Hooah? What is the meaning, you have heard it, this my generalization of the word. Whats your interpretation or list?

2014-07-07T12:06:37-04:00

"HOOAH"
(who-a) .adj. (slang used by soldiers, primarily airborne/ rangers) referring to or meaning anything and everything except “NO”

So, where did the term originate? The simple answer is that nobody knows, although there are dozens of theories. Heck, nobody can even agree on the correct spelling of this widely used military "word."

"No matter how one might spell the word -- with or without a hyphen, a U instead of two Os, and so on -- the word is still an expression of high morale, strength and confidence. And, when powered by an overwhelmingly proud, and usually loud, tone of voice, hooah seems to stomp out any possibility of being bound by the written word. "

Here is my take on the word "HOOAH" FROM MY TAKE IN the U.S. Army

1. What to say when at a loss for words.( ya-know what I mean)
2. Good copy, solid copy, roger, good, great, message received, understood.
3. Glad to meet you, welcome.
4. I don't know the answer but I’ll check on it. I haven't the guest idea.
5. I’m listening.
6. l'm not listening.
7. That’s enough of you dribble--sit down.
8. Stop sniveling.
9. Oh % it you’ve got to be kidding.
10. Yes!
11. Thank you.
12. Go "to the next slide.
13. You've taken the correct action.
14. I don’t know what that means, but I'm too embarrassed to ask for clarification.
15. Amen.
16. good morning/night.
17. Airborne-lets Jump!
18. Screw you!
19. Totally cool.
20. Were gonna march all night/day.
21. This field problem sucks!
22. Another MRE!
23. Fantastic!
24. Endex!
25. F-ing-A.
26. You don't know what the!@@xx@@ you're talking about but I’ll humor you anyway!
27. Eat crap and die!
28. SQUARED AWAY!
29. What a Retard/Stupid!
30.___________etc.etc.etc.etc.etc

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/jointservices/a/hooah.htm

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/militaryhumor/a/hooahdef.htm

Where Did The Term 'Hooah' Come From?

Where does the (Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy) phrase HOOAH, HOOYAH, and OORAH come from? Learn the origins of this tradition.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2014 12:32 PM

2014-07-07T12:32:49-04:00

Heard, Understood, Acknowledged, this is a good meaning that I remember when I first joined I asked a NCO what does that mean, and for some reason this is the meaning they gave me. Now SFC Davis, I really seem to like your top 5 for sure, even though all of them do fit.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2014 6:37 PM

2014-07-07T18:37:34-04:00

SFC Davis, sometimes it means, "No." Here are some examples:

SGT: (after a long, incoherent ramble) "... Tracking?"
SPC: "Hooah."
Translation: No, I'm not tracking, but I want you to stop talking now.
----

SGT: "Is SPC Snuffy still at his appointment?"
SPC: "Hooah!"
Translation: No, he's probably at the PX, but far be it for me to throw him under the bus.
---

SGT: "If you score anything less than a 280, you WILL retake your PT test."
SPC: "Hooo-ahhhh."
Translation: I have no intention of complying.

Response by COL Randall C. made Jul 7 at 2014 6:43 PM

2014-07-07T18:43:20-04:00

I once saw Rob Schneider's stand-up routine about "Dude" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77v_Q0mhbZU).

That about sums it up about Hooah as well.

Rob Schneider - Meanings of "Dude"

Rob Schneider from 1989 with a couple bits on the different meanings of the word "Dude" and being told to set his clock back.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made May 18 at 2015 2:47 PM

2015-05-18T14:47:07-04:00

I Never tried to explain it to anyone because it has so many different meanings. I remember that while going through ACAP prior to my discharge we were told by one speaker not to use the word Hooah, because it could mean anything and he wanted to make sure that we understood the information he was putting out. I can understand that reasoning as I came to hate having people respond to something I would say with HOOAH.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made May 18 at 2015 2:51 PM

2015-05-18T14:51:54-04:00

Be The HOOAH

Response by CPL Bryan Claeys made Aug 10 at 2017 1:45 PM

2017-08-10T13:45:42-04:00

My unit didn't utilize that word. Instead we used the old Sioux word for "attack": Aieeah

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2017 1:33 PM

2017-08-26T13:33:27-04:00

I've always learned it as HUA (Heard, Understood, Acknowledged).

"Hooah" was taught to us as nothing more than the pronunciation of "HUA" infused with the fighting spirit of the US Army.

Response by CPL Dustin Vigneault made Aug 26 at 2017 1:33 PM

2017-08-26T13:33:37-04:00

Funny I was told it was an abbreviation H.U.A. It stands for Head Up Ass

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Aug 26 at 2017 1:48 PM

2017-08-26T13:48:12-04:00

to me, it means that someone, somewhere, thought the Army needed something foolish to say just as much as the Marines.

Response by LTC Dallas Powell made Aug 26 at 2017 4:05 PM

2017-08-26T16:05:41-04:00

Hooah is quite the versatile word. Among its many uses are:
- Yes
- No
- Hello
- Goodbye
- Thank you
- You're welcome
- Next slide.
- Do you understand?
- Yes, I understand.
- I don't have a f***ing clue what you just said, but thanks anyway.
- Amen.
- No, I'm not going to eat that nasty s*** but you are welcome to try it.

Response by PO2 Austin Dullum made Aug 26 at 2017 4:32 PM

2017-08-26T16:32:25-04:00

because you cant say hoorah with a d... i mean candy in your mouth. yes im kidding, nobody freak out. navy says some dumb stuff too

Response by LTC Wayne Brandon made Aug 26 at 2017 4:56 PM

2017-08-26T16:56:02-04:00

I always supposed the word had it's beginnings as a derivative of the word Huzzah which was used by the British in the 17th - 18th century as a means to energize the soldiers before a bayonet charge. Our own Continental troops were known to use it as well as a victory cheer or again, as a way to uplift the troops before going into battle. It can be heard by soldiers in Civil War reenactments suggesting that the word had a fairly long life in the Army and perhaps the Marine Corps as well.
Mongolian warriors used a similar term "Hurree" or something of that sort so again, I suppose it is possible that it has simply evolved to what it is from centuries back. Funny thing is, I don't ever recall hearing it until the late 70's or early 80's at Ft. Benning. In a short time it was the ubiquitous term we use today.
Your thoughts, Joe?

Response by CPL Mark Andersen made Aug 26 at 2017 5:07 PM

2017-08-26T17:07:44-04:00

The only time I ever used "Hooah" was with the 54th Engineers in Wildflecken, Germany. We used when the CO dismissed us from formation.

Never used it in OSUT, never used it in PLDC, never used it in the 101st Airborne, never used it in Air Assault School.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2017 7:13 PM

2017-08-26T19:13:18-04:00

Cant remember who told me this but back on the day it was actually HUA. H=Hear U=understand A=acknowledge.

Response by SFC David Fullmer made Aug 26 at 2017 8:01 PM

2017-08-26T20:01:22-04:00

F*** off sir! With all due respect.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2017 8:33 PM

2017-08-26T20:33:40-04:00

I have always hated that word and thank God we did not have it when I went to Basic in 89 but when I got new Soldiers in the 90,s and 2000,s I could never figure out f they are getting smart with me or saying yes or no. Damn just say yes or no Sergeant

Response by PVT Raymond Lopez made Aug 26 at 2017 9:38 PM

2017-08-26T21:38:20-04:00

I was a gun show today and one of my friends who sells old war was running the old movie “D-Day” and in the film was a scene where General Cota who was one of the highest-ranking officers on the beach that day. After landing on the beach, he is famous for personally rallying the shell-shocked, pinned-down survivors and opening one of the first vehicle exits off the beach. Cota and his rallied men bravely advanced to the seawall, where they used Bangalore torpedoes and wire cutters to punch through the wires. They then successfully took out a machine gun nest, and were one of the first units to actually make a breakthrough during the Omaha Beach that day. In a meeting with Max Schneider, commander of the 5th Ranger Battalion, Cota asked "What outfit is this?" Someone yelled "5th Rangers!" In an effort to inspire Schneider's men to move from the cover of the seawall and lead a mass of recently landed soldiers through a breech, Cota replied "Well, God damn it then, Rangers, lead the way!” To which the Rangers replied “Who us?”

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Aug 26 at 2017 10:35 PM

2017-08-26T22:35:15-04:00

Thanks for sharing a spelling conundrum SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL :-)

Response by SGT Christopher Lachcik made Aug 27 at 2017 8:59 AM

2017-08-27T08:59:33-04:00

It means to fuck yourself honestly lol

Response by SGT Gabriel Brown made Aug 30 at 2017 6:47 PM

2017-08-30T18:47:42-04:00

I switched from the Marine Corps Infantry to the army and I hate hooah more than I hated oorah. I'm the USMC infantry, you rarely hear oorah unless it's being used with heavy sarcasm. We say err, and to this day I still say it while everyone else around me says hooah in unison lol

Response by CPT Robert Huddleston made Jan 4 at 2018 7:42 AM

2018-01-04T07:42:33-05:00

The actual meaning of the word is Historical. It originated from the Continental Army’s war cry under General George Washington’s command, “Hoozah” However, the root word for Hoozah / Hooah reaches further back in time, because the root word is Hallelujah, which means Praise.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2018 1:57 PM

2018-01-24T13:57:07-05:00

Hua, heard understood acknowledged.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2018 3:14 PM

2018-01-24T15:14:10-05:00

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL after being at Bragg now I know it is not used by Airborne units and instead they use ATW or Airborne which may have the same meaning.....

Response by SGM Don Bruce made Jan 25 at 2018 12:06 AM

2018-01-25T00:06:33-05:00

Hoo ah came from the last All Black unit in the American army,,,555th Inf BN, and was given to the 2nd Ranger Company in Korea the All Black Rangers, It was kept alive in the Army Rangers by 1sg Joe Gooden of Co B Rangers 75th Inf Fort Carson Colorado 1972 he was the last member of the 2nd Ranger Company of Korea, I served in that unit from 1972-1974 we chanted it every morning at formation for 5 Minutes..it was then taken to the 1st and 2nd Ranger BN's in 1974 where it was used by the former Members of Co B Rangers and was adopted by both Ranger BN's I was a original member of 1st Ranger BN, later 1sg Joe Gooden made CSM and became the CSM of the 2nd Ranger Bn 75th Inf fort Lewis. As Rangers from those two BN'd spread through out the Army they spread Hoo AH!! so yes we do know where it came from and how it became Army wide,,,SGM Donald Bruce former Member of Co B Rangers 75th Inf,,,1st Ranger BN Airborne 75th Inf and 2nd Ranger Bn Airborne 75th inf and the original was Hoo AH!!! Kill!!

Response by SGT Joanna M made Jan 25 at 2018 8:36 AM

2018-01-25T08:36:50-05:00

we were told it was h.u.a. heard understood and acknowledged

Response by SGT James Skelton made Jan 25 at 2018 10:04 AM

2018-01-25T10:04:09-05:00

I always thought it meant heard, understood and acknowledged.

Response by PO3 John Forhan made Jan 25 at 2018 10:43 AM

2018-01-25T10:43:37-05:00

I never used this term while I was in the Navy, but I have heard it used many times.

Response by SP5 Bob Burrows made Jan 25 at 2018 2:47 PM

2018-01-25T14:47:15-05:00

Heard, Understood, Acknowledged, HUA!,

Response by James Palmisano made Jan 26 at 2018 10:53 AM

2018-01-26T10:53:45-05:00

Hooah! Is a Universal Word, Shared by People who know how to follow a "Code of Conduct"! And have an inate sense of Family towards those they Serve with. HOOAH!!!!!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2018 3:23 PM

2018-01-26T15:23:30-05:00

One thing that I remember from BCT was that hooah was meant to build morale and also as a reply that we were tracking on the information given to us by our COC. I’m actually about to re-enlist and have caught myself saying hooah to my bosses in the civilian world. Guess some habits don’t change.

Response by SPC Larry Scoles made Jan 26 at 2018 3:59 PM

2018-01-26T15:59:53-05:00

Taken from Vietnamese word ouwa for yes is what I was told

Response by SPC John Rodgers made Jan 26 at 2018 8:56 PM

2018-01-26T20:56:59-05:00

HUA- Heard
Understood
Acknowledged

Response by SPC Brian Kirstein made Jan 27 at 2018 12:07 AM

2018-01-27T00:07:04-05:00

Your a go at this station

Response by Jack Benedict made Jan 27 at 2018 12:17 AM

2018-01-27T00:17:18-05:00

Morale

Response by SGT Kim Thomas made Jan 27 at 2018 2:46 PM

2018-01-27T14:46:47-05:00

1!!!!!!

Response by A1C Andy Justice made Jan 27 at 2018 4:31 PM

2018-01-27T16:31:53-05:00

yes sir im happy that we are at a briefing at 0600 even though ive been here 0300 just to show to my sgt that i wont be late

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2018 4:33 PM

2018-01-27T16:33:24-05:00

Get er done one way or the other

Response by Lt Col Al Brewster made Jan 27 at 2018 5:23 PM

2018-01-27T17:23:33-05:00

I'll stick with HUA

Response by Maj Michael Howard made Jan 28 at 2018 12:10 AM

2018-01-28T00:10:11-05:00

The Marine corps (China Marines) adopted the original Hooraaagh from the Chinese at the turn of the 19th century. As part of martial arts, the expression was used to focus energy prior to engaging in combat and for that purpose I learned to do it with gusto, and force (no Arcinio Hall limp wristed whop whop). Marines soon learned that a decisive and intimidating Hooraaaghgah filled that fraction of a second between danger and panic. Also for what it is worth, it has been found to scare the crap out of your opponents turning their recognition of danger into panic. The sound of victory has many affirmative nuances. Simpler Fi./

Response by A1C Tony Lee made Jan 28 at 2018 1:26 AM

2018-01-28T01:26:38-05:00

Ready Sgt, Sir.
Let’s do it
Agree
Whatever

Response by SSG Charles Holtzclaw made Jan 28 at 2018 6:48 PM

2018-01-28T18:48:51-05:00

Response by SSG Charles Holtzclaw made Jan 28 at 2018 6:49 PM

2018-01-28T18:49:37-05:00

No. 2

Response by SSG Tommy Horn made Jan 29 at 2018 12:36 PM

2018-01-29T12:36:12-05:00

Exactly.

Response by Sgt Tyrone Townsend made Jan 29 at 2018 12:45 PM

2018-01-29T12:45:43-05:00

In boot jargon! In the game of simple Simon, if Simon spoke with out a sir yes sir or an Hoorah!
Every one in the platoon would wind up doing B & M,s! Nuff said!

Response by LCpl Terry Buchholz made Jan 29 at 2018 7:25 PM

2018-01-29T19:25:47-05:00

Motivated proud marine. Attack!!

Response by SPC Timothy Roach made Jan 29 at 2018 8:41 PM

2018-01-29T20:41:24-05:00

Hua = head up ass

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2018 8:58 PM

2018-01-29T20:58:29-05:00

Buddy have a drink on me

Response by PFC David Burkett made Jan 29 at 2018 10:20 PM

2018-01-29T22:20:57-05:00

It’s HUA. But is pronounced Hoooah. It stands for Heard, Understand and Acknowleded

Response by SPC Christopher Standridge made Jan 30 at 2018 8:48 AM

2018-01-30T08:48:30-05:00

H.U.A. Heard. Understood. Acknowledged.

Response by PO2 Timothy Sneed Sr. made Jan 30 at 2018 12:52 PM

2018-01-30T12:52:02-05:00

Just Do It

Response by SGT Clifford Smith made Jan 30 at 2018 4:12 PM

2018-01-30T16:12:23-05:00

Hooah!!!

Response by PFC Christeena Darden-Butler made Jan 30 at 2018 4:30 PM

2018-01-30T16:30:05-05:00

Dang that just sounds like a man.

Response by SPC David Willis made Jan 30 at 2018 5:40 PM

2018-01-30T17:40:00-05:00

I see it as a word that requires skill to use. It was always fun to see how much (for lack of a better word) "attitude" you could put on that word without getting your balls smoked or how much you could use it without really committing to anything. It was one of my favorite words until I took over a fire team and I immediately started hating it haha.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2018 7:04 PM

2018-01-30T19:04:50-05:00

HUA is an acronym that stands for Heard, Understood, Acknowledged. It was used over the radio instead of saying good copy or roger.

Response by 1stSgt Donald Smith made Jan 30 at 2018 10:08 PM

2018-01-30T22:08:40-05:00

I'd say your old school , if you served on active duty during Viet Nam....that's where I draw the line in the sand............1stSgt old school 1960 - 1980....Semper Fi

Response by 1stSgt Donald Smith made Jan 30 at 2018 10:13 PM

2018-01-30T22:13:58-05:00

Didn't have that saying "HOOAH", when I was on active duty. We did say "Gungho" which is Chinese for " Working Together" Like that Marine is really "Gungho"...............meaning he's all for it.

Response by SGT Donny Alexander made Jan 30 at 2018 10:57 PM

2018-01-30T22:57:41-05:00

Anything in the affirmative!

Response by SrA William Van Winkle made Jan 30 at 2018 11:30 PM

2018-01-30T23:30:19-05:00

I saw it defined as being spelled HUA and meaning Heard, Understood Acknowledged! That made sense to me.

Response by Eric Rush made Jan 31 at 2018 1:27 AM

2018-01-31T01:27:12-05:00

Hooray I believe is the modern form of Huzzah!!! used first in Europe then transplanted here. The Civil War era used the Huzzah and from there it I believed it morphed to the modern Hooray!!!

Response by Jayme Armstrong made Jan 31 at 2018 6:17 AM

2018-01-31T06:17:46-05:00

Damn Skippy

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2018 1:37 PM

2018-01-31T13:37:38-05:00

I heard somewhere along the line that it was originally hu-ah, standing for “heard and understood or acknowledged hearing”. But it seems that the proper way to use hooah is as described in previous comments Lol

Response by Cpl Duane Delano made Jan 31 at 2018 2:37 PM

2018-01-31T14:37:21-05:00

I'm the marine corp it motivation word

Response by Cpl Duane Delano made Jan 31 at 2018 2:38 PM

2018-01-31T14:38:13-05:00

It's oohorah

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2018 5:44 PM

2018-01-31T17:44:15-05:00

This right on point

Response by SSG Leslie Jenkins made Feb 1 at 2018 12:32 PM

2018-02-01T12:32:59-05:00

Originally used by the signal corp for "heard, understood and acknowledged". Much later replaced by "roger or roger that". The variations of the use and spellings after that can be anything you want I guess.

Response by SPC Kent Tye made Feb 1 at 2018 1:09 PM

2018-02-01T13:09:49-05:00

Airborne

Response by SGT Gary Harvell made Feb 1 at 2018 2:30 PM

2018-02-01T14:30:39-05:00

Proud to be serving my country

Response by SPC Steve Ramkissoon made Feb 1 at 2018 4:07 PM

2018-02-01T16:07:28-05:00

It's actually just a sounded acronym.
Hooah is a way of spelling the sound of HUA(Heard, Understood, Acknowledged)

Response by Deborah Kay made Feb 1 at 2018 5:36 PM

2018-02-01T17:36:08-05:00

I love this explanation!

Response by Sgt Carl Bailey made Feb 1 at 2018 7:44 PM

2018-02-01T19:44:59-05:00

“Check that sh** out!

Response by SSG Arnold Giusseppi-Hernandez made Feb 1 at 2018 7:45 PM

2018-02-01T19:45:35-05:00

Hooah

Response by PV2 Denia Davis made Feb 1 at 2018 9:24 PM

2018-02-01T21:24:30-05:00

Good info. Just always knew it as a positive and not a negative as stated.

Response by PVT Thomas Bradbury made Feb 1 at 2018 9:25 PM

2018-02-01T21:25:55-05:00

Huah incoming heads up ass hole positions over run and i called for fire so pull your buddies over your body

Response by PVT Thomas Bradbury made Feb 1 at 2018 9:34 PM

2018-02-01T21:34:07-05:00

Yolo

Response by SrA Tinderly Johnson made Feb 1 at 2018 11:41 PM

2018-02-01T23:41:20-05:00

Good job!

Response by PVT Phillip Russell made Feb 2 at 2018 12:31 AM

2018-02-02T00:31:30-05:00

It is a 4 inch bird that Lay's a 6 inch egg and when it is laying it it screams hoo ah

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2018 7:58 AM

2018-02-02T07:58:18-05:00

We got a new CO in my old infantry unit. He gets in front of us and starts talking then, trying to seem like a soldier and not a 12 yo, he says "Hooah". The entire formation is quiet. He says "Hooah" again trying to elicit a response. Top then yells "We don't say that here."

Response by SPC William Pattan made Feb 3 at 2018 12:53 AM

2018-02-03T00:53:20-05:00

Never in use while i was there

Response by SSgt Daniel d'Errico made Mar 3 at 2018 5:00 AM

2018-03-03T05:00:06-05:00

While working as a contractor in the middle east, we had AFNTV programs to watch. Of course this meant there would be the regular military historical factoid programings. Hoorah, originated back in the early 1800s, when the US was still exspanding southward and westerly. Some American troops were conducting treaty talks with the Seminole Indians in Florida. Of course talks always lead to banquets and toasts being made. The AR,Y Colonel in charge made a toast to honor the Seminole chief and the current POTUS of that time. The men under his command shouted "hoorah" three times. After several more toasts and "hoorahs", the Seminoles liked what they heard, and began shouting "Woohah" themselves. The ARMY troopers being polite guests, replied in kind with shouts of "Whooah". My feelings on this subject is, too much whiskey rations was flowing at the banquet that night.

Response by SSG Nikki Ackerman made Mar 7 at 2018 5:19 PM

2018-03-07T17:19:43-05:00

My grandfather used it in WWII and he warned me about "Hooah" which is actually H.U.A, Heard, Understood, Acknowledged. No known origin other than he was a paratrooper with the 101st.

Response by MSG Chuck Pewsey made Mar 8 at 2018 2:46 AM

2018-03-08T02:46:07-05:00

I spent 67-92 in the Army, don't remember ever hearing it. Saw something a few years ago on TV, DI instructing recruits - their hooah left a lot to be desired, sounded like, "damn, you told us that five times already, it's time for our naps."

Response by MAJ Lyle F. Padilla made Mar 15 at 2018 1:49 PM

2018-03-15T13:49:43-04:00

I'm retired Armor/Cav, but I once listened to an Infantry officer explain the definition of HOOAH! to someone, and it was almost identical to Johnny Depp in the title role in DONNIE BRASCO explaining the definition of "Fuhgeddaboudit!"

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2018 11:36 PM

2018-03-15T23:36:11-04:00

Hey, Joe...you can get another 367,210 points if you ask about HOORAH and OORAH, too.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 16 at 2018 6:00 AM

2018-03-16T06:00:09-04:00

Didn't hear this word until shortly after I joined R P, figured it was a slightly different version of the Marine yell.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2018 6:45 AM

2018-03-16T06:45:01-04:00

Oh yea. I remember starting a big fight between Ft Steward/Hunter Army airfield leadership and Parris Island Command caused on the ambiguity of the word. But hey, if the Marine Commander didn’t want a helicopter landing at night in the middle of their Marines training they should have closed the airspace around their post!

Response by SP5 Rob Lilley made Mar 20 at 2018 10:50 PM

2018-03-20T22:50:44-04:00

We never had hooha in our army. Never heard it used by anyone wearing a Nam ribbon.

Response by SGT Jesse Leonard made Mar 22 at 2018 9:54 PM

2018-03-22T21:54:47-04:00

During the 7 years I was in, nobody but the drill sergeants used hooah. We didn't know what it meant and it seemed like someone was trying to force a bullshit word into existence. The proper response when I speak to joeys it the truth or Roger/negative sergeant.

Response by SGT Greg Gold made Apr 13 at 2018 9:59 PM

2018-04-13T21:59:53-04:00

Heard and understood. It dates from WWII.

Response by MSgt Robyn Roberts made Apr 16 at 2018 5:10 PM

2018-04-16T17:10:11-04:00

I have always been tol it means “Heard, Understood, Acknowledged!” Worked with a few Marines and Army over the years and came from most of them.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2018 7:18 PM

2018-04-16T19:18:04-04:00

Don't know where it originated, but it means whatever you want it to. It is, along with another word whose application has been described at length by George Carlin, one of the most flexible words in the English language.

Something very impressive in a action-movie-esque kind of way, can be hooah.

Also, something not so great can be hooah. For instance, Sergeant Smith has to go to the Warfighter CPX tonight, Sergeant Stewart, so I need you to pull staff duty tonight. This might elicit a less than enthusiastic "hooah" back in the days when then-Sergeant Stewart had worry about such things.

It can also just be a generic acknowledgement of something, as well as a request for acknowledgement, such as, "So you blah-blah-blah, and then close it back up and you're done. Hooah?" "Hooah, Sergeant."

And when it said to describe the awesomeness of a drill sergeant's campaign hat that has been autographed by R. Lee Ermey, it definitely means, "That is some of the awesome awesomeness I've every even heard of."

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Apr 16 at 2018 7:29 PM

2018-04-16T19:29:38-04:00

Interesting info...but someone has a little too much time on his hands. I can see a Retiree asking this question. lol

Response by SP5 Geoffrey Vannerson made Apr 20 at 2018 10:58 AM

2018-04-20T10:58:51-04:00

I served from 1982-1988 and in all that time I never heard the term; however, 4 years later with the release of "Scent of a Woman" staring Al Pachino who played a blind former Army Ranger Officer the term become synonymys with everything good or bad. It depends on the situation. Hot woman, Hooah. Fast car, Hooah. Choking the shit out of a nephew after he insults you, Hooah. When my son was "smoked" for the last time when we came to Ft. Leonardwood to get him from basic training when all was said and done and they were released that was their final cry. HOOAH!

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Apr 20 at 2018 11:00 AM

2018-04-20T11:00:49-04:00

My Soldiers use "hooah" with my a lot and not my nephew who is also in the Army does it too.

Response by LTC Timothy O'Neill made Sep 13 at 2018 2:12 PM

2018-09-13T14:12:16-04:00

I was in from 65 through 91, served as a consultant for another 25 years, and had never heard the word until the Eighties. However, I seem to recall it as an affirmative similar to WILCO; a contraction of "heard, understood, acknowledged."

Response by Capt Gilbert Arguello made Sep 13 at 2018 3:48 PM

2018-09-13T15:48:15-04:00

My understanding as a Marine was Oo Rah is derived from a growl. The DI would ask, "Where are my killers? Let me hear that growl!". The growl was an affirmation of a willingness to fiercely engage anything.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Sep 13 at 2018 3:51 PM

2018-09-13T15:51:07-04:00

H U A , Heard, Understood, Acknowledged.

Response by Cpl Mark Roeder made Sep 13 at 2018 7:08 PM

2018-09-13T19:08:38-04:00

They stole it from the Marines' "Ooh Rah!".

Response by SFC David Wojta made Sep 13 at 2018 7:59 PM

2018-09-13T19:59:13-04:00

I was an active duty Marine prior to the common use of "oohrah". When I heard it later, I was filled with gratitude that it happened after my time. Fast forward 10 years and my enlistment in the US Army Reserve. At first there was no Hooah.. All was good. As I moved around and spent more time interacting with different units, Hooah became a thing. Obviously I couldn't change it, so I rolled with it. Since it had no particular emotional attachment to me, I tended to use it followed by a question mark. Hence, it became a great token of sarcasm and I learned to love it that way. Once confronted by a Master Sergeant about why I didn't seem to have it in my heart, I just told him that I had my "hooah gland" surgically removed... He wasn't quite sure how to respond to that, so he just said Hooah and walked away. I still laugh at his expression.

Response by MSG James Bates made Sep 14 at 2018 12:05 AM

2018-09-14T00:05:48-04:00

It means HELL YES.

Response by CSM Andrew Perrault made Sep 14 at 2018 9:59 AM

2018-09-14T09:59:38-04:00

It's simply an acknowledgement from two or more highly motivated military personnel. Can't hack it pack it! Hooah!

Response by GySgt Lawrence Clark made Sep 14 at 2018 12:45 PM

2018-09-14T12:45:02-04:00

Having served for forty years, from '69 to 2010 I would like to provide an observation. I never ever heard Hoorah till sometime in the eighties. Sometimes I would hear individuals say "uuah", when responding to something or some one. But this was right after and during Vietnam that this became part of the lexicon. The gooks, when you asked them a question or told them to do some task would say "uah" without any emphasis that was their equivalent to our "yeah or OK or all right" and we sometimes adopted it. But the loud Hoorah I never heard from anyone till the '80s. I remember an episode on CBS's 60 Minutes about General Al Grey, the Commandant, and part of the clip showed him talking to a platoon of Recruits at PI in '88. They responded something he said he said with a loud "Oorah" He looked at the officer beside him and said, "what did they say?" When told Gray said, "well tell them to knock it off, I don't want to hear that again from my Marines!"

Response by SFC Michael Duncan made Sep 14 at 2018 1:28 PM

2018-09-14T13:28:11-04:00

An adapted word from the Seal call, the marines, and then the army decided they needed one so.....

Response by PO2 Hauke Powers made Sep 14 at 2018 2:12 PM

2018-09-14T14:12:19-04:00

HOOAH... is the verbalization of affirmation,assertiveness, and true commitment of a soldier. When the term HOOAH is shouted or spoken, either in group or singular form, the person or persons uttering the phrase HOOAH asserts they are ready and prepared to carry out the assigned task requested. They are ready and prepared to sacrifice themselves for their fellow troopers and their country. I have NEVER heard the HOOAH reflected as a term in the negative definition or action. The term HOOAH is uttered in honor, respect, and pride. It is a moral booster and builder. I hope this helps explain some of the mystery behind the term. As for where it came from...the heart and soul of every service man and woman who served and in so many cases, sacrificed their lives...To ALL service personnel...CHARLIE MIKE and HOOAH !!!!

Response by CH (LTC) Grant Speece made Sep 14 at 2018 2:47 PM

2018-09-14T14:47:26-04:00

According to the companion book to the PBS documentary series "The Civil War" the Union Army came up with the term as a response to the Rebel Yell.

Response by SGT Larry Marino made Sep 14 at 2018 9:44 PM

2018-09-14T21:44:44-04:00

Close, but no cigar. The exclamation was commonly used by soldiers during our early wars, and it was universally popular during the Civil War. It started as "Hurrah" (sometimes Horray). An utterance or exclamation of joy or approval. Usually at the winning of a battle.
The US Marines come closest with their "Hoo-Rah!!! It has even degenerated into "Ooh Aah" in some of the services. Yeah, I know. What's wrong with them?

Response by LCpl Robert Fott made Sep 15 at 2018 12:29 AM

2018-09-15T00:29:10-04:00

I am sorry, but this list of definitions does not fit what the "word" means. Marines have Semper Fi, gungho, Sir, Yes Sir, No Sir, Aye Aye Sir which all have explicit meanings which have immediate known responses and actions. Your "listing" is so nebulous that it is ridiculous.

Response by TSgt Vincent Chenevert made Sep 15 at 2018 8:02 AM

2018-09-15T08:02:25-04:00

I thought it was HUA and most of the time the enlisted were yelling this at the officer. Stand for "head up A**". JK. LOL

Response by SPC William Szkromiuk made Sep 15 at 2018 1:53 PM

2018-09-15T13:53:52-04:00

Never heard it in 65. Still cant say it with the proper inflection......haha

Response by SSgt David Smart made Sep 15 at 2018 11:06 PM

2018-09-15T23:06:53-04:00

I was in the AF and stationed at Pope AFB next to Bragg. We got so tired of hearing "Airborne" all the time. We had a come back though.."yeah so's bird shit".

Response by SSgt David Smart made Sep 15 at 2018 11:13 PM

2018-09-15T23:13:18-04:00

It's funny. They are just like sheep. If you go "bah" in a sheep barn they all answer.

Response by SFC Melvin Rogers made Sep 16 at 2018 12:02 AM

2018-09-16T00:02:40-04:00

In my experience it normally fell into the category of "You want me to say something but there really isn't anything to say at this point".

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Jul 2 at 2019 5:31 PM

2019-07-02T17:31:32-04:00

Interesting

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 2 at 2019 6:26 PM

2019-07-02T18:26:06-04:00

For me it meant next slide, great job, yes, I don't the answer but I will get back to you, I will not lie so I say Hooah!

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Jul 2 at 2019 7:57 PM

2019-07-02T19:57:03-04:00

Something in meaning between 103 and 109!

Response by SFC William Ewing made Aug 6 at 2019 11:49 PM

2019-08-06T23:49:27-04:00

About says it all

Response by Igor Jefe made May 8 at 2020 11:44 AM

2020-05-08T11:44:16-04:00

From Russian WIKI:
https://ru.wiktionary.org/wiki/%D0%9E%D0%B1%D1%81%D1%83%D0%B6%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5:%D1%83%D1%80%D0%B0

The word was introduced (in Russia) by Peter I. The first time he heard it, when he personally saw the advance of the Kalmyk cavalry, the soldiers together shouted "Hurray!" Impressed by the rapid and successful attack in exchange for the (until then) used “Viva!” Peter the Great introduced the word - Hurray! Which in translation from Kalmyk means - moving forward. The word "Hurray" has been used since ancient times as a war cry; this word is also found in the ancient heroic epos of the Oirats (Kalmyks). In modern Kalmyk language, the derivative of "cheers" is Uralian, meaning "forward." But it’s worth noting that “cheers” is precisely the war cry of the Kalmyks.

https://topwar.ru/1383-istoriya-russkogo-ura.html

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Response by SSG Eric Blue made Dec 25 at 2020 3:19 PM

2020-12-25T15:19:06-05:00

Most of those responses are legit. The only one I don't see is "Yeah, f--- you, m---erf---er. You're telling me to do (insert task or demand here) and I'm gonna do it, but I don't respect you AT ALL because you're a POS."