NATO Phonetic Alphabet

 

The NATO phonetic alphabet is a Spelling Alphabet, a set of words used instead of letters in oral communication (i.e. over the phone or military radio). Each word ("code word") stands for its initial letter (alphabetical "symbol"). The 26 code words in the NATO phonetic alphabet are assigned to the 26 letters of the English alphabet in alphabetical order.

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Each word is chosen because it CANNOT be confused for any other word when said, hence the reason it is used to help people spell words over phones or radio. It began with the introduction of voice-communication over radio signals.

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Sometimes you will hear someone use the word "Apple" instead of "Alpha". In the English language alone, there are 43 other words that sound just like apple. out of those 43, over half of them also sound like other words starting with other letters. This is why using the correct Phonetic Alphabet is so important. Robart Customer Service is made up of military veterans, military families and former pilots and we are well versed in this alphabet. Feel free to use the guide below when contacting us and we will do the same. Help get you what you need the first time.