Use of Terms A-Z

Military Community and Family Policy writing guidance aligns with The Associated Press Stylebook with a few exceptions. Definitions of military-specific terms appear below, along with editorial guidance for certain commonly used words for MC&FP and our programs. See additional writing guidance in the Writing Best Practices section. Find program-specific guidance in the Program Content Guides section.

V

Veterans Affairs – Formerly the Veterans Administration. It became a full Cabinet level in 1989 with the full title the Department of Veterans Affairs. Use VA (no periods) in subsequent references.

vice – Use two words, vice admiral, vice chairman, vice consul. Capitalize in titles when using before a name.

vice president – Capitalize vice president only as a formal title before one or more names: Vice President Mike Pence, Vice Presidents Dan Quayle and Gerald Ford. Use lowercase in all other references: The vice president said today that he is running for president. Do not drop the first name on the first reference; in subsequent references, use only the last name.