A glossary of military-based abbreviations, acronyms and initials used throughout the First World War, the Second World War and through to present day. The abbreviations are associated with various different nations, primarily the United Kingdom but also including, India, South Africa, USA, New Zealand and Australia. Abbreviations also have a strong focus on various armed forces such as the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. Use the browse prefix below to navigate to glossaries beginning with a specific letter.
| Contents: A · B · C · D · E · F · G · H · I · J · K · L · M · N · O · P · Q · R · S · T · U · V · W · X · Y · Z
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| Abbreviation
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Definition 1
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Definition 2 (if applicable)
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| B
|
Boatswain (RN)
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| BAC
|
Brigade Ammunition Column
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| BAFO
|
British Air Force of Occupation
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| BAFSV
|
British Armed Forces Special Vouchers
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| BAL INFY
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Baluchistan Infantry (Indian)
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| BAOR
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British Army of the Rhine (post Second World War)
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| BAR
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British Army of the Rhine (post First World War)
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| BAR TDR
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Bar Tender (Merchant Fleet Auxiliary)
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| BCATP
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British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (RAF)
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| B & CI RY BN IDF
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Bombay and Calcutta Indian Railway Battalion Indian Defence Force
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| B CK
|
Boy Cook (RNR)
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| BDE
|
Brigade
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| BDR
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Bombardier – Royal Artillery rank of Corporal
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| BDSM
|
Bandsman
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| BEDF
|
Bedfordshire Regiment
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| BEF
|
British Expeditionary Force (Army)
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| BEM
|
British Empire Medal
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| BERKS
|
Berkshire Regiment
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| BFBS
|
British Forces Broadcasting Service
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| BFES
|
British Families’ Education Service
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| BFN
|
British Forces Network
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| BFPO
|
British Forces Post Office
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| BFT
|
British Forces in Turkey
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| B-G
|
Brigadier-General
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| BGLR
|
Bugler
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| BIO
|
Battalion Intelligence Officer
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| BKR
|
Baker (Merchant Fleet Auxiliary)
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| BL
|
Breech-loader
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| BLK
|
Blacksmith (RN)
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| BLKS MTE
|
Blacksmiths Mate (RN)
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| BMH
|
British Military Hospital
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| BMP
|
Burma Military Police
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| BM RFLS
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Bengal Mounted Rifles (Indian)
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| BN
|
Battalion
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| BNDR
|
Bandmaster
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| BNDSMN
|
Bandsman
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| BOR
|
British Other Rank
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| BORD R
|
Border Regiment
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| BOY 1
|
Boy 1st Class (RN)
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| BOY SIG
|
Boy Signaller (RN)
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| BQMS
|
Battery Quarter Master Sergeant
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| BR
|
Bearer (Indian)
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| BRCS
|
British Red Cross Society
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| BR GEN
|
Brigadier General
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| BRIG
|
Brigadier
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| BR WIR
|
British West Indies Regiment
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| BSAP
|
British South Africa Police
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| B’SUN
|
Bosun (RN)
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| BTN
|
Battalion
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| BTTN
|
Battalion
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| BTY
|
Battery
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| BUCKS YEO
|
Buckinghamshire Yeomanry
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| BUFFS
|
Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
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| BURG
|
Burgher (South African rank)
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| BURMA MTD RFLS
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Burma Mounted Rifles
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| BUTCHER
|
Butcher (MFA rank)
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| BW
|
Black Watch
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| BWIR
|
British West Indies Regiment
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