Junior Cadet Ranks I was in the VTCC in college and here is my understanding of the junior cadet positions Sophomores and Juniors who hold no leadership positions are Cadet Privates Freshman are called New Cadets the first semester they are Freshman Cadet Privates wear Private boards and white freshman belt the second semester Cadet Private First Class is a rank for those who hold good grades but no leadership position Can be bestowed upon Freshman but a Freshman Cadet PFC can never outrank an upperclassman Cadet Private Seniors with no leadership positions are known as Cadet Second Lieutenant If they commit a serious disciplinary infraction they can be demoted to Senior Cadet Private wear Private boards but still retain a senior gold chin strap and be saluted