Calling minutes
From USAFA Folklore
Calling minutes is a responsibility (read: haze) of fourth class cadets. The purpose of calling minutes is to ensure that all cadets are aware of the amount of time remaining until major formations so they get to formation by first call. Fourth class cadets were responsible for calling minutes from 19__ until _____.
To call minutes, three or four fourth class cadets normally stood at the hallway intersections in the dormitory hallways. In more recent years, to ensure minutes were called in unison, one fourth class cadet would stand at the CQ desk to watch the clock, and announce:
- "<Squadron name>, call the n-th minute, please."
In a very loud voice, the minute callers would then announce that there were n minutes until the appropriate formation, by making an announcement such as:
- Sir, there are five minutes until the first call for the Noon Meal Formation. Uniform is Service Delta. Sabres and guidons will be carried. The menu for the noon meal includes meatball sandwiches, green beans, mashed potatoes, and strawberry bavarian. There are five minutes until first call. Secure your lights and rooms, please.
At the end of the last announcement, which was made a few minutes before the formation, the minute callers would advise the squadron to "scramble". The minute callers would then run to the Terrazzo to join the formation.
[edit] "Scramble" alternatives
Some squadrons, instead of using the word "scramble" for the last minute, would use an alternative that was more fitting with the character of the squadron:
