Free Common Military Acronyms Reference Chart

Confused by abbreviations in your ancestors’ military records? Here’s a guide to some of the most common military acronyms.

Download your free copy of our Common Military Acronyms Reference Chart by clicking the button at the end of the list.

A

AAA—Anti-aircraft Artillery

AB—Air Base

Abn.—Airborne

AD—Active Duty or Armored Division

AFB—Air Force Base

Armd—Armored

Arty.—Artillery

B

BB—Battleship (USN)

Bde.—Brigade

BG—Bombardment Group

Bn.—Battalion

Bty./Btry.—Battery

C

Cav.—Cavalry

Co./CO—Company/Commanding Officer

CONUS—Continental United States

Corp./Cpl.—Corporal

CV—Carrier

D

DD—Destroyer (USN)

Det.—Detachment

DOS—Date of Separation

E

EAD—Entered Active Duty (date)

F

FA—Field Artillery

FG—Fighter Group

G

G.I.—Government Issue

Gp.—Group

I

Inf.—Infantry

M

MCAS—Marine Corps Air Station

MIA—Missing in Action

MOS—Military Occupational Specialty

MP—Military Police

N

NAS—Naval Air Station

NMCB—Naval Mobile Construction Battalion

P

PCS—Permanent Change of Station

Pfc.—Private First Class

Plt.—Platoon

PO—Petty Officer

Pvt.—Private

PW/POW—Prisoner of War

Q

QM—Quartermaster

R

Rcn.—Reconnaissance

RCT—Regimental Combat Team

Regt.—Regiment

S

Sgt.—Sergeant

Sig.—Signal

SN/SSN—Service Number/Social Security Number

Sq.—Squad or Squadron

T

TAD—Temporary Additional Duty

TAFMS—Total Active Federal Military Service (date)

TCG—Troop Carrier Group

TDY—Temporary Duty

U

USA—United States Army

USAAC/USAAF—United States Army Air Corps/ Army Air Force

USAF—United States Air Force

USMC—United States Marine Corps

USN—United States Navy

W

WIA—Wounded in Action

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