Is anyone a member of the National Infantry Association (I am hoping I can get put in for the Order of St. Maurice)?

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 18:29:33 -0500

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jan 6 at 2017 6:33 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 18:33:51 -0500

Now that is some Braging Rights. I will just have to be Happy being Order of the Golden Shellback, Shellback, Golden Dragon, Desert Storm/Desert Strike Veteran and 2 Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jan 6 at 2017 7:06 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 19:06:38 -0500

Before you mentioned it, I had not heard of the National Infantry Association WO1 Private RallyPoint Member.
I was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in 1980 so I am not surprised I was not aware of this organization which started in 1994.
I decided to do some basic research and learned the following basic information from their website:
Why Belong to the NIA?
Started by Infantry leadership in 1994, the National Infantry Association is the professional association for Infantrymen and Infantry supporters, . The NIA, chartered as a private, non-profit, fraternal organization, supports the Infantry’s role in the security of our nation; helps Infantrymen build closer affiliations with one another; and helps preserve the Infantry heritage. Your membership promotes the ONLY organization dedicated to supporting the Chief of Infantry and the entire Infantry community. Our increasing membership strength ensures that the Infantry voice will be heard by decision makers. You will share the camaraderie of like-minded soldiers and citizens who believe in maintaining the Infantry spirit, and you can help recognize outstanding Infantrymen through the Order of St. Maurice Award. You will receive the Infantry Bugler magazine, and you will support the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center at Patriot Park, and the educational values associated with it.
How do I benefit?
NIA Chapters – Chapters are the core element of the NIA and are able to help the Infantry soldier on a local level. Various activities may include meetings, picnics and sponsored events.
Awards Program – The Order of Saint Maurice was established to recognize the achievements of deserving Infantrymen and Infantry supporters, and the Shield of Sparta-Heroine of Infantry recognizes a spouse who has contributed significant support to the Infantry. A nominator must be a member of the NIA.
National Infantry Museum – The NIA, through the National Infantry Foundation, supports the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center at Patriot Park.
Infantry Bugler – a quarterly publication written for Infantrymen and their supporters. This newsmagazine gives every member a platform to communicate with other Infantrymen.
http://infantryassn.com/membership/

Membership – NATIONAL INFANTRY ASSOCIATION

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2017 7:16 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 19:16:48 -0500

Lifetime member also. Also the receipient of St Maurice (Centurian level)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2017 9:30 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 21:30:12 -0500

Part of me is actually hoping this is a joke. As an E-5, it is doubtful you have made "significant contributions" to the Infantry. If you had, then someone in your battalion would have noticed and recommended you for the award. It normally takes an Infantry NCO successfully completing a tour as a Platoon Sergeant or higher to meet the criteria for the award. Asking random strangers to submit you for an award that requires a write up on your professionalism, character, and performance is...well...to be honest...it shows a lack of class.

Response by SFC Dante Alanis made Jan 6 at 2017 10:19 PM

SFC Dante Alanis — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 22:19:13 -0500

I know I already used this once today but I LMFAO doing it: Hope and $1 will get you a Cheesy Frito Burrito at Taco Bell off of the dollar menu. And I wanna be Endorsed at RP by everyone, but I only have 99 cents.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jan 7 at 2017 3:06 AM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 03:06:56 -0500

I am and I hold the Order

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jan 7 at 2017 3:14 AM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 03:14:27 -0500

I Hold the Order of Saint Maurice and it is not something that you ask for, especially from strangers that have never served with you. Honestly son, if I had not been put in for it by the Infantrymen I worked for, who saw what I did each day and sent in a strong recommendation it would not have the meaning that it has for me. The Order is for lack of a better way to explain it, a lifetime achievement award. IF you were to get someone that does not know you never served a day with you and means nothing to you to put you in, and you would be happy with that, then it would mean very little to you aside from being"The Order of the Humongous Dinner Plate.

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Jan 7 at 2017 9:46 AM

SSG Robert Webster — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 09:46:25 -0500

Sad, just sad!

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2017 1:06 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 13:06:46 -0500

Everyone is missing the point I know no one who has this I have no ability to achieve this greatness nor am I a person who sits and hopes I know what I've done in my career and I want someone to look at my career and decide if I'm worthy thus far if not then so be it I won't stop trying and achieving success in my career until then I'll finish ranger school and then go back to SFAS

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2017 2:08 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 14:08:55 -0500

I recall my first visit to Afghanistan in 2010 during a firefight in Kandahar I didn't let anything stop me from getting closer to the mud hut that the group was firing I remember it so vividly how furious I was in my desire in stopping him from killing one of my brothers that same desire lives within me everyday on or off duty and I'll never stop striving for greatness in every aspect of my career and life

Response by SSG Shawn Ireland made Jan 10 at 2017 12:48 PM

SSG Shawn Ireland — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 12:48:55 -0500

I am a Disabled Veteran and did eight years in the Army, 78-85. I spent two tours overseas and attended most every school available to me during my time. My platoon Sergeant and Platoon Leader both tried to get me into ANCOC, as I had already finished both PNCOC, and BNCOC. Then every class offered at my duty stations I was sent to. Even with having done all this even I would have had a hard time being put in for the Order of St. Maurice. You must earn these things in order to receive them. To ask for an honor, is just not right and unheard of. By doing this you have put yourself into a situation where your company members are going to look at you in a different light. Awards are earned and not asked for! To do so shows that you lack the requirements to obtain the award and are looking for some superior members to help you in the award being presented to you. Giving away awards without merit deminishes the value of the award in question regardless of what award you are looking for others to give you. Awards are for those who have done something above the standards of one job and is given to recognize their outstanding abilities. Not trying to hit or beat you down but that's just not the proper way in which one receives a award. Keep soldiering on and through the years you serve you will be awarded appropriately. A good soldier dose not need to have a chest full of medals, he needs to be one that doesn't think of his self but his subordinates and ensures they are taken care of and put in for an award if they have meet the requirements.