When you say specialty, I assume you mean branch. Picking a branch is a process that occurs throughout a cadet's tenure at USMA and is influenced by "the needs of the Army". USMA will occasionally post aggregate branch selection on the west point.edu site.Is there a data source to see what specialty the graduating last classes have picked for their first assignments coming out of USMA?
They will not be releasing the percentages of cadets who got their top choices this year. Many of my classmates suspect the numbers aren't so pretty this iteration.If by "specialty" and "first assignments," you are referring to "branching," then the best source seems to be the website belonging to West Point Association of Old Grads. The class of 2023 information is not listed yet. But, information for several prior classes is posted.
I would like to see the source of your data? The "New" branching model allows for much more Branch input. I would like to see the numbers re: bradso vs no bradso and the Branches involved?LOTS of cadets were force-branched this year. Many females force branched into Infantry despite ranking it last. We always knew “the needs of the Army” would override personal preference. We just wish higher would can the fakey fake “rank your most preferred branch” exercises, delete the “People Always” PR.
"Lots" is open to interpretation by different people. But Cadets of both sexes were Force Branched this year. Numbers are not readily available. To be fair, it was a spike in numbers from previous years Branch models.I would like to see the source of your data? The "New" branching model allows for much more Branch input. I would like to see the numbers re: bradso vs no bradso and the Branches involved?
Hard to believe in this generation that so many females were "Forced Branched". can you give us the official numbers?
Agreed. And yes, Infantry. Needs of the Army.... Most seem to be settling into the idea and beginning to prepare and focus. A bit of research shows very low numbers of Females in Infantry. So, it stands to reason.USMA has a congressional requirement that at least 70% of the class branches combat arms. Getting force branched into combat arms is not new as a result. FA in particular comes to mind as a branch that gets folks that way regularly. This would be the first that I’ve heard infantry taking female cadets force branched though so that’ll be interesting to see how plays out but also not surprised it eventually happened. Hope those ladies get their minds right and kick butt. We don’t always get to choose how we serve
Is my summary correct?
CA candidates?Curious, forced branch into combat arms? if that's true, that doesn't bode well for infantry morale. Ugh. I wonder if USMA will refocus its admissions if they are not getting enough CA candidates??
Combat ArmsCA candidates?
There are no official numbers published. My roommate was "force branched" infantry, #17/17 on her list. There are ~20 women going Infantry (as far as she is aware) which is significantly higher than the five-ish of years past. She wanted logistics and BRADSO'd for all of the logistics branches.Hard to believe in this generation that so many females were "Forced Branched". can you give us the official numbers?
I do not see this as being true--if you go around a classroom and ask what everyone wants/wanted to branch, the vast majority will still say AR/IN/FA. Current events and the culture of the Army have shown the increasing value of logistics support while there is a massive push on Cyber here. The Engineer branch is extremely competitive now, as well, especially after the 10yr AV ADSO. At a technical institution it is a no-brainer that technical roles would hold strong appeal, but there is still a massive population that wants to go combat arms.Question to those who attended or are attending WP. Why do you think interest is dropping in CA, with the exception of possible exception of Cyber?
I believe my class was the first that could not "opt-out" of combat arms in our branch preferences. They went dead last in my preferences, as if I ordered them truthfully, as a woman near the top of the class with a decent PT score, I would not have gotten Aviation.This would be the first that I’ve heard infantry taking female cadets force branched though so that’ll be interesting to see how plays out but also not surprised it eventually happened.
While accurate, there were still a good amount of cadets ranked "most preferred" for Aviation who did not receive the branch. The cadets who still wanted Aviation after the ADSO extension REALLY wanted Aviation. Didn't have to ask me twice, but I've also wanted Army Aviation since I was a kid.The 10 year ADSO tied to Aviation (also considered a combat arms branch for whatever reason - we should not be) doesn’t help either. I know they were basically begging cadets to go Aviation this past cycle…
CA generally with be viewed as the Civil Affairs (CA) branch, just an FYICurious, forced branch into combat arms? if that's true, that doesn't bode well for infantry morale. Ugh. I wonder if USMA will refocus its admissions if they are not getting enough CA candidates??
My original thought.CA generally with be viewed as the Civil Affairs (CA) branch, just an FYI