ROTC Infantry Branching: Significance of being in Most Preferred?

MAJ Jerry Murray — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 15:11:24 -0400

The new branching method involves cadets being placed one of three groups: Most Preferred, Preferred, Least Preferred. Within each group the cadets are rank by the Order of Merit List ranking. Are their any estimates of what percentage of cadets in the Most Preferred group will get Infantry as their branch? How much difference committed to an ADSO would make in ensuring getting Infantry as a branch? Is there some "cutoff" on a OML score that someone in Most Preferred should choose an ADSO to ensure Infantry. Thanks in advance.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2020 8:14 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 20:14:04 -0400

Sounds like top third, middle third, and bottom third. So, 33% of the graduation class would be in each third based on OML. Future selection la would be based on needs of the army which fluctuate each year by attrition for that year. Also would depend on whether Infantry branch is willing to select from the bottom third. Which, based on my experience- they often do! Lol!

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Sep 19 at 2020 8:53 AM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Sat, 19 Sep 2020 08:53:36 -0400

Reading about current methods is so foreign to me. I graduated from BYU and was commissioned in 1980. Except for a few guys, we all got the branch we wanted. I wanted and was selected for infantry. If I remember right, MSC and MI we the only branches that were hard to get into. (Well, and nuclear navy, but I was army, so I didn't care about that.)

Response by 1LT Kevin Chapman made Sep 19 at 2020 4:55 PM

1LT Kevin Chapman — Sat, 19 Sep 2020 16:55:08 -0400

From my understanding ADSO does play a big factor in the way branching currently works now. There is a video on youtube that thoroughly explains how it works. I’ll tag it below sir. https://youtu.be/LkxQoLdOmlw

How Branching Works

To learn more about branches and the branching process click below https://oema.army.mil/branching_public/index.htm

Response by CPT Ed Burns made Sep 20 at 2020 1:04 PM

CPT Ed Burns — Sun, 20 Sep 2020 13:04:44 -0400

Back in the 'day' (1964) you had the best chance to get the branch of your choice and first duty assignment if you were a Distinguished Military Graduate (DMG). Although, if I remember rightly, we all got our branch of choice, but only DMGs got their choice of duty assignment.