Help Requested: Options/Coping Mechanisms for An Undesired Branch Detail

[Lori S.]

I understand where you are coming from. The advise that others have given is good. My son was in the same situation a couple of years ago. His first choice was MI, his second choice was AG. Infantry was somewhere much lower down on this list. The first day branching notifications came out he was told he was AG. The very next day he was told that he had been branch detailed to Infantry. It takes a little bit to get over the surprise and maybe just a little disappointment but once you determine to be the best you can be at whatever you're assigned there will be no stopping you! My ds enjoyed IBOLC and was slotted for Ranger School almost right after that. It was a nail biter all the way through. His wedding was scheduled later that summer and his fiance had it calculated out that he could only recycle one time or he would miss the wedding. He is not someone that you would look at and think "Army Ranger" but he made it through all three phases without recycling once. Not that it wasn't difficult...oh the stories he could tell! But if you put your mind to something there is nothing that can stop you! At this point he doesn't see himself moving on to AG. He just dropped a special forces packet, hoping to get PSYOP or Civil Affairs. If he doesn't get that he may stay with the Infantry. No one, including himself, would have ever predicted that. Keep working hard. You never know what you might find you enjoy.

 

[Cadet656889]

I understand where you are coming from. The advise that others have given is good. My son was in the same situation a couple of years ago. His first choice was MI, his second choice was AG. Infantry was somewhere much lower down on this list. The first day branching notifications came out he was told he was AG. The very next day he was told that he had been branch detailed to Infantry. It takes a little bit to get over the surprise and maybe just a little disappointment but once you determine to be the best you can be at whatever you're assigned there will be no stopping you! My ds enjoyed IBOLC and was slotted for Ranger School almost right after that. It was a nail biter all the way through. His wedding was scheduled later that summer and his fiance had it calculated out that he could only recycle one time or he would miss the wedding. He is not someone that you would look at and think "Army Ranger" but he made it through all three phases without recycling once. Not that it wasn't difficult...oh the stories he could tell! But if you put your mind to something there is nothing that can stop you! At this point he doesn't see himself moving on to AG. He just dropped a special forces packet, hoping to get PSYOP or Civil Affairs. If he doesn't get that he may stay with the Infantry. No one, including himself, would have ever predicted that. Keep working hard. You never know what you might find you enjoy.

My first choice was MI too! Lori you have no idea how perfect this was for me to hear. I really needed to know a similar person had the capacity to face this and succeed. Thank you!!!

 

[Cadet656889]

Cadet, I also think its great you reached out for some help. It helps provide perspective to you and also lets lurkers read this stuff. I was sort of in the same boat as you many years ago. In the USMC we get our MOSs (branches) about half way through TBS. I got my 8 pick out of 16. I was more than anything stunned at first. I didn't really sulk as I was more stunned and shocked than anything. I think I tried to start to learn about the MOS a week or so after I found out. The MOS I got was a very small community and we didn't even have any TBS instructors who had the MOS or related MOS. Luckily a few TBS instructors sought out one at the career school to come over and talk to us. That really helped to tell me more about the MOS (Internet wasn't quite what it is today when I was going through this, so it wasn't really a resource). Eventually I started to get excited about the prospects and more than anything just getting to the fleet and leading.

I think your last post shows you are starting to embrace the prospect and realize what the future holds. I think I went through a similar process. Not sure on the Army's process, but in the USMC there are always lat moves to other MOSs. So even if you hate infantry, bust your butt because your Soldiers deserve and the better you do, the more support you will get to apply for a different branch down the road.

Thank you. I hope there are others who stumble upon this thread in the same situation. I know I would've liked to read it had it existed beforehand. I am beginning to embrace it, and your feedback has helped a lot!

 

[NorwichDad]

You have to volunteer for Ranger School. Don't volunteer and you won't go. Keep in mind if you don't go you may not get a platoon. I would recommend you not request to go to Bragg or Campbell. Going to a light infantry unit without a tab will be a little more limiting than going to a heavy unit or training unit.

And I'm pretty sure PT score wasn't why you got detailed to infantry.

My son said the same thing. Don't go to 82nd or 101st without that tab. You may become "permanent latrine officer" to quote a very old movie.

 

[NorwichDad]

Thank you. I hope there are others who stumble upon this thread in the same situation. I know I would've liked to read it had it existed beforehand. I am beginning to embrace it, and your feedback has helped a lot!

Embrace it and the people around you who will motivate you quite a bit to get through it. You will be fine.

 

[MemberLG]

Does anyone have any guidance on how I can take my stance on the situation and make something successful out of it?

Confidence

I was the opposite of you - wanted to be Infantry, but I didn't think I was Infantry type, so picked MI and volunteered to branch detail to Infantry as a compromise (when I was at West Point, branch detail was a choice made by the cadet). I don't regret too many things I have done so far, but one thing I regret is not picking Infantry straight. Ranger school sucked, but I always say graduating from Ranger school is 51% luck. I seen some studs fail and I seen some non- stereotypical Infantry officers (i.e. small, type B) graduate from Ranger school. Don't forget about the Expert Infantryman's Badge.

If you are physically fit, you are more than half way to being a good Infantry officer. You could be the best leader, best tactician, but if you can't keep up with your Infantry soldiers physically you are not going anywhere. Having served both as an Infantry and MI officer, what I liked about being an Infantry officer was my life being simpler. As an Infantry officer, in general your mission/tasks are straight forward and mostly you can see the results. As an MI officer, what I did was not straight forward and sometimes I wasn't sure what I accomplished. A big difference between a mechanize infantry platoon completing a gunnery vs a writing a great Annex B (intelligence estitmate and so on) for a training exercise.

Lastly, most human beings can adjust to their environment. So an AG officer - working in a climate control environment (to protect the sensitive automation equipment) vs an Infantry officer using a hole in the ground to perform a bodily function 0300 hours are the total opposite in terms of creature comfort. A quick war story - when I was stationed in Korea, during a field exercise, as I took my canteen out to take a drink no water came out because water froze.

Not sure why you decided to do ROTC and become a commissioned officer. I like to think that you did it to serve our country. If so little things should not matter and you should be okay. If you had a plan to use ROTC to pay for your college and subsequently have an "easy" life, well your plan didn't work. Even if the "easy" life was your plan, it's not late to change your mind set.

Good Luck.

 

[MemberLG]

I'm pretty sure you have to volunteer for Ranger school. I don't think just because you pass a pt test they are going to make you attend. I think the way they put it when I was in IOBC back in the day was " you will volunteer for Ranger School or you will be counseled". Most of us volunteered.

I don't even remember raising my hand to attend Ranger school. As my IOBC graduate date neared, I got my orders for Ranger School. My days, all active duty Inf LTs were given a chance to attend Ranger school after IOBC. The requirements were passing the Ranger school medical and passing pre-requisiste (i.e. combat water survival test, 5 mile run, APFT on Ranger school score, 6 pull ups). Had some LTs in my class that did not meet these requirements so they didn't go. Had some LTs that did fine during IOBC, but failed one of the requirements at Ranger school. Back in my days, all 2LTs were supposed to have their initial assignment with FORSCOM units. A friend of mine declined Ranger school and his assignment change to a TRADOC unit.

 

[Jcc123]

I'm pretty sure you have to volunteer for Ranger school. I don't think just because you pass a pt test they are going to make you attend. I think the way they put it when I was in IOBC back in the day was " you will volunteer for Ranger School or you will be counseled". Most of us volunteered.

I don't even remember raising my hand to attend Ranger school. As my IOBC graduate date neared, I got my orders for Ranger School. My days, all active duty Inf LTs were given a chance to attend Ranger school after IOBC. The requirements were passing the Ranger school medical and passing pre-requisiste (i.e. combat water survival test, 5 mile run, APFT on Ranger school score, 6 pull ups). Had some LTs in my class that did not meet these requirements so they didn't go. Had some LTs that did fine during IOBC, but failed one of the requirements at Ranger school. Back in my days, all 2LTs were supposed to have their initial assignment with FORSCOM units. A friend of mine declined Ranger school and his assignment change to a TRADOC unit.

That's the way it still is. If you pass the RPFT, you get orders. If you fail, you go on to your unit. No one, at least in DS's class at IBOLC, declined the opportunity.

 

[Aglahad]

There is no reason why you can't request a branch transfer. Infantry is often sought after and I know at least two or three cadets who got infantry and were able to secure another branch (TC and QM I believe). Did you volunteer for a branch detail? I agree you should complete the mission to your best ability if that is your assigned branch, but there is no reason why you can't be an advocate for yourself.

Enlistees have almost full control of what MOS they want or they don't sign the contract. Why should an officer be forced to "embrace the suck" if there are many other reasonable options?

OP, talk to your branch manager, I bet there is a way around this. Also, Ranger school is pretty much expected. Whether you fail on the first day or not, I have never met an infantry officer who didn't at least go.

 

[Cadet656889]

There is no reason why you can't request a branch transfer. Infantry is often sought after and I know at least two or three cadets who got infantry and were able to secure another branch (TC and QM I believe). Did you volunteer for a branch detail? I agree you should complete the mission to your best ability if that is your assigned branch, but there is no reason why you can't be an advocate for yourself.

Enlistees have almost full control of what MOS they want or they don't sign the contract. Why should an officer be forced to "embrace the suck" if there are many other reasonable options?

OP, talk to your branch manager, I bet there is a way around this. Also, Ranger school is pretty much expected. Whether you fail on the first day or not, I have never met an infantry officer who didn't at least go.

Aglahad,

Thank you for the information. I have been trying to find the contact info for the AG branch manager. There is a way to view it on the HRC website, and it says you can use your AKO login or CAC to view it, but I am having trouble with both methods. Do you have any idea how I can find it without going through the HRC site? I'm assuming I would have to ask one of my cadre to logon for me, but I figured I would ask you anyway in case you knew more about it.

 

[Cadet656889]

There is no reason why you can't request a branch transfer. Infantry is often sought after and I know at least two or three cadets who got infantry and were able to secure another branch (TC and QM I believe). Did you volunteer for a branch detail? I agree you should complete the mission to your best ability if that is your assigned branch, but there is no reason why you can't be an advocate for yourself.

Enlistees have almost full control of what MOS they want or they don't sign the contract. Why should an officer be forced to "embrace the suck" if there are many other reasonable options?

OP, talk to your branch manager, I bet there is a way around this. Also, Ranger school is pretty much expected. Whether you fail on the first day or not, I have never met an infantry officer who didn't at least go.

Also, no I did not volunteer for a branch detail.

 

[-Bull-]

There is no reason why you can't request a branch transfer. Infantry is often sought after and I know at least two or three cadets who got infantry and were able to secure another branch (TC and QM I believe). Did you volunteer for a branch detail? I agree you should complete the mission to your best ability if that is your assigned branch, but there is no reason why you can't be an advocate for yourself.

Enlistees have almost full control of what MOS they want or they don't sign the contract. Why should an officer be forced to "embrace the suck" if there are many other reasonable options?

OP, talk to your branch manager, I bet there is a way around this. Also, Ranger school is pretty much expected. Whether you fail on the first day or not, I have never met an infantry officer who didn't at least go.

Aglahad,

Thank you for the information. I have been trying to find the contact info for the AG branch manager. There is a way to view it on the HRC website, and it says you can use your AKO login or CAC to view it, but I am having trouble with both methods. Do you have any idea how I can find it without going through the HRC site? I'm assuming I would have to ask one of my cadre to logon for me, but I figured I would ask you anyway in case you knew more about it.

Send me a PM to remind me, and I'll logon tomorrow morning and get you the contact info.

 

[Cadet656889]

There is no reason why you can't request a branch transfer. Infantry is often sought after and I know at least two or three cadets who got infantry and were able to secure another branch (TC and QM I believe). Did you volunteer for a branch detail? I agree you should complete the mission to your best ability if that is your assigned branch, but there is no reason why you can't be an advocate for yourself.

Enlistees have almost full control of what MOS they want or they don't sign the contract. Why should an officer be forced to "embrace the suck" if there are many other reasonable options?

OP, talk to your branch manager, I bet there is a way around this. Also, Ranger school is pretty much expected. Whether you fail on the first day or not, I have never met an infantry officer who didn't at least go.

Aglahad,

Thank you for the information. I have been trying to find the contact info for the AG branch manager. There is a way to view it on the HRC website, and it says you can use your AKO login or CAC to view it, but I am having trouble with both methods. Do you have any idea how I can find it without going through the HRC site? I'm assuming I would have to ask one of my cadre to logon for me, but I figured I would ask you anyway in case you knew more about it.

Send me a PM to remind me, and I'll logon tomorrow morning and get you the contact info.

Thank you very much. I will send you a PM first thing tomorrow morning.

 

[tjb1975]

You have to volunteer for Ranger School. Don't volunteer and you won't go. Keep in mind if you don't go you may not get a platoon. I would recommend you not request to go to Bragg or Campbell. Going to a light infantry unit without a tab will be a little more limiting than going to a heavy unit or training unit.

And I'm pretty sure PT score wasn't why you got detailed to infantry.

I'm just going off what my cadre told me - which was that AG has to branch a certain amount of their LTs to Infantry, and the metric they like to use to determine if someone can "take it" is their PT score. If they didn't use my PT score then I find it even more appalling that they looked at my profile, saw there was no indication I would be a good fit for Infantry (except my PT score), and still decided to put me there of all places. Has Cadet Command lost their minds? Furthermore, I don't understand the point behind ranking preferences if they are just going to arbitrarily slot people.

I'm thinking that Cadet Command has a few years of experience under their collective belts with regard to how folks are assigned. The PMS told us that how you end up ranking among your graduating class determines how much your preferences are considered with regard to assignments. I'm liking the 'Embrace the Suck' line. I'm going to use it around the house.

 

[Cadet656889]

You have to volunteer for Ranger School. Don't volunteer and you won't go. Keep in mind if you don't go you may not get a platoon. I would recommend you not request to go to Bragg or Campbell. Going to a light infantry unit without a tab will be a little more limiting than going to a heavy unit or training unit.

And I'm pretty sure PT score wasn't why you got detailed to infantry.

I'm just going off what my cadre told me - which was that AG has to branch a certain amount of their LTs to Infantry, and the metric they like to use to determine if someone can "take it" is their PT score. If they didn't use my PT score then I find it even more appalling that they looked at my profile, saw there was no indication I would be a good fit for Infantry (except my PT score), and still decided to put me there of all places. Has Cadet Command lost their minds? Furthermore, I don't understand the point behind ranking preferences if they are just going to arbitrarily slot people.

I'm thinking that Cadet Command has a few years of experience under their collective belts with regard to how folks are assigned. The PMS told us that how you end up ranking among your graduating class determines how much your preferences are considered with regard to assignments. I'm liking the 'Embrace the Suck' line. I'm going to use it around the house.

You have to volunteer for Ranger School. Don't volunteer and you won't go. Keep in mind if you don't go you may not get a platoon. I would recommend you not request to go to Bragg or Campbell. Going to a light infantry unit without a tab will be a little more limiting than going to a heavy unit or training unit.

And I'm pretty sure PT score wasn't why you got detailed to infantry.

I'm just going off what my cadre told me - which was that AG has to branch a certain amount of their LTs to Infantry, and the metric they like to use to determine if someone can "take it" is their PT score. If they didn't use my PT score then I find it even more appalling that they looked at my profile, saw there was no indication I would be a good fit for Infantry (except my PT score), and still decided to put me there of all places. Has Cadet Command lost their minds? Furthermore, I don't understand the point behind ranking preferences if they are just going to arbitrarily slot people.

I'm thinking that Cadet Command has a few years of experience under their collective belts with regard to how folks are assigned. The PMS told us that how you end up ranking among your graduating class determines how much your preferences are considered with regard to assignments. I'm liking the 'Embrace the Suck' line. I'm going to use it around the house.

Yes, OML is the main deciding factor in the branch you are assigned, which legitimizes me receiving Adjutant General (in my top half choices); however, branching a cadet to Infantry when they have no credentials, history, or desire that would indicate they are a good fit for it does not seem reasonable or beneficial for any parties involved. That is the part I am taking issue with. Infantry is a branch that requires a great deal of endurance, resilience, and at times personal sacrifice due to all of the extra schooling and rigors of training itself; therefore, to make the decision to partake in that for someone seems wrong to me. Although I realize it doesn't really matter what I think. As far as I can tell from what I have gathered, there is no real way around this. I have had time to get over the initial shock and am on the verge of completely accepting it. In some ways I should be thankful, because Infantry is a branch often sought after, and there are others who would really like to be in my position, so moving forward I will only look at it from the positive angles and make the best out of it.