What is oscar mike?

Oscar Mike

Oscar Mike is a phrase used in military and law enforcement communications, and has gained some usage in popular culture. It is derived from the NATO phonetic alphabet.

  • Meaning: It means "On the Move". It indicates that personnel or equipment are currently moving or are about to begin moving to a new location.

  • Origin: Its roots are in the NATO phonetic alphabet where "O" stands for Oscar and "M" stands for Mike. The military has long used alphanumeric codes and plain language to transmit clear messages, especially during radio communications.

  • Usage: The phrase helps to ensure clear communication during field operations, training exercises, or emergency responses. Outside the military it can sometimes be used to informally mean someone is getting ready to go or is in the process of leaving or starting a new task.