But in general the "goats" are looked upon as men who are going to be dropped, and this usually applies, also, to a majority of the men in the two or three sections just above the "goats." About forty per cent.

of the young men who enter West Point as cadets are dropped before their course is over.

Most of these losses occur in the plebe and yearling classes.

When a man has completed two years at West Point he has a very good chance to get through and win his commission as an officer in the Army.
In geometry Greg was in the third section above the "goats," Dick in the sixth.
"I wish I had your head, old ramrod!" groaned Greg, half an hour later.
"If I should lose even a hair's weight from my head I'd be in the 'goats' next week," replied Prescott grimly.

"If I ever get to be an officer in the Army, I wonder what earthly good all these math.
headaches will do me in handling a bunch of raw rookies ?" "If we have to go back to Gridley, 'skinned,'" grimaced Greg, "we'll at least have company.