Is Infantry still a fulfilling choice?

Max Wood — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 22:41:53 -0400

Good evening Gentlemen, to those of you who have served or are serving during or after the drawdown, have you found the infantry to be a fulfilling choice?

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Jul 6 at 2018 11:07 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 23:07:43 -0400

Let me respond to this question with the advantage of age,mine being old,Infantry for me was a short time in my life,three years to be exact,I was trained Infantry,went to war Infantry,and then trained other guys in Infantry,what I found after I left that it was the hardest, most difficult ,demanding thing I’ve ever done and if I could go back I wouldn’t change one thing,

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2018 11:50 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 23:50:00 -0400

It’s a choice you have to make with eyes wide open...

It’s the hardest, most difficult physically and mentally demanding-especially when you are paying your dues in the beginning. it’s a thankless and challenging job choice that will re-make you into the best you can be. It’s being varsity football on a state championship team; there are other sports like basketball, soccer track; but it’s the full contact sport that others envy and covet; andnin the end in the darkest recesses of their hearts wish they would have chosen if they had the fortitude and metal to be the tip of the spear.

Other jobs can be fun, interesting and developing for the future-but The Infantry is the branch that all others support even if they don’t want to admit it ;)

Good luck and Inhope you have that spark and potential inside to be Infantry!

Follow Me

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 7 at 2018 7:01 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 07:01:50 -0400

The Infantry Lila any other MOS are rewarding provided it is suited for you. The military is with out a doubt a rewarding experience.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Jul 7 at 2018 9:40 AM

MSG Danny Mathers — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 09:40:59 -0400

Infantry is not for everyone. All the comments made on the topic are correct. It is tough and never gets easier. You have to maintain tip-top shape and responsibilities increases with rank. You either love it, hate it or can not handle it physically. The rewards are Brotherhood. The dangers are either being cripled for life or death. Combat participation which Brothers are killed or wounded as an infantryman stays with you for life. Lastly, you have to be able to kill the enemy and live with yourself.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2018 11:09 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 11:09:39 -0400

I loved it. Couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

Response by 2LT Brian L. made Jul 7 at 2018 2:08 PM

2LT Brian L. — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 14:08:42 -0400

Depends on what you want out of your service... do you want to be a real soldier with potential to close with and destroy the enemy? Do you want a job that is more of a specific interest? a job that will help you once you leave military service? I love the Infantry and god loves it so much he made the sky blue... but it is a very individual decision and take in as much as you can from peoples perspectives to help you come up with a comprehensive picture of service before you decide..its not for everyone.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2018 4:12 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 16:12:34 -0400

"it's a hell of a hoot!"

Response by SPC Anthony Lewis made Jul 7 at 2018 10:08 PM

SPC Anthony Lewis — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 22:08:23 -0400

I was in from 2011 to 2015 and like with most things it is what you want it to be. My experience was overall very positive even though there was a sequester and troop draw down at the time. This is one of only a few professions that you can be 21 or 22 years old and find yourself in charge of a gun team or fire team and know you are solely responsible for your team's success or failures. It can be a very fulfilling and humbling experience if you want it to be or it can be the worst mistake you ever make.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 7 at 2018 10:08 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 22:08:28 -0400

Spent 22 1/2 as an Abn Grunt- loved it- lived it and would do it again.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jul 7 at 2018 10:25 PM

Maj John Bell — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 22:25:18 -0400

It depends. If you are going to be a lifer and retire from the military Its great. (Personally, I hated being a field grade officer, but loved every "infantry minute.") If your going to be a one-termer and not counting on turning your military experience into a resume builder its great. Everything in between is questionable.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2018 10:41 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 22:41:10 -0400

Interesting question since every soldier is an 11B regardless of their specialty. At least that is what I was told. Been a mechanic (63B-63T) and a computer specialist (25B). Lived and bled with the infantry. They are unique and worth every praise they earn.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2018 1:09 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Jul 2018 13:09:30 -0400

If that's what you want, then go for it. A lot of things will dictate the outcome of your stint as an infantryman, but you'll never know for yourself unless you do it.

You may never go SF or graduate from Ranger school, but you can certainly pass 11X OSUT. So give it a go for 3-6 years, then decide where to go from there.

I read something quite funny and pretty true on RP the other day. You'll never hear and infantryman say "we're pretty much like cav scouts (insert MP or any other MOS here)"

Response by SSG Jeffrey Leake made Jul 8 at 2018 1:37 PM

SSG Jeffrey Leake — Sun, 08 Jul 2018 13:37:22 -0400

The Infantry is not only a choice, it's a brotherhood. I've met some of the smartest men in the Infantry. Some people say we are the bottom of the barrel and dumb as rocks. Not true. If you choose to be an Infantryman, make sure it's what YOU want. We don't always get treated the best, or get the best stuff, but we made it work. Duct tape and 550 cord is your friend. Yes, in my opinion, it is a viable choice. You have to be commited not only to your job, but your brothers.

Response by SGT Donald Croswhite made Jul 8 at 2018 7:41 PM

SGT Donald Croswhite — Sun, 08 Jul 2018 19:41:45 -0400

It's not fulfilling completely if you don't deploy. Combat arms are the only people who come to work everyday and never do their job. But it's better than, in my mind being boots on the ground rather than than support. Everyone has a job in the Army. I always respected my armorer, supply, cooks, medics, and wrenches.

Response by CPL Adrian Peavy made Jul 11 at 2018 1:10 AM

CPL Adrian Peavy — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 01:10:30 -0400

FUCK YEA IT IS....especially when you meet your new best friends in your unit...and when u deploy...nothing like bro

Response by SSG Emanuel Alvarez made Jul 11 at 2018 1:57 PM

SSG Emanuel Alvarez — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 13:57:31 -0400

Absolutely.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2018 1:17 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 13:17:09 -0400

Only for those that aren’t cowards.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2018 7:21 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 19:21:42 -0400

So, here is how I look at it. 31 yrs ago I went to BCT @ Ft. Benning Ga. I wanted to be an Infantryman. For me, it was the right choice. I do not regret it at all... In my career I have seen and done it all. I have never rec-classed even in my Army Reserve time. ( Currently at FHL Ca). Time has flown by from E1 to E9... Conversely I steered both of my sons towards the US Navy to learn a technical trade that transitions over to the civilian sector to make them "viable". One son, (27) served 5 yrs... He now works for GDIT and travels CONUS/OCONUS and does VERY well. My 18 y/o is currently finishing up his "A" school as he will be working on Turbine (jet) engines. He is looking to got through the BUDS course at some point in his career. His older brother was selected but declined because he did not have his wife's support. (GRRR).
In closing, its all about what you want out of your career. 11B as someone else stated is a thankless job.. Until you need them on the battlefield. Which you do!
Write down the pros/cons of bein Infantry vs say.... MI or MP...

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Jul 13 at 2018 9:11 AM

SPC Sheila Lewis — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 09:11:52 -0400

Opportunities for professional and personal growth.

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Jul 13 at 2018 9:12 AM

SPC Sheila Lewis — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 09:12:35 -0400

Opportunities for professional and personal growth.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2018 12:44 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 12:44:22 -0400

There are still battalions deploying, even if things have slowed down slightly. For example I am in the 173rd, which is in the airborne community. The training schedule is very busy and still high speed. You just do not have the chance to perform your job In a combat. So if you join the infantry , you may or may not deploy, but you'll still feel the brotherhood and pride of being in a difficult mos.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2018 4:07 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 16:07:37 -0400

11B all the way man.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2019 11:38 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 23:38:16 -0500

Infantry is definitely rewarding and rigorous. It's a brotherhood and you know no matter what that your brothers have your back. It's totally worth it! I'm about to re-enlist very soon. There's infantry and then everything else is support for us.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2019 12:11 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 00:11:51 -0400

Loved it!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2020 7:21 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 19:21:25 -0500

Very much so. What one does after earning the Blue Chord, is very much the essence of the fighter spirit of the Infantry.