Can You Pass the Military Alphabet Quiz?

By: Jonnathan Chadwick
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Can You Pass the Military Alphabet Quiz?
Image: Asiseeit / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

The military alphabet is officially known as the NATO phonetic alphabetor the International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet or the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) phonetic alphabet-and is the most widely used spelling alphabet in the world. It consists of 26 words that correspond to the 26 letters of the English alphabet and was developed to eliminate communication problems that arise because of language differences and low-quality channels. Before the recognition of an international alphabet, navies and armies across the world all had their own version of a spelling alphabet, which caused a ton of confusion when they had to communicate with each other.

In 1920, the first spelling alphabets started making the rounds, and by 1927, a recognized alphabet was created for use. There were several problems with it, and it underwent a few more changes until 1947, when what is commonly known as the Joint Army/Navy alphabet was created. It was also called the Able/Baker alphabet because those were the first two code words in the alphabet. Then the alphabet changed a couple more times until being finalized in 1956. The 1956 version of the alphabet is still in use today and is commonly known as the military alphabet. How well do you know your Alfa Bravo Charlies? Put your skills to the test here.

The code word for the letter "C" is which of these popular names?
Curt
Charlie
Christine
Caitlin
Who is the female love interest in Shakespeare's famous play about doomed lovers?
Jasmine
Juliett
Justine
Jennifer
If you break a bone, your doctor will likely conduct one of these.
X-ray
Colonoscopy
Root canal
Eye exam

Advertisement

What's the military code word for "D"?
Delta
Diana
David
Dazzle
How do you say LMAO using the military alphabet?
Oscar Mike Golf
Lima Mike Alfa Oscar
India Mike Hotel Oscar
Tango Golf India Foxtrot
You may want to play this game on a relaxing vacation.
Sprints
Boxing
Golf
Karate

Advertisement

If you're the winner of a contest, you could be called the what?
Beggar
Quitter
Victor
Loser
How do you say "T," which is also a popular dance?
Tollywop
Tango
Turn
Twist
What does "Tango Down" mean?
Down time
Tolerance
Target down
Tranquility

Advertisement

Soldiers, police officers and firefighters all have to wear a what?
Uniform
Rifle
Hardhat
Fire-hose
What does November Golf mean?
No go
Bad day to go golfing
Night goals
Next grade
What's another name for an American or a New York baseball player?
Rebel
Soldier
Yankee
Redcoat

Advertisement

How do you say "K"?
Kilo
Karate
Kangaroo
Kayak
What does "Echo Tango Suitcase" stand for?
Extra mango sauce
Expiration Term of Service
Examples to use
Earnings plus total
What is Charlie's Chicken Farm?
Colonel's Chicken Factory
The local fried-chicken spot
Correctional Custody Facility
Champion's Chicken Farm

Advertisement

Which entertainment award shares a name with a code word in the military alphabet?
Webby
Emmy
Tony
Oscar
The code name for "L" is which of these capital cities?
Lima
London
Lisbon
Luxembourg
How do you say "A," which is also the first letter in the Greek alphabet?
Alfa
Atlas
Arizona
Alta

Advertisement

If you shout in a canyon, the sound may do what?
Disappear
Avalanche
Echo
Flinch
Which of these popular names is the code name for "M"?
Matt
Mary
Mike
Melissa
Who is the male love interest in Shakespeare's famous play about doomed lovers?
Richard
Rebecca
Rachel
Romeo

Advertisement

How do you say "F," which is also a popular dance?
Foxtrot
Flank
Floss
Flail
What Canadian province is also an alphabet code word?
Ontario
Alberta
Quebec
Manitoba
The code word for "H" is what type of accommodation?
House
Home
Hostel
Hotel

Advertisement

What's the code name for "Z"?
Zeta
Zoo
Zulu
Zigzag
Which month shares a name with a code word in the military alphabet?
November
October
December
May
If you read loud and clear, you might say what?
Lima Tango
Charlie Alfa Lima
Charlie Uniform
Lima Charlie

Advertisement

How do you tell your troops to continue the mission?
Charlie Mike
Alfa Tango
Charlie Golf
Romeo Bravo
What's the code name for "I," which is also one of the most-populous countries in the world?
Ireland
India
Israel
Italy
The code word for the letter "B" is the same as congratulating an opera singer. What is it?
Bless
Brilliant
Bravo
Benefactor

Advertisement

This popular spirit shares a name with an alphabet code word in the military.
Vodka
Gin
Tequila
Whiskey
What does "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" mean?
Way too far
WTF!
Where's the front?
When's the food?
What is the code word for "S," which is also an area in America?
Sussex
Sierra
Savannah
Silo

Advertisement

Which of the following "nicknames" is the code word for "P"?
Papa
Prince
Player
Peach
How do you say "well done"?
Charlie Echo
Whiskey Tango
Bravo Zulu
Sierra Golf