Military to Civilian Thesaurus

The following terms are organized by service, and only intended for civilian (non-government) resumes. This listing is also intended to be inclusive of the National Guard and Merchant Marines. It draws from the DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms and related references from the respective services.

This list is intended only to suggest possible translations. Please use it as a guide. It is not intended to indicate mandatory translations or suggest applicability in all instances. The user must interpolate appropriate application given the specific nature of that individual’s unique circumstances. A ‘one size fits all’ approach does not apply to resumes.

Finally, this list admittedly only scratches the surface when it comes to military terminology. Please provide additional suggestions via the form at the bottom of this page.

Legend: (adj) = adjective (adv) = adverb (n) = noun (v) = verb

Not Service-Specific ARMY MARINE CORPS NAVY AIR FORCE COAST GUARD

Not Service-Specific

Military Term	Translated Civilian Term
About face	Turn around
Action Officer	Analyst
Aide-de-camp	Executive assistant
All hands	Everyone in the organization
Armorer	Weapons specialist
Asymmetric	Dissimilar
Aviator	Pilot
Barracks	Living quarters
Basic load	Initial allocation
Billet	Role or job
BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)	Main Point
Budgeting and programming	Budgeting
Buffer zone	Safety zone
Bulk cargo	Cargo
Bulk petroleum product	Petroleum
Bulk storage	Storage
Chain of command	Organizational hierarchy
Chief	Principal
Civil	Civilian
Civilian vendors	Suppliers
Class I	Food
Class II	Clothing
Class III	Fuel
Class IV	Construction materials
Class IX	Repair parts
Class V	Ammunition
Class VIII	Medical items
Combat or war	Conflict
Combat load	Required allocation
Combat power	Disruptive force
Combat service support	Sustainment
Combat support	Assistance
Combatant command	Major division (of the enterprise)
Combined arms	Integrated
Command (n)	Organization
Command (v)	Direct or order
Command and control	Authority and direction
Command authority	Authority
Command structure	Hierarchy
Commander, Commanding Officer	Supervisor, leader, chief operations officer
Commander’s estimate	Assessment
Commander’s intent	Purpose
Common item	Equipment
Concept of operations	Plan
Contingency operations	Operations
Course of action	Plan or option
Cover	Headgear or protection
Dependents	Spouse and/or children
Deploy	Move
Direct support	Support
Displaced person	Evacuee or refugee
Drop zone	Landing area
Dummy	Decoy
Economy of force	Efficient distribution
Electronic reconnaissance	Reconnaissance
Employment (v)	Use
Essential task	Task
Explosive ordnance disposal	Ordnance disposal
External audience	Public
Females	Women
Fire support	Weapon support
Fires	Weapons
Fixed wing aircraft	Plane
Force management	Organization management
Force structure	Organizational structure
Forward area	Near combat zone
General support	Support
Higher headquarters	Leadership
High-payoff target	Critical target
Honor graduate	Valedictorian
Human intelligence	Intelligence
Implied task	Task
Instructor	Facilitator, professor, teacher
Interorganizational cooperation	Cooperation
Joint (adj)	Coordinated or multi-service
J-1	Personnel
J-2	Intelligence
J-3	Operations
J-4	Logistics
J-5	Business plans
J-6	Communications
J-7	Engineering
J-8	Financial management
J-9	Public Affairs
Lock it up	Be quiet
Males	Men
Materiel	Equipment
Medical treatment facility	Hospital or clinic
Message (v)	Communicate
Meteorological and oceanographic environment	Global environment
Military equipment	Equipment
Military Experience	Professional Experience
Military Sealift Command	Transportation organization
Military van	Container
Mission	Task or duty
Mission-oriented protective posture gear	Protective equipment
Morale, welfare, and recreation	Recreation
Mutual support	Support
No-strike list	Protected objects
Non-commissioned officer (NCO)	Manager, supervisor
Officer of the deck	Designated supervisor
Officer-in-charge (OIC) / Non-commissioned Officer-in-charge (NCOIC)	Supervisor
Operation	Action or activity
Operation [Code Name], Task Force [Code Name]	Military operation, exercise
Operation order	Directive
Operation plan	Plan
Operational control	Control
Operational environment	Conditions or circumstances
Operational readiness	Capability
Operations security	Security
Order of battle	Disposition
Outcompete	Beat
Partner nation	Ally
Pass-in-review	Military parade
Permanent Change of Station (PCS)	Relocation
Plans Officer	Operational Planner
Positive control	Control
Precision-guided munition	Smart weapon or laser-guided weapon
Priority intelligence requirement	Information need
Privately Owned Vehicle (POV)	Vehicle or car or truck
Program Objective Memorandum (POM)	Budget allocation
Rack	Bunk, Bed
Reconnaissance	Data collection, analysis
Red team (n)	Competitive intelligence team
Red team (v)	Contingency planning
Regulations	Guidance, policies, instructions
Rotary wing aircraft	Helicopter
Scheme of maneuver	Plan
Serial	Group
Service members	Employees, staff, personnel
Situation report	Update
Spearheaded	Led, enabled, directed, ran, controlled, managed, initiated
Special operations	Covert operations
Specified task	Task
Spot report	Report
Staging	Assembling
Stovepipe	Silo, hierarchical organizational structure
Subordinates	Employees, staff
Synchronization	Coordination
Theater of operations	Operational area
Temporary Duty (TDY)	Business Travel
Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)	Military law
Unit	Organization
Unity of command	Single authority
Warning order	Warning
v/r	Respectfully, Very respectfully
Weapon system	Weapon or equipment
Winning hearts and minds	Social sentiment analysis, branding, stakeholder analysis

ARMY

Military Term	Translated Civilian Term
[Army branch] Advanced Course, ANCOC	Advanced Leadership Course
Advanced individual training (AIT)	Advanced skills course
Advanced leader course (ALC)	Advanced leadership course
[Army branch] Basic Course, BNCOC	Basic Leadership Course
Activity	Function or organization
After action review	Postmortem or debrief
Army special operations forces	Covert operators
Backbrief (v)	Re-state
Battalion	Organization
Battle damage assessment	Assessment
Battle rhythm	Activity cycle or cadence
Brigade, Regiment	Sub-division
Brigade combat team	Cross-functional team
Center of gravity	Power source
Command and Staff College	Senior leaders program
Command post	Headquarters
Commander	Supervisor, leader, chief operations officer
Commanding General	CEO
Company, Troop, Battery, Squadron	Group
Company Grade officer	Supervisor, Manager
Corps	Enterprise
Council of Colonels	Advisory Board
Detachment	Organization
Dismount (n)	Soldier
Distinguished Graduate	Honor Roll
Division	Division
Executive Officer	Chief of Staff
Field grade officer	Deputy director, Operations manager
Field of fire	Effective engagement area
First Sergeant	Personnel supervisor
Fix (n)	Location
Fix (v)	Block or contain
Flank	Side
Full Spectrum Combat Aviation Brigade	Aviation organization
Gunnery	Military skills competition
Homeland	United States
Honor graduate	Valedictorian
Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield	Intelligence analysis
Interdict	Disrupt
Kill zone or box	Engagement area
Line of effort	Effort
Linkup	Meet
M1A2	Tank, assigned equipment
Main battle tank	Tank
Maneuver (v) or (n)	Move
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)	Career field
Military decision-making process	Planning methodology
Military Personnel Office (MILPO) or Personnel Action Center (PAC)	Personnel office
Mission-essential task list	Critical tasks
Neutralize	Nullify
Officer career course	Leadership course
Officer Evaluation Report (OER) or Non-Commissioned Officer Report (NCOER)	Performance Appraisal or Review
OH-58D(R)	Helicopter, assigned equipment
One Station Unit Training (OSUT)	Initial Training
Operations NCO	Operations supervisor
Patient Administrator Specialist	Patient Administration
Physical security	Security
Platoon Leader	Team leader
Platoon Sergeant	Supervisor
Platoon, Squad, or Section	Team
Policing	Cleaning or controlling
Priority of fires / support	Priority
Ranger school	Elite leadership course
S-1 / G-1	Personnel
S-2 / G-2	Intelligence
S-3 / G-3	Operations
S-4 / G-4	Logistics
S-5 / G-5	Business plans
S-6 / G-6	Communications
S-7 / G-7	Marketing
S-8 / G-8	Financial management
S-9 / G-9	Public Affairs
Screen (n)	Surveillance
Sector of fire	Area of responsibility
Senior Field Grade Officer	CEO, COO
Senior NCO	Supervisor
Sergeant Major	Senior advisor
Situational understanding	Understanding
Soldiers	Professionals, staff
Squad leader	Team leader
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)	Playbook, Guidebook
Supply sergeant	Logistics supervisor
Support equipment	Equipment
Table of Distribution & Allowances (TDA) or Modified Table of Organization & Equipment (MTOE)	Organizational structure
Target reference point	Reference point
Targeting	Identifying or selecting
Tempo or OPTEMPO	Speed or frequency
Theater	War zone
Threat	Competition
Troop leading procedures	Tactical planning procedures
Unit	Organization
War college	Executive leadership school
Wargaming	Contingency planning
Warrant officer	Specialist
Warrior leader course (WLC)	Basic leadership development course
Zone reconnaissance	Reconnaissance

MARINE CORPS

Military Term	Translated Civilian Term
782, deuce gear	Personal equipment
Area assignment	Assignment
Asymmetric	Disproportionate
Aviation combat element	Aviation organization
Battalion	Organization
Battle drill	Rehearsal
Battlespace	Operating area
Be prepared mission	Contingency operation
Block	Deny
Brigade, Regiment	Sub-division
Bulkhead	Wall
Chief Petty Officer	Supervisor
Clear	Remove or eliminate
Combat load	Essential equipment
Command element	Headquarters
Commander, Commanding Officer	Supervisor, leader, chief operations officer
Commanding General	CEO
Company, Troop	Group
Corpsman	Nurse
Cover	Protect
Current intelligence	Intelligence
Debarkation	Arrival
Deck	Floor
Deployment	Relocation
Division	Division
Embarkation	Departure
Executive Officer	Chief of Staff
Exfiltrate	Remove
Expeditionary force	Operating entity
Flank	Side
Fleet	Operational forces
Force continuum	Operations spectrum
Force sustainment	Support
Frontage	Width
Galley, Mess	Kitchen
Ground combat element	Operational organization; business unit
Gunnery	Military skills competition
Gunnery Sergeant	Organization supervisor
Hack	Synchronize
Hatch	Door
Insertion	Placement
Interdict	Disrupt
Joint operation	Inter-service or Coordinated operation
Laager point	Rendezvous location
Logistics combat element	Logistics organization
M1A1	Tank, assigned equipment
Maintenance float	Prepositioned replacement parts
Mission creep	Scope creep
Mission-essential equipment	Essential equipment
Moonbeam	Flashlight
Multicapable	Flexible
Neck-down	Converge or combine
On-order mission	Contingency operation
Overwatch	Protect or look after
Platoon	Team
Platoon Leader	Team leader
Platoon Sergeant	Team supervisor
Screen (n)	Surveillance
Sector	Area of responsibility
Shape (v)	Influence
Situational awareness	Understanding
Soldiers, Sailors	Professionals, staff
Task force	Operating element
Tempo or OPTEMPO	Speed or frequency
Time on station	Operational time
Visual reconnaissance	Reconnaissance
Wargaming	Contingency planning
Waves	Sequence
Zone reconnaissance	Reconnaissance

NAVY

Military Term	Translated Civilian Term
Acquire (target)	Locate or obtain
Admiral	CEO
Aft or astern	Back or behind
Alongside replenishment	Resupply
Ambient noise	Sound or noise
Amphibious bulk liquid transfer system	Hose
Amphibious operation	Operation
Amphibious warfare ship	Ship
Array	Group
Aspect	Position
Assault follow-on echelon	Follow-on forces
Attenuation	Reduction
Backscatter	Interference
Baffle	Amplifier
Band level	Signal strength
Base speed	Speed
Battlespace	Operations area
Beam rider	Guided weapon
Bellringer	Alert
Blue water	Open ocean
Brown water	Rivers
BUD/S	Elite leadership course
Bulkhead	Wall
Chief Petty Officer	Supervisor
Combat operations center	Operations center
Commander, Commanding Officer	Supervisor, leader, chief operations officer
Commander's planning guidance	Guidance
Corpsman	Nurse
Countermine (v)	Mine
Creeping mine (n)	Mine
Custodian of postal effects	Postal clerk
Datum	Location
Dazzle (v)	Blind
Deck	Floor
Departmental Material Inspection	Inspection
Deperming	Obscuring
Destroyer, Cruiser, Aircraft Carrier, etc.	Ship or boat
Dig (v)	Separate
Dolphins	Submarine qualification
Easting	Eastward
Endurance speed	Speed
Equipage	Valuable items
Executive Officer	Chief of Staff
Expeditionary logistics	Logistics
Fore	Front or ahead
Full mission-capable	Capable
G-1 / J-1 / N-1 / S-1	Personnel
G-2 / J-2 / N-2 / S-2	Intelligence
G-3 / J-3 / N-3 / S-3	Operations
G-4 / J-4 / N-4 / S-4	Logistics
G-5 / J-5 / N-5 / S-5	Planning
G-6 / J-6 / N-6 / S-6	Communications
Galley	Kitchen
Gold dolphins	Submarine qualification
Gray water	Waste water
Green water	Ports or harbors
Ground speed	Speed
Hatch	Door
Head	Bathroom
Heaving line	Working
Jettison	Release
Joint Task Force	Combined entity
Judge Advocate General (JAG)	Lawyers or legal advisors
Luminance	Brightness
Maritime operations center	Operations center
Mission data	Data
Naval Enlistment Code (NEC)	Career Field
Naval Flight Officer	Aviation specialist, pilot
Northing	Northward
Port	Left
Prairie	Propeller blade
Prospective Nuclear Engineering Officer Course (PNEO)	Nuclear reactor leadership certification course
Radio deception	Deception
Reconstitution	Restoration
Reefer	Refrigerator
Sailors	Professionals, staff
Seabees	Construction workers
Section	Team
Signature	Reflection or portrayal
Squadron	Group
Starboard	Right
Stand Watch	Guard or work with
Steam (v)	Maneuver
Stovepipe	Column
Surface Warfare Officer	Ship operator
Survey	Audit
Topside	Above
Underinstruct (n)	Mentee. Student. Trainee. Pupil.
Unrestricted Line Officer	Senior naval operator
Vector	Direction or azimuth
Weapons System Officer	Airborne weapons operator

AIR FORCE

Military Term	Translated Civilian Term
A1	Personnel or human resources
A2	Business intelligence
A3	Business operations
A4	Logistics
A5	Business plans
A6	Communications
A7	Real estate
A8	Financial management
A9	Analytics
Air Combat Command	Aviation organization
Air Education and Training Command	Aviation training organization
Air Expeditionary Wing	Aviation organization
Air Force Research Lab	Research lab
Air Force Space Command	Space operations group
Air Force Special Operations Command	Covert operations group
Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC)	Career Field
Air Land Sea Application Center	Inter-service coordination group
Air Liaison Officer	Liaison
Air mobility	Movement
Air Mobility Command	Aviation transportation organization
Air refueling	Refueling
Air route	Route
Airlift capability	Capacity
Airspace coordination measures	Coordination measures
Allowable cabin load	Maximum capacity
Area of responsibility	Responsibility
Center of gravity	Momentum
Close Air Support	Aviation support
Combat recovery	Recovery
Combined arms live fire exercise	Inter-service military exercise
Commander	Supervisor, leader, chief operations officer
Concept of operations	Plan
Concept of Operations	Concept or Plan
Continuity of operations	Synchronicity
Course of action	Option
Decision support system / tools	Planning methods / tools
Deployment distribution operations center	Distribution center
Drop zone	Landing area
Electronic warfare support	Cyber support
Essential elements of information	Critical information
Expeditionary aeromedical evacuation squadron	Medical evacuation group
Explosive ordnance disposal	Ordnance disposal
Flight Chief	Operations Officer
Force protection	Protection
Forward air controller	Air traffic controller
Functional plan	Plan
Geospatial intelligence	Intelligence
Head of contracting authority	Contracting lead
Human intelligence	Intelligence
Individual protective equipment	Personal equipment
Integrated skills training	Training
Intelligence preparation of the battlefield	Planning
Joint air operations center	Aviation coordination center
Joint Operations Planning and Execution System	Inter-service planning
Joint task force	Inter-service organization
Judge Advocate General (JAG)	Lawyers or legal advisors
Liaison officer	Liaison
Major command	Major division / group
Medical treatment facility	Hospital
Military assistance to civil authorities	Assistance or support
Mission essential task	Important task
Mission ready	Prepared
Office of primary responsibility	Responsible party
Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF)	Afghanistan
Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF)	Iraq
Operation Plan	Plan
Operational assessment	Assessment
Operational control	Control
Operational environment	Environment
Operational security	Security
Operations order	Plan
Order of battle	Sequence
Personal protective equipment	Personal equipment
Planning order	Plan
POTUS	President
Priority intelligence requirements	Intelligence needs
Professional continuing education	Graduate school / course
Program objective memorandum	Budget or budget allocation
Required proficiency level	Qualification level
Rules of engagement	Ground rules or rules
Special operations forces	Covert operators
Tactical assessment	Assessment
Tactical control	Control
Time-phased force and deployment data (TPFDD)	Operations management
Vector	Direction
VFR direct	Directly

COAST GUARD

Military Term	Translated Civilian Term
Acoustic intelligence	Intelligence
Admeasure	Measure
Admiral	CEO
All concerned	Everyone
Allision	Crash or collision
Appurtenance	Attachment or accessory
Battle lantern	Flashlight
Billet	Role
Boarding officer	Interdiction leader
Boarding Team Member	Interdiction specialist
Boatswain	Leader, supervisor, boss
Bow	Front
Bravo zulu	Well done
Buoy Utility Stern Loading Boat	Boat
Captain of the Port	Supervisor, leader, boss
Chief petty officer	Supervisor
Civilian needs assessment	Needs assessment
Class maintenance plan	Maintenance plan
Come on through	Be first through the door
Combatant command	Major division (of the enterprise)
Command master chief	Senior supervisor, senior specialist
Commander, commanding officer	Supervisor, leader, chief operations officer
Cutter	Ship
Datum marker buoy	Buoy
Deployable pursuit boat	Boat
Dining facility	Cafeteria
Dolphin	Protective shield
Domestic icebreaking	Icebreaking
Drift (n)	Pile
Equipage	Valuable items
Falsework	Temporary structure
Fantail	Back main deck
Fender	Protective structure
Force protection	Protection
Heave (v)	Move forward to rear
International icebreaking	Icebreaking
Joint (adj)	Coordinated or multi-service
Ladder	Steps or stairs
Light-off	Sign-off
Master chief petty officer	Organization supervisor
Motor lifeboat	Lifeboat
National fleet	Navy and Coast Guard
Officer	Leader
Open river	No obstructions
Port state control	Host nation ownership
Riprap	Protective cover
Roll (v)	Move side to side
Screw	Propeller
Stand fast	Stop or stand still
Stem	Front
Stem to stern	Front to back
Stern	Back
Tender	Boat
Territorial sea	Waters adjacent to the US
Warrant officer	Specialist
Yaw	Swerve

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See: “Joint Publication 1-02, DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms,” Defense Technical Information Center, July 2017, accessed August 5, 2017, http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/new_pubs/dictionary.pdf.

See: “ADRP 1-02 TERMS AND MILITARY SYMBOLS,” HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, September 2013, accessed August 5, 2017, http://usacac.army.mil/sites/default/files/misc/doctrine/CDG/cdg_resources/manuals/adrp/adrp1_02.pdf.

See: “Marine Corps Supplement to the Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms; MCRP 1-10.2,” US Marine Corps, August 19, 2013, accessed November 2, 2017, http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCRP%201-10.2%20(Formerly%20MCRP%205-12C).pdf?ver=2016-06-23-085133-250.

See: “NAVY SUPPLEMENT TO THE DOD DICTIONARY OF MILITARY AND ASSOCIATED TERMS NTRP 1-02,” Defense Technical Information Center, June 2012, accessed August 5, 2017, http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf&AD=ADA562336.

See: “AIR FORCE SUPPLEMENT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DICTIONARY OF MILITARY AND ASSOCIATED TERMS, Air Force Doctrine Document 1-02 Change 1,” LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education, January 6, 2012, accessed August 5, 2017, https://fas.org/irp/doddir/usaf/afdd1-2.pdf.

See: “Glossary of Bridge Terms,” US Coast Guard, accessed August 5, 2017, http://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO%20Documents/5pw/Office%20of%20Bridge%20Programs/GLOSSARY.pdf. See also: “List of Commonly Used Coast Guard Acronyms,” United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Ninth Coast Guard District – Central Region, June 2005, accessed August 19, 2017, http://www.central.districtnine.org/docs/AcronymsList.pdf. See also: “US Coast Guard Publication 1: Doctrine for the US Coast Guard,” US Coast Guard, February 2014, 95-99, accessed August 20, 2017, http://www.overview.uscg.mil/Portals/6/Documents/PDF/CGPub_1-0_Doctrine.pdf?ver=2016-10-20-094949-363.