The Use Of The Military Time Clock
If you have ever heard anyone refer to twenty three hundred hours or seen a digital clock that read 23:00 instead of 11:00 p.m., you have already been introduced to a military time clock. Military time, otherwise known as a 24 hour clock, counts time by dividing a full day, midnight to midnight, into 24 hour periods. Compare this to a 12 hour clock, where the day is divided into 12 hour periods designated as a.m. (or the first 12 hour period) and p.m. (the second 12 hour period). Military time has been traditionally used by the military, emergency services, hospitals, and others in North America. In other parts of the world, it is sometimes referred to as army time or railway time. Because it is concise and recognized the world over, the 24 hour clock is the most commonly used time notation globally.
The time is generally noted with a colon between the hours and minutes and between the minutes and seconds if this is included. Some counties may also use a dot in place of the colon. Countries and military officials use military time for a number of reasons. First, because it is widely used and recognized, it is easy to communicate with others using this system. Secondly, the system is concise and eliminates some of the confusion that can result from a 12 hour clock. With military time, individuals don't need to worry about inserting or remembering an a.m. or p.m. marker. Military time clocks exist in both digital watch form and 24 hour clocks which resemble regular 12 hour clocks but break the time up into 24 hour periods. You can find both digital versions and those with moving hands on a clock face. Some digital watches and clocks offer the ability to switch between a 12 and 24 hour display. These clocks can be practical purchases for individuals who use military time regularly for their job or in their daily life. Rather than having to adjust back and forth between the 24 hour and 12 hour system, the individual can just rely on a 24 hour clock or watch at all times. This eliminates the need to translate the 12 hour system in his or her mind. The same is true of a digital wrist watch using military time. These make great gifts for anyone you know who currently serves in the military or who likes using this system better. You may also want to purchase a military time clock for someone who is trying to learn the system. A wrist watch will allow them to constantly have this time with them and they can gradually become used to this way of thinking about time. Aside from practicality, you can also find time clocks that are beautiful additions to the home. You can find some great conversation pieces that use military time. Look online or in specialty clock stores for home clocks. A military time clock makes a great gift for many different occasions and people. This concise way of keeping time is used in many different countries and in military organizations in North America. |