4*s Get New Squadron Assignments

wines60

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Lots of buzz on another Academy forum site regarding squadron appointments for the current 4* class. We knew their first squadron was just for the first year and that this new one will be permanent. Would love to know if there is any rhyme or reason as to how the assignments are made. I understand the legacies, but how are the rest selected. "Inquiring minds want to know!"
 
The 'Squadron Shuffle" is designed to balance out the squadrons' make-up. They try to make the squadrons as close to the same in ratio of male vs. female, Dean's List vs. AcPro, IC athletes vs. non-IC. It balances out the baseline for squadron competitons in things such as GPA. It also helps the upperclasses develop leadership skills to bring new people into the squadron and integrate them for the benefit of the squadron, and helps the newcomers get used to coming into a new unit and working with new people.

With the incoming 4 degrees next year, plus the re-assigned 3 degrees, each squadron is made up of 50% new people each year.

Stealth_81
 
Re-assigned 3 degrees

Thanks Stealth for the post on the squadron shuffle. What are the reasons 3 degrees might get moved of a different squadron before becoming 2 degrees? More balancing or other reasons?
 
Thanks Stealth for the post on the squadron shuffle. What are the reasons 3 degrees might get moved of a different squadron before becoming 2 degrees? More balancing or other reasons?

No 3* becoming 2*s are moved to a new squadron.
 
Which Squadrons are Sijan and which are Vandenburg?
 
There have been 3* going to 2* going to a new squadron; but that's usually been because of a personality conflict or similar. But that is really rare.

I thought that vandy was squadrons 1-20 and sijan was 21-40; but I could be mistaken.
 
Thanks Christcorp

I think I just mis-read Stealth's post and interpreted it to mean some sophomores moved to new squadrons before their junior year. I would imagine that is quite rare indeed.
 
Would I be able to get into a squad through the legacy program if my cousin went through?
 
There have been 3* going to 2* going to a new squadron; but that's usually been because of a personality conflict or similar. But that is really rare.

I thought that vandy was squadrons 1-20 and sijan was 21-40; but I could be mistaken.

1-22 is in Vandy (1-23 prior to renovations).

"Personality conflict" has never been a reason to shuffle a 3 dig. The cases I saw were severe frat cases which usually led to Article 15s or LOAs in which the upperclassman was moved to another squadron as a pseudo-restraining order with instructions never to re-enter the old squadron.
 
The cases I saw were severe frat cases which usually led to Article 15s or LOAs in which the upperclassman was moved to another squadron as a pseudo-restraining order with instructions never to re-enter the old squadron.
Could you please translate this into English? Wouldn't an Article 15 result in disenrollment? What is a "frat" case? I'm sure your use of LOA has got to be different than the ones candidates receive....correct? Thanks.
 
Could you please translate this into English? Wouldn't an Article 15 result in disenrollment? What is a "frat" case? I'm sure your use of LOA has got to be different than the ones candidates receive....correct? Thanks.

I won't speak for hornet, but it's "Possible" he meant LOR. (Letter of Reprimand). But they could have changed the acronyms since I retired 10 years ago.

Hornet: My "Personality Conflict" was a nice way of saying a problem child.
 
Could you please translate this into English? Wouldn't an Article 15 result in disenrollment? What is a "frat" case? I'm sure your use of LOA has got to be different than the ones candidates receive....correct? Thanks.

To answer one question at least, frat is short for fraternization :)wink: yes, I know you probably figured that out!) and means an improper relationship between an upperclassman and a 4th class cadet (or a cadet and an officer, or really anyone in your chain of command that you shouldn't have a relationship with!). However, the vast majority of the time it's between a male and a female, one 4/C and one upperclass.

That was the first thing I thought of too when the question was asked and pretty much the only reason I ever saw someone changed at West Point (we didn't scramble companies when I was there). My son says this year they are really cracking down on what constitutes frat, and although they've now been recognized, they've received a lot of lectures on not being allowed to become "friends" with the upperclass, to the point of getting in trouble for even "friending" them on Facebook. And obviously no dating, etc.

Generally it seems like a basic frat case wouldn't result in someone being changed into another squad (especially since the 4/c scramble at the end of the year anyway) unless it was obviously disruptive to the rest of the squad. But I do agree with you that there seems to be a fine line between what would be that disruptive, cause an Article 15 type situation, and NOT result in getting kicked out as well!
 
I meant an LOR (in that post) but LOA's are also common. Letter of counseling/admonishment/reprimand in increasing severity.

Remember back many months ago we discussed the RIF (reductions in force) and I explained how my 2009 friend was RIF'ed and not allowed to go Reserve (in order to avoid the nice little repayment of tuition) because he had an Article 15 as a 4 dig.

There are cadets with Article 15s. I had 2 2009 grads from my squad who got DUIs and subsequently A15s but were retained (under harsh punishment). Today there might be much less retaining, but they were there with me.

CC- I understand. But, frat is the ONLY time I saw upperclass switches. Even if a person was intensely hated and cause interpersonal problems, switching was never even considered. Frat has been the only thing I ever saw for changing.
 
All academies participate in the 4/c scramble; at least, all of the ones that I know of.

But at SA's like AFA with around 4000 cadets, do you guys ever see the people who you went through 4/c year with that often?

I suppose that's just one of the disadvantages of a bigger academy...
 
All academies participate in the 4/c scramble; at least, all of the ones that I know of.

But at SA's like AFA with around 4000 cadets, do you guys ever see the people who you went through 4/c year with that often?

I suppose that's just one of the disadvantages of a bigger academy...

Poor assumption. Not uncommon for up to 3 people from 4 dig year to go with each other to a new squadron. I saw many of my 4 dig squad mates after whether in class, around my new squadron area, or went out for fun with them. Going to a new squad doesn't mean we don't see them anymore. The "big three" aren't that big. No disadvantage.
 
Yeah, I only saw one person shuffled due to frat, and that is probably the same case Hornet is talking about. (USAFA and that cadet parted ways before graduation.)

It's never a good time to push the limits for stupidity, but now doesn't qualify as a very forgiving time.
 
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