Current Army ROTC Competitive Branching (Infantry)

J

JohnJr1601

5-Year Member
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Mar 8, 2017
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I have not been able to find much current advice regarding competing for competitive branches, especially the Army placing a heavier emphasis on the TAB. I have a few questions with regards to branching infantry:

1. The one thing I heard was that if you are in the top 10% you can basically choose your branch, but I was wondering if this was the top 10% of your class or top 10% in the nation?

2. I understand a 3.3/3.4/3.5 GPA is not necessarily that competitive if you want to branch infantry but are there any factors that can help make up for the lower GPA?
- Factors such as (all or some of the following)
-Playing a physical varsity sport
-Double majoring.
-Airborne and or Air Assault.
-Getting a 580 on the ACFT
-1 Year RC but had to stop to play college sports.
-Color Guard ICO/NCOIC

3. Is it common for a Cadet to sit down with CADRE and walk through their OML and make sure that CADRE has all of the activities the Cadet does?
 
You’ll sit down with your HRA to figure your OML points out. Its hard to guess what IN was really looking for this year. Overall good scores was the ticket best we can tell.
top 10% is in the nation. Need 80+ points.
3.3 wont get you there.

have you talked to your cadre? They have the same info.
 
Montana State Army ROTC said:
You’ll sit down with your HRA to figure your OML points out. Its hard to guess what IN was really looking for this year. Overall good scores was the ticket best we can tell.
top 10% is in the nation. Need 80+ points.
3.3 wont get you there.

have you talked to your cadre? They have the same info.
Click to expand...

Does your major help much?
 
This was posted earlier in the ROTC Forum - a bit dated - perhaps Montana State ROTC can provide some color to the data
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Montana State Army ROTC said:
Yeah... thats the black magic behind the curtain. I dont think its designed to equalize it. From IN perspective its great. chem- not so much.
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My understanding is there are two parts to help equalize for branches and individuals.

The individual is now getting feedback based on performance data which branches optimally align with their personality and performance record. The idea is a cadet now considers options maybe they would not have.

Branches can also now build their bench by voting on preferred candidates and "recruiting" those who seem like an optimal fit. There will still be a small delta but hopefully branches get people who are suited for best performance.
 
My DS is a current MSIV and recently received his Branch assignment. From what I could conclude based on his experience and the other MSIVs is there are a few key factors in getting the Branch you truly want.

#1 - You must be rated "Most Preferred" for that Branch (Preferred or Least Preferred is not gonna cut it for your most desired Branch),
#2 - You must put that Branch as your #1 pick (show the leaders in that Branch this is what you want to do in the Army, goes without saying),
#3 - You should BRADSO for that Branch (a number of cadets who were highly ranked on the OML did not BRADSO and were passed by those who did)

An additional factor that most likely helped my DS get his #1 pick, was receiving a positive remark from his PMS in his evaluation report that he would be a "Great Candidate" for the particular Branch he desired the most.

When you are aligned well for a Branch and show the Army you have a strong desire to be in that Branch, these steps should help you get it. But, obviously, at the end of the day, it will always come down to the needs of the Army. All you can do is do your best to get yourself in a position for them to select you for that Branch.
 
Montana State Army ROTC said:
You’ll sit down with your HRA to figure your OML points out. Its hard to guess what IN was really looking for this year. Overall good scores was the ticket best we can tell.
top 10% is in the nation. Need 80+ points.
3.3 wont get you there.

have you talked to your cadre? They have the same info.
Click to expand...
Is there a way to guess the OML points you'll receive? I know it is not very public
 
Son is close to a helicopter rating, hopefully finishing that helps in branch assignments...with the obvious strive for the the best score overall as possible.
 
Why is IN so competitive? I thought branches such EN, CY will be competitive as they are stem related.
 
usmagirl118 said:
Why is IN so competitive? I thought branches such EN, CY will be competitive as they are stem related.
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Because there are only 2 branches- infantry and infantry support! And the overwhelming white male population of ROTC sees the infantry as a camping trip with machine guns which is cool.

the popular branches ( infantry, armor, engineers, aviation) are extremely competitive. Cyber is too but because the #s are much smaller.
 
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