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List of U.S. Navy acronyms

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The United States Navy, like any bureaucratic organization, produces its own acronyms and abbreviations, which often come to have meaning beyond their bare expansions. United States Navy personnel sometimes colloquially refer to these as NAVSpeak. Like other organizational colloquialisms, their use often creates or reinforces a sense of esprit and closeness within the organization.

Official acronyms

For a comprehensive list of unit organizations in the United States Navy, see List of units of the United States Navy.

  • 1MC - 1 Main Circuit, shipboard public address system
  • 3M - Maintenance and Material Management (3M System)
  • 3MC - Maintenance Material Management Coordinator
  • 5MC - 5 Main Circuit, Carrier Flight Deck address system

A

  • AA - Airman Apprentice[1]
  • AAW - Anti-Air warfare
  • AB - Aviation Boatswain's Mate[1]
  • ABE - Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Launching and Recovery)[1]
  • ABF - Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuels)[1]
  • ABH - Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Aircraft Handling)[1]
  • AC - Air Traffic Controlman[1]
  • ACR - Armored cruiser
  • AD - Aviation Machinist's Mate[1]
  • ADNS - Automated Digital Network System
  • ADT - Active Duty Training [U.S. Navy Reserves, type of orders, typically more than 30 days but less than 6 months]
  • ADSW - Active Duty Special Work [U.S. Navy Reserves, type of orders, typically 6-months in duration]
  • AE - Aviation Electrician's Mate[1]
  • AF - Aviation Photographer's Mate[1]
  • AFC - Aviation Fire Control[1]
  • AFCM - Master Chief Aircraft Maintenanceman[1]
  • AFFF - Aqueous film forming foam
  • AFSB - Afloat Forward Staging Base [2]
  • AG - Aerographer's Mate[1]
  • AIMD - Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (or Detachment)
  • AK - Aviation Storekeeper[1]
  • AlNav - All Navy
  • ALPO - Assistant Lead Petty Officer
  • AM - Aviation Structural Mechanic[1]
  • AMMRL - Aviation Maintenance Material Readiness List
  • AMO - Assistant Maintenance Officer
  • AN - Airman[1]
  • AO - Aviation Ordnanceman[1]
  • AOW - Auxilliaryman of the Watch
  • AR - Airman Recruit[1]
  • ARRS - Afloat Readiness Reporting System
  • AS - Aviation Support Equipment Technician
  • ASAU - Air Search and Attack Unit
  • A-STRIKE - Assistant STRIKE Operations Officer (Carrier Scheduler/Planner)
  • ASUW - Anti-surface warfare
  • ASVAB - Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
  • ASW - Anti-submarine warfare
  • ASWO - Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer
  • ASW - Auxiliary SeaWater system
  • AT - Aviation Electronics Technician[1]
  • AT - Annual Training [U.S. Navy Reserves, type of orders, typically less than 30 days]
  • AUTEC - Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center
  • AUXO - Auxiliaries Officer
  • AVGAS - AViation Gasoline
  • AWCS - Assistant Work Center Supervisor
  • AZ - Aviation Maintenance Administrationman[3]

B

C

  • CA - Construction Apprentice[1]
  • CA - Heavy Cruiser (outdated)
  • CAG - Guided Missile Heavy Cruiser (outdated) or Commander Air Group
  • CAPT - Captain
  • CDB - Career Development Board
  • CDO - Command Duty Officer
  • CDR - Commander
  • CE - Construction Electrician's Mate[1]
  • CEC - Civil Engineer Corps
  • CEC- Cooperative Engagement Capability
  • CENTCOM - U.S. Central Command
  • CF - Charlie Foxtrot Polite form of "Cluster Fuck"
  • CG: Guided Missile Cruiser
  • CGN: Guided Missile Cruiser, Nuclear Powered
  • CHENG: Chief Engineer (Surface only)
  • CIC - Combat Information Center
  • CICO - Combat Information Center Officer
  • CIWS - Close-In Weapon System
  • CIS - CASREP Information System
  • CM - Construction Mechanic [1]
  • CMC - Command Master Chief [3]
  • CMS-ID - Career Management System-Interactive Detailing
  • CN - Constructionman [1]
  • CNO - Chief of Naval Operations
  • CO - Commanding Officer[NB 1]
  • COB - Chief Of the Boat (traditionally found only on submarines; pronounced "cob"). Can also be used for "close of business" (pronounced "C-O-B").
  • COD - Carrier Onboard Delivery
  • COMDESGRU - COMmander, DEStroyer GRoUp
  • COMDESRON - COMmander, DEStroyer squadRON
  • COMLANTFLT - COMmander, u.s. atLANTic FLeeT (see CINCLANTFLT)
  • COMEX - Commence Exercise
  • COMMO - COMMunications Officer
  • COMNAVAIRFOR - COMmander, NAVal AIR FORces
  • COMNAVAIRLANT - COMmander, NAVal AIR forces, atLANTic
  • COMNAVAIRPAC - COMmander, NAVal AIR forces, PACific
  • COMNAVSEASYSCOM - COMmander, NAVal SEA SYStems COMmand
  • COMNAVSECGRU - COMmander, NAVal SECurity GRoUp
  • COMPACFLT - COMmander, PACific FLeeT (formerly CINCPACFLT)
  • COMPTUEX - COMPosite Training Unit EXercise
  • COMSEC - COMmunications SECurity
  • COMSUBFOR - COMmander, SUBmarine FORce
  • COMSUBLANT - COMmander, SUBmarine force AtLANTtic
  • CORTRAMID - Career Orientation and Training for Midshipmen
  • Carrier (Lighter-than-air) (No longer in use)
  • CMC - Command Master Chief
  • CMDCM - Command Master Chief
  • CMDCS - Command Senior Chief
  • CNET - Command Naval Education and Training
  • CPO - Chief Petty Officer
  • CPOM - Chief Petty Officer's Mess
  • CR - Construction Recruit[1]
  • CRG - Coastal Riverine Group
  • CS - Culinary Specialist[1]
  • CSC - Command Senior Chief
  • CSC - Combat Systems Coordinator
  • CSC - Culinary Specialist Chief (E-7)
  • CSEC - Computerized Self Evaluation Checklist
  • CSMC - Combat Systems Maintenance Center
  • CSOOW - Combat Systems Officer of the Watch
  • CSOSS - Combat Systems Operational Sequencing Systems
  • CT - Cryptologic Technician
  • CTI - Cryptologic Technician Interpretive
  • CTM - Cryptologic Technician Maintenance
  • CTN - Cryptologic Technician Networks
  • CTR - Cryptologic Technician Collection
  • CTT - Cryptologic Technician Technical
  • CVN - Nuclear-powered Aircraft Carrier (Aircraft Carrier, Nuclear),[7] i.e. CVN-72 USS Abraham Lincoln
  • CVW - Carrier Air Wing
  • CWO - Chief Warrant Officer

D

  • DAPA - Drug and Alcohol Programs Advisor
  • DC - Damage Controlman[1]
  • DCA - Damage Control Assistant
  • DCAG - Deputy Air Wing Commander (see CAG)
  • DCC - Damage Control Central
  • DCO - Damage Control Officer (Chief Engineer)or Direct Commission Officer
  • DCPO - Damage Control Petty Officer
  • DD - Destroyer
  • DDG - Guided Missile Destroyer
  • DDR - Radar Picket Destroyer
  • DE - Destroyer Escort
  • DESDIV - DEStroyer DIVision
  • DESRON - DEStroyer squadRON
  • DEVGRU - Naval Special Warfare DEVelopment GRoUp, formerly (and informally still) SEAL Team SIX
  • DFM - Diesel Fuel Marine (F-76), standard Navy bunker fuel
  • DIRNSA - DIRector of the National Security Agency
  • DL - Destroyer Leader
  • DLG - Guided Missile Destroyer Leader
  • DLGN - Nuclear-powered Guided Missile Destroyer Leader
  • DM - Illustrator Draftsman
  • DM - Destroyer Minelayer
  • DMHRSi - Defense Medical Human Resources System - internet
  • DoD - Department Of Defense
  • DON - Department Of the Navy
  • DRB - Discipline Review Board
  • DRRS-N - Defense Readiness Reporting System - Navy
  • DSG - defense strategic guidance [2]

E

  • EAOS - End of Active Obligated Service
  • EAWS - Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist
  • ECRC - Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center
  • EDMC - Engineering Department Master Chief (Submarines)
  • EDO - Engineering Duty Officer
  • EEBD - Emergency Escape Breathing Device
  • EIDWS - Enlisted Information Dominance Warfare Specialist
  • EM - Electrician's Mate[1]
  • EM - Emergency Management
  • EMCON - Emissions Control
  • EMI - Extra Military Instruction
  • EN - Engineman[1]
  • ENS - Ensign
  • EO - Equipment Operator[1]
  • EOD - Explosive Ordnance Disposal
  • EOOW - Engineering Officer of the Watch
  • EOS - Enclosed Operating Space
  • EOSS - Engineering Operational Sequencing Systems
  • ERS - Engineroom Supervisor
  • ESWS - Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist
  • ET - Electronics Technician[1]
  • EW - Electronic Warfare
  • EWS - Engineering Watch Supervisor
  • EXW - Expeditionary Warfare

F

  • FA - Fireman Apprentice[1]
  • FAC - Forward Air Controller
  • FAC/A - Forward Air Controller/Airborne
  • FC - Fire Controlman[1]
  • FCDSSA - Fleet Combat Direction Systems Support Activity
  • FCF - Functional Check Flight
  • FCPCP - Fleet Computer Programming Center of the Pacific
  • FCPOM - First Class Petty Officer's Mess
  • FDO - Flight Deck Officer
  • F/MC - Fleet (or Force) Master Chief
  • FICEURLANT - Fleet Intelligence Center Europe & Atlantic
  • FMF - Fleet Marine Force
  • FMSS - Field Medical Service School
  • FN - Fireman[1]
  • FOD - Foreign Object Damage (Debris and Detection also used in some cases)
  • FR - Fireman Recruit[1]
  • FRC - Fleet Readiness Center
  • FRS - Fleet Replacement Squadron (Formerly RAG)
  • FSA - Food Service Attendant
  • FSO - Food Service Officer
  • FTN - Forget the Navy (Polite Form)
  • FTN - Full-time Navy (Humorous Form)
  • FTS - Full-time Support

G

H

  • HA - Hospital Apprentice[1]
  • HEDSUPPACTLANT - Headquarters, Support Activity Atlantic
  • HELO - Helicopter
  • HM - Hospital Corpsman[1]
  • HMFIC - Head M F In Charge (See SOPA Below)
  • HN - Hospitalman[1]
  • HR - Hospital Recruit[1]
  • HS - Helicopter Squadron (HS-4 Black Knights)
  • HT - Hull Maintenance Technician[1]

I

  • IAP - In Assignment Processing
  • IAMM - Individual Augmentation Manpower Management
  • IAW - "in accordance with"
  • IC - Interior Communications Electrician[1]
  • ICO - "in case of" "in care of"
  • IHO - Industrial Hygiene Officer
  • IMF - Intermediate Maintenance Facility
  • IMRL - Individual Material Readiness List
  • IP - Irish Pennant - A loose thread of a Naval or Marine uniform.[8]
  • IRT - "in reference to..."
  • IT - Information System Technician
  • ITS - Information Technology Submarines

J

L

M

  • MA - Master At Arms
  • MALS - Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron
  • MC - Mass Communication Specialist
  • MCPO - Master Chief Petty Officer
  • MCPON (pronounced "Mick Pon") - Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
  • MCO - Material Control Officer
  • MIDN - Midshipman
  • MIDRATS - MIDnight RATions
  • MMCO - Maintenance/Material Control Officer
  • MMCPO - Maintenance Master Chief Petty Officer
  • MPA - Main Propulsion Assistant
  • MPA - Military Patrol Craft (P-3 Orion, etc.)
  • MO - (pronounced "Moe") Maintenance Officer
  • MOA - Memorandum of Agreement
  • MOU - Memorandum of Understanding
  • MM - Machinist's Mate[1]
  • MRDB - Material Readiness Database
  • MSW - Main Seawater System
  • MSG - Message
  • MT - Missile Technician
  • MTS - Master Training Specialist
  • MU - Musician

N

O

P

  • PACOM - Pacific Command
  • PAX - Passengers[12]
  • PCS - Permanent Change of Station
  • PDHA - Post-Deployment Health Assessment
  • PDHRA - Post-Deployment Health Re-Assessment
  • PFA - Physical Fitness Assessment
  • PHA - Physical Health Assessment
  • PHRA - Physical Health Re-Assessment
  • PIR - Pass In Review
  • POD - Plan of the Day
  • POM - Plan of the Month
  • POTUS - President of the United States
  • POC - Point Of Contact
  • POW - Plan of the Week
  • POW - Prisoner of War
  • PRD - Projected Rotation Date
  • PRIFLY - PRImary FLight Control (Aircraft carriers)
  • PRT - Physical Readiness Test
  • PSNS and IMF - Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility
  • PT - Physical Training
  • PTS - Perform to Serve
  • PWD - Public Works Department
  • PAPERCLIP - People Against People Ever Reenlisting Civilian Life is Preferred

Q

  • QM - Quartermaster[1]
  • QMOW - Quartermaster of the Watch

R

S

T

  • TAD - Temporary Additional Duty
  • TADCEN - Training and Distribution Center
  • TAO - Tactical Action Officer (Fights the ship under the supervision of the Captain)
  • TE - Task Element
  • TF - Task Force
  • TFOA - Things Falling Off Aircraft
  • TG - Task Group
  • TM - Torpedoman's Mate[1]
  • TOPGUN - United States Navy Fighter Weapons School
  • TSP - Troubled Systems Process
  • TU - Task Unit

U

V

  • VERTREP - Vertical replenishment
  • VCNO - Vice Chief of Naval Operations
  • VA/VAM - Fixed Wing Attack/Fixed Wing Medium Attack (no longer used)
  • VAQ - Fixed Wing Electronic-Attack Squadron
  • VAW - Fixed Wing Airborne Early Warning Squadron
  • VDS - variable depth sonar [2]
  • VF - Fixed Wing Fighter (no longer used)
  • VFA - Fixed Wing Strike Fighter Squadron
  • VP - Fixed Wing Patrol Squadron
  • VRC - Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC-30 Providers)
  • VTU - Volunteer Training Unit
  • VX - Air Test & Evaluation Squadron (VX-4 Evaluators)

W

  • WAVE Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service
  • WCS Workcenter Supervisor
  • WO Warrant Officer
  • WSO (Wizzo) - Weapon Systems Operator/Naval Flight Officer
  • WTC Watertight Compartment
  • WTD Watertight Door
  • WTF Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, usually an interrogative phrase, but may also be used in a declarative manner
  • WTH Water Tight Hatch

X

Y

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b not confined to USN use

NNPTU :Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit.

References