[Bigg Red]

SLIDE:

Why is it “Bravo Zulu”/”BZ”? I think it means something like “well done,” but why those letters?

[reed13k]

Comes from the ALLIED NAVAL CONTROL OF SHIPPING MANUAL (ATP-2) Options. The manual contains a large number of shortcut messages to relay information quickly.

BZ was one such shortcut which indicated a ship had done something well and only came from unit commanders (fleet/task force/squadron, etc) to a specific ship or from one CO to another.

[HippyLoggerBiker]

https://www.wearethemighty.com/popular/heres-where-the-term-bravo-zulu-comes-from/

[meadsjn]

SLIDE:
Why is it “Bravo Zulu”/”BZ”? I think it means something like “well done,” but why those letters?

It is from Maritime Tactical Signal Code, used by semaphore, signal flags, morse code flashing light, radio, and other channels of communication.

The combination of the Bravo and Zulu nautical signal flags, Bravo Zulu, referred to as “BZ,” is a naval signal, typically conveyed by the hoist of a flag or voice radio, to convey “Well Executed” with regard to actions, operations or performance since simplified to “Well done”.

[LonePalm]

Bravo Zulu comes from Allied Tactical Pub 01 (ATP-01-G-1) a NATO publication for naval signaling. The 2016 copy is Version (G) Edition (1).

It was technically classified Confidential (only certain parts) when I was using it regularly in the late 70s & early 80s. It was generally declassified in the early 2000s.

There is a VERY long list of two letter (flag) combinations. Bravo & Zulu just happened to be the next combination when the creators got down to the message "Well Done".

I have a Bravo Zulu sticker on my car to go with my "Spy Navy" bumper sticker.

WWG1WGA

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)