Is 11c really better than 11b?

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Nov 2018 11:36:44 -0500

I'm fresh out of osut, in pre rasp right now. I wanted 11b like most 11c's. will chucks see much direct combat? I've heard we do mortars and 11b stuff but very seldom. I've also heard that being a mortarman is better and also heard it sucks. On deployment, are we only on mortars? Or do we get to use our m4s? Sorry if these questions are dumb, I'm fresh out of basic and know nothing about the army

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2018 1:02 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Nov 2018 13:02:23 -0500

Deployment stuff is all mission dependent. In my deployment, I was stuck on guard duty with 11Bs, so I got to do lots of room clearing training while other mortars went out and did mortar stuff. During 9months, I only touched a mortar system during one week for MORTEP. Being a chuck is great, at least in my experience. Everyone wants to do the video game stuff, but real life isn't usually like that. B's spend alot more time doing stupid details, carrying javelins/240's up mountains, and bounding with said equipment. When you see what impact mortars can have on the battlefield, you can really appreciate your job and take pride in what you bring to the company/battalion.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Nov 24 at 2018 5:04 PM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Sat, 24 Nov 2018 17:04:43 -0500

As an 11C you'll have to do all the same 11B shit but you'll also have to carry a bunch of heavy stuff too. So, that by default makes 11B "better" but honestly it doesn't actually matter. Every 11C I've ever met was a little weird though, but that's alright too.

Response by SGT Michael Tallman made Dec 5 at 2018 4:49 PM

SGT Michael Tallman — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 16:49:25 -0500

Honestly it is what you make of it. On my deployment to Afghanistan I was multi tasked with other things such as RTO and designated CLS. On many missions I carried the tube, small baseplate, mortar rounds, CLS bag, radio, M4 and everything else I needed which was quite a bit all at the same time. At some points I did 11B stuff like gunner in a turret, IED clearing team and some other things. I have both 11B and 11C as MOSes but my current primary is 11C. Being an 11C having to bear all of that extra weight is tough and seems harder when you're bogged down with so much extra gear. Through my experience I don't believe one is better than the other. We all work together as Brothers of the Blue Cord.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2018 5:29 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 17:29:15 -0500

Some chucks love being a chuck, and some hate it. On the good side, if you don't like it you can easily Reclass to a Bravo after a year.

Response by SSG K Johnson made Dec 5 at 2018 6:46 PM

SSG K Johnson — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 18:46:58 -0500

Depends on the unit too, cavalry unit vs infantry unit is a big difference.

Response by CPL Brian Moseley made Dec 15 at 2018 6:41 PM

CPL Brian Moseley — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 18:41:44 -0500

I was 11C/11B for 8 years, most of my time spent in a Mortar section.... with the exception of quals and gun drills we did everything the line platoons did.
When we deployed we had no need for a Mortar section for our particular mission, so we were mixed in with everyone else.
I will say this - a GOOD Infantry leader has a knowledge of how every weapon system operates within the platoon/company/BN. Going to Mortar section gains you valuable experience, even if you don't use it right away.

Response by SFC Bradley Smith made Dec 30 at 2018 10:14 AM

SFC Bradley Smith — Sun, 30 Dec 2018 10:14:04 -0500

I enjoyed being an 11 Charlie, you stand out as different but you get to do some of the same things as the 11 Bravos. At one point I was in a 120mm Heavy Mortar Platoon in a Cavalry Troop ( Bradley’s and Tanks), in a Cavalry Battallion ( Armor and Choppers)in an Aviation Brigade in the 3rd Infantry Division stationed in Schweinfurt Germany. My Brigade had more firepower than some Divisions. We had Cavalry scouts with Bradley fighting vehicles, M1 Tanks, attack and recon aviation assets, and with our 120mm Mortars our unit was deadly. I came previously from the 82nd Airborne where I had been stationed in Vicenza Italy and At Fort Bragg NC. I wanted to hate the Cavalry compared to Airborne but to be honest I realized if I had to go to war this Cavalry Troop in an aviation Brigade was much safer than the 82nd Airborne.

Response by SFC Bradley Smith made Dec 30 at 2018 10:18 AM

SFC Bradley Smith — Sun, 30 Dec 2018 10:18:23 -0500

On deployments you may be tasked to provide counter battery fire or be tasked to do checkpoints, patrols, convoy protection and or security details. Depends on the needs of your unit. If they don’t need you to use your mortars, you will be doing a lot of 11B stuff.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2018 2:09 PM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 14:09:40 -0500

Okay, first off, stop telling the world that you’re in Pre-RASP/RASP. The organization you’re aspiring to be a part of is comprised of some of the worlds most professional soldiers. Being a professional means having poise. Professionals don’t broadcast to the world who they are or what organization they’re affiliated with.

Now, to answer you’re questions. I’m gonna tell you what my Squad Leader told me when I first showed up to my platoon..9/10 times, your tube is your primary weapons system. Your M4 is your secondary. But make no mistake, you will be expected to know, understand, and be able to execute any and every battle drill and you will be expected to be proficient at any and all Infantry tasks.

As a Mortarman, it is your job to provide rapid and accurate IDF support to the assault force, provide freedom of maneuver to friendlies, and deny key terrain from the enemy. But know this, if you’re on a SBF or a BP, and a 240 goes down because the gunner got taken out of the fight for whatever reason, you’re gonna be the go-to replacement. So you better know how to operate that weapons system.

As long as you’re a mortar, you’re gonna spend most of your career doing mortar things. But it is very, very possible, that the day will come that you’re called on to plus up a stack and clear buildings with a line platoon, so when that day comes, make sure you’re ready.

The biggest advice I can give you, is don’t worry about whether or not you’re gonna get to do “cool guy” stuff on deployment. Focus on mastering your craft. Once you master your craft, you’re gonna be the guy that other people want to take on missions because you know your stuff. And also, don’t let people get to your head. I guarantee that most of the people you’ve heard talk down on mortars so far in your career are in the same place as you..fresh out of basic..they don’t know a damn thing. You ask anyone who’s been in long enough and that knows what they’re talking about, and they’ll have a different opinion, trust me.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2019 4:25 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 04:25:28 -0500

I remember when I was a private, my old PSG use to say, 11C's were the real infantry...... He said we could hump (light infantry), ride (mechanized 120mm) or fall out the sky......... He said at the end of the day, once the Bradley (11M) is disabled, the towgun for (11H) is disabled and the 11B's get pinned down, the 11C's will save the day........ high angle hell, death and destruction from above.......

Response by SPC Arthur Lowder made Sep 19 at 2019 11:31 AM

SPC Arthur Lowder — Thu, 19 Sep 2019 11:31:38 -0400

GO 11C FOLLOW YOUR MIND.!!!

Response by SPC Arthur Lowder made Aug 6 at 2021 7:52 PM

SPC Arthur Lowder — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 19:52:18 -0400

JUST GO 11C MORTARMAN DO NOT SUCK MORTARMAN IS TEAM WORK!!!

Response by SGT Jake Ellison made Dec 14 at 2021 7:56 PM

SGT Jake Ellison — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 19:56:22 -0500

Much better