What's the difference in 11b and 11c? Which is better?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 05:45:34 -0400

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 14 at 2020 5:49 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 05:49:21 -0400

You can only get the 11b if you go thru 11x, than you'll either be given the 11b, or you may be made an 11c.

Response by TSgt David L. made Jul 14 at 2020 6:30 AM

TSgt David L. — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 06:30:13 -0400

11B is infantry and 11C is mortarman.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Jul 14 at 2020 6:58 AM

SPC Erich Guenther — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 06:58:54 -0400

The 11 Series MOS's are so close it is why they share the same number but end in a different letter. So it is personal preference. If you really want 11B over 11C have a one on one with your Drill Sergeant in Infantry OSUT and he may or may not help you out, depending on how they select these days. Niether MOS is really better than the other they just have different primary tasks. The secondary tasks are the same for both. So your training on Mortars will be your only difference with 11C vs 11B. While 11B is doing advanced patrolling and advanced movement tactics, you will be trained on mortars and you will get the advanced patrolling and advanced movement tactics at your unit instead of Infantry OSUT. Typically that is how they used to structure the training. So as a 11C you will get all the 11B training but the 11B will not get the 11C training.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jul 14 at 2020 10:25 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 10:25:21 -0400

11C needs basic math skills to be effective.

Response by SPC John Tacetta made Jul 14 at 2020 10:28 AM

SPC John Tacetta — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 10:28:36 -0400

11B: Infantry - close to the bullets
11C: Mortars - not as close to the bullets

But always remember that crew served weapons will be particularly targeted when encountered.
As infantry I would give targeting priorities as follows
Artillery and air power, although usually the infantry is too far off to engage these threats directly
Anti Armor, Mortars & Machine guns, whichever is closer to hand
Grenadiers
Riflemen

Of course I was never a tactician, just a grunt, and thanks be to God never had to put any of this to the test.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2020 3:02 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 15:02:48 -0400

Only real difference is 11C will specialize in mortars and be able to do all the stuff an 11B can do, minus firing Javelins. Never met a Chuck that fired one. Other than that they're both going to be so closely integrated in most IN units that 11Bs can regularly be used to supplement 11C platoons and vice versa sometimes.

Response by SSG Kenneth Ponder made Jul 14 at 2020 4:23 PM

SSG Kenneth Ponder — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 16:23:08 -0400

11B/C basically the same, but I never wanted to be a mortar man, stay away from it

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 14 at 2020 8:06 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 20:06:06 -0400

How much weight can you carry, as an 11B I carried normally 100 lbs, for an 11C you have to add base plate, or tube or bipod and there is the sight, aiming stakes, mortar rounds, etc. Light IN is never lite.

Response by SSG Eric Blue made Jul 15 at 2020 2:12 PM

SSG Eric Blue — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 14:12:08 -0400

One is a direct-fire warrior, the other is an indirect fire warrior. 11Cs aim and shoot mortars. In my experience, neither is better than the other.

Response by SPC Herold Bush made Jul 15 at 2020 5:22 PM

SPC Herold Bush — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 17:22:58 -0400

Have never heard of an 11b who had a 4.2 base plate dropped on their leg.