Abbreviations
List of standard military abbreviations that may be used on this site (and elsewhere).
We apologise for any ommissions - it is always difficult to include everything in such a list.
| A | Acting | |
| A | Assistant | |
| A.A. | Anti Aircraft | |
| AAAW | Advanced Anti-Armour Weapon | |
| AAC | Army Air Corps | |
| AA COLL | Army Apprentice College | |
| AAHC | Army Auxiliary Horse Company | |
| AAI | Allied Army Italy | |
| A.A.M.C. | Australian Army Medcal Corps | |
| AAR | Air to Air Refuelling | |
| AARR | Airborne Armoured Recconaissance Regiment | |
| AAS | Army Apprentice School | |
| AATDC | Army Airborne Transport Development Centre | |
| AATS | Anti Aircraft Training Centre | |
| AAW | Anti-Air Warfare | |
| AB | Airborne | |
| A.B. | Army Book | |
| ABC | Armoured Brigade Company (RASC) | |
| ABLE | Automotive Bridge Launching Equipment | |
| ABOD | Advanced Base Ordnance Depot (India) | |
| ABS | Army Board Secretariat | |
| ABSD | Army Blood Supply Depot (RAMC) | |
| ac | Aircraft | |
| AC | Army Contracts | |
| ACC | Army Catering Corps | |
| ACC | Armoured Car Company (RAC) | |
| ACCS | Air Control and Command Systems | |
| accn | Accommodation | |
| ACE | Allied Command Europe | |
| ACEP | Army Communications Equipment Production | |
| A.C.I. | Army Council Instruction | |
| A.C.D. | Army Chaplain's Department | |
| ACLANT | Allied Command North Atlantic | |
| ACOS | Assistant Chief of Staff | |
| ACP | Air Composible Platoon (RASC) | |
| ACV | Armoured Command Vehicle | |
| A.CYC.CORPS | Army Cyclist Corps | |
| AD | Air Defence | |
| AD | Air Dispatch | |
| AD | Army Department | |
| AD | Air Dispatch | |
| AD | Armoured Division | |
| AD | Army Department | |
| AD | Assistant Director | |
| ADA | Air Defended Area | |
| ADAD | Air Defence Alerting Device | |
| ADC | Aide-de-Camp | |
| A.D.G.M.S. | Assistant General Director of Medical Services | |
| Adjt | Adjutant | |
| admin | Administration | |
| admin O | Administrative Order | |
| ADMS | Assistant Director of Medical Services | |
| ADP | Automatic Data-Processing | |
| ADR | Airfield Damage Repair | |
| ADS | Army Dental Service | |
| ADST | Assistant Director of Supply and Transport | |
| ADT | Armoured Division Troops | |
| AE | Army Equipment | |
| AEC | Army Education Corps | |
| AEC | Army Educational Company | |
| AEDN | Army Education | |
| AER | Army Emergency Reserve | |
| AEW | Airborne Early Warning | |
| A.F. | Army Form | |
| AFCENT | Allied Forces Central European Theatre | |
| AFD | Airborne Forces Depot | |
| AFNORTHWEST | Allied Forces Northwestern Europe | |
| AFPD | Army Forms and Publications Depot | |
| AFS | Air Formation Signals | |
| AFSOUTH | Allied Forces Southern Europe | |
| AFV | Armoured Fighting Vehicle | |
| AFW | Army Field Workshops | |
| AG | Adjutant General | |
| AGB | Adjutant General's Base | |
| AGC | Adjutant General's Corps | |
| AGDU | Army Guard Dog Unit | |
| AGR | Army General Reserve | |
| A.G.R.A. | Army Group Royal Artillery | |
| A.GYM.ST. | Army Gymnastic Staff | |
| AH | Army Health | |
| AHC | Army Hospital Corps | |
| AHQ | Air Headquarters | |
| AIFV | Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle | |
| AIO | Army Intelligence Officer | |
| AIRCENT | Allied Air Forces Central Europe | |
| AIRLINE COY. | Airline Company (RE Unit specialising in overhead cables) | |
| Airmob | Airmobile | |
| AJT | Advanced Jet Trainer | |
| AKC | Army Kinema Corporation | |
| A/L | Air Landing | |
| ALARM | Air-Launched Anti-Radiation Missile | |
| A L/CPL | Acting Lance Corporal | |
| ALFN | Allied Land Forces Norway | |
| ALS | Army Legal Services | |
| AM | Airbus Military | |
| AMC | Airodrome Maintenance Company (RE) | |
| AMC | Army Medical Corps | |
| AM COL | Amunition Column | |
| AMCU | Anti Malarial Control Unit | |
| AMF(L) | Allied Mobile Force (Land Element) | |
| A.M.O. | Administrative Medical Officer | |
| AMRAAM | Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile | |
| A.MULE DEPOT | Army Mule Depot | |
| A.M.P.C. | Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps | |
| AMS | Army Medical Services | |
| ANGLS | Autonomous Navigation And Gun Laying System | |
| ANS | Army Nursing Services | |
| AOC | Air Officer Commanding | |
| A.O.C. | Army Ordnance Corps | |
| A.O.D. | Army Ordnance Department | |
| A.O.D. | Advanced Ordnance Depot | |
| AORE | Army Operational Research Establishment | |
| AOSR | Army Operational Science and Research | |
| AP | Armour-Piercing/Ammunition Point/Air Publication | |
| APC | Armoured Personnel Carrier | |
| A.P.C. | Army Pay Corps | |
| A.P.D. | Army Pay Department | |
| APDS | Armour-Piercing Discarding Sabot | |
| APL | Army Pioneers and Labour | |
| APO | Army Post Office | |
| APS | Auto Pointing System | |
| APS | Army Printing and Stationery Services | |
| A.P.T.C. | Army Physical Training Corps | |
| AR | Army Recruiting | |
| ARBS | Angle Rate Bombing System | |
| ARMD | Armoured | |
| ARMR | Armour | |
| ARRC | Allied Rapid Reaction Corps | |
| ARRF | Allied Rapid Reaction Forces | |
| ARTY | Artillery | |
| ARV | Armoured Recovery Vehicle | |
| ASACS | Air Surveillance & Control System | |
| A.S.C. | Army Service Corps | |
| A.S.C. | Army Selection Centre | |
| ASCB | Army Sport Control Board | |
| ASD | Army Staff Duties | |
| A.SGT | Acting Seargeant | |
| ASRAAM | Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile | |
| A. & S.H. | Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders | |
| AS of FH | Army School of Field Hygiene | |
| ASTOVL | Advanced Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing | |
| A SURG | Army Surgeon | |
| ASW | Anti-Submarine Warning | |
| AT | Army Training | |
| ATAF | Allied Tactical Air Force | |
| ATC | Army Training Centre | |
| ATC | Army Troops Company | |
| A.T. COY. | Army Troops Company (RE) | |
| ATGW | Anti-Tank Guided Weapon | |
| ATM | Acquisition Training Missiles | |
| ATS | Auxiliary Territorial Service | |
| att | Attached | |
| ATWM | Army Transition to War Measure | |
| AUR | All-up-Round | |
| AVC | Army Veterinary Corps | |
| AVLB | Armoured Vehicle Launched Bridge | |
| AVRS | Army Veterinary and Remount Services | |
| AW | Artisan Works (RE) | |
| AWC | Air Warfare Centre | |
| A.W.O.CL.1. | Acting Warrant Officer Class 1 | |
| AWOL | Absent without Leave | |
| AWRE | Atomic Weapons Research Establishment | |
| AYR. YEO. | Ayshire Yeomanry | |
| BACCS | Backbone Air Command and Control System | |
| B.A.F.S.V. | British Armed Forces Special Vouchers | |
| BALTAPd | Baltic Approaches | |
| BANU | British Army News unit | |
| BAPO | British Army Post Office (RE) | |
| B.A.O.R. | British Army of the Rhine (post WW2) | |
| B.A.R. | British Army of the Rhine (post WW1) | |
| BC | Battery Commander | |
| BC | Battle Casuality | |
| BCD | Biological and Chemical Defence | |
| BCOF | British Commonwealth Occupation Force (Japan) | |
| BD | Base Depot | |
| BD | Biological Defence | |
| BD | Bomb Disposal | |
| BDC | Bomb Disposal Company | |
| BDE | Brigade | |
| BDR | Bombadier - Royal Artillery Rank of Corporal | |
| BDS | Bomb Disposal Section (RE) | |
| BDSM | Bandsman | |
| BE | Belgium (Belgian) | |
| BEDF. R. | Bedfordshire Regiment | |
| BEDF. YEO. | Bedfordshire Yeomanry | |
| BEF | British Expeditionary Force | |
| BETFOR | British Element Trieste Force | |
| BFAP | British Forces Aden Protectorate | |
| B.F.B.S.G. | British Forces Broadcasting Service | |
| B.F.E.S. | British Families' Education Service | |
| BFG | British Forces Germany | |
| B.F.N. | British Forces Network | |
| BFPO | British Forces Post Office | |
| BG | Battlegroup | |
| BGHQ | Battlegroup Headquarters | |
| BGTI | Battlegroup Themal Imaging | |
| BICS | Battlefield Information Control System | |
| BiH | Bosnia Herzogovina | |
| BK | Battery Captain | |
| BLA | British Liberation Army | |
| BLD | Battlefield and Land Digitisation | |
| B/M | Bugle Major | |
| BMA | Battery Manoeuvre Area | |
| BMEWS | Ballistic Missile Early Warning System | |
| BMH | British Military Hospital | |
| BMS | Battle (field) Management System | |
| Bn | Battalion | |
| BNAF | British North Africa Force | |
| BOD | Base Ordnance Depot | |
| BORD. R. | Border Regiment | |
| BPTC | Bulk Petrol Transport Company (RASC) | |
| B.Q.M.S. | Battery Quarter Master Sergeant | |
| BRC | Base Reinforcement Camp | |
| B.R.C.S. | British Red Cross Society | |
| Brig. (post 1922?) | Brigadier | |
| Brig.Gen. (pre 1922?) | Brigadier General | |
| BR.W.I.R. | British West Indies Regiment | |
| BSD | Base Supply Depot (RASC) | |
| BSM | Battery Sergeant Major | |
| BTA | British Troops Austria | |
| Bttn. | Battalion | |
| BTU | Blood Transfusion Unit (RAMC) | |
| Bty | Battery | |
| BUCKS. YEO. | Buckinghamshire Yeomanry | |
| B.W.I.R. | British West Indies Regiment | |
| C3I | Command, Control, Communications & Intelligence | |
| CA | Civil Affairs | |
| CAD | Central Ammunition Depot | |
| cam | Camouflaged | |
| CAMB. R. | Cambridgeshire Regiment | |
| CAMC | Canadian Army Medical Corps | |
| CAMN, HIGHS. | Cameron Highlanders | |
| CAP | Combat Air Patrol | |
| CAPT. | Captain | |
| cas | Casualty | |
| CAS | CCoastal Artillery School | |
| CASEVAC | Casualty Evacuation | |
| CASOM | Conventional Attack Stand-Off Missile | |
| CASTOR | Corps Airborne Stand-Off Radar | |
| cat | Catering | |
| CATO | Civilian Air Traffic Operation | |
| CATS | Combined Aerial Target Service | |
| CAV | Cavalry | |
| CAV. BDE. | Cavalry Brigade | |
| CBO | Counter battery Officer | |
| CCF | Combined Cadet Force | |
| C.C.G. (B.E.) | Control Commission Germany (British Element) | |
| CCM | Counter Countermeasure | |
| CCP | Casualty Collecting Point | |
| CCS | Casualty Clearing Station | |
| Cdo | Commando | |
| CDS | Chief of the Defence Staff | |
| CE | Chief Engineer (RE) | |
| CEP | Central Engineer Park | |
| CEP | Circular Error Probable | |
| CEPO | Civillian Establishment and Pay Officer | |
| CEPS | Central European Pipeline System | |
| CET | Combat Engineer Tractor | |
| CFA | Cavalry Field Ambulance | |
| CFN | Craftsman (REME rank of Private) | |
| C.F.W.W. | Council of Voluntary War Workers | |
| CG | Chaplain General | |
| C. GDS. | Coldstream Guards | |
| CGRM | Commander General Royal Marines | |
| CGS | Chief of the General Staff | |
| CHARRV | Challenger Armoured Repair & Recovery Vehicle | |
| CHARRV TRL | Challenger Armoured Repair & Recovery Vehicle Trailer | |
| CHES. R. | Cheshire Regiment | |
| CHES. YEO. | Cheshire Yeomanry | |
| CHT | Corps of Horse Transport (prefix used in ASC) | |
| C. of HRS. | Corps of Husars | |
| CIC | Civillian Internment Camp | |
| CIC | Commander-in-Chief | |
| CIC | Cookery Instruction Centre | |
| CID | Combat Indentification | |
| CIMIC | Civil Military Cooperation | |
| CinC | Commander-in-Chief | |
| CINCENT | Commander-in-Chief Central European Theatre | |
| CINCUKAIR | Commander-in-Chief UK Air | |
| CIS | Communication Information Systems | |
| civ | Civilian | |
| CJO | Chief of Joint Operations | |
| CJRDFO | Chief of the Joint Rapid Deployment Force Operations | |
| CL. YEO. | City of London Yeomanry | |
| C. of LOND. YEO. | City of London Yeomanry | |
| C.M.A. | Corps of Military Accountants | |
| Cmdt | Commandant | |
| CMF | Central Mediterranean Force | |
| CMP | Corps of Military Police | |
| CMS(AD) | Civillian Medical Services (Army Department) | |
| CMT | Corps of Mechanical Transport (old ASC prefix) | |
| CO | Commanding Officer | |
| C. of A.S. | Corps of Army Schoolmasters | |
| COD | Central Ordnance Depot | |
| COBRA | Counter Battery Radar | |
| Col. | Colonel | |
| Col GS | Colonel General Staff | |
| CO. of LOND. YEO. | County of London Yeomanry | |
| C. of LRS. | Corps of Lancers | |
| ComBAT | Common Battlefield Application Toolset | |
| Comd | Command | |
| Comd | Commander | |
| Comdt | Commandant | |
| Comms Z | Communications Zone | |
| comp rat | Composite Ration (Compo) | |
| COMRFA | Commander Royal Fleet Auxiliary | |
| COMSEC | Command Secretary | |
| COMSEN | Communications Centre | |
| COMSFOR | Commander SFOR | |
| CONN. RANG. | Connaught Rangers | |
| coord | Coordinate | |
| COS | Chief of Staff | |
| coy | Company | |
| CP | Close Protection/Command Post | |
| Cpl | Corporal | |
| CPO | Command Pay Office/Chief Petty Officer | |
| CQMS | Company Quartermaster Sergeant | |
| CRC | Control Reporting Centre | |
| CR | Coastal Regiment (RA) | |
| C.R.E. | Commander Royal Engineer | |
| CRP | Control Reporting Point | |
| CRU | Civil Resettlement Unit | |
| CSABM | Collaborative System for Air Battlespace Management | |
| CSDIC | Combined Services Detail Interrogation Centre | |
| CSDU | Central Salvage Depot Unit | |
| CSEU | Combined Services Entertainment Unit | |
| C.Sgt. | Colour Sergeant | |
| C.S.M. | Company Sergeant Major | |
| CSR(A) | Chief Superintendent of Ranges (Army) | |
| C Sups | Combat Supplies | |
| CSVH | Combat Support Vehicle Heavy | |
| CSVL | Combat Support Vehicle Heavy | |
| CT | Clothing and Textiles | |
| CTBA | Ceased to be Attached | |
| CTBE | Ceased to be Entitled | |
| CTC | Cavalry Tank Corps | |
| CTOL | Conventional Take-Off and Landing | |
| CTTO | Central Trials and Tactics Organisation | |
| CUP | Capability Upgrade Period | |
| CV | Combat Vehicle | |
| CVD | Central Vehicle Depot | |
| CVR(T) | Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance Tracked | |
| CVR (W) | Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance Wheeled | |
| CW | Chemical Warfare | |
| D&D | Devon and Dorset Regiment | |
| D&T | Development and Training | |
| DAA | Divisional Administrative Area | |
| D.A.C. | Divisional Ammunition Column | |
| DADAW | Deputy Assistant Director of Army Welfare | |
| DADMS | Deputy Assistant Director of Army Medical Services | |
| DAG | Divisional Artillery Group | |
| DASS | Defensive Aids Sub-System | |
| DAW | Department of Air Warfare | |
| DB | Depot Battalion (RE) | |
| DB | Depot Brigade (RA) | |
| DC | District Commander | |
| DCC | Defence Communications Centre | |
| D.C.L.I. | Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry | |
| DCM | Distinguished Conduct Medal | |
| D.C.M. | District Court Martial | |
| D.C.S. | District Censorship Station | |
| D.D.M.S. | Deputy Director of Medical Services | |
| DE | Duration of Emergency | |
| DE | Director of Establishment | |
| def | Defence | |
| DEMS | Defensive Equipped Merchant Ship | |
| DENBIGH. YEO. | Denbighshire Yeomanry | |
| DERA | Defence Evaluation & Research Agency | |
| DERR | Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment | |
| det | Detached/Detachment | |
| DEVON. R. | Devonshire Regiment | |
| DF | Defensive Fire | |
| DG | Dragoon Guards | |
| D. GDS | Dragoon Guards | |
| DHFS | Defence Helicopter Flying School | |
| DI | Defence Intelligence | |
| DID | Detail Issue Depot (RASC) | |
| DISTAFF | Directing Staff (DS) | |
| Div. | Division | |
| DK | Denmark | |
| D.L.I. | Durham Light Infantry | |
| DM | Driver Mechanical Transport (ASC prefix) | |
| DMA | Divisional Maintenance Area | |
| D.M.G. | Deputy Military Governor | |
| dml | Demolition | |
| DMR | Daily Messing Rate | |
| Dmr. | Drummer | |
| DMS | Driver Mechanical School | |
| DNS | Dragoons | |
| DOC | Docks Operating Company (RE) | |
| D. of CORN.L.I. | Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry | |
| D of E | Duration of Engagement | |
| D. of LANCS.O.Y. | Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry | |
| D of W | Duration of War | |
| DORSET. R. | Dorset Regiment | |
| DORSET. YEO. | Dorset Yeomanry | |
| DPM | Deputy Provost Marshal | |
| DR | Despatch Rider | |
| DRA | Defence Research Agency | |
| DROPS | Demountable Rack Off-Loading & Pick-Up System | |
| DRU | Dynamic Reference Unit | |
| DS | Direct Support | |
| DS | Dressing Station | |
| DSAF | Depot and School Airborne Forces | |
| DSC | Divisional Supply Column | |
| DSO | Distinguished Service Order | |
| DTG | Date Time Group | |
| DTR | Driver Training Regiment | |
| DURH. L.I. | Durham Light Infantry | |
| Dvr | Driver (rank equating to Proivate) | |
| DW | Duration of War | |
| E&M COY | Electrical and Mechanical Company (RE) | |
| EAC COY | Equipment Assembly Company (REME) | |
| ECC | Emergency Cooks Course | |
| ech | Echelon | |
| ECM | Electronic Counter Measure | |
| ECC | Emergency Cookery Training | |
| EDP | Emergency Defence Plan | |
| EEF | Egyptian Expeditionary Force | |
| E.F.C. | Expeditionary Force Canteen (WW1) | |
| EFI | Expeditionary Force Institutes | |
| emb | Embarkation | |
| EME | Electrical and Mechanical Engineers | |
| EME(A) | Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (Army) | |
| EMP | Electro Magnetic Pulse | |
| EMS | Emergency Medical Service | |
| en | Enemy | |
| Engr | Engineer/Engineers | |
| ENSA | Entertainment National Service Association | |
| EOD | Explosive Ordnance Disposal | |
| eqpt | Equipment | |
| ERE | Extra Regimental Employment | |
| E.R. of YORK. Y. | East Riding of Yorkshire Yeomanry | |
| ESBD | Electrical Stores Base Depot | |
| ESBD | Engineer Stores Base Depot | |
| ESD | Engineer Stores Depot | |
| ESE | Engineer Stores Establishment | |
| ESS | Environmental Support System | |
| ESSEX. R. | Essex Regiment | |
| ESSEX Y. | Essex Yeomanry | |
| Est | Establishments | |
| E. SURR. R. | East Surrey Regiment | |
| ETA | Estimated Time of Arrival | |
| EW | Early Warning / Electronic Warfare | |
| EWOSE | Electronic Warfare Operational Support Establishment | |
| ex | Exercise | |
| EX. FCE. CAN. | Expeditionary Force Canteen | |
| E. YORK. R. | East Yorkshire Regiment | |
| FA | Field Ambulance | |
| FAC | Forward Air Controller | |
| F. AMB. | Field Ambulance | |
| F.A.N.Y. | First Aid Nursing Yeomanry | |
| FARELF | Far East Land Force | |
| FBRV | Future Beach Recovery Vehicle | |
| FCLV | Future Command and Liaison Vehicle | |
| F COY | Fortress Company | |
| Fd Amb | Field Ambulance | |
| Fd | Field | |
| FDS | Field Dressing Station | |
| FDS | Forward Delivery Squadron (RAC) | |
| FEBA | Forward Edge of the Battle Area | |
| FFR | Fitted for Radio | |
| FF REGT | Frontier Force Regiment (India) | |
| FGA | Fighter Ground Attack | |
| F.G.C.M. | Field General Court Martial | |
| FH | Field Hospital | |
| FIMU | Fleet Information Management Unit | |
| FLA | Future Large Aircraft | |
| FLD. BKY. | Field Bakery | |
| FLET | Forward Location Enemy Troops | |
| FLIR | Forward Looking Infra Red | |
| FLOT | Forward Location Own Troops | |
| fmm | Formation | |
| FOC | First Of Class | |
| FONA | Flag Officer Naval Aviation | |
| FOO | Forward Observation Officer | |
| FOSCLE | Fleet Operational Command System | |
| FOSF | Flag Officer Surface Fleet | |
| FOSM | Flag Officer Submarines | |
| FOST | Flag Officer Sea Training | |
| FOU | Forward Observer Unit (RA) | |
| FPKS | Field Park Squadron (RE) | |
| FPS | Field Park Squadron (RE) | |
| FR | France (French) | |
| FRES | Future Rapid Effect System | |
| FRG | Federal Republic of Germany/Forward Repair Group | |
| FRT | Forward Repair Team | |
| FSP | Full Service Provision | |
| FSS | Field Security Section | |
| FTS | Flying Training School | |
| FUP | Forming Up Place/Forming Up Point | |
| Fus. | Fusilier (rank equating to Private) | |
| FVPE | Fighting Vehicle Proving Establishment | |
| FVS | Fighting Vehicle Section | |
| FWAM | Full Width Attack Mine | |
| FWN. | Forewoman (QMAAC NCO) | |
| FWOC (R) | Fleet Weather & Oceanographic Computer (Replacement) | |
| Fy | Financial Year | |
| G.C. | George Cross | |
| GC COY | General Construction Company (RE) | |
| G.C.M. | General Court Martial | |
| GCR | Gold Coat Regiment | |
| GDP | General Defence Plan/Gross Domestic Product | |
| GDS | Guards | |
| GDS | General Duties Section | |
| Gdsm | Guardsman (Rank equating to Private) | |
| GDS. M.G.R. | Guards machine Gun Regiment | |
| GE | German (Germany) | |
| Gen. | General | |
| G. GDS. | Grenadier Guards | |
| GH | General Hospital | |
| GHTM | Ground Handling Training Missiles | |
| GLAM. YEO. | Glamorgan Yeomanry | |
| GLOUC. R. | Gloucsetershire Regiment | |
| G.M. | George Medal | |
| G.M.P. | Garrison military Police | |
| Gnr. | Gunner (Rank equating to Private in Royal Artillery) | |
| GOC | General Officer Commanding | |
| GOC-in-C | General Officer Commanding-in-Chief | |
| GORD. HIGHS. | Gordon Highlanders | |
| GORDONS. | Gordon Highlanders | |
| GP | Group | |
| GPMG | General Purpose Machine Gun | |
| GPWS | Ground Proximity Warning System | |
| GR | Greece (Greek) | |
| GRKS | Gurkhas | |
| G.R.O. | General Routine Order | |
| GRSC | Ground Radio Servicing Centre | |
| G.S. | General Service | |
| GSC | General Service Corps | |
| GSO | General Staff Officer | |
| GT COY | General Transport Company | |
| GTTB | General Trades Training Battalions (Royal Signals) | |
| HAA | Heavy Anti Aircraft | |
| H.A.C. | Honorable Artillery Company | |
| H.A.C. ART. | Honorable Artillery Company, Artillery Section | |
| H.A.C. INF. | Honorable Artillery Company, Infantry Section | |
| HAMP. R. | Hampshire Regiment | |
| HAMPS. R. | Hampshire Regiment | |
| HAMPS. Y. | Hampshire Yeomanry | |
| HAS | Hardened Aircraft Shelter | |
| HAT | Home Ambulance Train (RAMC) | |
| HCBTC | Home Counties Brigade Training Centre | |
| HD | Home Defence | |
| HE | High Explosive | |
| HEAT | High Explosive Anti-Tank | |
| hel | Helicopter | |
| HEREFORD R. | Hereford Regiment | |
| HERT. R. | Hertfordshire Regiment | |
| HERTS. R. | Hertfordshire Regiment | |
| HERTS. Y. | Hertfordshire Yeomanry | |
| Hesh | High Explosive Squash Head | |
| HET | Heavy Equipment Transporter | |
| HIGHLAND CYC. BN. | Highland Cyclist Battalion | |
| HIGH. L.I. | Highland Light Infantry | |
| H.K.S.R.G.A. | Hong Kong and Singapore Royal Garrison Artillery | |
| H.K.V.D.C. | Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps | |
| HLDC | Heavy Load Distribution Capability | |
| H.L.I. | Highland Light Infantry | |
| HOTAS | Hands on Throttle and Stick | |
| HOUSEHOLD BN. | Household battlaion | |
| HPS | Home Port Security (Intelligence Corps) | |
| HQ SW | Head Quarters Static Workshop (REME) | |
| HRS | Heavy Recovery Section (REME) | |
| HRS(MT) | Heavy Repair Shop (Motor Transport)(RAOC) | |
| HRS | Hussars | |
| HS | Holding Strength | |
| HS | Hospital Ship | |
| HSF | Home Service Force | |
| HTR | Heavy Training Regiment (RAC) | |
| HUNTS. CYC. BN.S | Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalion | |
| HV | Hyper Velocity | |
| HVM | Hyper Velocity Missile | |
| Hy | Heavy | |
| I | Intelligence | |
| IAB | Initial Appraisal Board | |
| IACC | Indian Army Corps of Clerks | |
| IADM | Incremental Assessment Demonstration and Manufacture | |
| IAOC | Indian Army Ordnance Corps | |
| IBDS | Integrated Biological Detection Systems | |
| i/c | In charge of | |
| ICC | Intelligence Corps Centre | |
| ICCS | Integrated Command & Control System | |
| IE | Inspector of Establishments | |
| IFCU | Indian Field Censor Unit (Intelligence Corps) | |
| IFF | Indentification Friend or Foe | |
| IFOR | Implementation Force | |
| IG | Initial Gate | |
| IGB | Inner German Border | |
| I. GDS. | Irish Guards | |
| II | Image Intensifier | |
| IJLB | Infantry Jnior Leader Batalion | |
| illum | Illuminating | |
| Inf | Infantry | |
| Infy | Infantry | |
| INT CORPS | Intelligence Corps | |
| INTSUM | Intelligence Summary | |
| IO | Intelligence Officer | |
| IPT | Integrated Project Team | |
| IRF | Immediate Reaction Forces | |
| IRG | Immediate Replenishment Group | |
| IR. GDS. | Irish Guards | |
| IS | Internal Security | |
| ISAF | Interational Security Assistance Force | |
| ISD | In Service Date | |
| ISP | Initial Service Provision | |
| ISTAR | Intelligence Surveillance Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance | |
| IT | Italy (Italian) | |
| ITC | Infantry Training Centre | |
| ITN | Invitation To Negotiate | |
| ITS | Inshore Training Squadron | |
| IUL | Indian Unattached List (Officers) | |
| IUR | Immediate Use Reserve | |
| IW | Individual Weapon | |
| IWP | Instruments and Weapons Production | |
| I.W.T. | Inland Water Transport | |
| JFACHQ | Joint Force Air Component Headquarters | |
| JFHQ | Joint Force Headquarters | |
| JHQ | Joint Headquarters | |
| JOCS | Joint Operational Command Systems | |
| JRC | Joint Regional Command | |
| JRDF | Joint Rapid Deployment Force | |
| JRRF | Joint Rapid Reaction Force | |
| JSRC | Joint Sub-Regional Command | |
| JSSU | Joint Services Signals Unit | |
| JTIDS | Joint Tactical Information Distribution System | |
| KAR | King's African Rifles | |
| K.E.H. | King Edward's Horse | |
| KFOR | Kosovo Force | |
| K.O.S.B. | King's Own Scottish Borderer's | |
| K.O. SCOT. BORD. | King's Own Scottish Borderer's | |
| K.O.Y.L.I. | King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry | |
| K.R.R.C. | King's Royal Rifle Corps | |
| K.R. RIF. C. | King's Royal Rifle Corps | |
| KSG | Korea Services Gratuity | |
| K.S.L.I. | King's Shropshire Light Infantry | |
| KUR | Key User Requirement | |
| L | Labour | |
| LABOUR C. | Labour Corps | |
| LAC | London Assembly Centre | |
| L of C | Lines of Communication | |
| LAD | Light Aid Detachment (REME) | |
| LANARK. FUS. | Lanarkshire Fusiliers | |
| LANARK. YEO. | Lanarkshire Yeomanry | |
| LANDCENT | Commander Allied Land Forces Central Europe | |
| L.C. | Labour Corps | |
| LC | Logistic Command | |
| L.Cpl | Lance Corporal | |
| L/Cpl | Lance Corporal | |
| LCRS | Lancers | |
| LDAC | London District Assembly Centre | |
| LDRD | London District Reception Depot (RAC) | |
| LDY OP | Laundry Operator (RAOC) | |
| LEIC. R. | Leicestershire Regiment | |
| LEIC. Y. | Leicestershire Yeomanry | |
| LEINS. R. | Leinster Regiment | |
| LET | Light Equipment Transporter | |
| L.G. | Life Guards | |
| L.GDS. | Life Guards | |
| LGB | Laser Guided Bomb | |
| LIAP | Leave in addition to Python | |
| LIEUT. | Lieutenant | |
| LINC. R. | Lincolnshire Regiment | |
| LINC. Y. | Lincolnshire Yeomanry | |
| L.I.R. | London Irish Rifles | |
| LLAD | Low-Level Air Defence | |
| LMAS | Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems | |
| LMB FA | Lowland Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance (RAMC) | |
| LML | Lightweight Multiple Launcher | |
| L.N. LAN. R. | Loyal North Lancashire Regiment | |
| LO | Liaison Officer | |
| Loc | Locating | |
| L of C | Line of Communication | |
| Log | Logistic | |
| LOND. R. | London Regiment | |
| LOTH. & BORD. H. | Lothian and Border Horse | |
| LOVAT'S SCTS. | Lovat's Scouts | |
| LPH | Landing Platform Helicopter | |
| L'POOL. R. | Liverpool Regiment | |
| LRATGW | Long-Range Anti-Tank Guided Weapons | |
| LRDG | Long-Range Desert Group | |
| LRS. | Lancers | |
| L. Sgt. | Lance Sergeant | |
| LSL | Landing Ships Logistic | |
| LSL | Long Service List | |
| LSW | Light Support Weapon | |
| LT | Lieutenant | |
| LT. COL. | Lieutenant Colonel | |
| LTM | Light Trench Mortar | |
| LTR | Long Term Reserve | |
| LTW | Lyneham Training Wing | |
| LWOP | Leave without Pay | |
| MA | Mililtary Adviser | |
| MA | Mililtary Assistant | |
| MA | Mililtary Attache | |
| MAC | Motor Ambulance Company (RAMC) | |
| M.A.D. | Mililtary Accounts Departmnt | |
| maint | Maintain | |
| Maj | Major | |
| MAMBA | Mobile Artillery Monitoring Battlefield Radar | |
| MAMS | Mobile Air Movement Squadron | |
| MANCh. R. | Manchester Regiment | |
| MAOT | Mobile Air Operations Team | |
| MAPS | Modular Azimuth Positioning System | |
| MATO | Military Air-Traffic Operations | |
| mat | Material | |
| MB | Mercian Brigade | |
| MBT | Main Battle Tank | |
| MBU | Mobile Bath Unit (Pioneer Corps) | |
| M.C. | Military Cross | |
| M.C. | Movement Control | |
| M.C. | Motor Cycle | |
| MCM | Mine Countermeasures | |
| MCMV | Mine Countermeasures Vessels | |
| MCU | Military Collection Unit | |
| MDC | Mobile Defence Company | |
| MD Coy | Motor Driver Company (ATS) | |
| mech | Mechanised | |
| ME Coy | Mechanical Equipment Company | |
| med | Medical | |
| M.E.F. | Mediterranean Expeditionary Force | |
| M.E.F. | Middle Easti Land Force | |
| MEP | Mechanical Equipment Park Company (RE) | |
| MET | Meterorlogical | |
| MEXE | Military Enginerring Experimental Establishment | |
| MFC | Mortar Fire Controller | |
| M.F.P. | Military Foot Police | |
| MG | Machine Gun | |
| MG | Main Gate | |
| M.G.C. | Machine Gun Corps | |
| M.G. Corps. | Machine Gun Corps | |
| M.G.C. Cav. | Machine Gun Corps Cavalry | |
| MG TC | Machine Gun Training Centre | |
| M.F.P. | Military Foot Police | |
| MGO | Master General of the Ordnance | |
| MIDD'X. R. | Middlesex Regiment | |
| MIRV | Multiple Independently Targeted Re-entry Vehicle | |
| M.I.R.S. | Military Intelligence Research Section | |
| MLRS | Multi-Launched Rocket System | |
| MLU | Mid-Life Update | |
| MLU | Mobile Laundry Unit (RAOC) | |
| M.M. | Military Medal | |
| MMGC | Motor Machine Gun Corps | |
| M.M.G.S. | Motor Machine Gun Service | |
| M.M.P. | Military Mounted Police | |
| MNAD | Multi-National Airmobile Division | |
| MND | Multi-National Division | |
| MO | Medical Officer | |
| M.O. | Military Operations | |
| mob | Mobilisation | |
| MoD | Ministry of Defence | |
| MoU | Memorandum of Understanding | |
| Mov | Movement | |
| MP | Manpower | |
| MP | Military Police | |
| MP&DB | Military Prison and Detention Barracks | |
| MPDB | Military Provost Detention Barracks | |
| MPDS | Multi-Purpose Decontamination System | |
| M.P.S.C. | Military Provost Staff Corps | |
| MONMOUTH. R. | Monmouthshire Regiment | |
| MPFC | Mobile Petrol Filling Company | |
| MPTC | Mobile Petrol Transport Company | |
| M.R. | Mounted Rifles | |
| MRA | Maritime Royal Artillery | |
| MRE | Microbiological Research Establishment | |
| MRG | Medium Repair Group | |
| MRS | Medical Reception Station | |
| MRV | Multiple Re-entry Vehicle | |
| MS | Mechanical Specials (prefix for old Army ASC numbers) | |
| MSD | Main Supply Depot (RAOC) | |
| MSG | Maintenance Support Group | |
| msl | Missile | |
| MT | Mechanical Transport | |
| MT BN | Motor Training Battalion | |
| MTF | Mauritius Territorial Force | |
| MTO | Mechanical Transport Officer | |
| MTS | Motor Transport Stores | |
| MTTD | Motor Transport Training Depot | |
| MU | Maintenance Unit | |
| MWEE | Mechanical Warfare Experimental Establishment | |
| M1 | Prefix for new Army ASC Mechanical Transport numbers | |
| M2 | Prefix for ASC Electricians numbers | |
| NAAFI | Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes | |
| NACMA | NATO ACCS Management Agency | |
| NADGE | NATO Air Defence Ground Environment | |
| NAEW-F | NATO Airborne Early Warning Forces | |
| NAMC | Naval Afloat Messaging Coherency | |
| NAO | Northern Army Group | |
| NARIMS | Nuclear Accident Response Information Management System | |
| NATINADS | NATO Integrated Air Defence Systems | |
| NATO | North Atlantic Treaty Organisation | |
| NATS | National Air-Traffic Services | |
| NBC | Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Warfare | |
| NCC | Non-combatant Corps | |
| NCO | Non-Commissioned Officer | |
| N. Cyc. Bn. | Northern Cyclist battalion | |
| NDC | National Defence Company | |
| NDS | Northumbria District Signals | |
| nec | Necessary | |
| NEI | Netherlands (Dutch) East Indies | |
| NFTC | Nato Flying Training Canada | |
| NGFSO | Naval Gunfire Support Officer | |
| ni | Night | |
| NIB | Northern Irish Bridage | |
| NID | North Irish Depot | |
| NIM | North Irish Militia | |
| N. IR. H. | North Irish Horse | |
| NL | Netherlands | |
| NO | Norway (Norwegian) | |
| NO | Nursing Orderly | |
| NOK | Next of Kin | |
| NORF. R. | Norfolk Regiment | |
| NORF. YEO. | Norfolk Yeomanry | |
| NORTHAG | Northern Army Group | |
| NORTH'D. FUS. | Northumberland Fusiliers | |
| NORTH'D. YEO. | Northumberland Yeomanry | |
| NORTH'N. R. | Northamptonshire Regiment | |
| NORTH'N. YEO. | Northamptonshire Yeomanry | |
| N. SOM. YEO. | North Somerset Yeomanry | |
| NSRW | National Service Reserve Wing | |
| N. STAFF. R. | North Staffordshire Regiment | |
| NTR | Nothing to Report | |
| NYK | Not Yet Known | |
| N.Z.A.M.C. | New Zealand Army Medical Corps | |
| OAC | Ordnance Ammunition Company | |
| O.B.L.I. | Oxford shire and buckinghamshire Light Infantry | |
| OC | Officer Commanding | |
| O.C.A. | Oold Comrades Association | |
| OCTU | Officer Caadet Training Unit | |
| OCU | Operational Conversion Unit (RAF) | |
| OEU | Operational Evaluation Unit | |
| OF | Ordnance Factories | |
| OFC | Ordnance Factories | |
| OFP | Ordnance Field Park | |
| OIC | Officer in Charge | |
| OKM | Operator Keyboard and Line (Royal Signals) | |
| OM | Operational Missiles | |
| OOTW | Operations Other Than War | |
| OP | Observation Post | |
| opO | Operation Order | |
| OPWC | Overseas Prisoner of War Camp | |
| ORB | Omni-Radio Beacon | |
| ORBAT | Order of Battle | |
| Ord | Ordnance | |
| O.T.C. | Officer Training Corps | |
| OWL | Operator Wireless and Line | |
| OX. & BUCKS. L.I. | Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry | |
| OXF. YEO. | Oxfordshire Yeomanry | |
| P info | Public Information | |
| PAIFORCE | Persia and Iraq Force | |
| PARA REGT | Parachute Regiment | |
| pax | Passengers | |
| PBDS | Prototype Biological Detection System | |
| PCC | Port Construction Company | |
| PCC | Postal and Courier Communications | |
| PCLU | Pioneer and Civil Labour Unit | |
| PD | Petrol Depot | |
| PEE | Proof and Experimental Establishment | |
| PEMBROKE. YEO. | Pembrokeshire Yeomanry | |
| PFI | Private Finance Initiative | |
| PJHQ | Permanent Joint Headquarters | |
| Pl | Platoon | |
| PLK | Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment | |
| P/M | Pipe Major | |
| PM | Provost Marchal | |
| PMR | Paymaster | |
| PMR | Practical Map Reading | |
| PNE | Permanently Non Effective | |
| Pnr. | Pioneer - WW1 RE | |
| PO | Portugal (Portuguese) | |
| POC | Port operating Company | |
| POL | Petrol, Oil and Lubrication | |
| P.O.W. | Prisoner of War | |
| P PARK | Petrol Park | |
| PPP | Public/Private Partnership | |
| PQR | Post Qualification Questionnaire | |
| Pro | Provost | |
| PRRB | Parachute Regiment Reserve Battalion | |
| PSM | Platoon Sergeant Major | |
| PSP | Petrol Stores Platoon | |
| P. & S.S. | Printing and Stationary Service | |
| PTC | Personnel and Training Command | |
| PTC | Primary Training Corps | |
| Pte. | Private | |
| PTFOC | Petrol Tin Factory |Operating Company (RASC) | |
| PTW | Primary Training Wing | |
| P.V.O. | Principal Veterinary Officer | |
| Q | Quartering | |
| Q.A.I.M.N.S. | Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service | |
| Q.A.I.M.N.S.(R.) | Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve | |
| QARANC | Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps | |
| QCS | Queen's Colour Squadron | |
| QGE | Queen's Gurkha Engineers | |
| Q.M. | Quarter Master | |
| Q.M.A.A.C. | Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps | |
| QMG | Quarter Master General | |
| QMS | Quarter Master Sergeant | |
| Q.O.R. GLASGOW YEO. | Queens Own Royal Glasgow Yeomanry | |
| QUEENS S.R. | Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment | |
| R. | Prefix for Redmont Section ASC numbers | |
| R & D | Research and Development | |
| RA | Royal Artillery | |
| RAC | Royal Armoured Corps | |
| RACHD | Royal Army Chaplains Department | |
| RACR | Royal Armoured Corps Range | |
| RADC | Royal Army Dental Corps | |
| RAEC | Royal Army Education Corps | |
| RAFASUPU | RAF Armament Support Unit | |
| RAFLC | RAF Logistic Command | |
| RAMC | Royal Army Medical Corps | |
| RAOC | Royal Army Ordnance Corps | |
| RAP | Rocket-Assisted Projectile/Regiment Aid Post | |
| RAPC | Royal Army Pay Corps | |
| RASC | Royal Army Service Corps | |
| RATA | Royal Army Temperance Association | |
| RAVC | Royal Army Veterinary Corps | |
| RBC | Reinforcement Base Depot | |
| R. BERKS. R. | Royal Berkshire Regiment | |
| R.C. | Roman Catholic | |
| R.C. | Reconnaissance Corps | |
| RC Coy | Railway Construction Company (RE) | |
| R.C.M. | Regimental Court Martial | |
| RCMDS | Remote-Control Mine Disposal System | |
| RCT | Royal Corps of Transport | |
| RCZ | Rear Control Zone | |
| R.D.C. | Royal Defence Corps | |
| RDD | Reception and Discharge Depot | |
| R. DEVON. YEO. | Royal Devon Yeomanry | |
| R.D.FUS. | Royal Dublin Fusiliers | |
| R. DUB. FUS. | Royal Dublin Fusiliers | |
| R.E. | Royal Engineers | |
| rebro | Rebroadcast | |
| rec | Recovery | |
| recce | Reconnaissance | |
| R.E. KENT YEO. | Royal East Kent Yeomanry | |
| REGT. | Regiment | |
| REME | Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers | |
| R.F.A. | Royal Field Artillery | |
| RFA | Royal Fleet Auxiliary | |
| R.F.C. | Royal Flying Corps | |
| RFN. | Rifleman (Rank equating to Private) | |
| rft | Reinforcement | |
| R. FUS. | Royal Fusiliers | |
| R.G.A. | Royal Garrison Artillery | |
| RGBW | Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment | |
| RGH | Royal Gloucestershire Hussars | |
| RGJ | Royal Green Jackets | |
| R. GUERNSEY L.I. | Royal Guernsey Light Infantry | |
| RHA | Royal Horse Artillery | |
| RHE | Return to Home Establishment | |
| RHF | Royal Highland Fusiliers | |
| R.H.GDS. | Royal Horse Guards | |
| R.H. G. | Royal Horse Guards | |
| R. HIGHRS. | Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) | |
| RHQ | Regimental Headquarters | |
| RHU | Reinforcement Holding Unit | |
| RIF | Royal Irish Fusiliers | |
| RIF. BRIG. | Rifle Brigade | |
| R.INNIS. FUS. | Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers | |
| R.IR.FUS. | Royal Irish Fusiliers | |
| R.IR.REG. | Royal Irish Regiment | |
| R.IR. RIF. | Royal Irish Rifles | |
| RLC | Royal Logistic Corps | |
| R.LANC.R. | Royal Lancaster Regiment | |
| RM | Royal Marines | |
| RMA | Rear Maintenance Area/Royal Military Academy | |
| RMAS | Royal Military Academy Sandhurst | |
| RMC | Royal Military College | |
| R.M.O. | Regimental Medical Officer | |
| RMP | Royal Military Police | |
| R. MUNS. FUS. | Royal Munster Fusiliers | |
| RMW | Railway Mobile Workshop | |
| RN | Royal Navy | |
| R.N. DEVON YEO. | Royal North Devon Yeomanry | |
| RNMC | Royal Netherlands Marine Corps | |
| RO | Recruiting Officer | |
| RO | Retired Officer | |
| ROC | Railway Operating Company | |
| ROD | Railway Operating Division (RE) | |
| ROF | Royal Ordnance Factory | |
| Ro-Ro | Roll-On Roll-Off | |
| RP | Reporting Point | |
| RPC | Royal Pioneer Corps | |
| RPV | Remotely Piloted Vehicle | |
| RQMS | Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant | |
| RRF | Royal Regiment of Fusiliers | |
| RRF | Rapid Reaction Forces | |
| R.R. OF CAV. | Royal Regiment of Cavalry | |
| RSA | Royal School of Artillery | |
| RSAF | Royal Small Arms Factory | |
| RSC | Recruit Selection Centre | |
| R. SC. FUS. | Royal Scots Fusiliers | |
| R. SCOTS | Royal Scots | |
| R. S. FUS. | Roval Scots Fusiliers | |
| R. SIGNALS | Royal Signals | |
| RSIGS | Royal Signals | |
| R.S.M. | Regimental Sergeant Major | |
| RSME | Royal School of Mechanical Engineering | |
| RSR | Raiding Support Regiment | |
| RSS | Royal School of Signals | |
| R. SUSS. R. | Royal Sussex Regiment | |
| RTM | Ready to Move | |
| R.T.O. | Railway Transportion Office (Officer?) | |
| RTR | Royal Tank Regiment | |
| RTU | Return to Unit | |
| R.U.R. | Royal Ulster Rifles | |
| R. W. FUS. | Royal Welsh Fusiliers | |
| R. W. KENT R. | Royal West Kent Regiment | |
| R. WAR. R. | Royal Warwickshire Regiment | |
| S. | Prefix to ASC numbers denoting Supply | |
| SACLOS | Semi Automatic to Command Line of Sight | |
| SACEUR | Supreme Allied Commander Europe | |
| SAM | Surface-to-Air Missile | |
| SAR | Search and Rescue | |
| SARB | Siege Artillery Reserve Brigade | |
| S. ARMS SCH. | Small Arms School | |
| SAS | Special Air Service | |
| SASC | Small Arms School Corps | |
| SA SCHOOL | Small Arms School | |
| SBS | Special Boat Service | |
| SCO | Stores and Clothing Department | |
| SCO. H. | Scottish Horse | |
| SCO. RIF. | Scottish Rifles (Cameronians) | |
| SCU | Special Communications Unit (Royal Signals) | |
| SDF | Sudan Defence Force | |
| SDR | Strategic Defence Review | |
| SEAC | South East Asia Command | |
| SEA. HIGHRS. | Seaforth Highlanders | |
| SEALF | South East Asia Land Force | |
| SEATO | South East Asia Treaty Organisation | |
| Sect | Section | |
| SEL | School of Electric Lighting | |
| SFOR | Stabilisation Force | |
| S. GDS. | Scots Guards | |
| SGE | Siege | |
| SGT | Sergeant | |
| SH | Seaforth Highlanders | |
| SH | Support Helicopters | |
| SHAEF | Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force | |
| SHAPE | Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe | |
| SHER. RANG. | Sherwood Rangers | |
| SHROPS. L.I. | Shropshire Light Infantry | |
| SHROPS. YEO. | Shropshire Yeomanry | |
| SI (A) | Services Intelligence (Army) | |
| SIB | Special Investigations Branch | |
| SIG | Signalman (Rank equating to Private in Royal Signals) | |
| Sig | Signals | |
| S. IR. H. | South Irish Horse | |
| SIS | Security Identification Section | |
| sit | Situation | |
| SITREP | Situation Report | |
| SL | Searchlight | |
| S. LAN. R. | South Lancashire Regiment | |
| SLBM | Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles | |
| S.L.I. | Somerset Light Infantry | |
| SLR | Self-Loading Rifle | |
| SLT | Searchlight Training | |
| SM | Sergeant Major | |
| SME | School of Mechanical Engineers | |
| SMG | Sub-Machine Gun | |
| S.MJR. | Sergeant Major | |
| smk | Smoke | |
| SNCO | Senior Non-Commissioned Officer | |
| SNLR | Services No Longer Required | |
| SOC | Sector Operations Centre | |
| SOE | Special Operations Executive | |
| SOS | Struck Off Strength | |
| SOS | Static Officers Shop | |
| S. OF M. | School of Musketry | |
| SOM. L.I. | Somerset Light Infantry | |
| SP | Self Propelled/Start Point | |
| Spr. | Sapper (Rank equating to Private in Royal Engineers) | |
| SPS | Staff and Personnel Support | |
| Sqn | Squadron | |
| S.R. | Special Reserve | |
| S.R. | Supplementary Reserve | |
| SRD | Supply Reserve Depot | |
| SRD | System Requirement Document | |
| SSB | Special Services Brigade | |
| SSBN | Nuclear Powered Ballistic Missile Submarine | |
| SSK | Single Shot To Kill | |
| SSM | Surface-to-Surface Missile | |
| SSN | Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarine | |
| S. STAFF. R. | South Staffordshire Regiment | |
| SSVC | Services Sound and Cinema Corporation | |
| ST | Supply and Transport (RASC) | |
| STAFF. YEO. | Staffordshire Yeomanry | |
| STC | Strike Command | |
| STC | Survey Training Centre | |
| STO | Survive to Operate | |
| STOBAR | Short Take-Off and Arrested Recovery | |
| STOL | Short Take-Off and Landing | |
| STOVL | Short Take-Off d Vertical Landing | |
| SU | Salvage Unit | |
| SUFF. R. | Suffolk Regiment | |
| SUFF. YEO. | Suffolk Yeomanry | |
| SURR. YEO. | Surrey Yeomanry | |
| SV | Support Vehicles | |
| SVC | Shanghai Volunteer Corps | |
| SVY | Survey | |
| SW | Static Workshop (REME) | |
| S WALES BORD | South Wales Borderers | |
| SWB | Silver War Badge | |
| S.W.H. | Scottish Women's Hospitals | |
| T. | Prefix for ASC numbers denoting New Army Horse Transport | |
| T.A. | Territorial Army | |
| tac | Tactical | |
| TACC | Tactical Air Control Centre | |
| T.A.N.S. | Territorial Army Nursing Service | |
| T.A.V.R. | Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve | |
| TB | Tank Brigade | |
| TB | Training Battalion | |
| TB | Telegraph Battalion | |
| TBT | Tank Bridge Transporter | |
| TCC | Traffic Control Company | |
| TCC | Turret Control Computer | |
| TCOY | Tunnelling Company | |
| TCP | Traffic Control Post | |
| TCV | Troop Carrying Vehicle | |
| TE | Training Establishment | |
| T.F. | Territorial Force | |
| T.F.N.S. | Territorial Force Nursing Service | |
| TGDA | Training Group Defence Agency | |
| tgt | Target | |
| THAAD | Theatre High-Altitude Area Defence | |
| TIALD | Thermal Imaging Airborne Laser Designator | |
| tk | Tank | |
| TLAM | Tactical Land Attack Missile | |
| TLAM-C | Tactical Land Attack Missile - Conventional | |
| TLB | Top Level Budget | |
| TM | Trench Mortar | |
| TMA | Troop Manoeuvre Area | |
| TN | Transportation | |
| TNA | Training Needs Analysis | |
| TOM | Telemetry Operational Missiles | |
| T.O.S. | Taken on Strength | |
| TOT | Time on Target | |
| TOW | Tube-Launched Optically-Tracked Wire-Guided (Missile) | |
| tp | Troop | |
| TP CG COY | Troop Carrying Company (RASC) | |
| TPR | Trooper | |
| tpt | Transport | |
| TRG | Training | |
| T.S. | Prefix for ASC numbers denoting Old Army Specials (pre 1915)? | |
| T.S.R. | Prefix for ASC numbers denoting Special Reserve Horse' Transport | |
| TTTE | Tri-National Tornado Training Establishment | |
| TU | Turkish (Turkey) | |
| TUL | Truck Utility Light | |
| TUM | Truck Utility Medium | |
| TWS | Tactical Weapon System | |
| T4 | Prefix for ASC numbers denoting Auxiliary Horse Transport (331 Coy?) | |
| UAS | University Air Squadron | |
| UAV | Unmanned Aerial Vehicle | |
| U/S | Unserviceable | |
| UK | United Kingdom | |
| UKADGE | United Kingdom Air Defence Ground Environment | |
| UKADR | United Kingdom Air Defence Region | |
| UKCAOC | United Kingdom Combined Air Operations Centre | |
| UKLF | United Kingdom Land Forces | |
| UKMF | United Kingdom Mobile Force | |
| UKSC (G) | United Kingdom Support Command (Germany) | |
| UN | United Nations | |
| UNFICYP | United Nations Forces in Cyprus | |
| UNCLASS | Unclassified | |
| UNPROFOR | United Nations Protection Force | |
| URD | User Requirement Document | |
| US | United States | |
| UXB | Unexploded Bomb | |
| V.A.D. | Voluntary Aid Detachment | |
| V.C. | Victoria Cross | |
| VCP | Vehicle Collection Point | |
| V.D. | Venereal Disease | |
| veh | Vehicle | |
| VOR | Vehicle off the Road | |
| VP | Vulnerable Points (CMP) | |
| VPP | Volunerable Points Provost (CMP) | |
| VRD | Vehicle Reserve Depot | |
| W. | Prefix sometimes used in ASC, RA and RE numbers to denote Welshman | |
| WAAC | Women's Army Auxiliary Corps | |
| W. AFR. R. | West African Regiment | |
| WE | War Establishment | |
| WEF | With Effect From | |
| WELSH H. | Welsh Horse | |
| WELSH H.C. | Welsh Hospital Corps | |
| WELSH R. | Welsh Regiment | |
| WEST & CUMB. Y. | Westmoreland and Cumberland Yeomanry | |
| WFE | War Fighting Establishment | |
| W. GDS. | Welsh Guards | |
| WGNR. | Waggoner - ASC - 3 | |
| wh | Wheeled | |
| W.H.C. | Women's Hospital Corps | |
| WI | Wireless Intelligence | |
| WILTS. R. | Wiltshire Regiment | |
| WILTS. YEO. | Wiltshire Yeomanry | |
| W.I.R. | West India Regiment | |
| W. KENT YEO. | West Kent Yeomanry | |
| WKR. | Worker (grade equating to Private in QMAAC) | |
| wksp | Workshop | |
| WMR | War Maintenance Reserve | |
| W.O. | War Office | |
| W.O. | Warrant Officer | |
| W.O. CL 1 | Warrant Officer Class 1 | |
| WORC. R. | Worcestershire Regiment | |
| WORC. YEO. | Worcestershire Yeomanry | |
| WRAC | Women's Royal Army Corps | |
| W. RID. R. | West Riding Regiment | |
| W/S | War Substantive | |
| W. SOM. YEO. | West Somerset Yeomanry | |
| WT | Wheeled Tankers | |
| WTCOY | Water Tank Company (RASC) | |
| W. YORK. R. | West Yorkshire Regiment | |
| X | Crossing (as in roads or rivers) | |
| YEO. | Yeomanry | |
| Y. & LR. | York and Lancaster Regiment | |
| Y.D. | Yorkshire Dragoons | |
| Y.H. | Yorkshire Hussars | |
| YORK. DNS. | Yorkshire Dragoons | |
| YORK. HRS. | Yorkshire Hussars | |
| YORK & LANC. R. | York and Lancaster Regiment | |
| YORK. R. | Yorkshire Regiment | |
| YORKS. LI. | Yorkshire Light Infantry | |
| Y.S. | Young Soldier | |
| ZION MULEC. | Zion Mule Cores | |