What happens directly after graduation?

160thWannabe

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I'm asking for a general idea of what a Cadet goes through after graduation. I can't imagine that he or she is thrust in front of a unit and is told "Here you go!"

What kind of final developmental stages must a Cadet go through before being placed in command of a unit? I know it'll be different for every Cadet's branch and station, so for example, what would happen to a future 11A or 15A?
 
I'm asking for a general idea of what a Cadet goes through after graduation. I can't imagine that he or she is thrust in front of a unit and is told "Here you go!"

What kind of final developmental stages must a Cadet go through before being placed in command of a unit? I know it'll be different for every Cadet's branch and station, so for example, what would happen to a future 11A or 15A?

The following books are great descriptors of the lives of young lieutenants/West Point cadets:

Absolutely American
The Long Grey Line
The Unforgiving Minute
In a Time of War
The Diary of a West Point Cadet

I have read them all and I recommend you do the same.
 
That is a VERY GOOD question and one I have never even thought to ask. :thumb:
 
The following books are great descriptors of the lives of young lieutenants/West Point cadets:

Absolutely American
The Long Grey Line
The Unforgiving Minute
In a Time of War
The Diary of a West Point Cadet

I have read them all and I recommend you do the same.
Ahh. I've read Absolutely American, and I'll be sure to read the others. Thanks
 
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You'll be sent to your battalion's hq for schooling for around a year or so. Then you may be deployed or attached to a battalion that is deploying if prompted to (in time of war). Aviation takes several more months (or even 1 more year) of schooling. But it all depends on which branch you select. With the non-combat arms you usually must select a combat detail to serve in before moving on to your selected branch. Hope this helps. Correct me if I'm wrong on anything. I am still learning as well.

In a Time of War will give you a better description of this.

And i second what usma2016 shared.


USMA Con Nom 2016
 
You'll be sent to your battalion's hq for schooling for around a year or so. Then you may be deployed or attached to a battalion that is deploying if prompted to (in time of war). Aviation takes several more months (or even 1 more year) of schooling. But it all depends on which branch you select. With the non-combat arms you usually must select a combat detail to serve in before moving on to your selected branch. Hope this helps. Correct me if I'm wrong on anything. I am still learning as well.

In a Time of War will give you a better description of this.

And i second what usma2016 shared.


USMA Con Nom 2016
That sounds about right, do you know what specific schools and/or training courses a Cadet (or, should I say Lieutenant) will have to complete?

So the unit that you're being assigned to trains you? That's interesting, it's not like going to Air Assault School which is completely separated from your unit.

I'll be sure to find a copy of In A Time of War, thanks.
 
That sounds about right, do you know what specific schools and/or training courses a Cadet (or, should I say Lieutenant) will have to complete?

So the unit that you're being assigned to trains you? That's interesting, it's not like going to Air Assault School which is completely separated from your unit.

I'll be sure to find a copy of In A Time of War, thanks.

Ignore pretty much everything Fanatic16 said.

No, your gaining unit doesn't train you. You'll attend BOLC and your branch specific school at your branch's headquarters station. For example, infantry and armor go to FT Benning.

Non-combat arms branches do not have to choose a combat arms branch detail. Some will, but it is by no means a requirement for all.
 
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