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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.
AA
Air-to-Air
AAA
Anti Aircraft Artillery
AAAV
Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle
AAC
Australian Army Cadets
AAM
Air-to-Air Missile
AAV
Amphibious Assault Vehicle
ABM
Anti-Ballistic Missile
ADATS
Air Defence Anti-Tank System
ADF
Australian Defence Force
ADF PSA
Australian Defence Force Pilot Selection Agency
ADFA
Australian Defence Force Academy
ADIZ
Air Defence Identification Zone
AEI
Australian Education International
Aero
Aeronautical
AEV
Armoured Engineer Vehicle
AEW
Air Early Warning
AEW&C
Air Early Warning & Control
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
Air-to-Air
AAA
Anti Aircraft Artillery
AAAV
Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle
AAC
Australian Army Cadets
AAM
Air-to-Air Missile
AAV
Amphibious Assault Vehicle
ABM
Anti-Ballistic Missile
ADATS
Air Defence Anti-Tank System
ADF
Australian Defence Force
ADF PSA
Australian Defence Force Pilot Selection Agency
ADFA
Australian Defence Force Academy
ADIZ
Air Defence Identification Zone
AEI
Australian Education International
Aero
Aeronautical
AEV
Armoured Engineer Vehicle
AEW
Air Early Warning
AEW&C
Air Early Warning & Control
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
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
ASIO
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
ASLAV
Australian Light Armoured Vehicle
ASM
Air-to-Surface Missile
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
AT
Anti-Tank
ATBM
Anti-Tactical Ballistic Missile
ATGW
Anti-Tank Guided Weapon
AUW
All Up Weight
AVLB
Armoured Vehicle Launched Bridge
Avn Regt
Aviation Regiment
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
ASIO
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
ASLAV
Australian Light Armoured Vehicle
ASM
Air-to-Surface Missile
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
AT
Anti-Tank
ATBM
Anti-Tactical Ballistic Missile
ATGW
Anti-Tank Guided Weapon
AUW
All Up Weight
AVLB
Armoured Vehicle Launched Bridge
Avn Regt
Aviation Regiment
BMI
Body Mass Index
Brig
Brigadier
Bsc
Bachelor of Science (Bsc)
Btech
Bachelor of Technology
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
Bachelor of Arts
Bbus
Bachelor of Business
BE
Bachelor of Engineering
BFA
Basic Fitness Assessment
C2
Command and Control
C3
Command, Control and Communications
C3I
Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence
CBRND
Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Defence
CC
Careers Coach
CDAT
Clearance Divers Acceptance Test
CDF
Chief of the Defence Force
CEV
Combat Engineer Vehicle
CMA
Career Management Agency
CMO
Chief Medical Officer
CN
Chief of Navy
Command and Control
C3
Command, Control and Communications
C3I
Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence
CBRND
Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Defence
CC
Careers Coach
CDAT
Clearance Divers Acceptance Test
CDF
Chief of the Defence Force
CEV
Combat Engineer Vehicle
CMA
Career Management Agency
CMO
Chief Medical Officer
CN
Chief of Navy
CO
Commanding Officer
COIN
Counter Intelligence
COL
Colonel
CP
Colour Perception
CPL
Corporal
CR
Commando Regiment
CRARRV
Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle
CRMC
Customer Relationship Management Centre
CSB
Close-Support Bridge
CTC
Commando Training Course
CV
Combat Vehicle
Commanding Officer
COIN
Counter Intelligence
COL
Colonel
CP
Colour Perception
CPL
Corporal
CR
Commando Regiment
CRARRV
Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle
CRMC
Customer Relationship Management Centre
CSB
Close-Support Bridge
CTC
Commando Training Course
CV
Combat Vehicle
DEO
Direct Entry Officer
DFDA
Defence Force Discipline Act
DFR
ADF Careers
DFRC
Defence Force Recruitment Centre
DGPS
Differential GPS
DI
Defence Interviewer
Direct Entry Officer
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
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
Enlisted
EAC
Equipment Application Course
ECCM
Electronic Counter CounterMeasures
ECM
Electronic CounterMeasures
EFIS
Electronic Flight Instrument System
ELINT
Electronic Intelligence
Endurance
Length of time an aircraft's fuel load will permit it to stay airborne
Enlisted
EAC
Equipment Application Course
ECCM
Electronic Counter CounterMeasures
ECM
Electronic CounterMeasures
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
EW
Electronics Warfare
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
EW
Electronics Warfare
FAC
Forward Air Control / Forward Air Controller
FAC
First Appointment Course
FAE
Fuel Air Explosives
FIFV
Future Infantry Fighting Vehicle
Fire and Forget Missile
AAM or ASM with electric signalling abilities
Forward Air Control / Forward Air Controller
FAC
First Appointment Course
FAE
Fuel Air Explosives
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
Forward Looking Infrared
Fly-by-Wire
Flight control systems with electronic signalling
FRC
Funded Reserve Commitment
FSP
Flight Screening Program
FV
Flying Vehicle
GCI
Ground-Controlled Intercept
GE
General Entry
GPS
Global Positioning System
Ground-Controlled Intercept
GE
General Entry
GPS
Global Positioning System
GSO
General Service Officer
GTC
Group Training Company
General Service Officer
GTC
Group Training Company
HE
High Explosive
HEAT
High Explosive Anti-Tank
HECS
Higher Education Contribution Scheme
HOTAS
Hands On Throttle and Stick
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
HorsePower
HQ
Headquarter(s)
HTC
Helicopter Tactics Course
IADS
Integrated Air Defence System
IAS
Indicated Airspeed Shown
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
Integrated Air Defence System
IAS
Indicated Airspeed Shown
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
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
JNCO
Junior Non-Commissioned Officer
Junior Non-Commissioned Officer
JOR
Job Opportunities Report
Job Opportunities Report
KG
Kilograms
KM
Kilometre
KM/H
Kilometre per Hour
kN
KiloNewton measure of force (1,000 Newtons: 1 Newton = 0.2238 lbs of force)
Kilograms
KM
Kilometre
KM/H
Kilometre per Hour
kN
KiloNewton measure of force (1,000 Newtons: 1 Newton = 0.2238 lbs of force)
KT
Kiloton (equivalent explosive force of 1,000 tons of TNT)
KTAS
True AirSpeed in Knots
kW
KiloWatt
Kiloton (equivalent explosive force of 1,000 tons of TNT)
KTAS
True AirSpeed in Knots
kW
KiloWatt
LABS
Low Altitude Bombing System
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
Low Altitude Bombing System
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
LT
Lieutenant
LTCOL
Lieutenant Colonel
LTGEN
Lieutenant General
LVTP
Landing Vehicle Tracked Personnel
LZ
Landing Zone
Low Frequency (30 to 300 kHz)
LGB
Laser-Guided Bomb
LO
Low Observables
LPT
Low Profile Turret
LT
Lieutenant
LTCOL
Lieutenant Colonel
LTGEN
Lieutenant General
LVTP
Landing Vehicle Tracked Personnel
LZ
Landing Zone
MACH
Measure of Airspeed (Mach 1 = 1,223 kph/760 mph at sea level
MAD
Magnetic Anomaly Detector
MAJ
Major
MAP
Military Assistance Program
MBT
Main Battle Tank
MFD
Multi-Function Display
MG
Machine Gun
MHQ
Medical History Questionnaire
MIN
Minute(s)
Measure of Airspeed (Mach 1 = 1,223 kph/760 mph at sea level
MAD
Magnetic Anomaly Detector
MAJ
Major
MAP
Military Assistance Program
MBT
Main Battle Tank
MFD
Multi-Function Display
MG
Machine Gun
MHQ
Medical History Questionnaire
MIN
Minute(s)
MLRS
Multiple Launch Rocket System
MM
Millimetre
MMT
Mobile METOC Team
MPC
Multi-Purpose Carrier
MRAV
Multi-Role Armoured Vehicle
MRBM
Medium Range Ballistic Missile
MSIP
Multi-Stage Improvement Program
MTOW
Maximum Take-Off Weight
Multiple Launch Rocket System
MM
Millimetre
MMT
Mobile METOC Team
MPC
Multi-Purpose Carrier
MRAV
Multi-Role Armoured Vehicle
MRBM
Medium Range Ballistic Missile
MSIP
Multi-Stage Improvement Program
MTOW
Maximum Take-Off Weight
NASA
National Aeronautics & Space Administration
NATO
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
NCHRC
National Criminal History Record Check
National Aeronautics & Space Administration
NATO
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
NCHRC
National Criminal History Record Check
NCO
Non-Commissioned Officer
NOK
Next of Kin
Non-Commissioned Officer
NOK
Next of Kin
ODM
One Day Model
OGE
Out of Ground Effect
OPSO
Operations Officer
One Day Model
OGE
Out of Ground Effect
OPSO
Operations Officer
OSB
Officer Selection Board
OTTC
Operational Type Transition Course
Officer Selection Board
OTTC
Operational Type Transition Course
PFA
Physical Fitness Assessment
PFC
Private First Class
PGM
Precision-Guided Munition
Physical Fitness Assessment
PFC
Private First Class
PGM
Precision-Guided Munition
PID
Passive Identification
PTE
Private soldier
PTI
Physical Training Instructor
Passive Identification
PTE
Private soldier
PTI
Physical Training Instructor
QA
Qualified Assessor
Qualified Assessor
QFI
Qualified Flying Instructor
Qualified Flying Instructor
R&D
Research and Development
RAA
Royal Australian Artillery
RAAC
Royal Australian Armoured Corps
RAAOC
Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps
RAAWS
Radar Altimeter and Altitude Warning System
RAM
Radar Absorbing Material
RAST
Recovery Assist, Secure and Traverse system
RATO
Rocket-Assisted Take-Off
RCC
Recognition of Current Competencies
RCS
Radar Cross-Section
RISE
Reliability Improved Selected Equipment
RMC
Royal Military College
RMC-A
Royal Military College of Australia
Research and Development
RAA
Royal Australian Artillery
RAAC
Royal Australian Armoured Corps
RAAOC
Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps
RAAWS
Radar Altimeter and Altitude Warning System
RAM
Radar Absorbing Material
RAST
Recovery Assist, Secure and Traverse system
RATO
Rocket-Assisted Take-Off
RCC
Recognition of Current Competencies
RCS
Radar Cross-Section
RISE
Reliability Improved Selected Equipment
RMC
Royal Military College
RMC-A
Royal Military College of Australia
RMC-D
Royal Military College - Duntroon
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
Royal Military College - Duntroon
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
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
SEP
Systems Enhanced Package
SFPB
Special Forces Panelling Board
SGT
Sergeant
SigInt
Signals Intelligence
SLAR
Side-Looking Airborne Radar
SLEP
Service Life Extension Program
SME
Subject Matter Expert
SMRO
Senior Military Recruiting Officer
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
SEP
Systems Enhanced Package
SFPB
Special Forces Panelling Board
SGT
Sergeant
SigInt
Signals Intelligence
SLAR
Side-Looking Airborne Radar
SLEP
Service Life Extension Program
SME
Subject Matter Expert
SMRO
Senior Military Recruiting Officer
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
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
TA
Training Advisor
TANS
Tactical Air Navigation System
TBO
Time Between Overhauls
TBT
Tank Bridge Transporter
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
Terrain Following Radar
TIALD
Target Identification Airborne Laser Designation
TOW
Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wired-Guided
TSSAM
Tri-Service Stand-off Attack Missile
UAV
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
UHF
Ultra-High Frequency (300MHz to 3 GHz)
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
UHF
Ultra-High Frequency (300MHz to 3 GHz)
UN
United Nations
UNSW
University of NSW
United Nations
UNSW
University of NSW
V/STOL
Vertical or Short Take-Off and Landing
VHF
Very High Frequency (3 to 300MHz)
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
Voice, Throttle and Stick
VTOL
Vertical Take-Off and Landing
WANs
Wide Area Networks
WO
Warrant Officer
Wide Area Networks
WO
Warrant Officer
WO2
Warrant Officer Class 2
WOET
Warrant Officer Electronics Technician
Warrant Officer Class 2
WOET
Warrant Officer Electronics Technician
YOFT
Year One Familiarisation Training (ADFA)
Year One Familiarisation Training (ADFA)
YOU Session
Your Opportunities Unlimited Session
Your Opportunities Unlimited Session