Air Force Acroynms
The Air Force language of acronyms can be confusing for all spouses . . . new and experienced (not old!) alike. This listing was designed for all of you who might think a "shirt" is something to wear or "zulu" is an African tribe.
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| AAFES: | (a-fees) Army Air Force Exchange Service; also called BX |
| ACC: | Air Combat Command |
| ADSC: | Active Duty Service Commitment |
| AETC: | Air Education Training Command |
| AFAS: | Air Force Aid Society |
| AFB: | Air Force Base |
| AFI: | Air Force Instruction, formerly Air Force Regulation |
| AFLC: | Air Force Logistics Command |
| AFMC: | Air Force Materiel Command |
| AFRC: | Air Force Reserve Command |
| AFSC: | Air Force Specialty Code which identifies job responsibilities for active duty members |
| AFSOC: | Air Force Special Operations Command |
| AFSPC: | Air Force Space Command |
| ALPHA: | (al-fa) A way of saying "A". See Military Alphabet. |
| AMC: | Air Mobility Command |
| AMN: | Airman |
| APO: | Air Post Office |
| ARC: | American Red Cross |
| ASAP: | As Soon As Possible |
| AT: | Annual Tour |
| AWC: | Air Warfare Center |
| AWOL: | (a-wall) Absent Without Leave |
| BAS: | Basic Allowance for Subsistence |
| BAQ: | Basic Allowance for Quarters |
| BDUs: | Battle Dress Uniform AKA Cammies |
| BOQ: | Bachelor Officer Quarters |
| BX/PX, NEX: | Base Exchange (AF), Post Exchange (Army), Navy Exchange (Navy) |
| CC: | Commander |
| CCF: | First Sergeant, First Shirt |
| CDC: | Career Development Course |
| CE: | Civil Engineer |
| CGOA: | Company Grade Officers Association |
| CINC: | (sink) Commander-in-Chief |
| COLA: | (ko-la ) Cost of Living Allowance |
| CONUS: | (cone-us) Continental United States |
| CPO: | Civilian Personnel Office |
| DECA: | Defense Commissary Agency |
| DEERS: | Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. See TRICARE Glossary of Terms. |
| DEROS: | (d-rose) Date Estimated Return Overseas |
| DFAS: | Defense Finance and Accounting Service |
| DLA: | Dislocation Allowance |
| DOD: | Department of Defense |
| DOR: | Date of Rank |
| DOS: | Date of Separation |
| DPP: | Deferred Payment Plan |
| DSN: | Defense Switch Network (worldwide telephone system) |
| EFMP: | Exceptional Family Member Program |
| EPR: | Enlisted Performance Report |
| ETS: | Expiration of Term of Service |
| ESC: | Enlisted Spouses Club |
| FSC: | Family Support Center |
| GOV: | Government Owned Vehicle |
| GS: | General Schedule (base Civil Service worker) |
| GSL: | Guaranteed Student Loan |
| GSU: | Geographically Separated Unit |
| HHG: | Household Goods |
| HOLA: | Housing Overseas Living Allowance |
| HQ: | Headquarters (generally wing commander's office) |
| IG: | Inspector General |
| JAG: | Judge Advocate General (legal office) |
| LES: | Leave and Earning Statement |
| MPF: | Military Personnel Flight |
| MSS: | Mission Support Squadron |
| MWR: | Morale Welfare and Recreation |
| NAF: | Non-Appropriated Funds |
| NCO: | Non-Commissioned Officer |
| NCOIC: | Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge |
| NLT: | Not Later Than |
| OCONUS: | U.S installations overseas |
| OIC: | Officer in Charge |
| OJT: | On-the-Job-Training |
| OPR: | Office of Primary Responsibility |
| OSI: | Office of Special Investigation |
| OTS: | Officer Training School |
| OSC: | Officers' Spouses' Club |
| PCA: | Permanent Change of Assignment |
| PCAF: | Pacific Air Forces |
| PCS: | Permanent Change of Station |
| PFMP: | Personal Financial Management Program |
| PME: | Professional Military Education |
| POC: | Point of Contact |
| POV: | Privately Owned Vehicle |
| PRP: | Personal Reliability Program |
| RHIP: | Rank Has Its (pick one) Privileges, Pain, Price, Paperwork |
| RIF: | Reduction In Force |
| RNLTD: | Report No Later Than Date |
| ROTC: | Reserve Officer Training Corps |
| RSVP: | Respond If You Please (expect yes or no) |
| SATO: | (say-toe) Scheduled Airlines Ticket Office |
| SBP: | Survivor's Benefit Plan |
| SEA: | Senior Enlisted Advisor |
| SGLI: | Serviceman's Group Life Insurance |
| SMC: | Space and Missile Center |
| SOP: | Standard Operating Procedures |
| SORTIE: | Name of a flight |
| STEP: | Stripes for Exceptional Performers |
| SSN: | Social Security Number |
| SF: | Security Forces |
| TAP: | Transition Assistance Program |
| TDY: | Temporary Duty |
| TLF: | Temporary Living Facility |
| TMO: | Traffic Management Office |
| UTA: | Unit Training Assembly |
| USAF: | (u-safe) United States Air Force |
| USAFE: | (u-safe-e) United States Air Force Europe |
| VA: | Veterans' Administration |
| VHA: | Variable Housing Allowance |
| VOQ: | Visiting Officers Quarter |
| WAPS: | Weighted Airman Promotion System |
| WIC: | Women, Infants and Children's Program |
| ZULU/GMT: | (zoo-loo) Greenwich Mean Time |