AROTC FY16 Accessions Statistics

[DanGir]

In my opinion, if they want to have a fully implemented Talent Management Program, they need to get rid of the guaranteed branch for the top 10% and use this new program for every cadet.

I guess no need to bust your butt if some computer program is going to put you in a branch anyway.

The culture is going to have to change from "I hope they place me where I want" to "I hope they place me where I and best suited"

I have a feeling this whole TMP will be thrown out the window as soon as we ramp up another war. Hey, TMP said I should be in finance. Sorry bud, it's infantry for you.

 

[-Bull-]

To me this makes sense, matching talent to each branch. Implementing this will take a real shift in the current culture of branching. Both ROTC and West Point will need to start early with first year cadets, counseling them on the program and the benefits of each branch and the talent needed within the different branches.

The culture of branching will need to shift from the current model of focusing on just a couple branches to looking at all branches and how they work together. The idea that one branch is more desirable then another, the thought that if I don't get Infantry or another desired branch I'll be disappointed, will have to shift to what branch am I best suited for, this will take some time.

Under this new Talent Management program I don't doubt there will be a lot of disappointed cadets at first. The current culture is, If I do my best and score high on the OML I'll get what I want, been this way for a long time, it's what every young person is taught. The Army hangs a big carrot out there, score in the top 10% and you get what you want. Certain branches have become the sought after golden ring.

In my opinion, if they want to have a fully implemented Talent Management Program, they need to get rid of the guaranteed branch for the top 10% and use this new program for every cadet. The new OML system has tried to level the field a bit, under the past system there would be cadets with a 3.9 GPA and 300 APFT that would get a subjective E at LDAC, this cadet would be in the top 10% and be able to select whatever branch they choose, non of this would determine if the cadet was actually a good fit for that branch. The new system has tried to balance that out but it is still a competition.

Cadets will need to be counseled from the beginning that they will be evaluated not only on performance but for suitability for branch selections.

Every Fall we see the same posts..."Is my score high enough to get Infantry, Aviation, MI", and so on. Come November the post are ...."How come I got QM, Transportation, AG. My scores were higher then a guy that got Infantry" You hear "I hope I don't get stuck in Logistics"

The culture is going to have to change from "I hope they place me where I want" to "I hope they place me where I and best suited" Again, this will take a shift in training and counseling from early on if they truly implement a full Talent Management Program, if not, there will be a lot of new 2LTs that will heading to their branch disappointed in where they are going.

It will be interesting to watch how this works this next year.

This is great and I agree. I wish cadets had to interview with a branch panel as an additional data point too.

The Army is a service, not a jobs program. And there are officers I know on active duty that have no business leading formations and even more that don't belong anywhere near the branches they're in. It's scary and we owe it to the parents, relatives, friends and spouses of every soldier to put the best suited officers in the places they are suited to be. Damn what branch you think you deserve.

 

[QA1517]

This is great and I agree. I wish cadets had to interview with a branch panel as an additional data point too.

The Army is a service, not a jobs program. And there are officers I know on active duty that have no business leading formations and even more that don't belong anywhere near the branches they're in. It's scary and we owe it to the parents, relatives, friends and spouses of every soldier to put the best suited officers in the places they are suited to be. Damn what branch you think you deserve.

I agree but in my mind there should be some sort of choice allowed. Should it be at least a choice between your top 2 branches say. I can test really good at one thing but not have my heart in it and would actually perform better at my number 2 test choice. Just a thought.

 

[-Bull-]

I agree but in my mind there should be some sort of choice allowed. Should it be at least a choice between your top 2 branches say. I can test really good at one thing but not have my heart in it and would actually perform better at my number 2 test choice. Just a thought.

I see your point. I, by no means, think this system is anywhere near perfect and I think more talent input other than a test is needed because some really good potential XX branch officers are probably not good at test taking but might actually be good for XX branch. And a college GPA has little to do with leading soldiers.

If we want to get down to the absolute truth, though it's not good for recruiting, cadets have always had a choice. The choice was "needs of the Army" and they made it when they signed a dotted line and raise their right hand. Getting the branch you want is great, getting the privilege to lead soldiers in any capacity is 10 times better.

 

[KeyzCat]

I agree but in my mind there should be some sort of choice allowed. Should it be at least a choice between your top 2 branches say. I can test really good at one thing but not have my heart in it and would actually perform better at my number 2 test choice. Just a thought.

A Skills/Interest Inventory actually is a blended model so ending score includes the blend of the skills and things you like.

 

[QA1517]

A Skills/Interest Inventory actually is a blended model so ending score includes the blend of the skills and things you like.

But someone has to make the determination that you belong in this branch. I'm just saying maybe it should be you belong in this or that branch, based upon your OML position, choose one. Lower OML may not get that choice.

And I absolutely agree with you Bull. Honor to serve and lead.

 

[KeyzCat]

PS Skills / Interest inventory tests are not you can get a bad score test so not really set up as a test anxiety so you study for it unless as I said above that people are wanting to manipulate the results.

 

[KeyzCat]

But someone has to make the determination that you belong in this branch. I'm just saying maybe it should be you belong in this or that branch, based upon your OML position, choose one. Lower OML may not get that choice.

Yes you will usually have several things you have scores that meet the Talents for which is why the current model has Choice number one and meets the talents as last deciding factor. Most of the soft skills they are testing Military minded kids are going to score well in. Leadership, Team building, Nationalism, and Perseverance are a few of the soft skills they show that I think most of us know our kids would score high in. From 11 yrs of looking at them there were only ever 2 that I can remember not scoring high in at least 3 areas.

 

[Jcleppe]

I agree but in my mind there should be some sort of choice allowed. Should it be at least a choice between your top 2 branches say. I can test really good at one thing but not have my heart in it and would actually perform better at my number 2 test choice. Just a thought.

From the looks of the model the program gives the cadet a list of branches they are suited for according to the data they have. The cadet would have a choice among those listed