What's it like being an infantry officer?

2018-10-03T10:45:21-04:00

I am currently a freshman cadet enrolled at Penn state and was wondering about some of the benefits and cons of becoming an infantry officer. Is the position itself competitive to branch into?

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Oct 3 at 2018 12:31 PM

2018-10-03T12:31:45-04:00

Physically difficult, mentally challenging and even in training, it's dangerous. Expect to be in the field a lot, deployed a lot (depending on the Unit). It's hard on family and social life. That said, I volunteered for it twice (enlisted and commissioned) and don't regret either decision. Rank gets competitive after you reach Captain, so suck up those schools when you get the chance, Airborne, Air Assault and Ranger, if you can pull a slot. It's not the death knell many portray being a leg as being, but it certainly helps you at the promotion boards.
I should also point out that I branch transferred to the Engineers as an O2.
If you decide to try it, get in shape, study up on tactics and infantry maneuvers, and listen to the senior NCO's when you get your first Platoon. Embrace that Platoon and Company time, to me that is what the Army was all about and I missed it when I went to staff.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 3 at 2018 12:44 PM

2018-10-03T12:44:23-04:00

Pros: A lot of leadership opportunities. The branch is the "essence" of the Army.
Cons: Lots of field time. NTC and deployments. It can be rough on the body if you go Light Infantry vs Mechanized. Are you enamored with Infantry, Combat Arms?

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made Oct 3 at 2018 12:57 PM

2018-10-03T12:57:17-04:00

Only go Infantry if you really want to be Infantry. I've seen a number of officers who were branched Infantry, compared to others who were Infantry officers.

Response by SGT Christopher Combs made Oct 3 at 2018 1:43 PM

2018-10-03T13:43:17-04:00

I was an NCO in the Infantry for 15 years and the Lt's always could beat our pt scores because they were in such good shape. Infantry is a great and the best MOS I believe. So if you have doubts about being Infantry then you need to do what you would like to do.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2018 7:07 PM

2018-10-03T19:07:57-04:00

Here's some thoughts and observations from a angry and broken 11B platoon sergeant.
Pro- nothing will ever compare to being in charge of 35-45 hounds of hell as they do the Lords work across an objective.
Pro- everyday has different challenges, rarely the same shit, different day
Pro- hopefully you have a good senior enlisted advisor to drop knowledge bombs that will make you realize your lt education system is garbage.
Con- you will only have a plt for a little over a year, then staff time, maybe a second plt if you were shit hot. Somewhere around the 5-6 year mark you will have a company for around 2 years, then more staff time.
Con- you are the fall guy for the plt, if something is wrong it's going to be your and your plt sgt fault.
Con- property, there are no friends when it comes to property. You will be responsible for anywhere from 2-8 million dollars depending on the type of unit and if you're deployed.
Being branched Infantry is a competition, being a good Infantry officer is an ongoing competition, and it pays to be a winner.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Oct 4 at 2018 4:01 PM

2018-10-04T16:01:30-04:00

Yungin' if your still a college freshman, then you don't know what you want yet. 4 years of college, mixed with lots of dating, lots of ROTC, lots of skiing (or whatever), lots of fun, and don't forget lots of studying, will guide you to where you want to go. Sit back, relax, take your studies seriously, don't take yourself seriously, and enjoy the ride. (I was commissioned Infantry RA out of ROTC way way back in 1980.)