After I branch infantry, will I have to earn my blue cord again during IBOLC or will I be able to wear it since I was 11B enlisted?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 20:21:47 -0500

After I branch infantry will I have to earn my blue cord again during Ibolc or will I be able to wear it since I was 11b enlisted

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jan 26 at 2020 9:46 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 21:46:51 -0500

I was 11B enlisted, as we several of my class, and they wouldn't allow us to wear it back when I went through IOBC. I was pissed about it.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2020 10:05 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 22:05:15 -0500

The blue cord is an MOS/AOC and duty position dependent award.
You were authorized to wear it as an 11B in an 11B duty position.
Once you started OCS, you became 09S, and upon completion of OCS, 00D.
You will not be 11A until graduation day of IBOLC, upon which, assuming your duty position back home is 11A, that will be the first day you are authorized to wear the blue cord (again).
In reality, you won't be branched 11A until your G1 OPM gets a copy of your 1059 and codes you 11A a few weeks or months down the road after graduation.

Response by CPT Andrew Wright made Jan 27 at 2020 3:10 PM

CPT Andrew Wright — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 15:10:39 -0500

They won't let you but I imagine if you showed up with a CIB or combat patch you might get some approval. Best of luck!

Response by SPC David S. made Jan 27 at 2020 3:47 PM

SPC David S. — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 15:47:13 -0500

Infantry Basic Officer Leadership Course has a "Cording" Ceremony and Graduation Ceremony. This video covers the cording which takes place a day before graduation. This is a bit dated 2011 however.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TkJ6EiisPM

Fort Benning IBOLC Cording Ceremony

Infantry Basic Officer Leadership Course has a "Cording" Ceremony and Graduation Ceremony. This video covers the cording which takes place a day before gradu...

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2020 8:06 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 08:06:13 -0500

In short, yes. It's a part of the course.