To really excel within the ranks of the Army, must I serve in the infantry? Do I need a CIB/EIB, like the Chief and SMA?

It's all attitude. When I was in 1981 - 1986, and all the other men got off duty they would usually go out drinking, etc. I would stay on base in my barracks and study my military manuals. Attn. to details young man. Always do what will make you a better soldier.

Promotions above E-4 are usually faster for Infantry soldiers. The reason is that Infantry has more Sergeants, so more Specialists get promoted. In order to excell, you need to be the soldier who stands above your peers in everything - best uniform, best marksmanship, best PT score, etc. If you are going to be the best, be Infantry, earn your EIB, go Airborne Ranger, go SF. Make it difficult to promote the other guy, because you are THE most outstanding soldier in your unit.

No, but needs to have combat experience. Doesn't need to be a Ranger or infrantry either. Their are other mos out there.

My brief (6 years) experience with the Army shows the Combat Arms soldiers do better over a 20-year career. This is an entirely subjective observation based no my time as an Army Civilian. The Combat Service and Combat Service Support soldiers often do well within their MOS groups, but don't make it to the most senior leadership positions in the Army. Transportation is an example of this. The most senior Transportation Officer is normally a Maj Gen. Gen Dunwoody is and exception as SSG Robert Webster noted. It's important to know that Gen Dunwoody made the jump from Transportation to Logistics to advance her career beyond Commanding SDDC as a 2-star to Commanding AMC.

Combat Arms Soldiers and their equivalents in the other Services tend to be the Chiefs of Staff and serve in positions of similar leadership responsibility and rank.

No, but it definitely helps. There's a reason the majority of our senior leaders are combat arms. Tabs, badges, etc. also provide a certain level of credibility. I wouldn't get too hung up on them however. It's already becoming increasingly rare to have a CIB below the E6 level. EIBs are more common, but it still ultimately depends on the unit. You would be surprised how many active duty Soldiers in mech units don't have EIBs.

With that said, even if you're Infantry you may never get the opportunity to earn either one. In 11 years in the ARNG I've never had the opportunity to participate in an EIB event. At this point my Battalion doesn't even have enough qualified graders to conduct one. The same goes for a CIB. I've deployed twice as a combat arms Soldier. Even leading troops "outside the wire" in Iraq I never experienced anything that would qualify me for a CAB or CIB. A lot of it's simply the luck of the draw.

As I am sure many on this thread can attest to, if you spend most of your time focusing on getting promoted or moving swiftly through the ranks, chances are you will not. Also when you do that, people notice. Focus on your Soldiers and your mission and everything else will fall in place

I ass only a sp. 4 combat infantryman in Viet nam. I did my 2 years and got out (drafted). and to me the CIB is a badge of honor. It proves that the soldier was actually in combat not a REMF. I don't care if the soldier is a private or a general I respect anyone who has earned the CIB. I do think it matters for gaining rank.

Yes, it is important. Ranger and Airborne Schools too.

It depends on what your definition of Excel is if you want to general of the army it would not hurt if you are looking to be a base commander just be all you can be.

to answer your question simply...No. It is YOU the soldier who will make or break your career and nobody else. I knew a lot of senior NCO's with no Combat Badges and they all were successful in their chosen military career. You are the ultimate arbiter of how far you can/will go. Good luck to you

I served in the Infantry for twenty three years and all officers have a duel MOS and for most of them it is Infantry due to my understanding, I served with General Milly when we were in the 10th Mountain together and he is a hell of a soldier. We deployed to Somalia in 93 and he was an excellent leader in my book.

My short observation of the Army (6 years as a DAC) shows that most General Officers have some combat arms experience. Most had the CIB or CAB and many had jump wings or air assault. Also, they had unit leadership in most every rank and experience on Service and Joint Service staffs. Even on the logistics side where I worked, most of the CGs had combat arms experience. The future may hold greater status for non-traditional combat organizations, such as cyber warfare. Same was generally true for CSMs, although we had at least one who didn't have a CIB or CAB.

You don’t absolutely need them, BUT, THEY SURE HELP❤️‼️‼️❤️

U need jump wings bro you don't want to be a dirty nasty Leg.....lol

I have known 10 SGM/CSMs in my career. Not one of them was 11B. I admit that part of that is due to the structure of the Reserves, but it does show that any determined leader can excel with a strong drive. Many SGMs have had broadening assignments. I suggest you look at Drill Sergeant, Recruiter and TRADOC while balancing your leadership time in line units.

Maybe to reach the very top, but actually there are Generals and CSM of every MOS.

The Infantry is the quintessential branch in the military; all activities; operations and ultimately all focus rests on the Sildiers and Leaders of the Queen of Battle. You have an exponentially higher potential tonwxcel if you rise through the ranks of the Infantry; though many other routes are good to think about-andany others do very well in other Branches; it is and will always be the Infantry that the Army revolves around...follow me!

Yes.

Look at it this way. Everybody, and everything is there to serve and support the grunt!

You will make rank faster than other MOS's.