AVF

American  

abbreviation

1. all-volunteer force: referring to an armed force made up solely of volunteers during a period when there is no military draft, as the U.S. armed forces since the Vietnam War.

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Etymology

Origin of AVF

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

“The AVF has led us to become the best trained, equipped and organized fighting force in global history,” retired Adm.

From Washington Post • Feb. 13, 2023

The likelihood is that the AVF can overcome its current problems with some tweaks such as a new Army program for pre-basic training to condition out-of-shape recruits.

From Washington Post • Feb. 13, 2023

That bias reinforces the assumption that the AVF is a poor man's draft.

From Salon • Mar. 16, 2020

I suspect 90% will also favor the Total Volunteer Force over the AVF — even the generals and admirals.

From Time • Jan. 21, 2013

Army Chief of Staff Edward C. Meyer argues that such benefits should be transferable to the children of those now serving in the AVF.

From Time Magazine Archive