The ZULU Time Code Mystery
Because the U.S. military has forces stationed all across the globe, a standard, universal method for keeping time is used. The military uses "Universal Coordinated Time," which is more commonly referred to as "ZULU Time." This system uses the standard 24 clock, (for example: 1400 Hours equals 2 PM).
Under this system, the globe is divided into thirty different time zones. (There are several half-hour time zones that make up the extra zones.) The time zone that covers the Greenwich Prime Meridian is denoted by the letter "Z," which is referred to as "ZULU" using the military's phonetic alphabet. "ZULU Time" is roughly analagous to the old standard of "Greenwich Mean Time."
In order to switch from ZULU time to a standard clock time, you will need to know which time zone you are currently in, as well as it's relativity to Greenwich Mean Time, (GMT).
If you are west of GMT, you subtract the number of time zones from ZULU Time.
EXAMPLE: Boston is five hours behind GMT so, 1100 ZULU would equal 6 AM in Boston. (1100 ZULU minus 5 time zones = 0600, or 6 AM.)
If you are east of GMT, you add the number of time zones to ZULU Time.
EXAMPLE: Bangkok is 7 hours ahead of GMT so, 1100 ZULU would equal 6 PM in Bangkok. (1100 Zulu plus 7 time zones = 1800, or 6 PM.)
Here are the time zones for the United States:
(We in Ohio are in ROMEO)
Eastern Standard Time, the "ROMEO" time zone, is five hours behind GMT
Central Standard Time, the "SIERRA" time zone, is six hours behind GMT
Mountain Standard Time, the "TANGO" time zone, is seven hours behind GMT
Pacific Standard Time, the "UNIFORM" time zone, is eight hours behind GMT
Alaska Standard Time, the "VICTOR" time zone, is nine hours behind GMT
Hawaii Standard Time, the "WILLIAM" time zone, is ten hours behind GMT