HUA: Heard Understood Acknowledge or Hooah? Which one do you use, and why?

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 08:11:34 -0400

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 21 at 2017 9:12 AM

SGT David T. — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 09:12:07 -0400

I actually hate that word and any spelling or pronunciation variant with a passion. I might as well grunt and beat on my chest instead. So I tried very hard when I was in to avoid it's use. I only used it when told to or I was saying something along the lines "You are a moron but in my desire to avoid punishment will do what you say".

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Sep 21 at 2017 9:16 AM

CW4 Guy Butler — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 09:16:47 -0400

HUAW Hurry up and wait.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2017 9:26 AM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 09:26:01 -0400

Roger

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Sep 21 at 2017 9:29 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 09:29:24 -0400

WILCO

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2017 9:38 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 09:38:58 -0400

If I use anything at all it tends to be a blend of random sounds that range from a heavy sigh to argh (like a pirate). If I'm feeling especially motivated that day, the random sound will be followed by "Shoot'em in the face". This typically is done for comedic purposes.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2017 9:45 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 09:45:26 -0400

I don't use it anymore. Last month, my unit was at FT McCoy for CSTX and my Soldierswere saying Hooah so much that they managed to kill that word for me in under 3 mikes.

Response by SSgt Ryan Sylvester made Sep 21 at 2017 9:53 AM

SSgt Ryan Sylvester — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 09:53:16 -0400

Other: Hoo-ah, because that's how it read in the subtitles of Scent of a Woman.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Sep 21 at 2017 10:26 AM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 10:26:46 -0400

Neither. At 3d ACR we said "AI-EE-YAH"

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2017 11:45 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 11:45:11 -0400

HUA = Head Up Ass

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Sep 21 at 2017 11:48 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 11:48:46 -0400

I'll toss in the "Aye-Aye" just to defend my service. When two "Aye's" are used, it means of Roger and WILCO. Although its origin seems to be from faded English history, its use likely hung around because you can hear it over the din of heavy wind aboard a ship.
As to the Hooha whatever thing? I've heard various forms and presumed spellings used differently out in the world. Its meaning ranged from a grunt of "I hear and that's it" all the way through "Just give me the Nuke and I'll take care of business". So in essence you have a word that you better be right on context. I hate having to sort context in a war zone. Good opportunity to miscue.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Sep 21 at 2017 1:08 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 13:08:11 -0400

For well over 200 years, the need for a stupid made up word was not needed. As far as the HUA, taking someone's word that they understand is risky at best.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2017 4:20 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 16:20:31 -0400

Hurry Up And Wait - HUAW

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Sep 21 at 2017 6:19 PM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 18:19:42 -0400

I never once heard anyone in the Infantry say this unless it was sarcastically. So beats me.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2017 6:33 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 18:33:45 -0400

E: None of the above.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Sep 21 at 2017 7:48 PM

SGT Matthew S. — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 19:48:03 -0400

I'm going with "none of the above". I only used that word when required, or when speaking to someone of far higher rank sarcastically or when said person was wasting my/my Soldier's time. In that case, it was in order to keep myself from saying "You need to go away and let us get our job done." I despise that word.

Response by PO1 Chad Alcock made Sep 21 at 2017 8:01 PM

PO1 Chad Alcock — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 20:01:20 -0400

I had a First Sargent that would not accept it ad an answer to anything, for much this reason. He couldn't be sure that you actually understood what you were supposed to understand. I never really knew it meant anything, but could be used interchangeably, kind of like "Smurf".

Response by Sgt Douglas Hadley made Sep 23 at 2017 6:33 PM

Sgt Douglas Hadley — Sat, 23 Sep 2017 18:33:50 -0400

As I was Air Force, the term HUA meant "Head Up Ass"....a term used for clueless people...

Response by SPC Glenn Lovell made Sep 23 at 2017 8:53 PM

SPC Glenn Lovell — Sat, 23 Sep 2017 20:53:24 -0400

The usage was short (hua) when you needed to confirm something, a somewhat longer "hoo-uh" when adding emphasis, and the longer/louder "hoo-ah!" in formation or groups for motivation/esprit de corps. At least, that was my experience.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2017 10:45 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Sep 2017 22:45:57 -0400

The only time I use the word is when I ask someone if they want their delicious hooah bar!

Response by PFC Adam Murray made Sep 24 at 2017 12:21 AM

PFC Adam Murray — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 00:21:38 -0400

It always only infers the positive or affirmative; never the negative. HUA is probably its root, but like most words and terms it has evolved.

Response by PFC Ben Stpeter made Sep 24 at 2017 1:23 AM

PFC Ben Stpeter — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 01:23:22 -0400

Hua

Response by SSG Jesus Roman made Sep 24 at 2017 7:35 AM

SSG Jesus Roman — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 07:35:15 -0400

Hooah means anything you want it to mean. I have used it to mean positive things as well as horrible things... can't get in trouble with your "Leadership" if you respond Hooah but actually mean "You are an idiot"!!!

Response by SPC John Leite made Sep 24 at 2017 11:56 AM

SPC John Leite — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 11:56:20 -0400

2 years Active Army, 3 years in the Mt Army National Guard and 3 years in the NV Army National guard and I never once either heard it or used it. In Active Service I was A Field Artillery and Ground Surveilance Radar Operator stationed at Ft. Sill, OK. and in the MT and NV. Army National guard I ws an Armor Crewman and the only time I ever heard "hooah" or "hua" was in the movies. always thought it was just a USMC thing.

Response by SFC S.t. Helms (Ret) made Sep 24 at 2017 1:27 PM

SFC S.t. Helms (Ret) — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 13:27:25 -0400

HUA... Head Up @$$. A WWNAM Pilot Vet told me that once in 91'. I never used it after.

Response by SGT Ron Egan made Sep 24 at 2017 4:51 PM

SGT Ron Egan — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 16:51:30 -0400

Since I got out in 1979 after 6 years, I tend to use the tem, "Say What"

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2017 8:42 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 20:42:33 -0400

ROTC, MSII year.

I think it should be pronounced as HOO-ah, but would prefer it to stay as an acknowledgement.

When we're in Formation, my skin crawls when someone asks us how we're doing, if we're learning, etc. and everyone responds with "huuuuUUUUH"

It should only be used to acknowledge an order, criticism, or something else that someone is -telling- you, not asking.

Just my .02

Response by PO1 Donald Hammond made Sep 25 at 2017 2:39 AM

PO1 Donald Hammond — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 02:39:00 -0400

Uhmmmm. I was in the Navy on submarines. So it was "BOHICA!"

Response by SPC Leo Van Groll made Sep 25 at 2017 7:47 AM

SPC Leo Van Groll — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 07:47:55 -0400

I spent 6 years in the Army & never heard this once. Is it just a pathetic attempt to copy the Marines "ooh-rah" ? If so, just knock it off.

Response by PO1 Donald Hammond made Sep 25 at 2017 8:22 AM

PO1 Donald Hammond — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 08:22:06 -0400

This is one of those "team building" things that the government went through years ago and has sort of hung on. If everyone says or does the same thing, they will all feel like they are part of a team. I hated the team building exercises like the "trust fall". Total bull pucky. But it makes the upper management feel good about themselves.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Sep 25 at 2017 10:22 AM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 10:22:45 -0400

'Ruh ... because i'm a Marine

Response by 1SG Michael Farrell made Sep 26 at 2017 2:59 AM

1SG Michael Farrell — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 02:59:46 -0400

I was told by a CSM with over 900 jumps, mostly with the Ranger Batts, that Hoah was the sound a paratrooper made as the breath was knocked out of his body by a bad landing. Although LTC Husted's definition works too. Remember, phony enthusiasm is better than no enthusiasm. And, I've heard very detailed discussions following some silly crap consisting of nothing but Hooah....it's a tonal language.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Sep 26 at 2017 3:40 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 03:40:41 -0400

Roger that!

Response by SGT Mark Wilson made Feb 9 at 2018 1:48 PM

SGT Mark Wilson — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 13:48:19 -0500

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hooah

Hooah - Wikipedia

The information in this article appears to be suited for inclusion in a dictionary, and this article's topic meets Wiktionary's criteria for inclusion, has not been transwikied, and is not already represented. It will be copied into Wiktionary's transwiki space from which it can be formatted appropriately.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Feb 9 at 2018 3:47 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 15:47:20 -0500

Neither, I learned the English language and know how to speak it.

Response by SPC Brian Pritchard/Hall made Feb 9 at 2018 5:28 PM

SPC Brian Pritchard/Hall — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 17:28:28 -0500

Always thought meaning depended on how it was used

Response by Cpl Sarge Robert A Gonzales made Feb 9 at 2018 8:59 PM

Cpl Sarge Robert A Gonzales — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 20:59:12 -0500

I’m a jarhead . Ooooorah !!

Response by PFC Ben Selby made Feb 9 at 2018 9:15 PM

PFC Ben Selby — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 21:15:31 -0500

In 3/75th, Hoo-ah meant lots of things:
Yes; awesome; roger that; affirmative; hell yeah; understood...

Response by CAPT Nick Alaga made Feb 10 at 2018 11:17 AM

CAPT Nick Alaga — Sat, 10 Feb 2018 11:17:43 -0500

I was Marine Corps trained, we said Oohrah. No idea what it meant. Thought everything else sounded pretty weak.

Response by CW3 Jeff Held made Feb 10 at 2018 9:29 PM

CW3 Jeff Held — Sat, 10 Feb 2018 21:29:06 -0500

HUAA. Heard Understood and Acknowledged

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Feb 10 at 2018 10:37 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Sat, 10 Feb 2018 22:37:39 -0500

I use HOOAH and Air Assault on a daily basis and after 31 years. Civilians LOVE the word and every service has one, just ask them HOOAH!

Response by PFC Chris Kimborowicz made Feb 10 at 2018 11:34 PM

PFC Chris Kimborowicz — Sat, 10 Feb 2018 23:34:26 -0500

Hooah is meant as a morale cry but HUA is a well used acronym. So in essence there are 2, I've used both in my 9 year career and still use Hooah as an acknowledgement.

Response by SSG Scott Wesemann made Feb 11 at 2018 12:26 AM

SSG Scott Wesemann — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 00:26:12 -0500

Everything but No!

Response by SP5 Jake Devaney made Feb 11 at 2018 10:32 AM

SP5 Jake Devaney — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 10:32:08 -0500

Never used it

Response by Sgt Bubba Plexico made Feb 11 at 2018 10:44 AM

Sgt Bubba Plexico — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 10:44:35 -0500

Ooh rah

Response by SFC Nate Olcott made Feb 11 at 2018 11:00 AM

SFC Nate Olcott — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 11:00:29 -0500

I thought it meant Head Up Ass

Response by CPL Kraig Fallwell made Feb 11 at 2018 1:09 PM

CPL Kraig Fallwell — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 13:09:42 -0500

I always said Hoorah

Response by CPO Patrick Ashton made Feb 11 at 2018 2:41 PM

CPO Patrick Ashton — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 14:41:07 -0500

I always used Aye or Aye Aye. Not hard to figure out since i only served in the Navy and with the Marines

Response by MSG Dean Gruber made Feb 11 at 2018 8:25 PM

MSG Dean Gruber — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 20:25:30 -0500

Over thinking is a common error of those who know everything

Response by SGT William Kraus made Feb 11 at 2018 10:29 PM

SGT William Kraus — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 22:29:52 -0500

I don'f ussr either one.

Response by 1SG Tony Reaux made Feb 12 at 2018 2:20 AM

1SG Tony Reaux — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 02:20:13 -0500

1SG Cause I Said!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2018 3:06 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 15:06:21 -0500

ATW

Response by MSG Mark Stinson made Feb 12 at 2018 7:22 PM

MSG Mark Stinson — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 19:22:32 -0500

There is a sign at Camp Mackall for the SFAS, “THIS IS A HOOAH FREE ZONE” I’ve never heard it used by anyone on an ODA or for that matter anywhere within Special Forces. It’s juvenile at best.

Response by Ryan Daniels made Feb 12 at 2018 7:42 PM

Ryan Daniels — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 19:42:53 -0500

I read that Head Up Ass is where the term originated, was a secret code word that was used whenever leadership had their Head Up Ass. Don’t quote me on it though.

Response by SPC Chester Roberts II made Feb 12 at 2018 9:05 PM

SPC Chester Roberts II — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 21:05:43 -0500

Both Hua AND Hooah can be correct, depending on the situation.

Response by SGT Chyrone Ragland made Feb 13 at 2018 9:50 AM

SGT Chyrone Ragland — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 09:50:22 -0500

HUA

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2018 12:49 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 12:49:30 -0500

My understanding is that it's pronounced "Ahhooahhh" Never knew what it actually meant but its pretty obvious that it means "Oh yeah"

Response by SMSgt Keith Klug made Feb 13 at 2018 1:47 PM

SMSgt Keith Klug — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 13:47:19 -0500

I just said :Huh?" but you know us Air Force Guys...LOL

Response by Sgt Ronald Richards made Feb 13 at 2018 6:08 PM

Sgt Ronald Richards — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 18:08:18 -0500

Never used it during my time in the Air Force 69-73

Response by SPC Kevin O'Brien made Feb 14 at 2018 9:14 AM

SPC Kevin O'Brien — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 09:14:01 -0500

Didn't hear it used until I got to the Cav in '84. Thought it was a holdover, horse-borne, Cavalry exhortation of some sort. Never used it as HUA/Hooah, but it was more of a Hoorah. First time I heard it as HUA/Hooah was in the movie "Scent Of A Woman", and thought Pacino had gotten some bad intel that mis-pronounced it throughout the film, then heard it from a visiting FLNG unit that got a "Welcome Home" trip to Busch Gardens. SMH.
And sorry to the squid Chief who posted earlier, but the term "Roger Wilco" is sacrilege! It is either Roger (acknowledged) or Wilco (acknowledged and will comply), but NEVER both together. *newb*

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2018 10:08 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 10:08:08 -0500

ROGER is what I use

Response by MSgt Stephen Reed made Feb 14 at 2018 6:55 PM

MSgt Stephen Reed — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 18:55:42 -0500

None of.the above, AF says yes.

Response by SGT Rogelio Rodriguez made Feb 14 at 2018 10:05 PM

SGT Rogelio Rodriguez — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 22:05:51 -0500

I liked when some of us medics would say "Yar!" Good times in a Scout Squadron. LOL

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2018 12:32 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Jul 2018 00:32:45 -0400

I say Hua sir!

Response by SGT Josh Beers made Aug 20 at 2018 11:50 AM

SGT Josh Beers — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 11:50:44 -0400

HOOAH

Response by MAJ Haris Balcinovic made Aug 20 at 2018 11:51 AM

MAJ Haris Balcinovic — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 11:51:31 -0400

I shall leave you with this research article from a very reputable news source - https://taskandpurpose.com/mysterious-origins-hooah-armys-beloved-battle-cry/

The Mysterious Origins of ‘HOOAH,’ The Army’s Beloved Battle Cry

There are many theories about how "HOOAH" because the Army's battle cry.

Response by Sgt Erle Mutz made Aug 20 at 2018 1:07 PM

Sgt Erle Mutz — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 13:07:55 -0400

NEITHER. I use OOoooorahhh cause that's what Marines use - regularly. It's a "Marine thing".

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2018 3:41 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 15:41:50 -0400

Rah

Response by SSG Robert Mark Odom made Apr 2 at 2019 10:30 AM

SSG Robert Mark Odom — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 10:30:15 -0400

HOOAH!

Response by SSG James Oliver Nathan Jr made May 12 at 2019 1:17 PM

SSG James Oliver Nathan Jr — Sun, 12 May 2019 13:17:28 -0400

I like Hooah it sounds good to me. it shows spirit in you.

Response by SFC Bill Kurtz made May 12 at 2019 2:57 PM

SFC Bill Kurtz — Sun, 12 May 2019 14:57:01 -0400

When I came back from a joint service assignment troops were making this noise. They tried to tell me it was an
Old army tradition. Sounds like marine wanna bees

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made May 12 at 2019 5:30 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Sun, 12 May 2019 17:30:50 -0400

I never used either. Had a gs15 former LTC fa used it so much it made me puke. He wanted people to remember he was ex military.

Response by CWO5 Ray Lee made Mar 27 at 2020 6:22 PM

CWO5 Ray Lee — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 18:22:38 -0400

Aye aye sir!