Should I go ahead and pursue 11X now, or should I wait until I get more physically fit?

2019-11-26T01:18:47-05:00

Looking for brutally honest advice from current and former 11B/C's. I have wanted to be in the infantry since I got into the military in 2013. Got stuck fixing Marine aircraft for 5 years and now I'm in the Army as an 88M driving trucks and sweeping the motor pool. My 368 to go AD got approved and I have a chance to go 11B. My concern is not with the mental aspect of the job, nor is it with my abilities. My concern is that I'm going to MEPS this week and I'm not where I should be physically in my opinion. I'm not overweight or fat or the kind of soldier on profile 24/7, my run game is just not all there. The last thing I want to do is pursue this goal and getting to my unit only to disappoint because of my current run times. I've been busting my ass since my surgery on my legs to get my times down. So do I chase it anyways, or steer clear and try again when I get my times lower?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2019 1:50 AM

2019-11-26T01:50:59-05:00

Never turn down an opportunity to chase your dreams. Your run time is good enough to pass an APFT so it's good enough for the Infantry. You can get better in OSUT and at your unit once you are an infantryman. There are plenty of Infantry who aren't great runners but are strong in other areas. I work in a Stryker battalion and most of my 11B E4s have a PT score in the 220s, so you don't have to be Ranger quality to be Infantry, but it sure helps if you are.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2019 2:32 AM

2019-11-26T02:32:35-05:00

11Bs still spend a fair amount of time driving trucks and sweeping motorpools, and deployment missions nowadays are mostly base defense or some sort of security force. What I like about Infantry is one size fits all solutions rarely work and Infantry have a a lot of latitude to find solutions to a vast array if problem sets. Combat is a science and an art. The science is the battle drills and technical aspects of vehicles, weapons, even people. The art is how you employ them accomplish the mission.
Run times can be worked on, dont worry about those unless you're doing 20 minute 2 miles and not showing any improvement.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2019 3:40 AM

2019-11-26T03:40:36-05:00

Do it

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Nov 26 at 2019 5:04 AM

2019-11-26T05:04:38-05:00

Don’t sweat it and go for it!

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Nov 26 at 2019 6:26 AM

2019-11-26T06:26:04-05:00

I will echo what everyone else has said with one caveat. Go for it!

But.... You said you had surgery on your legs? Infantry is notoriously rough on knees and backs. Will your surgically repaired legs hold up? (Don't need a response, although I am happy to have a discussion. Just giving some food for thought.)

Although I only did my first few years in the Infantry, they were the formative years, and I carried that mindset forward to everything else I did (to include my civilian jobs after retirement). It is definitely a good option, if you are willing to throw yourself into it wholeheartedly. But do NOT go 11X if you are planning to half step ANYTHING.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Nov 26 at 2019 6:37 AM

2019-11-26T06:37:57-05:00

Perdue your goal. Just remeber everyone sweeps a motor pool. No MOS is devoid of its mundane tasks. As for slow run times, do you have stamina, can you go the extra mile whether running or rucking. If you have stamina, your run will improve. Good luck and thank you for your service.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Nov 26 at 2019 6:40 AM

2019-11-26T06:40:57-05:00

You are going to have to do some part of OSUT, which is about 7 weeks longer that when I went through. If you have a passing run time, I wouldn't sweat it. My experience is that Infantry units will give you plenty of opportunity to improve your time. I went through OSUT at 27 and I certainly wasn't a PT stud when I hit Benning, but I made it through and later Commissioned 11B and made it through Infantry Officer Basic Course, which was much harder physically since about 1/3 of the class would head to Ranger School after graduation.

Response by 2LT Brian L. made Nov 26 at 2019 8:35 AM

2019-11-26T08:35:46-05:00

I have no idea how physically fit you are... can I get some data? Besides that metal toughness will get your further than muscles alone. If you want it take the shot. It is very hard but intermittently so. Do it now.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Nov 26 at 2019 10:40 AM

2019-11-26T10:40:40-05:00

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member I believe it was the noted American shoe philosopher Nike who once said "Just do it".

All jokes asides, you said that its not the "mental aspect of the job" you are concerned about; however, I suspect it is; at least at this initial point.

It is true that surgery will knock one's PT down--especially run times--and you don't want to push things too much too early, but if that's not the case, go for it! Reclassing will incorporate PT, and that will help build you up to where you need to be. Until then, keep working on your runs.

You may never be Mr.-Audie-Murphey-Super-Hooah-PT-Stud-Guy, and that's fine, but take it from an ex-Grunt who got his crossed rifles less than a month before turning 37 (seriously!), its NOT impossible to make it if you are not broken to start and if you do have heart.

Now, go forth, and kick much ass!

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Nov 26 at 2019 11:35 AM

2019-11-26T11:35:47-05:00

So are they calling you next week?
If not cut down on the pizza and beer, run exercise and twice a day, hit the weighs during lunch. Do it 6 days a week with Sundays off. On the Sunday take hike carrying a medium load of picnic stuff and power drinks.
The reason basic is 8 week long is the tighten all those civilians. Since you're in the service and should be reasonably fit - bite of powerbar. Your mind that need to be hard too.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Nov 26 at 2019 1:06 PM

2019-11-26T13:06:12-05:00

Go for it anyway. MEPS does not care about your run time and Infantry OSUT does not either until you approach your graduation date. Your first Infantry unit will give you a grace period to get in shape, even if your a SPC. Yes you will take a little shit for it but if they see you working at it on your own time they will shut up and leave you be. Just be advised that a Regular Army Infantry Unit expects you to target near MAX score on the test. Also, pace it with the legs, make sure they get rest time to fully recover don't keep stressing them or keep them sore all the time.

Response by LTC Ken Bowers made Nov 26 at 2019 4:42 PM

2019-11-26T16:42:26-05:00

I think you're scared of failure and that's a good thing ,but don't let it stop you from pursuing this opportunity! They'll get where you need to be if you're really motivated and not a quitter! Go for it!

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Nov 26 at 2019 6:52 PM

2019-11-26T18:52:25-05:00

Why? 11B and 19D crippled me. If your legs are already F-ed up. Remember it's the 88M's that toss our dead asses into trucks. Pass the ACFT first at MOS level.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2019 2:41 PM

2019-11-27T14:41:09-05:00

I just got back from 14 week 11B OSUT. There were a good amount of guys who were out of shape when we started. If you work hard and do what you're supposed to do then you should have no problems. My run time went from a 16:30 to a 13:30 by APFT 5, you'll improve.

Response by SFC Luis (Coolwhip) Ochoa made Dec 5 at 2019 7:03 AM

2019-12-05T07:03:02-05:00

What do you think hero!!!
If you have to ask! Do you really want to doit?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2019 12:23 PM

2019-12-06T12:23:27-05:00

BLUF: if you are fit enough to pass the MEPS physical and the OPAT, do it now.
No matter how out of shape you think you are, there will be others at BCT that will make you feel like a fitness god. Very few people that enlist now days are fit enough for the Army, but that’s a big part of what BCT is there for.

Response by SFC Roland Price made Dec 6 at 2019 2:56 PM

2019-12-06T14:56:32-05:00

From my experience, what your job is to do is bring your "heart" to the table. If you're not in tip-top shape when you get there, they will help you get there...but you're gonna need to provide the heart to make sure you do it.

Go 11B bro, you get to do some of the coolest things on the planet.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Mar 18 at 2020 6:25 PM

2020-03-18T18:25:58-04:00

Not sure what an 11X is. Z I think is a senior NCO. But as I remember the 11F, Infantry Operations and Intell Specialist, is probably the least physically demanding Infantry MOS, 11B, 11C, 11D and 11H are the most physically demanding.