Interesting way to run things.....
Actually, it's not too different than the past. Just the time frame. PRE-2009 (Class of 2013), we had an economy and military posture that was very "predictable". The academy could "Offer" 1700 appointments, knowing with 100% certainty, that approximately 400 would turn the appointment down. (Believe it or not, military academies are NOT ALWAYS someone's first choice for college. Many apply as an alternative form of a "Full Ride Scholarship".)
Of the remaining 1300, the academy knew that approximately 80+/- would drop out or get kicked out during BCT. Another 70+/- would drop out after the first 2 semesters. Another 100+/- would drop out prior to commitment. (Beginning of their 3rd "Junior" year). And a miscellaneous 50+/- would be kicked out for a number of reasons. This presented a graduating class of 1000 or under. Right where they wanted to be. Unfortunately, because of the economy and unemployment and cost of college, LESS turned down the appointments, more "put up" with the academy and didn't quit, and more kept their nose clean. I believe this year's graduating class is still over 1100 students.
Well, the academy can't take those chances any more with HOPING that some will turn it down. So, they decide on a MAXIMUM number of appointments. This year, approximately 1057. They put our a few LOA's to athletes in the beginning. Then, the majority went out yesterday for MOC nominees. WAIT for them to say yes or no, then know how many you need to fill from those that turned it down to reach the magic 1057 number.
So it's not really that interesting or complicated. It actually makes sense, and should be the norm. It takes more time this way, but the numbers are better. In the past, if one year had too many accept, they could adjust accordingly over the next 3 years. But the last 3 years have made that impossible. Every year was getting too many people staying in. And believe it or not, the academy isn't heartless. They don't want to accept appointees and simply kick them out for burping. In a perfect world, they'd only give out 4000 appointments to the number of people they know 100% will make it through all 4 years and graduate and become commissioned. But that's not reality. Reality is: The academy isn't what most people think it is when they get there, and many will change their mind once they get there, or they won't be able to adapt to the military way of life. And because of the economy, many will stay; graduate; then do their 5 mandatory years and get out; because their employment and educational options aren't that good right now in the civilian market.