Plebe Chemistry Sucks

Department heads are monitoring the talents of Cadets and can guide them to fulfill Army needs.

I'm laughing at the subtlety of this, @tug_boat. Our son was "voluntold" (love that term) in which major(s) and where the Army would like him to apply his talents. He is dead set on one path; apparently, the Army has other ideas for him. We tried to tell him when he started this process that he would not be calling the shots. We're silently shaking our heads and saying "I told you so." He's OK with it, though.
 
I'm laughing at the subtlety of this, @tug_boat. Our son was "voluntold" (love that term) in which major(s) and where the Army would like him to apply his talents. He is dead set on one path; apparently, the Army has other ideas for him. We tried to tell him when he started this process that he would not be calling the shots. We're silently shaking our heads and saying "I told you so." He's OK with it, though.
What was he interested in vs. what was suggested he major in? I'm interested how this worked behinds the scenes, as the briefings certainly all make it sound as if cadets can pick and choose their majors as they wish. My kid went there thinking he would choose Mechanical Engineering as his major, which is what he what he ended up choosing last year and there didn't seem to be any push for him to look at anything different.
 
Let's just say he sees a career of "boots on the ground," but the Army thinks it would be better served with him in a different type of role. They have a way of flattering cadets into their way of thinking, so he thinks he's coming round to it himself.
 
What a Cadets major of study and their branch are two different things. You must understand during their CDLT, CLTL, AIADS and so forth they are being monitored and evaluated. Some Cadets will develop leadership styles that may be more suited for one thing. Others may have a real talent in hard sciences and needed in Signal Corps. Then there is the undertow of politics among Cadets positioning themselves for branching. So what may happen a Cadet may see him self in a weak position lets say to Transpo, and will not get a very good post assignment so he may select a another branch were he may be in a stronger position and be able to select a better assignment based on their class ranking. Cadets who are identified early in Life Sciences will go through a very competitive process of hoping to branch Medical and go on to Med school like John Hopkins. These Cadets are in the top 5% of the class and usually have a Gold Star. By law only will 18 to 20 will be selected. So through mentorship and asking question for guidance from their TACs, sponsors, profs, department heads they find their way. As parents, you have very little influence and only get briefings. This week the Firsties are submitting their three choices of branches. Next month they will find out their branch during.......branch night. There will be a lot stress leading up to this night. Cadets themselves rarely discuss their grades or class rank amongst each other. Ever so often a foolish Plebe parent will post their Cadets grades on social media. That is sure way of getting their news feed cut.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
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