Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets - Guidon Vocabulary

A comprehensive collection of vocabulary terms, acronyms, traditions, and concepts from the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Guidon handbook.

Ut Prosim

Virginia Tech's Latin motto, meaning 'That I May Serve'.

Guidon

A unit's flag or standard; also refers to the new cadet knowledge publication handbook.

AA Card

Authorized Absence card placed on a cadet's door to indicate his/her whereabouts at all times.

Ace

To max a test.

Bud

A fellow member of a class who underwent new cadet training with you.

Cenotaph

The large granite stone on the World War II Memorial located between the eight Pylons, displaying the names of graduates who received the Medal of Honor.

Chicken Fleece

The mad dash of cadets to the dining halls following formation in the winter months.

Cits

Civilian clothing.

Cut

To have an excused absence from a Corps activity, such as formation.

Detail

A period of service for a Corps activity.

Dragging

The act in which a freshman bears to the right side of the hall while marching to instill military discipline and improve marching skills.

Ducks

White dress pants worn with the uniform.

ECQ

Evening Call to Quarters (1800-2300 hours Sunday and 1900-2300 Monday through Thursday), used as study time during which freshmen do not sound off.

Flag

Excessive belt material not properly aligned.

Forge Week

The term used for the initial orientation week, formerly known as New Cadet Week.

Fraternization

Socializing outside of your class, being too friendly with superiors or subordinates, or performing undue personal servitude.

Fullhart Plain

The area behind Lane Hall, formerly known as Shanks Plain.

Growley

Morning meal (Breakfast Roll Call formation), or the canine ambassador of the VTCC.

Head

Bathroom.

Highty-Tighties

The Regimental Band of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets.

Hokie

Any Virginia Tech student or alumnus.

Hose

To get a fellow classmate into trouble, or the person who commits the act.

Kangaroo

VMI mascot, or any VMI cadet or alumni.

M-Day

Matriculation Day; the first day of new cadet training.

Make a Hole

A command given to new cadets meaning to come to attention and clear a path.

MCQ

Marathon Call to Quarters (previously Morning Call to Quarters), where ECQ standards are maintained through the entire day.

OOD

Officer of the Day.

OD Wrap

Senior wrap where both maroon pieces are worn.

OG

Officer of the Guard.

OG Wrap

Senior wrap where one crossbelt with chest brass is worn with the bottom maroon sash.

Old Corps

A condition described as harder than the present era.

Pylons

Eight statues above the War Memorial Chapel embodying Ut Prosim, Brotherhood, Duty, Honor, Loyalty, Leadership, Service, and Sacrifice.

Rack

Bed in a cadet's room.

Rack Monster

A fictional creature living in a cadet's room who induces the cadet to sleep through classes.

Rakt

The act of sleeping in a rack.

Rat Path

Path leading to the PT pit.

Retreat

Evening formation where the flag is lowered.

The Rock

The WWI Memorial between Pearson East and Pearson West halls, serving as a monument to all VTCC graduates killed in World War I and conflict.

Sails

A handkerchief or napkin with the unit's logo on it worn by freshmen until Virginia Tech beats VMI in a major sport.

Skipper

A fifth-year cadet still in the Corps, or the famous VTCC game cannon born in 1963.

Smiling

Used to describe a cadet wearing a wheel cover with an unsecured chinstrap.

Snakes

Laces hanging out of a cadet's boots or shoes.

Sound Off

To give the proper first-year cadet call, blow the bugle, or give a loud order.

Stick or Treat

A Halloween tradition when freshmen give candy to upperclassmen.

Tap

The selection process to be accepted for membership into a Corps organization.

Taps

Lights out at 2300 hours, or a bugle call played to pay tribute to someone who has died.

Top Kick

A first sergeant.

Tour

A period of time served as a punishment for excessive demerits.

UOD

Uniform of the Day.

VT

Special ceremonial area in front of Lane Hall where walking on the grass is strictly prohibited.

Zebra

A high-ranking cadet officer.

Rat

An Old Corps term for a freshman cadet introduced in 1873 and discontinued in 1934.

Rattamore

A cadet between his/her freshman and sophomore years, or any cadet without a new cadet class below them.

General James H. Lane

Considered the father of the Corps and its first Commandant of Cadets, who wrote the first cadet regulations.

Paletot

The designated formal dress uniform for all cadets.

Beverly S. Parrish, Jr. Memorial Award

Presented annually to the unit accumulating the greatest number of points in Corps competition, awarded alongside the Gold Citation Cord.

Caldwell March

A symbolic two-part reenactment march commemorating William Addison Caldwell, the first student to enroll in 1872.

Growley III

Call sign 'Stryker', a Labrador retriever serving as the official Ambassador for the VTCC.

Rice Center for Leader Development

Academic center named in honor of Maj. Gen. W. Thomas Rice providing leadership education and offering a Minor in Leadership Studies.

Cadet Honor Code

'A cadet will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those who do.'

Corps Crest

Emblem granted by the Army Institute of Heraldry in 1965 featuring a flaming grenade, 4 golden stars, a laurel wreath, red background, and sword.