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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.


Etymology

Origin of AVF

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

“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

Those poll numbers reflect a concern among many in the military that the AVF has created a dangerous chasm between the few who serve and the vast majority who don’t.

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

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