United States Military Academy West Point - Howitzer Yearbook (West Point, NY)

Page 33 text:

Bugle Notes Probably the least-known but most-disliked group of upperclassmen in the Corps is the In- sidious staff of Bugle Notes, for it is they who de- velop and publish the little bible with which the unsuspecting plebe becomes so familiar during his fourth class year. Under the leadership of editor Ed Hobbs and OIC Major W. S. de Camp, the 968 staff strove to add new dimensions to Bugle Notes by including in it many of the customs, egends, and traditions of the Corps previously unpublished. Also, the patches and ribbons sec- tions, as well as many of the illustrations, under- went major revision. It is hoped that 72 enjoys the inheritance bequeathed to it by ' 68. 29

Page 32 text:

Having thought of ourselves as a fairly intelligent lot, we were surprised to learn that there were vast quan- tities of essential information of which we had been totally unaware. Being in complete accord with our upperclass advisors that such a deficiency should not go uncorrected, we soon made Scott ' s Fixed Opin- ion, the Definition of Leather, and much similar lore part of our permanent repertoire. In so doing, we be- came thoroughly acquainted with the Plebe Bible, and many midnight sessions by the light from the halls made the bond a firm one. 28

Page 34 text:

One of the longest-remembered parts of Plebe Year is of course the dining proce- dure for freshmen. We quicl ly discov- ered that we had much to learn about proper table decorum in the Cadet Mess. Meals at West Point are often described in official publications as ' ' family style ' ' , but from our seats at the foot of the table we often wondered whose families ate like this. 30