
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

By entering your email, you will automatically be signed up to receive Family Tree’s free email newsletters, plus updates and special offers from Family Tree and carefully selected partners.