Posted on Mar 17, 2020
What is your opinion on army infantry trying to Reach retirement?
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This question is for anyone.If you’re currently infantry what route are you taking to survive 20 years as Army infantry. If you arent Infantry but have advice on how you would Survive it. Or if you think its a waste of time. ALL OPINIONS WELCOME.
11B: Infantryman
11C: Indirect Fire Infantryman (Mortarman)
Retirement
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 23
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I would say lay a path of progression, 20years as a grunt. I did 9.5 and got knee and back problems. But if your gonna reup into another MOS better to do a 3yr enlistment first. Get your infantry done, get your EIB/CIB Airborne etc. Then A. switch over to something you can use out here. B. Something that's easier on your body so you can do the next 20. Knees back problems are common for former grunts. What happens if you cant pass your PFT test? Then their gonna put you out then and you will never retire. Trust and believe SAM has no loyalty!
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Learn a real skill... or play infantry in the National Guard... I didn't make it to Retirement... Over 160% VA disabled... deafness.. Bipolar 1... crosseyed double vision ...diabetes ... TBI... PTSD... heart failure... spent cartridge and so are all my buddies... 11B 19D...
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My opinion - as you gain rank your focus will move from being tactical to being strategic. You need to learn those two terms and what the differences are. And, IMHO, this is the biggest area of leadership failure, not being able to mentally move to more strategic thinking.
Your path options as you gain rank opens up for those that strategically look at their career. It is hard right now to envision but by the time you make Corporal you will have a better idea of which way to go. Training? Recruitment? Command Support Staff? Planning Support Staff? Warrant Officer? Commissioned Officer?
On the physical side, strength training, but not bulking up. Keep the joints and supporting muscles trained. An hour or so in the gym, 4 or 5 times a week will keep you there as long as you use a balanced weekly routine.
Now think of what it means to become a NFL player. Your hard knocks start around 9th grade and only intensify with each passing year for the next 20 years. They have to learn strategic thinking (Seahawks or Patriots? Usually the agent's job) as well as the tactical acumen (this guy is rushing me, do I juke left or right?). Like any other career you need to have a general idea of how you want to end it then work on the steps to navigate to that ending. Do you want to do 20 and get out? A full 30? Transition to a security company in 10, 20 or 30? End up in a white collar job? Go into politics?
Your path options as you gain rank opens up for those that strategically look at their career. It is hard right now to envision but by the time you make Corporal you will have a better idea of which way to go. Training? Recruitment? Command Support Staff? Planning Support Staff? Warrant Officer? Commissioned Officer?
On the physical side, strength training, but not bulking up. Keep the joints and supporting muscles trained. An hour or so in the gym, 4 or 5 times a week will keep you there as long as you use a balanced weekly routine.
Now think of what it means to become a NFL player. Your hard knocks start around 9th grade and only intensify with each passing year for the next 20 years. They have to learn strategic thinking (Seahawks or Patriots? Usually the agent's job) as well as the tactical acumen (this guy is rushing me, do I juke left or right?). Like any other career you need to have a general idea of how you want to end it then work on the steps to navigate to that ending. Do you want to do 20 and get out? A full 30? Transition to a security company in 10, 20 or 30? End up in a white collar job? Go into politics?
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