INTRODUCTION TO MILITARY SCHOOL

Overview

Military School Overview

Most people think that military schools are all about structure and discipline. Well, it is true in all forms. Above everything else, they aim to shape their students to become responsible, respectable, strong, disciplined, and most of all, a leader.

However, it is not true that military schools only teach military stuff. Like most schools, they also have an academic curriculum that includes basic subjects, such as Math, English, History, and more. But, obviously, military subjects and activities are their priorities. They specialize in military training, and that is why they are called as such.

Military School Overview

Military schools can come in all forms and levels--- elementary, high school, college, and university. While it may seem that military institutions only accept teenagers, there are also schools which admit children aged six to 14 years old.

Military School --- What it's Like?

Military School Like

As portrayed in movies, military students follow a strict daily schedule, with set times for training, classes, studying, meals, and sleep. Most military academies start their day as early as six in the morning and students usually wake up to the sound of a reveille, a signal used by the armed forces which is basically a bugle or drum sound.

Military School Like

Although the daily schedule of military schools is somewhat regular and structured, students also have their free time, but not as much during the weekdays. However, on weekends, they are allowed to do whatever they want--- explore the town, watch movies, enjoy leisure activities, go on adventures, and even sleep in--- as long as they stay well-mannered.

Military School Jargon

Like other institutions or groups, military schools also have their own lingo or slang, which only they can understand. If you are going to enter a military school, make sure to familiarize yourself with the following words and their meanings; memorizing them might help you on your first--- and succeeding--- day.

Military School Jargon

Academic year - This pertains to the start of classes of most military schools, which is from the beginning of September to the middle of June (two semesters in total).
Admiral - The admiral is the highest ranked officer in the navy--- the term itself actually means “commander of the seas.”
Air force - This is one of the United States military’s three branches (the other two are Army and Navy), which facilitates air-based operations.
All hands - When an officer says “all hands,” he means “everyone.”
Army - This is one of the United States military’s three branches (the other two are Air Force and Navy), which is in-charge of land-based operations.
Barracks - Also known as dormitories, this is where the soldiers stay for shelter.
Basic training - Sometimes referred to as a “boot camp,” the basic training is comprised of six to 13 weeks of rough and demanding training for new members of military programs.
Beat your face - This phrase means you should do a couple of push-ups.
Brass - This word refers to the top-ranking officers of the military.
Bulkhead - This slang simply refers to a wall.
Cadet - This word usually refers to an officer-in-training or a junior officer. In military schools, the students are called cadets.
Chaplain - In military schools, a chaplain refers to priests of members of the clergy. They serve as religious counselors and are often part of the faculty.
Chow Hall - Also called a “mess hall,” this is where the students/cadets eat meals during break time.
Civvies - This slang word refers to civilian clothes.
Colonel - A colonel is one of the highest-ranked members of the military.
Deck - This slang word simply means “floor.”
Demerit - A demerit is, basically, a deduction or mark against a cadet’s student record. It is like a stain on a cadet’s reputation, and he/she can get demerits for disobeying rules, poor grades, gross misconduct, and more.
Detention - This is a form of punishment received by students who have done any misdemeanor in the institution. This is performed by isolating the student in an empty room under the supervision of a higher personnel.
Ensign - This word is a naval term which refers to the naval unit’s lowest-ranking member.
Fashion show - No, this is not a good thing in military schools. A fashion show is a kind of punishment in which a student has to dress in different uniforms (such as a dress) for a couple of hours.
Field day - This is a designated day when cadets have to clean their barracks.
Five and fly - This is a slang for completing the minimum five years of service after graduation.
General - The general is the highest-ranking member of an air force unit or army.
Go juice - This word simply means “fuel.”
High and tight - This is the slang for cadets’ short military haircut.
Latrine - This term simply means “toilet.”
Liberty - This slang refers to an officially authorized freedom from school premises.
Lights out - This slang refers to the strict sleeping time of cadets.
Moonbeam - This word simply means “flashlight,” as in “Somebody give me a moonbeam.”
Navy - This is one of the United States military’s three branches (the other two are Air Force and Army), which is focused in water-based operations.
Plebe - This slang refers to an underclassman.
Port - This word refers to the left side, whereas a “starboard” means the right side.
Portholes - Instead of the usual “bespectacled” or “four eyes” reference, people in military schools call someone who wears glasses “portholes.”
Rack - This word simply means “bed.”
Rainroom - This slang refers to showers, where cadets usually take a bath.
Skivvies - This term simply means “underwear.”
Starboard - This word refers to the right side, whereas a “port” means the left side.