General
90-day wonder
What does 90-day wonder mean?
A freshly minted second lieutenant produced by a roughly 90-day Officer Candidate School course, implying more classroom polish than practical experience.
"The platoon eyed the 90-day wonder warily on his first day."
Origin
US military slang, from the length of the officer course.
Frequently asked questions
What is a '90-day wonder'?
It's a freshly commissioned second lieutenant produced by a roughly 90-day Officer Candidate School course, implying more classroom polish than real-world experience.
Is '90-day wonder' a compliment?
No, it's mildly mocking. It suggests the officer earned a commission quickly and still lacks the seasoning of experienced troops.
Where does the term come from?
It comes from the roughly 90-day length of the accelerated officer course that produces these junior officers.
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