We have been there since day one. There has been more infantry blood shed on the battlefield than that of any other soldier. It doesn’t matter if we’re talking about Gettysburg, Vietnam, Iraq, or Afghanistan; the rest of the military will always follow the infantry. There is one MOS in the Army: 11B. The rest just want to be. We have led the way on the beach, in the jungle, on the sand, and in the mountains. The infantry will always be the way in battle to win the war.
You Want to Be 11B
It takes a different mentality to be an infantryman. You have to be more dedicated, disciplined, and determined than others. You have to be willing to constantly make great sacrifices. You have to be physically and mentally tougher. You will not survive in the infantry by doing the minimum to get by, whether it is in physical fitness, ruck march, weapons qualification, or anything else. The bar is and always will be set higher, and the expectations will be greater than for others. When you are in infantry school, you will not only be put through rigorous physical challenges but mental ones as well. You must be able to learn and perfect each weapon system available. You must become proficient with all the equipment that you will use and be responsible for. The tasks in infantry school are fast-paced with no down time. You will learn everything from close quarter combat to driving an MRAP. If you think you’re going to go there and sit in the back and watch everybody else complete tasks while you watch, it’s not going to happen. You’re constantly graded “go” or “no go.” You won’t pass without being part of the team. The infantry can operate as a team, a squad, a platoon, etc. You must perform and commit to each member of the team and the mission. The infantry is built on the soldier’s creed and the warrior’s ethos. To be a true infantryman means being part of history because from the moment you put on that “blue cord,” you become part of history.
Combat Infantryman Badge
The infantry has a distinct designation for those who have been in combat and faced the enemy in combat: the combat infantryman’s badge. It is only worn by the chosen few who carry the designation of infantry or actual combat MOS. This is an honor and I am honored to be part of this heritage as I truly earned my CIB. I wear it with pride knowing I have served my infantry brothers, my unit, and my country. I am honored to be part of the infantry and to have gone to battle with them to protect our freedom. If you haven’t earned the badge, don’t wear it!
We Are the Infantry
The infantry is true military history. We will always be looked upon as experts and those willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. We will never quit! The field artillery can call themselves the King of Battle, but our country will never win a battle nor even enter a war without their Infantry Queen. My personal experience of being an 11B is an honor. I have served in OIF/OEF performing and watching the infantry lead the way in everything from convoy ops, detainee ops, FOB security, foot patrol, and yes, even when the 4TH ID captured Saddam Hussein. I am now an EOD and will always be one. I earned my CIB in 2006 in Iraq and have worn it with pride and honor. I would happily go to battle with any infantry unit. Follow me!
- Terrorism, Part 3: Taking Precautions & Taking Action - November 7, 2017
- Terrorism, Part 2: Recruiting and Future Problems - November 2, 2017
- Terrorism, Part 1: A Basic Understanding - October 31, 2017
Leave a Reply
We value your privacy. Your email is safe with us.