AROTC Branch of Choice ADSO

GreenSpartan63

5-Year Member
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I am an MSII cadet and have some time before the branching process comes up, but I'm still curious about the ADSO program for branch of choice.

I understand the basics of it, but I was wondering if anybody on this site knows if the Army still does this program, or when a cadet could apply for it. I haven't heard of cadets doing it recently, so I don't know if it's not common, or a discouraged option, or the like.

Also, I'm curious to know if it's a competitive program, or if anyone who applies typically gets what they want out of it.

Any information available would be helpful!
 
I am an MSII cadet and have some time before the branching process comes up, but I'm still curious about the ADSO program for branch of choice.

I understand the basics of it, but I was wondering if anybody on this site knows if the Army still does this program, or when a cadet could apply for it. I haven't heard of cadets doing it recently, so I don't know if it's not common, or a discouraged option, or the like.

Also, I'm curious to know if it's a competitive program, or if anyone who applies typically gets what they want out of it.

Any information available would be helpful!

The ADSO for branch program is for cadets that have Majors that match certain branch requirements. Your Cadre will be able to give you a list of what Majors go with which branch.

This is something you will look into toward the end of your MS3 year and the beginning of your MS4 year.

The program can help those that fall below the Active Duty cutoff line get Active Duty by accepting an ADSO for certain branches if their Major meets the requirements. A cadet can submit a request for this program even if they believe they will be above the line to secure the branch.

This past year was the first year for this program, I haven't heard anything about canceling it for this year so I assume it is still in effect. There is nothing dicouraging a cadet from taking advantage of this program, just make sure you are willing to add the 3 years to your active commitment, there are plus and minuses.

Most of the branches that are in this program are support type branches, although Engineering is also one of them.

The main thing is that you must have a Major that meets the requirements of the branch to take advantage. Talk with your cadre and they will be able to explain the process.

This is something you will look into the end of your MS3 and start of your MS4 year.
 
The ADSO for branch program is for cadets that have Majors that match certain branch requirements. Your Cadre will be able to give you a list of what Majors go with which branch.

This is something you will look into toward the end of your MS3 year and the beginning of your MS4 year.

The program can help those that fall below the Active Duty cutoff line get Active Duty by accepting an ADSO for certain branches if their Major meets the requirements. A cadet can submit a request for this program even if they believe they will be above the line to secure the branch.

This past year was the first year for this program, I haven't heard anything about canceling it for this year so I assume it is still in effect. There is nothing dicouraging a cadet from taking advantage of this program, just make sure you are willing to add the 3 years to your active commitment, there are plus and minuses.

Most of the branches that are in this program are support type branches, although Engineering is also one of them.

The main thing is that you must have a Major that meets the requirements of the branch to take advantage. Talk with your cadre and they will be able to explain the process.

This is something you will look into the end of your MS3 and start of your MS4 year.

BRADSO or Branch of Choice for additonal AD time has been around for longer than this year. Also if memory serves correctly, your major has nothing to do with this program.

http://www.career-satisfaction.army.mil/rotc_bradso.html
 
For the current class of MS-IVs, the branching process allowed all cadets to ADSO to increase the likelihood of getting one of their top three branch choices. This was separate from the major specific program that guaranteed a certain branch given one of the qualifying degrees and a minimum GPA.

If my understanding of how the 2014 process worked is correct, all of the branches had a maximum percentage which could be filled with the ADSO programs e.g. for Engineering, the top 50% of it's needs was filled with
1) cadets in the top 10% of the OML who were guaranteed top branch choice,
2) cadets who executed ADSO for branch choice
3) cadets with targeted degrees who ADSO'd for branch choice
After that, depending on where a cadet fell on the OML, having the right degree and minimum GPA didn't guarantee anything.

I think it's probably important to keep in mind that the Army will likely adjust this process and all the targeted degree programs based on how well they worked this year and their needs in future years. Certainly stay closely tuned to the process until it comes time for you to submit your preferences.
 
BRADSO or Branch of Choice for additonal AD time has been around for longer than this year. Also if memory serves correctly, your major has nothing to do with this program.

http://www.career-satisfaction.army.mil/rotc_bradso.html

I was assuming since he asked about ADSO for "Branch Choice" and not BRADSO he was referring to the new program that Guarantees your branch selection based on Major and ADSO.

BRADSO is different and only increases your chances to receive a branch with no guarantees.
 
Yes, I was referring to "branch of choice" that isn't major-specific. I'm a history major, so I don't think that the other one would help me very much for engineers and such.
 
Yes, I was referring to "branch of choice" that isn't major-specific. I'm a history major, so I don't think that the other one would help me very much for engineers and such.

Thanks for the clarification.

There are pluses and minuses with ADSO. You will be obligated for 3 extra years, if you find that the Army is not for you, well, not much you can do, your obligated for at least 7 years. One other thing to consider, without an ADSO you would just be making CPT at the time your obligation is over, if you have done well and the Army really wants to retain you there are incentives to keep you. If you have taken the ADSO your locked in for another 3 years and there is no need for the Army to offer anything to keep you around.

Realize as well that your obligation to the Army doesn't start until your BOLC starts, that can sometimes be a long wait. Some branches don't start your TIS until you graduate the school, Aviation is one of those branches.

On the plus side you increase your chance of getting your branch, and once you finish your ADSO obligation you would be eligible for a percentage of the GI Bill if you were a scholarship cadet, if you were non scholarship then you would be eligible after the original 4 year obligation.

I'm sure your Cadre will spend a bit of time reviewing all of this when the time comes.
 
The Powerpoint that explained the 2014 branching process indicated that an objective was to encourage more cadets to ADSO for branch of choice. Following is a clip from the comments:
"By informing cadets that an ADSO will improve their chances of receiving their preferred branch, cadets higher on the OML should be more willing to ADSO and could create a more even distribution of ADSOs across the OML."


The option to ADSO should have been available to all cadets so it was not competitive in that sense, but there is still a competitive aspect to it because a cadet's place on the OML influenced whether or not he or she was placed during pre-branching or thrown in the giant unknown of the DABM (branching model).

Signing for an ADSO helped my DD get her branch of choice; that's the only anecdotal evidence I can offer!
 
One other thing to consider, without an ADSO you would just be making CPT at the time your obligation is over, if you have done well and the Army really wants to retain you there are incentives to keep you. If you have taken the ADSO your locked in for another 3 years and there is no need for the Army to offer anything to keep you around.
So are you saying that it's harder to make CPT by ADSO'ing, than without?
 
No, he's saying if you ADSO you are obligated to another three years by the time you make Captain. If you do not ADSo, you can get out at the time you're pinning on Captain. Thus, you may receive some incentive to stay in if the Army wants to retain you. I would not count on this. They used to offer Captains a retention bonus for agreeing to stay in past their initial obligation. As far as I know this is no longer a thing.
 
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