---
title: "Here’s where the term Bravo Zulu comes from"
description: "In the military, if you did good work, you may have heard the term \"Bravo Zulu,\" which means \"well done,\" — but...why?"
date: "2021-07-24"
modified: "2023-05-12"
authors:
  - name: "Tim Kirkpatrick"
    link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/tkirkpatrick/"
url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/popular/heres-where-the-term-bravo-zulu-comes-from/"
categories:
  - "History"
  - "Join the Military"
  - "Military Culture"
  - "Navy"
---

# Here’s where the term Bravo Zulu comes from

![Bravo Zulu meaning](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Bravo-Zulu-meaning.webp>)
*Bravo Zulu meaning*

Everyone's a critic. After you complete a job, someone is going to tell you how you did. If you messed up, you're gonna hear about it. In the military, if you did good work, you may have heard the term "Bravo Zulu," which means "well done," — but...why? Since the [Navy](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/popular/us-navy-guide/>) has strong traditions, motivated sailors tend to uphold those traditions and use nautical terms in their everyday dialogue. But why not just say "well done," right?

![bravo zulu top gun](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17313533/origin.jpg>)

The system of signals is comprised of letters and/or numbers that are represented by flags and pennants which have meaning either by themselves or in different combinations.

The Navy uses a system of 68 flags covering the 26 letters of the alphabet, 10 numeral, 10 numeral pennants, 4 substitutes, and 18 special flags and pennants.

When a ship wants to relay a message like "well done," they will hold up the two flags like shown below.

![bravo zulu flags](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17313534/origin.jpg>)
*Bravo Zulu flags.*

If a vessel wants to communicate another message like "action is being carried out" they would hang up the "Bravo Alpha" flag or "action is not being carried out" the "Bravo India" flag will get hoisted.

A hoisted "Bravo" flag by itself means the vessel is "carrying dangerous cargo" which is far different than doing a job "well done." For more nautical messages [click here](<https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/navy/nrtc/14244_ch5.pdf>).

You're welcome, America.

## Author
Tim Kirkpatrick entered the Navy in 2007 as a Hospital Corpsman and deployed to Sangin, Afghanistan with 3rd Battalion 5th Marines in the fall of 2010. Tim now has degrees in both Film Production and Screenwriting. tim.kirkpatrick@wearethemighty.com