Welcome to the Military family! Your love one just graduated BT/OTS/ROTC/etc and they came home speaking a whole new language! (Don’t worry, I’ll decode those acronyms later!) I put together this Military Spouse Acronym guide to help you out!
Disclaimer: I use the term “Spouse” lightly – I know that many of you are fiancés, girlfriends, boyfriends, or maybe a parent to your service member!
Top 60 Acronyms you need to know:
- SO – Significant Other That’s YOU!
- PCS – Permanent Change of Station But really, why do we call 3-4 years Permanent?
- TDY – Temporary Duty (TDY Packing List with FREE Printable)
- DITY – Do-It-Yourself Move YOU do all the moving. A PARTIAL DITY is when you move some and the military moves the rest of your goods.
- OTS/OCS – Officer Training School/Officer Candidate School
- CO – Commanding Officer
- LT – Lieutenant
- DOD – Department of Defense
- ABU/ACU – Air Battle Uniform/Army Combat Uniform
- FAIP – First Assignment Instructor Pilot
- IP – Instructor Pilot
- SUPT – Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training
- OPSEC – Operational Security Don’t tell anyone operational information – this includes when/where your SO is going. Take this seriously.
- PERSEC – Personal Security – Keep your personal information to yourself and especially offline
- BCGs – Birth Control Glasses Those ugly military-issued giant glasses
- DFAC – Dining Facility
- FUBAR – ****** Up Beyond All Repair
- KISS – Keep it Simple Stupid
- MRE – Meal Ready to Eat
- XO – eXecutive Officer
- BAH – Basic Allowance for Housing
- BAS – Basic Allowance for Subsistence
- COLA – Cost of Living Allowance
- DEERS – Defense Enrollment Eligibility enRollment System (you need this to get TriCare)
- CONUS – Continental United States
- OCONUS – Outside of Continental United States
- EM – Enlisted Member
- LES – Leave and Earning Statement Pay Stubs
- VA – Department of Veteran Affairs
- AFB – Air Force Base
- PFT – Physical Fitness Test
- PT – Physical Training
- AWOL – Absent WithOut Leave
- JAG – Judge Advocate General’s Corps military lawyers
- MOS – Military Occupational Specialty Army Job
- MIA – Missing In Action
- KIA – Killed In Action
- AFSC – Air Force Specialty Code Air Force Job
- MP – Military Police
- NCO – Non Commissioned Officer
- OIC -Officer In Charge
- POA – Power of Attorney As a Military Spouse, always keep one of these current. It’s how I bought our first house!
- AF – Air Force
- PX/BX – Post/Base Exchange
- WILCO – Will Comply
- AAFES – Army and Air Force Exchange Services
- AD – Active Duty
- MEPS – Military Entrance Processing Center
- OPR – Officer Performance Report
- POV – Personally Owned Vehicle
- USAF – United States Air Force
- ETA – Expected Time of Arrival
- WO – Warrant Officer
- USCG – United States Coast Guard
- USMC – United States Marine Corps
- IFS – Initial Flight Screening
- ROTC – Reserve Officer Training Corps
- BOLC – Basic Officer Leader Course
- BT – Basic Training
- TLF – Temporary Living Facility
Any that I missed? Drop a comment and I’ll try to get the answer for you!
Are you new to the military and a little nervous? Don’t be weary >> read a few of Reasons I Love Being a Military Spouse.
