The most important of these were the CCIR alphabet used for telegraphs starting in 1927, and the “Able Baker” alphabet used by the U.S.
Over the first half of the 20th century, several different spelling alphabets came in and out of use. You need to be comfortable spelling out unfamiliar codes and terms under duress with this new terminology, so keep that in mind during the learning process. Therefore, be sure to use different ordering, methods, and techniques to learn this alphabet. A proven method commonly used by actors, lawyers, musicians, and others, this will help your brain process new information better.ĭo it backwards, change the order, focus on problem words – You want the Military Alphabet to become second nature to you. Read the alphabet before you go to sleep – if you struggle with memorization, try spending some time reading the Military Alphabet before you go to sleep. This is a great way to increase your familiarity and comfort with these terms.
#Radio spelling alphabet how to
Think about how to spell random everyday words the military way. Think about the military alphabet as you read and write normally – Thinking about the military alphabet as you go about your daily life will help you get more comfortable with it. After a while, these terms will become second nature to you. Record yourself and play it back – Make an audio recording on your phone or computer, and listen to yourself saying the Military Alphabet back to yourself. Don’t just stare at the Military Alphabet forever ask a friend or family member to test your knowledge and keep track of the letter you have trouble with. Do this at least once a day, and try to get as many of the letters as you can without looking until you can rifle them off without thinking.Īsk a friend to test you – Some people aren’t visual learners. Write it out – Try to write out the Military Alphabet from memory. Flash cards do not take very long make, and will remain a helpful reference as you learn. If you want to learn Prowords, Military slang, or other terms, make cards for those phrases and their definitions as well. Take 26 flashcards, write the letter on one side, and the corresponding Military Alphabet term on the other. We included some other helpful tips below: Military Alphabet Memorization Tips:įlash Cards – Don’t reinvent the wheel. Want to learn this code? Whether you want to join the armed forces, get a handle on soldier parlance, or just impress others, we have some helpful resources for you. Whether you are pursuing a career in the military or aviation, looking for some thematic decorations, or just have a curiosity, scroll down for a comprehensive rundown of everything you need to know about the Military Alphabet. You can also purchase a Military Alphabet poster as a visual aid, or as a decoration. For those who want to learn this code, we provide a useful memorization video to help you do that. We include the entire Military Alphabet below, along with pronunciation info and spelling. This page will help you make sense of this distinct language.
#Radio spelling alphabet code
For example, to say “dog,” one would say “Delta-Oscar-Golf.” None of the 26 code words sound alike, so there is no doubt what is said when spelling this way. Multiple code words often are combined to form words or expressions. For instance, “Alpha” means “A,” “Bravo” means B, and so on. Each represents one letter of the English alphabet.
The military alphabet, officially the International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet, consists of 26 code words. Servicemen and women use this language to improve clarity of communication, and sometimes as a form of slang. Have you ever watched a war film and wondered, “What’s a Foxtrot? Who is Charlie? Did someone say Tango?” These unusual words belong to a powerful code language known as the Military Alphabet.