Posted on Oct 21, 2015
What causes the hatred between POGs and Grunts?
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I understand that blatant stupidity (Admit it, both Grunts and POGs get really STUPID when it comes to this) and just simple ignorance contribute to it. There are a lot more Non-Infantry MOSs than there are Infantry, not to mention the fact that the minority is ALWAYS the vocal one. Most of my experiences with Infantrymen they were absolute raging clowns about their being Infantry. Though I've also noticed this is more common among Junior Enlisted Infantrymen, as well as Infantrymen who haven't deployed. To build off of that, every single person I've met who WAS Infantry at one point and reclassed have been the complete opposite of those raging clowns. I guess I might have answered my own question while filling this out, but I'd still like to see other people's thoughts. And please... If all you have to contribute is, "AT THE PX THEY BOUGHT ALL THE NICE STUFF" or "THIS ONE TIME AT THE COP THEY WERE MEAN TO ME" don't even bother commenting.
Infantry
Support
Pride
Unit Pride
Soldiers
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 9
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Hatred is the result of ignorance (on both sides).
Combat Arms of all flavors, requires support. You can't take a hill without beans, bullets, and bandaids, or the people who do all the paperwork behind the scenes. Without Combat Arms, those fields would have no need to exist. It's a symbiotic relationship.
Generally at the lower ranks, this turns into a have vs. have not issue though, because training camps have a requirement to be located in (pardon the phrase) crapholes. Infantry needs to be near deserts, mountains, or swamps to train. Non-Infantry, such as the Air Wing or Logistics need to be near Logistically viable locations with "roads" and the ability to move equipment. This in turn means that they have better stuff, just as a matter of practicality. Why put good stuff in a swamp or a desert when you can fly it or truck it in to a perfectly good location.
So the standards of living just end up being "different," and by different I mean better. Oh so much better. And I say this after doing 4 years with an Infantry BN. This doesn't make things "bad." Camp Horno wasn't bad when I was there. It was just in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by mountains. If you were to compare that to mainside or even the wing, we probably probably had nicer barracks.. but their proximity to "civilization" and not having the same optempo & training schedule just makes it seem like a better life.
Combat Arms of all flavors, requires support. You can't take a hill without beans, bullets, and bandaids, or the people who do all the paperwork behind the scenes. Without Combat Arms, those fields would have no need to exist. It's a symbiotic relationship.
Generally at the lower ranks, this turns into a have vs. have not issue though, because training camps have a requirement to be located in (pardon the phrase) crapholes. Infantry needs to be near deserts, mountains, or swamps to train. Non-Infantry, such as the Air Wing or Logistics need to be near Logistically viable locations with "roads" and the ability to move equipment. This in turn means that they have better stuff, just as a matter of practicality. Why put good stuff in a swamp or a desert when you can fly it or truck it in to a perfectly good location.
So the standards of living just end up being "different," and by different I mean better. Oh so much better. And I say this after doing 4 years with an Infantry BN. This doesn't make things "bad." Camp Horno wasn't bad when I was there. It was just in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by mountains. If you were to compare that to mainside or even the wing, we probably probably had nicer barracks.. but their proximity to "civilization" and not having the same optempo & training schedule just makes it seem like a better life.
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MSG (Join to see)
Right on. If it weren't for us ammo guys, the Air Force would be nothing but an un-scheduled airline.
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The infantryman think they are badasses which they should be, and are the salt of the earth for the army. That being said, many are so egocentric about their status of being infantry they believe they are the only game in town. Occasionally I would maneuver my tank platoon and a few of the infantrymen heckled us, to which I replied and pointed that my main gun was bigger than anything they had. Some young soldiers don't understand that fighting a war is a combined arms operation. My Armor Battalion CO told me, "Ken the Tankers get all the glory, but we have got to show appreciation for all the support soldiers and units. They make the battalion run." To which I replied, "Yes sir!" lol
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Suspended Profile
Think it has more to do with the fact that while we are being punished for minor issues we see tech guys getting to do 10 push ups and sit-ups after we get smoked for 4 hours after a ruck march after being in the field. Never deployed. Never got the chance. Started as enlisted infantryman due to my father being in the honor guard & overseas with the government my whole life. Seems a lot of people want the easy way out & for most guys that go infantry that isn’t the option: I was in boot camp with a lot of poverished national guard men before Covid hit. Have had 5 dudes from my unit not make it in my 4 years & I’m a NG Infantry unit. 3:116th, VA. My unit happened to remain the most deplorable unit throughout my one captains time. It has nothing to do with being badasses however like the above smart infantryman with a brain stated, has to do with the conditions & attitudes all the way around. By all means, if any tech guy thinks they could hold up in a combat situation by all means, let me know. I’ve known infantry NCOs who couldn’t lead a weekend mission without failing. Has to do with every individual and how you initiate a conversation. You are a computer guy & want to be a dick & back down from a fist fight so be it. Infantry handles their shit that way you can’t take it then shut your god damn mouth. And anyone who calls me a weekend warrior, just would like to say cute. You are part of that ignorant ass class of civilians that gets soldiers thrown in jail once they get home because you think YouTube showed you everything. Go to hell & go fuck yourself. Watch your buddy or friend bleed out or get blown up and hear about it and what happened afterwards and tell me you don’t become infuriated with the BS politics surrounding what sent you there. It’s all a load of horseshit for horseshit reasons who influence with power & psychopathic motivation. Anyone who has gone to science class in the last 20 years would know that all out war probably isn’t the best move these days & if that makes me a pussy well, by the looks of it I’ll see every single one of you struggling to survive in the next 20 years whether it be a nuclear winter or climate change people want to ignore even tho up North Halloween has been a beach vacation for years.
Suspended Profile
MAJ Ken Landgren Just speaking in general. First time on this sight was looking for an answer. Not exactly sure thought this was more of a question site like Quora. Did I respond to you directly? If so, I apologize, MAJ.
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Grunts are basic folks who live in mud and sling bullets. They eat weird stuff and smell funny. By comparison, POG's are extremely intelligent. They live in the barracks, take showers (sometimes twice a day), dine on lobster tail, and smell like lilacs. Most grunts who lat move into a more... how should I say... "administrative" role, usually have an epiphany: POG's work is hard in its own right.
The Corps is somewhat unique: The over-riding philosophy is developed from OCS or Boot Camp: We're all Marines FIRST. Regardless of the MOS, our mission is unified: To locate, close with, and destroy the enemy. Some just have to do this from behind a monitor. Regardless of MOS, we all support the warfighters. Those who have re-classed just grab onto this concept earlier.
The Corps is somewhat unique: The over-riding philosophy is developed from OCS or Boot Camp: We're all Marines FIRST. Regardless of the MOS, our mission is unified: To locate, close with, and destroy the enemy. Some just have to do this from behind a monitor. Regardless of MOS, we all support the warfighters. Those who have re-classed just grab onto this concept earlier.
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SFC Kevin Bazurto
Agreed Sir! I was an intel Marine first, now am infantry in the Army. I never noticed the divide as much until I was in the infantry. Correct me if I'm wrong here, but wars are won by the boots on the ground. By men willing to give their life for their country, and kill the enemy by fire and close maneuver. All other MOS's are mostly support roles, and are there to support those boots on the ground. Just my take. Semper Fi!
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Capt Mark Strobl
SFC Kevin Bazurto - Great perspective --especially from one who has been both a "POG" (I'm a little guarded to use that term with you, btw) and a grunt.
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SFC Kevin Bazurto
Capt Mark Strobl No worries! I used to hate on the Army as a Marine too, now I understand the simple fact; we are all brothers, and fighting the same fight, just wearing different uniforms... So I just figured since I've been on both sides, one makes me better at being the other. Hopefully...
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Suspended Profile
I like this response the most. My response is based on the typical majority opinion of things & how I’ve been responded to during my service because people have no idea what the fuck they are talking about but everyone likes to think they do. The biggest distinguishable in military capability comes from the civilian world of opinions. Never met someone currently serving willing to disrespect another service member.
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