Military Alphabet

The military phonetic alphabet uses 26 code words to represent each letter of the alphabet. The functionality of the Military Phonetic Alphabet is a communication tool for military and civilian people alike, most often used to detail error-free spelling by phone. Other military uses can function as communicating code, slang, or shortcode.

Guide to the Military Phonetic Alphabet

The military alphabet is more accurately known as IRDS (International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet and was developed by the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) to reduce pronunciation discrepancies during oral radio communications. It is the same phonetic alphabet that NATO uses.

Phonetic Alphabet Uses in Military Missions

Because many letters in the English language sound similar—as in, “M” and “N” or “B” and “D”—the Military Phonetic Alphabet is crucial to help service members relay mission status, locations, codes, and other important information. For example, if directions are being issued to “muster at building DMG,” proper use of the Military Phonetic Alphabet would be to say “muster at building Delta-Mike-Golf.”

On a larger scale, clarity in communication during military operations can be the difference between losing a comrade or bringing everyone home. For instance, to successfully convey to its command that the first phase of a mission has been completed, a squadron would report back “Alpha” (the first word in the alphabet), the second phase would be “Bravo” and so on. Likewise, “Oscar Mike” can be used to convey that the team is on the move.

Printable Military Alphabet Charts

• Military Alphabet PDF
• Military Alphabet Image
• Military Alphabet with Pronunciations PDF
• Military Alphabet with Pronunciations Image

Military Alphabet

History of the Military Phonetic Alphabet

Though the first recognized phonetic alphabet was adopted in 1927, the Military Phonetic Alphabet we’ve come to know today didn’t come to fruition until World War II. In 1941, the U.S. adopted the Joint Army/Navy radiotelephony alphabet to standardize communication among all branches of the U.S. military, though many nations used their own versions, and the Royal Air Force adopted a similar alphabet to the U.S.

The system created by the U.S. would later be called Able Baker after the letters “A” and “B.” In 1943, the U.S., U.K., and Australian armed forces modified the Able Baker alphabet to streamline communication between allied nations.

After World War II, the so-called Able Baker alphabet was utilized, but modified, by other nations because sounds found in the alphabet were unique to English speakers. Seeing the need to adopt a universal alphabet that could be used in English, French, Spanish, and other languages, the alphabet was further revised through testing among speakers from 31 nations.

The Military Phonetic Alphabet was finalized in 1957, and is officially called the International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet (IRSA). This alphabet, developed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), is used by both the United States and NATO. Only four words, – Charlie, Mike, Victor, and X-Ray, – are still used from the Able Baker alphabet. The old military alphabet included no longer in use words such as Jig, King, Love and Yoke. The British, during WWI, used terms such as Apples, Pudding and Queenie.

History of The NATO Phonetic Alphabet

Common Military Alphabet Phrases/Slang Terms

11 Bravo – Army Infantry
40 Mike Mike – 40 Millimeter Grenade or M203 Grenade Launcher
Bravo Zulu – Good Job or Well Done
Charlie Foxtrot – Cluster F**k
Charlie Mike – Continue Mission
Echo Tango Sierra – Expiration Term of Service (someone who is about to complete their tour of duty)
Lima Charlie – Loud and Clear
Mikes – Minutes
November Golf – NG or No Go (fail)
Oscar-Mike – On the Move
Tango Mike – Thanks Much
Tango Uniform – Toes Up, meaning killed or destroyed or defective equipment
Tango Yankee – Thank You
Whiskey Charlie – Water Closet (toilet)
Whiskey Pete – White Phosphorus
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot – WTF