What training/schools can I attended as a 11c to further be an assest to my recon company outside of being a mortar?

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 May 2019 17:06:25 -0400

I'm a Chuck(60mm 2 gun section) in a recon company and we are attached to plt's to be a " just in case" for immidiate suppression and breaking contact but I am confident that I can be more than just a tagalong for worst case scenario while also doing my job. I love my job but I can't stand just being there in case of a situation going fubar , I want to be able to benefit my plt in all scenarios while also possiblity extending the plts capabilities

Response by CPL Douglas Chrysler made May 9 at 2019 8:28 PM

CPL Douglas Chrysler — Thu, 09 May 2019 20:28:44 -0400

If you already possess an infantry MOS, you can go for the expert infantry badge (eib). There are some 30 tasks to be completed successfully before being presented with the badge. In the meantime, you learn, or sharpen skills that are beneficial to any infantry unit. The one thing I hear about most is land navigation failure. Can you imagine the GPS devices aren't working for anyone and there you are with a compass.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2019 6:43 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 May 2019 06:43:46 -0400

Welcome to the world of mortars. You’re new, so your sole focus should be becoming an expert in your craft. Get fast on the gun and be the best mortarman possible. Focus on schools after you sharpen your skills. When the time comes in combat, that platoon is going to want a fast gunner

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2019 6:25 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 May 2019 18:25:46 -0400

Army Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leadership Course (RSLC). Do your best at BLC when you go. Master your craft on the gun......be that Gunner your section chief wants on Gun 2. When not drilling on the gun, learn the Plotting Board!!!! I can't stress this enough. Once you learn the basic missions and can register/re-register, you'll realize how easy you have it with the LHMBC. Be an asset to the Bravo's you are attached to. Make yourself an integral part of the team, not an "attachment."

Response by MSG Bruce K. made May 12 at 2019 2:33 PM

MSG Bruce K. — Sun, 12 May 2019 14:33:59 -0400

What these guys said and I'll add: Be the best Gunner you can, be an expert with your gun. Most important UNDERSTAND why you do what you do- ie 20 mils at 2k is how many meters on the ground? Drift, altitude, temp affect rounds how and why? Know that stuff, it matters. Pay attention and learn to battle track, again it matters.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2019 11:13 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 May 2019 11:13:06 -0400

Any and all schools that you have the opportunity to go to take it. Just because you are a chuck doesn’t mean your still not an infantryman. An 11C is just an 11B with an additional skill of how to use the mortar systems. Now you still need to be on top of your primary job as a mortarman and know the ins and outs of everything as you move up in the ranks. But knowing just mortars is not good it creates the attitude of, “ I don’t need to know about machine guns, etc. I’m a mortar”. Something I have heard before in my career. My first two deployments I didn’t see a mortar tube due to the location we were at command thought it to be too risky. But I knew the ins and outs of every other weapons system, I went to Long Range Marksmanship and Sniper School (rare for an 11C) and therefore I was still an asset to my PLT. Go to air assault or any other school because you can take any kind of knowledge you learn and become an all around soilder. I’ll give you an example of when another course (rappelmaster) helped me as a mortarman in hide and shoot missions. Learning how to properly pack a rope bag and know how it works I made my own out of 550 cord and the cardboard box from the inside of an MRE. By making holes along the sides I S-curled the 550 cord along the sides of the box in the holes I made and tied an end off to the box, carrying it in my rucksack. So when we went to conduct a hide and shoot all I had to do was take the side not tied off and tie it to a canteen or anything with weight and throw it over a branch unraveling so it didn’t get tangled and went around the branch (make sure to catch the canteen so it doesn’t make too much noise). The box with 550 cord allowed me to carry a lot of it in a way where it won’t get tangled and was still compact. I then connected the 500 cord from the canteen to an OE-254 and raised our antenna to give us better comms to receive fire missions from other units. So something you can learned from a school that had nothing to do with mortars can still give you skills to perform your job you just have to think outside the box.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2019 11:34 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 May 2019 11:34:21 -0400

I'm not a Mortar, but I have a lot of close friends who are, and are also senior leaders. I'll repeat the advice they gave to junior 11C's:
Ranger SCHOOL and IMLC. Those two will set you up as a leader and especially as a Mortar leader. Since you're in a recon company there are a few others that would help as well. RSLC and EMT (yes, having a medical trained asset in a remote location is extremely helpful), will make you more of an asset to your company, as well.

Response by SGT Derrick Gibson made May 15 at 2019 11:10 PM

SGT Derrick Gibson — Wed, 15 May 2019 23:10:00 -0400

I'm no longer in the army. But when I was an 11C I took the Pre-Commissioned Officers corresponds course. There was some very valuable leadership material included in that.

Response by SFC Bradley Smith made May 25 at 2019 4:41 AM

SFC Bradley Smith — Sat, 25 May 2019 04:41:03 -0400

To further your skills as a infantryman, I can think of no better school than Ranger School for a highly motivated young 11C. I was a newly promoted E5 in the 2/325 B Co in the 82nd. This was in 1987 and my company was transitioning from 81mm Mortar platoons at the company level to 60mm Mortar Section. I was the first 11C in my battalion and the second chuck in the brigade to go to Ranger School after General Stiner started getting 20 slots a month. It taught me about light infantry tactics and made me a better 60mm Mortar Section Sgt. My op orders were on point, and the 11B’s respected me as a fellow lightfighter and it helped out my career. It also helped me make E6 quickly, Ranger School was worth 50 points, the tab was 15 points and they used to give another 50 points for professional development.

Response by SFC Charles Hough made May 29 at 2019 1:26 PM

SFC Charles Hough — Wed, 29 May 2019 13:26:37 -0400

First of all....way to step up! I am a retired 11C and I get a little worked up when I hear that platoons and leaders don’t know how to use us!!!! Your section sergeant needs to do his job and “ Sell” your abilities to your Troop Commander and your platoon leaders. I have 6 years of combat deployment time and you are way more than a just in case asset. When it hits the fan , I promise they will think differently. The best advice I can give you for now, is learn your battle drills, read the Scout manuals and stay diligent in your Role as an 11C. As a Private most wont give you any credit, but don’t give up....learn everything you can about being the greatest mortarman you can be. I read everything I could as a private and fought many battles with my leaders but eventually they heard me and was even hand selected to help re-write some of our doctrine. That really made commanders listen....know your job and preach it, make them see you as an asset not a just in case. High angled hell....death from above.

Response by SPC Rick HUnt made Nov 15 at 2020 8:04 PM

SPC Rick HUnt — Sun, 15 Nov 2020 20:04:08 -0500

LMAO bro stop holding hands with the ladies an an just know your role if shit hits the fan, you're a mortar not a scout not a fister