Resources

NATO/Phonetic Alphabet - This is a standard across the branches of the military during communications to precisely identify letters.

Use of the phonetic alphabet eliminates confusion associated with letters or words that sound similar. Saying Charlie Echo is a much clearer way of saying C and E. Or Delta Bravo instead of D and B. These letters can also be used as call signs. In Marine Corps Basic Training you would be assigned to a company designated by a letter, for example Echo Company.

The phonetic alphabet is also used to provide tactical brevity. Though sometimes they are not quite as brief as just saying what you mean.

Lima Charlie = Loud and clear

Bravo Zulu = Well done

November Golf = No Go (failure)

Charlie Mike = Continue mission

Military Time - Military time is run on a 24 hour clock. Use of the 24 hour system helps to eliminate any ambiguity regarding times of the day that could mean both AM or PM. In the military, with early morning PT (physical training) or guard duty in late hours of the night, being told to meet at 5 could be very confusing. Saying 0500 (zero five hundred) or 1700 (seventeen hundred) makes a much more clear and concise reference for time. The bigger the number, the late in the day.

You may also hear the term "zero dark thirty" which means at some point early in the morning before the sun rises. PT will often be run at zero dark thrity.

If you hear the term Zulu after the time designation, like 1422 Zulu, this is referring to time that is set according the Coordinated Universal Time (aka Greenwich Mean Time). This is usually used when operations or communications are taking place across time zones.

For greeting purposes, "Good morning" is used from 0001 to 1200. "Good afternoon" is used from 1201 until after your evening chow. Typically around 1600 or 1700. "Good evening" is then used until 2400.