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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
AAFC
Australian Air Force Cadets
AAM
Air-to-Air Missile
ABM
Anti-Ballistic Missile
ACM
Air Combat Manoeuvring
ACMI
Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation
ACMR
Air Combat Manoeuvring Range
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
Air-to-Air
AAA
Anti Aircraft Artillery
AAFC
Australian Air Force Cadets
AAM
Air-to-Air Missile
ABM
Anti-Ballistic Missile
ACM
Air Combat Manoeuvring
ACMI
Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation
ACMR
Air Combat Manoeuvring Range
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
AEW
Air Early Warning
AEW&C
Air Early Warning & Control
AF
Air Force
ALBM
Air Launched Ballistic Missile
ALCM
Air Launched Cruise Missile
AMET
Academy Military Education and Training
APU
Auxilliary Power Unit
ASIO
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
ASM
Air-to-Surface Missile
ASPJ
Airborne Self-Protection Jammer
ASRAAM
Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile
ASTOVL
Advanced Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing
ATCO
Air Traffic Control Officer
AUW
All Up Weight
Air Early Warning
AEW&C
Air Early Warning & Control
AF
Air Force
ALBM
Air Launched Ballistic Missile
ALCM
Air Launched Cruise Missile
AMET
Academy Military Education and Training
APU
Auxilliary Power Unit
ASIO
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
ASM
Air-to-Surface Missile
ASPJ
Airborne Self-Protection Jammer
ASRAAM
Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile
ASTOVL
Advanced Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing
ATCO
Air Traffic Control Officer
AUW
All Up Weight
BMI
Body Mass Index
Bsc
Bachelor of Science (Bsc)
Btech
Bachelor of Technology
BA
Bachelor of Arts
Body Mass Index
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 Business
BE
Bachelor of Engineering
BFA
Basic Fitness Assessment
CAF
Chief of Air Force
CBRND
Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Defence
CC
Careers Coach
CDAT
Clearance Divers Acceptance Test
CDF
Chief of the Defence Force
CMA
Career Management Agency
Chief of Air Force
CBRND
Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Defence
CC
Careers Coach
CDAT
Clearance Divers Acceptance Test
CDF
Chief of the Defence Force
CMA
Career Management Agency
CMO
Chief Medical Officer
CO
Commanding Officer
COIN
Counter Intelligence
CP
Colour Perception
CRMC
Customer Relationship Management Centre
Chief Medical Officer
CO
Commanding Officer
COIN
Counter Intelligence
CP
Colour Perception
CRMC
Customer Relationship Management Centre
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
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
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
EOD
Explosive Ordnance Disposal
ESM
Electronic Support Measures
ESP
Enhanced Selection Process
ESPS
Employer Support Payment Scheme
EW
Electronic Warfare
Explosive Ordnance Disposal
ESM
Electronic Support Measures
ESP
Enhanced Selection Process
ESPS
Employer Support Payment Scheme
EW
Electronic Warfare
FAC
Forward Air Control / Forward Air Controller
FAE
Fuel Air Explosives
FBE
Fleet Base East
FBW
Fleet Base West
FLIR
Forward Looking Infrared
Forward Air Control / Forward Air Controller
FAE
Fuel Air Explosives
FBE
Fleet Base East
FBW
Fleet Base West
FLIR
Forward Looking Infrared
Fly-by-Wire
Flight control systems with electronic signalling
FSP
Flight Screening Program
FV
Flying Vehicle
Flight control systems with electronic signalling
FSP
Flight Screening Program
FV
Flying Vehicle
GCI
Ground-Controlled Intercept
GE
General Entry
Ground-Controlled Intercept
GE
General Entry
GPS
Global Positioning System
GTC
Group Training Company
Global Positioning System
GTC
Group Training Company
HE
High Explosive
HECS
Higher Education Contribution Scheme
High Explosive
HECS
Higher Education Contribution Scheme
HP
HorsePower
HQ
Headquarter(s)
HorsePower
HQ
Headquarter(s)
IADS
Integrated Air Defence System
IAS
Indicated Airspeed Shown
IET
Initial Employment Training
IFA
Initial Fitness Assessment
IFF
Identification Friend or Foe
ILS
Integrated Logistics Support
IMPS
Initial Minimum Period of Service
IO
Independent Observer
IOC
Initial Operation Capability
Integrated Air Defence System
IAS
Indicated Airspeed Shown
IET
Initial Employment Training
IFA
Initial Fitness Assessment
IFF
Identification Friend or Foe
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 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)
Knot
Aviation and maritime unit of velocity
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
Kiloton (equivalent explosive force of 1,000 tons of TNT)
Kt/Kts
Knot(s)
KTAS
True AirSpeed in Knots
kW
KiloWatt
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
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
LCD
Liquid Crystal Display
LF
Low Frequency (30 to 300 kHz)
LGB
Laser-Guided Bomb
LO
Low Observables
LRMPA
Landing Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft
LZ
Landing Zone
Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System
LCD
Liquid Crystal Display
LF
Low Frequency (30 to 300 kHz)
LGB
Laser-Guided Bomb
LO
Low Observables
LRMPA
Landing Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft
LZ
Landing Zone
MACH
Measure of Airspeed (Mach 1 = 1,223 kph/760 mph at sea level)
MAD
Magnetic Anomaly Detector
MAP
Military Assistance Program
MFD
Multi-Function Display
MHQ
Medical History Questionnaire
MIN
Minute(s)
Measure of Airspeed (Mach 1 = 1,223 kph/760 mph at sea level)
MAD
Magnetic Anomaly Detector
MAP
Military Assistance Program
MFD
Multi-Function Display
MHQ
Medical History Questionnaire
MIN
Minute(s)
MM
Millimetre
MPA
Maritime Patrol Aircraft
MPC
Multi-Purpose Carrier
MR
Maritime Reconnaissance
MRBM
Medium Range Ballistic Missile
MSIP
Multi-Stage Improvement Program
MTOW
Maximum Take-Off Weight
Millimetre
MPA
Maritime Patrol Aircraft
MPC
Multi-Purpose Carrier
MR
Maritime Reconnaissance
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
Nautical Mile
Measurement of distance
NCHRC
National Criminal History Record Check
National Aeronautics & Space Administration
NATO
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
Nautical Mile
Measurement of distance
NCHRC
National Criminal History Record Check
NCO
Non-Commissioned Officer
NM
Nautical Mile
NOK
Next of Kin
Non-Commissioned Officer
NM
Nautical Mile
NOK
Next of Kin
ODM
One Day Model
OPSO
Operations Officer
OTS
Officers' Training School
One Day Model
OPSO
Operations Officer
OTS
Officers' Training School
OSB
Officer Selection Board
OTTC
Operational Type Transition Course
Officer Selection Board
OTTC
Operational Type Transition Course
PAF
Permanent Air Force
PFA
Physical Fitness Assessment
PGM
Precision-Guided Munition
Permanent Air Force
PFA
Physical Fitness Assessment
PGM
Precision-Guided Munition
PID
Passive Identification
PTI
Physical Training Instructor
Passive Identification
PTI
Physical Training Instructor
QA
Qualified Assessor
Qualified Assessor
QFI
Qualified Flying Instructor
Qualified Flying Instructor
R&D
Research and Development
RAAF
Royal Australian Air Force
RAAFAR
Royal Australian Air Force Active Reserve
RAAWS
Radar Altimeter and Altitude Warning System
RAM
Radar Absorbing Material
RCC
Recognition of Current Competencies
RCS
Radar Cross-Section
Recce
Reconnaissance
RISE
Reliability Improved Selected Equipment
RNZAF
Royal New Zealand Air Force
RO
Recognition Officer
Research and Development
RAAF
Royal Australian Air Force
RAAFAR
Royal Australian Air Force Active Reserve
RAAWS
Radar Altimeter and Altitude Warning System
RAM
Radar Absorbing Material
RCC
Recognition of Current Competencies
RCS
Radar Cross-Section
Recce
Reconnaissance
RISE
Reliability Improved Selected Equipment
RNZAF
Royal New Zealand Air Force
RO
Recognition Officer
ROA
Record of Attainment
ROE
Rules of Engagement
ROSO
Return of Service Obligation
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
Record of Attainment
ROE
Rules of Engagement
ROSO
Return of Service Obligation
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
SAM
Surface-to-Air Missile
SAR
Search And Rescue
SAS
Special Air Service
SENSO
Sensor Operator
SEP
Systems Enhanced Package
SFPB
Special Forces Panelling Board
SigInt
Signals Intelligence
SLAR
Side-Looking Airborne Radar
SLEP
Service Life Extension Program
SME
Subject Matter Expert
Surface-to-Air
SAM
Surface-to-Air Missile
SAR
Search And Rescue
SAS
Special Air Service
SENSO
Sensor Operator
SEP
Systems Enhanced Package
SFPB
Special Forces Panelling Board
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
SP
Self-Propelled
SPAAG
Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun
SPG
Self-Propelled Gun
SSM
Surface-to-Surface Missile
SST
Single Service Training
STO
Short Take-Off
STOL
Short Take-Off and Landing
STOVL
Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing
Senior Military Recruiting Officer
SNCO
Senior Non-Commissioned Officer
SP
Self-Propelled
SPAAG
Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun
SPG
Self-Propelled Gun
SSM
Surface-to-Surface Missile
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
TFR
Terrain Following Radar
Training Advisor
TANS
Tactical Air Navigation System
TBO
Time Between Overhauls
TFR
Terrain Following Radar
TIALD
Target Identification Airborne Laser Designation
TOW
Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wired-Guided
TSSAM
Tri-Service Stand-off Attack Missile
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)
VTOL
Vertical Take-Off and Landing
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