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Mnemonic Device for Military Pro-Signs A-Z

Pro-signs are an alphabetical coding system used by the military for radio
transmissions or for the naming of various units, to insure complete
clarity of reference.

ALPHA is a top-notch male, the chief and number one—
BRAVO is the thing you shout when arias are done.
CHARLIE is a nickname that is used quite frequently—
DELTA is a plug of land where rivers meet the sea.
ECHO is a sound that comes reverberating back—
FOXTROT is an old-time dance for couples dressed in black.
GOLF is just a boring game that Scotsmen love to play—
HOTEL is a resting place where travelers stop to stay.
INDIA is a teeming land of sacred cows and caste—
JULIET is a Capulet whose first love was her last.
KILO is a metric weight that’s somewhere near a pound—
LIMA is a city where Peruvians abound.
MIKE is short for microphone, which amplifies your voice—
NOVEMBER is a winter month when voters make their choice.
OSCAR is a name that goes with Hammerstein or Wilde—
PAPA is your father when you were a little child.
QUEBEC is up in Canada, and English it is not—
ROMEO is a lover-boy whose plans all went to pot.
SIERRA is a mountain range that rises to great heights—
TANGO is a silly dance for hot Hispanic nights.
UNIFORM is what you wear to show you’re in a team—
VICTOR is a winner who’s unbeatably supreme.
WHISKEY is a potent drink that might go to your head—
X-RAY lets you see your bones although you aren’t dead.
YANKEE is a player in the dugout or the field—
ZULU is a warrior with assegai and shield.

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Joseph S. Salemi has published five books of poetry, and his poems, translations and scholarly articles have appeared in over one hundred publications world-wide.  He is the editor of the literary magazine TRINACRIA and writes for Expansive Poetry On-line. He teaches in the Department of Humanities at New York University and in the Department of Classical Languages at Hunter College.

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3 Responses

  1. Roy Eugene Peterson

    Oh, Dr. Salemi, this is a fantastic application of military mnemonic devices that I would have posted on my walls and bulletin boards when I was in command, the XO, or the Ops Officer in my various units. The creative thoughts behind them and making them rhyme so well and fittingly speaks both to your military knowledge and your fascinating wit and wisdom. I applaud and approve of these and think you should send them to the Pentagon.

    Reply
  2. Mark Stellinga

    Alphabeters are fun to write, Joe, and this one’s as fun as they come. One of the best I’ve seen – great job 🙂

    Reply
  3. Paul A. Freeman

    I usually find alphateters a bit dull and contrived, but this is excellent, doubly so since I recently had to learn the aviation alphabet.

    Nicely done, Joseph.

    Reply

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