SLS/SLE fate TBD

oldcorpsdad

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Jan 17, 2011
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103
Page 12 of the Pointer View has the complete list of cuts that have been decided and those proposed:

http://www.westpoint.edu/pv/Pointer%20View%20Archive/13JAN24.pdf

Pointer View Page 12:

We are considering implementing the following
longer-term actions for fiscal year 2013 and owe a
response to HQDA by Friday.
• Suspend all external conference participation by
USMA personnel unless directed by higher headquarters;
• Suspend all West Point hosted conferences unless
directed by higher headquarters;
• Suspend Summer Leadership Seminar (Summer
Leadership Experience);
• Limit cadet summer training to meet BOLC A tasks
only (consider suspending CLDT);
• Suspend all Semester Abroad Programs for fall
semester;
• Limit Individual Advanced Developments (lADs)
to one per cadet over the 47-month experience (includes
academic, military and physical lADs);
• Waive or amend graduation requirements to meet
funding restrictions;
• Implement a 22-day, non-consecutive furlough for
all civilians.
 
Interesting....

There has been an interesting downward trend the past few years and reduction of forces. Technology is becoming more and more the focus of removing forces from dangerous and/or human limitations. And the ending of operations in the middle east. I wonder how this will affect on the Class of 2017.


Push Hard, Press Forward
 
Not Really Sure

In my opinion (this is me personally), I don't think they'll completely do away with SLE. That's really their main way to sell USMA to really qualified applicants who are probably on the fence between service academies (many SLE attendants go to USAFA SS and USNA SS as well).

Again, just my opinion. Although I don't think they'd prioritize SLE over the training of the actual cadets who are already there either, so who knows.
 
Especially since the candidates pay their own way there. Couldn't they just raise the costs a bit to help cover it? I think your average serious candidate wouldn't balk at paying $450 or whatever vs. $350 (still cheaper than the sports camps). Guess that helps explain some though why no decisions have come out yet.
 
There have been some noticeable changes over the year. A lot of emphasis put to saving money, recycling, and cutting down costs. I've noticed that now in some offices, an officer will PCS out, and the spot they were in will remain unfilled to save money.

Clubs are being disbanded as well. I personally have been in a club that was discontinued due to money, with the reason being the trips we took were costing too much.

It is sad to see the downward trend, but at the same time, there are still so many opportunities here for cultural immersion, academic and military trips so I can see where they are cutting the "excess" in some perspectives.

CLDT...not many cadets will be sad to see that go..
 
CLDT...not many cadets will be sad to see that go..

Can I ask why? It seems like it would be a very valuable program to go through as a future Army Officer. I would love it if USCGA had a program that allowed you to simulate situations such as a boarding or interdiction (migrants and drugs) or coordinating SAR cases. It seems like an invaluable experience.
 
Can I ask why? It seems like it would be a very valuable program to go through as a future Army Officer. I would love it if USCGA had a program that allowed you to simulate situations such as a boarding or interdiction (migrants and drugs) or coordinating SAR cases. It seems like an invaluable experience.

Most cadets don't like the idea of CLDT because it often turns into more of a haze (not actually hazing, just annoying*) rather than a training environment. combine that with the fact that most of the cadets there will not be going into manuever branches, and you get a whole lotta suck with not much training value.
 
I won't be sad whatso ever if CLDT gets canceled. I know alot of people say they learned a lot, but I also hear that it is pretty much a watered down ranger school and one big "haze" (for lack of a better word)

As someone who has no intention of branching infantry, I see CLDT as something I don't really need, and a block of time that could be better spent training for my future branch.

I hope West Point will keep in mind that most people won't be branching infantry, and that a 2 week expereince involving infantry training could been seen as a waste of money.

SLS however, candidates have to pay for it, so I see that as less likely to be canceled. The other options seem quite valid though.
 
I hope West Point will keep in mind that most people won't be branching infantry, and that a 2 week expereince involving infantry training could been seen as a waste of money.

I would rather it become a prerequisite for branching combat arms and go through it with other people that wanted to and had a purpose for being there. :thumb:
 
As someone who has no intention of branching infantry, I see CLDT as something I don't really need, and a block of time that could be better spent training for my future branch.

This statement saddens me. Infantry tactics are the base for everything the Army does. Having a working knowledge of Infantry tactics will make you a better officer no matter what your branch is.

What do you hope your Future Branch will be and why do you not think that knowing Infantry tactics will prepare you for it?

By the way, I am an Armor officer.
 
I would rather it become a prerequisite for branching combat arms and go through it with other people that wanted to and had a purpose for being there. :thumb:

I think that would also be a good idea. It would also (likely) increase the level of training since there wouldn't be all those other people there.

This statement saddens me. Infantry tactics are the base for everything the Army does. Having a working knowledge of Infantry tactics will make you a better officer no matter what your branch is.

What do you hope your Future Branch will be and why do you not think that knowing Infantry tactics will prepare you for it?

By the way, I am an Armor officer.

I didn't mean we all shouldn't learn about basic infantry tactics, I am spot on with you there. However, we do get quite a bit of exposure without CLDT. We have Beast, Buckner, MS100, MS200, and MS300, plus a potential leadership detail out there and various other training events throughout the year. The point I meant was that we do get that basic understanding and that CLDT could be better used on those would intend on using it. I do understand the infanty is the foundation of the Army, but I would also like some training in the other branches as well. For me, it seems like we focus solely on infantry while ignoring the others. In the end, it would be alot easier to chose a branch if we had more exposure/training in the others.

I want to branch AG, QM, or SC.
 
USMA Admissions

Friday in an email reply said that to date nothing has changed and SLE is continuing. Of course that could change any moment. Anyone heard anything to the contrary?

Have not heard that USAFA and/or USCGA are considering any change of their Summer Sem's at all. Doesn't seem the best cost-cutting option to me.
 
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