Does someone remember the "classes" at West Point

Chockstock

The Stars and Stripes Forever
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Hello

I had a question regarding commissions. I know there are these certain "classes" (I honestly don't remember what they are called) that you choose to do when you graduate. They are completely unrelated to your major. To give you an idea of what I'm thinking of, I can list some of the categories that I remember - Infantry, Armor, Military Intelligence etc. I know there are more to this list (I learned about it at SLS and believe there are like 15?) and would really appreciate it if someone could provide the full list and answer how they affect where and what you do during your 5 year commission.

Thanks again!
 
Oh, Chockstock....where to begin?
You are talking about the branches of the Army. Here's a link: http://www.us-army-info.com/pages/branches.html

I am disturbed by what you said: "during your 5 year commission..." Here is why: While it is true that many SA grads decide to "5 and dive," all 5 academies invest so much in your education and training. They are hoping you will decide to become a career officer. To seem to have decided on leaving after 5 years before you are even appointed appears wrong on many levels to me. I hope you will spend some time soul-searching and decide if you want the "free education" or if you want to be an officer in the United States Army. There are other ways to fund your education if you are not interested in a career. While many choose to leave after 5, I like to believe most go in planning on a bit longer than that, or at the very least, the attitude of "I'll re-assess after the initial five."
 
Oh, Chockstock....where to begin?
You are talking about the branches of the Army. Here's a link: http://www.us-army-info.com/pages/branches.html

I am disturbed by what you said: "during your 5 year commission..." Here is why: While it is true that many SA grads decide to "5 and dive," all 5 academies invest so much in your education and training. They are hoping you will decide to become a career officer. To seem to have decided on leaving after 5 years before you are even appointed appears wrong on many levels to me. I hope you will spend some time soul-searching and decide if you want the "free education" or if you want to be an officer in the United States Army. There are other ways to fund your education if you are not interested in a career. While many choose to leave after 5, I like to believe most go in planning on a bit longer than that, or at the very least, the attitude of "I'll re-assess after the initial five."

Ahhh please dont be mistaken :redface: My decision to apply for West Point has little to do with money - its actually precisely due to the reason that you mentioned. I want to make the military a career. I want to make it to the top. I think serving is one of the most honorable and wonderful ways to give back to the country. If I do get accepted and do decide to go, it WILL be a life-long commitment (hopefully). So dont worry - I just used the wrong choice of words:thumb:


Btw thanks for the links guys...hahaha branches..that was at the tip of my tongue

What are the most competitive branches to get into?
 
We always called them "career fields." You have combat arms..Infantry, Armor (scout units included), and Artillery. You have Finance, Military Intelligence, Engineers, Medical, Aviation, MP, Signal, Transpo, EOD, and many more. I suggest to start learning about an army division and the various units that make up a division. Other than the Infantry, all other elements are support. It could be argued that Artillery and Armor are not support elements but if you think of the Infantry as the main body of the army, all others are deployed on the battlefield and behind the front lines in support roles. Once you learn more about a division and how units are used you can better appreciate each role and pick your career field. A lot depends on whether you plan to make it a career. Some career fields, such a Infantry, see faster movement through the ranks. This is mainly due to the size of the Infantry...more units = more slots.
 
Ahhh please dont be mistaken :redface: My decision to apply for West Point has little to do with money - its actually precisely due to the reason that you mentioned. I want to make the military a career. I want to make it to the top. I think serving is one of the most honorable and wonderful ways to give back to the country. If I do get accepted and do decide to go, it WILL be a life-long commitment (hopefully). So dont worry - I just used the wrong choice of words:thumb:


Btw thanks for the links guys...hahaha branches..that was at the tip of my tongue

What are the most competitive branches to get into?

I have the branching results for 2010.

These are the first branches to close out in order.

1) Medical Service (NON ADSO 353) (ADSO 532)
2) Aviation (NON ADSO 407) (ADSO 614)
3) Military Intelligence (NON ADSO 397) (ADSO 684)
4) Finance (NON ADSO 180) (ADSO 685)
5) Armor (NON ADSO 701) (ADSO 832)
6) Engineer (NON ADSO 573) (ADSO 897)

The numbers next to the branch are the class ranks of the last person to get that branch this year. There are 1039 graduates total. (899 men and 140 women). Out of that 215 did ADSO.

From the looks of it, if you are in the top 50% of your class and you ADSO you will get your 1st choice. Medical Service only had 18 slots which is the reason for it being so high up on the list.
 
I'm sorry... but what does ADSO mean?

It means you agree to an additional 3 years active duty to your contract in order to "bump" you up in the merit list in order to get a branch you really want.

The way I have been told by cadets it works is this: The branch is filled by order of merit. Once the branch is 75% full, the remaining 25% is filled by the cadets who agreed to add service time for that specific branch in a separate list of merit composed of only those who ADSO'd for that branch. I cannot confirm this but have heard it from multiple sources.
 
Also you can "sign up" for the ADSO program, and if it turns out that you would have gotten your first choice without it anyway, you do not need to serve the additional three years. So basically, it's kind of like an insurance policy for those who are on the edge of not getting their choice. To me, only three additional years to be able to do what you actually want to do doesn't seem like a bad deal. And it's in-consequential for those who are planning on doing a career anyway, since 5+3 only puts them at 8 anyway, so it's not like that's more than they're already planning for.
 
I have the branching results for 2010.

These are the first branches to close out in order.

1) Medical Service (NON ADSO 353) (ADSO 532)
2) Aviation (NON ADSO 407) (ADSO 614)
3) Military Intelligence (NON ADSO 397) (ADSO 684)
4) Finance (NON ADSO 180) (ADSO 685)
5) Armor (NON ADSO 701) (ADSO 832)
6) Engineer (NON ADSO 573) (ADSO 897)

The numbers next to the branch are the class ranks of the last person to get that branch this year. There are 1039 graduates total. (899 men and 140 women). Out of that 215 did ADSO.

From the looks of it, if you are in the top 50% of your class and you ADSO you will get your 1st choice. Medical Service only had 18 slots which is the reason for it being so high up on the list.

Thanks, this was what I was looking for...but these results surprise me:confused:. I also wonder what the complete list looks like and what the least popular branches are for cadets

And about GPA..I know it determines what you want to do after you graduate, but is GPA at West Point determined by just your grades? Or is it a combination of your grades and like a physical test?
 
And about GPA..I know it determines what you want to do after you graduate, but is GPA at West Point determined by just your grades? Or is it a combination of your grades and like a physical test?

Ok I don't know the percentages but my liaison was telling me it is made up of 3 parts, if I can recall correctly: academics, military knowledge and the PFT (is that the correct name for it?)
 
Here is a great powerpoint about the whole ADSO process http://www.usma.edu/opa/adso/docs/2008-usma-opa-website-kruger.pdf
And it is not the GPA that is determined by three parts, it is the class rank. Academics, military, and Physical.
As far as thinking about branches and learning about them, even though its a long way away, it wouldn't be a bad thing to have an idea of what you want to do. You will have plenty of exposure to the branches to make an informed decision, so ideas you have now can change pretty easily.
 
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You are confusing GPA with class rank. GPA is GPA. Your rank is deterimined by grades (GPA), physical score, and military score. There is a very complex formula that is sent with your rank to explain how the percentages are calculated. GPA carries the most weight. Study hard, get squared away pdq, and get in shape (and stay in shape), and you should be good to go.
 
Thanks, this was what I was looking for...but these results surprise me:confused:. I also wonder what the complete list looks like and what the least popular branches are for cadets

And about GPA..I know it determines what you want to do after you graduate, but is GPA at West Point determined by just your grades? Or is it a combination of your grades and like a physical test?

The last ones were:

1) Quartermaster (CLOSE 1026) (ADSO CLOSE 1026)
2) Chemical Corps (CLOSE 1025) (ADSO NONE)
3) Field Artillery (CLOSE 913) (ADSO 1020)
4) Military Police (CLOSE 915) (ADSO 1019)
5) Transportation Corps (CLOSE 1012) (ADSO NONE)

What surprises you? Some of the top ones are there due to the amount of slots being little, not necessarily high demand. The branches this year had anywhere from 18 to 201 slots each. Combat arms branches had more than the rest.
 
A West Point Cadet came to my school and said that Aviation is the most competitive (besides medical corps), which kind of sucks because that would probably be my first choice.
 
A West Point Cadet came to my school and said that Aviation is the most competitive (besides medical corps), which kind of sucks because that would probably be my first choice.

That's what the statistics showed. Medical Corps closed out first and Aviation second. The test you need to take to fly along with more strict medical requirements make it harder to get but by class rank alone it is pretty attainable seeing as with ADSO it closed out at 614 so all you need is top 50% if you are willing to add more time or top 30% without adding.

The reason Medical Corps is so competitive is the amount of slots they get. There were only 18 for Medical Service while Aviation had 111.
 
A West Point Cadet came to my school and said that Aviation is the most competitive (besides medical corps), which kind of sucks because that would probably be my first choice.

I am trying to figure out why this is news that "sucks." If you work hard, you get what you go after. You deserve what you are willing to work hard and go after. The cadets who branch aviation or other highly sought after branches, spent four years making choices like studying on the weekends instead of a myriad of other things they could have done that would not have lead to the same outcome. They should be applauded.
 
I am trying to figure out why this is news that "sucks." If you work hard, you get what you go after. You deserve what you are willing to work hard and go after. The cadets who branch aviation or other highly sought after branches, spent four years making choices like studying on the weekends instead of a myriad of other things they could have done that would not have lead to the same outcome. They should be applauded.

To be honest I would be perfectly happy with a couple of the other branches, as well. And as America's Finest put it, it really isn't too much more difficult than the others. I've just always wanted to fly helicopters, but I have no actual experience so that could easily change once I experience something else.
 
The last ones were:

1) Quartermaster (CLOSE 1026) (ADSO CLOSE 1026)
2) Chemical Corps (CLOSE 1025) (ADSO NONE)
3) Field Artillery (CLOSE 913) (ADSO 1020)
4) Military Police (CLOSE 915) (ADSO 1019)
5) Transportation Corps (CLOSE 1012) (ADSO NONE)

What surprises you? Some of the top ones are there due to the amount of slots being little, not necessarily high demand. The branches this year had anywhere from 18 to 201 slots each. Combat arms branches had more than the rest.

Then I guess it isn't as surprising as it seems. I was initially kind of shocked to think that a career in the medical field was the most popular for people who went to West Point. But I guess since it has so few openings, it only makes sense to be the most competitive branch
 
Oh, Chockstock....where to begin?
You are talking about the branches of the Army. Here's a link: http://www.us-army-info.com/pages/branches.html

I am disturbed by what you said: "during your 5 year commission..." Here is why: While it is true that many SA grads decide to "5 and dive," all 5 academies invest so much in your education and training. They are hoping you will decide to become a career officer. To seem to have decided on leaving after 5 years before you are even appointed appears wrong on many levels to me. I hope you will spend some time soul-searching and decide if you want the "free education" or if you want to be an officer in the United States Army. There are other ways to fund your education if you are not interested in a career. While many choose to leave after 5, I like to believe most go in planning on a bit longer than that, or at the very least, the attitude of "I'll re-assess after the initial five."

M3B, that's an enlisted site you linked?
 
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