I am a Firstie (Class of 2020) -- Ask Me Anything

I have followed this discussion with interest.

As another data point, I don’t think many cadets and midshipman realize SA grads have to do 36 months after they complete their OBLISERV years, to earn 100% of the post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefit to pay for that MBA, law, med or other post-grad degree. Many of the “five and dive plan” USNA mids we sponsored ended up staying for eight and were glad they did. Stronger resume, opportunity to go to good grad school on Uncle Sam’s dime.

Just another factor in the decision matrix.
 
VelveteenR is correct that BRADSO is fair (whether it is wise is another debate) - at least it was under the old system in which 75% of each branch was selected on OML and a maximum of 25% on BRADSO. Every Cadet had the option to choose BRADSO. The number of cadets that could be leapfrogged and how high a lower ranking cadet could jump was minimized by the 25% limit.

Under the new system BRADSO may have a vastly different influence on branching, although it is still safe to say that if you want Infantry, you will get Infantry (no Army Infantry emoji so I borrowed some Marines).
:usa:
 
jl123 said:
,,,although it is still safe to say that if you want Infantry, you will get Infantry (no Army Infantry emoji so I borrowed some Marines).
:usa:
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Not necessarily. If Infantry ranks you least preferred or preferred, you many not get Infantry depending upon where you fall on the OML. Early returns on this new system revealed that some branches, like Infantry, did a poor job ranking the cadets - at least prior to the interview. The new system depends on the branches spending the time to really analyze the cadets and do their rankings. If they don't, or if they use it to manipulate decisions, it will likely result in an increasingly dissatisfied cadets.
 
SMP said:
Not necessarily. If Infantry ranks you least preferred or preferred, you many not get Infantry depending upon where you fall on the OML. Early returns on this new system revealed that some branches, like Infantry, did a poor job ranking the cadets - at least prior to the interview. The new system depends on the branches spending the time to really analyze the cadets and do their rankings. If they don't, or if they use it to manipulate decisions, it will likely result in an increasingly dissatisfied cadets.
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Every cadet who chose Infantry, got Infantry - I think it's been that way since Eisenhower chose Infantry. ;)

The simulation showed that of the 1,103 cadets choosing branches, the Infantry branch closed out at 1,103 in the Least Preferred category - no cadet needed to BRADSO to get Infantry.

As I have said elsewhere, Infantry is both the most popular and least popular branch. Of the 253 cadets receiving Infantry in the simulation, 203 had Infantry as their 1st choice. But Infantry was also the branch where cadets got stuck because that was all that was left after they didn't get their other choices.
 
jl123 said:
Every cadet who chose Infantry, got Infantry - I think it's been that way since Eisenhower chose Infantry. ;)

The simulation showed that of the 1,103 cadets choosing branches, the Infantry branch closed out at 1,103 in the Least Preferred category - no cadet needed to BRADSO to get Infantry.

As I have said elsewhere, Infantry is both the most popular and least popular branch. Of the 253 cadets receiving Infantry in the simulation, 203 had Infantry as their 1st choice. But Infantry was also the branch where cadets got stuck because that was all that was left after they didn't get their other choices.
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That's very interesting. However, I think (or so I've been told) that Infantry can be trumped by another branch who lists a cadet as most preferred when Infantry rates the person preferred or least preferred. Let's say that branch is the cadet 2nd choice, then depending upon where on the OML the cadet is, isn't it possible that branch #2 wins out and gets the cadet? Or perhaps that's true of some of the other branches but not Infantry given the mathematics of it for a large branch. Your thoughts?
 
BRADSO seems like really just a bonus (increased chance of preferred Branch selection) opportunity for those willing to take it. Quite similar to enlistment bonuses.
Random example:
If you enlist for 2 years, your MOS opportunities and amount of enlistment bonus dollars may not be the same as someone signing for 4 years, that person may get thousands more dollars and many other opportunities, but both parties could choose a longer enlistment. The benefits are greater as the obligation/commitment increases.
BRADSO is a similar incentive offered to Cadets to get a longer commitment from them. It is a perceived benefit to some, and others not so much. The point is, it’s available to every Cadet (fair). The other thing worth noting is that opting BRADSO does not guarantee the Cadet will receive their first choice branch, some people have had the impression that it guarantees the Cadets first choice, it only increases their chances. Anyone joining the Military should understand that the only guarantee is that there are no guarantees.
 
SMP said:
That's very interesting. However, I think (or so I've been told) that Infantry can be trumped by another branch who lists a cadet as most preferred when Infantry rates the person preferred or least preferred. Let's say that branch is the cadet 2nd choice, then depending upon where on the OML the cadet is, isn't it possible that branch #2 wins out and gets the cadet? Or perhaps that's true of some of the other branches but not Infantry given the mathematics of it for a large branch. Your thoughts?
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Exactly why I think there may be some startling results! The new system is extremely complicated. I'm not sure the cadets completely understand it, and I'm pretty sure most of the parents don't.

In your example where the cadet selects Infantry as a 1st choice, the cadet would be branched Infantry even with an Infantry branch rating of Least Preferred.

The assignments start at Most Preferred and continue to Preferred then Least Preferred until the branch is filled. Branch X cannot jump in and take the cadet no matter how high the rating. Since Branch X is the cadet's 2nd choice, the cadet only gets Branch X after Infantry has been filled and is no longer available to the cadet.
 
shock-n-awe said:
BRADSO seems like really just a bonus (increased chance of preferred Branch selection) opportunity for those willing to take it. Quite similar to enlistment bonuses.
Random example:
If you enlist for 2 years, your MOS opportunities and amount of enlistment bonus dollars may not be the same as someone signing for 4 years, that person may get thousands more dollars and many other opportunities, but both parties could choose a longer enlistment. The benefits are greater as the obligation/commitment increases.
BRADSO is a similar incentive offered to Cadets to get a longer commitment from them. It is a perceived benefit to some, and others not so much. The point is, it’s available to every Cadet (fair). The other thing worth noting is that opting BRADSO does not guarantee the Cadet will receive their first choice branch, some people have had the impression that it guarantees the Cadets first choice, it only increases their chances. Anyone joining the Military should understand that the only guarantee is that there are no guarantees.
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A logical comparison and good points, but for reference what is your understanding of how BRADSO works?
 
jl123 said:
A logical comparison and good points, but for reference what is your understanding of how BRADSO works?
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While I don’t claim to be an expert on the ARMY branch selection process, here is my understanding.
By selecting BRADSO, it increases a Cadets active duty service obligation by three additional years, from 5 to 8 years.
In return, the Cadet will increase their chances of being selected for their first choice Branch assignment over others ranked above them. There are no specific “odds” or guarantees that by selecting BRADSO a Cadet will get their preferred Branch, because there are many other factors that come into play. How many slots are available in a given year in the desired Branch, how many other Cadets are seeking that Branch (and if they are ranked above you), your OML ranking, as well as your interview with the Branch Commandant. So BRADSO may be a great option for some, others, not so much. I do like the newly introduced interview process to help determine if a Cadet seems to be a good “fit” in their desired Branch. Someone ranked high on the OML may be a poor fit for their desired Branch, and the interview ( even if selecting BRADSO) may keep them from being selected.
We will see how it turns out for for our 2020 Cadets this year.
 
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kittkatt said:
Where does EN typically close out?
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The system has completely changed and the OML rank at which EN closed out in the previous years listed below has no relevance to the new system.

2015: 652 without BRADSO; 1,011 with BRADSO
2016: 621 without BRADSO; 970 with BRADSO
2017: 551 without BRADSO; 945 with BRADSO
2018: 567 without BRADSO; 985 with BRADSO
2019: No Data released to my knowledge
 
I haven't seen this article posted in this thread. If I missed it, be patient. This is a decent explanation of the updated process. BRADSO will not supersede a Cadets high rank.

www.army.mil

Assigning branches to cadets takes on new system

The members of the Class of 2020 will receive their branches in November, but the process of assigning them will be different than ever before.
www.army.mil www.army.mil
 
Tripster202 said:
Anything West Point Related
I might not be helpful regarding specifics of the admissions process because it was a few years ago but I will try to answer your questions
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What sports did you do in high school?
 
That article really spells it out. Everyone can sit back and relax until Branch Night.
 
seb.g.b said:
How did you indicate you "wanted" (mobile so I can't italicize) to go to WP? I personally am looking to go into USNA, but the same concept applies. Whatre some things you said in the interview that made them realize your strong desire to attend?
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It's really an honest show of your enthusiasm and your desire to be at the academy and ideally serve. There isn't a magic phrase that will let the interviewers know that this candidate is the one. If USNA or any of the other academies are truly your first choice, let that information come out in the way you describe yourself being there in a year or so.

Interviews are meant to weed out the bad candidates who might look good on paper and vice-versa. It is a major relief to the interviewers to see someone who truly wants the position and not someone who is just going through the motions. Of course many of the candidates want the position, but if you make yourself out to be the one who wants it the most, you will give the interviewers no doubt that they should pick you, even if you are just average on paper.
 
Noahlia123 said:
How do I find out how many slots my congressman will you this year? Just interviewed for nomination but can’t determine if he has 1 or if it’s a year he uses 2. Thanks
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Back when I was interviewing as a candidate, each congressman, senator, and even the Vice President had 5 slots for each academy. This meant that one would have the best chance of competing for a congressman's slot as opposed to a senator's slot or one of the 5 slots the VP could give out across 50+ states and territories.
 
I must ask this Firstie. What's the stupidest thing to come out of the pie hole of an incoming 4C this year, in your experience?
Please regale us with at least one thing heard, which gave you pause. Perhaps privately, you even laughed about it later?
 
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