Fourth class cadet

From USAFA Folklore

A fourth class cadet is a cadet who is in his or her first year at the Academy (i.e., a freshman).

Contents 1 Fourth Class Knowledge 2 Fourth class limitations 3 Slang terms for Fourth Class Cadets 4 See also

[edit] Fourth Class Knowledge

A major part of the Fourth Class year is learning "knowledge," sometimes called "Doolie Knowledge," "Smack Knowledge" or "Fourth Class Knowledge." Much of this knowledge comes out of the book Contrails. Some examples of such knowledge are:

• Quotes
• Checkpoints
• Aircraft and aircraft identification
• Air Force History
• Air Force Academy History
• Distinguished Graduates
• The full names and ranks of all cadets on their Squadron, Group and Wing staffs.

[edit] Fourth class limitations

Fourth class cadets must contend with a number of limitations on their speaking, actions and movement in and around the Cadet Area.

• Fourth class cadets are generally limited to use of the outer-most stairwells (north in Vandenberg Hall, south in Sijan Hall, east in Fairchild Hall)
• Fourth class cadets are
  • At attention: On the Terrazzo; in Vandenberg and Sijan Hall hallways and stairwells; in Mitchell Hall
  • At ease: On the Terrazzo level of Fairchild Hall; on the way to and from the Cadet Gymnasium; in the Mailroom
  • At rest: In their rooms; Fairchild Hall; McDermott Library; the C-Store; Arnold Hall; the Athletic facilities
  • Prohibited: Ho Chi Minh Trail
• Fourth class cadets may not use acronyms or contractions when speaking
• Unless given permission to speak freely, fourth class cadets must use the seven basic responses

[edit] Slang terms for Fourth Class Cadets

Fourth Class Cadets are often referred to by terms such as:

• Doolie
• Smack
• Wad
• Beanhead
• Less derogatory terms include "4 degree," "4 dig" and "4 smoke"

[edit] See also

• Category:Fourth Class Year
• Rank insignia