Military Terminology and Information

Department of Defense Terminology Dictionary
Common Acronyms: The following terms may be helpful to social workers who work with service members, veterans, and their loved ones.

AD: Active Duty
AWOL: Absent Without Official Leave (or Unauthorized Absence)
BDU: Battle Dress Uniform
BCT: Basic Combat Training
CO: Commanding Officer
CoC: Chain of Command
CONUS/OCONUS: Continental United States or Outside Continental United States
DA: Department of the Army
DEERS: Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System
DFAS: Defense Finance and Accounting Services
DMPO: Defense Military Pay Office
DoD: Department of Defense
DFAC: Dining Facility (Mess Hall)
DS: Drill Sergeant
IBA: Individual Body Armor
Leave: Off Duty
MOS: Military Occupational Specialty (Formal job classification, usually expressed as a number or number/letter combination)
MP: Military Police
MRE: Meal Ready to Eat
NCO: Non-Commissioned Officer
NECL Navy Enlisted Classification
OEF: Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan)
OIF: Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq)
OND: Operation New Dawn (Iraq)
PCS: Permanent Change of Station
RITA: Relocation Income Tax Allowance
TDY: Temporary Duty
TLA: Temporary Lodging Allowance
TLE: Temporary Lodging Expense
USA: United States Army
USAF: United States Air Force
USCG: United States Coast Guard
USMC: United States Marine Corps
USN: United States Navy
WO: Warrant Officer
XO: Executive Officer

http://www.socialworkers.org/practice/military/militaryterminology.asp

4/8/2013