As many English words sound the same the Armed Forces rely heavily on the military alphabet. The slightest mistake in one letter can affect the lives of people and potentially put them in grave danger. Using the military alphabet to relay messages and communication ensures that there are not any miscommunication. What’s great about this is that simple things like radio interference and background noise does not matter and messages are communicated clearly.
Popular Military Phrases
Even though each letter in the English alphabet has a military alphabet twin, there are also certain phrases that the military use and a full sentence can be conveyed through a phrase. For more information on the military alphabet, visit this website. Some of the most popular military phrases are the following: Lima Charlie which means loud and clear; Charlie Mike which means continue mission; Tango Delta which is target down meaning that the enemy has been eliminated; and Oscar Mike which means on the move. There are many other popular military phrases that are used today.
Military communication procedure
The basis of the military’s communication is the codified communication procedure. A big part of this procedure is the military alphabet. This military communication procedure helps manage over the radio and other platform communication. It also assists soldiers by limiting communication and information. This system stresses clarity in communication as well as instate standards for updates, orders and vital information. The military has three principles of Military Communication which is clarity, brevity and accuracy. All communications over all platforms confirm these principles. Tactical messages are kept short and to the point, only essential information should be communicated and messages have to be kept under 30 seconds. These principles and rules help civilians, military and organisations to be understood clearly under duress, chaos and normal circumstances.
Radio Communication
Historically radio communication has been a big part of military and Armed Forces communication. Today still this method is used and it is one of the most important methods soldiers communicate during conflict and operations. Any time the military wants to spell out words or codes the military alphabet will be used. Call signs, radio checks and prowords are used by the Armed Forces.
Other methods used by Armed Forces for clear communication
Call signs are used as the first part of any military communication. This is used to identify who the messenger as well as the receiver of radio communications is. Call signs are used so that enemies will not be able to recognise one’s actual identity however the receiver of the communication would be able to know who is the messenger. It is used for leaders, higher officials, squads, individuals and platoons. U.S soldiers should be able to identify each other through call signs as well as communicate with each other without revealing too much detailed information in case of the message being intercepted. Military phrases and alphabet can be used for exactly this purpose.
Radio checks are used to make sure that the radio lines are intact for communication. These checks are done periodically through call signs to confirm that communications are effectively heard, transmitted and received.
Prowords also play an effective role in radio communication. These are effective in military use and they stand-in for longer messages. Some prowords are negative, out, I verify, execute, break, copy, correct, over, relay, wilco and roger. Each word has their own meaning and is used as an abbreviation for longer sentences. The four most important prowords determine the nature of the communication. Like rodger and negative shows agreement or disagreement in the beginning of communications about the message. Break and over will communicate if the message is complete or not.
Importance of the military alphabet
The military alphabet plays an important role in the communication technique and transmission of clear messages. The messages and communication given and received by the military and armed forces are important in terms of civilian safety and national as well as international issues. Not only is the military alphabet used by the Armed Forces, but it is also used in aviation, emergency services, banking and trade industries. Getting to know this alphabet and phrases could be very beneficial to all.