Peer Rankings

[cpanddj1]

What is the purpose of peer ranking each semester? How are they used?

 

[nuensis]

They are factored toward the Aptitude for Commission grade. Midshipmen are ranked by their peers, upperclassmen (2/C and 1/C), and the company officer. Out of the three, the CO ranking has the most weight by a significant margin.

I have no idea how the aptitude grade is actually calculated. A's seem to be attainable only with a high composite (peer, upperclass, and CO) ranking. Thus, rankings are important if you're looking to get on Supe's list.

 

[usnabgo08]

nuensis,

Grade distribution is based on where one ranks (overall) within their class.
Top 35% receive A's, then 36%-80% receive B's, and the remainder are C's or D's (D's normally are only given if there are significant problems).

So, if a company has 40 plebes traditionally -- #1-14 will receive A's, #15-32 receive B's, and #33-40 would be C's. Theoretically, it is possible for someone who might be #31 to have significant conduct problems and the company officer could assign him/her a "D," which would then "bump" everyone up one (hence why I put percentages, because the company officer cannot exceed those).

 

[cpanddj1]

So, is this a Plebe thing or for everyone?

 

[nuensis]

So, if a company has 40 plebes traditionally -- #1-14 will receive A's, #15-32 receive B's, and #33-40 would be C's. Theoretically, it is possible for someone who might be #31 to have significant conduct problems and the company officer could assign him/her a "D," which would then "bump" everyone up one (hence why I put percentages, because the company officer cannot exceed those).

That's what the instruction says, but it doesn't happen. For example, last year I was ranked in the top ten and received a B for aptitude. A classmate ranked under me got an A for aptitude. No honor or conduct and not UNSAT in any way. It baffles me.

It really only matters if you're looking to get on Supe's list. Otherwise, almost everyone gets a B and most are indifferent.

Yes, rankings are for all classes. 4/C and 3/C rank their own peers; 1/C and 2/C rank the classes under them.

 

[Hurricane12]

Something that I think is getting missed here (and that I didn't really understand fully until a firstie) is that the company officer rankings usually aren't really from the company officer.

"Murder boards" are held at the end of each semester for each class by the CC, XO, and upperclass in leadership billets that hash out where everyone stands. That's why you hand in a brag sheet: your squad leader goes in and fights (or doesn't, as the case may unfortunately be) for where you belong. Once the rankings are finished per class, the CC takes the lists to the Company Officer, who tweaks it and signs off on it. The "upperclass" ranking is from what the upperclass submit on MIDS.

The weight of the aptitude grades is published somewhere (might be MIDREGS? I honestly don't remember anymore).

It's far from a perfect system, especially for upperclass/peer rankings. As a firstie, you submit rankings for literally everyone in the company. That's ~140+ people. I was a pretty involved firstie (did plebe summer and training sergeant the year before, had billets in company) and thought I knew everyone well, but still had difficulty giving out fair and accurate rankings.
Toss in squad leaders falling asleep during murder boards (yes, it happened), peers and upperclass goofing off rankings, or upperclass having favorites/vendettas for whatever reason and rankings don't always reflect reality.
This is why being a ghost during the ac year as a plebe or youngster can really hurt you: you might be doing everything right, but if you're just a face in the crowd no one knows or cares.

 

[Memphis9489]

Theoretically, it is possible for someone who might be #31 to have significant conduct problems and the company officer could assign him/her a "D," which would then "bump" everyone up one (hence why I put percentages, because the company officer cannot exceed those).

I thought "Conduct" was a different category that was assigned an separate grade. I would think lowering a midshipman's "Aptitude" grade because of "Conduct" is like double jeopardy.

 

[usnabgo08]

Something that I think is getting missed here (and that I didn't really understand fully until a firstie) is that the company officer rankings usually aren't really from the company officer.

True statement and that falls on the Company Officer to make sure that the boards are accurate and fair. While I don't believe in micro-management all the time, I think this is one time the Company Officer SHOULD be involved in the process. An engaged Company Officer (yes, I know these are hard to come by) should have a feeling where people are at in their company and if not, they aren't doing their job.

This is why being a ghost during the ac year as a plebe or youngster can really hurt you: you might be doing everything right, but if you're just a face in the crowd no one knows or cares.

Also true in the real military world with FITREPs...doesn't go away!

I thought "Conduct" was a different category that was assigned an separate grade. I would think lowering a midshipman's "Aptitude" grade because of "Conduct" is like double jeopardy.

Yes, conduct normally does affect aptitude...fair or unfair.