Army OML for commissioning

LongGreyLine Hopeful

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As I get closer towards commissioning i'm trying to gauge where I stand within my class, but also nationwide for AROTC. I was just wondering if someone could explain to me as best as they could how the oml works and things I might need to know for getting the specific branch I want?
 
As I get closer towards commissioning i'm trying to gauge where I stand within my class, but also nationwide for AROTC. I was just wondering if someone could explain to me as best as they could how the oml works and things I might need to know for getting the specific branch I want?

I have a PPT with all the statistics and a percentage breakdown of OML. PM Inbound.
 
As I get closer towards commissioning i'm trying to gauge where I stand within my class, but also nationwide for AROTC. I was just wondering if someone could explain to me as best as they could how the oml works and things I might need to know for getting the specific branch I want?

Another big part of the equation is: which branch do you want?
 
From my basic understanding the OML works like a U shape where the top 30% get their choice then it goes down to the lower-ish 30-40% and the middle ends up in limbo getting what the army needs.

I haven't generally arranged them in any specific order, but:

1. Armor
2. Infantry
3. MI
4. Aviation
5. FA
6. Signal
7. MP
 
This slideshow was linked to on these forums at some point and I downloaded it to read closer. Tons of absolutely golden information. I can't attach the whole thing, but here's the OML slide with the corresponding notes. If you want to see the whole slideshow I could email it to you? Pm if so.

Made by Purdue AROTC Battalion.
https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1yFb72SStJvY0AkTDl8NeW8N37UUvHzhe2HJqUZmhWbo

This is the ROTC OML Model that was used in FY10 and for all you End of LDAC Commissionees this is your OML model. I hope all of you are familiar with this but I will take a minute to explain. This slide lists all the criteria that go into the Model. The numbers in green are the weighting of each of the criteria. If you add up the green numbers they will equal 100. That is why GPA is 40% weighted 40 of 100. There is an additional point awarded to all those that receive LDAC PLT top 5, and an additional ½ point for anyone who earns RECONDO at LDAC. Let me run thru these criteria quickly:

GPA – We discussed cumm GPA for first three years of college (includes ROTC grades)
LDAC Performance – This is score based on number of E, S, N’s you receive here at LDAC in leadership positions and attribute/skills/actions
LDAC PLT TAC Eval – this is the TAC overall LDAC evaluation
LDAC Land Nav (1st Score) – Land nav score includes written, day, and night

PMS MSIII CER OML – Score based on were PMS ranked you with fellow MS III’s on your CER
PMS Accessions OML – Score based on were PMS will rank you with those he is sending to the FY board
PMS Accession Potential Comments – Score based on combination of how LDAC Tac and PMS evaluated your potential
Training and Extracurriculars – Score based on number of training and activities you did as a Cadet/college student
Language/Culture – Score based on type and number college level forgein language course taken, whether majoring in a foreign language, studied abroad or completed rosetta stone courses
APFT – What did you score in most recent Spring, Fall and 1st score here at LDAC

Swimming - Pass/Fail on campus and here at LDAC, Good news because they don’t do swim test here at LDAC anymore you all passed

Athletic – Score based on participation in varsity, intramural or community athletics

Now because we don’t do swim at LDAC anymore and the fact that Campus Swim test is a commission requirement there will be a change for FY11 Build slide.

As you can see swim will be removed starting in FY11 board, this is all of you minus End of LDAC, and the weighting will be applied to Campus APFT’s

There is one more change on the horizon which should start for all those going to the FY12 board. The Army desires to increase hard science, math and engineering degrees in the cohort. To assist in this there will be incentive points awarded next build.
 
From my basic understanding the OML works like a U shape where the top 30% get their choice then it goes down to the lower-ish 30-40% and the middle ends up in limbo getting what the army needs.

I haven't generally arranged them in any specific order, but:

1. Armor
2. Infantry
3. MI
4. Aviation
5. FA
6. Signal
7. MP

I have never heard that, though that doesn't mean it's not true. Generally branching, at least as far as USMA goes, is by straight OML. But it may work differently for ROTC. I'd be interested to learn how it works.
 
There is one more change on the horizon which should start for all those going to the FY12 board. The Army desires to increase hard science, math and engineering degrees in the cohort. To assist in this there will be incentive points awarded next build.

Any idea of how many points?
 
There is one more change on the horizon which should start for all those going to the FY12 board. The Army desires to increase hard science, math and engineering degrees in the cohort. To assist in this there will be incentive points awarded next build.

I've heard actually might have started for the Seniors that just branched this year. I've heard its about .5 point. Something that seams minimal, but could help you in the long run.

From my basic understanding the OML works like a U shape where the top 30% get their choice then it goes down to the lower-ish 30-40% and the middle ends up in limbo getting what the army needs.
Where did you here this? I've always heard it's like scoutpilot said, straight OML.
 
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This is the most important portion of that post:

"Each cadet submits their 'wish list' of branches they want to choose. Each of the 16 branches has a set number of second lieutenants they want/need. To prevent one branch from getting all of the 'best' LTs, each branch will only take 1/2 of the number they want from the top 50% of all the LTs.

Example: Aviation wants to take in 130 lieutenants for 2011. They'll take the first 65 people they come across who have Aviation as their #1 choice, then not accept anyone else until they get to the 50% mark on the OML. Then they re-open and take the next 65 people who want Aviation.

The top 10% nationally get what they want unless the particular branch fills up before they get to the end. After the top 10% choose, each branch looks for people that have filled out ADSOs which is a contract saying "you give me this branch, I'll give you 3 more years Active Duty service". After all the ADSOs are gone, they look for who else requested _x_ branch as they move down the OML."

From what I've seen, USMA works on the straight OML system, but ROTC is completely different. I've been told about the "OML game" where on will fail a PT test to drop himself lower on the oml depending on what percentile s/he is at so that they might get out of the "limbo" area and have a better shot at getting their branch.
 

More than once in my career I have marveled at how someone so lazy, stupid, and generally incapable got their branch of choice. Well, somebody has to be the last guy from the group taken out of the bottom 50%. I assumed it was always straight OML selection. Now it makes sense.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not poo-pooing ROTC as a commissioning source. Turds come from every source, though at USMA they're easier to spot because they usually get the branches no one wants.
 
More than once in my career I have marveled at how someone so lazy, stupid, and generally incapable got their branch of choice. Well, somebody has to be the last guy from the group taken out of the bottom 50%. I assumed it was always straight OML selection. Now it makes sense.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not poo-pooing ROTC as a commissioning source. Turds come from every source, though at USMA they're easier to spot because they usually get the branches no one wants.

That makes sense. There's turds everywhere. Sometimes I wonder the same thing about stuff at school, JROTC, or POLITICS...
 
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