What does 10 mikes mean in military?

Answered by James Kissner

In the military, the term “mike” is often used as slang for the word “minute.” So, when someone says “10 mikes,” they are referring to a time period of 10 minutes. This shorthand language is commonly used in communication between military personnel to convey information quickly and efficiently.

When it comes to military operations, time is often of the essence. Whether it’s coordinating movements, executing a mission, or simply relaying information, using concise terms like “mike” helps to streamline communication and minimize confusion. By utilizing this language, military members can convey important time-related details without having to spell out the word “minute” in its entirety.

For example, if a squad leader needs to inform his team that they have 10 minutes until their designated rendezvous point, he might say, “We have 10 mikes until we reach the rendezvous.” This allows everyone to understand and prepare for the time frame without any ambiguity.

It’s worth noting that the term “mike” is not limited to just minutes. It can also be used in other contexts, such as referring to a specific location or distance. For instance, if a platoon is planning a patrol and someone asks how far the objective is, the response might be, “The objective is 5 mikes away,” indicating that it is 5 minutes’ worth of travel time.

The use of slang and abbreviations like “mike” is deeply ingrained in military culture and serves as a way to expedite communication, especially in fast-paced and high-stress situations. It allows for quick and concise exchanges of information, enabling personnel to coordinate and execute tasks more effectively.

Having served in the military myself, I can attest to the frequent use of this shorthand language. It becomes second nature to communicate in this way, and it helps foster a sense of unity and understanding among military personnel.

When someone in the military says “10 mikes,” they are referring to a time period of 10 minutes. This slang term is used to convey information quickly and efficiently, enabling military members to coordinate and execute tasks more effectively.