If there is one thing the Army is full of, it's acronyms. In order to survive as an Army wife, Army mom or any other Army family member, it will help to know at least the basics.

A

ACS: Army Community Service

ACU: Army Combat Uniform

AD: Active Duty

AER: Army Emergency Relief

AFTB: Army Family Team Building

AIT: Advanced Individual Training

APFT: Army Physical Fitness Test

APO: Army Post Office

AWOL: Absent Without Leave



B

BAH: Basic Allowance for Housing

BAS: Basic Allowance for Subsistence (food allowance)

BCT: Basic Combat Training

BDU: Battle Dress Uniform (camo)

BN: Battalion

BX: Base Exchange



C

CINC: Commander in Chief

CHAMPUS: Civilian Health and Medical Program for the Uniformed Services

COLA: Cost of Living Allowance

CONUS: Continental United States

CQ: Charge of Quarters (duty after regular hours)



D

DCU: Desert Combat Uniform

DEERS: Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System

DEP: Delayed Entry Program

DFAC: Dining Facility

DITY: Do It Yourself Move

DOD: Department of Defense

DS: Drill Sergeant

DTP: Delayed Training Program



E

EN: Enlisted

ETA: Estimated Time of Arrival

ETS: Estimated Time of Separation



F

FORSCOM: Forces Command

FRG: Family Readiness Group

FSA: Family Separation Allowance

FTX: Field Training Exercise



G

GO: General Officer



H

HHC: Headquarters and Headquarters Company

HOR: Home of Record

HQ: Headquarters



I

ITB: Infantry Training Brigade



J

JAG: Judge Advocate General



K

KIA: Killed in Action

KISS: Keep it simple stupid/sweetie

KP: Kitchen Patrol



L

LES: Leave and Earnings Statement (his pay stub)



M

MEPS: Military Entrance Processing Station

MGIB: Montgomery GI Bill

MI: Military Intelligence

MIA: Missing In Action

MOS: Military Occupational Specialty

MP: Military Police

MRE: Meals Ready to Eat

MWR: Morale, Welfare and Recreation



N

NCO: Non Commissioned Officer

NLT: Not Later Than



O

O: Officer

OCONUS: Outside Continental United States

OSUT: One Station Unit Training



P

PAC: Personal Administration Center

PCS: Permanent Change of Station

PDQ: Pretty Damn Quick

POA: Power of Attorney

POV: Privately Owned Vehicle

PT: Physical Training

PX: Post Exchange



Q

QTRS: Quarters



R

RD: Rear Detachment (also referred to as "Rear D")

RDF: Ranger Dining Facility

REGT: Regiment

RIP: Ranger Indoctrination Program

RLTW: Rangers Lead The Way

R&R: Rest and Recreation



S

SD: Staff Duty

SOCOM: Special Operations Command



T

TDY: Temporary Duty



U

USO: United Service Organization



V

VA: Veterans Affairs

VTC: Video TeleConference



W

WO: Warrant Officer


X

XO: Executive Officer



Acronyms you’ll see on message boards:

PAF: Proud Army Fiancée

PAG: Proud Army Girlfriend

PAM: Proud Army Mom

PAW: Proud Army Wife

SO: Significant Other


Stacey Abler is an Army Wife and the owner of www.marriedtothearmy.com.