Each branch of the military has its own terms and acronyms. In basic training, you will learn hundreds of acronyms, and you will be expected to know many of them by the time you arrive. Unfortunately, once you graduate basic training, there will be hundreds of acronyms and terms still to learn. Below is a list of acronyms and terms you will definitely hear at basic training. Marching commands are not included in this list. The more you study this list, the better off you will be at basic training.
Acronyms
AAFES: Army and Air Force Exchange Service
AAR: After Action Review
ACU: Army Combat Uniform
AGR: Active Guard Reserve
AIT: Advanced Individual Training
ARNG: Army National Guard
APFT: Army Physical Fitness Test
ASAP: As Soon As Possible
ASVAB: Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery
AT: Annual Training or Antitank
AWOL: Absent Without Leave
BAS: Basic Allowance for Subsistence
BC: Battalion Commander
BCG (RPG): Birth Control Glasses or Rape Prevention Glasses. Common acronyms associated with the standard issue military glasses.
BCT: Basic Combat Training
BDE: Brigade
BHA: Basic Housing Allowance
BN: Battalion
BRM: Basic Rifle Marksmanship
CQ: Commanders Quarters or Charge of Quarters
CTMC: Community Troop Medical Clinic
D&C: Drill and Ceremony
DCU: Desert Camouflage Uniform
DFAC: Dining Facility. Also called Chow or Mess Hall.
DOB: Date of Birth
DOD: Department of Defense
DOR: Date of Rank
EEO: Equal Employment Opportunity
ELS: Entry Level Separation
EM: Enlisted Member
EN: Enlisted
EO: Equal Opportunity
EOCT: End of Cycle Training
FM: Field Manuals
FTX: Field Training Exercise
FYI: For Your Information
HMMWV: High mobility multipurpose-wheeled vehicle
IAW: In accordance with
ID: Infantry Division or Identification Card
JAG: Judge Advocate General
KP: Kitchen Patrol
LBE: Load Bearing Equipment
LCE: Load Carrying Equipment
LES: Leave and Earnings Statement
MEPS: Military Entrance Processing Station
MI: Military Intelligence
MOPP: Mission Oriented Protective Posture
MOS: Military Occupational Specialty
MP: Military Police
MRE: Meal, Ready to Eat
NBC: Nuclear, Biological, Chemical
NCO: Noncommissioned Officer
NG: National Guard
NVG: Night Vision Goggles
OCS: Officer Candidate School
OSUT: One Station Unit Training
PG: Platoon Guide
PLDC: Primary Leadership Development Course
PLT: Platoon
PMCS: Preventative Maintenance Checks and Services
PMOS: Primary Military Occupational Specialty
POV: Privately Owned Vehicle
POW: Prisoner of War
PT: Physical Training
PUP: Pick-up Point (usually seen on training schedules)
PX: Post Exchange
QM: Quartermaster
ROTC: Reserve Officer Training Corps
RSC: Regional Support Command
SAW: Squad Automatic Weapon
SGLI: Servicemen’s Group Life Insurance
SOP: Standard Operating Procedure
SPORTS: Slap, Pull, Observe, Release, Tap, Squeeze (relating to BRM techniques)
SSN: Social Security Number
TM: Technical Manual
TMC: Troop Medical Clinic
TRADOC: Training and Doctrine Command
UCMJ: Uniform Code of Military Justice
USAR: United States Army Reserve
USO: United Service Organization
UXO: Unexploded Ordnance
VA: Department of Veterans Affairs (formerly Veterans Administration)
VIP: Very Important Person
WO: Warrant Officer
XO: Executive Officer
Terms
550 cord: A commonly used rope practical for field use. Has a tensile strength of 550 pounds.
Article 15: A disciplinary statement commonly associated with the loss of rank or pay.
As you were: Disregard previous statement.
Ate up: Describes a soldier who can’t do anything properly.
Battle rattle: Describes all equipment used to carry on your body. In basic training, battle rattle usually consists of ACU’s, flak vest, canteens, ammo pouches, magazine clips, Kevlar® helmet, weapon, pro-mask, rucksack, first-aid kit, and earplugs.
Beat your face: Perform push-ups.
Brass: A shell from a bullet.
Cadence: Songs performed while marching.
Chow hall: A military cafeteria.
Clip: See “magazine.”
Class A Uniform: A military suit, displaying metals and ribbons, worn for special occasions.
Concertina wire: Circular barbed wire used to secure boundaries.
Contraband: Unauthorized material.
Cover: A hat.
Detail: A miscellaneous duty.
Dust your boots: Perform toe touches (see toe touches under miscellaneous exercises in Chapter 2).
Fireguard: A duty which requires at least one soldier to guard an area or some equipment while others are sleeping or performing other duties.
Flak: A protective vest worn during combat and training exercises.
Fraternization: Co-mingling with the opposite sex in an inappropriate manner.
Front Leaning Rest: See “beat your face.” Hazing: Tormenting another recruit by verbal or physical punishment.
High and tight: A common style of military haircut where the sides are shaved, or nearly shaved, with neatly trimmed hair remaining on the top.
Hospital Corner: A corner of a made-up bed in which the sheets have been neatly and securely folded. (See Chapter 10.)
Hot A: A hot meal provided to soldiers engaged in field work.
HUA (Hooah): A statement of acceptance which stands for I hear you, I understand you, and I acknowledge your statement (many meanings have derived from this acronym).
In cadence: A counting rhythm called while doing exercises.
Latrine: A bathroom.
Lima Charlie: Radio command meaning “I hear you loud and clear.”
Magazine: A metal object used to hold bullets.
Mess Hall: See “Chow hall.”
Over: Radio command signifying the end of a statement.
Out: Radio command signifying the end of a conversation.
Pass: Paperwork associated with allowing military personnel to leave an area for a specified duration of time.
Pogey Bait: Snacks, junk food.
Prick (for PRC): A handheld radio.
Profile: An order issued by a military doctor that prohibits performing a particular task or function.
Quartermaster: For basic training purposes only, quartermaster refers to a laundry submittal center.
Range: A field used to practice firing weapons.
Ranger Walk: To walk, heel to toe, at a fast pace.
Rappel Line: A rope that hangs from clothing to assist in rappelling.
Recycle: To be restarted and sent to a different basic training company.
Roger: Radio command meaning “ok.”
Round: A bullet.
Rucksack: A backpack used to carry field gear.
Shakedown: A thorough inspection of certain items, an area, or personal belongings.
Sham Shield: A term associated with the specialist rank.
Smartbook: A book given to recruits during basic training which acts as a study guide and reference material.
Sincgar: A common radio in military vehicles.
Smoked: Punishment in the form of physical exercise. Also referred to as fluffing.
Snake: A shoelace sticking out of a boot.
Sound off: Speak louder.
Squared Away: Describes someone who has everything in order.
Stand Fast: Stay where you are until further notice.
TA-50: A series of field equipment inspected often by Drill Sergeants.
Toes on line: A fingernail and toenail inspection performed by Drill Sergeants before bedtime.
Top: Another name for a first sergeant. (Do not call your first sergeant this name in basic training.)