Glossary of terms


When you join the Australian Defence Force you'll become familiar with the specialist terms we use to shorten military names and titles. This is a guide to some of the key ones.

A

AA
Air-to-Air
AAA
Anti Aircraft Artillery
AAAV
Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle
AAC
Australian Army Cadets
AAFC
Australian Air Force Cadets
AAM
Air-to-Air Missile
AAV
Amphibious Assault Vehicle
ABET
Able Seaman Electronics Technician
ABM
Anti-Ballistic Missile
ACM
Air Combat Manoeuvring
ACMC
Aviation Candidate Management Centre
ACMI
Air Combat Manoeuvring Instrumentation
ACMR
Air Combat Manoeuvring Range
ADATS
Air Defence Anti-Tank System
ADF
Australian Defence Force
ADF PSA
Australian Defence Force Pilot Selection Agency
ADFA
Australian Defence Force Academy
ADF-PSA
Australian Defence Force Pilot Selection Agency
ADIZ
Air Defence Identification Zone
AEI
Australian Education International
AEO
Aeronautical Engineer Officer
Aero
Aeronautical
AEV
Armoured Engineer Vehicle
AEW
Air Early Warning
AEW&C
Air Early Warning & Control
AF
Air Force
AHS
Australian Hydrographic Service
AIFV
Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle
ALBM
Air Launched Ballistic Missile
ALCM
Air Launched Cruise Missile
AMET
Academy Military Education and Training
ANC
Australian Navy Cadets
ANZAC
Australian and New Zealand Army Corps
AP
Armour Piercing
APC
Armoured Personnel Carrier
APU
Auxilliary Power Unit
ARes
Army Reserve
ARRV
Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle
ARTAP
Army Reserve Traineeship and Apprenticeship Program
ARV
Armoured Recovery Vehicle
AS
Aviation Support
ASIO
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
ASLAV
Australian Light Armoured Vehicle
ASM
Air-to-Surface Missile
ASP
Aviation Screening Program
ASPJ
Airborne Self-Protection Jammer
ASRAAM
Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile
ASTC
Applied Skills and Technology Course
ASTOVL
Advanced Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing
ASuW
Anti-Surface Warfare
ASV
Anti-Surface Vessel
ASW
Anti-Submarine Warfare
AT
Anti-Tank
ATA
Aviation Technician Aircraft
ATBM
Anti-Tactical Ballistic Missile
ATCO
Air Traffic Control Officer
ATGW
Anti-Tank Guided Weapon
ATV
Aviation Technician Avionics
AUSCDTFOUR
Australian Clearance Diving Team Four
AUW
All Up Weight
AVLB
Armoured Vehicle Launched Bridge
Avn Regt
Aviation Regiment
AWA
Acoustic Warfare Analyst
AWA-SM
Acoustic Warfare Analyst Submariner

B

BMI
Body Mass Index
BRIG
Brigadier
Bsc
Bachelor of Science (Bsc)
Btech
Bachelor of Technology
BA
Bachelor of Arts
Bbus
Bachelor of Business
BE
Bachelor of Engineering
BFA
Basic Fitness Assessment

C

C2
Command and Control
C3
Command, Control and Communications
C3I
Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence
CAF
Chief of Air Force
CAPT
Captain
CBRND
Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Defence
CC
Careers Coach
CDAT
Clearance Divers Acceptance Test
CDF
Chief of the Defence Force
CDT
Clearance Diving Team
CEV
Combat Engineer Vehicle
CISCON
Communications and Information Systems Controller
CIS-SM
Communications and Information Systems Submariner
CMA
Career Management Agency
CMO
Chief Medical Officer
CN
Chief of Navy
CO
Commanding Officer
COIN
Counter Intelligence
CP
Colour Perception
COL
Colonel
CPEng
Certified Practicing Engineer
CPL
Corporal
CPOET
Chief Petty Officer Electronics Technician
CR
Commando Regiment
CRARRV
Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle
CRMC
Customer Relationship Management Centre
CSB
Close-Support Bridge
CSO
Combat Systems Operator
CSOMW
Combat Systems Operator - Mine Warfare
CT
Cryptologic
CTC
Commando Training Course
CTL
Cryptologic Linguist
CTS
Cryptologic Systems
CTSSM
Cryptologic Systems Submariner
CV
Combat Vehicle

D

DEN
Dental Officer (Dentist)
Dental Assistant
DEO
Direct Entry Officer
DFC
Distinguished Flying Cross: Air Force Decoration
DFDA
Defence Force Discipline Act
DFR
ADF Careers
DFRC
Defence Force Recruitment Centre
DGPS
Differential GPS
DI
Defence Interviewer
DIAC
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
DIMA
Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
DLS
Defence Library Service
DoD
Department of Defence
DSC
Defence Service Centre
DZ
Drop Zone

E

E
Enlisted
EAC
Equipment Application Course
ECCM
Electronic Counter Counter-Measures
ECM
Electronic Counter-Measures
EFIS
Electronic Flight Instrument System
ELINT
Electronic Intelligence
Endurance
Length of time an aircraft's fuel load will permit it to stay airborne
ENT
Ear Nose and Throat
EOD
Explosive Ordnance Disposal
ERA
Explosive Reactive Armour
ESM
Electronic Support Measures
ESP
Enhanced Selection Process
ESPS
Employer Support Payment Scheme
ET
Electronics Technician
EW
Electronic Warfare

F

FAC
Forward Air Control / Forward Air Controller
FAC
First Appointment Course
FAE
Fuel Air Explosives
FBE
Fleet Base East
FBW
Fleet Base West
FCPB
Fremantle Class Patrol Boat
FIFV
Future Infantry Fighting Vehicle
Fire and Forget Missile
AAM or ASM with electric signalling abilities
FLIR
Forward Looking Infrared
Fly-by-Wire
Flight control systems with electronic signalling
FRC
Funded Reserve Commitment
FSP
Flight Screening Program
FV
Flying Vehicle

G

GCI
Ground-Controlled Intercept
GE
General Entry
GPS
Global Positioning System
GSO
General Service Officer
GTC
Group Training Company

H

HE
High Explosive
HEAT
High Explosive Anti-Tank
HECS
Higher Education Contribution Scheme
HOTAS
Hands On Throttle and Stick
HP
HorsePower
HQ
Headquarter(s)
HTC
Helicopter Tactics Course
HWC
Harbour Watchkeeping Certificate

I

IADS
Integrated Air Defence System
IAS
Indicated Airspeed Shown
ICCC
Initial Collins Class Course
IET
Initial Employment Training
IFA
Initial Fitness Assessment
IFF
Identification Friend or Foe
IFV
Infantry Fighting Vehicle
IGE
In Ground Effect
IIMV
Interim Infantry Mobility Vehicle
ILS
Integrated Logistics Support
IMPS
Initial Minimum Period of Service
IO
Independent Observer
IOC
Initial Operation Capability
IOT
Initial Officer Training
IR
InfraRed
IRAN
Inspect and Repair as Necessary
IRBM
Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile
IRCM
InfraRed CounterMeasure
IRS
Inertial Reference System
IRST
InfraRed Search and Track
IT
Information Technology
ITS
Integrated Travel Solutions
ITT
Initial Technical Training

J

JNCO
Junior Non-Commissioned Officer
JOR
Job Opportunities Report

K

KG
Kilograms
KM
Kilometre
KM/H
Kilometre per Hour
kN
KiloNewton measure of force (1,000 Newtons: 1 Newton = 0.2238 lbs of force)
Knot
Aviation and maritime unit of velocity
KT
Kiloton (equivalent explosive force of 1,000 tons of TNT)
Kt/Kts
Knot(s)
KTAS
True AirSpeed in Knots
kW
KiloWatt

L

LABS
Low Altitude Bombing System
LAC
Leading Aircraftman
LACW
Leading Aircraftwoman
LADS
Laser Airborne Depth Sounder
LAMPS
Light Airborne MultiPurpose System
LANs
Local Area Networks
LANTIRN
Light Altitude Targeting InfraRed for Night
LAPES
Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System
LAV
Light Assault Vehicle
LCD
Liquid Crystal Display
LCPV
Light Cavalry Patrol Vehicle
LF
Low Frequency (30 to 300 kHz)
LGB
Laser-Guided Bomb
LO
Low Observables
LPT
Low Profile Turret
LRMPA
Landing Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft
LS
Leading Seaman
LSET
Leading Seaman Electronics Technician
LT
Lieutenant
LTCOL
Lieutenant Colonel
LTGEN
Lieutenant General
LVTP
Landing Vehicle Tracked Personnel
LZ
Landing Zone

M

MACH
Measure of Airspeed (Mach 1 = 1,223 kph/760 mph at sea level
MAD
Magnetic Anomaly Detector
MAJ
Major
MAP
Military Assistance Program
MAWO
Maritime Aviation Warfare Officer
MAWO-SM
Maritime Warfare Officer Submariner
MBT
Main Battle Tank
MCDO
Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Officer
MCM
Mine Countermeasures
MED
Medical Officer
MEDS
Medical Sailor
MED-SM
Medic Submariner
MEO
Marine Engineer Officer
MEO-SM
Marine Engineer Officer Submariner
METOC
Meteorology and Oceanography (METOC) Officer
MFD
Multi-Function Display
MG
Maritime Geospace (Hydrographic Survey or Meteorology and Oceanography Officer)
MG
Machine Gun
MGO-H
Maritime Geospace Officer - Hydrography
MHQ
Medical History Questionnaire
MIN
Minute(s)
MLO
Maritime Logistics Officer
MLSO
Maritime Logistics Support Operations
MLSO-SM
Maritime Logistics Support Operations Submariner
MLRS
Multiple Launch Rocket System
MM
Millimetre
MMT
Mobile METOC Team
MPA
Maritime Patrol Aircraft
MPC
Multi-Purpose Carrier
MR
Maritime Reconnaissance
MRAV
Multi-Role Armoured Vehicle
MRBM
Medium Range Ballistic Missile
MSIP
Multi-Stage Improvement Program
MT
Marine Technician
MT
Maritime Technician
MT-SM
Marine Technician Submariner
MTOW
Maximum Take-Off Weight
MUSNs
Musicians
MWO
Maritime Warfare Officer

N

NAS
Naval Air Station
NASA
National Aeronautics & Space Administration
NATO
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
Nautical Mile
Measurement of distance
NCHRC
National Criminal History Record Check
NCO
Non-Commissioned Officer
NEOC
New Entry Officer Course
NM
Nautical Mile
NOK
Next of Kin
NR
Naval Reserve
NTC
Naval Training Command

O

ODM
One Day Model
OGE
Out of Ground Effect
OOD
Officer of the Day
OPSO
Operations Officer
OSB
Officer Selection Board
OTTC
Operational Type Transition Course

P

PAF
Permanent Air Force
PFA
Physical Fitness Assessment
PFC
Private First Class
PGM
Precision-Guided Munition
PID
Passive Identification
PN
Permanent Navy
PO
Personnel Operations
PTE
Private soldier
PTI
Physical Training Instructor
PWO
Principal Warfare Officer

Q

QA
Qualified Assessor
QES
Qualified Entry Sailor
QFI
Qualified Flying Instructor

R

R&D
Research and Development
RAA
Royal Australian Artillery
RAAC
Royal Australian Armoured Corps
RAAF
Royal Australian Air Force
RAAFAR
Royal Australian Air Force Active Reserve
RAAOC
Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps
RAAWS
Radar Altimeter and Altitude Warning System
RAM
Radar Absorbing Material
RAN
Royal Australian Navy
RANC
Royal Australian Naval College
RANSSSS
RAN School of Sea Safety and Survivability
RAST
Recovery Assist, Secure and Traverse system
RATO
Rocket-Assisted Take-Off
RCC
Recognition of Current Competencies
RCS
Radar Cross-Section
Recce
Reconnaissance
RISE
Reliability Improved Selected Equipment
RMC
Royal Military College
RMC-A
Royal Military College of Australia
RMC-D
Royal Military College - Duntroon
RN
Royal Navy (UK)
RNAS
Royal Navy Air Service
RNZAF
Royal New Zealand Air Force
RO
Recognition Officer
ROA
Record of Attainment
ROE
Rules of Engagement
ROSO
Return of Service Obligation
RPG
Rocket Propelled Grenade
RPL
Recognition of Prior Learning
RPM
Revolutions Per Minute (or Rounds Per Minute if dealing with small arms)
RPV
Remotely-Piloted Vehicle
RTO
Registered Training Organisation
RTS
Recruit Training School
RWR
Radar Warning Receiver

S

SA
Surface-to-Air
SAA
School of Army Aviation
SAM
Surface-to-Air Missile
SAR
Search And Rescue
SAS
Special Air Service
SAS-SC
SAS Selection Course
SEES
Sailor Early Enlistment Scheme
SENSO
Sensor Operator
SEP
Systems Enhanced Package
SFPB
Special Forces Panelling Board
SGT
Sergeant
SigInt
Signals Intelligence
SLAR
Side-Looking Airborne Radar
SLEP
Service Life Extension Program
SM
Submarines
SMC
Surface Movement Controller
SME
Subject Matter Expert
SMG
SubMachine Gun
SMNET
Seaman Electronics Technician
SMRO
Senior Military Recruiting Officer
SMSQ
Submarine Sea Qualification
SNCO
Senior Non-Commissioned Officer
SOCOM
Special Operations Command
SP
Specialist (when referred in a soldier's rank)
SP
Self-Propelled
SPAAG
Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun
SPG
Self-Propelled Gun
SSM
Surface-to-Surface Missile
SSO
Special Service Officer
SSO FAC
Special Service Officer First Appointment Course
SST
Single Service Training
STO
Short Take-Off
STOL
Short Take-Off and Landing
STOVL
Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing

T

TA
Training Advisor
TANS
Tactical Air Navigation System
TBO
Time Between Overhauls
TBT
Tank Bridge Transporter
TFR
Terrain Following Radar
TIALD
Target Identification Airborne Laser Designation
TOW
Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wired-Guided
TSSAM
Tri-Service Stand-off Attack Missile

U

UAV
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
UHF
Ultra-High Frequency (300MHz to 3 GHz)
UN
United Nations
UNSW
University of NSW

V

V/STOL
Vertical or Short Take-Off and Landing
VHF
Very High Frequency (3 to 300MHz)
VTAS
Voice, Throttle and Stick
VTOL
Vertical Take-Off and Landing

W

WANs
Wide Area Networks
WO
Warrant Officer
WO2
Warrant Officer Class 2
WOET
Warrant Officer Electronics Technician
WSO
Weapons System Operator (or Weapon System Officer)

Y

YOFT
Year One Familiarisation Training (ADFA)
YOU Session
Your Opportunities Unlimited Session