the corps of cadets is limited to 4,400 per title 10 us code.
The corps has been over that number.
In the past, wp would bring in a class of about 1300 with the goal to graduate 1000. They could usually count on an apprx. 81% accept rate on the front end and through attrition they would graduate around 1000 each year.
Things changed with the 2014 class. The acceptance rate went up to 87% and because they were very aggressive with loas that year, the class size went in at 1375, 75 more than typically the norm.
within the corps, there has also been less attrition including lower cbt attrition.
more came in - less leaving.
Therefore, wp is making a concerted effort to bring the corps back down to size.
Starting with the 2015 class, less loas were issued and less appts given.
The following classes will continue to be reduced until the corps is back to the authorized strength of 4400 as mandated by congress.
The 'over corps size' has affected other areas.
There is some overcrowding with many 2 man rooms becoming 3 man rooms.
Within the leadership development area - the fluctuating class sizes have caused some issues too.
For example, yearlings are team leaders to the plebes. A yuk per plebe. But, the 2013 class has fewer cadets than the 2014 class. More plebes than yuks so some yuks had 2 plebes and conversely, some plebes had to share a yuk.
This coming year, the opposite will happen. These plebes -now yuks -number more than the incoming plebes (2015). I don't know how that will be handled but could be that some yuks won't get the opportunity to be a team leader.
I'm sure there have been other issues 'with over corps strength' and lopsided classes. Maybe a current cadet can comment on that.