Branching

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gill0610

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Apr 22, 2016
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I know I have seen some posts on the new branching system for AROTC but I’m still not clear as to how it works. DS is a junior and is telling me he has to put in his preferences for branching now already. I believe in the past this was done after camp / junior year at which point they would know where they stood on the OML. He is an engineering major and would like to branch Corps of Engineers but says it’s pretty competitive. His grades are good and he is doing well in ROTC but he is very stressed about the whole process to the point where he us suddenly considering requesting National Guard. Any thoughts / tips? Thanks
 
Are you sure the thoughts about National Gard are a result of the stress? Might it not be that he wants to make sure he can work as an engineer? The Guard would allow that to happen.
 
I think I remember last year my DD putting in her top 5 her MS3 year. My understanding was this was to start the conversation. It was also part of a class assignment so that everyone researched a branch and gave a brief on it. This is different than listing branches 1 to 17 (or 1 to 15 for females not “opting in” for infantry or armor). i also remember it feeling stressful for her as well because she felt like she didn’t know what she wanted. It is possible it is different now with the new system, but I would suspect this is just part of the process of getting them thinking about it. The difference when it is official is it is entered into the system, a meeting with the PMS is set to go over the choices, his/her recommendation, OML score (need to go to camp first) and the cadets personal statement. The TAB is also reviewed. Also, the request for NG vs AD also happens early in the fall after camp. So he has lots of time to think about that too. I would definitely check in around this, my guess would be that this list is not official and can be changed many times in the next year. FYI, my DD has changed MANY times and changed again the week before she listed it this September. Now it is final and she should know in 10 days what her branch is, so we are all anxiously waiting. I know it will be a little different with the new system, but a year different seems unlikely.

Can any ROO’s weigh in?
 
kinnem said:
Are you sure the thoughts about National Gard are a result of the stress? Might it not be that he wants to make sure he can work as an engineer? The Guard would allow that to happen.
Click to expand...

That may be part of it although I think it’s more a fear of getting something he really doesn’t want (not going to say what that is as I don’t want to offend anybody), rather than a fear of not getting engineering, if that makes sense
 
Dckc88 said:
I think I remember last year my DD putting in her top 5 her MS3 year. My understanding was this was to start the conversation. It was also part of a class assignment so that everyone researched a branch and gave a brief on it. This is different than listing branches 1 to 17 (or 1 to 15 for females not “opting in” for infantry or armor). i also remember it feeling stressful for her as well because she felt like she didn’t know what she wanted. It is possible it is different now with the new system, but I would suspect this is just part of the process of getting them thinking about it. The difference when it is official is it is entered into the system, a meeting with the PMS is set to go over the choices, his/her recommendation, OML score (need to go to camp first) and the cadets personal statement. The TAB is also reviewed. Also, the request for NG vs AD also happens early in the fall after camp. So he has lots of time to think about that too. I would definitely check in around this, my guess would be that this list is not official and can be changed many times in the next year. FYI, my DD has changed MANY times and changed again the week before she listed it this September. Now it is final and she should know in 10 days what her branch is, so we are all anxiously waiting. I know it will be a little different with the new system, but a year different seems unlikely.

Can any ROO’s weigh in?
Click to expand...

Good luck. Hope she gets what she wants! Thanks for the input.
 
gill0610 said:
That may be part of it although I think it’s more a fear of getting something he really doesn’t want (not going to say what that is as I don’t want to offend anybody), rather than a fear of not getting engineering, if that makes sense
Click to expand...
Makes perfect sense. All I can say is everybody is going through the same thing. Not everyone gets a preferred choice, but many do. You on;y live once... he should just go for it IMHO.
 
Our DS commissioned last year out of CP and had to put his top 5 choices into Cadre/Cadet Command. Had a decent OML ranking in the unit and wanted Infantry. Put in ADSO in case he needed it. Turns out he did not, Signal selected him and branch detailed him to Infantry until Captains Career Course and which point he moves to Signal unless given opportunity to remain Infantry. He’s currently at IBOLC and enjoying it after a summer off.
good luck
 
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