In our collection you will encounter military terminology and acronyms. Here you can find out what they mean:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
- (Ph)
- Photographic Officer (RAF)
- P
- Peshawar clasp to Australian Service Medal (ASM)
- P & PU
- Printing and Publication Unit (RAAF)
- P 250 Pump
- A portable diesel driven pump used for fire main boosting
- P A/c
- Pilotless Aircraft
- P and CCWP
- Paints and Chemical Containers Working Party
- P of W
- Prisoner of War
- P&BT
- Physical and Bayonet Training
- P-2
- Neptune, United States Navy aircraft (Vietnam War)
- P-3
- Orion, United States Navy aircraft (Vietnam War)
- P-O
- Pilot Officer
- PA
- Personal Assistant
- PA
- Port Agency (USA)
- PA
- Per Annum
- PA
- Put Away
- PA & E
- Pacific Architect and Engineers. (An American Civil Firm)
- PAAOC
- Personnel Assistant to Air Officer Commanding
- PAC
- Principal Air Chaplain, RAAF
- PAC
- Prophylatic Ablution Centre
- PACMIRS
- Pacific Military Intelligence Research Section
- PACS
- Priority Airfield Construction Squadron
- PACUSA
- Pacific Air Command, United States Army
- PACV
- United States Navy patrol cushion vehicle (Vietnam War)
- PAD
- Passive Air Defence - Measures taken to minimise the effect of air attack. (Second World War)
- PAD
- Public Administration Division (USAID agency) (Vietnam War)
- PAF
- Permanent Air Force
- PAK
- Panzerabwehrkanone – Anti tank gun - German
- PAM
- Pamphlet
- Pancall
- A call used to indicate a very urgent message concerning the safety of a ship and/or personnel. It has priority over all communications except distress traffic
- PAOCP
- Principal Administrative Officers Committee Personnel
- PAR
- Precision Approach Radar
- Para
- Parachute/Paratroop
- Para
- Paragraph
- PARALLELOSCOPE
- An apparatus to ensure guns are parallel to each other or to a bearing
- PAREN
- Parenthesis
- PARO
- Precision approach radar Officer
- PATH
- Pathology
- PAVN
- People’s Army of Vietnam (North Vietnam) aka. North Vietnamese Army
- pax
- Passenger(s) transport aircraft
- Paymaster 1st ANZAC Corps
- Paymaster, 1st ANZAC Corps [First World War AIF Claims Unit]
- Paymaster 1st Aust Div
- Paymaster, 1st Australian Division [First World War AIF Claims Unit]
- Paymaster 2nd Aust Div
- Paymaster, 2nd Australian Division [First World War AIF Claims Unit]
- Paymaster 3rd Aust Div
- Paymaster, 3rd Australian Division [First World War AIF Claims Unit]
- Paymaster 4th Aust Div
- Paymaster, 4th Australian Division [First World War AIF Claims Unit]
- Paymaster 5th Aust Div
- Paymaster, 5th Australian Division [First World War AIF Claims Unit]
- Paymaster Aust Corps
- Paymaster, Australian Corps [First World War AIF Claims Unit]
- PB
- Permanent Base [duties] (First World War)
- PB
- Patrol Boat
- PBR
- Patrol Boat River - small boats operated by the US and Vietnamese navies (Vietnam War)
- PC
- Patrol Craft
- PC
- Pharmacy Corps (USA)
- PC
- Privy Councilor
- PC
- Permanent Commission
- PCC/I/O
- Patrol craft, coastal/inshore/offshore
- PCCU
- Postal and Courier Communication Unit
- PCE(R)
- Patrol Craft Escort (Rescue) (USA)
- PCF
- Swift boat – United States Navy Patrol Craft Fast
- PCM
- Pulse Code Modulation
- PCU
- Prone to Capture Unit (UK)
- PD
- Personnel Depot (RAAF)
- PD
- Port of Debarkation (USA)
- PD
- Presumed dead
- PD
- Period (Fuel Stop)
- PD
- Point Detonating (Fuse)
- PD & RC
- Personnel Dispatch and Reception Centre (RAF)
- PDC
- Personnel Dispersal Centre (RAF)
- PDMS
- Principal Director Medical Services (First World War)
- PDMS MEF
- Principal Director of Medical Services, Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces [First World War British Medical Unit]
- Pdr
- Pounder
- PDRC
- Personnel Dispatch and Reception Centre (RAF)
- PE
- Port of Embarkation (USA)
- PE
- Production Executive
- PE
- Plastic Explosive
- PE
- Probable Error
- PE
- Peace Establishment
- PEEP
- Early Name for Y5TON Jeep
- PEGASUS
- Bulk CS dropped from CH-47 aircraft to deny an area to the enemy. (Vietnam War)
- PEI
- Prince Edward Island (Canada)
- PEO
- Peace enforcement operation (Peacekeeping)
- PEOAMTS
- Principal Executive Officer AMTS
- PEOPAMP
- Principal Executive Officer AMP
- PEOPAMSE
- Principal Executive Officer AMSE
- PEOPLE SNIFFER
- A device which detects humans using an electro-chemical process (Vietnam War)
- PEP (NEI)
- Personnel & equipment pool (RAAF)
- PEP-UP
- Productivity Enhancement Program-User Participation
- PEQ
- Parent Equipment
- Per
- Personnel
- PERINTREP
- Periodic Intelligence Report
- PERMR
- Permanent Residence
- PERSONAL
- Personnel
- PERT
- Program Evaluation Review Technique
- PES
- Pulheems Employment Standard
- Pet Pk
- Petrol Park (Second World War)
- Pet Pl
- Petroleum Platoon (Vietnam War)
- PF
- Popular Forces. The PF were locally recruited units employed under the direction of the district chief, normally within their home village (Vietnam War)
- pfc
- Graduate RAF Flying College
- pfc
- Private, first class (USA)
- PFC/I/O
- Fast patrol craft, coastal/inshore/offshore
- PFCON
- Passed for Consideration
- PFM
- Fast patrol craft, surface to surface missile (SSM)
- PFT
- Fast patrol craft, torpedo
- PG
- Proving Ground (USA)
- PGM
- Precision Guided Munitions
- PH
- Photographer
- PH
- Purple Heart (USA)
- Ph D
- Doctor of Philosophy
- PHARM
- Pharmaceutical
- PHARMO
- Pharmaceutical Officer
- PHD
- Public Health Division (USAID agency) (Vietnam War)
- PHILCAGV
- 1st Philippines Civil Action Group, Republic of Vietnam (Vietnam War)
- PHILO
- Philanthropic Organisation
- PHM/T
- hydrofoil(s), surface to surfac missile/torpedo
- PHOTO
- Photographic Officer
- PHOTO
- Photographer
- PHOTOINT
- Photographic Interpreter
- PHR
- Photographic Reconnaissance
- PHTO
- Principal Harbour Transport Officer
- PHTO
- Principal Hospital Transport Officer (First World War)
- PI
- Philippine Islands
- PI
- Photo Interpreter
- PI
- Pacific Islander
- Piastre
- Dong – Vietnamese basic unit of currency (Vietnam War)
- PIAT
- Projector, infantry, anti-tank - An anti tank gun conveyable and workable by one man
- PIB
- Papuan Infantry Battalion (Second World War)
- PICA or Hop Tac
- Pacification Intensification of Critical Areas Plan created to deal with critical provinces in South Vietnam. (Vietnam War)
- PICAO
- Professional International Civil Aviation Organisation
- PILE-ON
- Rapid and forceful buildup of sufficient units and firepower to neutralise an enemy force (Vietnam War)
- PIM
- Position and Intended Movement
- PIOCC
- Province Intelligence and Operations Coordinating Centre (Vietnam War)
- Pion
- Pioneer (USA)
- Pipe
- Traditional term used to describe the passing of an order over the ships public broadcast system
- PIR
- Pacific Islands Regiment (Vietnam War)
- Pk
- Park
- Pk
- Pakistan
- pl
- Platoon (Part of a Battalion)
- pl
- Phase Line
- pl
- Platoon
- pl
- Plain Language
- PLA
- Port of London Authority
- PLANTOP
- Plant Operator
- Plat
- Platoon (USA)
- PLB
- Personnel Locator Beacon
- PLC
- Provisional Leadership Committee - Formed 27 Aug 64 by Minh, Khanh and Khiem to control country pending formation to High National Council
- PLE
- Prudent Limit of Endurance [coastal command anti‑sub patrols]
- PLO
- Palestine Liberation Organisation
- Plot
- Radar sighting
- Plt Off
- Pilot Officer
- Pltn
- Platoon
- PM
- Prime Minister's Department
- PM
- Provost Marshal
- PMC
- Post Ministerial Conference (Association of Southeast Asian Nations ASEAN)
- PMC
- President Mess Committee
- PME
- Port main Engine
- PME
- Precision Measuring Equipment
- PMEL
- Precision Measuring Equipment Laboratory
- PMEO
- Precision Measuring Equipment Officer
- PMF
- Permanent Military Forces
- PMG
- Postmaster General
- PMG
- Provost Marshal General (USA)
- PMLO
- Principal Military Landing Officer (First World War)
- PMNS
- Princess Mary's Nursing Service
- PMO
- Principal Medical Officer (First World War)
- PMR
- Pay Master
- PMRAF
- Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Hospital
- PMRAFNS
- Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service
- PMS&T
- Professor of Military Science and Tactics (USA)
- PN
- Publications
- PN
- Part Number
- PNB
- Pilot navigator bomb aimer
- PNG
- Papua New Guinea
- PNGVR
- Papua New Guinea Volunteer Rifles
- PNI
- Protect the National Interests
- PNR
- Principal Naval Representative (RAN point of contact for contractors) Pioneer
- Pnr Trg Bn
- Pioneer Training Battalion [First World War AIF Engineers Unit]
- Pnr/s
- Pioneer(s)
- PNTO
- Principal Naval Transport Officer (First World War)
- PO
- Petty Officer (RAN)
- PO
- Pilot Officer (RAAF)
- PO
- Post Office
- POCK
- Petty Officer Cook
- POD
- Port of Discharge
- POL
- Petrol, oil and lubricants
- Pol
- Poland
- Polit & Econ Int Sums GHQ EEF
- Political and Economic Intelligence Summaries, General Headquarters, Egyptian Expeditionary Force [First World War British Headquarters Unit]
- Political Int GHQ EEF
- Political Intelligence, General Headquarters, Egyptian Expeditionary Force [First World War British Headquarters Unit]
- POLRI
- Indonesian Police Force (East Timor)
- POLWAR
- Political warfare
- POM
- Preparation for Overseas Movement (USA)
- POMCUS
- Prepositioning of material configured to unit sets
- POMTH
- Petty Officer Marine Technical Hull [shipwright]
- POO
- Priority Operational Objective (ABCA)
- POR
- Personnel Occurrence Report. (was Casualty Returns up to cc.1950)
- POREG
- Petty Officer Regulator
- Port
- Portugal
- POSN
- Position
- Post Emergent
- Herbicide used to kill plants growing above ground level
- POSTO
- Petty Officer Stoker
- POTSHOT
- United States Naval Base, Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia
- POW
- Prisoner(s) of War
- PP
- Petrol Point - A forward detachment of a petrol company or park to facilitate the replacement of petrol and oils to units.
- PPA
- Popski's Private Army (No 1 Long Range Demolition Squadron)
- PPCM
- Permanent President Courts Martial
- PPH
- Petroleum Pipehead
- PPI
- Plan and position indicator [radar]
- PPI
- Plan Position Indicator
- PPM
- Pulse Position Modulation
- PPO
- Provisioning Programming Officer
- PPS
- Pulses Per Second
- PR
- Public Relations
- PR
- Parent Regiment/Corps (Peacekeeping)
- PRA
- Paymaster Rear Admiral
- PRA
- People’s Revolutionary Army (official title of Viet Cong fighting forces)
- PRADMIN
- Printer (Administrative)
- PRBBIND
- Printer (Bookbinder)
- PRC
- Peace Research Centre
- PRC
- People’s Republic of China
- PRCHT
- Parachute
- PRCOMP
- Printer (Compositor)
- PREC
- Precedence
- PREP
- Prepare
- PRES
- Presbyterian
- PRF
- Pulse Recurrence Frequency
- PRH
- Petrol railhead
- PRI
- Priority
- Priest
- ASP gun minus turret and innards, used like the Kangaroo
- PRIM
- Primary
- PRLCAMOP
- Printer (Litho Camera Operator)
- PRLINOP
- Printer (Linotype Operators)
- PRLMACH
- Printer (Letterpress Machinist)
- Pro
- Provost
- PRO
- Public Relations Officer
- Pro Unit
- Provost Unit (Military Police)
- PROC
- Proceed
- PROJ
- Project
- PROJ
- Projectile
- Project TINE
- Reinforcement of 1st Brigade (East Timor)
- PROM
- Promote
- PROMACH
- Printer (Offset Machinist)
- PROMONOP
- Printer (Monotype Operator)
- PROV
- Provisional
- PRP
- Petrol Refilling Point
- PRP
- Photo Reconnaissance Pilots
- PRPLMKR
- Printer (Platemaker Photo Litho)
- PRPRFRDR
- Printer (Proofreader)
- PRU
- Photo Reconnaissance Unit (RAAF)
- PRU
- Provincial Reconnaissance Unit (Vietnam War)
- Psa
- Graduate RAF Staff College
- PSA
- Province Senior Advisor
- psa(a)
- Graduate RAAF Staff College
- PSASSES12
- Personnel Selection Assessor 12
- PSB
- Police Special Branch
- psc
- Denotes an Officer who has passed through the Naval Staff College. (Source: Australian Navy List, 1941)
- psc
- Passed Staff College: graduate of the Military or Naval Staff College
- PSC
- Principal surface combatants
- PSDF
- Popular Self Defence Forces
- PSL
- Paymaster Sub‑Lieutenant
- PSL
- Permanent Supernumerary List
- PSO
- Personal Services Organisation
- PSO
- Public Service Officer
- PSO
- Primary Standardisation Office
- PSP
- Pierced Steel Planking
- PSR
- Point of Safe Return
- PSS
- Printing and Stationery Service
- PSSESES6
- Personnel Selection Assessor 6
- PSTO
- Principal Sea Transport Officer
- PSY
- Psychology
- PSYOPS
- Psychological Operations (Vietnam War)
- PSYWAR
- Psychological Warfare
- PT
- Physical Training
- Pt
- Point
- PTA
- Pilotless Target Aircraft
- PTBL
- Portable
- PTC
- Personnel Transit Centre (RAF)
- PTC
- Physical Training Corps
- PTC
- Primary Training Centre
- PTD
- Part time Duty
- Pte
- Private (Equivalent to a Gunner, Driver, Sapper or Signaller)
- PTF
- Patrol Boat
- PTI
- Physical Training Instructor
- PTL
- Patrol
- PTO
- Port Transportation Officer
- PTSD
- Post traumatic stress syndrome
- PTTB
- President Trade Test Board
- PTU
- Paratroops Training Unit (RAAF)
- PU
- Printing Unit (RAAF)
- PUB
- Publish
- PUO
- Pyrexia of uncertain origin (First World War)
- PUP
- Pull Up Point
- PW
- Prisoner(s) of War
- PW & I
- Prisoners of War and Internees
- PWBD
- Prisoner of War,believed deceased
- PWC
- Post War Credit
- PWCIU
- Prisoners of War Contact and Inquiry Unit
- PWLH
- Prince of Wales's Light Horse (AMF) (Vietnam War)
- PWO
- Principal Warfare Officer
- PWR
- Post War Reconstruction
- PWSS
- Port Warning Signal Station
- PWV
- The Prince of Wales' Volunteers (South Lancashire)
- PX
- Post Exchange (Vietnam)
- PZ
- Pick up Zone
- PZKPFW
- Panzerkampfwagen – Tank (German), often shortened to just ‘Panzer’