Assignments unveiled: Cadets eagerly receive results on Branch Night

WEST POINT, N.Y. — It was a festive occasion as 1,028 cadets from the class of 2024 eagerly ripped open their envelopes that contained their destinies during Branch Night on Nov. 29, hosted by the Department of Military Instruction at the U.S. Military Academy.

This evening was dedicated to unveiling one of the 17 branches they would serve in upon graduating and commissioning in May. Exhilaration roared through Eisenhower Theatre as the command to open the envelopes echoed throughout the hall.

"Receiving my branch result yesterday was surreal," said Class of 2024 Cadet Sade Moore. "I was ecstatic to open the envelope that night, and I cannot wait to graduate and start my Army career as an aviator."

The celebratory occasion was met with cheers, high-fives, and embraces, with some cadets shedding tears of joy at the realization that their 47-month experience is nearly complete.

"It's a little crazy to me because you come to West Point and it's a long four years, but it's also a really fast four years. So the fact that it's finally almost over has really hit home for me," said Class of 2024 Cadet Gabrielle Hall. "I'm going start this next chapter of my life and It feels awesome. I'm really excited to lead Soldiers."

Hall was overjoyed to branch into the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and her thrill amplified when she discovered her best friend was also selected for the same branch.

"I'm super excited and so happy I'm going to be a second lieutenant soon," Hall said. "And I'm really happy I got the same branch as my best friend!

Pursuing a career in the medical field, Class of 2024 Cadet Daniela Etzel had dreams of standing beside her colleagues and friends, receiving the most rewarding news.

"One of the main reasons I came to West Point was to have a shot at serving my country as a Medical Service Corps officer, and I'm absolutely thrilled to have received it," said Etzel. "I am so grateful and appreciative of all the mentorship I've had along the way to get me here, and I can't wait to join the branch."

Among the 1,028 cadets of the class of 2024 who received their branches, 72% received their number one branch preference, while 93% were assigned within their top 3 choices. Additional statistics revealed 97% of cadets received a top 5 preference, and zero cadets were assigned their last branch preference. Furthermore, of the branches assigned, 88% of cadets were deemed "most preferred," while 11% of cadets were deemed "preferred" by their assigned branch, highlighting the Army’s commitment to aligning interests and skills with branch preference.

"It's really exciting to get these results," said class of 2024 Cadet Tyson Welch. "We've been training and prepping every day to get past that final line, so at this point I feel so ready."

After the reveal, cadets, staff, and faculty rushed to the ballroom to continue celebrating with food and beverages alongside members of the West Point Association of Graduates 50-year affiliate Class of 1974.

"The Class of 2024 were plebes when I took over as the chief of accessions so it has been an honor to walk them through the branching process over the past three and a half years and watch the culmination of their efforts on Branch Night," said Lt. Col. Eric Gust, chief of assessions. "This event is a time-honored tradition and milestone for the firstie class as they approach the end of their 47-month journey at West Point and prepare to lead in the U.S. Army."

Gust added that there were many proud staff and faculty who participated in the event.

The majority of USMA instructors are also mentors, so there are a lot of proud staff and faculty in attendance tonight who have poured into the lives of these cadets both in and out of the classroom," Gust concluded. "I have full confidence that these young men and women will go out and be the leaders that our soldiers deserve. The Class of 2024 motto is "Like None Before" and they have what it takes to live up to it!"