Riding the Roller Coaster: Alpha to Zulu

Military Life from Alpha to Zulu

Go ahead and grab a button!

Now, whenever people ask you what military life is like, direct them here to learn the ABC's of military life.

ALPHA
Adaptability, Active duty, Afghanistan, American flags, Acronyms, Army, Air Force, ACU's, AAFES, Army Regulation (AR), Airborne, APFT, Attention, Accountability, AIT (Advanced Individual Training), Appreciation, Aircraft, AKO, Anchors Aweigh, Ahoy!, Airshows, Air Assault, Airborn Division (101st), Alone, “Ass-ghan-a-stan”(how one daughter pronounces it), American, Adventure, Ammo, Ambush, Armor, Aircraft Carrier, Authorization, ANAV (Assistant Navigator), Allotments, A-School, Amine, Anchors, A-Duty, Alphas, Awards, Afraid, Advocates, Alone by Army's choice, APO address, AIC, Anticipation, Amazing, Apprehension, Anxiety, America, Afar, Awaiting, Abbreviations, "Assist Protect Defend," Apache, Air National Guard, Anderson Air Force Base, ABU's, ASVAB, Artillery, Armor, Airman, AWOL, ALS, AFN, Apprehension, Arguments, Adjusting, Apache, All the way, Albania

BRAVO
Boots, Base, BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing), Bravery, Badges, Belt, Body Building, BAS, Basic Pay, Battle Buddy, Bonus, BCT (Basic Combat Training), Benefits, Boots in the doorway, Blue and Gold, Battleship, Boat, Block Leave, Battlefields, Blogs, Blue star flags, Battalion, Boot Camp, Boot Twist, BCG's (birth control glasses), Boys and their toys, Beret, Briefing, Berth, Base Pay, Boomer, Bridge, Balls, Bull Ensign, Bravos, Barracks, Baking, Baby showers, Blue Star Family, Batteries, Boldness, BDU's, Basic Military Training, Blue, Basic, BLS, Brigade, Battle, BX, Barksdale AFB, Blogging, B-52's, Baseball (softball), Budget, Bosnia, Bible, Buses

CHARLIE
Camouflage, Commissary, Care packages, Courage, Cell phones (always on and within reach), Chain of command, Combat Boots, Camo, Camels, Camel Spiders, Chapel, Cardio, Commander, Chow Hall, CONUS (Continental United States), COLA, Combat Zone Tax Exclusion, Civilians, Count Down, Convoy, Communication, Counseling, Commitment, Crazy, Cashier, Commissary, Carrier, Chit, Coveralls, Carrier Onboard Delivery, Challenge, Cavalry, Coming Home, Cadence, Company, Cat eyes, CAC (Common Access Card), Close Combat, Creativity, Crafty, Canteen, Camel Pak, C-130, Convoy, Command, CDC, Chit, Cover, CO (Commanding Officer), COB (Chief of the Boat), C-School, Colors, Career Pay, Constitution, Compass, Charlies, COG, Corporal, C-Bag, Combat, Class Six, Cookie drives, Challenge coins, Contrail, Change, Challenges, Cherish, Contact, Confusion, Command Voice, Community, Crying, Children, Camelback, Chaplain, Cards, Chapel, Class Six, Command Sergeant Major, Coins, Colonel, Chief, Change of Responsibility, Change of Command, Ceremony, Calling Cadence, Continuous Change, California, College, Confused, CRS (can't remember s***), Cooks, Coalition, Chapel, Chaptered out

DELTA
Deployments, Duty station, Dog tags, Dependents, Desert, Detachment, Detachment Sergeant, DFAC, DD Form..., DA Form..., DOD (Department of Defense), Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS), Duty Roster, Disbursing Office, Dixie Cup, Debrief, Delta Troop 1/61, DEERS, Drill weekend, Daddy dolls, Dress Blues, Destroy, Drill Sergeants, Duty, Duck tape, Dual family, Dive, Duty Day, Digit, Dry dock, Dolphins, Devil Dog, Dream sheet, Dining out, Determination, DONSAs, Donut of Misery, Destroyer, Dinners, Disappointment, Dreams, Defense, DEROS, Drill, DLAB, Division, Diamond, Dining In, Drop!, Degree, Disney, DH, Dreaming, Dining facility, Discharged

ECHO
Exhaustion, Endurance, Emotional roller coaster, Emergency, E-mail, Escalation of Force (EOF), Equal Opportunity (EO), Extra Duty,  Emotional, Enlisted, EPs, ETS (Experation of Term of Service), ETA, EOD, Enlistment, Expert, Equipment, Engage, Elbow pads, Eye pro, Events, Electronic Technician (ET), Exams, Eye Candy, Eternal Patrol, Eng, E-5, (E-1 – E-9), Energy Drinks, EFMP, Emotionally exhausted, Excitement, Exercise, Eating Alone, Excellence, ERB, Enduring hardships, Emerging Worship, Entitlements, Explosives, Education, Experience, Emergency room, Equipped

FOXTROT
Flexibility, Financial Management Company (FMCO), Finance, FRG (Family Readiness Group), Family Separation Allowance (FSA), Family, Friends, Flag, Family Care Plan, Formation, Flights, Fun Runs, Fouled Anchor, Frigate, Flight Schedule, Frequent flyer miles, Ft. Campbell, Friendship, Foot locker, Frustration, Field Day, Flight Suits, Flight Line, Full Battle Rattle, Fierce, Freedom, First responders, Friends (or lack of), Fleet and Family, Fundraising, Fish (short for Dolphins), Fast Attack, FRO, Field Ops, FOB (Forward Operating Base), Farewells, Flag lined streets, Far away from family, Faith, Fear, Focus, Frigate, FUBAR, Flutter Kicks, Forever, Fight, Family Day, F-16's, Family Readiness, Fort, First Sergeant, Forever Friends, Faith, First Sergeant, Friday Nights, 4-Always and Ever, Fighting, Field problems, Force, Fighter, Fork lift, First aid

GOLF
Gear, Guns, Goodbyes, Government, GI Joe, Germany, Galley, Geedunk, Goshawk, Growth, Georgia, Great Friends, Garrison, Grass Week, Gas chamber, Green Berets, Grenade, Grumpy, Grumbling, Galley, Global War on Terror, Gunney, Gunner, Grunt, Guard, Go with the flow, Go, Graduating, Gear for Daddy everywhere, Girlfriends, Grins, Graveyards, Gone, GI Bill, Going Aways, Guam, Gortex, General, Guard duty, Gate Guard, Girls' night, God, Gun, Gate

HOTEL
Hurry up and wait, High and tight, Homecomings, Hit the head, Humor, Household Goods, Hostile Fire Pay, Hazardous Duty Pay (HDP), History, Hot A's, HMMWV (Humvee), Home of Record, Helicopters, Hail and Bail,  Hotel rooms, Hooah, Honor, Humps, Housing, Hero, Headquarters, Hatch, Haircuts, Husband, Hummers, Hats, Honoring, Homecoming signs, Hiring electricians, lawn guys, plumbers, Help, Hope, Holding on, Home, Holidays, Homesick, He's Home!, Health and Welfare, Heart, Hugs, Head, Hostile fire, Haiti, Helo,

INDIA
Ironing uniforms, Iraq, Immunizations, Invitational Travel Orders, Internet,  In the Navy! We can sail the Seven Seas!", IT, IP, Indiana Street, Instant-message, I.D. card, IED (Improvised Explosive Device), Infantry, Infidel, ITT, IA, Independence, Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, Intimacy, Irony, Intel, Interesting adventures, Inspection, Integrity, Instructor, Invincible, Insomnia, Investigation, Interrogate

JULIET
Jet noise, Japan, Joint Federal Travel Regulation (JFTR), Jump Pay, JAG,  Jumper Flaps, JOPA, Jokes, Jet plane, Jump Wings, July 4th, Jodies, JO, Jump School, Jerky (as in the beef variety), Juggling, Juggling being Mom and Dad, JPPSO (Army's moving department), "Just in case, " Joking, Joy, Jumping out of planes, Jumpy, Jerk, Jumping jacks, Jim Bean & Jack Daniels

KILO
Kevlar, Kuwait, Korea, Kitchen Patrol (KP), K-9 Unit,  Knots, Keel, Kingsville (Texas), Kindness of strangers, K-bay (HI), Knee pads, Knowledge, Khakis, Kbar, Knife, Keeping in touch, Keeping sane with facebook and blogging, Keeping my own schedule, Kick butt, Kindness, Key spouse, Kissing my Honey after a long deployment, Key caller, Kandahar, Kunsan, Kisses (goodbye and hello), Kids, K Loaders, Killing, Kosovo

LIMA
Love, Leave, LES (Leave Earnings Statement), Letters, Land Nav, LSO, Long distance phone calls, Lonely, Links, Loyalty, Leadership, Long hours, Last 4, Loneliness, LPO (Leading Petty Officer), LAVs, Lance Corporal, Listening, Learning, Labor and delivery of baby #2 alone, Long distance relationships, Loved ones, Logistics, Long time, Lieutenant, Letters Home, Leader, Levy Briefing, Learning Process, Long Distance, LRS, Lackland AFB, Louisiana, Laughter, Living, Launch

MIKE
Military brats, Missions, Moving trucks, Murphy’s law, Mandatory fun, Money, Member to Member, Magic Jack, Move, MOS (Military Occupational Specialty), More Gear, Military Police (MP), Multi Purpose, Military, Mental Fitness, Medical, M-16, Man the Rails, Meatball, Missing gear, Military Treatment Facility,  Meetings, Meltdowns, Marine Corps Ball, Moving, Military branches, Middle East, Marching, M-14, Move to contact, Magazine (for rifles and pistols), Marksmanship, Medal of Honor, Missile, MRE (Meals Ready to Eat), Member 14, Mail Drop, MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation), Mast, Murphy, Milspouse, MEU, Major, Mustache/Molestache, Military I.D., Missed phone calls, Medical, Mosul, Marines, Memorial, Military discounts, Mail, Medals, Missing someone, Months, Mandatory, Military ball, Major, Master Sergeant, MIA, Millie, Mall, Mission Essential, Maintenance, MyPay, Moto-mail, Marriage, Maneuver, Mail, March

NOVEMBER
National security, NCOIC, National Guard, Network, Night Vision Goggles (NOG), Navigation, Neckerchief, NEX, NATOPS, New clothes for homecoming, NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer), Name tapes, Navy, NWU's (New Working Uniforms), Nuclear Power, Nuke, Need To Know Basis, NMCRS (Navy Marine Core Relief Society), NPTU, NVGs, Ninety Sixes, North Dakota, New neighbors, Name tapes, Newness, Naval Hospital, Never-ending missions, No PDA's in uniform, NBVC, North Carolina, Notes, Nightmares, Nautical, Nurse

OSCAR
Operations, Operation Security (OPSEC), Orders, OCONUS, Officer in Charge (OIC), Overseas, ORM, Operation Enduring Freedom, Other miltary wives, Officer, "One Third, Two Thirds" Rule, OPORD(Operation Order), Ombudsman, Overtime, OOD, OOH RAH!, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Ownership, Oneness, Objective, Obstacle, Ocean, O Dark 30, Obstacle Course, Outrank, Oath, OIF, OEF, Overview, Optometry

PAPA
PCS, Pride, Patience, Predeployment, Promotions, PCB, Phone Calls, PT (Physical training), Pictures, Pay Grade, Preventative Maintenance Checks and Services (PMCS), Porta Potty,  Peacoat, PCLs, Prayer, Panther, POA (Power of Attorney), Presents, PX (Post exchange), Packing list, PERSEC (Personal Security), Platoon, Phonetic alphabet, PC (Patrol cap), Private, Permissive TDY, Proficient, Personal courage, Pistol belt, Proud, Purple Heart, Pier side, Periscope depth (they can transmit email!), Patrol, Port Call, Phone Tree, Petty Officer, Poopie Suit, PRT, Prototype, Poopysuit, Parade, Pistol,  PCA, PCM, Parties, Packing, Paperwork, PTSD, PT tests, Photos, Peace, Peanut Butter Cup, Perseverance, Push-ups, Pay day, Parenting alone, Patriot, Patriotism, Planes, Post, Parade Rest, POW, Promotion Points, Packages, Peacekeeping Duty, Parachutes, Per Diem, Patience, Prayers, Planning, President, Patches, Plaques

QUEBEC
Questions unanswered, Quality Time, Quarters, Qualification, the Q (Bachelor Officers’ Quarters, Bachelor Enlisted Quarters, or Combined Bachelor Quarters), Quiet time, Quantico (VA), Quartermaster, Queen (as in drama...you run into these in some of the wives), Quals, Questions, Quick, Quips, Quarterdeck, Quiet nights, Quick moves, Quitting jobs, Q-course, Quality time together, Query, Quirky, Quickness, Quitting civilian jobs, Qualify on the Range, Quiet, "Quick-fast-and-in-a-hurry!" (Major Payne), Quarantine, Quick time

ROMEO
Rank, Rate, Retirement, Reintegration, Readjustments, Reserves, R and R, Retreat, Reveille, Resiliency, Retention, Recruiter, Roaming Guard, Red Fridays, Ready Room, Respect, Rumors, Reunion, Redeployment, Running, Relocation, Rifle, Range, Ruck March, Ruck, Red Beret, Ranger, Rocket launcher, Rack, Roll with the changes, Random changes, Rudder, Reactor, Robots, Recon, Ribbons, RIFs, Researching, Remembering, Recuperating, Rental houses, Ruck Sack, Rules, Regulations, Readiness, Relationships, Romance, Return, ROTC, Reaching goals, Remembering the fallen, Range, Retirement, Redeployment, Rangers, ROAD (Retired On Active Duty), Re-enlist, Red, Reality, Risk, Reservist, Rack sack, Retired, Repel

SIERRA
Salute, Service, Single parenting, Skype, Strength, Scuttlebutt, Space A, SSN, Sandbox, Surprises, Sponsor, Secret Security Clearance, Support, Sick Call, Sensitive Items, Spouse, SGLI, Savings Deposit Program 10% (SDP), Sand Storm, See you laters, Sailor, Shoe, Stryker Village, Skies Unlimited, Sleepless nights, Squadrons, Separation, Soldier, Selfless service, Special Forces, Suppress Fire, Sniper, Submarines, SARP (Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program), Sailor Mail, School, Shipyard, Sail, Sonar Tech, Silent Service, Sea Tour, Shore Tour, SOG, Sergeant, Sand, Smoking, Seventy twos, Sacrifice, Snow, Satellites, "Sponsor's social please," Staff duty, Ships, Self-care, Standing Alone, Smurf Suit, Sep Pay, Stripe, Sea, Seaman, Shore, Security, Saving lives, Serving our country, Staff Sergeant, Stars and Stripes, Sergeant Major, Spur Ride, Submarine, Service Before Self, Strategic, Squad, Stop Loss, Strategic, Supporting Each Other, Seymour Johnson AFB, Stars, SAHM, School House, "Soon", Sweat, Sadness, Spouse, Shooting, Shots

TANGO
Troops, TRICARE, Training, Taps, Tears, Transitions, TMC, Tour, TSP, Time in Service (TIS), Texting, Temporary Duty, TCS, Travel Vouchers, Targets, Thirteen Buttons, TAD, TDY, Tailhook, Travel, Team, Tough, Trained, Three Section (for duty), Tags, Torpedo, Talking, TAD, TLF, Text messages, Thankfulness, Trying, Trainees, Test, Tribulations, Trust, Truth, Together, "This We'll Defend," Tank, Thank you cards, Tough assignments, Transport, Tactical, T-Sgt, Tires, Trucks, Tents, Tarp, TA50

UNIFORM
Uniforms, USO, Understanding, USAA, Unit, United We Stand, UCMJ,  Until They All Come Home, Underway, Unanswered questions, Unacommpanied Orders, United States, Uncle Sam, Undisclosed Location, Uncertainty, Urgent, Utility, Unexplainable, Unpacking, Unregretful, Unafraid, Understood by few, Uncertainty, Unexpected Changes, Unique, USS, Unity, United Concordia, Under Stress, Unwavering faith, United as One, Unstable, "Us", Unstoppable, Under Armor, Uranium, Urinalysis

VICTOR
Veterans, Valor, Visit, Vendors, Vest, Vault Guard, VTs, Values, Victories, Volunteers, V-Day, Van, Volunteering, Volun-told, VA hospital, Vandenberg AFB, Vehicles, V.A., Venting, Violence, Velcro

WHISKEY
War, Webcams, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, Wish list, Work, Warrior Leaders Course (WLC), Wills, Weapons, Wet Weather Gear, Wings of Gold, Waiting, WARNO (Warning Order), Warrior, Wedge formation, Work Center Supervisor, Ward Room, Warrant Officer, Written in Warm Jello (anything schedule related!), Whiskey, Wife, Wanderlust, Wind, Wine (and sometimes Whine), Wondering, Worry, Wishing, Welcome Home, Winning the War on Terror, Waiting to come home, Wishes, White, Wire, Wheels

X-RAY
XO (Executive Officer), X-Ray, X-Box, XXX, the X, X (as in X number of days down in this deployment and X number of days left in this deployment), eXcitement, Xeroxes, Xanthan gum, XOXO, X-rated, eXcellence in all you do!, eXtra Duty, X’s on the Calendar

YANKEE
Yellow ribbons, Yellow Ribbon Events, Years in Service, "You fool!" (what you are if you expect military life to make sense all the time), YMCA, Yuma (AZ), Yeoman,Years, Young, Yut!, Y’all, Yardwork, Yawn, Yelling, Yikes, Yearning, Year-Long Deployments, Yonder, Yankee, Yard, Yoke (used to pull a fuel blivet)

ZULU
Zero dark thirty, Zip Ties, Zero Range, Zipper-suited sun god, Zoo (as in a house that looks and sounds like a zoo when hubby is gone), Zone, Zero Point, Zip-lock bags, Zero tolerance, Zulu time, Zero sleep, Zip drives, Zealous, Zest, Zero to 90 in no time, Zoo-like, Zany, Zoloft, Zonked out, Zipper

Am I missing something?
Email it to me, and I'll add it to the list!
ontherollercoaster@gmail.com

Thank you so much to my fellow mil spouse bloggers who contributed to this list!!