Military Alphabet · Letter M
M in the Military Alphabet: Mike
Code word, pronunciation, history, and how to use it when spelling out loud
In the military alphabet, the letter M is Mike, pronounced MIKE — one syllable, exactly like the name. Radio operators say Mike so that M cannot be mistaken for N over a weak or noisy channel. It is among the oldest words in the NATO phonetic alphabet, standing for M in American military use since World War II.
Why "Mike"?
Mike is the familiar short form of Michael, and its single syllable makes it one of the quickest code words in the alphabet to transmit. It served as the M of the US Joint Army/Navy phonetic alphabet adopted in 1941 and performed well enough that postwar reformers kept returning to it. ICAO's 1951 alphabet actually replaced it with Metro, but further intelligibility testing found several of the 1951 words wanting, and the revision that took effect on 1 March 1956 restored Mike. It has stood unchallenged since.
M Across Spelling Alphabets
| Alphabet | Word for M |
|---|---|
| NATO/ICAO | Mike |
| LAPD | Mary |
| Western Union | Mary |
| German (Classic) | Martha |
| German (DIN 5009:2022) | München |
| French | Marcel |
| Spanish | Madrid |
| Italian | Milano |
| Able Baker (WWII, historical) | Mike |
| RAF 1924 (historical) | Monkey |
British signalese in the First World War rendered M as Emma — which is why 'ack emma' and 'pip emma' meant a.m. and p.m. in trench slang. The RAF's 1924 alphabet used Monkey, and the WWII Able Baker alphabet used Mike, the word NATO ultimately kept.
Mike in the Field
In service slang a 'mike' is a minute: 'we move in five mikes.' Doubled, 'mike-mike' means millimeters, as in 'forty mike-mike' for a 40 mm grenade launcher. The Mobile Strike Force Command of the Vietnam War was universally known as MIKE Force. Mike also designates the military time zone at UTC+12, on the opposite side of the globe from Zulu.
"M as in Mike" on the Phone
It's Marsh, not Nash — M as in Mike, A-R-S-H.
More on spelling out names and codes call-side in the phone spelling guide, and every letter's "as in" word is on the letters-as-words page. To convert whole words instantly, use the free military alphabet translator.
ONE TO REMEMBER
The finished 1956 NATO alphabet shares only four code words with the WWII Able Baker alphabet, and Mike is one of them, alongside Charlie, Victor, and X-ray.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is M in the military alphabet?
M is Mike in the NATO phonetic alphabet, the spelling alphabet used by militaries, aviation, and maritime services worldwide. You say Mike whenever the letter M has to be unmistakable over radio or phone.
How do you pronounce Mike?
As a single syllable, MIKE, exactly like the man's name. There is no special radio pronunciation to learn for this one.
What was M before it was Mike?
British WWI signalese used Emma, the RAF's 1924 alphabet used Monkey, and ICAO's 1951 alphabet briefly tried Metro. Mike itself dates to the US Joint Army/Navy alphabet of 1941 and returned for good in 1956.
What does 'mike' mean in military slang?
A minute. 'Wait one mike' means wait one minute, and the doubled form 'mike-mike' stands for millimeters when describing weapon calibers.
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Make It Automatic
Reading is recognition; games are recall. Drill all 26 letters until Mike answers itself.