New Branching System?
- Thread starter Gryffinmom
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My bf is an EE major with intentions of branching signal. EE and CS are the same department.
scoutpilot
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I'm going w/ Scoutpilot on this one: aviators major in awesome! Woo hoo!
Fact. Everyone envies aviators.
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Would the new branching system be in affect for class of 2017?
The new branching system will be in effect next year for the class of 2013, so unless something goes horribly wrong, it will definitely be around for 2017.
scoutpilot
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No.
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Way I understand it, its supposed to keep the people who aren't a natural fit (be it physically, mentally, etc) for a certain branch from that area when there are better fits for them and other people (infantry being the main example they used with us). I'm skeptical to see how well it works, but it'll be interesting and is the system we'll have to work with starting next year
SamAca10
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Yeah that's what I meant. For instance, they don't want to send people to become PL's or CC's if they don't have the people skills or charisma to lead
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Every branch, if you are an officer, you will be expected to lead. Different branches have different personalities though therefore a different fit in person for what could be a potentially great officer. Now where I'm skeptical is that those intangibles they're trying to incorporate now (like you said charisma and other things as well), how well will they really translate onto paper and all to make the system work the way its supposed to. It has a lot of potential and definitly will be an interesting thing to see the next few years
The way it was explained to us during our brief, it supposed to allow the branches to decide what qualities they think correlate most to success within that branch and weight them accordingly. Don't be fooled-- and this has been stated to us numerous times-- you overall class performance will still be greatly determinative of your branch. The difference is now branches can create their own other criteria. For instance, Engineers want you to be an engineering major, signal wants a technical major, infantry wants great PT scores, MI still places overall standing as most important.
Maatallah22
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Its not particularly a branching question, but it is slightly.
I'm confused how one would go into Special Forces to become a Special Forces Officer.
I noticed there's no option for any Special Operations on the branching page..
I'm confused how one would go into Special Forces to become a Special Forces Officer.
I noticed there's no option for any Special Operations on the branching page..
To the best of my knowledge, SF is available to officers who are AT EARLIEST O-2's promotable to O-3. Which means that there is no direct route to become an SF officer as an O-1. But I have heard that at USMA there is an SFQC military individual advanced development (MIAD) option in the summer, which, according to some other posters on this forum, sticks with you for 5 years. So if this is all true, that means you can get the Qualification Course part done with as a cadet and go to training once you reach the minimum rank.
I'm an ROTC Dad, but like to follow developments at the Mother Ship 
In ROTC there is a formula that establishes the national Order of Merit List. It is 40% GPA (not adjusted in any way between majors or schools), about 20% from the LDAC (post Junior-Year 4 week Leadership Development and Assessment Course), about 20% individual assessment scores from the PMS - and the remaining 20% for overall ROTC performance which includes PFT, Rangers, etc. and representing ROTC by being involved in campus sports and extra-curriculars.
http://www.career-satisfaction.army.mil/pdfs/ROTC_BRADSO_Briefing_slides.pdf
Approx. the top 60% get the Active Duty option. Of those, about 15% *choose* Reserves or Guard, with 85% choosing Active Duty. The bottom 40% do not have the option of Active Duty. A complex selection procedure matches those outside the top 10% of AD eligible with the 16 Branches, and includes the ability to use a 3 year ADSO extension to boost a cadet's position.
So my question is -- how is the Order of Merit list established at West Point? Is there a published numeric rating procedure as there is in ROTC?
In ROTC there is a formula that establishes the national Order of Merit List. It is 40% GPA (not adjusted in any way between majors or schools), about 20% from the LDAC (post Junior-Year 4 week Leadership Development and Assessment Course), about 20% individual assessment scores from the PMS - and the remaining 20% for overall ROTC performance which includes PFT, Rangers, etc. and representing ROTC by being involved in campus sports and extra-curriculars.
http://www.career-satisfaction.army.mil/pdfs/ROTC_BRADSO_Briefing_slides.pdf
Approx. the top 60% get the Active Duty option. Of those, about 15% *choose* Reserves or Guard, with 85% choosing Active Duty. The bottom 40% do not have the option of Active Duty. A complex selection procedure matches those outside the top 10% of AD eligible with the 16 Branches, and includes the ability to use a 3 year ADSO extension to boost a cadet's position.
So my question is -- how is the Order of Merit list established at West Point? Is there a published numeric rating procedure as there is in ROTC?
scoutpilot
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You may not branch into any special operations forces (SOF) community directly from a commissioning source. At the appropriate point in your career, you may contact a SORB recruiter for the SOF community you hope to join and you may apply to be assessed. Some candidates are denied a chance to assess, some are assessed and turned down, and some are assessed and accepted. Your assessment will likely be one of the toughest parts of your career, physically and emotionally. A community phrase in the SOF community is that "assessment never ends." Getting in the door is only the beginning.
If you want to become a Special Forces officer, you must attend Special Forces Assessment & Selection (SFAS). If you are selected, you will then attend SFQC, the SF Qualification Course.
kbaek misspoke. It is sometimes possible to attend SFAS as a cadet. It is never possible to attend SFQC.
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Thank you for correcting me, that is exactly what I meant
scoutpilot
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I'm an ROTC Dad, but like to follow developments at the Mother Ship
In ROTC there is a formula that establishes the national Order of Merit List. It is 40% GPA (not adjusted in any way between majors or schools), about 20% from the LDAC (post Junior-Year 4 week Leadership Development and Assessment Course), about 20% individual assessment scores from the PMS - and the remaining 20% for overall ROTC performance which includes PFT, Rangers, etc. and representing ROTC by being involved in campus sports and extra-curriculars.
http://www.career-satisfaction.army.mil/pdfs/ROTC_BRADSO_Briefing_slides.pdf
Approx. the top 60% get the Active Duty option. Of those, about 15% *choose* Reserves or Guard, with 85% choosing Active Duty. The bottom 40% do not have the option of Active Duty. A complex selection procedure matches those outside the top 10% of AD eligible with the 16 Branches, and includes the ability to use a 3 year ADSO extension to boost a cadet's position.
So my question is -- how is the Order of Merit list established at West Point? Is there a published numeric rating procedure as there is in ROTC?
The plebe boxing tournament.
IIRC, it is 55% academic, 30% military, 15% physical. They may have altered the percentages slightly, but that's the general system. In my day it was 60% academic and 10% physical.