What does ASVAB stand for?

ASVAB stands for Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. It is the standardized aptitude test all U.S. military branches use to determine enlistment eligibility (via the AFQT score) and job qualification (via line scores). Nine subtests cover arithmetic, algebra, science, mechanical knowledge, electronics, and verbal skills.

What is MEPS in the military?

MEPS stands for Military Entrance Processing Station. It is a federal facility where recruits complete the full medical examination, take the ASVAB (if not already done), select their job, and take the Oath of Enlistment. There are 65 MEPS locations across the United States.

What does MOS mean in the military?

MOS stands for Military Occupational Specialty — the Army's designation for an enlisted job. The equivalent in the Navy is 'rate,' in the Air Force and Space Force is 'AFSC,' and in the Marine Corps is also 'MOS.' MOS codes are two-digit numbers (e.g., 11B Infantry) that classify a service member's primary job and career track.

What is BAH in the military?

BAH stands for Basic Allowance for Housing. It is a tax-free monthly stipend paid to service members who live off-base or who have dependents. BAH rates vary by duty station zip code and pay grade, and cover approximately 95% of local rental costs for that rank.

What is the DEP in military enlistment?

DEP stands for Delayed Entry Program. After signing the DD Form 4 enlistment contract, recruits enter the DEP for up to 365 days before their ship date. During this time they are technically enlisted but not yet on active duty, attending monthly recruiter check-ins while preparing for training.

What does PULHES mean?

PULHES is the military medical fitness rating system used at MEPS. Each letter represents a body system: P (Physical capacity), U (Upper extremities), L (Lower extremities), H (Hearing), E (Eyes), S (Psychiatric). Each is rated 1–4 where 1 is fully qualified and 4 is disqualifying. Most military jobs require all PULHES categories rated 1 or 2.

Field Manual

The Glossary

The Military Enlistment Glossary defines every term, acronym, and form a recruit will encounter on the path to service. ASVAB, AFQT, MEPS, MOS, PULHES, DEP, BAH, BAS, BCT, RTC, GI Bill — every abbreviation explained in plain English, so you are never walking into a conversation unprepared.

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Test Process Forms Component Training Roles Pay & Benefits Medical Slang & Culture

What military tests and assessments should you know?

ACFT Army Combat Fitness Test: The ACFT featured six events: 3-rep max deadlift, standing power throw, hand-release push-ups, sprint-drag-carry, leg tuck (later replaced by plank), and a 2-mile run. It was designed to better predict combat performance than the older APFT (which tested only push-ups, sit-ups, and a 2-mile run). Older prep materials still reference the ACFT; when in doubt, verify with current Army sources.
AFCT Armed Forces Classification Test: The AFCT is not available to recruits — it is taken by service members already in uniform who want to retrain into a different MOS, Rate, or AFSC. Scores are used the same way as ASVAB scores. Recruits won't take it, but you'll hear the term when talking to active-duty members about career changes.
AFQT Armed Forces Qualification Test: AFQT = Arithmetic Reasoning + Mathematics Knowledge + 2 × Verbal Expression (Word Knowledge + Paragraph Comprehension), reported as a 1–99 percentile. Branch minimums: Army 31, Marines 32, Navy 35, Air Force / Space Force 36, Coast Guard 40 (50 with GED for most branches). A higher AFQT score expands your job options and may qualify you for enlistment bonuses.
AFT Army Fitness Test: The AFT replaced the ACFT on June 1, 2025. Five events: 3-rep max deadlift, hand-release push-ups, sprint-drag-carry, forearm plank, and a 2-mile run. Standard passing score is 300 points (60 per event). Soldiers in 21 designated combat MOSs must score 350. Scores are age- and gender-normed within those thresholds. Prep materials predating June 2025 may still reference the ACFT.
ASVAB Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery: The ASVAB has nine subtests: General Science (GS), Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Word Knowledge (WK), Paragraph Comprehension (PC), Mathematics Knowledge (MK), Electronics Information (EI), Auto and Shop Information (AS), Mechanical Comprehension (MC), and Assembling Objects (AO). Four of the nine — AR, MK, WK, and PC — compute the AFQT score. The remaining subtests combine into branch-specific line scores that determine which jobs you qualify for. You can take the ASVAB at a school, at MEPS (CAT-ASVAB), or at home (PiCAT).
BCA Body Composition Assessment: The BCA is part of the Navy's PFA cycle. All sailors are weighed and measured against height/weight standards first. Those who exceed the chart get taped: the Navy measures neck circumference and abdomen (men) or neck, waist, and hips (women) to estimate body-fat percentage. Exceeding the body-fat standard results in an Overall Failure on the PFA regardless of PRT performance.
CAT-ASVAB Computer Adaptive Test ASVAB: The CAT-ASVAB is administered on a computer at MEPS. It is adaptive, meaning harder questions appear after correct answers and easier ones follow wrong answers. This format produces accurate scores in fewer questions than the full paper test. Most recruits who have not taken the PiCAT will take the CAT-ASVAB on their first MEPS visit.
CFT Combat Fitness Test: The CFT is taken once a year (July–December). Three events: an 880-yard movement-to-contact run in boots and utilities, two minutes of 30-pound ammo-can overhead lifts, and a 300-yard maneuver-under-fire obstacle course. It complements the PFT by testing anaerobic and functional fitness rather than pure endurance.
DLAB Defense Language Aptitude Battery: The DLAB is scored 0–164. Most linguist jobs require a minimum of 95+. Because it uses a constructed language (not an existing one), it measures raw aptitude rather than prior language knowledge. Recruits who score well on DLAB open doors to 35P (Army Cryptologic Linguist), CTI (Navy Cryptologic Technician Interpretive), and similar intel-language positions.
DLPT Defense Language Proficiency Test: Unlike the DLAB (which tests aptitude), the DLPT tests actual proficiency in a real language (Arabic, Mandarin, Russian, etc.) after training. Scores are reported on the ILR (Interagency Language Roundtable) scale. Service members who receive a language-proficiency bonus must maintain minimum DLPT scores to keep the bonus.
GT Score General Technical: The GT score is computed as Verbal Expression (VE) plus Arithmetic Reasoning (AR). It is the line score most Army and Marine MOSs reference first. A GT of 110 or higher is required for many advanced programs including Special Forces, Ranger School attendance, and OCS eligibility. Study focus: AR and VE (Word Knowledge + Paragraph Comprehension) deliver the highest GT-score return per hour of prep.
HAMR High Aerobic Multi-Shuttle Run: The HAMR is a progressive 20-meter shuttle run (beep test) that increases pace with each stage. It is approved as an alternate cardio event on the Air Force PFA and the Space Force HPA for service members who cannot run outdoors or prefer a controlled-environment option. HAMR scores convert to run equivalents for scoring purposes.
HPA Human Performance Assessment: The HPA has three scored components: cardio (2-mile run or HAMR shuttle run), muscular strength (push-ups), and core endurance (plank, sit-ups, or cross-leg crunches). A waist-to-height ratio measurement is also included for body composition. The Space Force moved to twice-yearly HPA testing in January 2026.
IST Initial Strength Test: The IST is a gateway test, not a graduation test. Men must complete at least 2 pull-ups (or a 40-second flexed-arm hang), 44 crunches in 2 minutes, and run 1.5 miles in under 13:30. Women: a 12-second flexed-arm hang, 44 crunches, and 1.5 miles in under 15:00. Failing the IST means more training before you can begin recruit training. Recruiters use it to gauge readiness.
Line Scores: Beyond the AFQT, each branch uses composite line scores. Army examples: GT (General Technical) = AR + VE; EL (Electronics) = AR + EI + GS + MK; CO (Combat) = AR + CS + AS + MC; ST (Skilled Technical) = GS + VE + MK + MC; CL (Clerical) = VE + AR + MK; GM (General Maintenance) = GS + AS + MK + EI; FA (Field Artillery) = AR + MK + MC; SC (Surveillance & Communications) = VE + AR + AS + MC. The Air Force and Space Force use four composites called MAGE. The right line scores unlock specific career fields.
MAGE: MAGE stands for the four composite scores the Air Force and Space Force compute from the ASVAB: Mechanical (M), Administrative (A), General (G), and Electronics (E). Each AFSC lists minimum MAGE scores. Unlike Army line scores, MAGE composites group subtests differently and are the primary job-qualification tool for airmen and guardians.
PFA Physical Fitness Assessment: For the Air Force, the PFA has two components: an aerobic event (2-mile run or HAMR shuttle run) and muscular fitness events (push-ups and sit-ups). Effective September 2026 the Air Force adds new scored components. For the Space Force, the equivalent is the HPA (Human Performance Assessment). In the Navy, PFA is the umbrella term covering the PRT (fitness events) and the BCA (body composition).
PFT Physical Fitness Test: The Marine Corps PFT is administered twice a year (January–June cycle). Three events: pull-ups (max score 100) or push-ups (max score 70), a forearm plank hold, and a 3-mile run. Maximum score is 300. The CFT covers the other half of the year. The Coast Guard also uses a PFT (push-ups, forearm plank, and a 1.5-mile run / 12-minute swim / 2,000-meter row choice) that became service-wide July 1, 2026.
PiCAT Pending Internet Computerized Adaptive Test: PiCAT lets you take the full ASVAB remotely under recruiter supervision. Once you complete it, MEPS administers a shorter verification test to confirm your scores are genuine. If the scores match within tolerance, the PiCAT result stands. This saves time at MEPS and lets you study in a more comfortable environment before testing.
PRT Physical Readiness Test: The Navy PRT is part of the broader PFA (Physical Fitness Assessment). Three scored events: 2-minute push-ups, forearm plank hold, and a 1.5-mile run (or an approved alternate cardio event such as a stationary bike or swimming). Sailors who fail the PRT are enrolled in the FEP (Fitness Enhancement Program). Starting in 2026, sailors take the PRT twice a year.
Standard Score: Each of the nine ASVAB subtests (GS, AR, WK, PC, MK, EI, AS, MC, AO) produces a standard score on a 0–100 scale. Standard scores combine in various ways to produce line scores. The AFQT is not the same as any single standard score — it is a percentile derived from four of the nine subtests.
VE Score Verbal Expression: Verbal Expression (VE) = Word Knowledge (WK) + Paragraph Comprehension (PC), scaled. VE is the highest-leverage area for most recruits to study because it appears in six Army line scores: GT, CL, CO, SC, ST, and OF. Improving your VE score has a multiplier effect on multiple line scores simultaneously.

What are the key terms for the enlistment process?

Accession: Accession is a bureaucratic term for the moment you are formally inducted into the armed forces. Signing a contract and taking the first Oath of Enlistment puts you in DEP; accession occurs when you physically depart for basic training (Ship Day / EAD). Statistics about how many people 'accession' each year track actual arrivals at training, not recruiter contracts.
Annual Training AT: Annual Training is the 'two weeks' in the common phrase 'one weekend a month, two weeks a year.' AT is typically scheduled in summer and involves unit-level collective training: field exercises, qualification ranges, and specialty schools. Guard and Reserve members are paid active-duty rates and receive full military benefits during AT.
Citizenship Requirement: Enlisted positions are open to U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (holders of a valid Form I-551 green card). Non-citizens who enlist may apply for expedited naturalization after serving 180 days on active duty. Certain jobs requiring security clearances are available only to U.S. citizens. Officer commissioning programs (OCS, ROTC, academies) require citizenship.
DAT Drug and Alcohol Testing: DAT is administered at MEPS during the medical examination. The urinalysis screens for a panel of common controlled substances; breath testing checks for alcohol. A positive DAT result typically results in immediate disqualification. Depending on the substance and branch, a recruit may reapply after a waiting period and may need a moral waiver. Be honest with your recruiter before MEPS — surprises are far worse than disclosed history.
DEP Delayed Entry Program: After taking the Oath of Enlistment at MEPS, most recruits enter DEP. Duration ranges from a few days to 12 months depending on branch and MOS availability. Recruits must maintain fitness, attend recruiter check-ins, and immediately report any change in legal, medical, or family status. The Army calls its DEP the Future Soldier Program; the Army National Guard calls it RSP; the Air Force calls monthly meetings Student Flight; Marine Corps DEP members are called Poolees.
DEPing In: DEPing in is the informal phrase for the moment a recruit raises their right hand and takes the Oath of Enlistment at MEPS for the first time — entering the Delayed Entry Program rather than shipping immediately. It's the commitment moment, even though active duty doesn't begin until Ship Day.
DFAS Defense Finance and Accounting Service: DFAS manages pay for all military branches. At basic training, recruits set up direct deposit and fill out tax withholding forms. DFAS handles base pay, allowances (BAH, BAS), special pays, enlistment bonuses (by installment), and allotments. Your LES (Leave and Earnings Statement) comes from DFAS and is accessible via MyPay.
DODMERB Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board: DODMERB is a separate medical screening process from MEPS, used for service academy applicants (West Point, Annapolis, Air Force Academy, etc.) and ROTC scholarship candidates. Standards are similar to MEPS but the administrative process differs. Most enlisted recruits will never interact with DODMERB.
DQ Disqualified: A DQ at MEPS can come from many sources: a failed drug test (DAT), a medical finding, an incomplete background record, or a disclosed disqualifying history. Some DQs are temporary — a broken bone still healing, for instance — and clear once records are submitted. Others require a formal waiver. Permanent DQs include certain felony convictions and non-waiverable medical conditions. Your recruiter should discuss the path forward, if any.
Drill Weekend: Drill weekends (also called IDT — Inactive Duty Training) run from Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon, sometimes beginning Friday evening. Attendance is mandatory unless excused. Guard and Reserve members earn one drill day of pay per 4-hour period. Missing drills can affect benefits and create administrative issues.
EAD Entry on Active Duty: EAD is the bureaucratic name for Ship Day: the date you formally transition from the Delayed Entry Program into active military service. From EAD forward, UCMJ applies to you fully, you begin accruing leave, your pay clock starts, and your 8-year Military Service Obligation (MSO) officially begins.
ETS Expiration of Term of Service: ETS is the date printed on your DD Form 4 when your active-duty obligation concludes. On ETS, you transition to the IRR (if you don't reenlist), reserve component, or full separation. Most service members begin separation counseling 90–180 days before ETS and complete transition programs like TAP (Transition Assistance Program).
Future Soldier Program: The Army's Future Soldier Program includes monthly recruiter check-ins, optional PT events, and access to the 'GoArmy' app with prep resources. Future Soldiers are expected to maintain fitness, stay out of legal trouble, and keep their recruiter informed of any changes to their health or personal situation.
GED Plus: GED Plus was a policy allowing GED holders to qualify as Tier 1 applicants if they could demonstrate additional academic achievement (college credits, strong test scores). Most branches have moved away from this program and now treat GED holders strictly as Tier 2. Recruits with a GED are strongly encouraged to pursue at least 15 college credits before enlisting.
HOR Home of Record: Your HOR is the permanent address on file at the time of enlistment. It determines which state can tax your income (some states exempt military pay entirely) and the travel entitlement when you separate or retire. If you move during your career, HOR stays fixed at the enlistment address unless formally changed through military channels.
Induction: Induction traditionally referred to being drafted into military service involuntarily. Today, the term appears mostly in historical context and in formal ceremonies. Modern enlistment is voluntary, but the Selective Service system maintains the infrastructure for a potential future induction (draft) if authorized by Congress.
Liberty: Liberty (or 'pass' in Army usage) is authorized time off during which a service member does not have to be at their duty station but has not charged any official leave days. Liberty is typically granted for weekends and holidays. It ends at a specified time (liberty expiration). Going past liberty expiration without authorization can result in UCMJ action.
Medical Waiver: Medical waivers are submitted by the recruiter with supporting documentation: physician notes, surgical records, specialist letters. Common waiverable conditions include childhood asthma (symptom-free for years), ADHD (off medication), corrective eye surgery, and healed fractures. Approval depends on the specific condition, the branch's current needs, and available medical documentation. Temporary disqualifications (a healing injury, for example) often clear once medical records are submitted.
MEPS Military Entrance Processing Station: There are 65 MEPS locations across the United States, all run by USMEPCOM. Most recruits visit twice: once to qualify and sign their contract, and once on Ship Day. During your first visit you complete the CAT-ASVAB (if not done via PiCAT), the full medical examination (DD 2808), background verification, job classification, and the Oath of Enlistment. Recruits typically stay in a contracted hotel the night before.
Moral Waiver: Also called a conduct waiver, this covers past brushes with the law that don't automatically bar enlistment. The military does a 'whole-person' review: letters from schools, clergy, or law enforcement can strengthen the package. Common waiverable issues include non-violent misdemeanors, marijuana use (off a certain timeline), and juvenile records. Non-waiverable: felony convictions, sex offenses, domestic violence convictions under the Lautenberg Amendment.
MSO Military Service Obligation: Every first-time enlistment in the U.S. military carries an 8-year MSO. If you sign a 4-year active duty contract, you serve 4 years on active duty and then spend the remaining 4 in the IRR (Inactive Ready Reserve). During the IRR period, you are technically still subject to recall. Understanding your MSO prevents surprises when you plan to leave service.
NAVADMIN: NAVADMINs are official Navy-wide messages that communicate policy changes, program updates, and administrative guidance to all sailors. They are published on the Navy's official message system and archived on navy.mil. When you hear 'per NAVADMIN [number],' it means a specific policy document is being cited.
Oath of Enlistment: The Oath of Enlistment reads: 'I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.' You say it twice: once entering DEP, once on Ship Day.
PCS Permanent Change of Station: PCS moves are funded by the military and can happen every 2–4 years. The military pays for household goods shipment, travel per diem, and in some cases a dislocation allowance. Your first PCS typically goes from your AIT/A-School/tech school location to your first assigned unit. International PCS orders are called OCONUS (outside the continental U.S.) assignments.
Poolee: Marine Corps recruits in the Delayed Entry Program are called Poolees. They attend monthly pool functions run by their recruiter: group PT, weapons familiarization, drill practice, and motivational events. Poolees are expected to show up in better shape each month. Other branches use parallel terms: Future Soldier (Army), Future Sailor (Navy), Future Airman (Air Force).
Recycle: Recruits who are injured, fail a key test (marksmanship, swim qualification, etc.), or commit a serious infraction may be recycled to an earlier phase of training. Being recycled is not a discharge — you continue training with a new cohort. A recruit who cannot complete training due to injury may also be placed in a 'medical hold' or 'limited duty' status while recovering.
ROTC Reserve Officers' Training Corps: ROTC programs at universities train college students to become commissioned officers (O-1) upon graduation. Army ROTC is the largest. ROTC cadets are not enlisted — they are on a separate officer commissioning path. Many NCOs and senior enlisted leaders interact daily with junior ROTC-commissioned officers (lieutenants). Understanding the officer commissioning path helps enlisted service members understand their own chain of command.
RSP Recruit Sustainment Program: RSP is unique among DEP programs because participants drill monthly with their Guard unit and receive drill pay throughout the waiting period. Five phases — Red, White, Blue, Green, and Gold — progressively introduce Army skills: physical fitness, land navigation, first aid, weapons familiarization, and Army values. The cadre are the Guard NCOs who run each RSP weekend.
Selective Service: All male U.S. citizens and most male non-citizens between 18 and 25 must register with Selective Service within 30 days of their 18th birthday. Registration is not enlistment — it is a contingency database for a possible future military draft. Beginning December 18, 2026, registration becomes automatic for male U.S. residents via federal databases. Failure to register before age 26 can disqualify you from federal student aid, federal employment, and military enlistment.
Ship Day: On Ship Day (also called EAD — Entry on Active Duty), recruits return to MEPS or a contracted hotel, process briefly, and travel by bus or plane to the basic training installation. The Oath of Enlistment is often re-administered. Everything you brought into DEP ends here; your new life begins.
SIE Separation in Entry-Level Status: Service members who separate within the first 180 days of active duty (entry-level status) are typically released via SIE rather than a formal discharge with a characterization (Honorable, General, etc.). This means the separation generally does not appear as a discharge on your civilian record, though it does show in military records and can affect future enlistment attempts. SIE is not the same as an Honorable Discharge.
Split-Op Split Training Option: Under the Split-Op option, a recruit attends BCT one summer and AIT the following summer, spending the school year at home and drilling with their Guard unit in between. This lets high school seniors enlist while finishing their diploma and lets college students complete a year without a full absence. Pay and benefits apply during both training periods.
Student Flight: Student Flight is the Air Force's equivalent of the Army's pool functions. Future Airmen gather monthly (often on a weekend morning) with their recruiter and other enlistees. Activities include group PT, drill and ceremonies, uniform prep, and briefings on what to expect at BMT. Attendance is expected and tracked.
TDY Temporary Duty: TDY orders send service members away from their home station temporarily, with per diem to cover meals and lodging. TDY can range from a 2-day conference to a 179-day training rotation. Unlike a PCS, TDY does not involve a permanent move. The Army, Air Force, and Space Force use 'TDY'; the Navy and Marines use 'TAD'; the Coast Guard uses 'TAD' as well.
Tier 1 / Tier 2: Tier 1 applicants hold a traditional high school diploma. Tier 2 applicants hold a GED or alternative credential. Most branches strongly prefer Tier 1 applicants: Tier 2 applicants typically face higher AFQT minimums, lower enlistment caps per recruiting cycle, and fewer MOS options. Some branches accept Tier 2 applicants with college credits or exceptional AFQT scores.
UCMJ Uniform Code of Military Justice: The UCMJ is the federal law that establishes the military justice system. It covers crimes from Article 86 (Absence Without Leave) to Article 134 (General Article, covering conduct unbecoming). The UCMJ applies to active-duty members, reservists on active orders, and cadets. Violations can result in non-judicial punishment (Article 15/NJP), court-martial, reduction in rank, or imprisonment.
USERRA Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act: USERRA requires civilian employers to hold jobs for Guard and Reserve members who are called to active duty, maintain their seniority and benefits, and reemploy them when they return — as long as the service member gives advance notice and total military service does not exceed 5 years. Employers cannot discriminate against someone for being in the Guard or Reserve. The Department of Labor enforces USERRA.
USMEPCOM U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command: USMEPCOM, headquartered in North Chicago, IL, oversees all 65 Military Entrance Processing Stations. It is a joint command staffed by personnel from all branches. USMEPCOM sets the standards and procedures for ASVAB administration, medical examinations, background checks, and enlistment processing at every MEPS location.
Waiver: Many medical, legal, dependent, and tattoo issues are waivable; some are not. Common waiverable issues: past asthma, ADHD, surgically corrected conditions, misdemeanors, certain drug history, multiple traffic offenses. Non-waiverable issues include sex offense convictions and domestic violence convictions under the Lautenberg Amendment. The recruiter submits the waiver package with supporting documentation. Approval rates vary by condition, branch, and current recruiting needs. Processing can take days to several months.

What forms and documents come up during military enlistment?

DA Form 3540 Certificate and Acknowledgment — Army Reserve Service: DA Form 3540 documents that you've been briefed on and understand the requirements of Army Reserve service: mandatory drill attendance, Annual Training, and consequences for missing. It is signed alongside the DD Form 4 at MEPS for Army Reserve enlistees.
DD 1966 Record of Military Processing / Armed Forces Enlistment: DD Form 1966 is the formal application for enlistment in the U.S. Armed Forces. It captures personal history, education, employment, legal, medical, and family information used for verification and security clearance review. Your recruiter completes it with you. Inaccuracies discovered later can constitute fraudulent enlistment. Be thorough and honest.
DD 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty: The DD 214 records your dates of service, character of discharge (Honorable, General, Other Than Honorable, etc.), MOS, awards, training schools, and reason for separation. Veterans should keep multiple certified copies — it is required for nearly every veteran benefit claim, federal employment preference, and veteran service organization membership. The National Guard equivalent is the NGB-22.
DD 2807-1 Report of Medical History: DD Form 2807-1 captures the recruit's complete self-reported medical history. Honesty matters: omissions discovered later can result in fraudulent enlistment charges, even years after the fact. It pairs with the MEPS physician's exam form (DD 2808). Everything you disclose here stays in your military record.
DD 2807-2 Medical Prescreen of Medical History Report: DD Form 2807-2 is completed at the recruiter's office before your MEPS date is scheduled. A MEPS doctor reviews it remotely and may request additional records or schedule a pre-screening appointment. It identifies obvious medical disqualifiers early so time at MEPS is not wasted. Honest answers here prevent surprises at MEPS.
DD 2808 Report of Medical Examination: DD Form 2808 is the physician's side of the MEPS medical examination. After vision, hearing, blood pressure, urinalysis, blood draw, and the head-to-toe physical, the doctor completes the 2808 and assigns your PULHES profile. It becomes part of your permanent military medical record.
DD 4 Enlistment / Reenlistment Document: DD Form 4 is the enlistment contract. It specifies your branch, component, length of active service, MOS/AFSC/Rate, enlistment bonus (if any), and other guarantees. Verbal recruiter promises do not survive once you sign — if it isn't written in the DD 4 or its annexes, it is not binding. Read every line before signing. This document is your legal protection.
NGB-22: Guard members who serve only in a state status (Title 32) receive an NGB-22 (Report of Separation and Record of Service) rather than a DD 214 when they leave. Those who are federally activated under Title 10 orders will also receive a DD 214 for that period of service. The NGB-22 is accepted by most VA programs for benefits purposes.
SF-86 / eQIP Questionnaire for National Security Positions: SF-86 (electronically submitted via eQIP / e-QIP, which is being replaced by an updated system called eApp) is a comprehensive background investigation form. It covers residences, employment, education, foreign contacts, financial issues, drug history, alcohol use, mental health treatment, and police record over 7–10 years. Honesty is essential — investigators verify answers, and false statements are federal crimes.

What military branch and service component terms matter?

Active Duty: Active Duty service members are full-time employees of the U.S. military. They receive full base pay, BAH housing allowance, BAS food allowance, TRICARE healthcare, and the full Post-9/11 GI Bill. A typical first enlistment is 3–6 years of active service, plus enough time in the IRR to complete the 8-year MSO. Active Duty members live on or near a base and follow orders at all times.
Branch: The U.S. has six armed services (branches): Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. Each has distinct culture, training pipelines, job structures, and deployment patterns. The National Guard and Reserve are components of their respective branches, not separate branches themselves. The Coast Guard falls under the Department of Homeland Security in peacetime; the other five fall under the Department of Defense.
Component: Component is the overarching term for which service category you're in: Active Duty (full-time), Reserve (federal part-time), or National Guard (state/federal part-time). All three components of a given branch wear the same uniform and train to the same standards, but pay, benefits, and day-to-day life differ significantly. Recruits choose their component when they contract at MEPS.
Inactive Ready Reserve IRR: The IRR is where most service members spend the final years of their 8-year MSO after leaving active duty without joining a drilling Reserve unit. IRR members do not attend weekend drills or annual training and receive no pay unless activated. However, the military can involuntarily mobilize IRR members during a national emergency or wartime.
National Guard: Each state has Army National Guard and Air National Guard units. Guardsmen serve part-time (similar commitment to Reserve) but are commanded by the state governor by default. The President can federalize Guard units for wars and national emergencies. The Guard provides disaster response, civil support, and federal deployment capability. Guard recruits attend the same basic training as their active-duty counterparts.
Reserve: Each branch has a Reserve component: Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Forces Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, and Space Force Reserve. Reservists maintain civilian careers and serve part-time. They answer only to the federal government (unlike the National Guard, which also answers to state governors). Benefits are substantial but proportional to time served. Reservists take the same basic training as their active-duty counterparts.
Space Force: The U.S. Space Force was established December 20, 2019, as the sixth branch of the armed forces. Members are called 'Guardians.' The Space Force is the smallest service. Enlisted Guardians attend BMT at Joint Base San Antonio–Lackland alongside Air Force recruits, then attend Space Force technical training. The Space Force falls under the Department of the Air Force.

What terms will you encounter during basic training?

A-School: A-School is the Navy's initial technical training, equivalent to the Army's AIT. Every enlisted sailor attends an A-School specific to their rate (e.g., HM A-School for Hospital Corpsmen at Fort Sam Houston). Length varies widely. A-School graduates earn their NEC (Navy Enlisted Classification) and are assigned to their first duty station.
AIT Advanced Individual Training: AIT is where Army soldiers learn the actual skills of their MOS. For example, 11B (Infantry) AIT is about 14 weeks; 35F (Intelligence Analyst) AIT is several months; 68W (Combat Medic) is over six months. AIT locations vary by MOS. The Army's equivalent in the Navy is A-School; in the Marines it's the MOS school.
Battle Stations: Battle Stations 21 is the final test at RTC Great Lakes. Recruits spend 12 hours aboard the USS Trayer, a decommissioned destroyer converted into a training simulator, responding to damage-control scenarios: fires, flooding, gas attacks, and mass casualty events. Successful completion of Battle Stations earns recruits their Navy ball cap — the moment they transition from 'recruit' to 'sailor.'
BCT Basic Combat Training: BCT is conducted at Fort Jackson (SC), Fort Leonard Wood (MO), Fort Sill (OK), and Fort Moore (GA). It runs in three phases — Red, White, and Blue — covering physical conditioning, drill and ceremony, first aid, land navigation, marksmanship, and Army values. Graduation is at the end of week 10. After BCT, soldiers proceed to AIT for job-specific training.
BMT Basic Military Training: BMT covers Air Force core values, drill and ceremonies, weapons familiarization, physical conditioning, and field training. Trainees are organized into 'flights' (platoon-size groups) and led by TIs (Training Instructors). The Air Force's BMT is widely considered the most academic of the basic training programs. Space Force Guardians train alongside Air Force recruits at Lackland.
Crucible: The Crucible is a values-based leadership gauntlet at the end of Marine Corps recruit training. Recruits navigate 45+ miles of movement, problem-solving stations, and combat-related tasks over 54 hours with limited food and sleep. Upon completion, DIs present each recruit with the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem — the moment a recruit officially becomes a Marine.
Eagle, Globe, and Anchor EGA: The EGA is the most iconic symbol in Marine Corps culture. The eagle represents the nation, the globe the worldwide service, and the anchor the naval traditions. At the end of the Crucible, each drill instructor places the EGA in the palm of every recruit — the moment 'recruit' becomes 'Marine.' Marines refer to this moment as 'earning the EGA.'
FEP Fitness Enhancement Program: Sailors who fail the PRT (Physical Readiness Test) are enrolled in FEP, which involves additional supervised PT sessions, dietary counseling, and periodic reassessment. FEP participation is mandatory and tracked. Multiple PRT failures without demonstrated improvement can result in administrative separation.
Flight: At BMT, trainees are organized into Flights of 40–60 recruits each. A Flight is the primary social unit throughout training, led by a TI (Training Instructor). Flights compete against each other in academic, physical, and drill evaluations. Performing well as a Flight earns privileges; poor performance results in additional training.
Forming: Forming is the processing and orientation phase at the start of Marine recruit training. Recruits receive their gear, haircuts, uniforms, and shots; are taught basic commands; and are introduced to their DIs. It's widely considered the most disorienting few days of recruit training as everything familiar is systematically removed.
Future Sailor Preparatory Course (Navy) FSPC: Launched in 2023, the Navy FSPC mirrors the Army model with academic and fitness tracks. Per Navy data cited by the Congressional Research Service, the fitness-track completion rate is approximately 91%; the academic track has ranged from 71.8% to 51.5% depending on the cohort and source. Successful completers transition directly into RTC.
Future Soldier Preparatory Course (Army) FSPC: The Army FSPC has two tracks: the academic track (3 weeks of tutoring for recruits with AFQT scores of 21–30) and the fitness track (up to 90 days of coached exercise and nutrition for recruits who don't meet body-composition standards). Per a Congressional Research Service report (R48793, January 2025), the fitness track has a 94.8% graduation rate and the academic track 92.2%, based on roughly 32,000 graduates through January 2025.
MCMAP Marine Corps Martial Arts Program: MCMAP is a combat system that blends grappling, strikes, and weapons techniques. Belt levels progress from tan (basic, earned at recruit training) through gray, green, brown, and black. MCMAP training also incorporates the 'mental, character, and physical disciplines' framework that underpins Marine leadership development.
MCRD Marine Corps Recruit Depot: Marine Corps recruit training is 13 weeks — the longest basic training of any branch. MCRD Parris Island trains recruits from east of the Mississippi River (and all female recruits); MCRD San Diego trains those from west of the Mississippi. Both produce the same Marine. Training culminates in the Crucible and the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor ceremony.
Pass-in-Review: Pass-in-Review is the Navy's formal graduation parade. Recruits march in dress uniform past reviewing officers and family members. It follows Battle Stations completion and marks the official transition from recruit to sailor. Family members are invited and it typically takes place on a Friday morning.
Reveille: Reveille is the morning bugle call that signals the official start of the training day. At basic training, recruits are typically woken before reveille so they're already at morning formation or beginning PT when the call sounds. The opposite of reveille is Taps, played at the end of the day when lights go out.
RTC Recruit Training Command: RTC produces all enlisted U.S. Navy sailors. The 9-week curriculum includes seamanship, watchstanding, damage control, firefighting, and swim qualification. It culminates in Battle Stations 21 — a 12-hour overnight simulation aboard the USS Trayer. Passing Battle Stations earns recruits their Navy ball cap. Recruits who set back may spend 10+ weeks. The Navy calls its recruit instructors RDCs (Recruit Division Commanders).
TRACEN Training Center: The Coast Guard's Training Center Cape May (TRACEN Cape May) is the sole enlisted basic training installation for the Coast Guard. Boot camp is approximately 8 weeks. The Coast Guard's drill instructors are called CCs (Company Commanders). Recruits from all 50 states train together at Cape May.

What military role and rank terms do recruits need to know?

AFSC Air Force Specialty Code: An AFSC identifies a specific Air Force or Space Force enlisted job using a 5-character alphanumeric code. Examples: 1N0X1 (All Source Intelligence Analyst), 3F2X1 (Education and Training), 1B4X1 (Cyber Warfare Operations). MAGE composite scores determine AFSC eligibility.
Battalion: A battalion is made up of 3–5 companies. At basic training, recruits are assigned to a training battalion. The battalion commander (a Lieutenant Colonel, O-5) sets the training climate and standards. Understanding unit structure helps recruits understand their place in the chain of command from Day 1.
Chain of Command: Every service member has an unbroken chain of command from their immediate supervisor up to the President of the United States (the Commander in Chief). Understanding the chain of command is one of the first things recruits learn at basic training. Going 'outside the chain' (bypassing your supervisor) is generally prohibited unless you are reporting a crime or a violation of regulations.
Coast Guard: The U.S. Coast Guard is the only armed service not under the Department of Defense in peacetime (it falls under DHS). Missions include maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, drug interdiction, port security, and aids to navigation. Enlisted Coast Guard members are called 'Coasties.' Boot camp is at TRACEN Cape May, NJ. The Coast Guard can be transferred to DoD in wartime.
Company: A company is the primary administrative unit in the Army and Marine Corps, containing 3–5 platoons. At BCT, training companies are where recruits spend most of their time, led by a company commander (Captain, O-3) and a First Sergeant (E-8). In the Navy, the equivalent unit is a division.
Drill Instructor DI: Marine Corps Drill Instructors are among the most distinctive military trainers — identifiable by their campaign cover (the Campaign Cover, not the brown round) and high-intensity training style. DIs volunteer for the assignment after completing DI school. They work in teams (one Senior DI plus two or three junior DIs) assigned to each recruit platoon. At TRACEN Cape May, the Coast Guard equivalent is called a Company Commander (CC).
Drill Sergeant: Drill Sergeants are volunteers who undergo several weeks of DS school before being assigned to BCT. They are responsible for training, discipline, and welfare of their platoon. The Marine equivalent is a Drill Instructor (DI); the Navy uses Recruit Division Commanders (RDCs); the Air Force uses Training Instructors (TIs); the Coast Guard uses Company Commanders (CCs).
Enlisted: Enlisted personnel make up approximately 81.8% of the active-duty force (per DoD's 2023 Demographics Profile). Pay grades run from E-1 (Private / Seaman Recruit / Airman Basic) through E-9 (Sergeant Major of the Army / Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy / etc.). Enlisted members are distinct from officers (O-1 through O-10, who require a bachelor's degree) and warrant officers (W-1 through W-5).
First Sergeant: The First Sergeant (1SG in the Army) is responsible for the welfare, discipline, and administration of the enlisted soldiers in a company of 60–200 personnel. Working directly for the company commander (a captain), the First Sergeant is the senior NCO most junior soldiers interact with regularly. The equivalent in the Navy/Coast Guard is a Master Chief Petty Officer; in the Marines, a First Sergeant.
Guardian: Guardians is the official term for members of the U.S. Space Force. The name was chosen in December 2020 and is used at all ranks. Space Force enlisted members progress through the same E-1 to E-9 pay grade structure as other branches but use distinct rank titles (e.g., Specialist 4, Master Sergeant, Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force).
JAG Judge Advocate General: The JAG Corps provides legal services to service members and their families: wills, powers of attorney, tax assistance, consumer protection, and legal assistance before deployment. Before shipping, many recruits visit a JAG office (or a legal assistance office at MEPS) to prepare basic legal documents. JAG officers also prosecute and defend cases under the UCMJ.
MOS Military Occupational Specialty: Every enlisted service member has a specialty code: combat arms, intelligence, communications, medicine, mechanics, cyber, logistics, and many more. Army MOS codes are 3-character alphanumeric (e.g., 11B = Infantry Rifleman). Marine MOS codes are 4-digit numeric (e.g., 0311 = Rifleman). MOS is determined at MEPS based on ASVAB line scores, medical profile, security clearance eligibility, and current branch openings.
NCO Noncommissioned Officer: NCOs are the backbone of the enlisted force. They train junior enlisted, enforce standards, and translate officer orders into action. Army/Marine NCO ranks begin at Corporal (E-4) or Sergeant (E-5). The Navy NCO equivalent begins at Petty Officer Third Class (E-4). Senior NCOs (E-7 through E-9) are the most experienced leaders in any unit.
Officer: Officers are the strategic and administrative leaders of the military. Commissioning paths include OCS (Officer Candidate School), ROTC programs at universities, and service academies (West Point, Annapolis, etc.). Most enlisted members work for officers every day but are managed directly by NCOs. The most common officer rank for new recruits to encounter is second lieutenant (O-1) or ensign (O-1 in the Navy).
Platoon: A platoon is composed of 3–4 squads and is the primary tactical unit at BCT. Your platoon is who you wake up with, train with, and eat with every day. The platoon leader is typically a second lieutenant (O-1) or first lieutenant (O-2); the platoon sergeant is typically a Staff Sergeant (E-6) or Sergeant First Class (E-7). At boot camp, the Drill Sergeant functions as the de facto platoon sergeant.
Rate: Sailors are categorized by Rate — their enlisted occupation. Examples: HM (Hospital Corpsman), IT (Information Systems Technician), AT (Aviation Electronics Technician), MA (Master-at-Arms). Rates govern training pipelines, A-School locations, and career progression.
Rating: In the Navy, a 'rate' is the job (e.g., HM = Hospital Corpsman) and a 'rating' combines the rate with the pay grade (e.g., HM3 = Hospital Corpsman Third Class, pay grade E-4). When a sailor is promoted, their rating changes: HM3 → HM2 → HM1 → HMC (Chief). The term 'rating' is often used colloquially to mean the same thing as 'rate.'
RDC Recruit Division Commander: RDCs are the Navy's recruit trainers, responsible for a division (platoon) of recruits throughout boot camp. Like Army Drill Sergeants, RDCs volunteer for the assignment and complete special training. RDCs wear a distinctive campaign cover and are responsible for the entire spectrum of recruit development: physical conditioning, academics, watchstanding, and character.
Warrant Officer: Warrant officers are technical and tactical experts in a specific skill set: Army aviation (helicopter pilots), Army cyber, Army intelligence, and other specialist roles. They are appointed by warrant (not commissioned) and fall between senior enlisted and junior commissioned officers in the hierarchy. Most recruits won't encounter the term until well into a career.

What are the key military pay and benefits terms?

Allotment: An allotment is a standing automatic deduction from your military pay sent to a designated account — a savings account, a family member's account, or a debt servicer. Allotments are set up through MyPay. Military financial counselors often recommend using allotments to build emergency savings or send home money for family automatically.
BAH Basic Allowance for Housing: BAH is paid to service members not living in government-provided housing. The amount varies by ZIP code (cost-of-living based), pay grade, and whether the service member has dependents. BAH can be a significant portion of total compensation in high-cost areas and is completely tax-free. Service members living in barracks or government quarters generally do not receive BAH.
BAS Basic Allowance for Subsistence: BAS is intended to offset the cost of meals. The 2026 enlisted rate is $476.95 per month (a 2.4% increase from the 2025 rate of $465.77, per the DFAS 2026 BAS rate table). Officers receive a different (lower) BAS rate. BAS is paid regardless of whether the service member eats in the chow hall. Rates are adjusted annually using food cost data.
Commissary: The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) operates commissaries on military installations worldwide. Prices reflect cost plus a small 5% surcharge (the only 'markup'), resulting in significant savings compared to civilian grocery stores. Access is limited to active-duty service members, retirees, reservists, and their dependents with a valid military ID.
Enlistment Bonus: Enlistment bonuses vary by branch, MOS/AFSC/Rate, and contract length. They are taxable as regular income and typically paid in installments (e.g., half on graduation from AIT, half at the one-year mark). Any bonus guarantees must be written into the DD Form 4 — verbal recruiter promises are not enforceable. If you fail to complete your contract for a disqualifying reason, the military may recoup a prorated portion of the bonus.
GI Bill Post-9/11 GI Bill: Two main versions: the Post-9/11 GI Bill pays full in-state tuition at public colleges (or up to a cap at private schools), a monthly housing allowance at the E-5-with-dependents BAH rate for the school's location, and up to $1,000/year for books. Benefits can be transferred to a spouse or children if you remain past your sixth year. The Montgomery GI Bill requires a $1,200 contribution during your first year of service and pays a monthly check directly to you. Most modern enlistees use the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
LES Leave and Earnings Statement: The LES is your official pay record, accessible monthly via the MyPay portal (DFAS). It shows: entitlements (base pay, BAH, BAS, special pays), deductions (taxes, SGLI life insurance, TSP contributions, debts), leave balance (accrued, used, lost), and net pay deposited. Understanding your LES is essential — discrepancies should be reported immediately through your finance office.
TRICARE: TRICARE is the healthcare program for service members, retirees, and their dependents. Active-duty service members pay nothing for their own care. Dependents pay modest premiums and copays under TRICARE Prime (HMO model) or TRICARE Select (PPO model). TRICARE covers medical, dental (via a separate dental plan), and vision. Coverage begins on Ship Day.
TSP Thrift Savings Plan: TSP allows service members to contribute a portion of their pay to a tax-advantaged retirement account (traditional or Roth). Under the Blended Retirement System (BRS), the government automatically contributes 1% of base pay and matches contributions up to 5% starting after two years of service. TSP funds can be invested in stock and bond index funds. Starting contributions early maximizes the compound growth advantage.
VA Department of Veterans Affairs: The VA administers education benefits (GI Bill), home loan guarantees (VA Loan), healthcare (VA Medical Centers), disability compensation, life insurance, and burial benefits. To access most VA benefits, you need your DD 214 (discharge papers) and at minimum one day of active-duty service. The VA's eBenefits and VA.gov portals are the primary access points.

What medical terms come up during the MEPS physical?

Audiogram: The audiogram at MEPS tests hearing across multiple frequencies and decibel levels. Results establish your PULHES 'H' (hearing) factor. Hearing loss, especially in specific frequency ranges (most commonly high frequencies from noise exposure), can affect which MOS or rate you qualify for. Jobs like aviation and intelligence may have stricter hearing standards.
PULHES: PULHES rates six body systems: Physical capacity (P), Upper extremities (U), Lower extremities (L), Hearing/ears (H), Eyes (E), and Psychiatric/mental health (S). Each factor is scored 1 (no limitations) through 4 (significant limitations that may bar service). A profile of 111111 is perfect. Most combat MOS require 111111 or close to it; many non-combat roles accept some 2s. Jobs list minimum PULHES requirements in their qualification tables.
Tape Test: When a recruit's weight exceeds the branch height/weight standard at MEPS, a tape test is administered to estimate body-fat percentage. The military measures neck circumference and abdomen circumference (and hips for women), then applies a formula. Failing the tape test after failing height/weight results in a temporary disqualification until the recruit reduces body fat to acceptable levels.

What military slang and culture terms are worth knowing?

Airman: Airman is the proper term for U.S. Air Force members, regardless of gender or rank. The lowest enlisted pay grade (E-1) is called 'Airman Basic'; pay grade E-4 is 'Senior Airman.' In casual usage, 'airman' simply means an Air Force member. Space Force members are called Guardians, not Airmen.
Anchor Up: Anchor Up is a motivational phrase in Coast Guard culture, referencing the anchor in the service's seal and emblem. It functions like 'Hooah' in the Army — a call to action, a response to motivation, an expression of readiness. Coast Guard boot camp at TRACEN Cape May uses it extensively during physical training.
Battle Buddy: At BCT, every soldier is assigned a battle buddy for the duration of training. Battle buddies travel together, hold each other accountable, and are responsible for each other's welfare. The concept extends beyond basic training into operational units. In garrison, 'battle buddy' often just means a close friend. The principle: no one goes anywhere alone.
Battle Rhythm: Battle rhythm refers to the recurring schedule of events, meetings, training, and administrative requirements that govern a unit's week. At basic training, the battle rhythm is set by the Drill Sergeant and leaves no room for improvisation. In garrison units, the battle rhythm includes PT formation, morning formation, vehicle maintenance, ranges, and unit training days.
Boot: A 'boot' is someone in their first unit, still learning how everything works. The term is used affectionately and mockingly depending on context. 'Boot behavior' includes making obvious mistakes, asking questions senior members find painfully basic, and being visibly overwhelmed. Everyone was a boot once. The phase ends when the next boot arrives.
Bulkhead: A bulkhead is a wall in naval/Marine terminology. On a ship, bulkheads are the structural partitions that divide compartments and provide structural integrity. The term transfers to land-based Navy and Marine facilities. 'Pushing the bulkhead' (doing push-ups against a wall) is a basic corrective exercise.
Cadre: Cadre refers collectively to the permanent instructors and staff of a training course or program. In RSP, cadre are the Guard NCOs who run monthly drills. At BCT, cadre can refer to the company-level support staff (distinct from the drill sergeants). The term is used at virtually every military school and training program.
Cammies: Cammies is the informal name for the camouflage utility uniform (the daily working uniform). Army soldiers wear the OCP (Operational Camouflage Pattern); Marines wear MARPAT (Marine Pattern); Air Force and Space Force wear the OCP as well; Navy sailors wear the NWU (Navy Working Uniform). Cammies are different from dress uniforms (service dress) worn for ceremonies.
Chow Hall: The chow hall is where service members eat. Each branch uses a different term: Army calls it the DFAC (Dining Facility); the Marines call it a mess hall; the Navy and Coast Guard call it the galley. At basic training, chow hall meals follow strict protocols — recruits stand at parade rest, eat quickly, and observe specific seating rules. The chow hall also functions as a morale gauge: good food = good morale.
Civvies: Civvies is the informal military term for non-uniform clothing. At basic training, recruits have no access to civvies. In their first unit, service members may wear civvies off-base during liberty or pass. Some installations have regulations about what civvies look like (no offensive graphics, etc.).
Coastie: Coastie is the informal, affectionate nickname for a Coast Guard member. It's used both within the Coast Guard and by members of other branches. The Coast Guard is sometimes underappreciated by the other services — calling yourself a Coastie is often a statement of pride.
Cover: In the military, headgear is called a 'cover' (Navy, Marines, Coast Guard) or a 'cap' (Army, Air Force). Removing your cover when entering a building is a basic military courtesy. Covering/uncovering correctly is one of the first things recruits learn. The Marine DI's campaign cover is iconic; the Navy ball cap earned at Battle Stations is a rite of passage.
Devil Dog: Devil Dog (or Teufelshunde in German) is the iconic nickname for Marines, said to originate from German forces' description of Marines at the Battle of Belleau Wood (1918). Marines embrace the term with pride. DIs address recruits as 'Devil Dog' when they want to motivate, which doesn't happen until recruits have proven themselves.
Doc: Navy Corpsmen (HM rating) attached to Marine units are called 'Doc.' Army Combat Medics (68W) are also called Doc. The nickname reflects the deep respect infantry units have for their medical personnel. 'Doc' is one of the few people a Marine or soldier wants nearby when things go wrong.
EPR / OPR Enlisted Performance Report / Officer Performance Report: The EPR (for enlisted members) and OPR (for officers) are the official annual performance evaluation documents in the Air Force and Space Force. They are the main driver of promotion, assignment, and leadership selection decisions. A strong EPR or OPR uses specific bullet-format language describing achievements and their impact. Poor EPRs can stall a career; exceptional ones earn stratification rankings.
Fall Out: Fall Out is the command to break formation. When a Drill Sergeant says 'Fall out!' recruits step out of formation to a relaxed (but not fully at ease) position or move to a designated area. The opposite command, 'Fall in!' means assemble in formation, find your position, and stand at attention. Knowing the difference between Fall Out, Dismissed, and At Ease is day-one knowledge.
Field Day: Field Day is a weekly cleaning evolution in the Marine Corps where the entire barracks — every surface, rack, head, and passageway — is cleaned to inspection standard. Typically held on Thursday evenings. Other branches have equivalent weekly cleaning periods. Failing Field Day inspection results in a re-clean or disciplinary action.
FRG Family Readiness Group: FRGs are informal organizations that connect military families within a unit. Run by volunteers (often spouses of soldiers), FRGs provide support during deployments, coordinate unit social events, and serve as a communication channel between the unit and families. FRGs vary enormously in quality and activity level by unit.
Galley: The galley is where food is prepared and served aboard ships and at naval installations. At RTC Great Lakes and TRACEN Cape May, recruits eat in the galley. Food quality varies widely by installation. The Navy is generally considered to have above-average food service among the branches, owing partly to its tradition of cooking large volumes for crew at sea.
Geedunk: Geedunk refers to candy, chips, soda, and other non-chow-hall food. The term comes from naval tradition (origin debated). During basic training, recruits have little or no access to geedunk. Earning geedunk privileges (often a candy bar or ice cream) is a motivational milestone in some training programs.
Gig Line: The gig line is one of the most scrutinized elements of uniform inspection at basic training. If your shirt buttons, belt buckle, and trouser fly are not perfectly aligned, you'll hear about it. A 'gig' is a minor uniform infraction, and the gig line is named for the frequency of this particular failure. Keeping a perfect gig line becomes automatic after a few weeks of training.
Going UA / AWOL: UA (Unauthorized Absence) and AWOL (Absent Without Leave) refer to missing duty without authorization. Both are violations of the UCMJ. Duration and circumstances determine severity: a few hours late is handled differently than a multi-day absence. Extended absences (30+ days) can result in a charge of desertion, which carries severe penalties. Don't.
Gouge: Gouge is Navy-specific slang for legitimate inside knowledge, typically about how to pass a test, what a course of instruction actually covers, or what a certain command or inspector focuses on. Getting good gouge from someone who's been through an experience before you is a rite of passage. It's different from cheating — it's institutional wisdom passed down peer-to-peer.
Grinder: At MCRD Parris Island and San Diego, the grinder is the central paved area where recruits practice drill (marching) for hours. The term is also used at other basic training installations. Drill on the grinder is how recruits learn to move and respond as a unit, and it's also where inspections and punishment formations take place.
Gunny: Gunny (short for Gunnery Sergeant) is the informal but widely accepted address for a Marine E-7. Gunnery Sergeants are senior technical and leadership NCOs — typically the most experienced non-commissioned leaders at the company or battalion level. The term carries significant cultural weight: Gunnies are known for their technical expertise and sometimes legendary toughness.
Hatch: In naval tradition, doors are called hatches (from the nautical term for an opening in a ship's deck). Bulkheads are walls, decks are floors, and hatches are doors. At basic training, recruits are expected to use the correct vocabulary for their branch. Army recruits say 'door'; Navy and Marine recruits say 'hatch.'
Head: The head is the bathroom/restroom in naval tradition, named for the location of the toilet on old sailing ships (at the bow, or 'head' of the ship, where the wind carried waste away). Army and Air Force members say 'latrine' or 'bathroom.' Knowing branch-specific vocabulary helps recruits adapt to their service's culture from Day 1.
Hooah: Hooah is the Army's verbal Swiss Army knife. It means 'I hear you,' 'yes,' 'understood,' 'that's awesome,' and 'let's go' depending on context and delivery. Origin is debated; one common theory: HUA = Heard, Understood, Acknowledged. You will hear it hundreds of times per day at BCT. Using it correctly (with conviction) is an early social skill at basic.
Hooah / Oorah / Hooyah: These expressions serve as universal affirmatives, expressions of enthusiasm, and responses to almost anything. Army: 'Hooah' (origin uncertain, possibly from 'HUA' — Heard, Understood, Acknowledged). Marines: 'Oorah' (likely from a Korean War-era call). Navy surface sailors tend to avoid the terms; Navy SEALs and Coast Guard use 'Hooyah.' Air Force/Space Force use 'Hooah' in joint settings but have no official equivalent. Using the wrong branch's expression is a common mistake.
KP: KP originally meant being assigned to the kitchen for the day: peeling potatoes, washing dishes, and cleaning the chow hall. Modern military dining facilities use civilian contractors and automated equipment, so 'true' KP is rare. The term lives on as shorthand for any undesirable cleanup assignment and in the cultural memory of every veteran who actually did it.
Land Nav: Land navigation (land nav) is the skill of reading a topographic map, plotting grid coordinates, using a compass bearing, and moving from point to point in the field. At BCT, soldiers spend significant time on land nav, both day and night. It is a required qualification for many Army MOS and officer branches. Rangers, Special Forces, and infantry units still rely heavily on map-and-compass skills even with GPS available.
Lights Out: Lights Out is the command that ends the official training day. At BCT, Lights Out typically occurs at 2100. Any noise or movement after Lights Out without authorization is a violation. Recruits quickly learn to maximize every minute before Lights Out — writing letters, cleaning gear, and preparing uniforms for morning.
MRE Meal, Ready-to-Eat: MREs are individual daily rations used in the field when access to a chow hall is not possible. Each contains an entree, side items, crackers, spread, dessert, beverage powder, and a flameless ration heater. There are 24 menus. Recruits eat MREs during field training at basic. Opinions vary wildly by menu (beef ravioli is generally beloved; vegetarian options less so).
Muster: Muster is a naval term for an official assembly of the crew or unit to take accountability. At RTC and Coast Guard boot camp, morning muster begins the day. In everyday military life, 'muster' can mean any formation where attendance is taken. 'Failing to muster' (not showing up for accountability) is a UCMJ violation.
OPSEC Operational Security: OPSEC is the process of identifying and protecting information that adversaries could use to gain advantage. For recruits and junior service members, OPSEC most commonly means: don't post deployment dates, unit movements, equipment details, or operational plans on social media. Basic training locations are not secret; what your unit is doing next month might be.
Pay Grade: Pay grades run from E-1 (the most junior enlisted) through E-9 (the most senior), O-1 through O-10 for officers, and W-1 through W-5 for warrant officers. An E-5 in the Army (Sergeant) earns the same base pay as an E-5 in the Navy (Petty Officer Second Class). Knowing pay grades is more useful than knowing rank names when comparing across branches.
POGs Persons Other than Grunts: POG is a gently pejorative term (sometimes not so gentle) used by combat arms soldiers and Marines to describe everyone not in a direct combat role. The term reflects the infantry-centric culture of the Army and Marine Corps. In reality, the military cannot function without the logistics, medical, communications, and administrative specialists POGs describes — but the rivalry is culturally ingrained.
Police Call: A police call is when a unit forms a line and walks slowly across an area picking up any trash, debris, or foreign objects on the ground (FOD — Foreign Object Debris — is the Air Force version, focused on airfields). Police calls happen at the start and end of field exercises, around barracks, and anywhere a unit has operated. It teaches attention to detail and unit pride in shared spaces.
Rack: In naval tradition, a 'rack' is your berthing space and bed. On ships, racks are often stacked three high with minimal clearance. At RTC Great Lakes and Marine Corps bases, recruits sleep in racks in open-bay barracks. Army trainees sleep in 'bunks'; Air Force trainees sleep in 'dormitory beds.'
Rack Out: Racking out is going to sleep, derived from 'rack' (bed in naval terminology). At basic training, sleep is precious and rack time is strictly scheduled. Lights Out signals authorized rack-out time, though recruits often have pre-Lights Out tasks to complete before they can sleep.
Reception Battalion: Reception Battalion (often called 'In-Processing' or '30th AG' at Fort Jackson) is the Army's administrative intake process. Recruits receive shots, uniforms, gear, initial medical screening, and haircuts. It is low-stress compared to BCT proper but recruits often describe it as frustrating — lots of waiting, little information, and frequent formations. After reception, trainees 'pick up' — they meet their actual drill sergeant and BCT begins.
Roger That: Roger That (or simply 'Roger') means 'I received and understood your message.' In radio communication, 'Roger' indicates message received. 'Wilco' means 'I will comply.' At basic training, recruits are quickly taught the difference between 'Roger' (understood) and 'Wilco' (will do). 'Roger Wilco' means both — I understand and I'll do it.
Salty: A 'salty' service member has been around long enough to be deeply unimpressed by anything. The term comes from nautical tradition (salt water, sea service, old sailor). Salty NCOs often have the most practical institutional knowledge — they just deliver it with a layer of weary cynicism. Being called 'salty' is sometimes a compliment.
Scuttlebutt: On ships, the scuttlebutt was the drinking fountain (from 'scuttle' meaning a cask, and 'butt' meaning barrel). Sailors gathered there to talk, which is how it became synonymous with gossip and rumors. 'Don't believe the scuttlebutt' means ignore unverified rumors. The term is used in Navy and Marine culture but understood across all branches.
Shark Attack: The Shark Attack is the first encounter between new arrivals and their Drill Instructors at MCRD Parris Island or San Diego. DIs rush the bus or receiving building, yelling commands and creating controlled chaos. Its intensity has been officially moderated over the years, and more recent SecDef guidance has discussed further refinement, but the term remains widely used culturally even as the practice evolves.
Silver Hatches: The Silver Hatches are the entry doors at MCRD Parris Island. Recruits walk through them as civilians; when they return years later, they are Marines. The hatches symbolize the irreversible transformation of recruit training. Some Marines make pilgrimages back to walk through a different door as proof of who they've become.
Six: Military clock positions are used for directions: twelve o'clock is straight ahead, three o'clock is directly right, and six o'clock is directly behind you. 'Watching your six' means checking what's behind you. 'I've got your six' is one of the most culturally resonant military expressions, widely used outside the military to mean 'I have your back.'
Smoked: Being 'smoked' means being ordered to do push-ups, flutter kicks, or other intense exercise as corrective training. The Army officially restricted the use of the term (and certain practices) in an August 2025 update to Training Regulation 350-6, though corrective physical training itself still exists in sanctioned forms. The term remains common in informal conversation among veterans and service members even as the formal practice evolves.
Squared Away: Being squared away means your uniform is perfect, your gear is ready, your bunk is made correctly, and your work is done without being told. 'That NCO is squared away' is a strong compliment. Drill Sergeants use it rarely at basic, because almost nothing is squared away yet. By your second year of service, being squared away should be the default.
Squid: Squid is the common inter-branch nickname for Navy sailors, a reference to the sea creatures. Like most branch nicknames, it's used affectionately within the service and is not considered deeply offensive in casual contexts. Army soldiers are often called 'grunts' (even non-infantry); Marines are 'jarheads'; Air Force are 'chair force' (by the other branches, with varying levels of affection).
Standby: Standby is the military way of saying 'wait.' You will hear it constantly at basic training: 'Standby' means don't move, don't talk, don't do anything until further direction. Recruits learn quickly that standby is often followed by either new instructions or the end of a waiting period. Standing by with perfect posture and no fidgeting is itself a trained skill.
TI Training Instructor: TIs are the Air Force and Space Force equivalent of Army Drill Sergeants. They are identifiable by their distinctive campaign cover (campaign hat). TIs at BMT are responsible for the entire development of their flight: physical conditioning, academics, drill, and uniform standards. Unlike Army DSs, TIs are not expected to use the same intense confrontational style — though BMT is still demanding.
TRADOC Training and Doctrine Command: TRADOC (headquartered at Fort Eustis, VA) is responsible for developing all Army doctrine and running all training — from BCT to AIT to officer schools. When training standards change (such as the ACFT-to-AFT transition), TRADOC is the command that implements them. Understanding TRADOC's role explains why training changes are sometimes mandated suddenly and uniformly across the entire Army.
Utilities / Utes: The Marine Corps calls its daily work uniform utilities (or utes, informally). The current version uses the MARPAT (Marine Pattern) digital camouflage. Marines are meticulous about the condition of their utilities — wrinkles, missing buttons, or incorrect wear are corrected immediately by NCOs.
Warrior Ethos: The Warrior Ethos is embedded in the Soldier's Creed: 'I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. I will never leave a fallen comrade.' These four principles are drilled into soldiers from Day 1 of BCT. They represent the Army's foundational values around mission commitment and unit cohesion.
Yellow Footprints: Yellow Footprints are painted in the position of attention on the pavement outside the receiving buildings at both MCRD locations. New recruits step off the bus and onto the footprints — the first formation of their Marine Corps career. To stand on the Yellow Footprints is to begin the transformation from civilian to Marine. Marines often talk about the footprints the way veterans talk about the moment everything changed.
Zero-Dark-Thirty: Zero-dark-thirty means any hour before dawn — roughly 0300 to 0500 in practical usage. Military time runs on a 24-hour clock: midnight is 0000 ('zero-hundred'), so 0300 is 'oh-three-hundred.' Zero-dark-thirty is a colloquial exaggeration emphasizing darkness. Morning PT often begins at zero-dark-thirty.

184 terms documented

The Glossary

What military tests and assessments should you know?

ACFT

AFCT

AFQT

AFT

ASVAB

BCA

CAT-ASVAB

CFT

DLAB

DLPT

GT Score

HAMR

HPA

IST

Line Scores

MAGE

PFA

PFT

PiCAT

PRT

Standard Score

VE Score

What are the key terms for the enlistment process?

Accession

Annual Training

Citizenship Requirement

DAT

DEP

DEPing In

DFAS

DODMERB

DQ

Drill Weekend

EAD

ETS

Future Soldier Program

GED Plus

HOR

Induction

Liberty

Medical Waiver

MEPS

Moral Waiver

MSO

NAVADMIN

Oath of Enlistment

PCS

Poolee

Recycle

ROTC

RSP

Selective Service

Ship Day

SIE

Split-Op

Student Flight

TDY

Tier 1 / Tier 2

UCMJ

USERRA

USMEPCOM

Waiver

What forms and documents come up during military enlistment?

DA Form 3540

DD 1966

DD 214

DD 2807-1

DD 2807-2

DD 2808

DD 4

NGB-22

SF-86 / eQIP

What military branch and service component terms matter?

Active Duty

Branch

Component

Inactive Ready Reserve

National Guard