Glossary
In our collection you will encounter military terminology and acronyms. Here you can find out what they mean.
Captain (Naval)
South Australia (RAAF)
Cambodia clasp to the Australian Service Medal (ASM)
Command or Commander (Titles Only)
Chief
Care and Maintenance Unit (RAAF)
Airfields with sealed runways with no facilities
Airfields with sealed runways with facilities
Command, Control, Communications and Computers
Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence
Communication Commander (Naval)
Croix de Guerre
Combat Group (USA)
Commander in Chief
Commander in Chief
Communication Lieutenant?Commander
Controller of Labour
Chief of Staff (USA)
Chief of Transportation (USA)
Counter Preparations
Corps Signal Company
Chief Signal Officer (USA)
Corps Troops
Check Sheet
Chemical Advisor
Civil Affairs (Peacekeeping)
Coast Artillery
Heavy Cruiser
Commonwealth Advisory Aeronautical Research Council
Commander Australian Army Service Corps
Commander Army Air Transport Organisation
Coast Artillery Corps (USA)
Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation
Controller of Army Catering
Combined Advisory Committee on Tropical Medicine, Hygiene and
Sanitation (Allied)
Cadet Lieutenant
Commander Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Casualty Air Evacuation Unit (RAF)
Citizen Air Force
Carrier Aircraft Group (British)
Commonwealth of Australian Gazette
Charting Agreement Implementation Report
Close Air Support
Calibre, Balibrate
Combined Air Lift Task Force
Catapult Aircraft Merchant Ship
Camouflage
Camouflage Officer
Cambodia
Canadian Army Medical Corps (First World War)
The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Camouflage
Charting Agreement Monthly Implementation Report
Central Australia Motor Transport Column
Canteen Manager
Confidential Australian Navy Order
Canterbury Battalion [First World War New Zearland Unit]
Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regiment [First World War New Zearland Unit]
Canada, Australia, New Zealand group (Peacekeeping)
Charting Agreement New Zealand Implementation Report
Chief Accountant Officer (Air Force)
Politico/religious sect. Dai Dao Tan Ky Pho Do. Doctrine draws heavily on both Christianity and Buddhism. Main area of influence Tay Ninh Province.
Canadian Army Operational Research Establishment
Combat Air Patrol (Second World War)
Type of tear gas
Charting Agreement Periodical Implementation Report
Contract Acceptance and Purchase Order
Captain
Central Army Records Office
Computed Air Release Point
Carrier
Carrier State
Chief of the Air Staff
Civilian Aid Service
Close air support
Casualty
Combined Anti Submarine Exercise
Coastal Artillery Search Light
Casualty Procedure
Category
Command Air Trafic Control Officer
Catering Officer
Combined Air Transport Operations Room
Categorization Officer
Civil Affairs Unit
Cavalry (Vietnam War)
Light observation six seater helicopter (Vietnam War)
Companion of the Order of the Bath
Confinement to Barracks
Central Bureau
Chemical and Biological
Confidential Book (RAN)
Counter bombardment or battery
Commander Base Area Command
Carrier Borne Air Liaison (Section)
Careening Bay Camp (Second World War)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Counter Battery Fire
Carrier Borne Ground Liaison Officer
Carrier Borne Ground Liaison Officer
China-Burma-India (USA) Command
Central Bureau, Intelligence Corps
Confidence Building Measure
Chart Branch, Naval
Counter Battery Officer
Counter Battery Staff Officer
Combat
Cluster Bomb Unit (An aerial delivered weapon consisting of many separate explosive devices) (Vietnam War)
Chemical and biological warfare
Coastal Command (RAF)
Confined to Camp
Cruiser
Chief Cartographer
Churches of Christ
Commander in Chief, Allied Armies
Civil Conservation Corps (USA)
Civil Constructional Corps
Corps Commander, Coast Artillery
Commander Coast Defences
Civil Censorship Detachment
Chinese Communist Forces
Control Commission for Germany
Commonwealth Coordinating Groups on Mapping, charting and Surveys
Combined Clearing Hospital (First World War)
Conference of Chaplin Cenerals
Chief Civil Hydrographic Officer
Counter Counter Measures
Commander, Corps Medium Artillery
Cavalry Corps Observation
Chief of Combined Operations
Clandestine communist organisation
Chairman of the Chief of Staff Committee
Casualty Collecting Post
Commander, Corps Royal Artillery. Higher than Commander, Royal Artillery.
Commander Central Region SEATO (South East Asia Treaty Organisation) Field Force
Casualty Clearing Station. Receives sick and wounded from field ambulances and direct from troops in the vicinity. (First World War)
Combined Communications System
Combined Chiefs of Staff (Second World War)
Combat Control Team
Combat Cargo Task Force
Clearance diver
Coastal Defence
Commander's Diary
Convalescent Depot
Civil Defence
Combat Development
Commissioned Airman (Naval)
Commissioned Communication Officer (Naval)
Commisioned Engineer
Coastal Defence Chain Home: Low flying
Central Distributing Authority
Combat Development Committee
Commonwealth Disposals Commission
Combat Development Committee
Chief of the Defence Force
Chief of the Australian Defence Force
Chief of Defence Force Staff
Chief of the Defence Force Staff
Combined Defence Headquarters
Cargo Disposition Instructions
Canadian
Command Dental Officer
Commando
Commander
Commodore
Camp Dressing Station
Civil Defence Services
Comprehensive Display System
Commonwealth Defence Science Organisation
Clearance Diving Team, RAN (Vietnam War)
Cadet
Cadet Aircrew
Civil Defence Volunteers
Commonwealth Department of Works
Chief Engineer (First World War)
Corps of Engineers (USA)
Combat Engineer (Peacekeeping)
Church of England
Controller of Equipment
Chief Engineer (Works), Royal Australian Engineers
Chief Engineer, 1st ANZAC Corps [First World War AIF Engineers Unit]
Chief Engineer, 2nd ANZAC Corps [First World War AIF Engineers Unit]
Chief Engineer, Australian & New Zealand Army Corps [First World War AIF Engineers Unit]
Chief Engineer, Australian Corps [First World War AIF Engineers Unit]
Cooperative Engagement Capability
Controller of Electronic Data Processing
Communications Electronics Instruction
Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Central Pacific
Casualty Evacuation Office
Casualty Evacuation Office
Chief Executive Officer (General Services)
Communications Electronice Operating Instruction
Chief Executive Officer (Supply)
Chief Executive Officer, Headquarters Support Command
Circular Error Probable
Command Exchange Room
Combat Engineer Regiment (Peacekeeping)
Chief Engine Room Artificer
Certify
Complete Equipment Schedule (equipment accounting)
Chaplain to the Forces
Communication Flight (RAAF)
Covering Forces
Commander Forward Airfield Supply Organisation
Campaigners for Christ
Commander Fortress Defences
Chief Flying Instructor
Confirm
Canadian Forces in the Netherlands
Craftsman
Chief Finance Officer
Central Flying School (RAAF)
Commanding General (USA)
Surface to air missile cruiser
Centre of Gravity
Guided Missile Cruiser
Commanding General, Army Service Forces (USA)
Governor General Communication Flight (RAAF)
Central Group of Forces (Soviet)
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal
Nuclear powered surface to air missile cruiser
Freight aircraft
Chief of the General Staff
Central Gunnery School (RAAF)
Chief of the General Staff (Australia) [First World War AIF Headquarters Unit]
China (People's Republic of Chine - PRC)
Charge. Refers to the quantity of explosive in a shell.
Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour
Channel
Chaplain
Chapter
Chaplain General
Chemical Adviser, Australian Corps [First World War AIF Chemical Unit]
The Cheshire Regiment
Chinese Communist
The "open arms" plan formed under Diem to induce "misled" Viet Cong to return to the fold of the Government of [South] Vietnam (GVN). See also Hoi Chanh. (Vietnam War)
Chain Home Low Flying
Corps Headquarters (USA)
Command Hygiene Officer
Lady of the Imperial Order of the Crown of India
Chief Instructor (Second World War)
Chief Inspector Australian Army Ordnance Corps
Chief Inspector Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Counter Intelligence Division
Central Intelligence Agency
Chief Inspector of Armourers
Canadian Intelligence Corps
Capital Issues Control
Chief Inspector of Clothing
Combined Intelligence Centre
Counter Intelligence Corps
Combat Information Centre
Combined Intelligence Centre, South Pacific Force
Combined Intelligence Centre, Vietnam
Committee of Imperial Defence
Criminal Investigation Division
Civilian Irregular Defense Group. Para military forces trained by United States Special Forces, in special counter insurgency methods. Comprised mainly of Montagnards and operates in Highlands area.
Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire
Chief Inspector of Electrical and Mechanical Equipment
Commander, Indian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Chief Inspector of Engineer and Signal Stores
Cost Insurance freight and Exchange
Chief of the Imperial General Staff, War Office
Commander in Chief
Commander in Chief, Asiatic Fleet
Commander in Chief, United States Army Forces, Pacific
Commander in Chief, Channel and Southern North Sea Command (NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organisation)
Commander in Chief, United States Forces, Far Eastern Command
Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet
Commander in Chief, Mediterranean
Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet (United States Commander based in Hawaii)
Commander in Chief, Pacific Ocean Area
Chief Inspector of Naval Ordance
Cinema Operator 12
Cinema Operator 6
Counter Intelligence
Chief Inspecting Ordnance Officer
Canteen Issuing Point
Circular
Civil Intelligence Section
Chief Inspector of Stores
Chief Inspector of Small Arms
Combined Services Details Intelligence Centre
Critical incident stress management
Central Interpretation Unit (USA)
Certificate Issue Voucher
Civil
City Imperial Volunteers (British Boer )
The participation in economic and sociological projects which are useful to the local population at all levels, but for which the sponsor does not have primary governmental responsibility.
Those phases of the activities of a commander which embrace the relationship between military forces and the civil authorities and people in the area.
United Nations Civilian Police
Close in Weapons Systems
Chief Inspector of Explosives
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Commander Joint Forces Australia
Combined Jungle Warfare Centre
Cook
Sailor from the Cook category displayed after rank
Circuit
Commandant of Labour
Centre Line
Light Cruiser
Command Legal Officer
Claims Officer, 1st Australian Division [First World War AIF Claims Unit]
Claims Officer, 2nd Australian Division [First World War AIF Claims Unit]
Claims Officer, 4th Australian Division [First World War AIF Claims Unit]
Claims Officer, 5th Australian Division [First World War AIF Claims Unit]
Claims Officer, Australian Corps [First World War AIF Claims Unit]
Class, Classification
Medical classification, fit for active service with field formations (Second World War)
Medical classification, fit for specified duties in any unit in which the particular disability is no bar (Second World War)
Medical classification, fit for any duty other than with field formations (Second World War)
Medical classification, fit for active service with field formations (Second World War)
Medical classification, fit for specified duties in any unit in which the particular disability is no bar (Second World War)
Medical classification, fit for any duty other than with field formations (Second World War)
Canadian Legion Educational Services
Combat Logistic Force
Clerk
Clerk Administrative
Clerk Equipment
Clerk Equipment Accounts
Clerk Finance Accounts
Clerk General
Clerk Medical
Chief Legal Officer
Clearing Company (USA)
Corps Light Railway Officer
Controller of Mines
Converted Minelayer
Courts?Martial
Cruiser Minelayer
Coordinator of Ministries and Services Facilities
Corps Maintenance Area
Cambodian Mine Action Centre
Capital Military Assistance Command (the United States command co-located with Capital Military District) Allied Forces Vietnam
Command Maintenance Officer
Chairman Mess Committee
Chairman Mess Committee
Capital Military District
Commander
Central Medical Establishment (Air Ministry)
Combined Material Exploitation Centre
Citizen Military Forces (Militia)
Civilian Monitoring Force (Peacekeeping)
Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George
Congressional Medal for Gallantry (USA)
Corps Machine Gun Officer
Commercial in Confidence
Chemical
Civil Mixed Labour Organisation
Chief Maintenance Officer (Air Force)
Courts Martial Officer
Civil Military Operations Team (Peacekeeping)
Corps of Military Police (USA)
Chief Military Planning Officer
Company Sergeant Major
Citizens' Military Training Camp (USA)
Corps Mechanical Transport Officer
Civil Mixed Watchmen's Service
Cannon Platoon (USA)
Chinese National Airways Corporation
Command Navigation Officer
Commonwealth Naval Forces
Citizen Naval Force
Current Notes on International Affairs
Cable Network News
Chief of Naval Operations
Command Nursing Officer
National Council for Timorese Resistance (East Timor)
Chief of the Naval Staff (now Chief of Navy)
Cause not stated (of death)
Chief of the Naval Staff for Naval Attache, Washington
Contingency
Commanding Officer
Company (USA)
Chemical Operations Centre
Combar Operations Centre
Central Ordnance Depot
Concise Oxford Dictionary
Chief of Staff
Communications Operating Instruction
Combined Operations Intelligence Centre
Counter intelligence
Chain Overseas Low Flying (radar)
Colonel (Rank above Lt Colonel)
Colonel, General Staff
Coldstream Guards (British Regiment)
Column
Column
Columns
Commander Australian Army Assistance Group, Vietnam
Commander Australian Force Vietnam
Commander Aircraft Northern Solomons (USA)
Commander Air South Pacific Area
Commander Australian Theatre (Peacekeeping)
Combined/combination
Para-military youth forces also includes Catholic youth (known as Republican Youth Movement under DIEM regime) (Vietnam War)
Combat Automotive Gasoline (RAN)
Commonwealth Communications Army Network
The organisation which regulates and overseas the implementation of the Commonwealth Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991
Command/Commander/Commanding
Command Headquarters Staff Intelligence
Command General Staff Operations
Commandant
Chief Ordnance Mechanical Engineer
Commodore Flotillas
Commander General United States Air Forces in Korea
Commander in Chief, United States Fleet
Communications Intelligence
Commander Landing Craft and Bases, 11th Amphibious Force (USA)
Communication
Communication Zone
Communication Zone (Vietnam War)
Communication Zone Postal (Vietnam War)
Commander ANZUK (Australia New Zealand United Kingdom) Force
Communications Centre
Communications Electronics
United States equivalent to Radio Check (Vietnam War)
Communication
Commodore (Air) Administrative, Royal Australian Naval Air Stations
Commander Navy China Eastern Command (USA)
Commander Naval Forces Far East
Commander [United States] Naval Forces Vietnam
Commander Navy Northern Solomons (USA)
Composite
Composite Ordnance Depot (Vietnam War)
Commander Amphibious Forces, Pacific
Comptroller
Communications Security
Commander [United States] Seventh Fleet
Commander South Pacific Area
Commander, United States Army in Vietnam
Commander United States Military Assistance Command, Thailand
Commander United States Military Assistance Command Vietnam
Commander United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam
Commander United States Naval Forces Central
Commonwealth
Commander New Zealand Air Task Force
Communication Zone
Convalescent
Control
Convalescent Depot
Convalescent Training Depot (Parkhouse) [First World War AIF Medical Unit]
Concentrate
Conclude
Conference
Confidential
Confidential Defence Council Instruction (United Kingdom)
Congregational
Construct
Construction Squadron (Vietnam War)
Construction
Contingent
Continue
Continental United States
Convalesce
Chief Ordnance Officer
Cook
Coordinate
Viet Cong in South Vietnam, located in Northern Tay Ninh province
Compassionate
Combined Operations Reconnaissance and Pilotage Party
Civil Operations and Revolutionary Development Support (US civil advisory organisation) (Vietnam War)
Control Repair Organisation (Normady Landings)
Specialist army group, as in Medical, Armoured or Service, also Army corps
Chief of Staff
Costal Base Section
Chief of Staff Committee
Combined Operational Service Command
Chief or Staff, Supreme Allied Comand
Central Office for South Vietnam.
Control Tug Organisation (Normandy landings)
Chinese Overseas Wartime Hsuehkan Militia
Coxswain 1st Class
Coxswain 2nd Class
Company
Company/companies (A unit of an Infantry battalion)
Car Post
Command Post (USA)
Cambodian Peoples Armed Force
Counter Preparation Fire
Command Pharmaceutical Officer
Corporal (Infantry equivalent to an artillery Bombardier)
Central Provision Office
Chief Petty Officer
Chief Provision Officer
Command Post Officer (in charge of the Command Post)
Chief Petty Officer Electrical Artificer
Chief Petty Officer Marine Science
Chief Petty Officer Signals
Chief Petty Officer Survey Recorder
Chief Petty Officer Stoker
China Peoples Republic (Mainland)
Corps
Contact Point
Command Post Exercise (USA)
Company Quartermaster Sergeant
Commander (Naval)
Crossroads (USA)
Central Region
Commander, Divisional Artillery (Lower than a Commander, Corps Royal Artillery)
Commander, Royal Artillery
Commander Royal Australian Army Service Corps
Counter bombardment/battery fire plan around Nui Dat base (Vietnam War)
Commander, Royal Army Service Corps
Commander Rear Airfield Supply Organisation
Corps Reception Camp
Control and Reporting Centre
Commander, Royal Engineers (First World War)
CRE Corps Troops, 2nd ANZAC Corps [First World War AIF Engineers Unit]
CRE Corps Troops, Australian Corps [First World War AIF Engineers Unit]
Casualty Receiving Hospital
Chief Road Haulage Officer
Commander Royal Indian Army Service Corps (RIASC)
Corps Routine Orders
Flame throwing tanks
The destruction of food plants by the aerial or ground spraying of herbicides, burning, digging up or other means
Control and Reporting Post
Central Region SEATO (South East Asia Treaty Organisation) Field Forces
Control and Reporting Unit
Certificate Receipt Voucher
Counter Revolutionary Warfare
The chemical agent used by the Australian forces as tear gas and classified as a Riot Control Agent. The chemical was: o - chlorobenzalmalononitrile.
Close Support
Chief Superintendent of Design
Commander Support Aircraft
Commander Support Aircraft, Central Philippines
Chief of Staff Action Memos
Combat Search and Rescue
Confidence and Security Building Mechanism(s)
Conspicuous Service Cross
Course Setting Compass
Christion Scientist
Council for Security Cooperation in Asia Pacific
Command Supply Depot
Combined Services Details Interrogation Centre
Commander SEATO (South East Asia Treaty Organisation) Force
Commander SEATO (South East Asia Treaty Organisation) Field Force
Company Sergeant
Companion of the Order of the Star of India
Combined Services Liaison Officer
Company Sergeant Major (A warrant officer)
Conspicuous Service Medal
Call Sign
Chief Signal Office
Chief Staff Officer
Coal Supplies Officer
Combat Services Support Battalion
Commonwealth Stores and Tender Board
Commodore Superintendent of Training
Command and Staff Training Unit
Commonwealth Salvage Vessel
Corps Troops
Communist terrorists
Commissariat and Transport Corps
Camel Transport Corps
Central Training Depot
Corps Troops Engineers
Commander Task Element
Centre Task Force (Invasion of North Africa)
Commander, Task Force
Commander Task Group
Chief Transport and Movement Officer
Compact Telegraph Message Switch (tactical phase iii communication system)
Counter Measures
Chief Technical Officer
Communist Terrorists
Corps Troops Supply Column
Central Trade Test Board (British)
Committee
Commander Task Unit
Corps Tactical Zone (The geographical area of responsibility of an Army of the Republic of Vietnam Corps) (Vietnam War)
Communication Unit
Code for Unalerted Encounters at Sea
Custody
Common User Teletype
Common User Teletype Secure
Common User Voice
Aircraft carrier (USA)
Command Vehicle
Aircraft carrier, attack (USA)
Aircraft carrier, large (USA)
Carrier battle group
Aircraft carrier, escort (American built) (Second World War)
Helicopter Aircraft Carrier
Aircraft carrier, small (USA)
Nuclear fuelled aircraft carrier (USA)
Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
Seaplane carrier (USA)
Anit Submarine Warfare Aircraft Carrier
V/STOL (vertical/short take off and landing) and helicopter aircraft carrier (USA)
Coast watcher
Chemical warfare
Contious Wave
Coast Watching Ports
Cabinet/Central War Room
Chemical Warfare Service (USA)
Current year
Combat Zone (USA)
Czechoslovakia
War Volunteer Mounted Infantry)