2019 Branching

Can someone explain the differences in the the Blue, Green, and Red parts of the chart? This non-military brain can't follow the terminology and abbreviations.
 
milmomsomeday said:
Can someone explain the differences in the the Blue, Green, and Red parts of the chart? This non-military brain can't follow the terminology and abbreviations.
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The Blue section of the chart shows the first 40% of the branch totals selected, this is done by the cadets position on the OML. they select from those cadets that listed their branches based on their Order of Merit List (OML). Once they fill 40% of the allocation for that branch they move to the next section.

The next section, I assume the one you call green, fills the allocation for each branch up to the 55% mark, these selected are those that signed an ADSO (Additional Duty Service Obligation) meaning they will extend their service obligation by 3 years to try and get the branch they want. The OML plays a part in this as well as they fill to the 55% mark.

The Red section is the DABM, which means this is where they fill the remaining 45% of the branch allocation, the OML does not have as much of a roll to play here. The Army can and does make branch selections from all over the remaining OML to fill the final 45% of the branch. I don't think anybody here really knows how they make their decisions during this phase. Some have equated it to throwing darts at a dart board, but I'm sure they have a method they use.

This is why during branching you will hear stories about a cadet that had a very low position on the OML getting a highly sought after branch because they fell into that red section. This is why cadets should always place their selection options in order of what they want because even if they don't fall into one of the other two categories, they still have a chance at the branch they want.

While it seems like this would all play out in order, there are always some happy surprises during branching and some disappointments. Unless the cadet is in the top 10% of the active duty OML, which guarantees them their branch selection, they are at the discretion and needs of the Army.
 
Jcleppe said:
The Blue section of the chart shows the first 40% of the branch totals selected, this is done by the cadets position on the OML. they select from those cadets that listed their branches based on their Order of Merit List (OML). Once they fill 40% of the allocation for that branch they move to the next section.

The next section, I assume the one you call green, fills the allocation for each branch up to the 55% mark, these selected are those that signed an ADSO (Additional Duty Service Obligation) meaning they will extend their service obligation by 3 years to try and get the branch they want. The OML plays a part in this as well as they fill to the 55% mark.

The Red section is the DABM, which means this is where they fill the remaining 45% of the branch allocation, the OML does not have as much of a roll to play here. The Army can and does make branch selections from all over the remaining OML to fill the final 45% of the branch. I don't think anybody here really knows how they make their decisions during this phase. Some have equated it to throwing darts at a dart board, but I'm sure they have a method they use.

This is why during branching you will hear stories about a cadet that had a very low position on the OML getting a highly sought after branch because they fell into that red section. This is why cadets should always place their selection options in order of what they want because even if they don't fall into one of the other two categories, they still have a chance at the branch they want.

While it seems like this would all play out in order, there are always some happy surprises during branching and some disappointments. Unless the cadet is in the top 10% of the active duty OML, which guarantees them their branch selection, they are at the discretion and needs of the Army.
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Awesome! Thanks so much! I know this was an old thread, but am trying to learning as much about AROTC as I can. Your description really helps me understand the importance of selection options and working their tail off to try to get in that top group. Much appreciated!
 
This is probably a pretty elementary question, but I've read that with ROTC, you're not guaranteed Active Duty. What % doesn't end up active duty (or does, I could do THAT math)? And that means they're in the reserves or national guard? Does that increase their commitment to serve since they're not on active duty?
 
NJDadofDSUSMA2024Hopeful said:
What % doesn't end up active duty ?
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It varies year by year depending on the needs of the Army. In 2012 it was cited that of 5,300 Army ROTC cadets commissioning 900 did not receive their preference of AD (some cadets prefer to go reserve or NG). Remember that this applies to AROTC and not USMA which is all AD.
In addition, Senior Military Colleges such as VMI, and The Citadel, assure AROTC cadets active duty so long as they are approved by the PMS.
NJDadofDSUSMA2024Hopeful said:
And that means they're in the reserves or national guard?
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That is correct.
NJDadofDSUSMA2024Hopeful said:
Does that increase their commitment to serve since they're not on active duty?
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No. If the Army ROTC cadet signs a contract, the service obligation will be 8 years. However, how the cadet will serve those 8 years depends on where the cadet goes. If the cadet goes into the National Guard or Army Reserve, he/she will have to serve all 8 years serving part-time (1 weekend a month and 2 weeks during the summer). If he/she goes active duty, the officer will serve 4 years full-time and 4 years on the individual ready reserve, meaning that he or she will only have to perform military duties if called up in a state of national emergency. A non-scholarship cadet can serve 3 years active duty followed by five in the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR)

Sources:
https://www.tcu360.com/story/15323rotc-cadets-choose-military-path-upon-graduation/
https://armyrotc.cornell.edu/faq/
https://www.goarmy.com/rotc/service-commitment.html
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/2111a
 
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AROTC-dad said:
It varies year by year depending on the needs of the Army. In 2012 it was cited that of 5,300 Army ROTC cadets commissioning 900 did not receive their preference of AD (some cadets prefer to go reserve or NG). Remember that this applies to AROTC and not USMA which is all AD.

That is correct.

No. If the Army ROTC cadet signs a contract, the service obligation will be 8 years. However, how the cadet will serve those 8 years depends on where the cadet goes. If the cadet goes into the National Guard or Army Reserve, he/she will have to serve all 8 years serving part-time (1 weekend a month and 2 weeks during the summer). If he/she goes active duty, the officer will serve 4 years full-time and 4 years on the individual ready reserve, meaning that he or she will only have to perform military duties if called up in a state of national emergency. A non-scholarship cadet can serve 3 years active duty followed by five in the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR)

Sources:
https://www.tcu360.com/story/15323rotc-cadets-choose-military-path-upon-graduation/
https://armyrotc.cornell.edu/faq/
https://www.goarmy.com/rotc/service-commitment.html
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Perfect, thank you.
 
My son reports at his SMC this year 3 cadets below the cut off (that number is yet unknown) received the required PMS recommendation for active duty. Still unclear (to me) how many did not.
 
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