Nugget: Difference between revisions

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'''Nugget''' is a Colonial military term to describe pilot trainees. Like many terms in the new [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica]] series, "nugget" is carried over from present day American military slang.
[[File:Galactica's Nuggets.jpg|thumb|A trio of "[[nugget]]s"—[[Brendan Constanza]], [[Louanne Katraine]], and [[Donald Perry]]—in ''{{RDM|Galactica}}''{{'|s}} pilot's ready room.]]
The term '''"nugget"''' is [[Colonial Fleet (TRS)|Colonial military]] jargon for a pilot trainee.<ref>Like many terms in the new ''[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica]]'' series, "nugget" is adapted from present-day American military slang (http://www.tailhook.org/AVSLANG.htm#N), where it connotes status as "raw material" to be shaped by experience during the first tour.</ref> The definition of a nugget is a lump of raw precious metal, something ready to be molded. Alternatively, a small rounded piece of food ("''[[Blood and Chrome]]''" (deleted scene)).  


Please note that "nugget" should not be confused with "rook" or "rookie."  The latter term applies to a person who as completed their training and qualifications, yet is still inexperienced.
Upon successful completion of flight and weapons training, nuggets join the Fleet squadrons as [[rook|rooks]].


[[Kara Thrace]] is assigned the task of flight instructor to train a batch of potential [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] pilots after 13 (including [[Flat Top]]) are killed in a freak accident ([[Act of Contrition]]). There are originially 8 nuggets, including [[Louanne Katraine|Louanne "Kat" Katraine"]], [[Brendan Constanza|Brendan "Hotdog" Constanza]], and "[[Perry|Chuckles]]". Later, Chuckles dies attacking a Cylon [[tylium]] refinery ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]).  According to the SciFi.com official website, after the events of "The Hand of God", there are 5 surviving nuggets. New groups of nuggets are in training in "The Hand of God", and by mid-[[Season 2 (2005-06)|season 2]] many new pilots are trained using the flight simulators aboard battlestar ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]''.
== Notes ==
* When the first class of nuggets begins training aboard ''Galactica'', they wear [[Military Ranks (RDM)|rank insignia]] of petty officer, 1st class. In "[[Scar]]" and "[[Dirty Hands]]," they wear those of lieutenants, junior grade, but are addressed as ensigns. So far no distinct ensign rank insignia has been shown. The lack of a distinct ensign's insignia is likely a costuming error or simple necessity, absent any clear decision by the executive production team.
* Chief Tyrol notes that one has to be an officer to fly Vipers when he pins ensign's insignia on Seelix before she reports for flight training, suggesting either a change in policy or a [[Continuities and continuations#Retroactive continuity|retcon]].
* The [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]] analogue to this term is "[[first orbit cadet]]".


Curiously, when the first batch of "nuggets" arrive aboard ''Galactica'', they wear the rank insignia of "Petty Officer, 1st Class".
==References==
{{reflist}}


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Latest revision as of 04:26, 22 February 2024

A trio of "nuggets"—Brendan Constanza, Louanne Katraine, and Donald Perry—in Galactica's pilot's ready room.

The term "nugget" is Colonial military jargon for a pilot trainee.[1] The definition of a nugget is a lump of raw precious metal, something ready to be molded. Alternatively, a small rounded piece of food ("Blood and Chrome" (deleted scene)).

Upon successful completion of flight and weapons training, nuggets join the Fleet squadrons as rooks.

Notes

  • When the first class of nuggets begins training aboard Galactica, they wear rank insignia of petty officer, 1st class. In "Scar" and "Dirty Hands," they wear those of lieutenants, junior grade, but are addressed as ensigns. So far no distinct ensign rank insignia has been shown. The lack of a distinct ensign's insignia is likely a costuming error or simple necessity, absent any clear decision by the executive production team.
  • Chief Tyrol notes that one has to be an officer to fly Vipers when he pins ensign's insignia on Seelix before she reports for flight training, suggesting either a change in policy or a retcon.
  • The Original Series analogue to this term is "first orbit cadet".

References

  1. Like many terms in the new Battlestar Galactica series, "nugget" is adapted from present-day American military slang (http://www.tailhook.org/AVSLANG.htm#N), where it connotes status as "raw material" to be shaped by experience during the first tour.