bootenant

A military slang term that is the combination of the military slang word for new guy (Boot, or Barely out of training) and lieutenant. A Bootenant is an LT who is fresh out of training and assuming command for the first time. Full of book knowledge (though often not even that) they are a unique combination of overconfident and incompetent. Their attempts to be authoritarian and dominant are undermined by the fact that they often have no idea what they are talking about and lack any actual leadership skills or experience. Since he is fresh out of training usually the NCOs under him have far more hands on experience and time in service but are still legally required to obey whatever he says while saluting him and calling him sir. Bootenants will often try to compensate for their lack of actual leadership skill or hands on experience by over-enforcing petty regulations that have no effect on the mission. A Bootenant can run the risk of being known as a Regulation Ranger.