Combat Weapons Teams tryouts

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Ranger96

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As a prospective prior service USAR applicant, I am very interested in USMA's Combat Weapons Team. Based on their webpage, the tryouts consist of:

31 August 2013 marked the annual tryout for the Combat Weapons Team for academic year 2014. 44 cadets showed up at 0530 for a day of physical, agility and mental tests. 20 of the 44 initial Cadets were selected to become candidates for the follow on three week assessment period. The participants competed in ways they did not expect and where constantly evaluated for skills and abilities that will directly translate to success in shooting competitions. The day concluded with a barbecue for all those that completed the tryout, where they were able to ask questions and interact with current team members. At the conclusion of the three week follow on assessment all the candidates were evaluated on their ability to receive information, their coach ability, their willingness to learn and their individual pistol skills. The competition has been tough and the candidates have shown proficiency for learning marksmanship skills and improving their abilities, but only a handful made the final selection at the end of the month. The rest of the candidates returned to the Corps of Cadets better trained and more confident in their ability to employ the M9 service pistol.
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Does anybody have experience with the USMA CW team? What exactly do they look for when they say they test in ways candidates "do not expect." Is the training I have received with the M9 in BT an AIT sufficient? I also have had the opportunity to train with the San Francisco's FBI SWAT team in tactics, so I have that down. However, the only real experience I have with handguns is that I have received in Army training.
 
Combat Weapons Team

You have reached a good source of information.

I won't mention his name, but my son (Class of 2015) is on the CWT and is responsible for the try-0uts which he says is not set but will probably be in the September time-frame. He is currently developing the specific test in conjunction with other CWT members, but he says it will be very tough physically and mentally.

Be prepared for hard PT, Ruck-sack marches, running etc. It will be a several hour ordeal so stamina is critical. Be prepared to articulate why you want to be on the team. Also, think about anything in your history that would make you seem to be well rounded, a good team member, and an un-selfish person.

The CWT meets and fires two nights per week. This is a big commitment, so it is important that you not have any academic or discipline troubles.
 
BigNick,
wow, thanks for the info! If I am correct, the tryouts will focus less on technical weapons skills and more on the physical mental aspects of combat shooting. It honestly reminds me of the FBI's SWAT tryouts.
I am very good at rucksacking and stamina, so I can make a stand in that. And I will prepare for the interview process too. Thank you so much for the insight.
 
CWT

Any mention of how many slots are available for this years tryout? Thanks
 
This information comes directly from a prominent senior Cadet on the team.

The number of new members has not been decided yet. However, it will probably be 10-15 on a trial basis. About 5-6 will be retained after a 3-6 week trial period.

Cuts to the team are made during the year. Some members - including people who are in their 2nd year or 3rd year on the team - are cut for several possible reasons:

1. Academics-since the team practices two nights a week they can not have a member who is in academic trouble

2. Discipline-CWT members must not have any disciplinary problems

3. Failure to fully participate in CWT activities

Some are occasionally cut because they are not considered to be assets to the team for various reasons.

In short - it is difficult to get on the team and requires a great effort to stay on the team.

Do not be discouraged by this - if you are a good team member and keep your Cadet standards high you will have no problems.

I was honored to be invited to their annual social at Camp Buckner last March. These are very sharp, well rounded, articulate, impressive Cadets - the best of the best.
 
CWT

Thanks for the great information. You had mentioned that the team fires two nights per week. Is this during a study time or some other block of time? Thanks
 
A big benefit four of the CWT members had this year was that they got to go to Campbell and train for four weeks for SF Urban Assault. They represented WP well and earned the respect of the SF taking the class.

Being on the CWT is hard work but the rewards are so worth it!
 
The two nights per week are after dinner from about 7-10 PM during the prime week-day study times. Occasionally, on the week-ends, they will have an activity either training at another location or firing at an outdoor range. A person who is weak in academics or having any other significant problems will have great difficulty keeping active on the team.
As I mentioned before - these Cadets are the "best of the best".
 
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