Branches within the Army

cbasalt1

USNA 27'
Joined
Mar 29, 2021
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Could somebody please list the branches that one could choose on branch night at WP and briefly describe what each would in entail?

Thanks.
 
There’s quite a few...

You can start Here with the West Point admissions page describing life after the Academy. It’ll provide links to big Army sites describing each of the branches. When you have a couple that you’d like to narrow down the discussion to, I would recommend coming back and asking about those so you get better answers tailored to your interests.
 
Following on @Casey’s fine advice, if you haven’t yet read every page, link and menu item on USMA.edu, your primary source, I recommend it. Treat it like a research project.
 
Could somebody please list the branches that one could choose on branch night at WP and briefly describe what each would in entail?
@cbasulto1, you’ve received great advice above. As you embark on the journey that is SA and ROTC admissions, build your “primary research” muscle. It’s the one you flex when you realize that basic questions are always covered in the obvious websites, and that the search function above is an excellent way to explore oft-discussed topics.

In your short time here, you’ve asked questions such as how to apply for an ROTC scholarship, and whether someone will list and describe every Army branch. People here are incredibly generous with their time and knowledge — even more so when you’re willing to do some not-so heavy lifting yourself. 😉
 
Normally you don’t go straight into Special Forces or Special Operations, but do at least one assignment first.
Enlisted: Sign an 18X MOS contract from start of Active Duty. Training starts with BCT / Jump School / Infantry at Fort Benning. After Infantry School, class reports to Fort Bragg for SFQC.

Officers: Apply for 18A Branch as a senior First Lieutenant. Wait for acceptance letter then report to Fort Bragg for SFQC.

This was the path many years ago. More than likely, it changed.
 
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Enlisted: Sign an 18X MOS contract from start of Active Duty. Training starts with BCT / Jump School / Infantry at Fort Benning. After Infantry School, class reports to Fort Bragg for SFQC.

Officers: Apply for 18A Branch as a senior First Lieutenant. Wait for acceptance letter then report to Fort Bragg for SFQC.

This was the path many years ago. More than likely, it changed.
Enlisted, yes. But I assumed we were talking about officer assessment since this is the USMA forum.
 
If you accept an appointment to West Point, you should be prepared to serve in Infantry, Armor, or Field Artillery, even if for just the first tour (Chemical also, but the number is small). There is an emphasis on USMA grads serving in combat arms and about 80% of the class will do so when first tour branch details are included in the number.

Some will be able to avoid getting detailed to Infantry, Armor, Field Artillery, or Chemical by being high enough on the OML list or getting a branch that does not get detailed (such as Cyber and most Engineers), but for most it will be a roll of the dice.
 
Enlisted: Sign an 18X MOS contract from start of Active Duty. Training starts with BCT / Jump School / Infantry at Fort Benning. After Infantry School, class reports to Fort Bragg for SFQC.

Officers: Apply for 18A Branch as a senior First Lieutenant. Wait for acceptance letter then report to Fort Bragg for SFQC.

This was the path many years ago. More than likely, it changed.
You left out a minor detail: SFAS (Special Forces Assessment and Selection) for both Officers and Enlisted. That must be successfully completed before possible selection to attend SFQC (Special Forces Qualification Course). It is where most of the attrition takes place. Not all who finish SFAS are selected.
 
Concur. When I went to SFQC post-Vietnam Era (when the instructors were Vietnam vets and the candy stripe Flash was worn) there was no assessment yet. Later the assessment was instituted. On the first day, we took an APFT, combat swim test with full gear, and a 12-mile ruck/60lbs. Pass and stay/Fail and pack.
 
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