The Army has 17 different branches for Cadets to compete for. Being selected into one of the branches is the culmination of an assessment process that begins from the very first day a Cadet enters the ROTC program. Beginning with Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 the U.S. Army has implemented a new system to branch Cadets from its 274 ROTC programs across the country. The Army calls the new system Talent Based Branching.
The prior accessions process ranked all Cadets across the nation based off of factors such as their GPA, physical fitness test score, Advanced Camp performance, volunteer work, Color Guard participation, Ranger Challenge team, etc. During the beginning of their senior year, Cadets ranked in order of preference which of the 17 branches in the Army they want to assess into. The Army’s accessions process then uses the various factors mentioned to help decide which branch they will receive.
With Talent Based Branching, all these prior factors are still considered. The below FY21 chart shows the importance each of these factors has on how Cadets rank in the national Order of Merit List (OML).
Before the OML score is was what largely determined what branch a Cadet received; with Talent Based Branching, Cadets will also have the opportunity to interview with the branches they are interested in. The opportunity to interview each Cadet will allow the branches to learn more about each applicant to better inform branching decisions besides looking at an OML score. After the interview process the branches will then rank order their Cadet preferences. The below graphics show a simple explanation of how the process will work.
In this example, there are four cadets: James, Sarah, Rich, and Laura; and three branches: Cyber, Aviation, and Engineers. Each cadet rank orders their preferences for ALL branches, and each branch does the same for ALL cadets.James ranked Aviation first. James’s file suggests an alignment with Aviation’s talent demands, plus he nailed his interview, becoming their number one choice. Because James matches Aviation, he isn’t considered for other branches.Meanwhile, Sarah ranked Engineers first, but Engineers ranked Sarah 4th. Her file didn’t show the strongest talent alignment with Engineers, and she didn’t interview to make her case. She’s tentatively matched with Engineers while the branching process continues to run.As we move to Rich, we see that he ranked Cyber first, and Cyber ranked Rich number one due to a strong talent alignment that his interview helped confirm. Because they are a one-to-one match, Cyber closes out and Rich isn’t considered for other branches.Laura ranked Engineers as her first choice, and Engineers ranked Laura 2nd. She is therefore matched with Engineers because they have just one slot and find her a better talent match than Sarah.As a result, Sarah is now considered for Aviation, her 2nd choice. Because Sarah is Aviation’s best remaining candidate, she is awarded their final slot.Since Laura branched engineer, her first choice, this allowed Sarah to branch Aviation even though Aviation had her ranked third.At the end of the Talent Based Branching process this how it plays out in this simple example. Remember that in the real world this accession process will involve thousands of Cadets.
Talent Based Branching is a brand new system for accessing Army ROTC Cadets that will likely see modifications as it is implemented. The ultimate goal of it will remain the same which is allowing Cadets to have more of a say in what branches they access into. At EWU Army ROTC we remain committed to informing our Cadets of all the latest information in the Talent Based Branching process. If anyone has any questions about Talent Based Branching please leave a comment below and we will do our best to answer it.
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Advanced Camp training that generally third year Army ROTC Cadets attend was cancelled this summer. The annual training Cadets that go through at Advanced Camp will instead be made up during the school year by individual ROTC programs. However, the cancellation of Advanced Camp along with the implementing of the new branching process has caused many changes to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 accessions timeline. The below chart shows the latest information on the FY2021 Accessions Timeline. This timeline applies only to Cadets who are commissioning in FY2021. MS-IV Cadets that commission in FY22 are expected to attend Advanced Camp and receive an updated accessions timeline.
Upcoming Key Dates:
20 July – 7 September – HireVue Interview Period
15 Aug – FY21 Cohort Master Roster (Verified) due to HQ USACC, ASD, ORSA
31 August – Cadets give final Component Preferences (Not Branch Prefs) to HRAs
1 September – If AV “candidate” – Class 1A Flight Physicals completed
7 September – Cadet File updated with final Interim Branch Preferences
5 October – Educational Delay packets due to HQ, USACC
8 October – If AV “candidate” – Class 1A Flight Physicals Completed
18 October – Component Selection results released
19 October – Branch Ratings released to Cadets via TBB Website
26 October – Cadet Final Branch Preferences Due
16-20 November – USACC Branching Board
20 November – Release December/January Branching Assignments
2 December – Release of Spring 21 Branching Assignments
1 February 2021 – If AV “selectee” – Class 1A Flight Physical “Qualified”
Interviews
From 20 July-07 September, Cadets branching in FY21 need to be conducting their interviews with the branches they are interested in over the HireVue app. Any Cadet that has not received an email from HireVue needs to immediately contact their HRA. The branches will view the HireVue interviews and then contact Cadets for follow up interviews. These interviews are extremely important in the branching process and Cadets need to take them seriously. Make sure you either wear your uniform or dress formally for the interview. Ensure you shave, get a haircut, and groom yourself appropriately. You only have one chance to make a good first impression!
Component Selection
By August 31, 2020 all Cadets will need to submit to their HRA what their final component choice is. By component this means whether you want to go on Active Duty or be part of the National Guard or Army Reserves. Cadets that are on a Guaranteed Forces Duty (GRFD) scholarship must access into either the National Guard or Army Reserves as specified in the scholarship contract. On October 18, 2020 is when accessing Cadets will learn will component they accessed into. The below chart provides details on how the component selection process works.
Branching
By September 07, 2020 is when Cadets must have their interim branch preferences submitted to their HRA and Cadets must also update their branch preferences on the Talent Based Branching (TBB) website as well. Cadets must also specify on the TBB website whether they want to submit a Branch Active Duty Service Obligation (ADSO) for the branches they are interested in. Cadets can now submit as many Branch ADSO’s as they want. What the ADSO does is move the Cadet to the top of the bin that the branch has rated the cadet. Each branch gives Cadets either a “Least Preferred”, “Preferred”, or “Most Preferred” rating. The ADSO does not allow Cadets to jump bins, it just puts the Cadet at the top of their rated bin.
Cadets also volunteer for branch detail assignments through the TBB website as well. A branch detail means you serve in one branch for your lieutenant years before transitioning into another branch when promoted to Captain. Volunteering for a branch detail can increase your odds of receiving a high demand branch. Cadets have until September 07, 2020 to update the TBB website with ADSO and Branch Detail preferences
On October 19, 2020 all accessing Cadets will receive their branch ratings through the TBB website. Cadets can then use these preferences to inform their final branching decision. For example if a Cadet has Infantry initially ranked #1 and Armor #2, but Infantry gave the Cadet a “preferred” rating and Armor gave a “most preferred” rating; the Cadet has the opportunity to change Armor to #1 to ensure they branch armor. Any changes to Cadet branch preferences based off of the interim branch preferences need to be made by October 26, 2020. For Cadets who are commissioning in the Fall 2020 term they will receive their final branching assignment on November 20, 2020 and Cadets commissioning in the Spring 2021 term will receive their branch assignment on December 02, 2020.
Good luck to all the FY21 Cadets going through the new branching process. If anyone has any questions regardless of which ROTC program they belong to, feel free to leave a comment and we will get back to you with a response.
On December 5, 2019 the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Army ROTC “Fighting Eagles” Battalion hosted a Branching Ceremony at Cadet Hall. The ceremony was held to recognize the 18 seniors from the EWU ROTC Class of 2020 by officially pinning on to their Cadet uniforms the branch the Army recently assigned them. To help pin on the branch insignia and recognize the Cadets being pinned were various alumni and friends of the EWU Army ROTC program, who either attended or participated via video.
The US Army has 17 different branches for Cadets to compete for. Being selected into one of the branches is the culmination of an assessment process that begins from the very first day a Cadet enters the ROTC program.
Combat Arms
Combat Support
Combat Service Support
Special Branches
Air Defense Artillery
Chemical Corps
Adjutant General
Army Nurse
Armor Corps
Military Intelligence
Finance Corps
Medical Service
Aviation
Military Police
Ordnance Corps
Corps of Engineers
Signal Corps
Quartermaster
Field Artillery
Transportation
Infantry
The Army’s accessions process ranks all Cadets across the nation based off of factors such as their GPA, physical fitness test score, Advanced Camp performance, volunteer work, Color Guard participation, Ranger Challenge team, etc. During the beginning of their senior year, Cadets rank in order of preference which of the 17 branches in the Army they want to assess into. The Army’s accessions process then uses the various factors mentioned to help decide which branch they will receive. EWU Army ROTC continues to score well above the Cadet Command average with the vast majority of our Cadets receiving their number one branch choice.
Transportation Corps
Jazmin Castrejon
The first Cadet to pin on their branch insignia during the ceremony was Cadet Jazmin Castrejon who branched into the Transportation Corps. Transportation officers are responsible for moving people, equipment, and supplies around the world by sea, air, and land. To pin the Cadet Castrejon was former Transportation officer and retired Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Mellick from the EWU ROTC class of 1967.
Retired LTC Jerry Mellick from the EWU ROTC class of 1967 pins the Transportation Corps insignia on to Cadet Castrejon.Cadet Jazmin Castrejon and retired LTC Jerry Mellick.
Ordnance Corps
Megan Anderson
The next Cadet to receive their branch was Megan Anderson who branched into the Ordnance Corps. Ordnance officers are responsible for the maintenance of Army weapon systems, ammunition, missiles, and vehicles. Via a video presentation, fellow Ordnance officer, 2nd Lieutenant Tyler Bergman from the EWU Class of 2019 congratulated Cadet Anderson on receiving her branch and what it means to be a Ordnance officer.
Cadet Megan Anderson is pinned her Ordnance Corps insignia by EWU Army ROTC Professor of Military Science, LTC Jonathan Stafford.2nd Lieutenant Tyler Bergman congratulates Cadet Megan Anderson via video during the 2019 EWU Army ROTC Branching Ceremony.Cadet Megan Anderson pictured with EWU Army ROTC Professor of Military Science, LTC Jonathan Stafford.
Chemical Corps
Joseph Jordan
Cadet Joseph Jordan was not able to attend the ceremony, but he branched into the Chemical Corps. The Chemical Corps is the branch of the United States Army tasked with defending against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) weapons. Some branches do not need as many 2nd Lieutenants as others, thus Cadet Jordan will spend approximately 3-4 years in the Chemical Corps before transferring to his control branch which is the Signal Corps. This is called serving a branch detail.
Joseph Jordan – Branch detail Chemical; control branch of Signal Corps
Armor
Robert Wheeler
Jameson Palmer
(Distinguished Military Graduate)
Cadets Robert Wheeler and Jameson Palmer both branched into Armor. Armor’s mission is to close with and destroy the enemy using fire, maneuver, and shock action in armored vehicles. Cadet Palmer was not able to attend the ceremony, but Cadet Wheeler was pinned on his Armor insignia by LTC Stafford. Cadet Wheeler is also serving a branch detail and once complete with his 3-4 years in Armor he will transfer over to the Signal Corps. Besides branching Armor, Cadet Palmer was also selected as a Distinguished Military Graduate which means he ranked in the Top 20% of Cadets across the nation.
Cadet Robert Wheeler is pinned his Armor insignia by Professor of Military Science LTC Jonathan Stafford.Cadet Jameson Palmer was unable to attend the ceremony, but was also branched into Armor.Cadet Robert Wheeler and LTC Jonathan Stafford.
Infantry
Chad Triplett (Distinguished Military Graduate)
The next Cadet to branch was Chad Triplett into the Infantry. Branching into the Infantry is one of the most competitive branches in the Army to be assessed into. As an Infantry officer he will be responsible for leading the infantry and combined armed forces during land combat. Cadet Triplett was also recognized as a Distinguished Military Graduate. To pin Cadet Triplett was retired Brigadier General (BG) Neal Sealock. BG Sealock was a 1974 graduate of EWU that commissioned as an Infantry officer through the university’s ROTC program.
BG Neal Sealock pins the Infantry crossed rifles onto Cadet Triplett.Via video 2nd Lieutenants from the EWU Army ROTC class of 2019 currently attending Infantry training at Ft. Benning, Georgia congratulate Cadet Triplett. (from left: 2LT Bryce Stanton, 2LT Scott Hinshaw, and 2LT Kyle Stanton)Cadet Chad Triplett and BG Neal Sealock.
Engineers
Marcos Sanchez
Erling Anderson (Distinguished Military Graduate)
Samuel Coutts
The next Cadets to pin on their branch insignia were Marcos Sanchez, Erling Anderson, and Samuel Coutts who branched into the Corps of Engineers. Cadet Erling Anderson was also recognized as a Distinguished Military Graduate making him one of the Top 20% of Cadets across the nation. An Engineer officer is responsible for providing full support to the wide range of engineering duties in the Army. They can help build structures, develop civil works programs and even provide combat support. On hand to pin the Engineers insignia on to the Cadets were Captain Samuel Prichard and Captain Kennith Brown from the Walla Walla District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Both officers made the drive up from Walla Walla to not only pin our Cadets branching into the Engineers, but also to educate our other Cadets on hand for the ceremony of the opportunities in the Corps of Engineers.
Captain Brown pins the Engineer insignia on Cadet Marcos Sanchez.Captain Brown pins the Engineer branch insignia on to Cadet Erling Anderson.Captain Brown pins the Engineer branch insignia onto Cadet Samuel Coutts.From left: Captain Samuel Pritchard, CDT Marcos Sanchez, CDT Erling Anderson, CDT Samuel Coutts, and Captain Kennith Brown
The next Cadets to receive their branch were Austin Pfennig and Cesar Guzman who both branched into the Signal Corps. A Signal officer is responsible for providing communications and computer capabilities to Army forces spread across the world.
LTC Stafford pins the Signal Corps insignia on Cadet Austin Pfennig.LTC Stafford pins the Signal Corps insignia on Cadet Cesar Guzman.
From left: CDT Austin Pfennig, CDT Cesar Guzman, and LTC Jonathan Stafford
Field Artillery
Cheyenne Sweet
Ian House
The next Cadets to pin their branch insignia were Cadets Cheyenne Sweet and Ian House who branched into the Field Artillery. Cadet Sweet is branching straight into Field Artillery while Cadet House is on a branch detail for 3-4 years before transferring into his control branch of Military Intelligence. A Field Artillery officer is able to employ indirect firepower with cannons, rockets, and missile systems. They are also able to coordinate for supporting fires from air power and naval gunfire. On hand to pin the branches on to both Cadets were Field Artillery officers, 1st Lieutenant Miranda Munsell from the EWU Army ROTC Class of 2016 and current ROTC Cadre member Captain (Promotable) Nicholas Carbaugh. Both Cadets additionally received a further congratulations on branching into the Field Artillery from 2nd Lieutenant Kyle Isaacson via video who is currently attending Field Artillery training at Ft Sill, Oklahoma.
Cadet Cheyenne Sweet is pinned her Field Artillery insignia by CPT(P) Nicholas Carbaugh.Cadet Ian House is pinned his Field Artillery insignia by CPT (P) Nicholas Carbaugh.2nd Lieutenant Kyle Isaacson congratulates Cadets Sweet and House via video from Ft. Sill, Oklahoma.From left: 1LT Miranda Munsell, CDT Cheyenne Sweet, CDT Ian House, CPT(P) Nicholas Carbaugh.
Military Intelligence
Jacob Villasenor
Melinda Leen
The next Cadets to receive their branch was Jacob Villasenor and Melinda Leen into the Military Intelligence branch. A Military Intelligence officer has a wide variety of functions they are responsible for. An MI officer provides tactical intelligence, counter-intelligence, signals and reconnaissance information to support unit commanders. To congratulate the Cadets for branching into Military Intelligence via video, was 2nd Lieutenant Haley Isaacson from the EWU Army ROTC class of 2019.
LTC Stafford pins the Military Intelligence insignia onto Cadet Jacob Villasenor.LTC Stafford pins the Military Intelligence insignia on to Cadet Melinda Leen.
Current Military Intelligence officer and alumni from the EWU Army ROTC class of 2019, 2nd Lieutenant Haley Isaacson congratulated Cadets Villasenor and Leen via video from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.From left: CDT Jacob Villasenor, CDT Melinda Leen, and LTC Jonathan Stafford
Army Nurse Corps
Josiah Bryan
Sarah Mullen
The next Cadets to receive their branch were Josiah Bryan and Sarah Mullen. Both Cadets are part of the largest degree program in EWU Army ROTC, nursing. Both will serve as healthcare professionals by branching into the Army Nurse Corps. An Army Nurse officer serves in military hospitals around the world where they will train and serve in various clinical specialties such as in the Emergency Room, Operating Room, Community Health, etc.
Cadet Josiah Bryan has his Army Nurse Corps insignia pinned by EWU Army ROTC Professor Military Science, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Stafford.Cadet Sarah Mullen has her Army Nurse Corps insignia pinned by EWU Army ROTC Professor Military Science, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Stafford.From left: CDT Josiah Bryan, CDT Sarah Mullen, and LTC Jonathan Stafford
Air Defense Artillery
Coy Odiorne
The 18th and final Cadet to have their branch pinned was Coy Odiorne who branched into the Air Defense Artillery. The mission of Air Defense Artillery is to protect the force and selected geopolitical assets from aerial attack, missile attack, and surveillance. EWU Army ROTC Professor of Military Science and Air Defense Artillery officer, LTC Jonathan Stafford pinned the crossed cannons and missile insignia onto Cadet Odiorne.
LTC Stafford pins the Air Defense Artillery insignia onto Cadet Coy Odiorne.From left: Coy Odiorne and LTC Jonathan Stafford
Following the Branching Ceremony the Cadets shared cake and drink with their fellow Cadets, alumni, university officials, friends, and family that attended the ceremony. The EWU Army ROTC Cadre would like to thank BG(R) Neal Sealock, LTC(R) Jerry Mellick, CPT Samuel Pritchard, CPT Kennith Brown, and 1LT Miranda Munsell for traveling to Cadet Hall to participate in the pinning ceremony. We would also like to thank 2LT Bryce Stanton, 2LT Scott Hinshaw, 2LT Kyle Stanton, 2LT Tyler Bergman, 2LT Kyle Isaacson, and 2LT Haley Isaacson for providing videos congratulating the Cadets as well.
Leaders make time for things that are important and congratulating these Cadets on the significance of their branching shows how important it was to these great leaders. Thank you and Go Fighting Eags!
Our Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Cadets that were selected for active duty after graduation next year, were given their branching assignments earlier this week. An Army branch is the equivalent of the job a student would work after graduating from Eastern. During the beginning of their senior year, Cadets rank in order of preference which of the 17 branches in the Army they want to assess into. The Army’s accessions process then assigns a score to each Cadet based of the academic aptitude, fitness, Advanced Camp performance, and a few other variables. This score is then used to help determine which branch each Cadet receives; the higher the score the more likely a Cadet will receive their first branch choice.
The 2019 EWU Army ROTC Active Duty commissionees hold up their branch crests.
Here are videos of our Cadets opening the envelopes that revealed which branch they received:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B41cCYnhVOI/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B41cpGrBTyQ/
Our U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard Cadets go through a different branching process which we are still currently working to solidify. We will announce the branches our National Guard and Reservists received once complete. Congratulations to our senior Active Duty Cadets on receiving their branches.
Go Fighting Eags!
Air Defense Artillery
The mission of Air Defense Artillery is to protect the force and selected geopolitical assets from aerial attack, missile attack, and surveillance.
Coy Odiorne
Armor
Armor’s mission is to close with and destroy the enemy using fire, maneuver, and shock action.
Jameson Palmer – Distinguished Military Graduate – Top 20%
Robert Wheeler – Branch detail Armor; control branch of Signal Corps
Chemical Corps
The Chemical Corps is the branch of the United States Army tasked with defending against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) weapons.
Joseph Jordan – Branch detail Chemical; control branch of Signal Corps
Engineers
An engineer officer is responsible for providing full support to the wide range of engineering duties in the Army. They can help build structures, develop civil works programs and even provide combat support.
Erling Anderson (Distinguished Military Graduate-Top 20%)
Samuel Coutts
Field Artillery
The mission of the Field Artillery is to destroy, defeat, or disrupt the enemy with integrated fires to enable maneuver commanders to dominate in unified land operations
Cheyenne Sweet
Ian House – Branch detail Field Artillery, control branch of Military Intelligence
Infantry
The infantry officer is responsible for leading the infantry and combined armed forces during land combat.
Chad Triplett (Distinguished Military Graduate – Top 10%)
Nursing Corps
Nurse Corps officers lead a nursing team that cares for Soldiers and their families.
Josiah Bryan
Sarah Mullen
Ordnance Corps
Ordnance officers are responsible for the maintenance of Army weapon systems, ammunition, missiles, and vehicles.
Megan Anderson
Signal Corps
A Signal officer is responsible for providing communications and computer capabilities to Army forces spread across the world.
Austin Pfennig
Transportation Corps
Transportation officers are responsible for moving people, equipment, and supplies around the world by sea, air, and land.
The ultimate goal of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is to train Cadets to become commissioned officers in 1 of the 17 branches in the U.S. Army they can compete for. Being selected into one of the branches is the culmination of an assessment process that begins from the very first day a Cadet enters the ROTC program. The Army’s accessions process ranks all Cadets across the nation with a score that is based off of factors such as their GPA, physical fitness test score, Advanced Camp performance, volunteer work, Color Guard participation, Ranger Challenge team, etc. All the scores from these factors are added up to create a national Order of Merit List (OML). The higher the score a Cadet has, the more likely they will be to receive the branch of their choice. After this year the branching model that ROTC Cadets have become accustomed to will change:
The members of the Class of 2020 will receive their branches in November, but the process of assigning them will be different than ever before.
The U.S. Military Academy is serving as phase one of implementation for the Army’s new Market Model branching system, which will roll out to ROTC programs throughout the country next year. For the first time, commandants of each of the 17 branches will have not only a voice in the process, but an actual vote in which cadets receive their branch.
Under the old system, cadets ranked their branches one through 17, or one through 15 for female cadets who didn’t opt into infantry and armor. They were then assigned their branches based almost entirely on their ranking in the Order of Merit List.
The commandants of the branches will now have the opportunity to rank the cadets as most preferred, preferred and least preferred. The rankings will be based on the cadets’ branching resumes, which includes their test scores, transcripts, physical fitness scores, a personal statement and more, as well as interviews the branches will be conducting with interested cadets for the first time. [Army.mil]
The whole article can be read at the link and is also printed out and posted at Cadet Hall on our Branching Board. In the new system the Order of Merit List is still going to be very important, but the interviews is going to add a more human element to the process to ensure each branch is getting the type of talent they are looking for. Any Cadets with questions about the new branching system should contact their class instructor for more information.
