OML Planning

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NewCollegeParent

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Feb 16, 2011
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DS has asked advice on academic planning his second semester of MSIII year. He is an engineering major and has two more Humanities type of classes left, everything else is engineering. I know there are some minor benefits for taking a foreign language class for establishing points.

However I saw a presentation I believe from Cadet Command dated June 13, 2013 about FY14 OML and Branching Process for USACC. There is a slide entitled Special Programs Engineer. If I read that correctly, it says cadets with a Civil Engineering Degree who choose Engineer as 1st choice and have a GPA .2.75 will receive Active Duty and Engineering Branch.

If I have interpreted that correct, than he can take whatever elective he wants or fits best into his schedule without worrying about adding points for the OML. Frankly, he probably should do that anyway, but when I researched for the impact of the foreign language, I found this, which was news to me. Just wanted a second opinion if others understood something similar.

Of course I'll tell him to verify it from his end, but you guys are just too close for me not to ask.

Thanks
 
The Special Branching Program is awesome if he wants to branch Engineer, but banking on a program like that can limit his options. I believe going into MS IV year with all of your options open is what all cadets should strive for.

That being said, I would advise taking classes that can give him the best chance at a better GPA, especially since the last semester GPA is factored in as well as overall GPA. If one of those classes is language then that works out great, but a good GPA trumps all.

Also, as counterintuitive as it sounds, deferring humanities classes at this point can also be a decent idea as he may actually now find engineering classes "easier" than classes where he is forced to read and write. This is where I am now and it is rather amazing how easy an engineering major can become accustomed to only taking engineering classes and struggle with seemingly simple humanities classes.
 
Thanks for the input, Ghost Rider. I assume from your awesome comment that I did read it correctly. As of now, EN is his preferred, but I agree with you in keeping options open. That being said, maybe I won't have him verify this until the end of the semester, and just tell him to take the courses he wants that will best fit his schedule. Might as well stay incented on the grades.:smile:

Interesting take of the engineering versus LAS classes. He may want to take one LAS class each semester just to be able to see a few more girls. Engineering is making some strides but it still seems to have more males.
 
NewCollegeParent said:
However I saw a presentation I believe from Cadet Command dated June 13, 2013 about FY14 OML and Branching Process for USACC. There is a slide entitled Special Programs Engineer. If I read that correctly, it says cadets with a Civil Engineering Degree who choose Engineer as 1st choice and have a GPA .2.75 will receive Active Duty and Engineering Branch.
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Remember, that with the program you mentioned above, if the cadet decides to take advantage of this they will also be required to take an ADSO which will add 3 years to their service obligation.
 
NewCollegeParent said:
Interesting take of the engineering versus LAS classes. He may want to take one LAS class each semester just to be able to see a few more girls. Engineering is making some strides but it still seems to have more males.
Click to expand...

Engineering, at least at my school is still decidely male-dominated. We had a fairly large percentage of females in my class compared to the average but it was still only about 1/4 of the class.

Also, getting outside of engineering classes can help teach us how to interact with the rest of the world and some of the social interactions which we thought to be lacking. The stereotype of the socially awkward engineer definitely does have some basis in reality. :shake:

Edit: Also, +1 to Jcleppe for reminding us about the ADSO, that can be a pretty big deal.
 
sheriff3 said:
What does ADSO stand for? thanks.
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Active Duty Service Obligation. It extends the active duty portion of the contract by three years on top of whatever the active duty portion of that contract was already.

If a cadet chooses to take an ADSO, it can help increase their chances at achieving their desired branch, post, or guarantee that grad school is payed for down the road (known as a GRADSO).

It does not gurantee any of these things, but it will only be added to the contract if the cadet gets what they want from their ADSO. In other words, it is not a gamble that you are held to regardless of the outcome.

@cajun, The extra 3 years with the Special Branching program would guarantee him a slot in the Engineer Branch.
 
sheriff3 said:
What does ADSO stand for? thanks.
Click to expand...
Well, technically ADSO does mean "Active Duty Service Obligation", which by Contract is 5 years for West Point commissionees, 4 years for Scholarship ROTC Cadets, and 3 years for Non-Scholarship ROTC Commissionees. All officer commissionees (Direct, OCS, ROTC, USMA) have an ADSO stipulated in their Contract.

However, like many words in common usage that morph in meaning, the term ADSO has taken on a new, particular meaning, in the Officer Accessions context, of "ADDITIONAL Active Duty Service Obigation", in exchange for some Benefit. So, to be precise, the acronym really should be: AADSO to avoid confusion with the generic ADSO..
 
dunninla said:
Well, technically ADSO does mean "Active Duty Service Obligation", which by Contract is 5 years for West Point commissionees, 4 years for Scholarship ROTC Cadets, and 3 years for Non-Scholarship ROTC Commissionees. All officer commissionees (Direct, OCS, ROTC, USMA) have an ADSO stipulated in their Contract.

However, like many words in common usage that morph in meaning, the term ADSO has taken on a new, particular meaning, in the Officer Accessions context, of "ADDITIONAL Active Duty Service Obigation", in exchange for some Benefit. So, to be precise, the acronym really should be: AADSO to avoid confusion with the generic ADSO..
Click to expand...

Thanks for that tidbit. Will share with DS.
 
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