As a prior service POG going 11X what can i expect getting to my duty station?

2019-08-10T16:47:00-04:00

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2019 4:57 PM

2019-08-10T16:57:51-04:00

Grunts in the Army have a lot of pride like the Marine Corps. I was in the XVIII Airborne Corps Rapid Deployment Force. I worked with a Marine fire team who supported us with Naval gunfire and ground air strikes. We are all brothers in arms. Our training was always more intensive than some of the support units You'll be OK Leatherneck!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2019 5:01 PM

2019-08-10T17:01:15-04:00

A lot of that depends on if you end up as an 11B or 11C. It will also be different if you go to airborne school and are assigned to an airborne unit, go to Campbell and Air Assault School, a light unit, Strykers, or a mech unit. Each is different and although infantrymen all possess the same basic skills, jumping from a C-130 and being a Bradley gunner are vastly different. In general, I'd be ready to take the reigns of a fire team and immediately lead. You should pick your squad/section leader's brain for his expectations and what you need to do as a team leader. There will be no mercy for you as an NCO reclass. The expectations will be the same: to lead and train infantrymen. Make sure you know the basics: battle drills 1 and 6, uniform standards, marksmanship, etc. The specialized stuff will be taught to you depending on where you end up.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2019 3:59 AM

2019-08-11T03:59:39-04:00

You’ll be fine. I came in as a Prior Service POG into the Infantry about 12 years ago, straight to Fort Bragg. I was treated like every other new guy. They didn’t expect any more of me because of my previous MOS.

You’ll be fine.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2019 10:57 AM

2019-08-11T10:57:05-04:00

Honestly, just don’t give them any reason to doubt you (This goes for anyone in the infantry not just people who reclass). There’s plenty of guys who have worn a blue cord for years and have never done more than the minimum required of them.

Personal example, we had a new SSG who was an 88M that reclassed. No one ever looked at that guy and thought “he was a POG”. The guy was an absolute beast and learned everything he could about the job of an infantryman, he had everyone’s respect day 1.

On the other hand we had a soldier come who spent a few years in Ranger Regiment who just appeared lazy, I guess over the years he let himself go and tried to let his combat scroll speak for his credibility as an infantryman. Either way, most of the platoon had respect for what he once was, but saw him as a has-been.

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

2019-08-11T11:34:21-04:00

You will be fine. Your first assignment all depends on if you are 11B or 11C go to Airborne School or Air Assault (or if you have an option 40 contract) if you get and where you get assigned. I started as an 11B in Ranger Bn then later moved to a lot get infantry unit. Went from jumping to air Assault. Just be a great NCO leader and if you aren't sure about something all Marines are infantry first ( based in your prior mos) use your knowledge and bring it to the team. It may benefit you in the long run. RLTW

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2019 6:07 PM

2019-08-11T18:07:13-04:00

Well as an E5 you will be safe from any scrutiny from the lower ranks, to your face at least. As for those appointed over you, you'll get the occasional Crayon eater joke and POG joke but they wont do it in front of the lower enlisted. As for at OSUT, you will probably have your own room and you'll be put in charge of the privates when the Drill isn't around.

Response by SP5 Jah Adula Meyers made Aug 14 at 2019 1:19 AM

2019-08-14T01:19:03-04:00

To be looked at like a POG until proven

Response by Sgt Angelo Hamm made Aug 16 at 2019 6:12 PM

2019-08-16T18:12:32-04:00

Hazing in a loving way. POG.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2019 2:34 PM

2019-08-19T14:34:17-04:00

The army is a whole different animal. Good luck

Response by SFC Daniel Jarvis made Aug 24 at 2019 10:02 PM

2019-08-24T22:02:05-04:00

Depends on your performance.

Response by SGT Timothy Summers made Aug 26 at 2019 1:46 AM

2019-08-26T01:46:20-04:00

You will be a Tm Ldr., but you will also be under the microscope as such because of being prior service non Infantry. Be prepared for those under you to look at you differently than they would if you had been Infantry abd deployed multiple times.. .especially if the EMs have a couple of deployments.