Multi-Service Tactical Brevity Codes are standardized procedure words used by multiple branches of the military to efficiently communicate complex information through concise, easily understood terms. These codes are a specialized form of voice procedure intended to improve clarity, speed, and coordination in tactical operations.

American/NATO codes The following list outlines standardized American brevity codes employed during joint service operations. This collection excludes terms unique to individual branches. While these codes are not officially binding across services, they are widely recognized and their meanings agreed upon. Their use enhances interoperability and situational awareness among air, ground, sea, and space forces operating at the tactical level.

The provided key indicates which communities use specific terms, as some codes may carry different meanings depending on the service or mission context. These distinctions are noted in-line with each brevity code entry.

+KeyDenotationMeaningNo CaveatDenotes a general brevity code.*Meaning may differ from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) brevity word.**Not a NATO brevity word.[A/A]Applies to air-to-air (A/A) operations or communications.[AIR-MAR]Applies to maritime air (AIR-MAR) operations or communications.[A/S]Applies to air-to-surface (A/S) operations or communications.[EW]Applies to electromagnetic warfare (EW) operations or communications.[MAR]Applies to maritime-to-maritime (MAR) operations or communications.[S/A]Applies to surface-to-air (S/A) operations or communications.[SO]Applies to space operations (SO) operations or communications.[S/S]Applies to surface-to-surface (S/S) operations or communications.

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

Y

Z

See also List of established military terms Glossary of military abbreviations Glossary of RAF code names

References Footnotes

Sources

FM 101-5-1: Operational Terms and Graphics, 30 September 1997, Department of the Army/HQ US Marine Corps (Appendix E) Intelligence Resource Program: TADIL, 23 April 2000, Federation of American Scientists