West Point Recondo badge

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proudpop2

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I have heard about some cadets achieving the Recondo badge during CFT and there was discussion about what percentage of cadets achieve that? I understand it entails reaching certain scores on marksmanship, land nav, obstacle courses, CFT, etc so it sounds like one has to be very well rounded to attain it. So just curious if anyone has more info and details about this award?
 
Years past has been 25% or so, sounds like 1/4 - 1/3 usually earn it. DS earned his last month, nice attaboy like IOCT but as stated not an official decoration once comissioned.
 
If I'm not mistaken, the standards are the same for both men and women so it is much harder for women to achieve because of the run, ruck and APFT requirements. Last year, I believe that only a handful of females earned the badge. Thus, if 35% of the entire class earned the badge, then the percentage of men earning the badge was likely quite higher - perhaps somewhere in the 40-50% range.
 
@SMP You are correct that the standards are the same for both men and women. Women who earned the tab are real stud muffins in terms of PT this year. The five mile run is pretty tough as it is not a flat course.
 
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Love4monsters said:
View attachment 1647

Son is a 2021 and he said approximately 35% were awarded the Recondo badge. He was happy to be among the 35%. It is a USMA badge. The big Army has their own Recondo badge so he can wear it for the next 3 years but not when he commissions.
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DS is a rising Yuck. He'll be completing CFT2 this week. He's receiving a recondo badge. He said it was tough, because Army evaluates multiple abilities.
 
JCSDVM1 said:
Correct. DS said it was 5/6 land nav., 30/40 on the rifle,80% on every ACFT event, 32 min 4 miler, Go on Marne, 1st try WCC
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That sounds correct—based on my limited intel from our son who is there right now.
Also the APFT is different that what is quoted above. My son told me a lot of people had trouble with the standing power throw.
 
Do we really care if they get 5 out of 6 land nav points on their first or 2nd try? Same thing with qualifying expert with the rifle. If they go bust their butt with PMI and make big improvements, shouldn't that be rewarded? Same thing with the Water Obstacle Course.
 
dutydidnotwait98 said:
Do we really care if they get 5 out of 6 land nav points on their first or 2nd try? Same thing with qualifying expert with the rifle. If they go bust their butt with PMI and make big improvements, shouldn't that be rewarded? Same thing with the Water Obstacle Course.
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They complete cft they just don't earn the recondo badge.
 
dutydidnotwait98 said:
Do we really care if they get 5 out of 6 land nav points on their first or 2nd try? Same thing with qualifying expert with the rifle. If they go bust their butt with PMI and make big improvements, shouldn't that be rewarded? Same thing with the Water Obstacle Course.
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To provide some insight, land navigation is a 3 day lane with one chance to test. If you fail (<3/6 points) you will return with another company to test again for a maximum of a 3/6 score. As such, there is not really an opportunity for a ‘second chance’ unless you fail, in which case you can’t earn the necessary points. As for rifle qual, you have 2 opportunities to get the necessary score, so it is possible to improve. Water confidence is pretty straightforward. Also, for this year, the events included were
-rifle (30/40)
-land nav (5/6)
-team leader assessment (>80%)
-water confidence (1st time go)
-marne obstacle (go in 2 attempts for all obstacles)
-4 mile run (<32:00)
-ACFT (>= 80% on each event)
In order to receive the badge, you had to achieve 6/7 of the events to recondo standard. Source: was a CFT2 cadre this summer.
 
proudpop2 said:
I have heard about some cadets achieving the Recondo badge during CFT and there was discussion about what percentage of cadets achieve that? I understand it entails reaching certain scores on marksmanship, land nav, obstacle courses, CFT, etc so it sounds like one has to be very well rounded to attain it. So just curious if anyone has more info and details about this award?
Click to expand...

hutch1 said:
To provide some insight, land navigation is a 3 day lane with one chance to test. If you fail (<3/6 points) you will return with another company to test again for a maximum of a 3/6 score. As such, there is not really an opportunity for a ‘second chance’ unless you fail, in which case you can’t earn the necessary points. As for rifle qual, you have 2 opportunities to get the necessary score, so it is possible to improve. Water confidence is pretty straightforward. Also, for this year, the events included were
-rifle (30/40)
-land nav (5/6)
-team leader assessment (>80%)
-water confidence (1st time go)
-marne obstacle (go in 2 attempts for all obstacles)
-4 mile run (<32:00)
-ACFT (>= 80% on each event)
In order to receive the badge, you had to achieve 6/7 of the events to recondo standard. Source: was a CFT2 cadre this summer.
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Starting with Class of 2027 (CFT 2024) the requirements to earn a West Point Recondo pin were made significantly more difficult. Cadets are no longer able to drop out an event. As a result the number of cadets earning a Recondo designation at CFT 24' was under <20%.
 
Very tough this year. Very few on DS's company got it. Even the high end guys didnt get it. Seems like way less than 20%. DS missed it by only one Land Nav point.
 
shock-n-awe said:
The Corps has…
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"What we obtain too cheaply we esteem to lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value." -Thomas Paine. Tightening the standards is a positive development. USMA and other service academies should always try to raise the bar for achievement. This is especially true in today's culture of wokeness and participation trophies.
 
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