Posted on Sep 9, 2015
Why not allow former Infantrymen (11B's) to wear the blue Infantry cord?
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I went to basic, infantry and airborne school at Ft. Benning and served as an infantryman for four years on active duty, why not let guys like me wear the blue infantry cord if we change MOS's? We earned it. I'm not talking about any other infantry accoutrements like the blue discs or crossed rifles, just the cord. I suppose I'm viewing this similarly to earning a badge or a tab.
This is a "what if" discussion - I know what they regs say. The post is meant to stimulate discussion and opinions.
This is a "what if" discussion - I know what they regs say. The post is meant to stimulate discussion and opinions.
Infantry
Badges
Dress Uniform
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 89
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So can retirees wear the cord and disks on blues (or greens if they were still authorized at time of retirement... I don't know the wear out date)? Since a retiree is no longer in an infantry unit.
No, I don't think I'll be putting on blues anytime soon, but in that rare occurrence if someone wants me to attend a military funeral or wedding maybe.
No, I don't think I'll be putting on blues anytime soon, but in that rare occurrence if someone wants me to attend a military funeral or wedding maybe.
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CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret)
I would think if you retired while in an infantry status then yes, however, the only way to know for sure is to check the regs.
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SGM Erik Marquez
CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret) - Your assumption is correct Chief..
When a member retire, duty, mos, rank is frozen in place.. You are tomorrow as a retiree, as you were the day you signed out.
When a member retire, duty, mos, rank is frozen in place.. You are tomorrow as a retiree, as you were the day you signed out.
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I switched to EOD after a brief stint as an airborne infantryman. I have fond memories of being given my blue cord at our 'Turning Blue' ceremony, and was a little let down when I had to give it up when I switched MOSs, but the blue cord, contrary to popular belief, not an award. It is an identifier, just as are the blue disks... it denotes an association to a particular group within the military, much like a distinctive unit insignia. It is not awarded to an individual like a medal, and therefore if the Soldier is not serving in an 11 or 18-series MOS, they should not wear it because they are no longer associated with those jobs.
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SGT Jerrold Pesz
I had never heard of a "turning blue" ceremony until I started started hearing about it long after I was out. When we finished infantry AIT we weren't given a cord or the blue discs. I have previously said that we got nothing but after checking my junk that was wrong. We got a little certificate saying that we graduated. It we wanted a cord or the discs we were told that we could buy them at the PX. I got the discs but I have never had a blue cord. In my day the Army was cheap. When you got a medal or an award you got orders saying that you got it but if you actually wanted one you had to buy it at the PX.
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I remember when Berets 1st came out and all other Mos's were crying that they wanted one too. I was 11B, 11M, cross trained as a 11C and 45B/91F, but never ever even bothered with asking if I could retain items from those Mos's.If AR states a person can wear them then they should be able to, if not why worry about it?be proud of what you do wear. I was talking to a person not too long ago who wants to go out and buy all these ribbons that are commemorative ribbons since they are worn below the Active duty ribbons just to make him look more "awarded".I just rolled my eyes and asked why???
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CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret)
In all honesty, this isn't going to happen. I was merely wondering if there would be any support for it. Personally, I'd love to be able to wear the cord but I also know that it likely will never be allowed.
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SGT Chester Beedle
You were in during the 70s? Yes a sarcastic question, but people forget history and it annoys me. Tankers were the first ones to wear the black beret and did so until one of the Secretary's of the Army said no more unit specific headgear.. except for SF and their green berets. Tankers were pissed because they had to give them up, as were airborne with their maroon berets. When organizational headgear was again authorized, the Ranger Regiment had been re-established and they were "given" the black beret. Which again pissed off a lot of older tankers. There were even a large number who burned their black berets in protest that some light unit was getting "their" beret.
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SGT Chester Beedle
It was. They got them from the British during WW2 as a somewhat practical piece of headgear. It allowed the wear of radio headsets and didn't get in the way of the gun sights.
This quotes the SMA during the time when everyone was given the black berets a few years back. http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/army_board_study_guide_topics/uniforms/history-of-the-black-bere.shtml
This has a brief history as well, https://www.thebalance.com/u-s-military-beret-history-3331980
You'd have to dig into unit histories for more specifics...so if you have a huge amount of time to waste...
This quotes the SMA during the time when everyone was given the black berets a few years back. http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/army_board_study_guide_topics/uniforms/history-of-the-black-bere.shtml
This has a brief history as well, https://www.thebalance.com/u-s-military-beret-history-3331980
You'd have to dig into unit histories for more specifics...so if you have a huge amount of time to waste...
History of the Black Beret (ArmyStudyGuide.com)
ArmyStudyGuide.com provide extensive information about History of the Black Beret (ArmyStudyGuide.com)
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I feel the same way CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret) - but I am leaving the Army, and those few times when I will ever wear a dress uniform again, I will wear the cord. Because I earned it.
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SSG (Join to see)
Here's a question along the same lines..."If an 0341 (Marine Corps Infantry Mortarman) transitions to the Army as a non-11B/11C, should they rate to wear the blue cord?
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CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret)
SSG (Join to see) - I believe you would be assigned MOS 11C, therefor you would be permitted to wear the cord (assuming you are actively serving in an MOS 11C position).
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Suspended Profile
SFC Danny Freeman - as an Infantryman in Vietnam I am sure you earned the Combat Infantry Badge this is what shows you were an Infantryman. When we went from PC to Beret airborne Soldiers when moving to non airborne units were upset that they had to change berets. They said the same I earned it. Those are identifiers. As a 25 year Infantryman retired Sergeant Major I earned my Expert Infantryman Badge and Combat Infantry Badge. The only thing I need to show if not in an Infantry Unit that I have walked and served among the best. I do like my Blue Chord but I understand why the regulation is like it is.
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Why not?
And I think anyone that made it though jump school should wear the bloused boots and beret to the rest of their lives!
And I think anyone that made it though jump school should wear the bloused boots and beret to the rest of their lives!
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SGT William Howell
1LT Scott D. Sorry LT. It was pretty wrong of me. SGT Scott Bell If I had been smarter I would have been infantry not an MP.
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SGT William Howell
1LT Scott D. I was trying to use a bigger hammer to make something fit that was not going to. Sometimes I have craniumrectumitis that has to be corrected.
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I guess they would consider it out of uniform code. I know the Marines who went to jump school were allowed to maintain and wear Jump boots if they changed M.O.S.'s or if they couldn't they did anyway.
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Cpl James Waycasie
CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret) - I was guessing, I don't know much about Army regulations. I know we didn't have anything to really distinguish Marines. We were all Basic riflemen regardless of MOS. We all wore the same basic camos & dress uniforms. No Berets, no ropes, cross rifles, or any other insignia that would distinguish what you did as far as MOS. Ribbons, medals, and shooting badges was pretty much it.
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SGT Chester Beedle
Cpl James Waycasie - Well there were the unit awards, the CAR for those who earned it, the guys with the Ranger tabs sewn on the inside of their sleeves because they felt that if they earned it they were going to wear it... even if not visible... and of course the attitude.
I bet that if the Marines changed and allowed the 03xx series to wear an infantry specific device on their chucks or blues they'd be quick to head to clothing sales and pick it up.
I bet that if the Marines changed and allowed the 03xx series to wear an infantry specific device on their chucks or blues they'd be quick to head to clothing sales and pick it up.
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