A retirement savings and investment plan for government employees and service members. Learn more here.
TSP (moving) – Transportation Service Provider
A government furnished moving company that packs your belongings and moves them to your new location.
UCMJ – Uniform Code of Military Justice
A special set of laws that all Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve, and academy members are required to follow.
UPFRP – Unit, Personal & Family Readiness Program (Marine Corps)
Program designed to facilitate communication between the unit command and families of members within the unit.. Learn more here.
USAF – United States Air Force
UB – Unaccompanied Baggage
An option for moving shipments where a small portion of your belongings are expedited to your new location, typically while you wait for the rest of your belongings to arrive at a later date.
USCG – United States Coast Guard
USID – Uniformed Service ID
An ID card for military dependents, retirees, and reserve members. Sometimes referred to as a “dependent ID”, or simply as a “military ID”. Learn more here.
USMC – United States Marine Corps
USN – United States Navy
USSF – United States Space Force
