Have heard mostly positive feedback about branch selection so far - still haven't seen any charts.
Some not happy with involuntary branch detail surprises - little transparency in the process.
The lack of transparency is not in the fact that branch detail exists - all are aware of the possibility.Have heard mostly positive feedback about branch selection so far - still haven't seen any charts.
Some not happy with involuntary branch detail surprises - little transparency in the process.
I don't agree with the idea there is little transparency. Cadets know exactly how this works. Career fields that require fewer lieutenants and more field grade officers generate the requirement. They know this. MI branch best illustrates the reality. Spend a few years leading a combat arms platoon, then off to advanced training in MI.
The numbers do get skewed - my understanding is cadets are not told they will not get a branch. They are given a list of the top five branches USMA thinks are the best fit. Thus they know that if they put one of those 1 or 2 they will likely get it.
Aviation, Cyber, Medical school are exceptions - they have specific academic or physical requirements in order to be allowed to select.
Numbers also skewed by branch detail. If they get #1 choice and then get branch detailed to #8, #1 is still recorded in the statistics. As a measure of satisfaction, not likely that the detailed cadet would agree with the methodology.
Some not happy with involuntary branch detail surprises - little transparency in the process.
The numbers do get skewed - my understanding is cadets are not told they will not get a branch. They are given a list of the top five branches USMA thinks are the best fit. Thus they know that if they put one of those 1 or 2 they will likely get it.
You are referring to when class rank was the predominant factor in branch selection.The numbers do get skewed - my understanding is cadets are not told they will not get a branch. They are given a list of the top five branches USMA thinks are the best fit. Thus they know that if they put one of those 1 or 2 they will likely get it.
Self selection happens when reality kicks in when you get your class ranking. Very few cadets that I've seen still put something #1 that they knew was completely out of their reach. If you didn't put in the work to rank in the top quarter of your class, don't expect to get your #1 if you're going for something competitive. Its also still the cool part of West Point. Even with the branch feedback and mentorship happening, the majority of the branch selection still lies on you as the cadet. The work you put in is correlated to how much you control your destiny.
Good luck to all the new Army Aviators! Your new branch is a blast!
Would anyone expect them to show videos of the unhappy Firsties?
Two years ago, if memory serves correct. A happy video inadvertently captured a cadet in the background - holding the just opened envelope and clearly not celebrating. Didn't go viral and was quickly removed from social media; Cadets do not revel in the disappointment of their comrades and certainly do not deliberately publicize it.Would anyone expect them to show videos of the unhappy Firsties?
You think the videos I am referring to were captured by COMCAM or officially sanctioned source? The videos I have seen are captured by Cadets, and cover the entire auditorium. You think videos of unhappy Firsties would not hit the interwebs? Let me know if you find one...
You are referring to when class rank was the predominant factor in branch selection.The numbers do get skewed - my understanding is cadets are not told they will not get a branch. They are given a list of the top five branches USMA thinks are the best fit. Thus they know that if they put one of those 1 or 2 they will likely get it.
Self selection happens when reality kicks in when you get your class ranking. Very few cadets that I've seen still put something #1 that they knew was completely out of their reach. If you didn't put in the work to rank in the top quarter of your class, don't expect to get your #1 if you're going for something competitive. Its also still the cool part of West Point. Even with the branch feedback and mentorship happening, the majority of the branch selection still lies on you as the cadet. The work you put in is correlated to how much you control your destiny.
Good luck to all the new Army Aviators! Your new branch is a blast!