Posted on Dec 1, 2018
SPC Cadet
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I'm a green to gold cadet who came into ROTC with a 4 year hip pocket. I was branched AG but detailed to infantry. Suffice it to say I'm not of combat arms material. I did mediocre in school (3.0 GPA) and poor overall (39 OMS). Before you give me to much grief over being unhappy with infantry please understand that I am proudly a POG and have always worn that on my sleeve. I would be delighted to go Transpo or chem but instead have had infantry unwillingly thrust upon me. I understand I should be thankful I have received thus far so please save your lecture, I just want to get through this quagmire. Thank you.
Edited 6 y ago
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Responses: 25
LTC John Mohor
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With an attitude like that your brief stint in the Infantry will seem like an eternity. If you're a service member your Combat Arms Material. Ever learned of the Battles in the Phillipines prior to the Bataan Death March? The Navy and Army Air Force all became infantry. You need to get a positive mental attitude regarding your branch detail to Infantry. We're only talking approximately three years of your life with the Infantry. You don't have to go Ranger to prove you can lead infantrymen and Women. Every job you mentioned is in support of the Infantry. I worked as a Fire Support Officer the first 13 Months I was in Germany with the Infantry attached. Being assigned infantry you'll have the right to earn the EIB possibly the CIB. Once earned no one can take it away. You're no longer a member of the E-4 Mafia so grow up! Someone in your ROTC Detachment sees something in you. Now shake it off and Lead, Follow or get the hell outta the way!
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SPC Erich Guenther
SPC Erich Guenther
6 y
OK, I think your E-4 Mafia designation might be a little too broad here. :) Never knew anyone that claimed that designation that fought assignments or promotions. More a way to get around the chain of command and logistics sometimes to get needed items. Anyways, thats how it worked in the 1980's.......might have changed since then. You have to admit as an Officer how many 2nd and 1st LT had their wallets spared after a layout inspection due to the efforts of the E4 Mafia. :)
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COL Jeff Williams
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It will take about 2 seconds for your company commander to pick up on your attitude. I can tell you that the other Lieutenants in your battalion will love having you around as you will be used to round out the BCs senior rater profile. You can go through the next three years miserable, or you can embrace the opportunity. Remember, if you deploy, you will be responsible for the lives of your Soldiers, if you don't think you have what it takes, either go find it, or resign your commission.
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SFC Retention Operations Nco
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You're going to need to grow up. You're going to be leading a platoon of infantrymen - maybe even an Infantrywoman - and your attitude sets the culture of the platoon. You have a couple of years of doing one of the best jobs in the Army. If you roll into it with the mindset that you're only here until you make captain, you might never make captain. You are a Soldier first, officer second, and whatever MOS third.
Sitting on the other side of the desk will give you a greater appreciation of the value of AG once you're the S1. My current S1 was branch detailed Artillery. She's 90 pounds and definitely not Artillery material. But, being a PL gave her an appreciation of how important AG is and she's the hardest working S1 I've ever seen. Use this time to understand your soldiers and their needs and it will make you a good AG.
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