UNITED STATES CORPS OF CADETS

OFFICE OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY
ATTN: MAAG
WEST POINT, NEW YORK 10996
COM: (845) 938-3402 DSN: 688-3402

Tactical Officer Program

United States Military Academy

The United States Corps of Cadets (USCC) at the United States Military Academy (USMA) is currently seeking Captains from Year Groups 2001 - 2004 to be Tactical Officers (TACs) with a June 2010 report date to USMA.

Please submit your application for the 2010 cohort prior to 01 December 2008 by following directions below. GRE scores and other supporting documents are strongly encouraged to be part of your file prior to that date, but we will work with you if you require additional time due to extenuating circumstances.

NOTICE FOR 2009 cohort applicants: If you are interested in applying for the cohort with a June 2009 report date, please note that the initial deadline for new application was 01 December 2007. And although it is still technically possible to apply, please be aware that new applications will only be considered on a supplemental, rolling basis. USCC reserves the right to suspend accepting new applications for this cohort without notice after May 2008. Please contact the program representatives at the bottom of this page for additional details.

TAC assignments begin in a full-time, eighteen month, Masters Program, upon completion of which you earn an M.A. in Organizational Psychology (Leader Development) from Columbia University. As stated above, applications for the June 2010 start date are due NLT 1 December 08 when the Tactical Officer Selection Board meets. (Late application submissions will be considered on a case by case basis for those who are unable to have their “WEST file” (as it is known) completed by this time.) Please go to this website to begin your WEST file / TAC application:

https://ams-external.usma.edu/apps/dean/inbound/interest/interest.cfm

Please note that under the "Type of Position Desired" drop-down menu, be sure to select "Tactical Officer". Under the Department of Assignment, be sure you select "Brigade Tactical Department". Fields marked with * are required before submissions are accepted. Upon completion of this initial step, you'll receive an e-mail reply with a unique user name and password that only you will know (so DO NOT lose or delete it). You can use that to access and complete your file.

TACs are the legal Company Commander of a Cadet Company and the primary developer of cadets at USMA. He or she assists each cadet in balancing and integrating the requirements of the physical, military, academic, and moral-ethical programs. A TAC trains and coaches the cadet chain of command to establish and sustain high unit standards and behavior essential to a cohesive company environment. TACs have a senior noncommissioned officer (NCO / E7 or E8) assigned as their 1SG equivalent - together they form and model a professional command team for the cadets. TACs inspire cadets to develop effective leadership styles through role-modeling, counseling, teaching, and training. TACs also presents formal and informal instruction to the company, implements special development programs for individual cadets as needed, and is responsible for all company administration.

EISENHOWER LEADERSHIP DEVELOPING PROGRAM (ELDP)

ELDP (formerly known as TOEP) is a comprehensive one-year graduate-level educational experience with Columbia University and USMA faculty that culminates in the award of a Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology (Leader Development). The classes are taken at both USMA and on-site at Columbia in Manhattan. ELDP students / TACs are stationed at USMA. They are assigned to the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership (BS&L) during their graduate school experience and then transfer to an assignment in the USCC hierarchy as TACs.

TACTICAL OFFICER TIMELINE

First Year (plus) at USMA (ELDP)
· May - PCS to USMA, Assigned to the Department of BS&L

· June - begin ELDP/Masters Degree work

· Complete ELDP Columbia MA requirements the next December (18 months)

Second Year at USMA (first year TAC, includes overlap with practicum)
· Assigned to the USCC with practicum overlap through December

· Serve as Associate TAC from MAY-AUG for cadet summer training

· Primary TAC of a cadet company for entire academic year

Third Year at USMA (second year as a TAC)
· Serve as Primary TAC for cadet summer training

· Primary TAC of cadet company for entire academic year

      Fourth Year at USMA (third year as a TAC or possibly other BTD role)
      ·    Primary TAC of cadet company for entire academic year

      ·    Possibly serve as Regimental TAC XO or Brigade Tactical Dept XO

RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION

The TAC application process is not synchronized or synonymous with BS&L’s instructor process. In the past, TAC and instructor applications had considered as part of one process. That is no longer the case. Please apply separately if you desire to become an instructor in BS&L by opening a unique WEST file.

The United States Military Academy greatly appreciates your interest in this all-important and rewarding career experience. Please visit the BS&L web site for complete details on becoming a TAC or instructor: http://www.dean.usma.edu/bsl/op/default.htm

APPLICATION CONTACTS

            MAJ Rob Meine (Primary TAC Applicant POC)
               Commercial Phone - 845.938.5628
               DSN - 688.5628
               Fax - 845.938.2236
               email: robert.meine@usma.edu

               MAJ Dena Braeger (Primary BS&L Instructor Recruiting Officer)
               Commercial Phone - 845.938.5025
               DSN - 688.5025
               Fax - 845.938.2236
               email: dena.braeger@usma.edu

Ms. Diane Vonasek, USCC S-1 (S-1 for current Tactical Officers/ELDP graduates)
Commercial Phone – 845.938.2213 or 2887
DSN telephone: 688.2213
email: diane.vonasek@usma.edu

Mailing address for written correspondence (BS&L or TAC applications):

Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership
Attention: MADN-BSL
United States Military Academy
Official Mail & Distribution Center
646 Swift Road
West Point, NY 10996 -1905

NOTE: TAC and BS&L instructor applications utilize the WEST system, which necessitate uploading electronic application materials. Submissions by email or fax should only be attempted if specifically requested to do so. Hardcopy materials will be required upon selection. Please begin consolidating your application materials early (even if incomplete) and upload them as soon as you have your user name and password, as described at the beginning of this page.

The United States Military Academy is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Updated

03 DECEMBER 2007