The United States Navy, like any organization, produces its own acronyms and abbreviations, which often come to have meaning beyond their bare expansions. United States Navy personnel sometimes colloquially refer to these as NAVSpeak. Like other organizational colloquialisms, their use often creates or reinforces a sense of esprit and closeness within the organization.
Official acronyms For a comprehensive list of unit organizations in the United States Navy, see List of units of the United States Navy.
# 1MC – 1 Main Circuit, shipboard public address system 2MC – 2 Main Circuit, same as 1MC, but limited to the engine room 3M – Maintenance and Material Management (3M System) 3MA – Maintenance and Material Management Assistant 3MC – Maintenance and Material Management Coordinator 3MI – Maintenance and Material Management Inspection 5MC – 5 Main Circuit, Carrier Flight Deck address system 27MC – Battle Stations Main Circuit: Control Room, Sonar Room, Radio Room, and Fire Control address system
A A-STRIKE – Assistant STRIKE Operations Officer (Carrier Scheduler/Planner) AA – Airman Apprentice (E-2) AAW – Anti-Air Warfare AB – Aviation Boatswain's Mate ABE – Aviation Boatswain's Mate – Equipment (Launch and Recovery Systems) ABF – Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuels) ABFD – Advanced Base Floating Dry Dock, class/type of ship ABH – Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Aircraft Handling) AC – Air Traffic Controlman ACR – Armored cruiser, class/type of ship AD – Auxiliary, Destroyer Tender, class/type of ship AD – Aviation Machinist's Mate ADCON – Administrative control ADNS – Automated Digital Network System ADSW – Active Duty Special Work (U.S. Navy Reserve, type of active duty orders, typically 6 months in duration) ADT – Active Duty Training (U.S. Navy Reserve, type of active duty orders, typically more than 30 days but less than 6 months) AE – Auxiliary, Explosives, class/type of ship. An ammunition ship. AE – Aviation Electrician's Mate AF – Aviation Photographer's Mate AFC – Aviation Fire Control AFCM – Master Chief Aircraft Maintenanceman AFFF – Aqueous Film Forming Foam AFS – Auxiliary, Fast Stores, class/type of ship. A supply ship that carries a little bit of everything, nicknamed "7-11" AFSB – Afloat Forward Staging Base AG – Aerographer's Mate AIMD – Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (or Detachment) AK – Auxiliary, Cargo, class/type of ship. An attack transport. AK – Aviation Storekeeper (outdated; merged into LS rating) ALNAV – All Navy ALPO – Assistant Lead Petty Officer AM – Aviation Structural Mechanic AME – Aviation Structural Mechanic – Environmental (Air Conditioning, Oxygen, and Ejection Seats), Aviation Mechanical Exception AMH – Aviation Structural Mechanic – Hydraulics AMMRL – Aviation Maintenance Material Readiness List AMO – Assistant Maintenance Officer AMS – Aviation Structural Mechanic – Structures AN – Airman AO – Auxiliary, Fleet Oil, class/type of ship; Aviation Ordnanceman AOE – Auxiliary, Oil, Explosives, class/type of ship. AOR – Auxiliary, Oil, Replenishment, class/type of ship AOW – Auxiliaryman of the Watch API – Aviation Preflight Indoctrination AR – Auxiliary, Repair, class/type of ship. A repair ship AR – Airman Recruit (E-1) ARRS – Afloat Readiness Reporting System ARS – Auxiliary, Repair and Salvage, class/type of ship AS – Auxiliary, Submarine Tender, class/type of ship AS – Aviation Support Equipment Technician ASAU – Air Search and Attack Unit ASR – Auxiliary, Submarine Rescue, class/type of ship ASUW – Anti-Surface Warfare ASVAB – Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery ASW – Auxiliary Seawater system ASW – Anti-Submarine Warfare ASWO – Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer AT – Annual Training (U.S. Navy Reserve, type of active duty orders, typically less than 30 days) AT – Aviation Electronics Technician ATS – Auxiliary, Towing and Salvage, class/type of ship AUTEC – Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center AUXO – Auxiliaries Officer AVCM – Master Chief Avionics Technician AVGAS – Aviation Gasoline AWCS – Assistant Work Center Supervisor AZ – Aviation Maintenance Administrationman
B B/N – Bombardier/Navigator; NFO in A-3B Skywarrior, A-5A Vigilante and A-6 Intruder attack aircraft (no longer used) BAM – Bad Ass Marine ("Broad Ass Marine" if used in reference to a female) BB – Battleship BCD – Bad Conduct Discharge (also colloquially known as "Big Chicken Dinner") BCGs – Birth Control Glasses BCM – Beyond Capable Maintenance. Equipment status that indicates the item cannot be repaired and must be sent out for rework or disposed. BEQ – Bachelor Enlisted Quarters BESS – Basic Enlisted Submarine School BJOQ – Blue Jacket of the Quarter BJOY – Blue Jacket of the Year BLUF – Bottom Line Up Front BM – Boatswain's Mate BMOW – Boatswain's Mate of the Watch BOHICA – Bend Over Here It Comes Again BOL – BUPERS Online BT – Boiler Technician BU – Builder BUDS – Basic Underwater Demolition School BUMED – Bureau of Medicine and Surgery BUPERS – Bureau of Naval Personnel BUSANDA – Bureau of Supplies and Accounts BUWEPS – Bureau of Naval Weapons BZ – Bravo Zulu (meaning well done)
C CA – Construction Apprentice CA – Cruiser, Armoured, class/type of ship. Heavy Cruiser (outdated) CAG – Cruiser, Attack, Guided Missile, class/type of ship. Guided Missile Heavy Cruiser (outdated) CAG – Commander, Air Group CAPT – Captain CBMU – Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit CASCAN – CASREP Cancellation or Cancellation of Casualty Report CASCOR – CASREP Correction or Correction of the Casualty in the Casualty Report CASREP – Casualty Report CC – Cruiser, class/type of ship CCC – Comprehensive Communications Check CDB – Career Development Board CDC – Combat Direction Center (CIC on carriers) CDO – Command Duty Officer CDR – Commander CE – Construction Electrician CEC – Civil Engineer Corps CEC – Cooperative Engagement Capability CED – Current Enlistment Date CENTCOM – U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) CF – Charlie Foxtrot (polite form of "Cluster Fuck") CG – Cruiser, Guided Missile, class/type of ship CGN – Cruiser, Guided Missile, Nuclear, class/type of ship (outdated) CHC – Chief of Chaplains of the United States Navy CHENG – Chief Engineer (surface only) CHMC – Chaplain of the United States Marine Corps (always a Navy flag officer) CIC – Combat Information Center CICO – Combat Information Center Officer CIS – CASREP Information System CIVLANT – "Civilian Life" as defined by Atlantic Fleet personnel CIVPAC – "Civilian Life" as defined by Pacific Fleet personnel CIWS – Close-In Weapon System CM – Construction Mechanic CMC – Commandant of the Marine Corps or Chaplain of the Marine Corps or Command Master Chief CMDCM – Command Master Chief CMDCS – Command Senior Chief CMS-ID – Career Management System-Interactive Detailing CN – Constructionman CNATRA – Chief of Naval Air Training CNAVRES – Chief of Navy Reserve CNET – Command Naval Education and Training CNIC – Commander, Navy Installations Command CNO – Chief of Naval Operations CO – Commanding OfficerNot confined to USN use. COB – Chief of the Boat (traditionally found only on submarines; pronounced "cob"). Can also be used for "close of business" (pronounced "C-O-B"). COD – Carrier Onboard Delivery COMCVW – Commander, Carrier Air Wing COMDESGRU – Commander, Destroyer Group COMDESRON – Commander, Destroyer Squadron COMEX – Commence Exercise COMLANTFLT – Commander, U.S. Atlantic Fleet COMMO – Communications Officer COMNAVAIRES – Commander, Naval Air Force, Reserve COMNAVAIRFOR (also CNAF) – Commander, Naval Air Forces COMNAVAIRLANT (also CNAL) – Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic COMNAVAIRPAC – Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific COMNAVRESFOR – Commander, Navy Reserve Forces COMNAVSEASYSCOM – Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command COMNAVSECGRU – Commander, Naval Security Group COMPACFLT – Commander, Pacific Fleet (formerly CINCPACFLT) COMPATRECONGRU – Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group COMPATRECONWING – Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing COMPTUEX – Composite Training Unit Exercise COMSEC – Communications Security COMSUBFOR – Commander, Submarine Forces COMSUBLANT – Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic COMSUBPAC – Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet COMTACGRU – Commander, Tactical Air Control Group COMTRAWING – Commander, Training Air Wing CORTRAMID – Career Orientation and Training for Midshipmen COS (also CoS) – Flag Officer's Chief of Staff CPO – Chief Petty Officer CPOM – Chief Petty Officer's Mess CR – Construction Recruit CRG – Coastal Riverine Group CS – Culinary Specialist CSADD – Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions CSC – Combat Systems Coordinator CSC – Command Senior Chief CSC – Culinary Specialist Chief (E-7) CSEC – Computerized Self Evaluation Checklist CSMC – Combat Systems Maintenance Center CSOOW – Combat Systems Officer of the Watch CSOSS – Combat Systems Operational Sequencing Systems CT – Cryptologic Technician CTA – Cryptologic Technician, Administrative (now-defunct, merged with yeoman) CTI – Cryptologic Technician, Interpretive CTM – Cryptologic Technician, Maintenance CTN – Cryptologic Technician, Networks CTO – Cryptologic Technician, Communications CTR – Cryptologic Technician, Collection CTT – Cryptologic Technician, Technical CV – Aircraft Carrier, class/type of ship CVA – Aircraft Carrier, Attack, class/type of ship CVAN – Aircraft Carrier, Attack, Nuclear, class/type of ship CVN – Aircraft Carrier, Nuclear, class/type of ship CVW – Carrier Air Wing CWO – Chief Warrant Officer
D • D1-R – 3M periodicity code or a shower (slang for daily, once, or as required)
DAPA – Drug and Alcohol Programs Advisor DC – Damage Controlman DC – Dental Corps DCA – Damage Control Assistant DCAG – Deputy Air Wing Commander (see CAG) DCC – Damage Control Central DCO – Damage Control Officer (Chief Engineer) or Direct Commission Officer DCPO – Damage Control Petty Officer DD – Destroyer DDG – Guided Missile Destroyer DDR – Radar Picket Destroyer DE – Destroyer Escort DESDIV – Destroyer Division DESRON – Destroyer Squadron DEVGRU – Naval Special Warfare Development Group, formerly (and informally still) SEAL Team SIX DFM – Diesel Fuel Marine (F-76), standard Navy bunker fuel DILLIGAF – Does It Look Like I Give A Flip(uck), standard Navy slang DIRNSA – Director of the National Security Agency DL – Destroyer Leader (outdated) DLG – Guided Missile Destroyer Leader (outdated) DLGN – Nuclear-powered Guided Missile Destroyer Leader (outdated) DM – Destroyer Minelayer (outdated) DM – Illustrator Draftsman DMHRSi – Defense Medical Human Resources System – internet DOD (also DoD) – Department of Defense DoN – Department of the Navy DRB – Discipline Review Board DRRS-N – Defense Readiness Reporting System – Navy DS – Data Systems Technician DSG – Defense Strategic Guidance DVS – Department of Veterans Services, usually administered by each state
E EAOS – End of Active Obligated Service EAWS – Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist ECRC – Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center EDMC – Engineering Department Master Chief (Submarines) EDO – Engineering Duty Officer EEBD – Emergency Escape Breathing Device EIDWS – Enlisted Information Dominance Warfare Specialist EISM-Electronic Information Security Manager ELECTRO - Electrical Officer EM – Electrician's Mate EM – Emergency Management EMCON – Emissions Control EMI – Extra Military Instruction EMN – Electrician's Mate, Nuclear Field EMO – Electronics Material Officer EN – Engineman ENS – Ensign EO – Equipment Operator EOD – Explosive Ordnance Disposal EOOW – Engineering Officer of the Watch EOS – Enclosed Operating Space EOSS – Engineering Operational Sequencing Systems ERS – Engineroom Supervisor ESWS – Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist ET – Electronics Technician