Cadetspeak

TermMeaningPeriodSource
13BCadet Assessment Report, used by DS to record an incident of individual performance or behaviour which were amassed to produce each cadet’s profile; see Pinkmid 1966-85a locally designed Form 13B
21/21 etcthe combination of days CB and days SOL, which were the maximum punishment a cadet could be given for one charge1950s-80slocal use of numbers, depending on current punishment levels
AardvarkA nickname which A Company members gave to themselves1980-85 unknown
Aardvark, TheA Company pottery mascot, often kidnapped for ransom and indignities; terminally stolen by New Zealanders and destroyed after December 1985 Grad – enough said1981-85made by OCdt Schie’s father
Ack IWO2 Assistant Instructor1950s-70sold phonetic alphabet: A=Ack
Adams Alleya pathway to the rear of the parade ground along the front of School Headquarters1950safter RSM Adams – his hunting ground
Adjutant’s Hutsmall building beside Death Row used as the Adjutant’s office1980sfrom the occupant
Adjutant’s Inspectionperiodic inspection by the Adjutant and RSM, which added to the list of Defaulters; see UnluckygramMid 1960s-70sweekly routine
Agony Hilllast hill on the cross country course; see Heartbreak Hilllate 1970sshort term variation
Alley, Thesee Adams Alley  
Appie, ex Appiecadet who was previously an Army Apprentice1960s-85from Army Apprentices School inmates
Aunty Gracelicensee of The Conti, well known for the allowances she made for cadets1960scoined by K.A. Anderson
AWOL, AWLabsent without leave by failing to be present at roll call to be marked present in the roll book, resulting in a fizzer1952-85standard army abbreviation
back-upseconds etc at meals1950scommon terminology
Bags and BlazerRec Dress1950sfrom the baggy grey issue trousers
Bear Pitdrainage pit on the PMC’s Lawn that people due to be bished could be held in1980spossibly from the bear pits usually found on army obstacle courses
beating the BOSresigning before an inevitable BOS recommendation for removal1980s 
Bimbo (s)the nickname which A Company gave to B Company members1980sbestowed by instructor WO2 Defreitis
birthday half-yardcelebration of a birthday with the celebrant required to skol a halfyard glass prior to entering the dining roomlate 1970s 
bish (1)abbreviation of rubbish1955-85ex RMC; see More than a Mere Bravo
bish (2)fill a bish tin with water and rubbish-filth and clandestinely empty on a victim; sometimes a fire hose was used1960s-85ex RMC; see More than a Mere Bravo
bish bed, bishing bedsteel bed used for bishing (2)1980ssee bishing (2)
bish bininterchangeable with bish tin for some, otherwise a galvanised rubbish binlate 1960s-85occasionally-used alternative
bish tinrubbish basket, tin or bin; interchangeable with bish bin1955-85ex RMC; see More than a Mere Bravo
bishedto wake up wet and filthy, hearing pelting footsteps and receding laughter1975-85ex RMC; see More than a Mere Bravo
bishing (1)see bish (2)1975-85 
bishing (2)a formal occasion to mark a recipient’s birthday or misdemeanour, when the victim was strapped to a bed, doused with garbage and dunked in Port Phillip1975-85possibly began with the immolation of one R.C. Spowart in 1977
blow uplightweight inflatable mattress issued as field equipment, with three insert tubes, one or more of which deflated overnight when used1965-85common army terminology
bog awaygo away and do something; spend time bogging1980sfirst meaning seems to be local usage
bog, boggingto clean or spit polish equipment1955-85ex RMC; see More than a Mere Bravo
bogger (1)a person who dedicated exceptionally long periods to bogging, with a derogatory overtone1955-85ex RMC; see More than a Mere Bravo
bogger (2)civilian contract cleanermid 1980scleaning connection
Book, The
In The Book
A written record of minor offences and punishments, kept in the COC orderly room, to allow cadet duty personnel to check who should attend Defaulters parade; also Punishment Book1960-85ex British Army
BOSBoard of Studies, advised on progress and disposal of cadets1956-85quite different from RMC use in More than a Mere Bravo
BOS Wagona Landrover detailed to collect cadets from their various activities to appear for an interview arising from the BOS discharged as a result of failing a Board of Study review1980sword association
BOSeddischarged as a result of failing a Board of Study reviewmid 1970s-85verbalised use of the acronym BOS
boxing roomspacking members’ possessions into boxes for absences beyond 24, later 72 hours to enable quick evacuation of accommodation in case of quarantine emergency1950s-76from the agreement with Department of Health
Bruce the LionB Company mascot; see Aardvark1982-85fluffy toy adopted in response to Aardvark
BSM’s Lawnlawn bordered by the Cadet‘s Mess and Buildings 2, 4, 5, used for morning dress inspection parade1965-85association of BSM with the inspection
bumph (1)paper, especially official printed stationery and large quantities of roneoed material inflicted on cadets1955-85contraction of bum fluff; common army term ex RMC
bumph (2)award an Extra Drill, from being recorded as such on the bumphmid 1970s-85ex RMC; see More than a Mere Bravo
Bumph BunnyCadet Orderly Room NCO responsible for distribution of paperworkmid 1970s-85extension to one caught for a less than sought after task
Bumphed, on the bumphawarded an Extra Drill, and in the process having to fill out the form in copperplate printing to avoid additional bumphsmid 1970s-85ex RMC; see More than a Mere Bravo
Cadetstudent at OCS1950s-85contraction of Officer Cadet
Camp Trainingfinal field training activity of the half year; see Field TrainingFinal Field Training1950sex RMC; see More than a Mere Bravo
Carboni Tailorsa firm which made cadets’ uniforms as well as tailoring suits and sports coats1960safter proprietor Joe Carboni
Caspername of The Tank1960s-85 
catch some zedssleep; see gonkrack out1960s-85common usage term
CBconfined to barracks, a fairly serious punishment, with restriction of privileges and requiring attendance at Defaulters parades for Extra Drill1952-85standard military law terminology
Charge yourself!a pernicious system of Cadets, when charged, having to prepare the charge sheet themselves; with a side training effect of familiarising them with Military Regulations and Orders, and framing charges; see bumphbumphed1952-85from the practice at RMC introduced by the early instructors
chitan official medical restriction1952-85Medical Report form
Chunder Runa company run held on the morning of a ceremonial parade to eliminate in advance any effects of carousing the night beforemid 1950s-70sintroduced after some cadets were sick on Grad parade
Church Paradea Sunday parade which all cadets had to attend, after which they could either attend a church service or be punished by other duties or sent to their rooms; these parades were held during term and before Grad1952-85common army terminology and practice
Civvycivilian entrant cadet differentiating servies1980scommon expression
CI’s room inspectionweekly inspection each Thursday by the Chief Instructor, guaranteed to see a large DD Parade or Defaulters the following day; see Company Commander’s inspectionAdjutant’s inspectionmid 1970s-85weekly routine
Club Meda variant of Death Row, which was nearest the sea and out of the way1980slocal euphemism
COC, theThe Company of Officer Cadets, the title gazetted for the first course and from 1969 the Corps title1952-85local abbreviation
Com, thethe Commandant1981-85simple abbreviation
Company Commander’s room inspectionas for CI’s room inspectionAdjutant’s inspection1950safter the inspecting officer
Conti, theContinental Hotel at Portsea; see PPThe PortseaPortsea Pub1950s-85local abbreviation
Corps Drinksa night function during Grad Week when graduating cadets had drinks with the staff members of the corps to which they had been allotted1960s-85 
Cultural TourSenior Class tour of Kings Cross after dark during a tour of government and commercial organisations in Sydney; also applied to junior cadets tour from 19721970s-80sfor opportunities in the seamier side of Sydney culture
… Days to go (1)the number of days to go before the next class graduated; see Days to Go Board1952-85ex RMC; see More than a Mere Bravo
… Days to go (2)celebrations at different periods before the next Gradvariously 100, 50 and 28; the mode of celebration varied, usually the Junior Class could pay back the Senior Classtheoretically without retribution1952-85adapted from the RMC 100 and 40 days to go, adjusted to different course lengths
Days to Go Boarda board in the Cadets Mess showing the Days to Go, changed daily by the junior cadet1952-85ex RMC, RAAF Academy
Dealings RoomCadet-run internal disciplinary tribunal presided over by cadet NCOs held in the cadet accommodation block1952-53local coining
Death RowCadet overflow accommodation in the bath houses next to the decontamination centre; prepared as segregated accommodation for absorption of the WRAAC OCS in 1975, and used for male cadets when this did not eventuatemid 1970s-85misunderstood to have been the Quarantine terminal care ward
Defaulterspunishment parade, where cadets paraded at various times for extra ‘training’; see also ED parade1952-85common army terminology
DemeritThe lowest level of punishment, awarded to members of the Senior Class only and simply recorded in The Book but an accumulation of Demerits meant a fizz and loss of rank if any1950s-70soriginally a simple loss of marks, later as insulating summary punishments
Demo Squada section of soldiers used for demonstrations of minor tactics etc and maintaining training facilities1970s-85simple abbreviation
Demo Tourtour of military establishments, and sometimes a firepower demonstration for a week or more in senior term, sometimes jointly with WRAAC and RMC cadets1970s-85abbreviation
dirkstab someone in the back, dob someone in1960s-85the Gaelic dagger
Double Puckatwo week assessment field exercise at Puckapunyal, a make or break for many cadets; see Final Field Training1980safter doubling the exercise period
Dragon Squadsuccessors to the Sorrento Brownies1960ssimilar to Demo Squad but less than complimentary
Drilliedrill sergeant, members of the training staff charged with training the cadets in drill1960s-85ex RMC; see More than a Mere Bravo
Drop Bearsimaginary bears which dropped from trees onto haversacks to get fudgelate 1960sfiction invented for NZ cadets
DSmember of the Directing Staff, that is an instructor1950s-85common army term
Dunners (1)Duntroon1970s-80sex RMC; see More than a Mere Bravo
Dunners (2)a Duntroon cadet transferred from RMC to OCS1970s-80sditto
ED, ExtraExtra Drill1952-85common army term
ED paradeearly morning, lunch time and afternoon parades as a result of award of EDs; see Defaulters1955-85extension of the ED terminology
Endurance Runphysical training test, running from Portsea to Point Nepean and back, first in PT gear then later in the course in battle order; later called Point Run1950s-80sstandard army terminology
Ex 101see Ex Far Horizon1984-85exercise name
Ex-servyAn OCdt who was previously a soldier; see ServyCivvy1952-85abbreviation for ex-serving soldier
Exercise Far Horizonsecret exercise to test Junior Class endurance and initiative, held near Lake Eildon; later Ex 1011980sexercise name
Extra Drillpunishment awarded from the beginning by officers and warrant officer instructors, later to Junior Class members only, for any sort of misdemeanour, carried out at Defaulters parades1952-85common army terminology
farterbed, sleeping bag1955-85contraction of fart sack, common slang
fidfield, as in field trainingmid 1960s-85army abbreviation fd for field
fid coatfield jacket, a green cotton jacket for field use1970s-85see fid
fid mugfield issue steel cup also used for heating water and food1970s-85see fid
fid womanlocal woman taken out while at OCS; see parade woman who was not allowed to meet the fid woman if possible, and vice versa1980s 
Field Trainingfinal field training activity of the half year; see Camp TrainingFinal Field Training1960s-80slocal variation of expression
Field Weekthe first field training of a term for each of both classes1960s-85local adoption
Final Field Trainingthe last field training of the term, final as it was the last for the Senior Class; see Camp TrainingDouble Puckalate 1950s-85local adoption
fizz (1)to bring a fizzer against someone, or yourself1965-85common army term
fiz (2)soft drink inaugural instructor Lt ‘Chic’ Jarman
fizzed, on a fizzercharged, see fizzer1960s-85common army terminology
fizzerformal charge for an offence under miliitary law1960s-85common army term
fraggeda parody of throwing a grenade into someone’s room – puncturing a can of shaving cream and throwing it through the louvres above a cadet’doorlate 1970s-80sfrom the more deadly American retaliation against disliked superiors in Vietnam
free ticket to Frankstonremoved from the School after failing BOS1970s-80smovement to the nearest railway station to go home
Fudgechocolate, sweets, especially those bought off campus in Portsea village; see also Isotopes1952-60sfrom ‘Chic’ Jarman
Fudge Runtaxi delivery of fudgesandwiches etc from Sorrento on weekend evenings1950sfrom the early days of restricted leave and no canteen
geilerwarrant officer1982-85from the ugly gila monster reputed to sit in the sun and spit poison: typical cadet spelling
goat fuckgetting stuffed around, poor organisation, when everything has gone wrong; when subjected to it cadets would bleat like goats to express their displeasure1983-85an extension of use from RMC; see More than a Mere Bravo
Goat Tracksee Scramble Track  
goffersoft drink1952-85Navy term from contact with Flinders
gonk, gonk offgoing for a gonk = going for a sleep; see rack outcatch some zeds1960s-85common term, cf the RMC meaning = wank
gonkingsleeping; see gonk1970s-1985 
Gradgraduation of the Senior Class – the end of their course with appropriate ceremonial, celebrations, and commissioning1950s-85ex RMC
Grad Weekthe week of preparation and festivity before and during Grad1960s-85ex RMC
groganan unattractive femalelate 1970s-80sex RMC; see More than a Mere Bravo
Heartbreak Hilllast hill on the cross country course; see Agony Hillmid 1970s-85it had a false crest, beyond which lay the real summit to climb
horse blanketlightweight blanket issued as field equipment1967-85of scratchy texture, fit only for horses
Isotopesthese were stated to be in fudge and bad for athletes and physical condition; see fudgeearly 1950sfrom ‘Chic’ Jarman
Jack manone who lets his mates down, thinks only of himself1980s-85I’m alright Jack, and the PNG expression ’em i jack man’
Jack Married Cadeta married Cadet with family in the arealate 1970s-80sfrom being allowed to go home most nights
Jack Marriedysee Jack Married Cadetlate 1970s-80scontraction of original term
JOCJunior Officer Cadet – member of the Junior Classsee Juniors1950s-85infrequent use in later years
Journal CorporalSenior Class cadet who was editor of the OCS Journal and sometimes completed the task1980sappointed as an extra-regimental duty
Junior Classthe class in the first half of its course1955-85from overlapping classes
JuniorsJunior Classcadetssee JOC1970s-80ssimple abbreviation
Keeper of AardvarkSenior Class cadet from A Company who was custodian of Aardvark1982-85associated with the mascot
King of the EDsJunior Class cadet who was awarded the most EDs, sometimes as high as 100; he had the privilege of throwing the Punishment Book into Port Phillip after the last ED parade1970s-80sunwilling winner of an unpopular competition
Kit Runrun dressed in greens and webbing from the gym through the scrub to Tank Junction and back via part of the Obstacle Course and Scramble Track1980sas opposed to runs without equipment
L & DLoss or Damage Report – used to explain losses or damage in a way which would avoid having to pay for replacement of the item and avoid being fizzed for it1952-85common army terminology
last ED paradethe last ED parade at which anything could be worn and usually wasmid 1966-85 
latelate on parade with a mark accordingly in the Roll Bookmid 1960s-70scommon expression
leap(s), leaping,
5-minute leap(s)
changing orders of dress in short time, to get to the next parade or class; in later years at the start of each term members of the Senior Classwould practise those of the Junior Classin some periods restricted to supervision by a DS Duty Officer1952-85ex RMC; see More than a Mere Bravo
Ma Hillaffectionate name given to the owner of a shop in Portsea who was a second mother to cadets in the earlier years of the School; see Ma Hill’s1950sfrom the early inmates of the School
Ma Hill’scorner shop in Portsea where cadets stopped off on the way back from the hired sports oval in the town, to purchase fudge, and ticked it up; Ma Hill let all serve themselves and tell her the cost to book up as they ran out the door – running to and from the oval on a schedule1950sfrom the early inmates of the School
missingnot on parade, and nobody knows where the cadet is1960s-70scommon expression
Mornosmorning tea; see Smoko, Tocmid 1960s-80sadopted to replace the RMC-origin Toc, then differentiate morning tea and supper
Mutt Boatbay cruiser, usually half cabin size, adorned by young women in bathing costumes, which had a tendency to come close inshore near OCSearly 1960sunknown – possibly a play on motor boat and its occupants
Nip, Thethe Nepean Hotel, another watering holelate 1960scontraction
No, No, Yesanswer to the questions RAP? Light Duties? Evening Meal? asked each morning in barrackslate 1970s-80sto gather standard information quickly
Obstacle Coursea standard short course of obstacles which had to be negotiated individually and as a team; also euphemistically called a Confidence Course1950s-80sstandard army terminology
pace ladderstretch of road marked out with 30 inch-spaced bars on which to practice the regulation 30 inch pace for marching1950s-60scommon army terminology
Pancakes in SorrentoBuckley’s pancake shop in Sorrento often visited for a big feed after a field exercise1980snamed after the escaped convict from the 1803 settlement
parade womangirl friend brought to occasions such as Gradsee fid woman1980ssee fid
Pier, TheQuarantine pier for passenger disembarkation and for servicing the Station; demolished 19731960s-72simple personification
PinkCadet Assessment Report used by DS ; see 13B1960s-85pink was normally for DS use; see Pinks
PinksDS Solutions to set problems, pink paper being reserved for DS use1952-85standard army terminology
pissalcoholic drink1950s-85common expression, hence ‘on the piss’
pisseddrunk1950s-85common expression
pisser (1)something good1950s-80sfrom old English expression ‘pisscutter’, probably culled from a novel
pisser (2)place where alcohol was sold; or boozer1950s-80scommon expression
pizza runtrip to Rosebud/Rye for pizza after the Portsea Pub and racing to return before 2230 hrs to make the sign in/out book before the Duty Officer checkmid 1970s 
PMC’s Lawnlawn between theCadets’ Mess and the cliff over the bay, used for lunch mess parade1960s-85association of PMC with the mess/meal
Point Runphysical training test, running from Portsea to Point Nepean and back, first in PT gear then later in the course in battle order; seeEndurance Run1970s-80sfrom the course route
ponchoa cape/half tent issued for field use, it had a head hole and could be worn poncho fashion as a rain cape1950s-80scommon army slang
poofter lionscollar badges worn on the wrong side, that is with lions facing outwards, a dress deficiency attracting punishment1970if worn on the wrong sides, the lions were back-to-front
Portsea PubPortsea Hotel, the cadets’ favourite watering hole, also used by the staff; seePPThe Portsea1970sname variation
Portsea, TheseePortsea PubPP1950s-70sname variation
PPPortsea Pub; see also The Portsea1980sabbreviation
Punishment Bookbook in which punishments were recorded; seeBook, The1960s-80s 
put inmake an effort, usually at physical training, used to spur mates to greater effort or get aScaly Jack Man to actually do something1970s-80scf RMC usage of farted in More than a Mere Bravo
rack outsleep; see gonk, catch some zeds1980sfrom stretching out on the rack (bed)
RAP, Light Duties, Evening FlightQuestion asked of each cadet on BOS mornings; see next entry1984-85attempted gallows humour
RAP, Light Duties, Evening MealQuestion asked of each cadet each morning for ration strength and parade purposes; see No, No,Yes1980-85administrative ploy to gather standard information quickly
Rec Dressissue reefer jacket and slacks worn to dinner when blues were not required, and for leaving OCS on recreational activities1950s-80srecreation dress, from RMC and Apprentices School
ROGRoll on Gradmid 1970sshort time use acronym
Roll Bookroll of members marked at first parade daily, to record attendance or nature of absence, also the authority for rations and quarters1952-85standard army terminology and practice
RSM’s HutRegimental Sergeant Major’s office, the old Shepherd’s cottage1960s-85from the occupant
scale outavoid doing somethinglate 1970s-80sadaption of obscure slang to scale off = to depart hurriedly
Scaly Jack Mansomeone who scales outlate 70s-80scombination of scale out and Jack Man
Scramble Coursesee Scramble Tracka class would have to race up it together in 90 seconds1960s-80safter the Scramble Track
Scramble Track (1)150 metre track up a near vertical, root infested sand hill next to the gym which could be scaled only by scrambling up on all fours; also Goat TrackTorture Track1960s-85name by physical training instructors
Scramble Track (2)a sentence of running up and down the Scramble Track for slacking during physical training1970s-85sequitur
Senior Classthe class next to graduate, in its second half of its course1955-85 
SeniorsSenior Classcadetssee SOC1955-85 
sent downtransfer of a staff cadet from RMC to OCS for not coping with the former’s academic studies1960sfrom early UK university terminology
Serviescadets who were previously soldiers; see Ex-servy1980-85local adaption
Show Paradeparade for the reinspection of dress or equipment not properly cleaned or maintained1960s-85from showing the offending article at the next Defaulters
Sick Paradeattendance at the RAP for summary treatment by the medical orderly or doctor1952-85standard army terminology
smock psychologicallightweight, short showerproof camouflage raincoat which met few of those specifications1970s-80splay on the military nomenclature Smock, Tropical
Smokomorning tea; see MornosToc1950s-80sreplacing or in parallel with Toc
SOCsenior officer cadet – member of the Senior Class without cadet rank1955-85to give a facade of status with Juniors
SOLStoppage of Leave, a minor punishment requiring a defaulter to attend Defaulters parades to demonstrate their being on campus, marching behind the ED and CB personnel but not do Extra Drill1960s-85acronym
SOL TrainDefaulters parade marching from the assembly point on the hill down to Badcoe Hall for inspection by the Duty
Officer
mid 1970s-80sresemblance to a train snaking down the hill
Sorrento BrowniesLocal girls who formed the other half of dancing classes
on Friday nights; see Dragon Squad
late 1950s 
Splita rush between periods of instruction, usually when a uniform change was required; see leapmid 1970s-80sused in parallel to leap at RMC and OCS
SplitsSenior Classmaking Junior Class members practice splits5-10 in a session, during their first few weeks; see leapmid 1970s-80sas for split
Sprogmember of the Junior Classlate 1970sfrom ex-Appies
star picket 13Bvery poor 13B where the score 1 was awarded for each itemlate 1970s1 was likened to a star picket
sweat kitsports clothinglate 70sobvious connotation
Swimming Testtests of members’ swimming and flotation capability next to The Pierthen moved to Portsea Pier, usually in front of a packed Portsea Pub1960s-85standard army test
Tank Junctionthe road junction where The Tank stood near the obstacle course1960s-85after The Tank
Tank on the Hillnew cadets were asked how much water the tank on the hill held; see The Tank1970s 
Tank, Thean obsolete Sherman tank called Casper, located at the School entrance, whose gun barrel was raised or lowered as a sign of cadet morale1970s-85 
Thanks, Democall to the demonstration squad by the instructors after it had completed a demonstration1970s-85signal for the squad to double away
Tocmorning tea, MornosSmoko was introduced to replace it, after which the name applied to supper1955-85allegedly Toc = Tea or Coffee, really the old phoenetic alphabet T= Toc
Toc race/racingcompetition to beat the other half class to Toc, to leave nothing for the others; stopped temporarily in the early 1970s by the RSM to instil a sense of responsibility but deadly sins resurrected themselves1970s-85a natural abberation unnaturally continued
Toc, scorchedmorning tea which had been already demolished by the other company; see Toc race1980sfrom scorched earth
Torture Trackalternative name for Scramble Trackearly 1980soccasionally used alternative
Unluckygramroom inspection notice from the Adjutant finding fault and awarding a punishment1983-85introduced by an adjutant as an unofficial proforma, intended to have an element of humour, mostly lost on the victims
up the riverpoorly reported on by DSsee 13B1970scliche used by Bazza MacKenzie
work partya group of cadets assembled for the purpose of undertaking fatigue duties on the campus or in the field1952-85common army terminology
yamalarge hill1970s-80sJapanese word for hill imported by ex-BCOF staff