West Point Slang

Know the slang, know the school. The following is a list of things you really need to know before coming to West Point. The more of these words you know, the better off you'll be.

The most helpful slang that you can learn about West Point prior to coming here is all of the little pieces of history that upperclass cadets are going to ask you over and over again. If you are seriously thinking about coming here, I would advise you to get a Bugle Notes book from somebody.

Break Contact

A term used by a group of cadets when they go out to a bar and encounter members of the opposite sex that they ultimately find unattractive.

Buckner

Buckner is a term that refers to the camp where all second-year cadets participate in advanced military training.

Bugle Notes

Bugle Notes is a book that contains information on the history of West Point and the Army. All of the information in this book is considered required knowledge for first-years. Any upper-class cadet may ask any first-year cadet a piece of required knowledge during formations or during the normal duty day. The gift store sells this book.

Boodle

A term that refers to food of any sort. Usually the word boodle is used to refer to candy, ice cream, or pizza.

Eight-Up

A term used to describe a cadet who cannot seem to do anything right. Synonymous with the term chewed up. These terms describe cadets who lack attention to detail, self- discipline, and military bearing.

Minutes

Five minutes before every formation, first year cadets are required to call minutes. The purpose of minutes is to allow first- year cadets to practice their command voices, while simultaneously announcing the uniform of the day for all cadets.

Off Post

Anywhere outside of any one of the several gates.

Recognition

Recognition week refers to the week before fourth-class cadets become members of the Corps of Cadets. This week is usually very stressful for the majority of fourth-class cadets. Recognition week concludes with a parade and fourth-class cadets becoming members of the Corps of Cadets.

Spaz

A term used to describe a cadet who panics when placed in a stressful situation.

Squared Away

A term used to describe a cadet who is extremely proficient in required knowledge and in carrying out his or her duties.

Taps

Every day Taps is played by Central Guard Room to signify the end of the duty day. After Taps, cadets are required to be in their own rooms, with lights off.

Tool

A term used to describe a cadet who operates by the book; someone who sees everything in black and white. Usually, a tool is a cadet who appears to make decisions that please senior leadership, instead of making decisions that appease other cadets.

Uniform of the day

A particular uniform, announced by Central Guard Room based on the weather report that cadets are required to wear until they hear an announcement from Central Guard Room saying that the uniform has changed.