Leadership Roles at West Point

ArmyWP77

2023 Applicant
Joined
Nov 28, 2017
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How are leadership roles at West Point such as First Captain selected? Is it based solely upon class rank, or is it voted on by the corps, or is it by some other means?
 
Leadership roles at West Point are chosen by a board of officers (not cadets). Cadets are evaluated the entire four years there, so there is plenty of material to review. It is not just class rank or academic performance, but also leadership and physical fitness that is included in the evaluation. As the cadets progress through the four years, certain cadets tend to rise to the top and are identified as potential leaders. They are then given leadership positions typically given to cadets in each class. For instance, 3rd class are team leaders, 2nd class fulfill NCO positions, and 1st class fill officer positions. The evaluations they receive in lower level leadership positions help determine what positions they will be assigned as they move through the four years. The good news in the end is that all that graduate will be lieutenants in the active army.
 
Class rank does play a part. They don't want someone struggling academically in a senior leadership position as they need to concentrate their time on classes.
 
Also remember that class rank at USMA is ~60% academic plus physical and military - you cant be just a bookworm and be at the top.
 
Cadets also have some say...they make it known if they're interested or not. For example, my DS is captain of his team. He does not want leadership in his company, as his team requires much of his time. His TAC is aware of this and hopefully will respect it.
 
Cadets also have some say...they make it known if they're interested or not. For example, my DS is captain of his team. He does not want leadership in his company, as his team requires much of his time. His TAC is aware of this and hopefully will respect it.

That's the hope. Didn't quite work out for me with my TAC and I ended out of my company for my firstie year working a job I didn't necessarily want at all especially as I was a captain for my team as well. Looking back though, while I never would've picked it, I learned a ton. Sometimes we don't know what's best for us haha
 
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