Distributions of cadets USMA Branching

Joined
Nov 15, 2019
Messages
167
Does anyone have any numbers as to how many cadets go to each branch? Or a general idea? I would imagine most go into either Artillery, Armor, and Infantry.
 
It can be confusing - the numbers can be reported in two ways:
  1. Allocations for each branch on Branch Night - these numbers do not include an addition/subtraction for Branch Detail
  2. Numbers of initial assignments by branch - these are numbers going into each branch initially, but those detailed will later return to the primary branch they received on Branch Night
Class of 2020
Branch Night Assignment/Initial Assignment:

AD 61/61
AG 2/0
AR 112/125
AV 109/109
CM 2/8
CY 40/40
EN 139/126
FA 174/185
FI 1/0
IN 238/260
MI 58/30
MP 18/17
MS 7/?? no posts listed for this branch, not sure if they get detailed
OD 36/17
QM 26/25
SC 43/25
TC 25/23

Total 1,091/1,051 Note: numbers are not equal due to graduate school and other changes in status between Branch Night and Post Night
 
The chart posted by ddad was always a great help to understand the class rank required to get a particular branch and is still helpful to understand the relative popularity and numbers allocated of various branches.

However, this chart is no longer valid to correlate class rank/branch under the new branching system implemented with the Class of 2020. Changes to the system including branch ratings and how BRADSO is implemented have completely changed the potential outcomes for many branches.

Infantry, Armor, and FA are largely unaffected and of course anyone who wants Chemical can get it.
 
The chart posted by ddad was always a great help to understand the class rank required to get a particular branch and is still helpful to understand the relative popularity and numbers allocated of various branches.

However, this chart is no longer valid to correlate class rank/branch under the new branching system implemented with the Class of 2020. Changes to the system including branch ratings and how BRADSO is implemented have completely changed the potential outcomes for many branches.

Infantry, Armor, and FA are largely unaffected and of course anyone who wants Chemical can get it.
Agree. Posted only for allocation purposes for another recent year.
 
Only one branching FI. How hard is it to branch FI from WP? Is it just not a branch that cadets try for? Looks like in past years the number was 7 or 8.
 
Only one branching FI. How hard is it to branch FI from WP? Is it just not a branch that cadets try for? Looks like in past years the number was 7 or 8.
They dramatically reduced the number of FI slots. The Army's current philosophy is that they do not want to send cadets through USMA to do a job that could be handled just as well by a civilian employee.

In the branch assignment simulation, 5 cadets had FI as 1st choice and 15 as 2nd choice. 205 cadets were rated Most Preferred by the branch and 357 were rated Preferred.

The branching system is too complicated to determine whether FI is easy or hard to get, but with only one slot it will always be somewhat difficult. If you are willing to BRADSO (commit to 3 extra years of service) and get a Most Preferred rating by the branch, it would probably be not too difficult.
 
Just an add on to explain the numbers for MS. In the more recent shift towards more combat arms officers coming out of USMA in the past few years, the spots for MS have reduced dramatically. Now, the only way to get MS is to say that you are going to be an MS aviator (a medevac pilot). Also probably why it looked like no one was getting detailed to/from it because those select few have to go through some different training to do what they do.
 
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