Requesting a Company/Battery at the Citadel

Mark63

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Can/should my DS request a company that he would like to be in? Also, is there an advantage/disadvantage to be in the Palmetto Battery?
 
Can/should my DS request a company that he would like to be in? Also, is there an advantage/disadvantage to be in the Palmetto Battery?

My best friend is a knob in Palmetto Battery, with a 4-year AROTC Scholarship.

PB has the most ROTC scholarships (at least for Army) and has highest GPA out of the companies last time I checked. They lead most of the drill and ceremony things for the Citadel (firing the cannons at football games for example). They wear Civil War style uniforms for most events and get to use older rifles which is cool. The main downside is that PB is a huge commitment, making doing other activities really tough. My friend isn't involved in the corps at all besides PB activities because it is so demanding.

If I remember correctly, they don't really put much consideration into company requests unless you have legacy. Don't quote me on that though. Each company has it's advantages and disadvantages, because each company is unique. Has your son pre-knobbed yet?
 
Can/should my DS request a company that he would like to be in? Also, is there an advantage/disadvantage to be in the Palmetto Battery?

Sounds like a good question for admissions.

At DS's SMC, (UNG) there was a blank on some application form asking if there was a company preference. DS did have a preference based on his experience at National Leadership Challenge. He listed that company on the form, and that's the company he was put into.
 
It really doesn't matter, every company has a slightly different attitude/culture but they don't mean much in the great scheme of things.
Palmetto Battery has extra responsibilities in being the permanently appointed honor company, but really doesn't mean anything in the long run.
Requesting company is mostly for if you want to be in the same company as Dad or Big Brother/Sister.
 
Company assignments are normally made at random, they will honor requests to be in a certain company if a family member was in that unit. They will not guarantee a request or inform new cadets of company assignments ahead of time because of problems with too many people wanting to avoid certain companies because of rumors or stories that get around.
 
I agree with Full Metal Bulldog, every battalion & company has its own culture and it doesnt really matter in the long run. Just do your best, put out, and it will be all good.

Unless you are in the company presently you can't really understand. During my not so long ago cadet days, those In my battalion always referred to Battery as the academic company because of high standards to academics. Now.. I can't call it the academic company because I dont know their culture I just know they win a lot of awards related to academics/Honors Program students. In reality they could be really focused on a culture of drill or military or whatever.

Play the odds and dont request an assignment.
 
I agree with Full Metal Bulldog, every battalion & company has its own culture and it doesnt really matter in the long run. Just do your best, put out, and it will be all good.

Unless you are in the company presently you can't really understand. During my not so long ago cadet days, those In my battalion always referred to Battery as the academic company because of high standards to academics. Now.. I can't call it the academic company because I dont know their culture I just know they win a lot of awards related to academics/Honors Program students. In reality they could be really focused on a culture of drill or military or whatever.

Play the odds and dont request an assignment.

Interesting, now 5th is referred to as the academic battalion for the same reasons. There are also tales of folks with the more illustrious high school records being placed into 5th battalion companies, but thats either old or just a rumor.
 
academics have absolutely nothing to do with company assignments, claims that certain companies or battalions are full of athletes or good students are totally unfounded and that is why rumors cause some to want to avoid certain companies and create headaches for the Commandants Department. The most talented cadets are in the Regimental Band and Pipes, anyone can march with a rifle but not everybody is coordinated enough to march and play an instrument at the same time.
 
academics have absolutely nothing to do with company assignments, claims that certain companies or battalions are full of athletes or good students are totally unfounded and that is why rumors cause some to want to avoid certain companies and create headaches for the Commandants Department. The most talented cadets are in the Regimental Band and Pipes, anyone can march with a rifle but not everybody is coordinated enough to march and play an instrument at the same time.

I dont think Academics play a huge part in company assignments. I've known cadets with a 2200/2400 sat placed in companies with the lowest academic standing. I Don't want to play the rumour mill, but there are companies(battalion) that have an overwhelming amount of athletes- but in recent years the commandants department is trying to spread that out. Likewise there are an overwhelming amount of honors kids in specific companies. I'm not sure why that is so. Every battalion has its own culture with companies also having their own culture. Some are military companies, some are academic, some are lazy, some are athletes etc. every battalion has its own moniker associated with its culture.
 
We were just there for a visit and competition. Admissions stressed that they do not categorize students and put them in specific companies based on academics, clubs, activities, interests, etc. They said it would be unfair since the companies compete against each other on almost everything, including academic standing. Just want the staff said.
 
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