What should I expect through the process of reclassifying to 11B, getting to my unit, and opportunities?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 02:39:24 -0500

I have submitted a conditional release to get out of the reserves as a 42A, and go infantry as an 11B. What should I expect through the process of reclassing, getting to my unit, and opportunities. I am already promotable and am aware I will lose that status, but would I have to wait a year? Three years? Thanks in advance!

Response by SGT Robert Cupp made Dec 3 at 2018 2:51 AM

SGT Robert Cupp — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 02:51:25 -0500

They make the reclass course pretty challenging but if you can pass basic training you should be good. As far as opportunities go, it depends on your PT score. If you suck at pt then you will get passed up for schools like air assault or airborne.

Response by SGT Mark Halmrast made Dec 3 at 2018 6:12 AM

SGT Mark Halmrast — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 06:12:37 -0500

Couple things come to mind:
- have a good reason for going 11B
- get comfortable with being uncomfortable
- dedicate yourself to teamwork
- don't ask "Why?"
- be fit
- follow through...on everything
- train with intent

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2018 8:15 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 08:15:49 -0500

I just completed the 11b course in May
5 mile run under 45 min
12 mile ruck under 3hrs
Land nav
HDPT
Those are go no go everything else is familiarizations

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2018 8:21 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 08:21:22 -0500

My 1059 with requirements

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2018 8:46 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 08:46:37 -0500

Prepare for a culture shock. Theres a big difference in attitude and how people interact in an Infantry platoon vs the S1 shop, not even taking Active vs Reserves into account. If you're a leaf eating beta male you might have trouble fitting in.
You need to get a hold of a Ranger Handbook and TC 3-21.8 and those need to be your bible. I still read mine regularly.
Dont worry about promotion, you are way behind the power curve. Sure you know how to take care of the guys administratively, but that's not your job anymore. Your job is to find, fix and finish the enemy. You will be promoted when you can prove you have what it takes to lead your team into battle. It might take awhile, Infantry is not a job that uses a lot of procedures or processes, you may need to take a couple doctrinal things and mix it with experience and common sense to accomplish the mission.
This job is very rewarding though because it is very rare to have every day be the same, there are always different challenges to be overcome. It's great to go into the field and leave your phone in the office and get unplugged from the world and focus on how to destroy people, places, and things. You will find more opportunity in the Infantry then other MOSs. Good luck!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2018 9:51 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 09:51:36 -0500

1059

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2018 12:49 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 12:49:05 -0500

Are you staying in the reserves or going AD with your conditional release as well?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Dec 3 at 2018 1:00 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 13:00:53 -0500

1. !st you will have to pass AIT. 2. No one in their right mind will promote your in the IN till you show them you can hack it.3. How long will be up to you on showing your strengths.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Dec 3 at 2018 2:59 PM

SPC Erich Guenther — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 14:59:14 -0500

So I did this transition back in the 1980's as a NG PFC. Back then the Regular Army and National Guard still had a lot of politics between the two orgainzations and one of them was the Regular Army would not recognize promotions made while not on active duty. So I had to give up two stripes to do the transfer. In your case as in mine up to your squad leader how he wants to argue your case in front of the 1SG at promotion time. It does help if you save and bring along the details of your past NG service including that you were once promotable. At your first counseling session with your Squad Leader lay it out for him/her and tell him/her that you realize t is up to the unit what they want to recognize if they want to recognize anything at all. My first unit attempted to want to appear "hardcore" and said upfront my first week there that none of my past service mattered. I found at promotion time to SPC that it was mentioned in the 1SG office and it actually did matter. Realistically they should take TIS with the NG into some consideration but again it is based on how you perform in the unit as well. If your just average, they will treat you that way. Infantry units and combat arms units get promotional waivers and unless your a retard you can expect to get at least one in the E1-E5 range. Promotional waivers waive Army guidelines so you can get promoted sooner than what the regs state. Again this depends on you. Perform well and they will treat you well with schools and rank. Perform crappy and you will cruise along with nothing much happening. Don't wait for opportunities to come your way.....ask for them in advance. If your an E4 for example and you got 95-98% of the Infantry stuff down in your Skill Level ask if you can do more tasks, maybe help out in the Arms room or help out with the Training Sgt, etc.

Also a cautionary note. Regular Army Infantry units the expectation on the PT Test is at a minimum 275-280 and good chunk of the E1-E4 attempt to MAX the test. Don't show up with a score of 250 or 260.....that will get you unwanted attention. If they still do company runs expect some of those to be really challenging. Also expect to road march long distances (12-20 miles) at least twice a year if not more. If you don't have an EIB your going to road march for that 12 miles in under 3 hours I think you need to pass it's road march event. Bottom line, get your legs in shape if they are not ther already......they are the most critical part of your body that needs to be in shape. Three big areas of evaluation in an Infantry unit for your grade are: 1. PT Test Score 2. Rifle Qualification Score. 3. Motivation to improve or continously improve yourself via taking on additional tasks or persuing additoinal Army schools.

Last, Infantry units operate on a slightly different level of respect that other areas of the Army. Never call a NCO "Sarge" or a 1SG "Top". It's always First Sergeant and Sergeant. Don't use first names always use rank and last name. Stand at parade rest in front of a Platoon Sergeant and higher. If you live in the barracks, keep your barracks room clean and inspection ready at all times. Infantry units also have nuances. Airborne Infantry units your going to see some of the Regular Army BS fall away in favor of realistic training. Mech Infantry units your going to see a very high priority to keeping everything rollout ready and slighly more BS than an Airborne or Light unit. Light Infantry units your going to be doing a lot of road marches.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2018 6:23 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 18:23:40 -0500

Prepare for extremely awkward and uncomfortable conversations. You may think you have heard some nasty shit said in the office, but you aint heard nothin' until you're part of an infantry platoon. But with all the shit that you'll go through, you'll make some friends that will last a lifetime, and you'll remember good times you had with those in your platoon. All in all, being infantry is hell of fun. Doesn't mean you won't have a suck fest or stupid command teams though.

Response by SGT Aaron Cordial made Jan 22 at 2020 10:28 PM

SGT Aaron Cordial — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 22:28:28 -0500

Get ready for the suck.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2020 3:11 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 03:11:35 -0400

Hey brother, did you ever make the switch? I am looking at 11X and 13F, but probably will pick 11X depending on what part of OSUT I'll be dropped at (if they can tell me beforehand). If you made the switch, what was the experience like ?