His nickname at West Point became 'Sam' among army colleagues since the initials 'U.S.' also stood for 'Uncle Sam'. Initially, Grant was indifferent to military life, but within a year he reexamined his desire to leave the academy and later wrote that 'on the whole I like this place very much'. While at the Academy, his greatest interest was horses, and he earned a reputation as the 'most proficient' horseman. Initially, Grant was indifferent to military life, but within a year he reexamined his desire to leave the academy and later wrote that 'on the whole I like this place very much'. While at the Academy, his greatest interest was horses, and he earned a reputation as the 'most proficient' horseman.