WTF? Spouse Survival Guide to Military Acronyms

The military has a language of its own…we’re breaking it down so you’re not totally blindsided at your next military event.

We know we’re missing some branch-specific abbreviations – leave them in the comments so we can add ’em!

Bookmark this page and reference it any time you need it. (We’re not judging…)

AAFES – Army and Air Force Exchange Service

ABU – Air Battle Uniform

AD – Active Duty

AWOL – Absent WithOut Leave

BAH – Basic Allowance for Housing

BAS – Basic Allowance for Subsistence

BCGs – Birth Control Glasses

BDU – Battle Dress Uniform

BOLC – Basic Officer Leader Course

BT – Basic Training

BZ – Bravo Zulu, congrats!

Chit– Request or Voucher

CINC – Commander in Chief

CDC – Child Development Center

CO – Commanding Officer

COLA – Cost of Living Allowance

CONUS – Continental United States

DEERS – Defense Enrollment Eligibility enRollment System

DFAC – Dining Facility – “Mess Hall” is the common slang for that.

DITY – Do-It-Yourself Move

DoD – Department of Defense

EM – Enlisted Member

ETA – Expected Time of Arrival

FCP – Family Care Program

FRG – Family Readiness Group

HHG – Household Goods

IED – Improvised Explosive Device

JAG – Judge Advocate General’s Corps

KIA – Killed In Action

KISS – Keep it Simple Stupid

LES – Leave and Earning Statement

LT – Lieutenant

MEPS – Military Entrance Processing Center

MIA – Missing In Action

Milso – Military Significant Other – YOU! 

MP – Military Police

MOS – Military Occupational Speciality

NCO – Non-Commissioned Officer

OCONUS – Outside of Continental United States

OIC -Officer In Charge

OPR – Officer Performance Report

OPSEC – Operational Security 

OTS/OCS – Officer Training School/Officer Candidate School

PCS – Permanent Change of Station

PERSEC – Personal Security  

PFT – Physical Fitness Test

POA – Power of Attorney  

POV – Personally Owned Vehicle

POW – Prisoner of War

PPM – Personal Procured Move

PT – Physical Training

ROTC – Reserve Officer Training Corps

SGLI– Service member’s Group Life Insurance.

SNAFU – Situation Normal All ****ed Up

SO – Significant Other

TDY – Temporary Duty

TLF – Temporary Living Facility

TSP – Thrift Savings Plan

UOTD – Uniform of the Day

USAF – United States Air Force

USCG – United States Coast Guard

USMC – United States Marine Corps

USN – United States Navy

VA – Department of Veteran Affairs

WILCO – Will Comply

WO – Warrant Officer

XO – Executive Officer

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