How many of you officers actually got the branch That you chose? I'm currently QM so I'd like to be a QM officer...

2016-05-27T10:18:46-04:00

Response by CPT Al Picon made May 27 at 2016 10:22 AM

2016-05-27T10:22:28-04:00

King Of Battle was my first and only choice!!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2016 10:22 AM

2016-05-27T10:22:42-04:00

It's very rare to get your number one choice unless you beat the OML and how we used to call it the roulette. But it's not impossible, I got my third choice.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2016 10:22 AM

2016-05-27T10:22:59-04:00

I did. Get a good GPA and you will have a better chance

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2016 10:23 AM

2016-05-27T10:23:27-04:00

Requested, and received commission in Military Intelligence. :-)

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2016 10:26 AM

2016-05-27T10:26:48-04:00

A former MS4, very high GPA majoring in cyber security with a lot of research projects related to his major and apparently high oml ended up on his 3rd choice, signal AND branch detail infantry.

It's all about the needs of the Army...

Response by SFC Robert Bower made May 27 at 2016 10:32 AM

2016-05-27T10:32:03-04:00

Add Active duty guard reserve... Big difference. It's kinda hard for Active duty officers to get the branch they want.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2016 10:33 AM

2016-05-27T10:33:07-04:00

When you say branch do you mean MOS? Because it's very unusual for someone to pick Airforce ROTC and wind up in the Army. For MOS/AFSC everyone in my commissioning class (15 people) 618-6995 got their top 3 except for 1. She didn't get anything on her list.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2016 10:37 AM

2016-05-27T10:37:12-04:00

When I went through - we didn't have OML. Some guy at HRC would email you around week 9/10 and inform you of your branch. Some candidates got what they wanted, others didn't. I was branched TC, which was #10 on my OCS application's "top 10" list. We were allowed to trade, but most people trading wanted combat arms, MSC, MI, SC....very few people wanted logistics, so I was stuck with mine..lol.

It worked out in the end, as I worked hard and ultimately opted for a new career path, shortly after becoming a Captain.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2016 10:40 AM

2016-05-27T10:40:58-04:00

Your placement on the OML will greatly enhance your ability to get selected for your top choice. Generally, most will get a branch in their top 5. If I were you, I'd make my top 3 QM, TC, and OD because once you make CPT, they're all interchangeable under Logistics Branch. Another option, is request Nation Guard, and get a letter of acceptance from a unit with a QM slot.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made May 27 at 2016 10:49 AM

2016-05-27T10:49:49-04:00

If you are high enough on the OML to get active duty and want Quartermaster, you stand a good chance of getting that. If you major in Supply Chain Mgmt, that would help as well. Look at the other Logostocs branches as well since after the Captain's Career Course, they all merge into Logistics. Since you have enlisted back ground already, it might be smart to look at Ordnance or Trans.

Response by LTC Mark Beattie made May 27 at 2016 10:52 AM

2016-05-27T10:52:32-04:00

I requested infantry branch and was branched an infantry 2LT in 1977. At that time the higher you finished in your class, the better your chances of your first choice being approved. I can't imagine it being much different today.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made May 27 at 2016 10:54 AM

2016-05-27T10:54:38-04:00

I did. I think being prior service within a related field certainly helped me. I was a medic while enlisted, and requested Medical Service Corps as my #1.

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made May 27 at 2016 10:58 AM

2016-05-27T10:58:13-04:00

Use connections if you want to stay QM.
I got my #1 thru a combination of luck and a connection and got my branch transfer due to a connection. You can rely upon the needs of the Army and randomness or use human nature to your advantage.

Response by Capt Walter Miller made May 27 at 2016 11:15 AM

2016-05-27T11:15:34-04:00

I did.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2016 11:21 AM

2016-05-27T11:21:06-04:00

I did, because I did the SMP/GRFD contract, and had my unit fill out a BNR (by name request) I was able to get the branch I wanted and was able to serve in the same unit I was already in. For those wanting to go Gaurd or Reserve, it's a good gig.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2016 11:25 AM

2016-05-27T11:25:14-04:00

I wanted chemical corps and I was already national guard, so I just found a unit with a vacant 74A slot and requested it through my OSM.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2016 11:33 AM

2016-05-27T11:33:27-04:00

I got my second choice and transferred to another branch. It really depends on the demand of the branch you want and it's number of available slots. It's really depends the needs of the Army.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made May 27 at 2016 11:36 AM

2016-05-27T11:36:52-04:00

If you want combat arms they will give it to you.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2016 11:38 AM

2016-05-27T11:38:25-04:00

It really does depend on your commissioning source. If you're commissioning through ROTC and want QM, there's a high likelihood that you'll get it. It's all about maintaining a good GPA and APFT score along with doing well on the OML.

The quality of each program really does influence which Cadets get their top choice. I was fortunate to be part of a challenging ROTC; nearly everyone who wanted active duty got it with their top choice. Other LTs I've met... not so much.

Regardless, QM is a branch that is high in demand from the Army, but not a lot of Cadets want it. If you put it down as your top choice and have a solid placement on the OML, you'll probably get it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2016 12:11 PM

2016-05-27T12:11:45-04:00

I did as well. If you are prior service QM I'd say you have a decent shot of staying QM but I'd try to do well to get high on they OML to better your chances further. Good luck.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2016 12:30 PM

2016-05-27T12:30:42-04:00

I was commissioned 14E into the guard. A few months after I got back from OBC our unit got told we were converting to MPs. Sent to MP officer advance course and became 31A qualified. refused to do my branch transfer paperwork for 3 years until I found out I couldn't be promoted to CPT until I did it. A couple months after that I was sent to 90A school and have been a loggie ever since.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2016 12:38 PM

2016-05-27T12:38:28-04:00

I did not get my first eight choices. I graduated cum laude and recieved and overall excellence at LDAC. Now, what was the contributing factor in that was student teaching pushed back my graduation a whole semester, which put me in a new YG, which had already been assessed. I ended up branching Ordnance and am now a LG Captain. I have thoroughly enjoyed what I do. You learn to love your branch. In the end, across all the branches, we're all professionals and peers working towards a common goal. Each branch offers unique opportunities for post command broadening assignments. If you get a branch that was not in our top three, do not get discouraged.

Response by MAJ Keith FitzPatrick, CPIM, CSCP made May 27 at 2016 1:16 PM

2016-05-27T13:16:08-04:00

Asked for Ordnance and volunteered for branch detail to Armor. Ended up with RA Ordnance. Heck, if I had know I was that high on the OML, I would have asked for Armor as my first choice.

Response by LT David Phillips made May 27 at 2016 1:46 PM

2016-05-27T13:46:57-04:00

I'll respond, even though my experience is (cough, cough) almost 40 years ago, and USN, too.
I was commissioned through NROTC, and got my first choice. On the other hand, my first choice was a brand new and little known warfare category, Special Operations (NOT Special Warfare, those are the SEALS). Spec. Ops rolled up the EOD, Diving, and Expendable Ordnance Management Officers (I never met one of those) into a Line Officer branch so that (I think) there could be more opportunity for advancement in those areas.

As others have written, it depends on where they need new officers, and how well you do. In 1978, the Navy wanted young diving officers that could advance as line officers, not just LDOs & Warrants.

IMO, one of the best descriptions of the detailing process is in Robert Heinlein's "Glory Road", early on in the book went Oscar is describing his enlistment & assignments.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2016 1:55 PM

2016-05-27T13:55:10-04:00

I got my first choice, Armor! Thank you HRC.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2016 2:02 PM

2016-05-27T14:02:02-04:00

I graduated as a DMG with a 3.97 GPA. Got my first choice branch of QM. QM is generally under requested if you look at the yearly trends. So, if you perform fairly well, you should not have an issue receiving it as your top branch choice.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2016 2:10 PM

2016-05-27T14:10:18-04:00

Important to remember is that at the end of the day, it will needs of the Army that determine what branch you'll get. And regardless of the branch, you'll be a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Army and (as I'm sure you've experienced as an NCO), there's no greater privilege than serving in the Army and leading Soldiers.

Now that being said, as other RP members have said, it's about the OML second to needs of the Army. The OML will take into account your GPA, your PT score, performance at LDAC, and any "accession points" you accrue during your time as a Cadet. Everything counts until your last semester before you go to LDAC. So if you're a 4 year GTG recipient, the spring semester of your junior year is the last semester that's looked at for the purpose of branching and component as you'll be "assessed" during the Fall of your senior year.

So just work hard at everything remotely related to ROTC and academics and make some time to join some other campus organizations/sports teams. There are accession points for varsity sports, intramurals, Greek Life, Student Government, club leadership, special teams within ROTC, etc. Even though your Cadre may tell you that X activity is worth just 0.5 an accession point, that 0.5 can boost you up a ton of spots on the OML. It's kind of a strange beast. Sorry for the novel, hope this helps!

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made May 27 at 2016 2:42 PM

2016-05-27T14:42:44-04:00

I am just guessing that they will require you to submit your top 3 branches. If that is correct, then you have some strategizing to do.

Response by MAJ Heriberto Rodriguez made May 27 at 2016 5:50 PM

2016-05-27T17:50:58-04:00

If you are Active duty and you are plaining to get your commission thought OSC and you put all your effort into it theirs a good chance that you will get it, or otherwise in the ROTC. My first choose was Finance and I Got it and with the years and skills developments a switch to Quartermaster. And the main words that I always had in my mind TO ACCOMPLISH MY GOALS were the following . BE ALL THAT YOU CAN BE.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2016 11:30 PM

2016-05-27T23:30:12-04:00

I was lucky enough to get my #1 choice...Signal!

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made May 28 at 2016 2:14 AM

2016-05-28T02:14:37-04:00

I got what I wanted, QM branch detailed to AR.
QM branch needs more CPTs than LTs which is why volunteering for branch detail can help.

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made May 28 at 2016 5:36 AM

2016-05-28T05:36:30-04:00

I got an excellent assignment coming out of the gate: Left New England in a blizzard, passed through a blinding ice storm in PA, arrived in FL and met my beach. Loved the job! Good enough to be asked to stay and train the next few classes but opted to go west to see what excitement the west held for me. Either decision would have been excellent in retrospect. But I am happy with the all of the assignments I had. I am a ROTC grad. For many, if they didn't pass the tests or practical missions, they no longer were part of the USAF. I was not going backwards. In actuality, I was happy to have an assignment. With lots of free time. The beach was great. Getting up at 0-dark thirty, not so much. I'd do it it almost exact.y the same way given the chance again. My grades were mediocre in college due to my brother's death but in HS I was involved in every thing: sports, choir, drama. Band, student government, school newspaper, gymnastics, cheerleading, various other activities and managed the boy's track team. I did this while staying in the top,10% of my class academically while taking college courses. 10% doesn't sound like much but there were over 500 genuinely talented and driven, 2 valedictorians (4.0 each) heavily involved in school activities. My dad was SAC and I got to be in TAC my whole career in unrelated specialties to avoid any inprpriety.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2016 10:35 AM

2016-05-28T10:35:41-04:00

I did not get a branch even in my top 10, and (after 12 years) have determined what I wanted as a Cadet didn't really matter for my success and satisfaction with the Army. (I'm successful and satisfied).

I was enlisted infantry, did well in my active duty time, had a great GPA and excelled in my ROTC work. When the branches came out, the "needs of the Army" trumped my desires and off I went.

End of the day, wherever you go your job is more "leading" and less "doing" and leadership doesn't change much from MPs to Signal, or whatever other branch.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 28 at 2016 12:41 PM

2016-05-28T12:41:30-04:00

Heck, I built a whole 22 year career off Plan Bs. The Army sent me to school on a ROTC Science and Engineering Scholarship. Asked for EN, AR, OD in that order...rest of top ten was compliance with branching rules at the time. Was assured I would be branched EN since they sank so much money into me. Branched OD. In the end, glad I was not branched Chemical, which was the post Desert Storm "needs of the Army" du jour.

Don't try and second guess it too much. Do your best. Grow where you are planted. And if all else fails, if you can't get out of it, you might as well get into it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2016 6:42 AM

2016-05-29T06:42:06-04:00

Was a QM (92A) Soldier....wanted to be an Ordnance officer...asked to be an Ordnance officer.....was branched Ordnance. Nothing special with my GPA. That was 1999........

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2016 9:48 PM

2016-05-29T21:48:25-04:00

I got my branch as an engineer on OCS. But I insisted on it before I went in.

Response by MAJ Hugh Blanchard made May 30 at 2016 11:09 AM

2016-05-30T11:09:18-04:00

Well, I had served in MI as an enlisted soldier and NCO, so the Army and DoD had invested a lot in my background investigation. When I returned to school to earn my degree and a commission, I asked for assignment to one of the combat arms. But I somewhat expected to be branched back into MI, given my prior service and completed SSBI. And that was what happened, and I'm not unhappy about that outcome.

Response by COL R. Bruce Chisholm made May 31 at 2016 8:33 AM

2016-05-31T08:33:18-04:00

I was an enlisted Infantryman when I went to OCS. Infantry was my first choice. I was branched MP and sent to Fort Myer. Since we provided security at ceremonial events at Arlington Nation Cemetary and Myer, there was a height requirement that was the same as the Old Guard enlisted but not in the officer assignment instructions for MP. The LT assigned before me was 5'6". Not sure what happened at PERSCOM but being 6'4" got me four sets of blues and OIC of a LOT of ceremonies.
The other LT never pulled a mission where the Old Guard Soldiers were present and every platoon leader for years after me was at least 5'11.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2016 11:49 AM

2016-06-01T11:49:21-04:00

I got my second choice of FA. Have been happy with that. It is not the end of the world if you don't get you branch of choice. I am sure you will do well in whatever branch you are assigned. You will use your QM training no matter where you go. Good luck.

Response by CPT Earl George made Jun 1 at 2016 11:26 PM

2016-06-01T23:26:21-04:00

I asked for Infantry and got Infantry. My ROTC class had 32 seniors(1971) Vietnam was winding down so some guys got 2 years active duty and some got 3 months active duty. An order of merit list was established for branch selection. I know we had guys get infantry who did not want it and guys who got 3 months active who did not want it. I got an RA commission so I got 3 years initially. RA commission was the way to go in my case. Our PMS said they were not sending any new 2LT's to Vietnam when we selected branches Feb 71.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2016 8:47 AM

2016-06-02T08:47:02-04:00

It's mostly up to chance, honestly, if you do ROTC. West Point has a legit OML system where #1 picks first, #2 picks second, ect. ROTC is purely needs of the army. Unless you're in the top 15%, it's all dumb luck (as with duty station). I was the top 20th percentile and got my 14th pick

Response by Cadet 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2016 12:19 PM

2016-06-05T12:19:21-04:00

It depends on 3 major aspects. The GPA, which is the biggest thing they look at. You need to have at least a 3.4 in most cases to even get active duty. Second they look at the PT score. 270 or better is the aim, the higher the better in terms of your choice. Third your assessment scores from summer training between junior and senior year. You makes a list of top 10-15 jobs you want and your guaranteed one of those jobs on that list, which one is determined by your scores in the previously mentioned categories. You can also ADSO for a a specific branch which is you saying to the army, "I'll do a seven year contract if you give me a better chance at this specific job Vs a normal four year contract". Also different training you have puts you higher on the OML (Order of Merit List). For example a 3.3 gpa with airborne wings may get infantry over a guy wit a 3.6 without airborne wings. In terms of ROTC, you get the opportunity to go through Airborne, Air Assault and Mountain Warfare school through ROTC as a cadet. Lastly it all depends on the job and how popular it is, I have my top picks all in combat arms areas like Infantry, Armor/Cavalry, Field Artillery, I also have Aviation, Ordnance (EOD), Military Intelligence, Signal, Military Police, CBRN, etc. jobs like infantry, MI, Armor, and Aviation are highly competitive, even more so now that they lifted the ban on women in combat. Quarter Master is definitely not one of the more popular ones so you really shouldn't have an issue getting it because almost no one wants it. They also will look at your previous MOS as an enlisted soldier but it won't make any huge impact on getting a specific job. I know plenty of infantry or cavalry guys that ended up MP or Signal or something that wasn't in their top 5-7 choices. In terms of ROTC its all about the GPA, PT scores and Assessment scores from in between Jr & Sr year. If your really worried about it and aren't afraid of the longer commitment you can always ADSO for specific branches.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2016 10:38 PM

2016-06-06T22:38:52-04:00

I see that you have the logo for OCS so I assume you will be seeking a commission through that route. I would like to say that the Army has enough sense to leave Soldiers with experience in an area in that field of expertise when they cross over to the Officer side, but I would be lying. In my OCS class we had several prior service NCO's who were assigned branches that had nothing to do with their previous branch. We also had candidates that were seeking assignments to combat arms branches would got ordinance and supply. The saving grace is that there is a period where you are allowed to make trades with your fellow candidates. I was branched Infantry but wanted Engineers. I found another candidate who had what I wanted and we traded assignments. So even if you do not get what you hope for, there is still a chance. Just be prepared for the possibility that no one who has QM will trade with you and that you may end up in another branch. Good Luck.

Response by MAJ Michael McComber made Jun 7 at 2016 11:24 PM

2016-06-07T23:24:01-04:00

Peel off that QM brass and underneath are Infantry rifles. That's all you need to know.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Jun 8 at 2016 12:45 AM

2016-06-08T00:45:03-04:00

SSG Chisolm,

Just remember it's all good advice but by the time you make Captain you'll be Branched Logistics so QM, OD or TC will get you there by the time you're a Captain. If you go reserve you'll probably have a better chance at QM as well. Be sure to look at where you might serve if you end up with a Reserve Commission. I first was commissioned FA then went OD in the reserves after about 10 years as an FA Officer and ended up Logistics. It's all good. Good luck!

Response by LT David Phillips made Jun 8 at 2016 10:40 PM

2016-06-08T22:40:54-04:00

In my first response, I forgot to mention the detailing process when I was graduating from NROTC.
The CO of the NROTC unit was a ring knocker, who had a very low opinion of divers. In his mind, diving officers were warrants or LDOs, and no real line officer should be a diver. My first set of orders for post-graduation were for the Salvage Diving Officer course (3 months in DC), then Surface Warfare Officer School (SWOS) in Newport, RI. A few weeks before graduation those orders were cancelled, and I got orders to SWOS in Coronado, CA. PCS orders, too, when the previous orders were all TDY.
Once I got to SWOS, I started calling my detailer every week, and finally got orders to Deep Sea Diving Officer course back in DC.
So, because of a whim of a CO, the Navy paid for a PCS move from the East Coast to the West Coast, then another PCS move from the West Coast to the East Coast. I also spent a year in schools before I got to a ship, instead of 6 months.

I referred to 'Glory Road' in my first response. Here is the relevant section, with respect to detailing. "Regardless of T.O., all military bureaucracies consist of three departments, the Surprise Party Department, the Practical Joke Department, and the Fairy Godmother department. The first two process most matters as the third is very small; the Fairy Godmother department is one elderly female GS-5 clerk usually out on sick leave."

Most detailing assignments are done by the Surprise Party or Practical Joke departments.

Response by MAJ L. Nicholas Smith made Jun 9 at 2016 10:13 AM

2016-06-09T10:13:20-04:00

Your best chance at getting the branch of your choice is influenced by your performance (GPA, APFT, Abilities) as well as the ultimate trump card: Needs of the Army. Since we are talking OCS and you already have a degree, I don't think the GPA is as large a factor as others in branching but possibly was/will be in the selection for OCS itself.

I got one of my top three choices. One of the forms you will fill out as part of your packet is a DA Form 61. This is where you will list your choice of branches in order of preference. As someone else already stated, QM is in demand but I would also examine and analyze HRC information to get an idea of what is (as a branch) over and under strength. I would also recommend asking yourself what you want to be doing in 12 or more years and to outline what you seek in educational and professional opportunities. Each branch has different opportunities and/or limitations.

In OCS, some of the branch selections didn't make sense to us at the time. NCOs who had been in a medical field (68W) and wanted MSC were instead branched Chemical. NCOs who were chemical were branched MSC. The Army still got the same numbers, but it seemed to us that it could have managed its talent better (which is a known and ongoing problem for the Army).

Response by MAJ Brandon Outlaw,PMP made Jun 17 at 2016 12:28 AM

2016-06-17T00:28:05-04:00

This question is hard for me to answer since I was commissioned 15 years ago! I am sure things have changed now! However, I was branched detailed the first two years of my service to the Chemical Corp and then transitioned to QM. I didn't even have Chemical on my wish list so I am still confused on how that happended!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2016 10:35 PM

2016-10-18T22:35:40-04:00

I'm Nurse Corps so 100% chance

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Oct 18 at 2016 11:58 PM

2016-10-18T23:58:17-04:00

LTC Yinon Weiss, SSG Avonye Chisolm died in an airborne training accident on 26AUG16. I don't know what the proper procedure is in such a situation, but it seems appropriate that his profile be removed or in some way memorialized. COL Sam Russell's discussion thread entitled "Another Airborne Ranger was killed..." so noted the event.
Just thought you'd like to know. SSG Carlos Madden

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Oct 18 at 2016 11:59 PM

2016-10-18T23:59:31-04:00

Requiescat in pace, SSG Private RallyPoint Member.

Response by CPT Brad Wilson made Aug 24 at 2019 10:54 AM

2019-08-24T10:54:49-04:00

I did I was an SMP in an Artillery unit and when the time came I decided to stay in the Guard and got a letter from the Bn Commander and spent most of the next 22 years in that unit