AF101 · Lesson 140 of 142
Acronyms and Terminology
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The Air Force runs on acronyms. You will not learn them all at once, and that is fine. This is a reference you can come back to. The ones below are the terms you are most likely to hear early in your career.
Joining and Training Pipeline
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| MEPS | Military Entrance Processing Station, where you qualify and swear in |
| ASVAB | Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, the qualification test |
| DEP | Delayed Enlistment Program, the wait between signing and shipping |
| BMT | Basic Military Training, at JBSA-Lackland |
| MTI | Military Training Instructor, your BMT instructor |
| MTL | Military Training Leader |
| AFSC | Air Force Specialty Code, your job |
| Tech School | Technical Training, job training after BMT |
| FTAC | First Term Airman Center, in-processing at your first base |
| PCS | Permanent Change of Station, a move to a new assignment |
| TDY | Temporary Duty, a short assignment away from home station |
Rank and Organization
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| NCO | Noncommissioned Officer (E-5 and E-6) |
| SNCO | Senior Noncommissioned Officer (E-7 to E-9) |
| WO / CW | Warrant Officer (W-1) / Chief Warrant Officer (W-2 to W-5), technical specialists reintroduced in 2024 for IT and cyber |
| CMSAF | Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force |
| CC | Commander |
| CCM | Command Chief Master Sergeant |
| Shirt | First Sergeant |
| MAJCOM | Major Command |
| AETC | Air Education and Training Command |
| AMC | Air Mobility Command |
| ACC | Air Combat Command |
| AFGSC | Air Force Global Strike Command |
| PACAF | Pacific Air Forces |
| USAFE | U.S. Air Forces in Europe |
Pay and Benefits
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| BAH | Basic Allowance for Housing |
| BAS | Basic Allowance for Subsistence (food) |
| LES | Leave and Earnings Statement, your pay stub |
| TSP | Thrift Savings Plan, military retirement investing |
| SGLI | Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance |
| TA | Tuition Assistance |
| GI Bill | Education benefit for tuition, housing, and books |
| CCAF | Community College of the Air Force |
| AF COOL | Air Force Credentialing Opportunities On-Line |
| TRICARE | Military health care |
| VA | Department of Veterans Affairs |
| BX / PX | Base Exchange / Post Exchange, the on-base store |
| DFAS | Defense Finance and Accounting Service |
Career and Conduct
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| EPB | Enlisted Performance Brief, your annual evaluation |
| PME | Professional Military Education |
| ALS | Airman Leadership School, the first level of PME |
| WAPS | Weighted Airman Promotion System |
| PT | Physical Training, also the fitness test |
| PFA / PFRA | Physical Fitness Assessment, renamed the Physical Fitness Readiness Assessment with the 2026 overhaul |
| HAMR | High Aerobic Multi-shuttle Run, the 20-meter shuttle-run alternative to the 2-mile run |
| UCMJ | Uniform Code of Military Justice |
| LOR | Letter of Reprimand |
| UIF | Unfavorable Information File |
Daily Life and Common Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| OCP | Operational Camouflage Pattern, the everyday combat uniform |
| DFAC | Dining Facility, the chow hall |
| Dorms | On-base housing for single junior Airmen |
| Wingman | The Airman who has your back, and the culture of looking out for each other |
| SARC | Sexual Assault Response Coordinator |
| MFLC | Military and Family Life Counselor |
| Roger / Copy | Understood |
| Zero-dark-thirty | Very early, before dawn |
For a more complete list, download the Acronym and Terminology Guide attached to this module.
