Cadet Ratings

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SAhopeful123

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How is a cadet's class rank determined and how does this relate to branch assignments? From what I've read, there is the Cadet Award Score and the Cadet Performance Score. Are these the same thing, did one replace the other, or are they totally separate? I understand that it is important to excel in all areas regardless of whether or not you are being scored, but I would really appreciate any insight.
 
Others will be much better at answering this, but because no one has yet I will offer my simplistic understanding gathered as a father of a rising Yuk. There are academic grades for classes, and military grades for most other things. Some things count for both, like the grade in military science classes. While the academic grade counts for a higher percentage of your overall rank, the military grade still counts for a lot. I can't remember the percentages. The overall class rank is what they use in deciding your branch selection.
 
Going off of memory, so jump in if I'm off on something.

The components and weights for class rank are academic (55%), military (30%), and physical (15%). Cadets receive a grade in each area and the relative importance of each area depends on the purpose for which it is used. For example:
  • Class rank is used for branch assignments (55%, 30%, 15%)
  • Superintendent's Award - Excellence (top 5%) and Superintendent's Award - Achievement (next 15%): All three areas are equally weighted
  • Distinguished Cadets 3.67 or higher: I believe only academic counted. Someone correct me if I am wrong.
  • Dean's List 3.00 or higher: All courses including military science and physical education
 
And, according to my cadet, there are some things that are weighted more heavily using the physical and military ranking, like being selected for Airborne school, as an example.
 
If I remember correctly from a presentation at some point in last two years, branch selection actually has a bit more to it than going down the class rank list like the old days.

It includes several talent assessments the cadets do, TAC evaluations, army needs/priorities, etc.
 
jebdad said:
If I remember correctly from a presentation at some point in last two years, branch selection actually has a bit more to it than going down the class rank list like the old days.

It includes several talent assessments the cadets do, TAC evaluations, army needs/priorities, etc.
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Correct. There are exceptions to the class rank priority in branch selection, but for most cadets class rank determines their selection. Approx. 75% of each branch is chosen by class rank. Army needs always take priority and that is accomplished when they allocate the number of slots for each branch for USMA.

Some exceptions that come to mind:
  • Branches with specific major requirements or approvals - Cyber Corps, Medical School, and I think also Aviation
  • BRADSO. A cadet with a lower rank than required to get their first choice branch can get that branch by choosing this option and incur additional active duty service obligation (3 extra years)
 
mom3boys said:
Major doesn't matter for aviation. Mine majored in German.
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Was referring to approval. I think cadets still need approval before they can request Aviation. Not sure what criteria are, but according to a briefing a few years ago they needed approval to be eligible to branch Aviation.
 
jl123 said:
Was referring to approval. I think cadets still need approval before they can request Aviation. Not sure what criteria are, but according to a briefing a few years ago they needed approval to be eligible to branch Aviation.
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Probably has to do with passing the flight physical which is more stringent than the commissioning physical. You can be #1 in the class, but if you can't pass the flight physical you aren't branching aviation.
 
How does branching work for medical and cyber corps then? Is it generally the same with perhaps a few additional requirements?
 
sci-fi girl said:
How does branching work for medical and cyber corps then? Is it generally the same with perhaps a few additional requirements?
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When you say medical, do you mean MSC (Medical Service Corps), or MC (Medical Corps)? While related, two different beasts.
 
Just to clarify. MSC is the support side of Army medicine and with a few exceptions (such as medivac which has the same requirements as aviation), you assess as any other branch.
MC is the technical side of Army medicine, the doctors and nurses. You don't really "assess" for MC. If you go to medical/nursing school that is your branch.
 
sci-fi girl said:
How does branching work for medical and cyber corps then? Is it generally the same with perhaps a few additional requirements?
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  1. Medical school usually limited to no more than 2% of the class. Not familiar with specifics other than it is a formal application process that requires specific coursework to be considered.
  2. Cyber Corps is a new branch - Class of 2017 had 15 slots. Requires strong math/engineering/computer science coursework - from goarmy.com website: "Applicants must have a bachelors of science or higher degree in electrical engineering, computer science, computer engineering, information systems, information assurance/cyber security or mathematics."
 
It is correct that getting medical school straight out of the academies is tough.
Having written that, I know a number of doctors who branched something else, then later went to medical school. My wife was a major/aviator when she went.
 
Cyber is a funny branch - each year around 12-15 slots are given. Anyone who wants to go Cyber interviews on a panel of Cyber officers and other related personnel, and from there the top 20 names are sent to the Commandant. After that, it's mostly just class rank. Some great Cyber people didn't get the branch this year because of class rank.
 
UHBlackhawk said:
Just to clarify. MSC is the support side of Army medicine and with a few exceptions (such as medivac which has the same requirements as aviation), you assess as any other branch.
MC is the technical side of Army medicine, the doctors and nurses. You don't really "assess" for MC. If you go to medical/nursing school that is your branch.
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Not entirely true...

MS branch has clinicians, medical researchers, medical scientists, administrators, and aviators. When competing for promotion, I'm going up against podiatrists, MEDEVAC pilots, logistics officers, etc.

AN branch are just nurses...not MC...

MC branch are just MDs and DOs.

PAs belong to SP along with dieticians, OTs, PTs

VCs are only veterinarians.

Every branch has a specific requirement within a specific AOC. Please see DA PAM 600-4.

As a 13 year MS officer, I've served in three AOCs within the MS branch: 70B (MEDO admin), 70D (IM/IT technical), and 67D (clinical/ behavioral science). All required a specific level of education, a specific degree, and experience. God help me I'm PCSing to Ft Sam to head up the Army's policy for addressing behavioral health support for future conflicts. So I guess I can check that box too.

Special branches (AMEDD, JAG, Chaplain) are...special. It's hard for others outside of the special branches to articulate what happens inside special branches.

If I find a 450lbs pediatric thoracic surgeon in Beverly Hills and convinced him to take a $750k pay cut to join the Army; he'd waddle into my clinic as an O-6 first day in the Army.

Welcome to my world...
 
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