as far as i understand, its not a set number of slots. has alot more to do with your performance at the academy relative to the other members of your class. i think i heard 3, but thats just hearsay. i know the cutter program, which is what im looking at, is a bit more flexible, however, there was some talk about cutter slots possibly going away, due to the fact that most of the 1st classmen that applied for them this year and got them turned them down for other jobs, which the CG was none too pleased about apparently Best person to talk to on that end is Lt. Park, who is the USCG Liason Officer for USMMA.