What makes your branch unique?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 18:08:57 -0500

As I am about to complete Infantry BOLC, and get my cord again, I find the unique awards that are given to the Infantry only raise the Espirit de Corps. We are the only branch with a cord and branch backgrounds for enlisted. I know there are some other branches that have their items such as Cav and Engineers. <div><br></div><div>What other branches have any unique customs or accessories?</div>

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2014 11:16 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 23:16:17 -0500

In Weather we have Meteorologist Pins and the Air Force Weather Agency (formerly Air Weather Service). I am very proud of being a Master Meteorologist. We are a tight knit group and athletically competitive. We are also these associated with Combat Weather. I prefer the actual forecasting Terminal Area Forecasters (TAFs) and the associated Atmospheric Physics. Being a good weather observer only has enhanced my awareness of microanalysis and terrain effects.

In the long run, I question TAFs now being done in the USA for places like Germany. Automated Weather Stations may be good in some cases but in place observers who are doing their job bring more texture to surface observations.

This information is vital to Air and Ground Operations. I was also a marksman with the M-16 and 38. I remember riding with my Mom and Dad and I came on the radio with Weather for a local radio station in Tampa. They were beaming as they had others in the car. They would even record my weather forecasts on Q-105 and show their friends in the retirement community.

There was a Marine Colonel who liked my dad and he was the most devoted to my father as he was dying. My family don't like him, but to me, I will never forget him. He honored Dad with the rivalry thing, NCO and Officer and I knew my dad loved when he came in. He would also say hi to me as SSgt Olson. The brotherhood in the military and the ability to get a good job that matters is the coolest thing.

The Meteorology has benefited National Racing Programs and I am a star there. I get into all the tracks for me. The Air Force made this all possible, my dream job and that I was able to be a good forecaster. The badge and the patch are a source and great pride and humility. Our washout rate was over 50%, and we had Marines, Air Force and Navy in our classes.

Some of the best and brightest NCOs went to the classes and our instructors knew forecasters that could handle the pressure and do a great job.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2014 11:26 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 23:26:36 -0500

Edit: Not sure it was obvious my response was playful ribbing. Damn internet.

Response by SPC Christopher Morehouse made Jan 8 at 2014 1:00 AM

SPC Christopher Morehouse — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 01:00:13 -0500

Infantry aren't the only ones with cords.  Combat engineers can be authorized to wear the candy cane cord.  I had mine when I was in the honor guard.  And although I was an 11B for 18 months, I never had a blue cord.  It would have clashed with the DCUs I guess.  <br><br>Fun fact, engineers got the color red from the cores lineage from artillery, and the white comes from the cores lineage from the Infantry (White was the infantry's color until the mid 1800's). <br><br>So if you shoot an infantryman out of a cannon, you get a sapper.  <br>

Response by CPT Mike M. made Jan 8 at 2014 10:14 AM

CPT Mike M. — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 10:14:36 -0500

Spurs and Stetsons can be worn by anyone in a Cav unit so they don't count but Armor's still got:

Tanker boots!!!

Order of Saint George

Tanker boots!!!

A branch color that actually goes with the uniform for Blues/ASUs

TANKER BOOTS!!!

We get to ride in the most bad ass land vehicle man has created - the tank!

AND DON'T FORGET TANKER BOOTS!!!!!

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jan 8 at 2014 5:30 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 17:30:49 -0500

What makes the Field Artillery unique is that we are the one and only King of Battle. This is not to be confused with some 'other' branches who are actually (for example) the Queen of Battle, and seem to get that fact wrong time and time again.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2014 7:08 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 19:08:37 -0500

My branch has the proud distinction of requiring a GT score of 100 or better for all of its instructors, being the only branch in the Army to do so IAW Army regulations.

Not that it does any good, but it is special.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2014 8:51 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 20:51:40 -0500

The AMEDD branch has the Expert Field Medical Badge (EFMB). Only medical Soldiers (68 series) and AMEDD Branch officers and Warrants can compete. It was created for the combat medic because we were serving with the infantry but could qualify for the EIB. It is a mark of pride and only 25% and sometimes less pass the testing and get to wear this coveted badge. If awarded in Combat it is referred to as the CMB.

Also, Medical Service Corps officers and Warrants wear the only Silver Branch insignia in the AMEDD branch. All others wear gold.

Response by Cpl Robert Wallace made Feb 6 at 2015 12:23 AM

Cpl Robert Wallace — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 00:23:37 -0500

I think what makes my branch unique is Marines do 2 full weeks of PMI. 1 grass week and 1 live fire KD with qual on the last day. We train out to the point target range of the issue weapon system. In the fleet we re-qualified bi-annually and marksmanship was central to the Marine culture. All enlisted ranks above E2 with the exception of a couple senior Staff ranks have crossed rifles in the rank emblem. We are the smallest service with the longest boot camp partly as a result of the focus on marksmanship.