List of U.S. Navy acronyms
The United States Navy, like any organization, produces its own acronyms and abbreviations, which often come to have meaning beyond their bare expansions. United States Navy personnel sometimes colloquially refer to these as NAVSpeak. Like other organizational colloquialisms, their use often creates or reinforces a sense of esprit and closeness within the organization.
Official acronyms
For a comprehensive list of unit organizations in the United States Navy, see List of units of the United States Navy.#
- 1MC - 1 Main Circuit, shipboard public address system
- 3M - Maintenance and Material Management
- 3MA - Maintenance and Material Management Assistant
- 3MC - Maintenance and Material Management Coordinator
- 3MI - Maintenance and Material Management Inspection
- 5MC - 5 Main Circuit, Carrier Flight Deck address system
- 27MC - Control Room to Sonar Room address system
A
- A-STRIKE - Assistant STRIKE Operations Officer
- AA - Airman Apprentice
- AAW - Anti-Air Warfare
- AB - Aviation Boatswain's Mate
- ABE - Aviation Boatswain's Mate - Equipment
- ABF - Aviation Boatswain's Mate
- ABFD - Advanced Base Floating Dry Dock, class/type of ship
- ABH - Aviation Boatswain's Mate
- AC - Air Traffic Controlman
- ACR - Armored cruiser, class/type of ship
- AD - Auxiliary, Destroyer Tender, class/type of ship
- AD - Aviation Machinist's Mate
- ADCON - Administrative control
- ADNS - Automated Digital Network System
- ADSW - Active Duty Special Work
- ADT - Active Duty Training
- AE - Auxiliary, Explosives, class/type of ship. An ammunition ship.
- AE - Aviation Electrician's Mate
- AF - Aviation Photographer's Mate
- AFC - Aviation Fire Control
- AFCM - Master Chief Aircraft Maintenanceman
- AFFF - Aqueous Film Forming Foam
- AFS - Auxiliary, Fast Stores, class/type of ship. A supply ship that carries a little bit of everything, nicknamed "7-11"
- AFSB - Afloat Forward Staging Base
- AG - Aerographer's Mate
- AIMD - Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department
- AK - Auxiliary, Cargo, class/type of ship. An attack transport.
- AK - Aviation Storekeeper
- ALNAV - All Navy
- ALPO - Assistant Lead Petty Officer
- AM - Aviation Structural Mechanic
- AME - Aviation Structural Mechanic - Environmental, Aviation Mechanical Exception
- AMH - Aviation Structural Mechanic - Hydraulics
- AMMRL - Aviation Maintenance Material Readiness List
- AMO - Assistant Maintenance Officer
- AMS - Aviation Structural Mechanic - Structures
- AN - Airman
- AO - Auxiliary, Fleet Oil, class/type of ship; Aviation Ordnanceman
- AOE - Auxiliary, Oil, Explosives, class/type of ship.
- AOR - Auxiliary, Oil, Replenishment, class/type of ship
- AOW - Auxilliaryman of the Watch
- API - Aviation Preflight Indoctrination
- AR - Auxiliary, Repair, class/type of ship. A repair ship
- AR - Airman Recruit
- ARRS - Afloat Readiness Reporting System
- ARS - Auxiliary, Repair and Salvage, class/type of ship
- AS - Auxiliary, Submarine Tender, class/type of ship
- AS - Aviation Support Equipment Technician
- ASAU - Air Search and Attack Unit
- ASR - Auxiliary, Submarine Rescue, class/type of ship
- ASUW - Anti-Surface Warfare
- ASVAB - Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
- ASW - Auxiliary Seawater system
- ASW - Anti-Submarine Warfare
- ASWO - Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer
- AT - Annual Training
- AT - Aviation Electronics Technician
- ATS - Auxiliary, Towing and Salvage, class/type of ship
- AUTEC - Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center
- AUXO - Auxiliaries Officer
- AVCM - Master Chief Avionics Technician
- AVGAS - Aviation Gasoline
- AWCS - Assistant Work Center Supervisor
- AZ - Aviation Maintenance Administrationman
B
- B/N - Bombardier/Navigator; NFO in A-3B Skywarrior, A-5A Vigilante and A-6 Intruder attack aircraft
- BAM - Bad Ass Marine
- BB - Battleship
- BCD - Bad Conduct Discharge
- BCGs - Birth Control Glasses
- BCM - Beyond Capable Maintenance. Equipment status that indicates the item cannot be repaired and must be sent out for rework or disposed.
- BEQ - Bachelor Enlisted Quarters
- BESS - Basic Enlisted Submarine School
- BJOQ - Blue Jacket of the Quarter
- BJOY - Blue Jacket of the Year
- BLUF - Bottom Line Up Front
- BM - Boatswain's Mate
- BMOW - Boatswain's Mate of the Watch
- BOHICA - Bend Over Here It Comes Again
- BOL - BUPERS Online
- BT - Boiler Technician
- BU - Builder
- BUDS - Basic Underwater Demolition School
- BUMED - Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
- BUPERS - Bureau of Naval Personnel
- BUSANDA - Bureau of Supplies and Accounts
- BUWEPS - Bureau of Naval Weapons
- BZ - Bravo Zulu
C
- CA - Construction Apprentice
- CA - Cruiser, Armoured, class/type of ship. Heavy Cruiser
- CAG - Cruiser, Attack, Guided Missile, class/type of ship. Guided Missile Heavy Cruiser
- CAG - Commander, Air Group
- CAPT - Captain
- CBMU - Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit
- CC - Cruiser, class/type of ship
- CCC - Comprehensive Communications Check
- CDB - Career Development Board
- CDO - Command Duty Officer
- CDR - Commander
- CE - Construction Electrician
- CEC - Civil Engineer Corps
- CEC - Cooperative Engagement Capability
- CED - Current Enlistment Date
- CENTCOM - U.S. Central Command
- CF - Charlie Foxtrot
- CG - Cruiser, Guided Missile, class/type of ship
- CGN - Cruiser, Guided Missile, Nuclear, class/type of ship
- CHC - Chief of Chaplains of the United States Navy
- CHENG - Chief Engineer
- CHMC - Chaplain of the United States Marine Corps
- CIC - Combat Information Center
- CICO - Combat Information Center Officer
- CIS - CASREP Information System
- CIVLANT - "Civilian Life" as defined by Atlantic Fleet personnel
- CIVPAC - "Civilian Life" as defined by Pacific Fleet personnel
- CIWS - Close-In Weapon System
- CM - Construction Mechanic
- CMC - Commandant of the Marine Corps or Chaplain of the Marine Corps or Command Master Chief
- CMDCM - Command Master Chief
- CMDCS - Command Senior Chief
- CMS-ID - Career Management System-Interactive Detailing
- CN - Constructionman
- CNATRA - Chief of Naval Air Training
- CNAVRES - Chief of Navy Reserve
- CNET - Command Naval Education and Training
- CNIC - Commander, Navy Installations Command
- CNO - Chief of Naval Operations
- CO - Commanding Officer
- COB - Chief of the Boat. Can also be used for "close of business".
- COD - Carrier Onboard Delivery
- COMCVW - Commander, Carrier Air Wing
- COMDESGRU - Commander, Destroyer Group
- COMDESRON - Commander, Destroyer Squadron
- COMEX - Commence Exercise
- COMLANTFLT - Commander, U.S. Atlantic Fleet
- COMMO - Communications Officer
- COMNAVAIRES - Commander, Naval Air Force, Reserve
- COMNAVAIRFOR - Commander, Naval Air Forces
- COMNAVAIRLANT - Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic
- COMNAVAIRPAC - Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific
- COMNAVRESFOR - Commander, Navy Reserve Forces
- COMNAVSEASYSCOM - Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command
- COMNAVSECGRU - Commander, Naval Security Group
- COMPACFLT - Commander, Pacific Fleet
- COMPATRECONGRU - Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group
- COMPATRECONWING - Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing
- COMPTUEX - Composite Training Unit Exercise
- COMSEC - Communications Security
- COMSUBFOR - Commander, Submarine Forces
- COMSUBLANT - Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic
- COMSUBPAC - Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet
- COMTACGRU - Commander, Tactical Air Control Group
- COMTRAWING - Commander, Training Air Wing
- CORTRAMID - Career Orientation and Training for Midshipmen
- COS - Flag Officer's Chief of Staff
- CPO - Chief Petty Officer
- CPOM - Chief Petty Officer's Mess
- CR - Construction Recruit
- CRG - Coastal Riverine Group
- CS - Culinary Specialist
- CSADD - Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions
- CSC - Combat Systems Coordinator
- CSC - Command Senior Chief
- CSC - Culinary Specialist Chief
- CSEC - Computerized Self Evaluation Checklist
- CSMC - Combat Systems Maintenance Center
- CSOOW - Combat Systems Officer of the Watch
- CSOSS - Combat Systems Operational Sequencing Systems
- CT - Cryptologic Technician
- CTI - Cryptologic Technician Interpretive
- CTM - Cryptologic Technician Maintenance
- CTN - Cryptologic Technician Networks
- CTR - Cryptologic Technician Collection
- CTT - Cryptologic Technician Technical
- CV - Aircraft Carrier, class/type of ship
- CVA - Aircraft Carrier, Attack, class/type of ship
- CVAN - Aircraft Carrier, Attack, Nuclear, class/type of ship
- CVN - Aircraft Carrier, Nuclear, class/type of ship
- CVW - Carrier Air Wing
- CWO - Chief Warrant Officer
D
- DAPA - Drug and Alcohol Programs Advisor
- DC - Damage Controlman
- DC - Dental Corps
- DCA - Damage Control Assistant
- DCAG - Deputy Air Wing Commander
- DCC - Damage Control Central
- DCO - Damage Control Officer or Direct Commission Officer
- DCPO - Damage Control Petty Officer
- DD - Destroyer
- DDG - Guided Missile Destroyer
- DDR - Radar Picket Destroyer
- DE - Destroyer Escort
- DESDIV - Destroyer Division
- DESRON - Destroyer Squadron
- DEVGRU - Naval Special Warfare Development Group, formerly SEAL Team SIX
- DFM - Diesel Fuel Marine, standard Navy bunker fuel
- DILLIGAF - Does It Look Like I Give A Flip, standard Navy slang
- DIRNSA - Director of the National Security Agency
- DL - Destroyer Leader
- DLG - Guided Missile Destroyer Leader
- DLGN - Nuclear-powered Guided Missile Destroyer Leader
- DM - Destroyer Minelayer
- DM - Illustrator Draftsman
- DMHRSi - Defense Medical Human Resources System - internet
- DOD - Department of Defense
- DoN - Department of the Navy
- DRB - Discipline Review Board
- DRRS-N - Defense Readiness Reporting System - Navy
- DSG - Defense Strategic Guidance
- DVS - Department of Veterans Services, usually administered by each state
E
- EAOS - End of Active Obligated Service
- EAWS - Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist
- ECRC - Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center
- EDMC - Engineering Department Master Chief
- EDO - Engineering Duty Officer
- EEBD - Emergency Escape Breathing Device
- EIDWS - Enlisted Information Dominance Warfare Specialist
- EM - Electrician's Mate
- EM - Emergency Management
- EMCON - Emissions Control
- EMI - Extra Military Instruction
- EMN - Electrician's Mate, Nuclear Field
- EMO - Electronics Material Officer
- EN - Engineman
- ENS - Ensign
- EO - Equipment Operator
- EOD - Explosive Ordnance Disposal
- EOOW - Engineering Officer of the Watch
- EOS - Enclosed Operating Space
- EOSS - Engineering Operational Sequencing Systems
- ERS - Engineroom Supervisor
- ESWS - Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist
- ET - Electronics Technician
- ETN - Electronics Technician, Nuclear Field
- EW - Electronic Warfare
- EWO - Electronic Warfare Officer
- EWS - Engineering Watch Supervisor
- EXW - Expeditionary Warfare
F
- F/MC - Fleet Master Chief
- FA - Fireman Apprentice
- FAC - Forward Air Controller
- FAC/A - Forward Air Controller/Airborne
- FBM - Fleet Ballistic Missile
- FC - Fire Controlman
- FCDSSA - Fleet Combat Direction Systems Support Activity
- FCF - Functional Check Flight
- FCPCP - Fleet Computer Programming Center of the Pacific
- FCPOM - First Class Petty Officer's Mess
- FDO - Flight Deck Officer
- FF - Frigate, class/type of ship
- FFG - Frigate, Guided Missile, class/type of ship
- FICEURLANT - Fleet Intelligence Center Europe & Atlantic
- FIS - Fire Inhibit Switch
- FLEACT - Fleet Activity
- FLTMPS - Fleet Training Management and Planning System
- FMF - Fleet Marine Force
- FMSS - Field Medical Service School
- FN - Fireman
- FNMOC - Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center
- FOD - Foreign Object Damage
- FR - Fireman Recruit
- FRC - Fleet Readiness Center
- FRS - Fleet Replacement Squadron
- FSA - Food Service Attendant
- FSO - Food Service Officer
- FT - Fire control technician
- FTB - Fire Control Technician Ballistic Missile
- FTN - Forget the Navy
- FTN - Full-time Navy
- FTS - Full-time Support
G
- GCCS-M - Global Command and Control System-Maritime
- GM - Gunner's Mate
- GQ - General Quarters
- GSA - General Services Administration
- GSE- Gas Turbine Systems Technician - Electrical
- GSM- Gas Turbine Systems Technician - Mechanic
H
- HA - Hospital Apprentice
- HAC - Helicopter Aircraft Commander
- HEDSUPPACTLANT - Headquarters, Support Activity Atlantic
- HELO - Helicopter
- HM - Hospital Corpsman
- HMFIC - Head Mother Fucker In Charge
- HN - Hospitalman
- HR - Hospital Recruit
- HS - Helicopter Squadron, Anti-Submarine Warfare
- HT - Hull Maintenance Technician
I
- IAMM - Individual Augmentation Manpower Management
- IAP - In Assignment Processing
- IAW - In Accordance With
- IC - Interior Communications Electrician
- ICO - In Case Of
- IHO - Industrial Hygiene Officer
- IMF - Intermediate Maintenance Facility
- IMRL - Individual Material Readiness List
- IP - Irish Pennant - A loose thread of a Naval or Marine uniform.
- IRT - In Reference To
- IT - Information System Technician
- ITS - Information Technology Submarines
J
- JAG - Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy
- JBD - Jet Blast Deflector
- JHSV - Joint High Speed Vessel
- JO - Journalist, Junior Offier
- JP-5 - Jet Propellant no. 5, standard Navy jet fuel
- JTF - Joint Task Force
- JTFEX - Joint Task Force Exercise
K
- KISS - Keep It Simple, Stupid
L
- LANTCOM - Atlantic Command
- LAWS - Laser Weapon System
- LCAC - Landing Craft, Air Cushion.
- LCC - Amphibious Command Ship.
- LCDR - Lieutenant Commander
- LCPO - Leading Chief Petty Officer
- LCM - Landing Craft, Mechanized, class/type of boat. Usage: LCM-4, LCM-6, LCM-8
- LCPL - Landing Craft, Personnel Launch, class/type of boat.
- LCS - Littoral Combat Ship, class/type of ship.
- LCVP - Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel, class/type of boat.
- LDO - Limited Duty Officer
- LES - Leave and Earnings Statement
- LHA - Landing, Helicopter, Assault, class/type of ship.
- LHD - Landing, Helicopter, Dock, class/type of ship.
- LKA - Landing, Cargo, Attack, class/type of ship.
- LPD - Landing, Personnel, Dock, class/type of ship.
- LPA - Landing, Personnel, Attack, class/type of ship.
- LPH - Landing, Personnel, Helicopter, class/type of ship.
- LPO - Leading Petty Officer
- LPOD - Last Plane On Deck
- LRAD - Long Range Acoustic Device
- LS - Logistics Specialist
- LSD - Landing Ship, Dock, class/type of ship.
- LSO - Landing Signal Officer
- LST - Landing Ship, Tank, class/type of ship.
- LT - Lieutenant
- LTJG - Lieutenant Junior Grade
M
- MAA - Master-at-Arms
- MALS - Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron
- MC - Mass Communication Specialist
- MCO - Material Control Officer
- MCPO - Master Chief Petty Officer
- MCPON - Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
- MIDN - Midshipman
- MIDRATS - Midnight Rations
- MLCPO - Machinery Division Leading Chief Petty Officer
- MM - Machinist's Mate
- MMCO - Maintenance/Material Control Officer
- MMCPO - Maintenance Master Chief Petty Officer
- MMN - Machinist's Mate, Nuclear Field
- MO - Maintenance Officer
- MOA - Memorandum of Agreement
- MOU - Memorandum of Understanding
- MPA - Main Propulsion Assistant
- MPA - Military Patrol Craft
- MRDB - Material Readiness Database
- MSG - Message
- MSW - Main Seawater System
- MT - Missile Technician
- MTS - Master Training Specialist
- MU - Musician
N
- NAB - Naval Amphibious Base
- NAF - Naval Air Facility
- NALCOMIS - Naval Aviation Logistics Command Management Information System
- NAMI - Naval Aerospace Medicine Institute
- NAS - Naval Air Station
- NAS JRB - Naval Air Station / Joint Reserve Base
- NATOPS - Naval Air Training and Operational Procedure Standardization
- NAVAIR - Naval Air Systems Command
- NAVCOMP - Comptroller of the Navy
- NAVEDTRA - Chief of Navy Education and Training
- NAVFAC - Naval Facilities Engineering Command
- NAVFLIGHTDEMRON - Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron
- NAVMAT - Naval Material Command
- NAVMILPERSCOM - Navy Military Personnel Command
- NAVSEA - Naval Sea Systems Command
- NAVSECGRUACT - Naval Security Group Activity
- NAVSTA - Naval Station
- NAVSUBASE - Naval Submarine Base
- NAVSUP - Naval Supply Systems Command
- NAVTRA - Chief of Naval Training
- NAWCAD - Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division
- NAWCWD - Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division
- NBSD - Naval Base San Diego
- NC - Navy Counselor
- NCDU - Navy Combat Demolition Unit
- NCF - Naval Construction Force
- NCIS - Naval Criminal Investigative Service
- NCM - Navy Commendation Medal
- NCTAMS - Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station
- NCTS - Naval Computer Telecommunications Station
- NECC - Navy Expeditionary Combat Command
- NeL - Navy eLearning
- NEX - Navy Exchange
- NFAAS - Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System
- NFO - Naval Flight Officer
- NFO - Normal Fuel Oil
- NIWC - Naval Information Warfare Center
- NJROTC - Navy Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps
- NKO - Navy Knowledge Online
- NMCB - Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Seabees
- NMCI - Navy/Marine Corps Intranet
- NMPS - Navy Mobilization and Processing Site
- NMTI - Navy Military Training Instructor
- NNPTU - Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit
- NNSY - Norfolk Naval Shipyard
- NOSC - Navy Operational Support Center
- NOSR - Network On-Site Representative
- NPC - Navy Personnel Command
- NROTC - Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps
- NS - Naval Station
- NSAWC - Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center
- NSGA - Naval Security Group Activity
- NSIPS - Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System
- NSWC - Naval Surface Warfare Center
- NSWG - Naval Special Warfare Group
- NSY - Naval Shipyard
- NTC - Naval Training Center
- NUWC - Naval Undersea Warfare Center
- NWTD - Non Watertight Door
- NWU - Navy Working Uniform
O
- OAE - Old Antarctic Explorer
- OBA - Oxygen Breathing Apparatus
- OCS - Officer Candidate School, located at Naval Station Newport
- OFS - Out Freaking Standing
- OIC - Officer in Charge
- OM - On the Move
- OMPF - Official Military Personnel File
- ONR - Office of Naval Research
- OOC - Out of Calibration or Out of Compliance
- OOD - Officer of the Deck
- OOMA - Optimized Organizational Maintenance Activity
- OPCON - Operational control
- OPNAV - Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
- OPS-O - Operations Officer
- OSA - Overseas Contingency Operation Support Assignments
- OTSR - Optimal Track Ship Routing
P
- PACOM - Pacific Command
- PAPERCLIP - People Against People Ever Reenlisting Civilian Life Is Preferred
- PAX - Passengers
- PCO - Prospective Commanding Officer
- PCS - Permanent Change of Station
- PDHA - Post-Deployment Health Assessment
- PDHRA - Post-Deployment Health Re-Assessment
- PFA - Physical Fitness Assessment
- PHA - Physical Health Assessment
- PHRA - Physical Health Re-Assessment
- PLD - Permanent Limited Duty
- PIR - Pass in Review
- PO - Petty Officer
- POC - Point of Contact
- POD - Plan of the Day
- POM - Plan of the Month
- POOW - Petty Officer of the Watch
- POTUS - President of the United States
- POW - Plan of the Week
- POW - Prisoner of War
- PRD - Projected Rotation Date
- PRIFLY - Primary Flight Control
- PRT - Physical Readiness Test
- PSNS and IMF - Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility
- PT - Physical Training
- PTS - Perform to Serve
- PWD - Public Works Department
- PXO - Prospective Executive Officer
Q
- QAWTD/QAWTH - Quick Acting Water Tight Door/Quick Acting Water Tight Hatch
- QM - Quartermaster
- QMOW - Quartermaster of the Watch
R
- RADCON - Radiation Control
- RADM - Rear Admiral
- RADM - Relational Administrative Data Management
- RAG - Replacement Air Group, now known as Fleet Replacement Squadron
- RCA - Reactor Controls Assistant
- RDBM - Red Data-Base Manager
- RDC - Recruit Division Commander
- RDML - Rear Admiral
- REPO - Repair Division Officer
- RHIB - Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat
- RIMPAC - Rim of the Pacific
- RIO - Radar Intercept Officer
- RL - Restricted Line Officer
- RM - Radioman
- RMD - Restricted Maneuvering Doctrine
- RPM - Remedial Project Manager
- RP - Religious Program Specialist
- RPOC - Recruit Petty Officer in Charge or Recruit Chief Petty Officer
- RT - Radiotelephone
- RTC - Recruit Training Command
- RTD - Return to Duty
S
- S2F - Speed to Fleet
- SA - Seaman Apprentice
- SAG - Surface Action Group
- SAM - Surface-to-Air Missile
- SAPR - Sexual Assault Prevention and Response
- SARC - Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman
- SAU - Search and Attack Unit
- SCAT - Small Craft Attack Team
- SCBA - Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
- SCPO - Senior Chief Petty Officer
- SCRAM - Safety Control Rod Axe Man. Reactor emergency shutdown
- SCW - Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist insignia
- SE - Support Equipment
- SES - Surface Effect Ship, class/type of ship
- SEL - Senior Enlisted Leader
- SEALs - United States Navy SEALs, officially termed Special Warfare Operators
- SEAOPDET - Sea Operational Detachment
- SECDEF - Secretary of Defense
- SECNAV - Secretary of the Navy
- SICLOS - Shift Inspect Clean Lube Oil Strainers
- Sitrep - Situation report
- SLBM - Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile
- SN - Seaman
- SNA - Student Naval Aviator
- SO - Special Warfare Operator, aka US Navy SEAL.
- SOFA - Status of Forces Agreement
- SONAR - Sound Navigation And Ranging
- SOP - Senior Officer Present
- SOPA - Senior Officer Present Afloat
- SOQ - Sailor of the Quarter
- SOY - Sailor of the Year
- SPAWAR - Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command
- SPAWARSYSCEN - Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center
- SR - Seaman Recruit
- SRB - Selective Reenlistment Bonus
- SRW - Shutdown Roving Watch
- SS - Submarine Specialist
- SS - Submarine, class/type of ship
- SSBN - Hull classification symbol for ballistic missile submarine
- SSES - Ships Signals Exploitation Space: compartment on a ship where embarked NAVSECGRU personnel, known a Cryptologic Technicians, do their work
- SSGN - Hull classification symbol for cruise missile submarine
- SSMG - Ships Service Motor Generator; used to produce AC electricity using main battery power on submarines
- SSN - Hull classification symbol for general-purpose fast attack submarines
- SSOQ - Senior Sailor of the Quarter
- SSOY - Senior Sailor of the Year
- SSTG - Ships Service Turbo Generator
- STG – Sonar Technician Surface
- STREAM - Standard Tension Replenishment Alongside Method
- STS – Sonar Technician Submarines
- SUBRON - Submarine Squadron
- SUBSAFE - Submarine Safety Program
- SUPPO - Supply Officer
- SWCC - Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen, the Special Operations Forces who operate and maintain an inventory of boats used to conduct special operations missions or to support special operations missions conducted in maritime environments, particularly those of the U.S. Navy SEALs.
- SWO - Surface Warfare Officer
T
- TAD - Temporary Additional Duty, equivalent to Army's TDY
- TADCEN - Training and Distribution Center
- TAO - Tactical Action Officer
- TAR - Training and Administration of the Reserve
- TE - Task Element
- TF - Task Force
- TFO - Temporary Flight Orders. Non-aircrew personnel that have passed the minimum requirements to act as part of the aircrew for some purpose, e.g. secondary door gunner.
- TFOA - Things Falling Off Aircraft
- TG - Task Group
- TLD - Temporary Limited Duty
- TM - Torpedoman's Mate
- TOPGUN - United States Navy Fighter Weapons School
- TSP - Troubled Systems Process
- TU - Task Unit
- TYCOM - Type Commanders
U
- UA - Unauthorized Absence, equivalent to Army's absent without leave
- UA - Urinalysis
- UAS - Unmanned Aerial System
- UAV - Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
- UCMJ - Uniform Code of Military Justice
- UCT - Underwater Construction Team
- UDT - Underwater Demolition Team
- UNODIR - Unless Otherwise Directed
- UNREP - Underway Replenishment
- UNSAT - Unsatisfactory
- UOD - Uniform of the day
- URL - Unrestricted Line Officer
- USMC - United States Marine Corps, organized under the United States Department of the Navy
- USN - United States Navy
- USNA - United States Naval Academy
- USNR - United States Naval Reserve
- USS - United States Ship
- UWT - Underwater Telephone
V
- VA/VAM - Fixed Wing Attack/Fixed Wing Medium Attack
- VAQ - Fixed Wing Electronic-Attack Squadron
- VAW - Fixed Wing Airborne Early Warning Squadron
- VBSS - Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure
- VCNO - Vice Chief of Naval Operations
- VDS - Variable Depth Sonar
- VERTREP - Vertical Replenishment
- VF - Fixed Wing Fighter
- VFA - Fixed Wing Strike Fighter Squadron
- VLS - Vertical Launching System
- VP - Fixed Wing Patrol Squadron
- VRC - Fleet Logistics Support Squadron
- VTU - Volunteer Training Unit
- VX - Air Test & Evaluation Squadron
W
- WAVES - Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service
- WCS - Workcenter Supervisor
- WO - Warrant Officer
- WSO - - Weapon Systems Officer
- WTC - Watertight Compartment
- WTD - Watertight Door
- WTF - Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, usually an interrogative phrase, but may also be used in a declarative manner
- WTH - Water Tight Hatch
X
- XO - Executive Officer
Y
- YN - Yeoman