How is military time calculated for PM hours?

Military time, also known as the 24-hour clock system, is calculated by adding 12 to any hour that falls between 1 PM and 11 PM. This conversion process ensures that the afternoon and evening hours are represented distinctly from the morning hours, which are represented as 1 to 12. For example, 1 PM becomes 13, 2 PM becomes 14, and so on, up to 11 PM, which becomes 23.

This method helps eliminate confusion that may arise from the AM/PM designation used in the 12-hour clock format, providing a clear and unambiguous way to indicate time, especially important in fields such as healthcare and military operations where precise timing is crucial. Thus, adding 12 to the hour correctly transitions the PM hours into the accurate military time format.