USACC Changes

-Bull-

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I thought I'd start a new thread to post all of this info. All of this info is coming from 2 slide decks directly from USACC and a few pages of notes from the CG briefing. Some things could change so don't take any of this as gold, but this is what is being given out right now. I don't claim to be an expert or insider on any of this, just got some notes that you all may find interesting.

I'll try and break things up so it stays somewhat organized, but I apologize if it turns out long and confusing. It may take multiple posts to get it all out, I'll try to keep the boring and irrelevant stuff out.

Updated OML and Accessions: (From USACC Slide Deck)

Commander's Intent: (only the key parts/changes)
  • Balance local measures (PMS assessments) with national measures (standardized/objective) with emphasis on long-termed sustained Cadet performance.
  • Eliminate perceived biases (local PMS, school GPA, and academic)
  • Provide predictability for Cadets in MSIV year. (job fairs/internships)
  • Shift annual accessions board to left (Summer)

Revision of the ROTC OML Model:
  • OML weighting criteria will continue to influence our educational and training programs
  • USACC is modifying the evaluation criteria for implementation in Academic Year 2015-2016 (incoming college juniors)
  • USACC will now focus on developing leadership competencies and attributes instead of previously evaluated events
  • Our challenge is to develop an objective OML model that measures talent, knowledge, skill, character and the potential to serve while incentivizing specified behaviors in our desired outcome goals

FY16 OML Model (Pre-Decisional)-
1. Academic Outcomes (50%)
  • Standardized Testing (21.0)
  • --MSIII Final Exam (7), CLA+ (7), MAT (7)
  • Cumulative GPA (20.0) (through spring semester junior year;excludes ROTC GPA)
  • Academic Discipline (ADM 3 or 4) (4.0)
  • Command Interest Items (5.0)
2. Leadership Outcomes (35%)
  • PMS Experience Based Observations (25.0)
  • ----OER (12.5) , PMS OML (12.5)
  • Cadet Training/Extracurricular Activities (5.0)
  • Language/Cultural Awareness (5.0)
3. Physical Outcomes (15%)
  • APFT (13.0)
  • --Current Fall Semester (6.5), Current Spring Semester (6.5)
  • Athletics (2.0)

Note: Each OML component (except ADM) is scored using a weighted "Standardized Normal" distribution for that cohort.

Upcoming Changes:
  • FY16 Accessions
  • -Completion of Branching files shifts to spring/summer from fall
  • -No more PMS Accessions OML/Accessions comments
  • -MSIII CER (OER) will be final inputs from ROTC program
  • -Standardized tests given at CLC
  • -OML and Component selection completed in late August/early September (after test results are returned)
  • -Cadets will receive component selection by mid-September
  • -Branching and Ed Delay board remain in October

Recruiting and Marketing For The Future: (I will only include AD and total, not every section breakdown unless requested)
-FY15: AD- 2640 Total- 5350
-FY16: AD- 2640 Total- 5350
-FY17: AD- 2640 Total- 5065
-FY18: AD- 2740 Total- 5065
-FY19: AD- 2740 Total- 5065

Other Notes:
  • Those wanting Law School must have a completed LSAT and a score of at least 156 on it.
  • FY16: Will require those wanting Infantry-Armor-Field Artillery-Engineer to PASS physical battery of tests
  • ---Tasks for tests are being determined
  • ---Both males AND females will have to take these tests if they want those branches
  • ---If they fail the tests, they cannot request those branches

Only other thing really covered on this was about the requirements for commissioning and it just stressed that if any of the requirements were not met, the cadet could NOT, under any circumstances, do a "mock" commissioning. (Everything above is from a USACC slide deck)

Next, I'll pass on some highlights from the CG's brief. There is quite a bit on here (the brief was 3.5 hours long), so I'll try to only give the highlights. It will most likely take multiple posts, so I'll break it up into general comments on the overall concept of the BOLD Transformation, then in subsequent posts I'll hit on her comments on the OML, CLC, CIET, What We Are For, Restructuring, and Other.

  • Why are we doing the BOLD (Basic Officer Leadership Development) Transformation:
  • -Put ROTC in line with Army of 2020 concepts
  • -Create leaders that are comfortable with ambiguity
  • -Meet Army Operating Concept of 2025 intent
  • ---Why? Officers who will be Majors in 2025 (planners, etc.) are those who are on our college campuses now.

  • In order to thrive in chaos, leaders must be able to use thinking skills to seize, hold, and exploit initiative.
  • Previous learning models had an 85% Knowledge (Task-based) learning vs. 15% Education; In order to better develop critical thinkers, this requires a transition to a 15% Knowledge vs. 85% Education-based model.
  • New curriculum emphasizes the following model:
  • --Pre-Reading (Comprehension)
  • --Lecture (Gives Understanding)
  • --Leadership Labs (Practical Application)
  • --Analysis and Synthesis

  • Tactics can be useful for ROTC, however, it must emphasize critical thinking skills and team building, not primarily for checklist-based training
  • MS4 Cadets are the priority for Leadership Development; we must get out of the paradigm of preparing MS3s for LDAC as main focus

CLC
  • CLC will look nothing like LDAC.
  • There will no accessions points for CLC
  • There will be continued flexibility allowed for sending STEM/Nursing Cadets to CLC at end of second year.
  • There is no APFT at CLC, CG trusts programs know hot to administer APFT on campus.
  • No Land Nav Lane Evaluations, Land Nav will be assessed during the Capstone Event when determining if Cadets can get their units from Point A to B for a mission.
  • To prepare cadets for CLC, teach the curriculum that is coming out. Notion is not to prepare MS3 Cadets solely for CLC. (Answer to question of What do I need to do to prepare Cadets for CLC)
  • The points previously for LDAC will now primarily go into the Cadet OER, which feeds the OML.
  • All Cadets going to CLC will have to do/have a cadet OER Support Form (focusing on goals, outcomes of each cadet).
  • The CLC TAC Teams (approx. 4 people per PLT, made up of a mix of FORSCOM/TRADOC personnel) will stay with PLT every day.
  • There will be a Cadet OER given at the end of CLC; will feed the MS4 initial counseling for the OER Support Form (Fall of Senior year).
  • At the end of CLC, there will be a Mission Command Immersive Exercise (Field Environment-9 Days).
  • Must be a team player, a bad attitude will get a cadet sent home.


CLC Concept Model:
  • Upon arrival to CLC, Cadets broken into platoons with platoons being either BLUEFOR or OPFOR, but both with similar operating styles.
  • Cadets will receive an OPORD (environment will be immersive).
  • Entire concept revolves around a "Deployment to Atropia"
  • All training will mirror phases of Theater Specific Training.
  • Will be daily intelligence "dumps"
  • Cadets will perform mission rehearsal training
  • Capstone Event at end of CLC
  • --Will be a 9-day event, Cadets will be on a Combat Outpost (COP)
  • --First 1-2 days will be cadre led for training purposes
  • --Will be missions in which a cadet will have 12-14 hours to plan, perform TLPs, and execute a mission
  • --Will be mostly Platoon level missions with some Company level missions
  • --During the 12-14 hours, variables may occur (TAC-Team driven and control pace), such as attacks on the COP, FPCON elevation, Civilians on Battlefield, etc.
  • --# of leadership iterations a cadet will get depends on individual leadership development needs
  • Upon return from Capstone Event, Cadets will take the GAT (Global Assessment Tool) and MSAF.

I'll continue working on the rest
 
Continued

CIET
  • Will no longer be use as a national recruiting camp. 2015 will be last of this type and there will be changes to training model next year.
  • Current LTC model was inefficient if cadets were not contracting after camp
  • All cadet training at Ft Knox after 2015 will be for Contracted Cadets only.
  • CIET will be the task-based training
  • Prior Service (Any Branch) will not go to CIET
  • -PMS can make exception if he/she feels the cadet needs more development
  • SMP Cadets who have completed BCT cannot go to CIET
  • There will be 480 squad leader positions in CIET for MS3 Cadets to facilitate more leader development
  • -Will be composed of following model: 1 week task training/certification, 2 weeks CIET as squad leader, then 4 weeks of CLC
  • -Last 2 CIET Regimental squad leaders will use training model of: 4 weeks CLC, 1 week task training/certification, 2 weeks CIET

OML:
  • Purpose is not to rack and stack cadets, but to measure outcomes
  • Looking to raise quality
  • -Using standardized tests (Miller Analogies Test (MAT), Collegiate Learning Assessment + (CLA+ with writing component), and MSIII Final Exam) all given at CLC
  • Reason for standardized testing is that some officers currently in the army cannot write
  • -10 Majors were dismissed from ILE this year because they could not read or write on a 10th Grade level, and only top 50% of Majors were selected for Resident ILE Course.
  • -BOLC-B is now starting to give remedial English classes if they do not pass reading/writing tests upon entry
  • Tests given for OML will be in 1st week of CLC
  • A pilot version of the MSIII final exam was given at LDAC this year with an average score of 47/100.
  • GPA reduced by half on OML
  • -CG felt this was more of a commitment outcome rather than a true measure of intellect
  • More points given for ADM4 (Engineering) and ADM3 (Science) majors
  • -ADM 1 & 2 Majors can only score a maximum of 97 OML points
  • -Found a good average GPA for Engineering graduates to be a 2.7 based on surveying engineering programs
  • Cyber is now a branch in the Army, will be a branch choice for OML purposes next year
  • Goal for next year's OML is to have Component List by end of August, no later than mid-September to allow cadets branched reserve forces to find jobs.
  • -Found that post-LDAC/CLC CERs made only a 2% differing to OML ranking at most
  • -Branch boards will meet after to determine best fit of cadets to branches
  • SecArmy will take brief in January 2015 about feasibility of opening Infantry and Armor branches to females
  • -Those who branch FY15 and desire to change to IN or AR can request via form 4187

What We Are For: (What USACC's role is)
  • Develop Leaders of Character for the Nation, Across the Nation
  • Maintain SROTC/JROTC partnership
  • -SROTC Cadet to JROTC Cadet Mentorship Program (could lead to OML points)
  • Cadre/Staff Development
  • -Implement Cadre Pre-Development Course to prepare transition to academia
  • Looking to reduce time for Cadre in ROTC to 2 years in position, not including Pre-Development Course time

Restructuring (Manning/System Changes):
  • Reason for this is that there is no regional mission command
  • Reducing number of staff at program level is bearing on the problem, but not the reason why restructuring is occurring
  • In the future, possible that there could be 40-50 ROTC Battalion (regional-type) Commanders
  • -Command Team would be composed of a LTC and CSM or SGM
  • -PMS positions may change from LTC to MAJ ranks at program-level positions
  • -The MAJ (PMS) positions would count as KD time
  • Intent is that by end of FY16, it will be all Military/DA Civilians as Cadre, no Contractor positions remaining (currently only 214 Contractors)
  • Looking to put more non-KD Captains into APMS positions due to lack of KD qualified Captains to keep in the force
  • Some ROOs may be moved to a regional level, forming ROO teams to target centers of need
  • Looking to change the way scholarship payments are paid, current system is inefficient

Other:
  • CBEF (Cadet Background and Experiences Form) is a major part of the national scholarship process and has given good dividends
  • -Before CBEF, 4 year scholarship cadets had a 48% attrition rate
  • -After CBEF, it dropped to 27%
  • Looking to integrate CBEF into contracting process for those that have not done it yet, will have to complete before contracting
  • Looking to bring ASVAB into effect for ROTC
  • -Would have to score a 110 before contracting

Enjoy
 
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[*]Reason for standardized testing is that some officers currently in the army cannot write

[*]-10 Majors were dismissed from ILE this year because they could not read or write on a 10th Grade level, and only top 50% of Majors were selected for Resident ILE Course.

[*]-BOLC-B is now starting to give remedial English classes if they do not pass reading/writing tests upon entry

Huh?

Thanks for the posts Bull. They are very worthwhile, even if a few bullet points are little disturbing.
 
Yea, that part was very interesting. They were in masters level courses, so I don't even know how they made it through undergrad and half a career.

I'm curious to know if these remedial English classes are called "No Lieutenant Left Behind."
 
Good Poop

Thanks for posting....
 
Bull, thank you for the update. You prepared a fine summary of fast moving events. I look forward to your posts to this thread.
 
Thanks for the update!

My son is a contracted MSII... they are getting 0 info from their command right now (which is understandable). At first he was frustrated but has since decided this is just part of the training to prepare for the real Army. It at least helps with the stress to know the direction it appears to be moving.
 
Bull,
Thank you so much for your detailed info!
Son is a MS IV, and has been anxious for any info on the AD/Branching situation, which I shared from another thread.
Then shared this with him so he could share with his fellow MS IIIs and below, again, much appreciated...
Hopefully all cadets that will be commissioning this graduating year will hear good news in the days and weeks to come, and the other cadets will now have a (little??) better understanding what is expected in the years ahead, until it changes...
 
Thank You

My DS is a contracted MSI, and is very confused about what lies ahead and what he will need to accomplish in the next 4 years to be commissioned on active duty. Thank you for the update, some information is better than none.
 
My DS is a contracted MSI, and is very confused about what lies ahead and what he will need to accomplish in the next 4 years to be commissioned on active duty. Thank you for the update, some information is better than none.

The process seems a lot more involved now, a lot more moving parts.

In the past a cadet with a good GPA and a strong APFT along with decent standing in the Battalion could be pretty confident in getting Active Duty. The new system has so many variables that I don't think cadets will be able to assume anything anymore. Given the point spread now for the Academic ADM's and the OER system, I think when it comes to accessions, every cadet will be on the edge until the results come out. The standardized testing could make r break a cadet no matter how everything else looks.

Non Stem majors will be at a big disadvantage with the maximum allowed points starting at 97. It looks like if you want Active Duty, the cadet should look strongly at a STEM major given that they will also receive an additional 4 extra points. Part of the reason they are doing the standardized testing is due to a lack of writing skills, I hope all the STEM majors will be able to fit in a few English and Research Writing classes.

Looks like there will be a lot more turn over in Cadre in the future, that's to bad, I though 3 years was a good length to get a handle on the program, I could be wrong.

I feel a bit sorry for the current MS3's, they started the program under the old system and it's to late for them to switch majors, many of them will take the hit this year. To me it would have been better to start the new system with the MS2's and 1's since they have time to adjust to the new system.

I did find one comment a little strange, they say that CC looked at low GPA's as a lack of commitment rather then a lack of intelligence, wouldn't a lack of commitment be just as bad.

A lot of what has changed in the past couple years was said to be done to prevent cadets from "Gaming the System" I don't see that changing much. More cadets will choose STEM majors to give them a boost, this will have some bad outcomes when cadets realize they are not suited for the major they selected. Cadets will always find a way to try and maximize their standing no matter what system they put in place.

Critical thinking, the ability to research, and good communication is not exclusive to STEM majors, some might even argue that there is a place for History and Poly Sci majors in the Army. Front loading the Army with STEM majors may not have the end result they are looking for. In my opinion there needs to be a balance, the new system does not promote that balance.

Sorry for rambling all over the place, these were just my first reactions.

EDIT:

Don't get me wrong, I think that some of the changes CC has made are for the better, I agree with lowering the points for the GPA and giving a boost to STEM majors, not so much the decision to max the points at 97 for non STEM. The changes to the old LDAC could work out well. The Standardized testing?, well the jury is still out on that one.

Oh, one other thing, that CBEF, I wonder how many applicants did not receive a scholarship based solely on that test. I would imagine there had to be quite a few considering the stats they show for the attrition rate. My younger son, current MS4, took that test with his application, I don't think everyone that applied that year took the test so I assume it was a trial period. I wonder if the attrition rate had more to do with the fact that they were handing out more 4 year scholarships in the past, prior to 2010 and the competition for the scholarships was not as high. With fewer scholarships, CC has had the chance to be more selective, just wondering if that didn't have more of an impact on the attrition rate.

I will be very interested to see how the ASVAB fits into all of this.

Yep, one more thing. The new push to have SROTC cadets be mentors for JROTC cadets, something they say could lead to OML points, adding this to the already mentor programs in place between upperclass and underclass cadets, I hope they leave them time to focus on their academics. Also, what if there are no local JROTC groups around the college or just not many, this leave some cadets without the opportunities others may have to pad the OML.

It's going to be an interesting year.
 
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My DS is a contracted MSI, and is very confused about what lies ahead and what he will need to accomplish in the next 4 years to be commissioned on active duty. Thank you for the update, some information is better than none.

It is a lot of info to digest. If I am reading this correctly, CIET and CLC will be held consecutively the summer between MSII and MSIII year?
 
It is a lot of info to digest. If I am reading this correctly, CIET and CLC will be held consecutively the summer between MSII and MSIII year?

Not quite. I had to read it a couple times, your right, a lot to digest.

CIET will be for cadets between their MS2 and MS3 year.

Some of the MS3's that attend CLC will also be Squad Leaders for the CIET course. These cadets will have already completed CIET the previous year.
 
If component decisions are moving toward Aug/Sept, will cadets do their preference sheets at the end of the MSIII school year?
 
Bull, thank you for taking the time to post the series of summaries of planned changes. It was an excellent overview.

One question I have concerns the 48% attrition rate indicated for 4 year scholarship cadets. Does the attrition refer to the percentage of officers who leave after the required term of service (i.e., 4 years for Active Duty). It's hard to believe the alternative - 48% leave AROTC before beginning the MS2 year.
 
One question I have concerns the 48% attrition rate indicated for 4 year scholarship cadets. Does the attrition refer to the percentage of officers who leave after the required term of service (i.e., 4 years for Active Duty). It's hard to believe the alternative - 48% leave AROTC before beginning the MS2 year.

Aaaahhh, I never looked at it that way, you could be right, that could make more sense. Of course that being said, when my younger son started his MS1 year he was one of three 4 year scholarship cadets, by the end of the year he was the only one left, so who knows.
 
If component decisions are moving toward Aug/Sept, will cadets do their preference sheets at the end of the MSIII school year?

Sounds like that would be the case. Even for this years cadets that will commission in the spring, they filled out most of the paperwork at the end of their MS3 year, of course they had the chance to change it around this fall before the final due date to submit. Looks like they will want everything complete before they head off to CLC, then CC will just add in the Standardized testing scores.

Like I said, it's going to be very interesting to see how things go for this years MS3's
 
Bull, thank you for taking the time to post the series of summaries of planned changes. It was an excellent overview.

One question I have concerns the 48% attrition rate indicated for 4 year scholarship cadets. Does the attrition refer to the percentage of officers who leave after the required term of service (i.e., 4 years for Active Duty). It's hard to believe the alternative - 48% leave AROTC before beginning the MS2 year.

I believe it is 48% attrition of scholarship cadets making it to commissioning, not just to the MSII year.
 
Purpose is not to rack and stack cadets, but to measure outcomes

I found this line to be interesting. Even though the purpose is not to "Rack and Stack" the cadets, their placement position on the OML will still determine whether they get Active Duty and effect their branch selection. Isn't that by definition, Racking and Stacking.
 
I think all of the branches having such a heavy STEM focus is not ideal.

just my opinion.

I agree here. STEM majors are great, but I think STEM and non-STEM both have their pros and cons. I've seen great Cadets come from both. I see the technical aspect of it, but there is a lot more to what makes a great Officer than their technical skills.
 
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