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abbreviations, acronyms and brevity codes – In general, avoid abbreviations, acronyms and brevity codes unless readers can easily recognize and understand them. Spell out on first reference* but do not follow with the abbreviation, acronym or brevity code in parentheses or set off by dashes. Abbreviations, acronyms and brevity codes are acceptable in subsequent references. Note: Never use abbreviations for Military Community and Family Policy program names unless otherwise noted in their program content guides. See Abbreviations, Acronyms and Brevity Codes for additional details.
An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase to represent the complete form: USMC (United States Marine Corps). Abbreviations differ from acronyms because users pronounce each individual letter.
An acronym is a word formed from the first letters of a series of words: scuba (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus). An abbreviation is not an acronym.
A brevity code is a code that has as its sole purpose the shortening of messages for use in military and other communications: Divert (Proceed to alternate mission/base).
*The following commonly known abbreviations and acronyms are acceptable on first reference without introduction — including in headings, chapter titles and tables of contents — although there may be occasions when fully writing out the terms would be preferable:
- AAFES for Army and Air Force Exchange Service
- CGX for Coast Guard Exchange
- CONUS for continental United States
- DEERS for Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System
- DIMS for Defense Installation Messaging System (This acronym would appear only in documents and communications with installation DIMS managers.)
- DoDEA for Department of Defense Education Activity (When writing for new-to-the-military audiences, write out Department of Defense Education Activity early in the body copy for audience convenience. Note the use of lowercase “o” in this acronym, per the program’s preference.)
- EFMP for Exceptional Family Member Program
- ID or military ID instead of “identification card” or “military identification card,” respectively
- JAG for judge advocate general
- LES for Leave and Earnings Statement
- MCX for Marine Corps Exchange
- MWR for Morale, Welfare and Recreation
- NEX for Navy Exchange (use this term for the military community audience)
- NEXCOM for Navy Exchange Service Command (only use this term for internal reporting)
- OCONUS for outside the continental United States
- PCS for permanent change of station
- PT or PRT for physical training or physical readiness training
- PTSD for post-traumatic stress disorder
- PX for Post Exchange
- Space-A for space-available flights or travel program
aboard vs. on board – The terms mean nearly the same thing and in some uses are interchangeable. Aboard is the preferred usage. Use on board as two words but hyphenate as an adjective. Aboard means on board, on, in or into a ship. For example: The crew is aboard the ship. An on-board medical team uses the on-board computer.
active component – Lowercase.
active duty, active-duty – Lowercase in all references. As a noun, use two words: Military personnel serve on active duty. As an adjective, hyphenate: All active-duty personnel must participate. Do not hyphenate when the modifier is not already hyphenated in a cited title: In the “2021 Active Duty Spouse Survey,” PCS-related stress was reported as a significant factor.
Air Wing – Two words.
aircraft – Acceptable characterization of military aviation platforms. Do not refer to military aircraft as airplanes or planes.
aircraft designations – Always use a letter (or letters) followed by a hyphen and number (or hyphen and number/letter combination): SH-60B. Note: For print publications, italicize the aircraft name (Tomcat, Hornet, etc.). For news service story submissions, use regular text (Tomcat, Hornet, etc.)
aircraft squadrons – Spell out the full name of the squadron on first reference. In subsequent references, abbreviate and hyphenate.
aircrew, aircrew member – One word in each instance, per Webster's.
airman, airmen – An individual who serves in the U.S. Air Force is an airman. The plural form is airmen. Lowercase in all uses.
all hands, all-hands – Two words as a noun: He called all hands to the meeting. Hyphenate as an adjective/compound modifier: They attended the all-hands call.
allowances/pays – Capitalize the various types of allowances and pays when referencing them in tables, running text or social media posts. For example: Basic Allowance for Housing or Temporary Lodging Expense.
anchors aweigh – Not anchors away.
armed forces – Capitalize only as a proper name (Armed Forces Day), as part of a title, or following U.S., as in U.S. Armed Forces. Lowercase as a noun (the armed forces) or adjective (an armed forces member).
