As often happens when you bring a group of people together, a new vocabulary tends to develop, unique to that group. USMA is no different. Mom and Dad, if you want to understand the first few letters home, getting to know many of these terms won't hurt.

Bone - To study; to strive for something

Boodlers - The Cadet boodle store.

Bugle Notes - 'Cadet Bible' - book with historical and required knowledge, issued to 4th class cadets. Butt The remains of anything as in the butt of a month or there are 171 and abutt days until graduation.

Cadet Classes:
First Classmen -- Firsties, Seniors
Second Classmen -- Cows, Juniors
Third Classmen--Yearlings, Yuks, Sophomores

CBT - Cadet Basic Training (Formerly called Beast Barracks)

Civies - Civillian Clothes

Goat(s) - The cadets who stand in the lower part of their class academically. The cadet standing academically last in his class is referred to as the Class Goat.

Cold - Absolutely without error, as, "a cold max."

Com - The Commandant of Cadets

D is slang for Deficient and normally refers to being Deficient or not passing in Academics.

Fatigue Tour - One hour of punishment

Hop - Cadet Dance

Minutes -Time remaining before inspection.

New Cadet - A cadet not yet officially accepted as a member of the Corps (i.e., during CBT)

OC -- Officer in Charge - A Commissioned Officer from the Department of Tactics serving as the Officer of the Day (OD)

P - An academic instructor or Professor

P.D.A. - Public Display of Affection

P.M.I. - Afternoon or evening (p.m. inspection)

Poop - Information to be memorized

Poop Deck -The balcony in the dining hall from which the orders are published (read to the Corps)

Pro - Pro is slang for Proficient and normally refers to being Proficient or passing in Academics. May also be used to refer to a cadet's date as being good looking.

Recognize - To place a fourth classman on upper class status.

Sally port - The arched entrances into the Barracks areas

Slug - A special punishment for a serious offense. Results in loss of privileges, special fatigue duty, confinement to room during off duty hours,and may result in walking punishment tours.

Supe - The Superintendent of the Military Academy

TAC - A Company Tactical Officer, the Officer assigned to supervise and guide the four classes in a Cadet Company.

Turnback - A readmitted cadet.

Writ - A written examination

WPR - A Written Partial Review similar to a mid-term exam in civilian schools

WGR -A Written General Review similar to a final exam in civilian schools. Now called TEE for Term End Exam.