Decoder Ring
Military commissioning, in plain English
The path to a commission comes with a thicket of acronyms. Here are the ones you’ll meet most on this site, grouped by topic. Terms link to the full page where they’re explained.
Pathways, schools & programs
- ROTC
- Reserve Officers’ Training Corps — commission while attending a participating college (Army, Naval, Air Force). See ROTC.
- NROTC / AFROTC
- Naval ROTC (commissions Navy & Marine officers) and Air Force ROTC (Air Force & Space Force).
- OCS / OTS
- Officer Candidate School (Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard) / Officer Training School (Air Force & Space Force) — a short course that commissions degree-holders.
- CSPI
- College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative — the Coast Guard’s scholarship that pays tuition and active-duty E-3 salary, then sends scholars to OCS. See CSPI.
- PLC / OCC
- Platoon Leaders Course / Officer Candidates Course — the Marine Corps’ two OCS tracks at Quantico.
- TBS
- The Basic School — every new Marine officer attends, regardless of commissioning source.
- BOLC / BOTC
- Basic Officer Leader Course (Army) / Basic Officer Training Class (Coast Guard, NOAA) — initial officer training.
- WOCS / WOFT
- Warrant Officer Candidate School / Warrant Officer Flight Training (“High School to Flight School”). See warrant officers.
- AIM / SLE / NASS
- Academy summer programs — Coast Guard Academy Introduction Mission, West Point Summer Leaders Experience, Naval Academy Summer Seminar. See academy summer programs.
- SMC
- Senior Military Colleges — e.g., VMI, The Citadel, Norwich. See military colleges.
- Green to Gold / STA-21 / MECEP
- Enlisted-to-officer programs (Army / Navy / Marine Corps). See enlisted to officer.
Direct commission, medical & law
- DCO / DCE
- Direct Commission Officer / Direct Commission Engineer — commissioning credentialed professionals on their qualifications. See direct commission.
- CSC
- Constructive Service Credit — entry rank credit for advanced education and experience (common for doctors, lawyers, chaplains).
- HPSP / HSCP / USU
- Health Professions Scholarship Program / Health Services Collegiate Program / Uniformed Services University — ways the military funds medical school. See medical & dental.
- JAG
- Judge Advocate General’s Corps — military attorneys. See law (JAG).
- Ecclesiastical endorsement
- A faith group’s certification (DD Form 2088) authorizing a clergy member to serve as a chaplain.
- COSTEP
- Commissioned Officer Student Training & Extern Program (USPHS) — Junior and Senior versions. See USPHS Corps.
Application & screening
- MEPS
- Military Entrance Processing Station — where medical, aptitude, and enlistment/processing happen.
- DoDMERB
- DoD Medical Examination Review Board — the medical qualification for academy and ROTC scholarship candidates.
- CFA
- Candidate Fitness Assessment — the six-event physical test for academy applicants. See academies.
- ASVAB / SIFT
- Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery / Selection Instrument for Flight Training (Army aviation).
- Nomination
- The congressional/official endorsement most academies require for admission (the Coast Guard Academy is the exception).
Rank, service & obligation
- O-1 / E-3 / W-1
- Officer grade 1 (Ensign/2nd Lieutenant) / enlisted grade 3 / warrant grade 1. Pay grades, not job titles.
- ADSO
- Active-Duty Service Obligation — the years you owe in return for training or schooling. See obligations.
- USNR / IRR
- U.S. Navy Reserve / Individual Ready Reserve — reserve components.
- SSO
- Strategic Sealift Officer — the Navy Reserve commission USMMA graduates receive. See USMMA.
- MOS / AFSC
- Military Occupational Specialty (Army/Marines) / Air Force Specialty Code — your job.
- Uniformed services
- The eight services: the six armed forces plus the NOAA Corps and USPHS Corps. See the synopsis.
Money & benefits
- Post-9/11 GI Bill
- Education benefits earned through qualifying active-duty service. See GI Bill.
- Yellow Ribbon
- A program that covers tuition above the GI Bill cap at participating private/graduate schools. See free grad school.
- BAH / BAS
- Basic Allowance for Housing / Subsistence — tax-free pay for housing and food. See benefits.
- TRICARE
- The military health-care program.
- BRS
- Blended Retirement System — the current military retirement (pension + Thrift Savings Plan).