What will I get out of going into the Infantry? And, what makes it a better MOS than others?

William Hay — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 15:22:39 -0500

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Feb 3 at 2018 3:30 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 15:30:13 -0500

It's not necessarily a "better MOS than others". Infantry is just a better MOS for some people (but not all people).

Response by SSG Brian L. made Feb 3 at 2018 3:38 PM

SSG Brian L. — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 15:38:28 -0500

pride and service to your.. most pogs will tell you it does nothing for you outside the Army and that is true... but for me I joined the Army to serve my country not to have my country serve me.

Response by SGT Mark Halmrast made Feb 3 at 2018 3:55 PM

SGT Mark Halmrast — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 15:55:10 -0500

You will get perspective, lasting a lifetime.
It is not a better MOS. The real question is: what is your call, your purpose on this earth? If it is to close with and destroy the enemy, then be a grunt. If it's not, then do something else.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2018 4:32 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 16:32:47 -0500

Infantry will get you to where you'll be in your later life, a little here and a little there. You'll never know it until your later years. To me there is know better than MOS, it's what ever you choose, "Do the Best you can, and Then some." Salute!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2018 5:35 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 17:35:47 -0500

William Hay it is great to take pride in your MOS, but one MOS is not necessarily better than another MOS. For any MOS, you will get out what you put in. For many of us, service to our country and serving with our fellow brothers and sisters is what counts.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2018 7:26 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 19:26:35 -0500

Outside of the Army or Corps, nothing other than a security job, unless you can slap a college degree on that.

If you excel and get some Ranger/SF/Delta experience, then you can actually apply it, realistically.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Feb 3 at 2018 8:03 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 20:03:49 -0500

Ignore all the bravado and chest thumping just for a second. These questions are what you and you alone have to answer and consequently live with:
1. Will you derive personal satisfaction from successfully serving in that MOS?
2. Can you physically handle the on and off the books demands of said MOS?
3. Are you willing to endure the on and off the books demands of that MOS?
4. Can you see through your enlistment commitment for that MOS?

Some thoughts:
- the rest of the Army supports the Infantry
- whether Airborne, air assault, light, or mechanized Infantry walks, a lot.
- there is no,other branch that is "like Infantry" with the possible exception of Combat Engineer as it is part of their official mission to fight as Infantry, especially in the defense.
- there is no other branch like any other branch. That is why they are separate branches of the Army.
- no branch functions in a vacuum. If you look at the Modified Table of Organization and Equipment, there are people from other branches in an Infantry Unit. Supply, Maintenance, Transportation, Cooks, mortuary affairs, intelligence, communications, personnel etc.
- the Army tactically and operationally is designed to work as a combined arms team. All battlefield operating systems fires, maneuver, mobility, sustainment, Intel, etc get it done together.
- suck doesn't isolate itself to any branch, it is equal opportunity.
- the yin and yang of the Army suck vs good stuff. There is a separate laundry list of each.
- even if you choose Infantry you will still maintain weapons, vehicles, and equipment. You will also inventory said items. It's right there in the Soldier's Creed.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2018 8:35 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 20:35:53 -0500

Peasants didn’t dream of being knights in the kings army so that they can be blacksmiths. They dreamed of fighting for their homeland and fight with honor. That’s what your get out of the 11 Series...Honor and Pride. No one can take the cross rifles away from you.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2018 9:17 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 21:17:27 -0500

The potential for faster advancement is there for the motivated. Outside thE Army thE it will translate well to certain fields within CIA, DHS, US Marshalls etc. However, Infantry isn’t just some job. When you are doing your job in the truest form, u are engaging the enemy with lethal intent before he can do the same to you, generally under miserable and extremely exhausting environments. You will train under any conditions so you will be able to operate under those if need be. Wars are won by ground troops. Its an Alpha organization. If you don’t think you are up to the task for 4 yrs I’d advise you look at another MOS. Not sure if that answers your question or not. I loved it. But it can be quite the abuse on your body over the years.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Feb 4 at 2018 12:16 AM

SGT Philip Roncari — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 00:16:42 -0500

A old man's body at a young age ,a sense of pride and accomplishment,a chance to meet some of the weirdest people on God's green earth and actually call them Brothers and many a day and night wondering what the hell was I thinking getting into this crazy life,as far as a better MOS that's something you'll have to find out for yourself, life is full of choices ,choose wisely young man.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2018 12:58 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 00:58:50 -0500

First and foremost you will not be a POG and you will appreciate the little things in life more if you’re an Infantryman. You will better opportunities to get schools and be better prepared in the civilian world if shit hits the fan rather than go into another job in the Army.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2018 4:04 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 04:04:56 -0500

You'll get faster promotion rates all the way up to Sergeant Major, a chance to be in the best shape of your life, and a lifetime of calling everyone else POG lol.
More importantly, the leadership skills, discipline and work ethic you develop will set you apart from your coworkers when you rejoin civiian life.

Response by 1SG Dennis Hicks made Feb 4 at 2018 9:56 AM

1SG Dennis Hicks — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 09:56:31 -0500

I waited a while before I commented on this post. If you have to ask what you will "GET OUT OF" your service them maybe another choice i good for you. Regardless of what Services or what Military Occupational Skill (MOS) you go into you "GET OUT" what you put in. I chose INFANTRY even though I qualified for a number of other Skills because I wanted to test my metal. Forty years later wouldn't have changed a thing.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Feb 4 at 2018 11:54 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 11:54:57 -0500

Much more important- What can You bring to the Infantry? It's the Queen of Battle, the Tip of the Spear, etc.. We see, do and suffer more before the sun comes up than anyone else does in their entire day. Where we stand regardless of it's nationality is America. If you can be a master of all trades, expert with all small arms, genius with camouflage, sleep anywhere or not sleep at all, eat anything that doesn't kill you, kill those who deserves it and sing about it later, Then maybe you could be a GRUNT.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2018 3:57 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 15:57:38 -0500

What makes it better than all the other MOS’s..... well it’s the infantry so...

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Feb 4 at 2018 5:11 PM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 17:11:38 -0500

You train to kick in doors and shoot people in the face. This answers both questions.

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Feb 4 at 2018 5:34 PM

SSgt Dan Montague — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 17:34:20 -0500

There is a lot of rivalry between grunts and everyone else. In the end just remember, a grunt is nothing without his support elements. Everything from air, tanks, arty, supply and even the mail clerk thats in the FOB. You will never know loneliness until you are deployed and hadn't received mail in a long time.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2018 5:07 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 05:07:17 -0500

Every Soldier is expected to be able to handle a rifle, that doesn't make us all comparable to the Infantry. What most of us are expected to do once in awhile, the Infantry does everyday in and out. That said, don't discount other Soldiers for choosing a different path. There's a lot of cogs in the Army, and they all keep everything moving along. Without Supply no one gets the gear they need, without Cooks no one would get fed, without Artillery no one gets fire support, without MP's no one would get speeding tickets, and without JAG the Infantry would try to take over the whole damn world.

So all of the pog and 32 jokes aside, take a good long look at yourself and if it's for you then good on you. We need more Infantryman in the fight, if it's not for you and you choose something different that's fine too. We need more guys in Support to keep the Infantry moving.

Response by SGT Curtis Lewis made Feb 5 at 2018 11:20 PM

SGT Curtis Lewis — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 23:20:08 -0500

I know the bound between brothers in the infantry is different than those formed in other specialties, due in part to the nature of the work...your life is truly in the hands of your fellow soldier and visa versa...I loved the infantry, and wouldn't change a thing but it does require a certain mind set

Response by SGT Bryant Toscano made Feb 22 at 2018 2:42 AM

SGT Bryant Toscano — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 02:42:04 -0500

You join the military to fight correct. So there you go. If your thinking about your not going to do it pog!!!!!

Response by SPC Gary Welch made Jul 5 at 2018 1:25 PM

SPC Gary Welch — Thu, 05 Jul 2018 13:25:33 -0400

LTC McKay you hit the nail on the head I was infantry for 9 of my 19 yrs and I wouldn't change a thing I was proud of my blue disks ,CIB and blue cord wish I could have gotten my EIB but Everytime testing testing came around I got picked as an instructor. Point is infantryman are baddass

Response by CSM James Barzee made Sep 3 at 2019 9:26 PM

CSM James Barzee — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 21:26:56 -0400

You have to be prepared to join the military. A bit more Physical and Mental preparation is recommended if you choose any Combat Arms MOS. Deciding on Infantry is a good choice for a person that is seeking a challenge. The training may be a bit tougher than some other MOS groups, But the rewards in proving yourself and working as a Combat Team Member cannot be understated. Definately speak with Younger Soldiers and local recruiters. I am an OLD guy and my experiences may no longer be valid.

Response by SSG Paul Headlee made Aug 7 at 2020 2:48 PM

SSG Paul Headlee — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 14:48:40 -0400

My Dad told me (like dads will) that if you love what you do you'll never work a day in your life. While true in theory, that did not translate operationally. It is a harsh lifestyle. Ranger units get more of it than light or mechanized units but the weather, the hours, the miles, the terrain and the rucksack make no differentiation. I loved what I did and I don't think you can find a civilian equivalent. That does not confront me. I have what's called fulfillment. While I could have enlisted/re-enlisted for other occupations I didn't care to. For me that would have been drudgery. If you're searching for drudgery, you don't need the service to provide it. Now I'm too old to be an Infantryman so I'm glad that I did something else Dad was fond of saying: Strike while the iron is hot.

Response by PFC Stephen Marchisen made Aug 7 at 2020 3:25 PM

PFC Stephen Marchisen — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 15:25:33 -0400

You very likely will get to fight. And. You will also discover that not very many others want to fight. It is not for everyone. You will need them. And they will need you. I would not say it is a better M.O.S. I would say it is more dangerous than some . we called it Introuble. Infantry. So I would not pursue it unless you wish to fight.

Response by SSG Harry Outcalt made Nov 11 at 2020 3:14 AM

SSG Harry Outcalt — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 03:14:58 -0500

All other Mo's's function is to support the Infantry. It's the Infantry's function to get up close and personal with the enemy and show them who the bigger dog is. To accomplish this , it takes a great deal self discipline, and mastering as many skills as you can in the Art of War to win 1 battle at a time against any and all enemies both foreign and domestic.... as for what can you get out of it, depends on what you are willing to put into it... Once you go Blue the doors of the Infantry Realm will open wide for you to do things others only dream of from watching movies... Today's Mechanized Infantry looks nothing like the Mechanized Infantry of old, If you like a little adrenalin rush then the Infantry can get you a fix, going Air Assault, Airborne, On the DMZ guarding against those pesky North Korean's, Learning the Trade of the Sniper, Ranger, and perhaps you have what it takes to become and earn your way to being the absolute unquestioned Best of the Best by earning a Green Beret.....
Different Mos's have different views of the Army and everyone has a job and function as part of the team. But from a Grunt's perspective, there are certain part's of a fighting Army that is only shared by the Infantryman and his brother's and now sister's in Arm's that other Mos's do not see or can know.
Yea though i walk through the valley of the shadow of Death . I shall fear no Evil for I am The Infantry The Badest MoFo's Lowdown in this Valley and before this day is done i shall own this valley. So say we all.... Other's do a full days work during a 12 mile road march, The Infantry doesn't start until the first 12 miles are history... They used to say I was high speed , low drag for an Infantryman, the old timers would say i was a little Gung Ho.. Non Combat Arm's people would say he's gone full Infantry, that's why you never go full Infantry.... Bottomline most who go blue love being an Infantryman, like anything in life there are good ones and those who need training wheel's.... Takes all kinds to become part of the Brotherhood and now Sisterhood of Blue....