On September 14 Grant was enlisted Cadet 'U.S. Grant' at the national academy. 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'. 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.