What Does "Hooah!" Stand for?

“Hooah!” is a slang phrase used by members of the US military, and although its exact origins are not clear, it is typically thought to come from the acronym HUA, which stands for for “heard, understood, acknowledged.” The phrase is generally used in response to a statement or order from a military superior. “Hooah!” also is often used by members of the US military as a morale-boosting cheer, and its broad definition has even been described as meaning "everything and anything but no."

More about the US military:

  • In 2011, the US military had about 1.1 million soldiers and more than 400,000 civilian and military employees, so if it were a city, its population would make it the sixth-largest city in the US.
  • Only one out of every four Americans age 17 to 23 are thought to qualify for military service.
  • It takes more than 22 gallons (83.3 liters) of fuel to support each US soldier for one day on the battlefield. By comparison, during World War II, it took 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of fuel for each soldier.
More Info: military.com

Discussion Comments

Potatohead

Well, I guess if I were signing up, and don't like to hear my name yelled out loud every day, I would have to join the Marines. "Hooah"... mein gott, that is disgusting.

anon357458

This former Marine agrees with anon357331. There is a big difference between the Army's "hooah" and the Marine Corps' "ooo-rah" and both services are proud of their own unique yell. Actually, it is only in recent times that the Marine yell could be spelled; back in the 60s and 70s, it used to sound like a loud, protracted, and frightening grunt, vocalized best by Drill Instructors!

anon357331

Hooah is a motivational term used by members of the U.S. Army. The United States Marine Corps uses Ooh-Rah. This may not seem like much, but to those who have served, it is a very big thing.

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