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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