1. a newly commissioned military officer, especially a second lieutenant
Usage: military slang
2. an untrained or inexperienced person in any field
Usage: informal

Examples

• The shavetail reported to his first assignment with nervous excitement.
• As a shavetail fresh out of the academy, he had much to learn about leadership.
• The sergeant took the young shavetail under his wing.
• Don’t worry about making mistakes – every shavetail goes through this.
• The company was led by an experienced captain and two shavetails.
• He may be just a shavetail, but he shows real potential.