Army Family Team Building Level I

Military Acronyms and Terms

Military Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Terms

Acronyms and Abbreviations
A BC Battery/Brigade/Battalion Commander
AAFES Army/Air Force Exchange Service BCT Basic combat training
ACAP Army Career and Alumni Program BDE Brigade
ACES Army Continuing Education System BDU Battle dress uniform
ACS Army Community Service BN Battalion
AD Active duty BNCOC Basic NCO Course
ADJ Adjutant BSB Base Support Battalion (OCONUS)
AER Army Emergency Relief C
AFAP Army Family Action Plan CAR Chief of Army Reserve
AFN American Forces Network CASCOM Combined Arms Support Command
AFRTS American Forces Radio/TV Network CDR Commander
AFTB Army Family Team Building CDS Child Development Services
AG Adjutant General CG Commanding General
AGR Active Guard Reserve CGSC Command and General Staff College
AIT Advanced Individual Training CID Criminal Investigation Division
AMC Army Materiel Command CINC Commander in Chief
AMMO Ammunition CNGB Chief, National Guard Bureau
ANCOC Advanced NCO Course CO Commanding officer/company
ANG Air National Guard COB Close of business
AO Area of operations COLA Cost of living allowance
APC Armored personnel carrier CONUS Continental United States
APF Appropriated funds CP Command post
APFT Army Physical Fitness Test CPO Civilian Personnel Office
APO Army post office CPX Command Post Exercise
AR Army Reserve/Army Regulation/ CQ Charge of quarters
Armor CSC Community Spouses’ Club
ARC American Red Cross CS/C of S Chief of Staff
ARCOM Army Reserve Command/ CSA Chief of Staff, Army
Army Commendation Medal CSAR Chief of Staff - Army NG
ARNG Army National Guard CVC Community Volunteer Center
ARPERCEN Army Reserve Personnel Center CY Calendar year
ASAP As soon as possible CYS Child and Youth Services
ASG Area Support Group (OCONUS) D
AT Annual training DA Department of Army
AVC Army Volunteer Corps DAG Deputy Adjutant General
AVCC Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator DDRP Drug Demand Reduction Program
AVN Aviation DECA Defense Commissary Agency
AWOL Absent without leave DEERS Defense Enrollment Eligibility
B Reporting System
BAH Basic allowance for Housing DEH Director of Engineering & Housing
BAS Basic allowance for subsistence DPW Director of Public Works
DENTAC United States Army Dental Activity

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DEROS Date of estimated return from FRC Family Readiness Coordinator

overseas (Reserve)
DFAS Defense Finance and Accounting FRG Family Readiness Group
System FRO Family Readiness Officer
DI Drill instructor FRL Family Readiness Liaison
DO Duty officer FSA Family Separation Allowance
DOB Date of Birth FSSA Family Supplemental Subsistence
DOD Department of Defense Assistance
DOIM Director of Information Management FTX Field Training Exercise
DOR Date of Rank FY Fiscal Year
DPCA Director of Personnel and Community FYI For Your Information
Activities G
DCA Director of Community GED General Equivalency Diploma
DPP Deferred Payment Plan GO General Officer
DSN Defense Switched Network (current GS General Schedule (Government
term for Autovon) civilian employee pay grades)
DZ Drop Zone GSA General Services Administration
E H
EAP Employment Assistance Program HHC/HHD Headquarters & Headquarters
EDRE Emergency Deployment Readiness Company/Detachment
Exercise HOR Home of Record
EE Emergency Essential HQ Headquarters
EER/OER Enlisted/Officer Evaluation Report HQDA Headquarters, Department of the
EFMP Exceptional Family Member Program Army
EM Enlisted Member HRC Human Resources Command
EMC-C Equipment Maintenance Center – HRO Human Resource Office
CONUS HS Home Station
EN Enlisted I
ER Employment Readiness IADT Initial Active Duty Training
ESGR Employer support of the Guard and IDT Inactive Duty Training
Reserve IE Initial Entry
ETS Expiration of Term of Service IET Initial Entry Training
ESC/ECSC Enlisted Spouses Club/Enlisted and IG Inspector General
Civilian Spouses Club IMA Installation Management Agency /
F Individual Mobilization Augmentee
FAC Family Assistance Center ING Inactive National Guard
FAP Family Advocacy Program IO Information Officer
FCP Family Care Plan IRF Immediate Reaction Force
FDU Full Dress Uniform IRR Individual Ready Reserve
FLO Family Liaison Office ITO Information Travel Office/ Invitational
FM Family Member/Field Manual Travel Order
FOUO For Official Use Only ITT Information, Tours, and Travel
FP Family Program J
FPC Family Program (Guard) JAG Judge Advocate General
FPCON Force Protection Condition JR EN Junior grade enlisted personnel
JR NCO Junior grade Noncommissioned
Officer
JUMPS Joint Uniform Military Pay System
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K O
KIA Killed in Action OBC/OAC Officer Basic/Advanced Course
KP Kitchen Patrol OCAR Office of the Chief, Army Reserve
L OCONUS Outside Continental United States
LES Leave and Earnings Statement OCS Officer Candidate School
LN Local National OD Officer of the Day
LOD Line Of Duty OHA Overseas Housing Allowance
LOG Logistics OIC Officer-In-Charge
LP Listening Post OJT On the Job Training
LZ Landing Zone OPSEC Operational Security
M ORE Operational Readiness Exercise
MACOM Major Army Command OSC/OCSC Officers’ Spouses’ Club/Officers’ and
MAINT Maintenance Civilian Spouses’ Club
MCCW Military Council of Catholic Women P
MEDDAC Medical Department Activity PAC Personnel Administration Center
MEDEVAC Medical Evacuation PAM Pamphlet
METL Mission Essential Task List PAO Public Affairs Officer
MFO Multinational Forces and Observer PCS Permanent Change of Station
MI Military Intelligence PDA Public Display of Affection
MIA Missing In Action PERSCOM Total Army Personnel Command
MILPO Military Personnel Office PLT Platoon/primary level training
MOBEX Mobilization Exercise PM Provost Marshal (police chief)
MOS Military Occupational Specialty PMO Provost Marshal Office
MP Military Police PMOS Primary Military Occupational
MRE Meals Ready to Eat Specialty
MSC Major Subordinate Command POA Power of Attorney
MSO Morale Support Officer POC Point of Contact
MUTA Multiple Unit Training Assembly POE Port of Embarkation
MWR Morale, Welfare, and Recreation POI Program of Instruction
N POV Privately Owned Vehicle
NA Not Applicable POTO Plans, Operations and Training Office
NAF Non-Appropriated Funds (generated PT Physical Training
locally) PWOC Protestant Women of Chapel
NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization PX Post Exchange
NCO Noncommissioned Officer PZ Primary Zone/Pickup Zone
NCOER Noncommissioned Officer Evaluation Q
Report QOL Quality of Life
NCOIC Noncommissioned Officer in Charge QM Quartermaster
NCOSC Noncommissioned Officers’ Spouses’ QTRS Quarters (living area)
Club R
NEO Noncombatant Evacuation Operation RA Regular Army
NG National Guard RAC Religious Activity Center
NLT Not Later Than RC Reserve Component
RCI Residential Community Initiative
RD Rear Detachment
RDC Rear Detachment Commander
RDF Rapid Deployment Force

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R&D Research and Development T

R&R Rest and Relaxation TAG The Adjutant General
RFO Request For Orders TASC Training and Support Center
RIF Reduction In Force TDY Temporary Duty
RO Round Out TIG Time In Grade / The Inspector
ROTC Reserve Officer Training Corps General
RRM Recruiting and Retention Manager TLA Temporary Living Allowance
RRC Regional Readiness Command TMP Transportation Motor Pool
RSG Regional Support Groups TPU Troop Program Unit
RST Re-Scheduled Training TRADOC Training and Doctrine Command
R.S.V.P. Reply whether or not you can attend TTAD Temporary Tour Active Duty
(respondez s’il vous plait) U
RTS Regional Training Site UCMJ Uniform Code of Military Justice
REG Regiment USAR United States Army Reserve
REGT Regulation USARC United States Army Reserve
S Command
SBP Survivor Benefit Plan USARF United States Army Reserve Forces
SD Staff Duty (Schools)
SDNCO Staff Duty Noncommissioned Officer USO United Services Organization
SDO Staff Duty Officer USPFO United States Property & Fiscal Office
SES Senior Executive Service (senior UTA Unit Training Assembly
civilian employee grades) V
SFPD State Family Program Director (NG) VA Department of Veterans Affairs
SGLI Servicemen’s Group Life Insurance (formerly Veterans Administration)
SIDPERS Standard Installation/Division VHA Variable Housing Allowance
Personnel Reporting System VOLAR Volunteer Army
SJA Staff Judge Advocate
SLO School Liaison Officer
W
SMI Supplemental Medical Insurance WB Well-being
SOCOM Special Operations Command WG Wage Grade
SOP Standing Operating Procedure(s) WO Warrant Officer
SQD Squad, a unit within a platoon WOAC Warrant Officer Advanced Course
SQT Skills Qualification Test WOC Warrant Officer Candidate Course
SRB Selective Reenlistment Bonus WOSC Warrant Officer Senior Course
SSS Selective Service System X
SSN Social Security Number XO Executive officer
SZ Secondary Zone

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Military and Medical Acronyms

AMEDD Army Medical Department LPN Licensed Practical Nurse
AMSC Army Medical Specialist Corps
ANC Army Nurse Corps MASH Mobile Army Surgical Hospital
MC Medical Corps
CHAMPUS Civilian Health and Medical Program MD Medical Doctor
of the Uniformed Services, see also MEDCOM Medical Command
TRICARE MEDDAC Medical Department Activity
CCU Critical Care Unit MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging
COS Chief of Staff MSC Medical Service Corps

DC Dental Corps NAHSSA North Atlantic Health Service Support

DCA Deputy Commander for Area
Administration
DCCS Deputy Commander for Clinical OB Obstetrics
Services OR Operating Room
DENTAC Dental Activity OTSG Office of the Surgeon General
DEPMEDS Deployable Medical Services
DO Doctor of Osteopathy RN Registered Nurse
DSSA Dental Service Support Area
TRICARE Regional Managed Health Care
EFMP Exceptional Family Member Program program for active duty and retired
EKG Electrocardiogram/ members of the uniformed services,
Electroencephalogram their families, and survivors
ER Emergency Room
VC Veterinary Corps
HSSA Health Service Support Area VSSA Veterinary Service Support Area

ICU Intensive Area Unit

Military Associations
AUSA Association of the US Army NCOA Noncommissioned Officers’
Association
EANGUS Enlisted Association of the National
Guard of the United States NGAUS National Guard Association of the
United States

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Terms
ACCOMPANIED TOUR Tour of duty with family members
ACTIVE ARMY On active duty, to include guard and reserve that have been activated
ADVANCED PAY Payment before (duty performed) actually earned
ALERT Emergency call to be ready
ALLOTMENT Designated payment by Soldier or civilian employee to bank or individual
ALLOWANCE Pay and special compensation
ARTICLE 15 Administrative Disciplinary action

BARRACKS/BILLETS Place where a Soldier lives

BED CHECK An accounting for Soldiers
BENEFITS Medical, dental, commissary, PX, etc.

CADRE Leadership at training level

CAISSON Artillery vehicle
CAREER PROGRAM Grouping of civilian employee positions at grades G-l and higher in the
same career field
CHAIN OF COMMAND Leadership structure
CHAIN OF CONCERN An informal self-help channel for family members and others in a
unit/organization
CHAPLAIN Military minister, priest, rabbi, or pastor
CLASS As Green slacks/skirt, light green shirt, tie or neck tab, and jacket
CLASS Bs Green slacks/skirt, light green shirt, and optional sweater without jacket
CLEARING Obtaining official release from post
CODE OF CONDUCT Ethical conduct/guidelines which guide a Soldier in combat and if captured
COLORS National and unit/organization flags
COMMISSARY Grocery store for military
COMBAT SERVICE STRIPES Stripes for time served in combat (6 months per stripe)
COURT-MARTIAL Trial system within the Army
DANGER PAY/HOSTILE Extra pay for duty in a hostile area
FIRE PAY
DAYROOM Recreation area in Soldier lodging
DEPLOYMENT Soldier or civilian employee sent on a mission without family members
DETAIL A job or assignment
DIRECT DEPOSIT / SURE Soldier’s or Civilian employee’s guaranteed check to bank
PAY
DINING IN Formal social gathering for soldiers only
DINING OUT Formal social gathering with spouses
DISCHARGE Release from active duty
DITY MOVE Self movement of household goods
DOGTAGS Identification tags worn by Soldiers
DRESS BLUES Informal attire with four-in-hand tie/formal attire with bow tie
DRESS MESS Formal attire; short jacket equivalent to “white tie and tails”
DUTY ASSIGNMENT Job/place while on active duty

ESPRIT DE CORPS Morale within unit or organization

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FAMILY ADVOCACY Program that assists with child and spouse abuse problems
FAMILY CARE PLAN Written instructions for care of family members while sponsor is away
from duty station (can include provisions for finances, wills, and
guardianship)
FAMILY PROGRAM Provides family support services to Reserve Component members and
COORDINATOR families; active duty members and civilian employees
FAMILY READINESS Organization of family members, volunteers, and Soldiers/civilian
GROUP employees belonging to a unit/organization that together provides an
avenue of mutual support and assistance and a network of communication
among the family members, the chain of command, and community
resources.
FIELD DAY Designated day for military displays
FIELD GRADE Major, Lieutenant Colonels, and Colonels
FORMATION Gathering of Soldiers in a prescribed way
FROCK Assume next higher grade without pay
FRUIT SALAD Ribbons and medals worn on uniform

GARRISON Post or community

GEAR Equipment used by Soldiers or civilian employees
GI BILL Education entitlement
GI PARTY Clean up duty
GRADE Corresponds to pay level of Soldier or civilian employee (e.g., E-1, O-1, or
GS-4)
GREEN BERETS Special Forces
GUARD MEMBER Military member of the Army or Air National Guard
GUEST HOUSE Temporary living quarters
GUIDON Unit identification flag (“Flag that troops rallied ‘round’.”)

HARDSHIP TOUR Unaccompanied tour of duty

HASH MARKS Stripes for enlisted members’ time in service
HAZARDOUS DUTY PAY Airborne; diving; EOD (Explosive Ordnance Demolition) pay
HOUSING OFFICE Where you check in for housing

ID CARD Identification card issued to legally recognized members of the Army

family
INFO Information
INSIGNIA Indicates branch of Soldiers

JODY CALL Troop cadence for marching or running

JUMP MASTER Person supervising paratroopers on a parachute jump
JUMP PAY Extra pay for parachutist status
JUNGLE BOOTS Special boots for tropical climates

K-9 Dogs trained for military police service

KLICK Slang for kilometer

LATRINE Toilet
LEAVE Approved time away from duty (vacation)

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LOCATION ALLOWANCE Allowance received for PCS move

LOGISTICS Equipment and support needed for performance

MANDATORY MOBILITY Civilian employee position that requires an employee to relocate

MOTOR POOL Area where official vehicles are kept

ORDERLY ROOM Company office

ORDERS Spoken or written instructions to a Soldier

PLATOON Several squads within a company

POLICE CALL Clean up
POST EXCHANGE Army department store
POWER OF ATTORNEY Legal document permitting a person to act on behalf of another

QUARTERS Government housing for married soldiers or with children

RANK Official title of Soldier (also, relative position within a military grade such
as Sergeant or Captain)
REGRETS ONLY Respond only if not attending
RESERVE COMPONENT Army and Air National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve (and equivalent in other
services)
RESERVES U.S. Army Reserve
RETREAT Bugle/flag ceremony at end of day
RE-UP Reenlist
REVEILLE Bugle call/ceremony at beginning of day
ROSTER List of members
RUFFLES AND Musical honor for general officers and equivalent ranking officials
FLOURISHES

SEPARATION PAY Pay for unaccompanied duty

SHORT TIMER Person with short time left to serve on active duty
SHORT TOUR Unaccompanied tour
SICK CALL Specific block of time for medical attention
SPACE A Space Available
SPONSOR Person who is salaried by the Government
SQUAD Smallest tactical unit in the Army
SUBSISTENCE Food allowance
SURE PAY/DIRECT DEPOSIT Soldier’s or civilian employee’s guaranteed check to bank

TAPS Last call of the day

TA50 Field gear

WELL BEING The personal, physical, material, mental, and spiritual state of Soldiers,
retirees, veterans, civilians, and their families that contribute to their
preparedness to perform and support the Army mission.

X-118 Office of Personnel Management Handbook X-118 contains qualification

standards for all civilian employee jobs

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