What are the expectations and daily life like for Infantry Officers?

1LT Saul S. — Thu, 14 May 2020 20:40:35 -0400

I am currently entering my MS4 year in Army ROTC and will soon be inputting my final preferences for branch. I still have a few questions I would like answered in order to help me make my final decision. I have served a little time as an Enlisted Infantry soldier but am curious about all of the differences in duties between the Enlisted Infantryman and the Infantry Officer. If there are any Infantry Officers or NCOs that wouldn't mind answering any of these questions, I would greatly appreciate it!

What is your daily life like as a PL, XO, Staff Officer, Company Commander etc? What opportunities and assignments can you expect as an Infantry Officer? What schools are you expected to attend? What can I expect at IBOLC and do to prepare myself for it? What are the most important qualities of a successful Infantry Officer?

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made May 14 at 2020 9:09 PM

MAJ Jim Woods — Thu, 14 May 2020 21:09:11 -0400

I am an 11A Light Infantry Officer and have enjoyed the role immensely. I was Infantry for 21 years and never had a bad day. I was also an XO & CO of an IOBLC Company between tours to RVN (68-69). Go into IOBLC with a good open attitude and don't sweat the small stuff. You will learn everything you need to know there. When you first arrive at your Unit, pull your Platoon Sergeant to the side or better still buy him a cup of coffee and tell him you don't know nuthin' and will look to him for hints when a decision has to be made. He will be appreciative of you and will bust his ass to make you look good. Remember this... "The Credit belongs to the man in the Arena, that if he fails, at least he fails valiantly and his place will never be with those cold timid souls who knew neither Victory or Defeat" "Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it."

Response by LTC Bernabe Rosa made May 15 at 2020 9:27 PM

LTC Bernabe Rosa — Fri, 15 May 2020 21:27:34 -0400

Upon getting a commission as an Infantry Officer I knew that you always need to be ready to lead as your soldiers always are looking at you as you become their "old man". The guy with the answer for everything in their life of service your soldiers are your extended family and life is going to be full of difficult situations and satisfactory moments at the same time. Been an Infantry Officer is a great career choice for some special people not everyone.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2020 8:40 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 May 2020 20:40:14 -0400

It’s a very challenging, yet rewarding calling. I’ll start with BOLC and work up to being at a unit...that’s as far as I have experience to refer to.
IBOLC will equip you with the basic tools to resource and plan training for an IN PLT. You’ll learn the more in-depth TLPs and control measures necessary to lead a rifle platoon, nothing too fancy just the basic to get you to your unit. Show up in shape and be a sponge.
IN branch expects all officers to complete ABN/RGR training. All other schools are based off your BCT assignment(ABN, AASLT, Stryker, Bradley) and you’ll be sent to the required ones for your assignment.
As a PL, you’ll do a lot of CONOPs/DRAWs, resourcing and planning training for your platoon, creating a vision for the PLT with your PSG executed through the SLs on PT, training tasks, welfare for the PLT.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2020 5:41 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2020 05:41:11 -0400

Active? Guard? What?

IBOLC teaches you the basics, hence the B standing for BASIC. You learn constantly once you get to your unit. You train with and in your platoon. You embed yourself and become part of the platoon and continue to make yourself better. IBOLC was a 4 month frat party rolled into shooting stuff, ruck marches, Blackhawk flights, and OPORDERs. I made some lifelong friends there and learned some along the way.

You handle the seemingly mundane and nonstop administrative tasks, Soldier's problems are your problems, and your Platoon Sergeant should become your best friend.

You constantly train to get better. Do everything you expect your platoon to do. You are no better than they are, and they have been there longer, and will be there long after you are gone generally.

Days are only as busy as they have to be. Training weeks/days are busy. Admin days can be boring. This goes for PL, XO, and CO.

XO time was great. Busy managing maintenance, equipment, combat power, etc. Busy sitting in for your commander when he has stuff to do, going to log synch meetings, getting yelled at by the BN XO because your vehicle slant is 95%. It is a great time to really shadow your CO, become his right hand man, and really start seeing what a CO does before you take command.

BN Staff time is just that. Grind it out. Learn two levels up. See where Platoons and companies fit in the big picture. Learn how the BN commanders work, and how the BDE commander works. Network with the staff sections, you'll need them as a commander. Network with the other Staff O's. They will likely be your peers as a commander. Make those relationships now. Figure out who the next BN commanders and senior staff is going to be, get to know them and how they work so when they take command and you take command under them you already have some idea of what is expected.

Being an Infantry company commander is great. You get the opportunity to lead a bunch of hard chargers, and hopefully leave a good mark on the company. Being a Commander is very busy and very demanding. You have 140 some odd Joes, their families, problems, lives, and everything else to be concerned with, all while making sure they are ready to do the Army's dirty work and be "the last hundred yards". You are still learning. It will humble you often, and should. It is probably one of the best times you will have in the Army. Between the FLIPLs, Article 15s, AWOLs, and everything else, you still get to go stomp around, shoot rifles, throw grenades, do gunnery, and all that fun stuff. Train your PLs to take your job. Enable your NCOs to run the company. It should be autonomous to you. Your 1SG should know what you're thinking and you and him should always be a united front, even if that means one of you losing an argument. Always remember your Soldiers make or break you, and if you make them they will make it the hardest assignment of your career, or the best assignment. There is way more of them than there is you.

Time flies....you blink and you are handing that company guidon off to another dude with a sparkle in his eye and trillions of ideas for HIS company.

Qualities?? Be humble. Work hard. Keep an open mind. Be dedicated. Be loyal. Own it. Be reasonable and logical. Be realistic. Be a person, not a rank and a name. Be morally straight.

Response by 1LT W. Ashford made Aug 11 at 2020 2:14 PM

1LT W. Ashford — Tue, 11 Aug 2020 14:14:47 -0400

As an former NCO as well as Officer, my perspective is a bit unique...As an Infantry Officer , you’ll be required to become a jack of all trades...you should prepare for a reception at your Permanent Duty Station as the FNG even as an Officer. You’ll have to earn the respect of your PSG & SLs by showing proficiency, professionalism & balance. Stay out of NCO business, respect each soldier as an Important cog in your success. Good Luck
Follow Me
RLTW. Sua Sponte
This We’ll Defend