Thoughts on Branching

[roger29]

As an MSIII and beginning to start my accessions packet, I am questioning my reasons, and others reasons for choosing a branch.

I have seen so many time before people choose a branch because they are considered or labeled as being the best. Guys say they want to be infantry because it's "the only real branch" or "they are hardcore". I think you know what am saying, but are these really good reasons for choosing a branch?

I have a friend in a very interesting position: He's fiance used to date a guy who is currently an armor officer. The fiance's parents worship the ex boyfriend because he went to West Point and they are infactuated with the mentality that Armor is where the tough and best are. It is ashame for this guy bcause he is influenced by these parents causing him to almost prove himself to them. What are you thoughts on this?

Right now, I am looking at INF, ENG, MP, ARMOR, in that order. I really like infantry and think it would be a good fit with my leadership and interests, but, I question how well of an officer I will make and if I will be able to endure that type of enviornment. I then look at Engineers and think that it is something I would also be highly interested in and would suit me well, but, I then see that I won't be able to have the same opportunities as an IN officer...earning an EIB, hooah schools, things like that...

Sorry for the long post, but I am just looking at some of your opinions...

[Holt]

You'd be amaized just how little your branch matters to what you'll be doing in the army. I've heard and read countless stories of men being assigned posts or jobs that is the complete opposite that they've been trained for. What really matters, in their collective opinions (I mean, come on, what do I personally know about this?), is what leadership skills you have and develop in any training.
... I think

[roger29]

Thanks MS I... lol, thanks for the opinion man...but is there any IVs and officesr out there that have lived through this?

[MAJ. Payne]

Hey man, I feel very similar to how you feel about branching and whatnot. I too am an MS-III and in about 2 weeks we are starting our Accessesions Prep. I'm looking to put IN or AR first, but I'm having a tough time deciding between the two. Granted I do still have a while to think about it. However, being in a similar situation as you, I remind myself of one thing: It doesn't matter in the long run what branch you choose so long as you ENJOY what you are doing. We will all be SOLDIERS in the greatest Army in the world, and that is enough for me regardless of how the powers that be decided my branching fate. Big picture: so long as your happy, that is all that should matter. Personally, I see myself being happy just seeing U.S Army over my breast pocket and wearing a couple of gold bars.

[roger29]

I hear ya man, it's cool you think that way, I try to think that way, but often get clouded by all the talk in rotc...if ya know what I mean...

Everyone wants to have all the patches and badges in the world, I sometimes think that earning them is what is deciding my fate within the branch instead of what I want to do...

[Domer]

Don't worry about whether or not you'll be able to endure Infantry. if you want it, you'll find a way. Also, as much as I can tell, the Army will be the one to tell you if youcan handle it or not. And one more thing, infantry soldiers respect someone who takes care of them, and has a good attitude about it. In the infantry, you are not better than your soldiers; it's the other way around, your soldiers make you. If you are good to them, they'll stand up for your ass. Rember that people are by no means an expendable resource, and one casualty is not acceptable. However, it is your job to remember "Mission first, people aqlways," and make those decisions. If you ask me, infantry is one of the most difficult branch on the officer.

But I don't want to talk you out of what you want to do. If you have a good head about you, and aren't worried about being "hardcore", chances are, you'll make a fine infantry officer.

Priorties:
1. Accomplish the mission.
2. Bring everybody home.

[AirborneAli]

Make sure you'll be happy with any of your top three. Lots of people I know got #2 or #3 and were depressed. It's not a buffet - you can't take what you want, it's the Army :-)

[roger29]

I think I'd be happy with my top 4, of course after being initiall upset. My thought is this, and correct me if my logic is wrong, but say I have INF as my first choice, or any branch that has a high number of slots to give out and a fairly high rate of slots given, why would the army give me 2, 3, or 4 when they are tougher and fewer slots are given?

[AirborneAli]

Because it's the Army, where rationality and common sense need not apply!

[MoJo]

I think I'd be happy with my top 4, of course after being initiall upset. My thought is this, and correct me if my logic is wrong, but say I have INF as my first choice, or any branch that has a high number of slots to give out and a fairly high rate of slots given, why would the army give me 2, 3, or 4 when they are tougher and fewer slots are given?

Because Infantry is actually the most requested branch, and because there are only 317 or so infantry slots for roughly 4,600 ROTC cadets.

[GarryOwen]

and remember...no more than 60% of the branch can be filled by the top 20 percent of the cadets...so everyone has an equal chance at it...but remember...top of OML and bottom have the best chances of getting what they want!

[Domer]

Because it's the Army, where rationality and common sense need not apply!

Much like women. Must be why you fit in so well, huh, pretty lady?

[AirborneAli]

Abso-fuckin-lutely.

[roger29]

I know that infantry is a highly sought out branch, but how tough is it to get ENG? How many slots are given out and how requested is it?

[Wes]

IF you want rank fast I suggest Armor, it promotes fastest. Infantry promotes second fastest, and has the most "HOOAH" school slots. Know this though, if you don't have a Ranger tab on your shoulder as an Infantry officer you most likely won't make Maj. in your future in the army. My suggestion is to ask officers in all the branches you are interested in about what they think.

-This is what I have seen as a lower enlisted for 4yrs in the National Guard. Talking to Active/Reserve/National Guard Officers and Senior enlisted. Along with being in ROTC as a cadet.-

[Gambit]

and remember...no more than 60% of the branch can be filled by the top 20 percent of the cadets...so everyone has an equal chance at it...but remember...top of OML and bottom have the best chances of getting what they want!

To quote MG Thrasher (CG, USACC), during his comments to the Marshall Award Winners on 14 APR 04 (two days ago)... every cadet in the top 20% of the national OML got their first choice, unless you requested Infantry... we ran out of that before we got out of the top 20%.