DUSTWUN

Military abbreviation · Military Term

DUSTWUN stands for Duty status whereabouts unknown, a military term abbreviation.

Temporary casualty status used when a service member's absence is involuntary or its cause is unclear, for up to ten days while commanders search and investigate. After that period the person is reclassified, for example as missing, AWOL or deceased.

Example: Commanders listed the soldier as DUSTWUN and launched a search of the surrounding villages.

Usage notes

Pronounced "DUST-won." The status exists so a missing service member is not labeled a deserter or casualty before facts are known. It drew public attention in 2009 when Army Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl disappeared from his post in Afghanistan and was first reported DUSTWUN.

Related abbreviations

More military term abbreviations

• DI – Drill instructor
• DMZ – Demilitarized zone
• DOR – Date of rank
• DOW – Died of wounds
• DS – Drill sergeant
• DTG – Date-time group
• DZ – Drop zone
• EAS – End of active service
• ECP – Entry control point
• EFMP – Exceptional Family Member Program
• ELINT – Electronic intelligence
• ELS – Entry-level separation

See all 248 military term abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.