Fort when it is an Army post, but spell out when
MILITARY TERMS
it is a city
Examples: Ft. Sill, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
In the following cases, do not abbreviate and note
the accompanying examples and exception:
One of the chief complaints of civilian editors
always be spelled out in the first reference — except
Measurements — The one exception to this rule
Days of the week except in tabular or financial
matters. In these cases use Mon., Tues., Wed.,
Thurs., Fri., Sat., Sun.
First names unless the person does
Examples: William, not Wm.; Frederick, not
Fred; Benjamin, not Benj.
is the word millimeter, which maybe abbreviated
as mm (no space) when used with a numeral in
first or subsequent references to film or weapons.
Miles an hour and miles per hour are abbreviated
in subsequent reference only and must have a
numerical prefix
Examples: He used a 35mm camera. She was
driving 60 miles an (per) hour but slowed down
to 30 mph in the housing area.
Port, association, point, detective, department,
deputy, commandant, commodore, field marshal,
secretary-general, secretary or treasurer
Christmas or use Xmas
Cities
Exception: Saint is abbreviated to St., when it is
part of a city name. Example: St. Augustine, Fla.
These well-known cities are used without a state
include the following:
suffix:
Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Dallas
Denver
Detroit
Honolulu
Houston
Indianapolis
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
Miami
Milwaukee
Minneapolis
New Orleans
New York
Oklahoma City
Philadelphia
Phoenix
Pittsburgh
St. Louis
Salt Lake City
San Antonio
San Diego
San Francisco
Seattle
Washington
concerning military journalism is the excessive use of
abbreviations for titles and organizations. In the
majority of cases, most people within a particular
service will know most of its standard abbreviations.
However, many will not know them all, particularly
family members, visitors and new service personnel.
Titles and organizational designations should
those that are so well known that it would be a definite
waste of space.
All foreign services should be lowercased and
spelled out; for example, French army. Military jargon
and colloquial expressions should be avoided unless
they are used in proper context or direct quotes. When
possible, eliminate abbreviated terms to differentiate
between a professionally written news article and a set
of travel orders. Some examples of military
abbreviations that you should not use in news stories
TAD (temporary additional duty)
R&R (rest and recreation)
RON (remain overnight)
OOD (officer of the day (deck)
PCS (permanent change of station)
When you refer to members of a particular service,
use the following collective terms:
Soldier (a member of the U.S. Amy)
Sailor (U.S. Navy)
Marine (U.S. Marine Corps)
Airman (U.S. Air Force)
Coast Guardsman (U.S. Coast Guard)
Guardsman (Army or Air National Guard)
For military rank and title abbreviations, by service,
consult the latest edition of The Associated Press
Stylebook and Libel Manual.
Thousands of doctors, nurses, veterinarians,
dentists, chaplains and lawyers serve the military in their
respective professional capacities. As such, they should
be identified in news stories by their profession. This
identification should be made in the first reference. Note
the following examples:
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