How important is it to show what they would call diversity in your MOS, such as Light Infantry, Mechanized....?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 18:58:57 -0400

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2016 7:07 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 19:07:50 -0400

My old SGM just became the Infantry branch CSM. He has came down and preached diversity a few times. Light, Heavy, Drill Sergeant back to operational force. That should be about how your career path looks like.

Response by SGT Robert Cupp made Jun 14 at 2016 7:08 PM

SGT Robert Cupp — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 19:08:17 -0400

I've never heard of that.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jun 14 at 2016 7:12 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 19:12:55 -0400

Absolutely of zero importance. I've worked in shops where the majority were black. I've worked in shops where the majority were female. More often than not, I tended to be the actual minority.

The only important thing to me was whether or not you can do your job. I've worked with good Marines and I've worked with bad ones. In my line of work, if you are bad at your job, people die. That is the level of seriousness I expect from those I work with. I get to sleep at night knowing someone's death won't be on my hands. Some people don't bring that level of dedication to the table and treat it like a simple 9-5 job.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2016 7:20 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 19:20:15 -0400

Infantry branch tried a program to send NCOs to different types of Infantry units much like they do with the officers. I was never a fan because we are suppose to be subject matter experts to advise and assist the officers. It is hard to be SMEs when you bounce from Stryker to Airborne to Heavy throughout your career. While you can be good at many different areas, you can not be an expert in all areas, that's why we prioritize our METLs.

Response by SGM Billy Herrington made Jun 14 at 2016 8:21 PM

SGM Billy Herrington — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 20:21:15 -0400

I wouldn't say it's necessary. However, since you're a SGT and have been at USAREC for three years, it might be a good time to try an ABCT or SBCT assignment for some diversity later on when you get in the senior grades. Hell, you may like Bradley's and go to master gunner like I did. Or you can hate them like a couple friends I have do.

Either way, I get the idea of cross pollination and agree to an extent. At your rank, I don't think you can go wrong by doing it. When guys get to the senior SSG or SFC level, it's my opinion that whatever pipeline they are in (barring broadening assignment such as DS, etc) they should remain in it.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2016 9:16 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 21:16:58 -0400

I hate diversity for diversity's sake.

Response by SFC William Trent made Jun 16 at 2016 1:47 PM

SFC William Trent — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 13:47:59 -0400

I think if your going to make the ARMY a career and you have all ready been light Infantry. It will not hurt you to try the mechanized infantry. You can still get all the Hooha schools that the light side gets. Ranger. Pathfinder and sniper schools.

Response by SGT Tim Soyars made Aug 2 at 2016 8:41 PM

SGT Tim Soyars — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 20:41:51 -0400

As a light infantryman who got stuck with a mech unit for extended training, I can say it sucked. However, those guys knew how to kill tanks. During the 70s & 80s, this was very important because of Ivan across the Iron Curtain. I took those skills and adapted them to the light infantry role. Go to the training. Learn the skills from across the specialty. If you are a Mech guy, remember what they call the grunts when the vehicles break down and you walk. LIGHT INFANTRY!