For army, correct spelling, Alfa or Alpha?

Question

I have seen where the navy radio people officially spell it as ALFA. But I've also seen many people spell it the way the greeks spelled it, ALPHA.

In the army, if you want to refer to the first two companies, the second would be BRAVO. But would the first be ALFA or ALPHA?

jeremyth · Answer

It is funny you ask that, you can go to 10 Military web sites and 5 will have it spelled Alpha and 5 Alfa.  I am retired from the Army, I do not ever remember spelling them, just saying them. That is the idea, You would not send a message that spelled A out, you use it so they do not confuse letters, and misspell things.  I just pulled out an STP 21-1 SMCT which is a Soldier's Manual of Common Tasks, Warrior Skills Level 1, Page 3-248. A is Spelled ALFA. So I hope this  helps

lighty · Answer

Alpha Spelling

Todd · Answer

alpha, bravo, charlie, delta are the first four, of course, but to answer your question, you wouldn't spell it. It's for verbal communication. Writing down adds unnecessary noise to the message by making letters words. But if you mean like a character speaking in a story, it's alpha.

Your Uncle Dodge! · Answer

The Greek letter is ALPHA, and the phonetic alphabet accepts both.

Ben · Answer

No one has ever spelled it alfa.

Anonymous · Answer

Probably a couple days after confirmed sightings of pigs flying.

GoodQuestion · Answer

You pronounce it alfa, you spell it ALPHA.

? · Answer

Either Spelling is acceptable.
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theorderlyroom/a/alphabet.htm

Tyler · Answer

alpha

Stand-up philosopher. It&#39;s good to be the King · Answer

The latter.

For army, correct spelling, Alfa or Alpha?

10 Answers