Glossary of U.S. Naval Abbreviations (OPNAV 29-P1000) (2024)

S -- First letter in the Navy aircraft designation, indication a scouting plane

S -- Anti-Submarine Patrol (suffix to plane designation); as, PBM-3S

S -- Boeing Aircraft Co. (formerly Stearman) (manufacturer's symbol)

S -- School(s)

S -- Schweizer Aircraft Co. (manufacturer's symbol)

S -- Seaman; as S1 (Seaman 1st class)

S -- Seaplane

S -- Secret dispatch

S (No.) -- Senate Bill (Number)

S -- Sesquiplane

S -- Sikorsky Aircraft (United Aircraft Corporation) (manufacturer's symbol)

S -- South

S3 -- Squadron Operations Officer (USMC)

S -- Stearman Aircraft Co. (now Boeing) (manufacturer's symbol)

S (number) -- Commanding Officer (number) Submarine Flotilla

S -- Supply Department aboard a carrier

S -- USNR officer designation of Special Service, Unlimited. Formerly (S).

S -- Vought-Sikorsky (United Aircraft Corporation) (manufacturer's symbol)

SA -- Air Search Radar (shipborne)

SA -- Arsine

S&A -- Bureau of Supplies and Accounts

SA -- Limited duty

SA -- Semiautomatic

SA -- South America

SA -- Special Artificer

SA -- Special Assignment

SA -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, Aviation Non-flying. Formerly S(A).

SA1 -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, Heavier-than-Air Pilot. Formerly S(A2) and A-VN.

SA2 -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, Lighter-than-Air Pilot. Formerly S(A2) and A-VN.

SA3 -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, Heavier-than-Air Pilot. Formerly S(A3) and A-VG.

SA4 -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, Lighter-than-Air Pilot. Formerly S(A4) and A-VG.

SA5 -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, Heavier-than-Air Pilot. Formerly S(A5).

SA6 -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, Lighter-than-Air Pilot. Formerly S(A6) and A-VT.

SAA -- Small Arms Ammunition

SAC -- Supreme Allied Command

SAC -- Supreme Allied Commander

SACMED -- Supreme Allied Command(er), Mediterranean

SACO -- Sino-American Cooperative Organization

SACSEA -- Supreme Allied Command(er), Southeast Asia

SAD -- Special Artificer, Special Synthetic Training Devices

SAD -- Support Air Direction

SADMG -- Special Artificer, Special Devices, Machine Gun Trainer

SAF -- Southern Attack Force

SAF -- Strategic Air Force

SAFPlan -- Submarine Area Frequency Plan

SAI -- Special Artificer, Instruments

SAIC -- Small Arms Interpost Competition

Sail -- "S" in the phonetic alphabet; now obsolete and replaced by "Sugar"

SAITR -- Special Artificer, Instruments, Typewriter and Office Equipment Repairman

SAIWR -- Special Artificer, Instruments, Watch Repairman

*SAL -- Salvage

SAL DIVES -- Salvage Dives

SALED -- Sailed

SAN -- USNR officer designation. See SA and N. Formerly S(A)-N.

SA1N -- USNR officer designation. See SA1 and N. Formerly S(A1)-N.

SA2N -- USNR officer designation. See SA2 and N. Formerly S(A2)-N.

SA3N -- USNR officer designation. See SA3 and N. Formerly S(A3)-N.

SA4N -- USNR officer designation. See SA4 and N. Formerly S(A4)-N.

SA5N -- USNR officer designation. See SA5 and N. Formerly S(A5)-N.

SA6N -- USNR officer designation. See SA6 and N. Formerly S(A6)-N.

SandA -- Bureau of Supplies and Accounts

SandFSD -- Sea and Foreign Service Duty

SandFran -- San Francisco, California

SAO -- Special Artificer, Optical

SAO -- Support Air Observation

SAP -- Scouting Amphibian Plan (USCG)

SAP -- Semi-Armor Piercing

SAP -- Spot Authorization Plan (WPB)

SAPC -- Small Arms Post Competition

SAR -- Semi-Automatic Rifle (Army)

SAR -- USNR officer designation. See SA and R. Formerly S(A)-R.

SA1R -- USNR officer designation. See SA1 and R. Formerly S(A1)-R.

SA2R -- USNR officer designation. See SA2 and R. Formerly S(A2)-R.

SA3R -- USNR officer designation. See SA3 and R. Formerly S(A3)-R.

SA4R -- USNR officer designation. See SA4 and R. Formerly S(A4)-R.

SA5R -- USNR officer designation. See SA5 and R. Formerly S(A5)-R.

SA6R -- USNR officer designation. See SA6 and R. Formerly S(A6)-R.

SAR Net -- Support Air Request Net (Communications)

SASAT -- Shipboard Anti-Submarine Attack Teacher

Sat -- Saturated

SAT -- USNR officer designation. See SA and T. Formerly S(A)-T.

SA1T -- USNR officer designation. See SA1 and T. Formerly S(A1)-T.

SA2T -- USNR officer designation. See SA2 and T. Formerly S(A2)-T.

SA3T -- USNR officer designation. See SA3 and T. Formerly S(A3)-T.

SA4T -- USNR officer designation. See SA4 and T. Formerly S(A4)-T.

SA5T -- USNR officer designation. See SA5 and T. Formerly S(A5)-T.

SA6T -- USNR officer designation. See SA6 and T. Formerly S(A6)-T.

SATFor -- Special Air Task Force

SATP -- Small arms Target Practice

SAV -- Allotment for Savings

SAVBOND -- Allotment for purchase of War Savings Bonds

SAX -- USNR officer designation. See SA and X. Formerly S(A)-X.

SA1X -- USNR officer designation. See SA1 and X. Formerly S(A1)-X.

SA2X -- USNR officer designation. See SA2 and X. Formerly S(A2)-X.

SA3X -- USNR officer designation. See SA3 and X. Formerly S(A3)-X.

SA4X -- USNR officer designation. See SA4 and X. Formerly S(A4)-X.

SA5X -- USNR officer designation. See SA5 and X. Formerly S(A5)-X.

SA6X -- USNR officer designation. See SA6 and X. Formerly S(A6)-X.

SB -- First two letters in the Navy aircraft designation, indicating a scouting-bombing plane

SB -- Secondary Battery

#SB -- Shipbuilding

SB -- Submarine Base

Sb -- Switchboard

SB -- Switchboard Operator

SB2A-# -- "Bermuda"; single-engine Navy scout-bomber (VSB), manufactured by Brewster

SBAE -- Stabilized Bombing Approach Equipment

SBC-# -- Single-engine Navy scout-bomber (VSB), biplane, manufactured by Curtiss

SB2C-# -- "Helldiver"; single-engine Navy scout-bombers (VSB), manufactured by Curtiss

SBCo -- Shipbuilding Company

SBCorp -- Shipbuilding Corporation

SBD-# -- "Dauntless"; single-engine Navy scout-bomber (VSB), manufactured by Douglas

#SBDC -- Shipbuilding and Drydock Company

#SB&DDCo -- Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. (Federal, Newport News, Sun)

SBF-# -- "Helldiver"; single-engine Navy scout-bomber (VSB), manufactured by Fairchild (Canada)

SBN-# -- Single-engine Navy scout-bomber (VSB), manufactured by Naval Aircraft Factory

SBNO -- Senior British Naval Officer (U.S. controlled port)

SBNOWA -- Senior British Naval Officer, Western Atlantic

SBP -- Summary Plot Board

SBS -- Strategic Balkan Services

SBU-# -- Single-engine Navy scout-bomber (VSB), biplane, manufactured by Chance-Vought

SB2U-# -- "Vindicator"; single-engine Navy scout-bomber (VSB), manufactured by Vought-Sikorsky

SBW-# -- "Helldiver"; single-engine Navy scout-bomber (VSB), manufactured by Canadian Car and Foundry

SC -- Halifax Slow to United Kingdom (routing designation)

SC -- Radar type designation for shipborne equipment used in air search

SC-# -- "Seahawk"; single-engine Navy observation-scout (VOS), manufactured by Curtiss

S-C -- Secret and Confidential Files

SC -- Ship's Cook

SC -- Signal Corps (Army)

S/C -- Statement of Charges (Army)

SC -- Strato-cumulus

SC -- Submarine Chaser (110')

SC -- Summary Court

SC -- Supply Corps

SC -- USN officer designation for Supply Corps

SC1 -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, Special Communications Duties. Formerly S(C1) and C-VL.

SC2 -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, Special Communications Duties. Formerly S(C2) and C-VX.

SCAEF -- Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force

SCAJAP -- Shipping Control Administrator Japan

SCAO -- Senior Civil Affairs Officer

SCAP -- Supreme Commander Allied Powers (Japan)

SCAR -- South Carolina

SCAT -- Service Command Air Transportation

SCAT -- South Pacific Combat Air Transport (USMC)

SCB -- Ship's Cook, Butcher

SC(C) -- Submarine Chaser (110') (Control)

SCD -- Supply, Commissary and Disbursing

SCE -- Superintending Civil Engineer (GB)

SCF -- Support Carrier Force

Sch -- School

SCI -- Ship Controlled Intercept (radar)

SCI -- Supervisory Cost Inspector

SClk -- Ship's Clerk

SCM -- Sender's Composition Message

SCM -- Summary Court Martial

SCM -- USNR officer designation for General Service, Supply Corps, Merchant Marine. Formerly SC-M.

SCMR -- USNR officer designation for General Service, Supply Corps, Merchant Marine. Formerly SCM.

SC1N -- USNR officer designation. See SC1 and N. Formerly S(C1)-N.

SC2N -- USNR officer designation. See SC2 and N. Formerly S(C2)-N.

*SCO -- Scouting

SCOFA -- Shipping Control Office, Forward Area

ScoFor -- Scouting Force

*SCOL -- School

SCOM -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, Communications Duties. Formerly S(C).

SCOMA -- Shipping Control Office, Marianas

SCON -- USNR officer designation. See SCOM and N. Formerly S(C)-N.

SCOR -- USNR officer designation. See SCOM and R. Formerly S(C)-R.

ScoRon -- Scouting Squadron

SCOROR -- Secretary's Committee on Research on Reorganization (Navy)

SCOT -- USNR officer designation. See SCOM and T. Formerly S(C)-T.

Scotch -- Firetube boiler

#SCOTRACEN -- Scouting Training Center

SCOX -- USNR officer designation. See SCOM and X. Formerly S(C)-X.

SCR(number) -- Signal Corps Radio (number) (Army)

SCR -- Summary Control Report (Planning and Production)

SCR -- USNR officer designation for General Service, Supply Corps. Formerly SC.

SC1R -- USNR officer designation. See SC1 and R. Formerly S(C1)-R.

SC2R -- USNR officer designation. See SC2 and R. Formerly S(C2)-R.

SCS -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, Supply Corps. Formerly SC(S).

SC1T -- USNR officer designation. See SC1 and T. Formerly S(C1)-T.

SC2T -- USNR officer designation. See SC2 and T. Formerly S(C2)-T.

SCTC -- Submarine Chaser Training Center

SCTD -- Scattered

SCTraCen -- Submarine Chaser Training Center

SC-V(G) -- USNR officer designation for supply officers, commissioned and warrant, including pay clerks, qualified for general detail afloat or ashore. This classification was abolished in September 1944 and replaced by SC or SC(S).

SC-V(P) -- USNR officer designation for supply officers (General Service), commissioned in probationary status, and, after qualification and transfer to SC-V(G), available for general detail afloat or ashore. This classification was abolished in September 1944 and replaced by SC(S).

SC-V(S) -- USNR officer designation for supply officers, commissioned and warrant, qualified for specialist duties. This classification was abolished in September 1944 and replaced by SC or SC(S).

SCW -- USNR officer designation for Women's Reserve, Supply Corps. Formerly SC(W).

SC1X -- USNR officer designation. See SC1 and X. Formerly S(C1)-X.

SC2X -- USNR officer designation. See SC2 and X. Formerly S(C2)-X.

SD -- Aircraft detection radar for submarines

S&D -- Single and Double Reduction Gears

SD -- Special Duty

SD -- Spectacle Dispenser

SD -- Supply Department

SDA -- San Diego, California

SDAK -- South Dakota

SDC -- Southern Defense Command (Army)

SDEM -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, Deck and Engineering Duties, Merchant Marine. Formerly S(DEM).

SDEN -- USNR officer designation. See SDEM and N. Formerly S(DEM)-N.

SDER -- USNR officer designation. See SDEM and R. Formerly S(DEM)-R.

SDET -- USNR officer designation. See SDEM and T. Formerly S(DEM)-T.

SDEX -- USNR officer designation. See SDEM and X. Formerly S(DEM)-X.

SDGA -- Single Degaussing Cable

SDHIRS -- Sub-District Headquarters Induction and Recruiting Station

SDM -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, Deck Duties, Merchant Marine. Formerly S(DM).

SDMN -- USNR officer designation. See SDM and N. Formerly S(DM)-N.

SDMR -- USNR officer designation. See SDM and R. Formerly S(DM)-R.

SDMT -- USNR officer designation. See SDM and T. Formerly S(DM)-T.

SDMX -- USNR officer designation. See SDM and X. Formerly S(DM)-S.

SDO -- Specialist Duty Only

SDO -- Staff Duty Officer

SDO -- Station Duty Officer

SdOpr -- Sound Operator

SE -- Single-ended, cylindrical boiler

SE -- Single Engine

SE -- Southeast

SE -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, Engineering Duties. Formerly S(E).

SE1 -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, Special Engineering Duties, equivalent to EDO Hull. Formerly S(E1)

SE2 -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, Special Engineering Duties, equivalent to EDO Machinery. Formerly S(E2)

SE3 -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, Special Engineering Duties, equivalent to EDO Electrical. Formerly S(E3)

SE4 -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, Special Engineering Duties, equivalent to EDO Diesel. Formerly S(E4)

SEA -- Ships Editorial Association

SEA -- Southeast Asia (Theater)

"Seabee" -- Member of a Construction Battalion (CB)

SeaC -- Seacoast

SEAC -- Southeast Asia Command

"Sea Clutter" -- Echo from surface of sea (sea return) (radar)

SEAFRON -- Sea Frontier

"Seagull" -- See SOC-#, SO3C-#, SON-#

"Seahawk" -- See SC-#

SeaS -- Sea School (USMC)

SEATIC -- Southeast Asia Translation and Interrogation Center

SEATL -- Seattle, Washington

"Seawolf" -- See TBY-#

Sec -- Second

*SEC -- Secretary (to the) (of)

*SEC -- Sector

SecNav -- Secretary of the Navy

SECP -- Division of Shore Establishments and Civilian Personnel (formed by merger of SOSED and PS&M in 1944; renamed OIR in 1945)

Secr -- Secret

*SECT -- Section

SecTaskFlt -- Second Task Fleet

SectBase -- Section Base

SecWar -- Secretary of War

SED -- Shore Establishments Division

SEFIC -- Seventh Fleet Intelligence Center

SEM -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, Engineering Duties, Merchant Marine. Formerly S(EM).

Sema -- Semaphore

SEMN -- USNR officer designation. See SEM and N. Formerly S(EM)-N.

SEMR -- USNR officer designation. See SEM and R. Formerly S(EM)-R.

SEMT -- USNR officer designation. See SEM and T. Formerly S(EM)-T.

SEMX -- USNR officer designation. See SEM and X. Formerly S(EM)-X.

Sen -- Senator

*SEN -- Senior

SEN -- USNR officer designation. See SE and N. Formerly S(E)-N.

SE1N -- USNR officer designation. See SE1 and N. Formerly S(E1)-N.

SE2N -- USNR officer designation. See SE2 and N. Formerly S(E2)-N.

SE3N -- USNR officer designation. See SE3 and N. Formerly S(E3)-N.

SEN4 -- USNR officer designation. See SE4 and N. Formerly S(E4)-N.

SENAVAV -- Senior Naval Aviator

Sent -- Sentence

Sent conf -- Sentence to be confined

"Sentinel" -- See OY-#

Sent LP -- Sentenced to lose pay

Sep -- Separate

SEPacFor -- Southeast Pacific Force

SepCen -- Separation Center

*SER -- Serial

Ser -- Serve; service; serving

SER -- USNR officer designation. See SE and R. Formerly S(E)-R.

SE1R -- USNR officer designation. See SE1 and R. Formerly S(E1)-R.

SE2R -- USNR officer designation. See SE2 and R. Formerly S(E2)-R.

SE3R -- USNR officer designation. See SE3 and R. Formerly S(E3)-R.

SE4R -- USNR officer designation. See SE4 and R. Formerly S(E4)-R.

SerForSoPacSubCom -- Service Force South Pacific Subordinate Command

Seron -- Service Squadron

SERRON -- Service Squadron

*SERV -- Service

ServComFMFPac -- Service Command, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific

ServDiv -- Service Division

ServFor -- Service Force

ServLant -- Service Force, Atlantic Fleet

ServLantSubOrdComd -- Service Force, Atlantic Fleet, Subordinate Command

SERV NO -- Service Number

Servon -- Service Squadron

ServPac -- Service Force, Pacific Fleet

Servron -- Service Squadron

ServSoWesPac -- Service Force, Southwest Pacific Fleet

SES -- Physically on board serving sentence of court martial, not ship's company

SES -- Strategic Engineering Survey

SESE -- Secure Echo-Sounding Equipment (sonar)

SET -- USNR officer designation. See SE and T. Formerly S(E)-T.

SE1T -- USNR officer designation. See SE1 and T. Formerly S(E1)-T.

SE2T -- USNR officer designation. See SE2 and T. Formerly S(E2)-T.

SE3T -- USNR officer designation. See SE3 and T. Formerly S(E3)-T.

SE4T -- USNR officer designation. See SE4 and T. Formerly S(E4)-T.

Sett -- Settlement

SETT -- Submarine Escape Training Tank

SEV -- Severn

#SEVENPERDAIR -- A per diem of seven dollars in lieu of subsistence will be allowed while in an air travel status

SEX -- USNR officer designation. See SE and X. Formerly S(E)-X.

SE1X -- USNR officer designation. See SE1 and X. Formerly S(E1)-X.

SE2X -- USNR officer designation. See SE2 and X. Formerly S(E2)-X.

SE3X -- USNR officer designation. See SE3 and X. Formerly S(E3)-X.

SE4X -- USNR officer designation. See SE4 and X. Formerly S(E4)-X.

SF -- San Francisco, California

SF -- Scouting Force

SF -- Shipfitter

S&F -- Sound and Flash

SF -- Surface Search Radar

SFCB -- Shipfitter, Construction Battalion

SFCBB -- Shipfitter, Construction Battalion, Blacksmith

SFCMB -- Shipfitter, Construction Battalion, Mechanical Draftsman

SFCBP -- Shipfitter, Construction Battalion, Pipe Fitter and Plumber

SFCBR -- Shipfitter, Construction Battalion, Rigger

SFCBS -- Shipfitter, Construction Battalion, Steelworker

SFCBW -- Shipfitter, Construction Battalion, Welder

SFCP -- Shore Fire Control Party

SFDS -- Standby Fighter Director Ship

SFIC -- San Francisco Information Center (Army Air Warning Service)

SFNSY -- San Francisco naval Shipyard

SFPOE -- San Francisco Port of Embarkation

S&FSD -- Sea and Foreign Service Duty (pay status)

S&FSD(A) -- Sea and Foreign Service Duty (on aviation pay)

S&FSD(S) -- Sea and Foreign Duty (on submarine pay)

SFSR -- Shipfitter, Ship Repair

SFSRC -- Shipfitter, Ship Repair, Chipper-Caulker

SFSRD -- Shipfitter, Ship Repair, Diver

SFSRF -- Shipfitter, Ship Repair, Steelworker-Anglesmith

SFSRL -- Shipfitter, Ship Repair, Driller-Reamer

SFSRP -- Shipfitter, Ship Repair, Pipe Fitter-Plumber

SFSRR -- Shipfitter, Ship Repair, Riveter

SFSRS -- Shipfitter, Ship Repair, Shipfitter

SFSRW -- Shipfitter, Ship Repair, Welder

SG -- Qualified in Submarines (limited)

SG -- Surface Search Radar

SG -- Surgeon General (Army)

SG -- Sydney or St. Johns, Newfoundland to Greenland (routing designation)

Sgl -- Single Reduction Gears

SGP -- Secondary Gun Pointer

Sgt -- Sergeant

SgtMaj -- Sergeant Major

SHAEF -- Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force

SHC -- Superheat Control (boilers)

SHF -- Super High Frequency

Ship -- Shipboard

*SHO -- Shore

#SHOROUTFUBINT -- The Secretary of the Navy has determined that this employment on shore duty beyond the seas in required by the public interests

#SHORPUNINT -- The Secretary of the Navy has determined that this employment on shore duty is required by the public interests

"Shots" -- A Gunner's Mate in charge of a small AA gun (20MM, 50cal)

SHP -- Shaft horsepower

SI -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, Intelligence Duties. Formerly S(I).

SIA -- Air Intelligence Service (Italy)

SID -- Security and Intelligence Service (Army)

*SIG -- Signal

SIGCUM -- Communications Security Publication-151- (Army)

SIGSALY -- Scrambled voice transmission (Army)

Sigtot -- Signal Corps One-Time Tape

SILO -- Security Intelligence Liaison office (Central Mediterranean Forces)

SIM -- Servizio Informazioni Militaire (Italy)

SIME -- Security Intelligence, middle East

SIN -- USNR officer designation. See SI and N. Formerly S(I)-N.

SINO -- Chines

SIO -- Ship's Information Officer

SIR -- USNR officer designation. See SI and R. Formerly S(I)-R.

SIS -- Secret Intelligence Service (GB)

SIS -- Naval Intelligence Service (Italy)

*SIT -- Situation

SIT -- USNR officer designation. See SI and T. Formerly S(I)-T.

SIW -- Self-inflicted wound

SIX -- USNR officer designation. See SI and X. Formerly S(I)-X.

SJ -- San Juan, Puerto Rico

SJ -- Surface search radar for submarines

SK -- Air search radar (shipborne)

Sk -- Sketch

S&K -- Snow and Knobstedt (ship engines)

SK -- Storekeeper

SKCB -- Storekeeper, Construction Battalion, Stevedore

SKD -- Storekeeper, Disbursing

Sked -- Schedule

Skiatron -- British term for Projection Plan Position Indicator (PPPI)

SKT -- Storekeeper, Technical

SKV -- Storekeeper, Aviation

"Skymaster" -- See R5D-4

"Skytrain" -- See R4D-1-5-6-7

"Skytrooper"-- See R4D-2-3-4

SL -- Large signal search light

S-L -- Sound locator

SL -- Submarine Qualification Lapsed

SL -- Support line

SL -- Surface search radar

SL -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, legal Specialist. Formerly S(L).

SLCU -- Standard Landing Craft Unit

SLN -- USNR officer designation. See SL and N. Formerly S(L)-N.

SLOE -- Special List of Equipment

SLP -- Scouting landplane

SLR -- USNR officer designation. See SL and R. Formerly S(L)-R.

SLT -- USNR officer designation. See SL and T. Formerly S(L)-T.

SLt&SdL -- Searchlight and Sound Locator

SLX -- USNR officer designation. See SL and X. Formerly S(L)-X.

SM -- Air and surface search radar

SM -- Salvage Mechanic

SM -- Shipment Memorandum

SM -- Signalman

SM -- Soldier's medal

Sm -- Steamotive

S/M -- Submarine (GB)

SM -- Submarine, Mine Laying

S/M -- Submarine pay

SMA -- Ship's Material Account

#SMACRATRACEN -- Small Craft Training Center

SMAW -- Second Marine Aircraft Wing

SMG -- Sub-Machine Gun

SMO -- Senior Medical Officer

SMP -- Sound Motion Picture Technician

SMPO -- Sound Motion Picture Operator

S-MPR -- Semi-Monthly Progress Reports

SMR -- Special money Requisition

SMS -- Marine Service Squadron

SMSD -- Submarine Detector Ship's Magnet

SN -- First two letters in the Navy aircraft designation, indicating a scout-training plane

SN -- Portable surface search radar

SN -- USNR officer designation. See S and N. Formerly (S)-N.

SNA -- Student Naval Aviator

SNAFU -- Situation Normal, All Fouled Up

SNAP -- Senior Naval Aviator Present

SNAP -- Student Naval Aviation Pilot

SNAP(G) -- Student Naval Aviation Pilot (Glider)

SNB-1 -- "Kansan"; twin-engine Navy training plane (VSN(M)), manufactured by Beech

SNB-2-2C-2H -- "Navigator"; twin-engine Navy training plane (VSN), manufactured by Curtiss

SNC-# -- "Falcon"; Navy single-engine training plane (VN), manufactured by North American

SNJ-# -- "Texan"; Navy training plane (VN), manufactured by North American

SNL -- Standard Nomenclature List (Army)

SNM -- Senior Naval Member

SNOL -- Senior Naval Officer, Landings (GB)

SNOP -- Senior Naval Officer Present

SNOPG -- Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf (GB)

SNORSCA -- Senior Naval Officer, Red Sea and Canal Area (GB)

SNOT -- Senior Naval Officer, Transport (GB)

Snow -- Receiver noise seen on PPI scope (amplitude indication)

SNTFC -- Senior Naval Task Force Commander

SNV-# -- "Valiant"; Navy training plane (VN), manufactured by Vultee

SO -- First two letters in the Navy aircraft designation, indicating a scouting-observation plane

SO -- Radar type designation for shipborne equipment used in surface search

SO -- Secretary's Office

*SO -- South(ern)

SO -- Special Orders (Army)

SO -- Supply Officer

SO -- Surface search radar

SO -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, Ordnance Duties. Formerly S(O).

SO1 -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, Special Ordnance Duties in Aviation Ordnance. Formerly S(C1).

SO2 -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, Special Ordnance Duties in Aviation Ordnance. Formerly S(O2)

SO3 -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, Special Ordnance Duties in Fire Control and Guns. Formerly S(O3).

SO4 -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, Special Ordnance Duties in Ammunition and Explosives. Formerly S(O4).

SO5 -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, Special Ordnance Duties in Torpedoes. Formerly S(O5).

S06 -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, Special Ordnance Duties in Under Water Ordnance. Formerly S(O6).

SOA -- Speed of Approach

SOAG -- Senior Officer Assault Group (GB)

SOASC (I) -- Senior Officer Assault Ships and Craft (India) (GB)

SOC-# -- "Seagull"; single-engine Navy scout-observation (VSO) landplane or seaplane, biplane, manufactured by Curtiss

SO3C-# -- "Seagull"; single-engine Navy scout-observation (VS) landplane and seaplane, manufactured by Curtiss

SoCalSec -- Southern California Sector, Western Sea Frontier

SoChinaFor -- South China Force

SOCMC -- Special Order of the Commandant of the Marine Corps (USMC)

SOD -- Small Object Detector

SOE -- Secret Operations Executive (British research unit corresponding to OSS)

SOE -- Special Operation Executive (GB)

SoEastPac -- Southeast Pacific Force (later, Command)

SOEF Kandy -- Senior Officer, Eastern Fleet, Kandy (GB)

Sofar -- Sound Fixing and Ranging

SOG -- Special Operations Group

SOI -- Signal Operations Instructions (Army)

SOIC -- Supply Officer-in-Charge

SOINC -- Supply Officer-in-Charge

SOIS -- Senior Officer, Inshore Squadron (GB)

SoLant -- South Atlantic Force (later, Command)

SoLantFor -- South Atlantic Force

SOLS -- Solomon Islands

SOM -- Sonarman; Soundman

SOMD -- Secretary's Office, General Counsel

SOME -- Secretary's Office, Management Engineer

SOMH -- Sonarman, Harbor Defense

SOMP -- Sydney Ocean Meeting Point

SON-# -- "Seagull"; single-engine Navy scout-observation (VSO) seaplane, biplane, manufactured by Naval Aircraft Factory

SON -- USNR officer designation. See SO and N. Formerly S(O)-N.

SO1N -- USNR officer designation. See SO1 and N. Formerly S(O1)-N.

SO2N -- USNR officer designation. See SO2 and N. Formerly S(O2)-N.

SO3N -- USNR officer designation. See SO3 and N. Formerly S(O3)-N.

SO4N -- USNR officer designation. See SO4 and N. Formerly S(O4)-N.

SO5N -- USNR officer designation. See SO5 and N. Formerly S(O5)-N.

SO6N -- USNR officer designation. See SO6 and N. Formerly S(O6)-N.

SONA -- School of Naval Administration, Leland Stanford University

Sonar -- Sound, Navigation and Ranging

SOND -- Secretary's Office, Navy Department

SONOM -- Sonar countermeasures and deception

SONRD -- Secretary's Office, Office of Research and Development

SOP -- Senior Officer Present

SOP -- Standard Operating Procedure

SOPA -- Senior Officer Present Afloat

SOP(A) -- Senior Officer Present (Ashore)

SoPac -- South Pacific Area and Force (later, South Pacific Command)

SoPacBaCom -- South Pacific Base Command

SoPacComs -- South Pacific Communications

SoPat -- South China Patrol

SOPUS -- Senior (US) Officer Present

SOR -- USNR officer designation. See SO and R. Formerly S(O)-R.

SO1R -- USNR officer designation. See SO1 and R. Formerly S(O1)-R.

SO2R -- USNR officer designation. See SO2 and R. Formerly S(O2)-R.

SO3R -- USNR officer designation. See SO3 and R. Formerly S(O3)-R.

SO4R -- USNR officer designation. See SO4 and R. Formerly S(O4)-R.

SO5R -- USNR officer designation. See SO5 and R. Formerly S(O5)-R.

SO6R -- USNR officer designation. See SO6 and R. Formerly S(O6)-R.

SORA -- Secretary's Office, Records Administration

SORG -- Submarine Operations Research Group

SORNE (I) -- Senior Officer, Royal Naval Establishment (India) (GB)

SORR -- Submarine Operations Research Report (by SORG)

SOS -- Radio Distress Call

SOS -- Services of Supply (Army)

SOSED -- Secretary's Office, Shore Establishments Division (incorporated into SECP, 1944)

SOSSPA -- Service of Supply, South Pacific Area

SOSU -- Scout Observation Service Unit

SOT -- USNR officer designation. See SO and T. Formerly S(O)-T.

SO1T -- USNR officer designation. See SO1 and T. Formerly S(O1)-T.

SO2T -- USNR officer designation. See SO2 and T. Formerly S(O2)-T.

SO3T -- USNR officer designation. See SO3 and T. Formerly S(O3)-T.

SO4T -- USNR officer designation. See SO4 and T. Formerly S(O4)-T.

SO5T -- USNR officer designation. See SO5 and T. Formerly S(O5)-T.

SO6T -- USNR officer designation. See SO6 and T. Formerly S(O6)-T.

SOTB -- Secretary's Office, Transportation Branch

SoWesPac -- Southwest Pacific Command

SoWesSeaFron -- Southwest Sea Frontier

SOX -- USNR officer designation. See SO and X. Formerly S(O)-X.

SO1X -- USNR officer designation. See SO1 and X. Formerly S(O1)-X.

SO2X -- USNR officer designation. See SO2 and X. Formerly S(O2)-X.

SO3X -- USNR officer designation. See SO3 and X. Formerly S(O3)-X.

SO4X -- USNR officer designation. See SO4 and X. Formerly S(O4)-X.

SO5X -- USNR officer designation. See SO5 and X. Formerly S(O5)-X.

S06X -- USNR officer designation. See SO6 and X. Formerly S(O6)-X.

SP -- San Pedro, California

S/P or SP -- Seaplane

SP -- Section Patrol

SP -- Security Publication

SP -- Shore Patrol

SP -- Single Purpose Gun

SP -- Smokeless Powder

SP -- Specialist

SP -- Qualified in Submarine Training

SP -- Sub-Professional (Civil Service employees designation)

SP -- Summary Plotter (radar)

SPA -- South Pacific Area

SpA -- Specialist, Physical Training Instructor

SPAB -- Supply, Priorities and Allocations Board

SPARS -- Women's Reserve U.S. Coast Guard. The word SPAR was coined from the initials of the Coast Guard motto: "Semper Paratus" (Always Ready).

SpAst -- Special Assistant

SPATS -- South Pacific Air Transportation Service

SpC -- Specialist, Classification Interviewer

SPC -- Standard Products Committee

SpCW -- Specialist, Chemical Warfare

SPD -- Southern Procurement Division

SpD -- Specialist, Animal Handler

Spd -- Speed

SPDC -- Spare Parts Distributing Center

Spdltr -- Speed letter

Spec -- Special

Spec -- Specialist

Spec -- Specification

SPEC -- USNR officer designation for Special Service, Reserve Pay Clerk

SpeNavO -- Special Naval Observer

SpEPS -- Specialist, Motion Picture Server-Booker

SpERW -- Specialist, Recreation and Welfare Assistant

SpF -- Specialist, Firefighter

SpG -- Specialist, Gunnery

SpGM -- Specialist, Gunnery, Aviation Free Gunnery Instructor

SpGN -- Specialist, Gunnery, Anti-Aircraft Gunnery Instructor

SpI -- Specialist, Punched Card Accounting Machine Operator

Spl -- Special; Specialist

SpLT -- Specialist, Link Trainer Instructor

SplW -- Special Warrant

SpM -- Mail Clerk

SPM -- Self-propelled mount

SPO -- Shore Patrol Officer

SpO -- Specialist, Inspector of Naval Material

SpOAV -- Specialist, Inspector of Aviation material

SpOEN -- Specialist, Engineering Inspector

SpOOR -- Specialist, Ordnance Inspector

SpOPE -- Specialist, Petroleum Technician

SPORT -- Support

SportFor -- Support Force

SPOT -- Spotter

SpP -- Specialist, Photographic Specialist

SpPLB -- Specialist, Photographer, Laboratory

SpPMP -- Specialist, Motion Picture Production

SpPPG -- Specialist, Photogrammetry

SpPR -- Specialist, Public Relations (USCG)

SPPS -- Specialist, Port Security (USCG)

SpPVM -- Specialist, V-Mail

SpQ -- Specialist, Communications Specialist

SpQCR -- Specialist, Specialist, Communications Specialist, Cryptographer

SpQIN -- Specialist, Communications Specialist, Radio Intelligence

SpQRP -- Specialist, Communications Specialist, Registered Publication Clerk

SpQTE -- Specialist, Communications Specialist, Technician

SpR -- Specialist, Recruiter

S&PResDis -- Severn and Potomac Reserve District (USMC)

SpS -- Specialist, Personnel Supervisor (Women's Reserve)

SpS -- Specialist, Shore Patrol and Security

SPSA -- Special Projects School for Air

SpSPS -- Specialist, Personnel Supervisor, V-10

SpT -- Specialist, Teacher

SpTLT -- Specialist, Link Trainer Instructor

SP(TR) -- Specialist, (Transportation) (USCG)

SPU -- Special Projects Unit

SpU -- Specialist, Utility (Women's Reserve)

SpV -- Specialist, Transport Airman

SpW -- Specialist, Chaplain's Assistant

SpX -- Specialist, not elsewhere classified

SpXAC -- Specialist, Archivist

SpXAR -- Specialist, Artist

SpXBL -- Specialist, Ballistics

SpXCC -- Specialist, Cable Censor

SpXCG -- Specialist, Crystal Grinder

SpXCT -- Specialist, Cartographer

SpXDI -- Specialist, Discharge Interviewer

SpXED -- Specialist, Engineering Draftsman

SpXFP -- Specialist, Fingerprint Expert

SpXGU -- Specialist, Gage Specialist

SpXID -- Specialist, Intelligence Duties

SpXIR -- Specialist, Interpreter

SpXJO -- Specialist, Journalist

SpXKP -- Specialist, Key Punch Operator and Supervisor

SpXNC -- Specialist, Naval Correspondent

SpXOP -- Specialist, Special Project

SpXPC -- Specialist, Position Classifier

SpXPI -- Specialist, Pigeon Trainer

SpXPL -- Specialist, Plastic Expert

SpXPR -- Specialist, Public Information

SpXQM -- Specialist, Operations--Plotting and Chart Work

SpXRL -- Specialist, Research Laboratory

SpXRS -- Specialist, Armed Forces Radio Service and Special Naval Radio Units

SpXRT -- Specialist, Passenger Transportation

SpXSB -- Specialist, Telephone Switchboard Operator and Supervisor

SpXST -- Specialist, Strategic Services

SpXTD -- Specialist, Topographic Draftsman

SpXTS -- Specialist, Air Stations Operations Desk--Time Shack

SpXVA -- Specialist, Visual Training Aids

SpY -- Specialist, Control Tower Operator

Sq -- Squadron

Sqdn -- Squadron

Sqn -- Squadron

SR -- Air Search Radar Receiver (shipborne)

SR -- Seaplane Reconnaissance Aircraft

S/R -- Service Record (Army)

SR -- Shipment Request

SR -- Ship Repair Ratings

SR -- Sound Rating (Army)

3SR -- Internal Delivery Teletype (intra-ship)

SR -- USNR officer designation. See S and R. Formerly (S)-R.

SRB -- Seaplane Repair Base

SRB -- Service Record Book (USMC)

SRF -- Submarine Repair Facility

SRL -- Serial

SrMbr -- Senior Member

SRNC -- Severn River Naval Command

S/RS -- Staff Returns (USMC)

SRTU -- Ship Repair Training Unit

SRU -- Seaplane Reconnaissance Unit

SRU -- Ship Repair Unit

SRU -- Submarine Repair Unit

SS -- High frequency radar, directional

SS -- Selectee (USMC)

SS -- Selective Service

SS -- Sharpshooter (USMC)

SS -- Single-seated

SS -- Steamship

SS -- Submarine

SS -- Submarine Qualification

SS -- Submarine Studies (by SORG)

SS -- Sworn Statement

SSA -- Ship's Stores Ashore

SSA -- Signal Security Agency

SSC -- Submarine Supply Center

SS&CS -- Ship's Stores and Commissary Stores

SSD -- Scrap Salvage Division (BuS&A)

SSD -- Stabilized Ship Detector

SSDB -- Shore Station Development Board

SSF -- Single-seated fighter

SSF -- Special Service Force

SSF -- Ship's Service Force

SSM -- Silver Star Medal

SSMB -- Ships' Service Man, Barber

SSMC -- Ship's Service Man, Cobbler

SSML -- Ship's Service Man, Laundryman

SSMT -- Ship's Service Man, Tailor

SSP -- Scouting seaplane

SSP -- Ship's Stores Profit

SSPN -- Ship's Stores and Profit, Navy

SSR -- Spin Stabilized Rockets

SSU -- Special Service Unit

SSU -- Squadron Service Unit (Aircraft)

SSU -- Strategic Services Unit; formerly, Office of Strategic Service (OSS)

S/T -- Shipping Ticket (Army)

S/T -- Sonic Telegraphy

ST -- Steward

ST -- Stockton

ST -- Stratus

ST -- Type of submarine radar used for surface search and ranging while submerged

ST -- USNR officer designation. See S and T. Formerly (S)-T.

*STA -- Station

Sta -- Stationary

STAD -- Special Temporary Aviation Duty (USMC)

STAG -- Special Task Air Group

*STAN -- Standard

#STANLANCRU -- Standard Landing Craft Unit

STAR -- Specialized Training and Reassignment (Army)

Stat -- Statues-at-Large of the United States

Stbd -- Starboard

STD -- Physically on board under instruction; not ship's company

Std -- Steward

StdA -- Steward's Assistant

StdB -- Steward's Branch (USMC)

Ste -- Steward (Officer's) (USMC)

Steno -- Stenographer

Stereo -- Stereoscopic

SteT -- Steward, technical (USMC)

StfSgt -- Staff Sergeant (USMC)

STG -- Absent in straggler status

Stinger Dog Project -- A drone boat project

StM -- Steward's Mate

STO -- Storekeeper (USCG)

STOCK -- Stockton, California

STP -- Stop

StrAFPOA -- Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Area

Strag -- Straggler

StrAirPoa -- Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas

STRG -- Straggler

STIK -- Striking

STT -- Stenographer, Medical

STU -- Service Trials Unit

Stud -- Student

STV -- Steam Tank Vessel

SU -- Service Unit (Army)

SUB -- Submarine Service

SubAd -- Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet Administration

SubAdMI -- Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet Administration, Mare Island

SuBase -- Submarine Base

SubBase -- Submarine Base

SubCom -- Subordinate Command, Service Force, Pacific Fleet

SubDiv -- Submarine Division

SubLant -- Submarine Force, Atlantic Fleet

Subm -- Submerged

SUBOR -- Subordinate

SuborCom -- Subordinate Command

SuborComd -- Subordinate Command

SuborComdServLant -- Subordinate Command, Service Force, Atlantic Fleet

SuborComdServPac -- Subordinate Command, Service Force, Pacific Fleet

SubPac -- Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet

SubPacAd -- Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, Administrative Command

SubPacSubordCom -- Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, Subordinate Command

SubRon -- Submarine Squadron

SUBRU -- Submarine Repair Unit

SUBS -- Subsistence Allowances

SubScoFor -- Submarine Scouting Force (Pacific Fleet)

SubsLant -- Submarines, Atlantic Fleet

SubsPac-- Submarines, Pacific Fleet

SubsSoWesPac -- Submarines, Southwest Pacific Force

#SUCHTRANS -- For such transportation as he may designate

#SUCHTRANSVAIL -- (via) Such transportation as may be available

SUDAM -- Sunk or Damaged

Sugar -- "S" in the phonetic alphabet, replacing the obsolete "Sail"

SumCM -- Summary Court Martial (Army)

Su or Du -- Single or double uptake (boilers)

*SUP -- Supply

SupCom -- Supreme Command

SupCon -- Superintending Constructor

Super Sniffer -- A racon

Super Scarab -- naval aircraft engine, 7 cylinders, manufactured by Warner

SuPier -- Naval Supply Pier

SupInsMat -- Supervising Inspector of Naval Material

#SUUPOFCOMD -- Supply Officer-in-Command

SupSgt -- Supply Sergeant (USMC)

SupShip -- Supervisor of Shipbuilding

*SUPT -- Superintendent (ing)

SuptNavObsy -- Superintendent, Naval Observatory

Supv -- Supervisor

SUR -- Physically on board as a "Survivor"

Sur -- Surrender(ed)

SurGen -- Surgeon General

*SURV -- Survey

SUS -- Suspended (aviation)

SUSNO -- Senior U.S. Naval Officer

SUSP -- Vessels which will have construction terminated upon the completion of specified items

SV -- Selective Volunteer (U.S> Navy)

SV -- Type of submarine radar for aircraft warning

S/V -- Surface Vessel

SVC -- Service

SvC -- Service Command (Army)

SW -- Secretary of War

SW -- Security Watch

SW -- Ship's Warrant (USMC)

SW -- Southwest

SWA -- Southwest Approaches (to GB)

SWETTU -- Special Weapons Experimental Tactical Test Unit

SWNCC -- State, War, Navy Coordinating Committee

SWOD -- Special Weapons Ordnance Devices

SWPA -- Southwest Pacific Area

SWPA -- Surplus War Property Administration

SWPC -- Smaller War Plants Corporation

SWPF -- Southwest Pacific Force

SWTTEU -- Special Weapons Test and Tactical Evaluation Unit

SX -- Search and altitude determining radar with constant sweep

SX -- Sectional Express (boiler)

SX -- USNR officer designation. See S and X. Formerly (S)-X.