What does Hooah mean to you?

2015-10-02T09:49:00-04:00

I heard hooah means anything but no. What does it mean to you?

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Oct 2 at 2015 9:52 AM

2015-10-02T09:52:24-04:00

"I don't know what to say and just want out of this formation."

Response by SGT David T. made Oct 2 at 2015 9:57 AM

2015-10-02T09:57:20-04:00

Am I strange that I never used that word in 9 years of service? lol

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2015 10:07 AM

2015-10-02T10:07:52-04:00

Nothing. It is Armyspeak and I am not fluent in that language.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2015 10:12 AM

2015-10-02T10:12:13-04:00

No matter what I could say, SGT Ben Keen has the best response IMHO.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Oct 2 at 2015 10:14 AM

2015-10-02T10:14:32-04:00

Response by SGT Carissa Lara, RCS made Oct 2 at 2015 10:15 AM

2015-10-02T10:15:14-04:00

It depends on the context. I've found it can be used for anything from Yes to Roger to F-You. In fact, I knew an NCO that would make you do push ups if you said Hooah to him because he interpreted it as F-You.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2015 10:16 AM

2015-10-02T10:16:31-04:00

I've heard a rumor that it started as an acronym HUA, Heard, Understood, Acknowledged. I think there's about a 50% chance that's accurate.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2015 10:21 AM

2015-10-02T10:21:56-04:00

Heard. Understood. Acknowledged.

But really... It's becoming a derogatory term to describe a Soldier that eat breaths and lived Army or does something that's over the top enthusiastic. Unless you're in TRADOC hah

Response by SFC Stephen King made Oct 2 at 2015 10:27 AM

2015-10-02T10:27:50-04:00

Is it the word or how it is expressed with the emotion attached to it? I say "Hooah?!" but it depends on my non-verbal communication and emotion as to the intent of meaning

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 2 at 2015 1:31 PM

2015-10-02T13:31:53-04:00

"With everything I got".....even if it is agreeing that a mission deserves more dirt on top of it in the slit trench.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Oct 2 at 2015 3:03 PM

2015-10-02T15:03:59-04:00

It is an odd sound that is irritating and reminds me of the bleating sheep. Having said that, I must disclose I was in the army long before hooah was in the army. So, when it first started creeping into the army lingo my though was, what the hell? Hmmm, it's a fling thing, it will pass. I was, and still am, irritated by its meaninglessness, omni-meaning, and even its utilization, specially false enthusiasm. At first I thought it was a misappropriation and bastardization of the the Marine Corps "Hoo-Rah". I thought, that's for the Marines, so we can't do that, and not only that, you're saying it wrong, it's Hoo-Rah, not Hooah. Well, since the early 80s, when I first started hearing it, till now, it has picked up steam and, to the new kids, is part of the army. So, enjoy it. For me, I prefer, "let's roll".

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 2 at 2015 3:10 PM

2015-10-02T15:10:22-04:00

Next slide, good job, yes, no, I don't know.

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Oct 2 at 2015 5:24 PM

2015-10-02T17:24:40-04:00

Hooah originated in the Ranger Battalions in the late 70's. It was derived from a Samoan/Hawaiian chant who did it as a morale booster each time they made a stroke with their oars. It was used originally as "I understand and will comply with your request". It has expanded considerably since it's first use to mean just about anything.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2015 8:20 AM

2015-10-25T08:20:42-04:00

Sir, I think that about sums it up. Hooah answers ANY question, and really does mean anything you want it to mean. It can even mean an under-your-breath "f#*! you" when that is how you feel toward a superior at a bad moment... *laughter*

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2015 4:39 PM

2015-10-25T16:39:06-04:00

It means... I understand and will accomplish any task set forth, in a high speed, low drag manner! Hooah!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 25 at 2015 7:50 PM

2015-10-25T19:50:48-04:00

I don't know all the Courses of Actions, in fact I don't know much of anything, but sir I will get back with you.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Oct 26 at 2015 1:30 AM

2015-10-26T01:30:16-04:00

Thankfully it wasn't used when I was in. To me is sounds sort of dumb.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2015 11:04 AM

2015-11-18T11:04:33-05:00

its the stupidest thing I have ever heard. I have never once said it and I look at people who do in a pretty negative way. its another example of the army playing "me too!" the marines have a cool catch phrase so we need one too!
kinda like the ACU's.. the marines got cool, functional real camo uniforms and the army once again said "me too!" and came out with the most worthless uniform I have ever seen. the army is like the younger brother to other services that's always trying to keep with trends by coming up with its own stuff but it sucks at it.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2017 8:13 AM

2017-09-21T08:13:31-04:00

HUA: Heard Understood Acknowledge. An accronym used for brevity in the Army. HOOAH: I dont know what I am saying. lol

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2018 8:21 AM

2018-10-16T08:21:38-04:00

That is what it means

Response by SGT Brian Pasquarelli made Jun 15 at 2022 6:35 PM

2022-06-15T18:35:04-04:00

Giving it all you got. Also the sound of an artillery round leaving a gun.

Response by GySgt Jesse Goodson made Jun 16 at 2022 10:24 AM

2022-06-16T10:24:32-04:00

Ready, willing and able

Response by CH (1LT) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2022 7:17 PM

2022-06-29T19:17:49-04:00

Come at me bro

Response by SPC Joseph Harris made Jul 6 at 2022 8:29 PM

2022-07-06T20:29:43-04:00

HOOAH!!! Everything but no...

Response by SSG Conrad Sylvestrelamb made Jul 26 at 2022 1:07 AM

2022-07-26T01:07:13-04:00

US ARMY , UNCLE SAM AIN'T RELEASED ME YET . HOOAH

Response by SPC Nancy Detwiler made Jul 28 at 2022 4:46 AM

2022-07-28T04:46:19-04:00

Heard, understood and acknowledged. Or just plain old hell yeah!

Response by Cpl Peter Murphy made Jul 29 at 2022 1:18 AM

2022-07-29T01:18:49-04:00

army

Response by SPC Russell Nixon made Aug 11 at 2022 9:23 PM

2022-08-11T21:23:47-04:00

Anything except "No".

Response by Sgt Leon Hoskins made Aug 31 at 2022 8:20 PM

2022-08-31T20:20:13-04:00

Marines

Response by SSG Eric Blue made Oct 28 at 2022 1:51 PM

2022-10-28T13:51:13-04:00

Similar to what "Airborne" means. More often than not during my career, "hooah" meant "REALLY?!? THIS G--DAMN SHIT AGAIN?!?", "Sure thing, sir/ma'am/sergeant/1SG/chief!", or "I hear what you're saying...your logic is flawed and your plan is all kinds of f---ed up, but I'm going to execute what you're saying because I respect your rank. Not YOU!" Those were the most basic interpretations of "hooah" that I heard during my career. I think that it's supposed to be motivating and all it ever did was drain me.

Response by SSG Steve Knox made Dec 30 at 2022 10:36 AM

2022-12-30T10:36:04-05:00

It is the armed forces "battle cry" of brotherhood and unity during peacetime and in conflict.

Response by SP5 Lorie Teshak-Johnson made Jan 6 at 2023 11:15 AM

2023-01-06T11:15:56-05:00

To an outsider it means absolutely nothing. To me it is a shout of comradely, cohesiveness and a sense of pride. Being one of many who shout together at the top of their lungs “hoohah “ gives one an instant sense of belonging and family and tribe. It is a wonderful binding word that connect us as soldiers as one. It is a “military call” you never forget.

Response by 1SG John Millan made Jan 30 at 2024 10:06 AM

2024-01-30T10:06:08-05:00

Literally, from British Army, when Commonwealth colonial troops often spoje no English. A NCO who spoke both languages would tell an officer after getting an order, Heard, Understood, Acknowledged, HUA, which morphed into Hooah. Means yes Sir, Yes Ma'am, all is good, rock n rol!