Question about service after the academy

Tantr

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I was thinking about going to USMA to study Engineering but i have a question about the 5 year active service after you graduate. DO we just get thrown into the front lines or deployed to some far away country or can we choose what we want to do? I'm not afraid of fighting or combat but i think i would be better as an engineer for the military.
 
:wink:You get to choose, but you might just be thrown out in some far away land...
 
Look at this website to view the Army's different branches:
www.branchorientation.com

At USMA is there is a process. In the fall of Firstie year is the branch selection. You get to number your choices and branch is awarded by merit. All the cadets in the class are ranked and the #1 Cadet gets first choice etc...

USMA is also required to assign 80% of male cadets to Combat Arms branchs.
This powerpoint illustrates the Class of 2006. While it won't be exactly this way for your class it will probably be close. http://www.usma.edu/dmi/pdf/1st_cla...i_scan_filename=1st_class_branching_brief.pdf

Your major will not have any affect on your branch selection. All positions are filled to meet the needs of the Army and expect to be a Platoon Leader.
You certainly may aim for Corps of Engineers - but you can still see Combat in the Combat Engineers.

While you won't just "get thrown" into the front lines - you will be well trained for that; it is a distinct possibility. Expect to go overseas and expect to be in combat.
 
As noted in previous replies, you will have the ability to choose your branch (aka, what specialty you want, such as armor, infantry, finance, quartermaster, etc) as well as your post (your first base assignment) based on your class rank.

Post is determined within your assigned branch (that is, you compete for your first post based on your class rank within the other cadets who are entering the same branch as you), and what posts are available will differ each year based on needs of the army.

West Point also currently has a program called BrADSO and PADSO which allow you to trade your 3 years reserve time (served after the 5 years active duty) for 3 years active duty time in order to have a higher chance of getting the branch or post you want. So:

Normal Cadet: Serve 5 years active duty, 3 years reserve
vs
ADSO Cadet: 8 years active duty

Whether (or when) you deploy or not is based on what unit you are assigned to after graduation. If your unit gets deployed, you will be expected to go with them.
 
Does anyone know what percent of females (West Point grads) get deployed?
 
Getting deployed is not a function of gender but job. If you are in a unit that is getting deployed then you will go.
A lot of females grads have been deployed. Two have given the ultimate sacrifice to their country.
The first was 1LT Laura Walker Class of 2003, Corps of Engineers:
Laura was killed in action on 18 August 2005 in Delak, Aghanistan. She proudly wore the 4th Infantry Division combat patch on her right shoulder, a distinction she shared with both of her grandfathers from their service with the Division in both World War II and Vietnam. Her awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal (1OLC), Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, and Air Assault Badge
http://www.west-point.org/users/usma2003/60262/

The second was 2LT Emily Perez Class of 2005, who was killed Sept 12, 2006 in Iraq.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/26/AR2006092601765.html

Both are buried in the West Point Cemetery. If you visit, stop by and say hello.
 
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