In this part of the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot – Learning the Lingo Series, we are going to explore the acronyms & terms that have to do with all things money! Let’s take a look!

Military Money Acronyms & Terms:

• Advanced Pay – Payment before it is earned
• AER – Army Emergency Relief
• AFAF – Air Force Assistance Fund
• AFAS – Air Force Aid Society
• AIP – Assignment Incentive Pay
• Allotment – A member designated amount that gets paid directly to a person or a place monthly from their pay
• Allowances – Pay and special compensation
• BAH – Basic Allowance for Housing
• BAS – Basic Allowance for Subsistence (food)
• Basic Pay – Member’s military pay based on the member’s grade and years of service
• BRS – Blended Retirement System
• Clothing Allowance – annual amount for members to pay for their uniforms
• CONUS COLA – Cost of Living Allowance in the continental United States
• DFAS – Defense Finance and Accounting Service
• DLA – Dislocation Allowance
• FSA – Family Separation Allowance
• FSGLI – Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance
• HDIP – Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay
• HDP – Hardship Duty Pay
• HFP/IDP – Hostile Fire Pay/Imminent Danger Pay
• LES – Leave and Earning Statement
• OCOLA or OCONUS COLA – Overseas Cost of Living Allowance
• OHA – Overseas Housing Allowance
• Per Diem Compensation – Pay while away from one’s home duty stationPFMP – Personal Financial Management Program (branch specific)
• SBP – Survivor Benefit Plan
• SGLI – Servicemembers’ Group Life
• Special Pay – Pay received for a variety of additional duties or circumstance
• TLA – Temporary Living Allowance
• TLE  – Temporary Lodging Expenses
• TSP – Thrift Savings Plan

There are so many different aspects to military money. We hope you have a better grasp of these money terms and acronyms and aren’t saying Whiskey Tango Foxtrot any more!

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