What is life like as an infantry platoon leader (or any infantry position) at Fort Irwin in the 11th ACR?

2020-05-01T11:20:28-04:00

Good Morning. I have received my orders and it appears that I will be joining 1st Squadron, 11th Cav once I complete IBOLC and my additional follow on schools. My RFO also reflects that I will be attending the Bradley Leadership course. Although I was hoping to get sent to the 82nd, 101st, 173rd, or 10th mountain, everyone that I have talked to have said that the 11th ACR will be far better to hone my craft as an infantryman and that how sparse deployments are that I'm not missing much. I am extremely excited about being able to train as much as the 11th ACR does. Although being out in the field a lot can be rough, I think that playing OPFOR will be an amazing experience and maybe even a bit fun or at least as much fun as Army training can be!

Overall, I am looking forward to going to the 11th ACR but cannot find much consistent information other than "It's hot." Other responses run the gamut from "11th Armored Cavalry Regiment is probably one of the best trained and cohesive units in the Army," to " You will be in a cavalry unit that does not give two shits about it's infantryman and will give cooks awards for mixing eggs with water but not our infantryman who kill multiple bradleys with a vietnam era m113 with a vismod on it." I am very interested in what the unit is like and what my experience will be.

I did do some research for housing. It seems like my only options are to use all of my BAH for on post housing at The Villages of Irwin or to commute for an hour from Barstow or for 90 minutes from Victorville. Any advice on this would be appreciated.

Everyone mentions about how it's 3 hours from LA and Las Vegas. I am a pretty boring guy. I am from California and am definitely not a fan of LA and I don't really care much about being able to visit Las Vegas as I don't even drink. As long as I can find a place to train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, and MMA I'll be happy. If anyone has experience with the Fort Irwin Fight Team (facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/FortIrwinBrazilianJiuJitsuClub/) and could tell me about it that would be great!

I know this is a long post and your responses are much appreciated.

Bonus: Did anyone apply for their CCW in San Bernardino? It seems like San Bernardino is a "Will approve" county and the only major downside is that it will take about 6 months.

See posts, photos and more on Facebook.

Response by LTC Jeff Shearer made May 1 at 2020 11:25 AM

2020-05-01T11:25:08-04:00

don't forget about Ranger

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2020 11:25 AM

2020-05-01T11:25:20-04:00

Congratulations. Life in the desert is a great learning environment especially for a mech leader. Digging in a platoon and establishing a mobile defense in depth with deep fires will or should get you fired up. /// personal firearms is a challenge but it is doable.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2020 11:29 AM

2020-05-01T11:29:32-04:00

BLACKHORSE!!! I don't know much about the Infantry there...but I do know the 58th CEC Red Devils. Make friends with them Engineers.

Response by LTC Jeff Shearer made May 1 at 2020 12:15 PM

2020-05-01T12:15:35-04:00

LT remember being IN is one of the greatest jobs you can have. Those who dont agree have never been IN or are just big ole _ _ _ _ _ _ _. I am a Special Forces Officer(r) but I started as an IN Officer and loved it. I was CA for a bit, but I was at DLI in Monterey. What great duty station! Great weather, great food, great SCUBA diving, great surfing (if you surf) etc... I am not sure but I think that area maybe the best part of CA, just saying.

LT, sorry got of the trail and started chasing rabbits. You are on the edge of a great career. I was never a mech guy unless I could bribe somebody for a ride. See if you can get some time in the 82d, 173 etc... you will love having your knees in the breeze. I did it for over 20 years and did not like it ever, but I did it for 20+ years. Haha so it must have been pretty cool.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2020 5:44 PM

2020-05-01T17:44:39-04:00

Biggest advice to you, don't touch a desert tortoise. More so for your soldiers, there's always that one pvt. Jokes aside you'll definitely learn alot there

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2020 11:02 PM

2020-05-01T23:02:43-04:00

While I am not a member of 11th ACR, I am stationed at Fort Irwin. I highly recommend living on post, as the nearest town Barstow is nothing special. Additionally, the community here is very tight knit, as we are the "nations biggest cul-de-sac". I am also from CA, and not a fan of LA, so I get away to the Sierra Nevada mountains every chance I get. Or, I also enjoy the central coast for some beach time. Unfortunately, if you were hoping to go light infantry, this is not that. Just embrace it, learn as much as you can, as it is the NTC. Talk to the OC's and pick their brains, and don't cover your MILES sensors!! You'll know what I mean when you get here.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2020 3:12 PM

2020-05-04T15:12:36-04:00

I attended the OPFOR Commander's Course when I was a Company Commander with 1st CAV as part of 6 rotations in 13 months of command. I also had a bunch of OPFOR rotations with CMTC in Hohenfels, FRG as a Mech Infantry Platoon Leader, so although I was not in the 11th ACR, I did roll with them a couple of times. As far as being a Platoon Leader with them, you will get to understand tactics better than most and particularly how to use terrain in an area where concealment is not abundant. Another positive aspect, from a leadership perspective, is that the mission is dictated by the units being trained, and thus scenarios are worked up based on a unit's real world mission such that as the world picture changes, you are on the frontline of the changes in Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for a desert environment.

I saw some negative comments about being infantry in a cavalry unit, 11th ACR is not that type of CAV unit, so I think you can take that with a grain of salt. You will be getting a Stetson though, and because you are CAV, you may not be leading 11 series soldiers. As and 11A, it is possible that you would be leading 19s as well as 11s.

In a mech unit, maintenance is the majority of your time, and keeping your vehicles rolling will be your top priority. Make sure you get in there and get dirty with you guys breaking track and turning wrenches. There are some rolling stock that are old Soviet era vehicles, so even if you aren't leading and maintaining them, you do have the opportunity to work with them and understand their strengths and limitations.

The downside in my mind is that you won't be as familiar with the latest in US technology because the real life OPFOR doesn't have it so you won't get it either. Also, the desert is the desert and Fort Irwin is pretty isolated. They do well with the amenities on post (and I suppose you can get used to having a guy with blue hands sit next to you in the Food Court...although knowing the guy has blue hands because he maintains the porta-pots was off-putting to me). The weather is pleasant in the mornings and evenings, even in the summer, and there are plenty of things within 3 miles to do on long weekends.

The nice thing about being the OPFOR is that you aren't actually doing the 30 day rotations. You will get a mission, go out for an overnight or two, and then reset, so you aren't constantly living in the vehicle or a tent. Finally, after a couple of years, you should be able to move to other opportunities at Fort Irwin if you like (rotate with the OCs to get some hands on with working in US units). Overall NTC is a positive assignment and will be good for your career.

Response by COL John Oakley made May 5 at 2020 11:27 PM

2020-05-05T23:27:57-04:00

One thing is certain, if you embrace it, you will be the best trained LT in the Army. I can’t think of a better education in any other assignment as a PL.

Response by MAJ Tracy Pim made May 12 at 2020 9:07 PM

2020-05-12T21:07:06-04:00

Hell...I still thought the 11th ACR was still at Fulda!!!!!!!! I'm gettin old.....

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made May 21 at 2020 4:31 PM

2020-05-21T16:31:20-04:00

What life? Infantry lieutenants don't have a life. (Former infantry PL 1/508 Abn.)

Response by CPT Eireanne Russ made May 28 at 2020 6:24 PM

2020-05-28T18:24:39-04:00

Life as a Platoon Leader is what you make of it. Years ago, I learned that there are very few BAD duty stations and very few GOOD stations, only good attitudes and bad attitudes. You are in the Army to learn to fight better and harder than the enemy, but most importantly to improve you troop leadership skills.

40 years after serving as a Rifle Platoon leader at Ft Hood, the lessons I learned there still govern my leadership and management skills. Leave your ego at Benning. Learn from those you lead and those who lead you. Be courageous. Seek excellence. Be bold and above all else, follow well and lead well, but don't ever put yourself in a situation where you are asked to get out of the way.

Being assigned to OPFOR gives you a unique opportunity to learn our tactics but also gain insight into the enemy. Excell in both. Sun Tzu said, "If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle." ― The Art of War

Dayum -- I sound like an old fart. Good luck, Lieutenant.

Response by 1LT Voyle Smith made Aug 10 at 2020 6:57 PM

2020-08-10T18:57:49-04:00

Just remember that as an Infantry platoon leader, you’ll have people shooting at you from your front (the enemy) and your rear (your own troops). Your troops will be trying to engage the enemy but you’ll be in their line of fire. That’s where you’re supposed to be.