five and fly
n.— «As West Point’s academic reputation has improved, more and more graduates are serving their mandatory five years, then leaving the army: five-and-fly, as it’s known. In essence, the government is spending incredible sums of money to train intelligent and capable soldiers through this four-year university program, but increasingly the return is only five years of service.» —“After Four Years at West Point, David Lipsky Still Wants More” by David Weich Powells Aug. 6, 2003. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Is there something inherent in English that makes it the linguistic equivalent of the Borg, dominating and consuming other languages in its path? No, not at all. The answer lies with politics and conquest rather than language itself. Plus: a new...
When you had sleepovers as a child, what did you call the makeshift beds you made on the floor? In some places, you call those bedclothes and blankets a pallet. This word comes from an old term for “straw.” And: What’s the story...