Service Selection

A1Janitor said:
My son’s first choice had one slot. They got rid of the slot, so he expects he is getting his second choice. He texted me today. Later he called and said he didn’t get upset like he thought he would. He is already researching what he can do in his community.

Apparently after a few years he can look at UCT (if I heard him correctly).
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Sounds interesting, what was his slot that he wanted if you don't mind me asking?
 
A1Janitor said:
My son’s first choice had one slot. They got rid of the slot, so he expects he is getting his second choice. He texted me today. Later he called and said he didn’t get upset like he thought he would. He is already researching what he can do in his community.

Apparently after a few years he can look at UCT (if I heard him correctly).
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Remind me how many are on Team Color Vision N*ot from his class?
 
Old Navy BGO said:
So many factors in play here , including how many put a particular selection as a first or second choice knowing that it was a longshot at best. There are limits on how many can be assigned to each billet,
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This is such an important point. Expectations — how realistic or unrealistic — can play a big role.

DD knew her first choice was a longshot. Much interest, few spots. Knowing that, she would’ve been ecstatic about #2. Going into this with a great attitude about both #1 and #2 is best. Since you know there’s >90% chance of getting either, the positivity should flow from there. ☺️
 
DS is a EOD Special Operations candidate. The EOD LT is having the EOD candidates meet at 0715 and he will tell them who got EOD. So they will learn if they received their first choice before the Company meetings tommorrow evening. Special Ops and Special Forces have to list either as choice as #1, they can not have one as #1 choice and the other as #2. 28 candidates for Special Ops, 16 to be selected. He will know around 0700 tommorrow. EOD is a very small intense community. His 2nd choice next ranked choices: SWO, SWO-Nuke, NFO, Submariner.
 
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Usnavy2019 said:
It is possible that the 83% number could be accurate. When I went through the process, the 1/C had a Dant's Call the week prior to Service Assignment. He went through all of the statistics to include percentage breakouts of 1st choice, 2nd choice, 3rd choice, and 4th or lower. My year (Class of 2020) had an ~80% first choice selection rate. It was good to see the statistics, but I think it left a bit more anxiety since you started wondering if you were in the 20%.
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Statistics always kind of amuse me a bit….if you dont get your first choice, you 100 pct did not get your first choice.

I know, flawed….but is it really 🤔??

Super excited for ’23!!

BTW….why is it done on a Thursday? I would think a Friday would make more sense?
 
Old Navy BGO said:
Would be interested in your observations tomorrow about how many were really surprised or disappointed in their assigment. I think that's a better indicator than First Choice, Second Choices, etc. So many factors in play here , including how many put a particular selection as a first or second choice knowing that it was a longshot at best. There are limits on how many can be assigned to each billet, and I would hope (and expect) that USNA administration tries to manage expectations...
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I agree wholeheartedly. Most people I have talked to have made peace with choices 1-3 or at least 1-2. CO/SELs recieved assignments today and have the ability to let MIDN know ahead of time if they suspect they will be very disappointed. I like this compassionate policy because no one wants to be crushed in front of all of their classmates.

Edit to add:

BTW….why is it done on a Thursday? I would think a Friday would make more sense?

I suspect this is an attempt to limit alcohol incidents. 24 hours of cool down before the weekend probably leads to better choices.
 
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Don't Give Up the Ship said:
DS is a EOD Special Operations candidate. The EOD LT is having the EOD candidates meet in the morning and will tell them who got EOD-so they will learn if they received their first choice before the Company meetings tommorrow evening. Special Ops and Special Forces have to list either as choice as #1, they can not have one as #1 choice and the other as #2. 28 candidates for Special Ops, 16 to be selected. He will know around 0700 tommorrow. EOD is a very small intense community. His 2nd choice next ranked choices: SWO, SWO-Nuke, NFO, Submariner.
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Fingers crossed!!!
 
justdoit19 said:
Statistics always kind of amuse me a bit….if you dont get your first choice, you 100 pct did not get your first choice.

I know, flawed….but is it really 🤔??

Super excited for ’23!!

BTW….why is it done on a Thursday? I would think a Friday would make more sense?
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The real celebrations begin Friday evening...:laugh:
 
ProudDad2022 said:
Not to derail this topic but....Do the other service academies have a "service selection" day?
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www.army.mil

Branch Night: Class of 2022 receives its branch notifications

By Delancey Pryor IIIPV Assistant EditorThe U.S. Military Academy Class of 2022 celebrated one of its most significant milestones at West Point thus f...
www.army.mil www.army.mil

uscga.edu

Billet Night Excitement - United States Coast Guard Academy

I write today from the confines of my room, as a snowstorm closed base! Thankfully this means that there were no classes today, not even the virtual kind. Today has been a well-needed reprieve from the hustle and bustle of a typical spring semester. The major difference this spring semester is...
uscga.edu uscga.edu

You get the idea…it’s a Big Deal, knowing what road awaits you.
 
DS is keeping his 2023 friends in mind. The percentages quoted regarding first and second choices line up with what he shared with me.
Rumors abound re pilot slots and this year and next possibly being lower in available slots. I take them for what they are. Rumors.
 
My guy also knew. There was a super slim chance of not getting first choice.

The more exciting thing, to me, was the day overall….hearing parent friends, and my Mids friends, share what they will be doing. Seeing the class as a whole receive their assignments.

It’s very exciting. Also some sadness. Sending mojo and good vibes ☮️ over to Bancroft today!!
 
It would be great if every mid could get his/her first choice but it's not realistic. Big Navy wants a spread among USNA, ROTC and OCS for various communities and so gives USNA a quota for each. If they simply left it up to mids, it's possible that 350 mids would choose USN pilot, for example, which would be a huge percentage of overall accession.

Also, some mids may not have great aptitude or even desire for their first choice. This was a problem when I was at USNA -- USMC guaranteed folks who were qualified to fly that they could be pilots / NFOs. So more than a few mids selected USMC just to get an aviation slot, with zero interest in being a Marine. You can imagine how that worked out. :rolleyes:

The above said, I think there should be a bit of flexibility. For example, if there are 35 SEAL slots and 37 really qualified folks who want to be SEALs, it seems counterintuitive to force 2 folks to become something else when they would have made great SEALs. Conversely, if there are only 33 great candidates, they shouldn't (and assume wouldn't) pick 2 who are so-so.
 
Speaking to the Marine piece, from the civilian bench seats, I was surprised at the number that didn’t get Marine. And had it as their number 1. Mids that had trained and were (assuminingly) qualified, and were devastated to not receive that assignment.
 
Son said his company has a disproportionate amount that want Marines. Way above the typical percentages that get them.

He doesn't understand that, as he has no desire at all. :p
 
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