Posted on Mar 10, 2014
SPC Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic
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I'll be making the jump to ROTC in the next few months and I am wondering how competitive it is to secure Active duty AND Branch slots? Any new LT's have any insight?
Posted in these groups: Leadership excellence Army ROTCJunior officers logo Junior Officers
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1LT Scout Platoon Leader
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I commissioned in January of 2012. The process may have
changed, but this is what it looked like for me:

You are assessed against all of your peers (everyone
commissioning in your year group). Each cadet is placed in an OML that is
country-wide. It’s based off of a point system. During my year, the top 50% got
active duty and the bottom 50% got ARNG. The numbers change every year based on
the needs of the Army. If you WANT reserve or guard, you will get it.

50% of your accession criteria is Grades. This is the most
important part!

The rest of your points are divided up between your APFT at
home station (your school), your APFT at LDAC, your performance during graded
tasks and class at your university, and your performance at LDAC. There is a
little room for the discretion of your PMS and peers as well. Grades are the
most important part by far.

If you manage to assess into the RA, you will list your top
10 branch choices and your top 10 duty station assignments. The top 10% of
cadets in the country are guaranteed their branch of choice.

The most competitive branches during my year were 1)
Aviation 2) Infantry 3) MI. 

I graduated with a 2.8 GPA (garbage), but was very
successful on the military side. I also committed to an additional service
obligation which caused me to incur 3 extra years of service in exchange for a
better chance of getting my number 1 choice, Infantry.

Shoot me a note or add me if you want more info. And good
luck!



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SPC Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic
SPC (Join to see)
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Thanks sir, I sent you an add request. From what I understand, the Army cut new officers by 20% but I don't know if its across the board or reserve components as well.
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SPC Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic
SPC (Join to see)
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Thanks sir, I sent you an add request. From what I understand, the Army cut new officers by 20% but I don't know if its across the board or reserve components as well.
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LTC Haimes (Andy) Kilgore
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As a former PMS, I say that everything depends on your grades.  If you are G2G, you will be active duty once commissioned, but if you don't have good grades you will not get a combat arms branch.  If you want to actually talk about this, let me know and I'll send you a cell number for me.
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LTC Haimes (Andy) Kilgore
LTC Haimes (Andy) Kilgore
>1 y
Yes, after your you complete your obligation (different number of years depending on your situation), you may be able to switch components (NG to Rerserves or the other way around). I have heard rumors of the honor grad getting getting to come on active duty from BOLC or Ranger School, but I don't think that is still possible.
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Cadet CPT (Pre-Commission)
Cadet CPT (Join to see)
>1 y
Thanks sir!
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SPC Armor Crew Member
SPC (Join to see)
8 y
Sir, there are three options under G2G. Did you mean the cadets from all three are gonna get AD or just the active duty option cadeta?
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SPC Armor Crew Member
SPC (Join to see)
8 y
Sir, what do you mean by saying g2g will get AD? I thought only g2g AD option is guaranteed a AD slot, right ?
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COL Jon Thompson
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I am the Recruiting Operations Officer for an ROTC program.  Right now, active duty is very competitive and will become even more so as the Army draws down.  That being said, you have a lot of the share in shaping your future.  40% of your final score is based on your college grades.  Typical AD GPAs are above 3.0.  15% of your score is based on your APFT scores taken during your junior year.  The remaining 45% is based on assessments and your performance.  So 55% of your score is totally up to you.  I tell all Cadets to stay focused on academics.  You may be the best Cadet but if you do not graduate, you will not become an Officer.  Feel free to contact me if you need any more information. 
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COL Jon Thompson
COL Jon Thompson
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SSG (Join to see) While I am not directly involved with the accessions process, from what you described, that Vader should be competitive for AD. The grades are good and there is a lot more besides that. I know there are some other things such as an ADSO that can help.
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SPC Armor Crew Member
SPC (Join to see)
8 y
Sir, i am a g2g cadet at Johns Hopkins University. I am wondering if its gonna boost my chance for the component, not the branch, by extending my contract for more years of service? COL Jon Thompson -
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COL Jon Thompson
COL Jon Thompson
8 y
SPC (Join to see) - I know ADSOs can improve your chances of branch. I am not specifically involved in the accessions process so I don't know the details of how it works with component. Your PMS should do that counseling and hopefully provide professional development classes on that for the cadets so they know what to strive for. What I tell all cadets and prospects is that grades are most important. Get the OML model from your PMS or instructor so you know. If you are an MSIV, there probably isn't a lot you can do now to affect that but you can if you are an MSI-III. Good luck.
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SPC Armor Crew Member
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Sir, thanks for your inout. I am MS III Cadet. I just got in the cadet land and i really want to get AD. Do you what standardized tests we are gonna take during the summer camp?COL Jon Thompson -
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