• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • By State
  • OCONUS/Overseas
  • Army
  • Air Force
  • Navy
  • Marine Corps
  • Joint Base
  • Reserves
  • Resources
    • Pay & Benefits
      • Military Pay Calculator
      • Military Pay Dates
      • Reserve Military Pay Dates
      • Monthly Housing Allowance Calculator
      • Basic Allowance for Housing Calculator
    • Resources
      • Travel Restrictions Installation Status Update
      • DOD COVID Vaccine Distribution Plan
      • School Search

MilitaryBase.net Logo

Military Alphabet

May 20, 2020 by Heidi

Military Alphabet

The military phonetic alphabet was created to properly exchange communication by radio or telephone. More accurately known as International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet (IRDS), it consists of 26 code words that substitute each letter of the alphabet. 

The phonetic alphabet is often used by military and civilians to communicate error-free spelling or messages over the phone. For example, Alpha for “A”, Bravo for “B”, and Charlie for “C”. Additionally, IRDS can be used to relay military code, slang, or shortcode. For instance, Bravo Zulu meaning “Well Done”.

History of the Military Phonetic Alphabet

The earliest phonetic alphabet was created in 1927 by the International Telecommunication Union. Its codewords consisted of cities across the world: Amsterdam, Baltimore, Casablanca, Denmark, Edison, Florida, Gallipoli, Havana, Italia, Jerusalem, Kilogramme, Liverpool, Madagascar, New York, Oslo, Paris, Quebec, Roma, Santiago, Tripoli, Uppsala, Valencia, Washington, Xanthippe, Yokohama, Zurich.

Its military use wasn’t pertinent until the coming of World War II.

“Able Baker” 

By 1941, the first two radiotelephonic alphabet codes were created: “Able” and “Baker” to represent the first two letters of the alphabet. The Royal Air Force used a radiotelephony system similar to the U.S, but it was clear the Allies needed a streamlined form of communication. 

After criticism for its English-prominent words, Able Baker was modified to incorporate code words with sounds in English, French, and Spanish and later approved by 31 countries. Able Baker was modified several times before established as the universal IRDS during the Cold War in the 1950s. 

IRDS, 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 Military Alphabet

The current military phonetic alphabet with letter characters, telephony, and pronunciation. 

CharacterCode WordPronunciation
AAlphaAL fah
BBravoBRAH voh
CCharlieCHAR lee
DDeltaDEL tah
EEchoEKK oh
FFoxtrotFOKS trot
GGolfGolf
HHotelHO tell
IIndiaIN dee ah
JJulietJEW lee ett
KKiloKEY loh
LLimaLEE mah
MMikeMike
NNovemberNOH vem ber
OOscarOSS car
PPapaPAH pah
QQuebeckeh BECK
RRomeoROW me oh
SSierrasee AIR ah
TTangoTANG go
UUniformYOU nee form
VVictorVIK ter
WWhiskeyWISS key
XX-RayEKS ray
YYankeeYANG kee
ZZuluZOO loo

Common Military Alphabet Phrases

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

Tango Yankee – Thank You

Whiskey Charlie – Water Closet (toilet)

Whiskey Pete – White Phosphorus

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot – WTF

Filed Under: Resources

Primary Sidebar

Categories

Military Bases

  • US Army Cadet Command 7th Brigade
  • Travel Restrictions Installation Status Update
  • US Army Recruiting Atlanta Battalion
  • 2021 Reserve Military Pay Dates
  • 2021 Military Pay Dates
  • 2021 Military Pay Calculator
  • DOD COVID Vaccine Distribution Plan
  • US Army Cadet Command Third Brigade
  • Basic Allowance for Housing Calculator
  • Dover Air Force Base
  • Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) Calculator
  • USAREC Great Lakes Battalion
  • USAREC Chicago Battalion
  • Holloman Air Force Base
  • US Army Recruiting Nashville Battalion
  • Naval Station Mayport, Florida
  • USAREC New England Battalion
  • Military Bases by State
  • USAREC Kansas City Battalion
  • USAREC Denver Battalion
  • Fort Belvoir, Virginia
  • Edwards Air Force Base
  • USAREC Harrisburg Battalion
  • Naval Support Activity Panama City
  • US Army Cadet Command 1st Brigade, Fort Knox
MilitaryBase.net · About · Contact Us · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Copyright © 2021
Disclaimer: This is a private website that is NOT affiliated with the U.S. government, U.S. Armed Forces or Department of Veteran Affairs. U.S. government agencies have not reviewed this information. This site contains information about GI Bill benefits, VA loans, news and services for military veterans and is not connected with any government agency. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). If you would like to find more information about benefits offered by Veteran Affairs, visit the official site for veterans benefits at Veterans Affairs. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.