Understanding military terms and phrases can sometimes make you feel as though you are in a world of your own. Furthermore, the abbreviations, acronyms, etc., can often be difficult to decode. However, for members of the military, understanding these acronyms is of great importance.

That's why we're giving you the bit of extra help needed to decipher these acronyms. And, we're sharing a bit about how they are commonly used. Here are just a few acronyms that you will now know the meaning of.

Decoding Common Military Acronyms

We know that military acronyms are used widely today, but most of us don’t know what they mean.

Using military acronyms can be a helpful way to communicate something quickly and easily. You might be surprised to learn that one military acronym could mean multiple things. So, without further ado, let's jump into understanding some of the most common military acronyms.

1. ASVAB: The “Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery” is a test that a recruit takes before enlisting to see if they are qualified to join the military.
2. BLOB: This acronym means “Big Lump on Board,” and is used in an aircraft to describe a passenger without a clear function.
3. CHU: A climate-controlled trailer, meaning “Containerized Housing Unit,” that can house between 2 to 8 service members.
4. DART: One of the military humor-related acronyms, it’s just poking fun at one’s own team. It simply means “Dumb Ass Radio/Radar Troop.”
5. EOD: This acronym refers to the specialized unit that is responsible for safely disposing of explosives, called “Explosive Ordnance Disposal.”
6. FISH: “Fighting in Someone’s House” is used to describe urban warfare.
7. GOBI: You know those great ideas that sound amazing, but they make everyone’s job harder? Yep, it’s called “General Officer Bright Idea.”
8. HANO: “High Altitude, No Opening” refers to a parachute jump where the parachute fails to deploy.
9. IBS: Used by the Navy SEALs, spelled out as “Inflatable Boat, Small.”
10. JN: This means “Japanese National,” where it is just used to refer to any Japanese citizen.
11. KISS: “Keep It Simple, Stupid,” it’s the word itself. Keep it simple and don’t overcomplicate things.
12. LHO: This acronym is often used to describe a large, heavy piece of cargo that needs to be moved: “Large Heavy Object.”
13. MARINE: A lot of us know this word used for the Marines, but this is also used as an acronym. It simply means “Muscles are Required, Intelligence Not Expected/Essential, or Marines Always Ride In Navy.”
14. NAVY: This is similar to the previous acronym, but as a joke, “Never Again Volunteer Yourself.”
15. OPSEC: This means “Operational Security,” the process of identifying important information related to military operations.
16. PLF: It’s a technique used to land safely, “Parachute Landing Fall,” because you don’t want any injuries upon landing.
17. RTB: This means “Return to Base,” missions over, so it’s time to head home.
18. SA: This is a “sixth sense” that keeps you alive; it’s called “Situational Awareness.”
19. TACAMO: This acronym is used by the Pentagon as a designation for aircraft integral to the U.S nuclear warfare program, meaning “Take Charge and Move Out.”
20. WAG: Take a guess, it’s called “Wild-Ass Guess.”
21. XO: No, this isn't just representative of kisses and hugs, but is also the title of the second-in-command to a commanding officer, “Executive Officer.”

These 5 Military Acronyms Will Make You Chuckle

If it’s not already evident, the military really loves its acronyms. While most acronyms are straightforward, some have hidden meanings that make us chuckle.

What everyone may not realize is that while military acronyms are mostly functional, they can be unintentionally hilarious.

Here are 5 military acronyms that will give you a good laugh.

1. MAGIC CARPET: This is almost too perfect to believe that it wasn't intentional. But everyone loves a good reference to Disney classics. It just means “Maritime Augmented Guidance with Integrated Controls for Carrier Approach and Recovery Precision Enabling Technologies.”
2. FARP: Please, no more fart jokes, the “Forward Area Refueling Point” can't take it anymore.
3. BLT: Nope, not food. It means “Battalion Landing Team”, but it kinda makes you hungry, huh?
4. DISCO: You'd think all “Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office” employees would be dancin' and getting their groove on, but they are probably just sitting at an office desk.
5. MANPADS: Yes, that is really the acronym for a “Man-Portable Air-Defense System." Therefore, if you're carrying one of these, get ready for the diaper comments.

Share Your Military Acronyms Knowledge With Family and Friends

Some of these military acronyms can be used every day. There are plenty of acronyms and military slang acronyms out there that are not a part of this list, but learning about some of these common and wacky but real military acronyms can get you started if you’re on a journey of using them daily.

If you’re even more prepared to translate a military conversation after reading our list, be sure to test your knowledge with military friends and see if they can pass the test.

Who knows, maybe next time you hear someone say they are going “MIA” for the weekend or that a situation is a “SNAFU,” you’ll know exactly what they mean!

Read next:

• Achieving Greatness: A Closer Look at Marine Corps Medals
• Breaking the Sound Barrier: Chuck Yeager’s Historic Mission
• Humor on the High Seas: Navy Memes That'll Crack You Up

Sources:

• What Are Some of the Most Common Terms in the Military?
• Common Acronyms & Terms