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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Wear it you earned it. That's like saying well you aren't infantry anymore so take off your Combat Infantry Badge. Umm no!
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Read: Didn’t get EIB or CIB and need people to know I did hard stuff before. I’m a POG now, I’m ok with that.
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While not authorized to wear the blue cord or discs while serving outside of an 11 series MOS, the right to wear the CIB/EIB is retained. Be happy and take that.
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For the same reason I no longer wear an Eagle, Globe and Anchor on my uniform.
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CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret) would you let paratroopers keep their berets and boots if they move to a non-airborne unit? How about spurs and "special hats"? I say no if you are not with the unit you do not wear the stuff specific to the unit/MOS.
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I am with the majority of us here, just say no, and put it away, hang it on your "I love me wall."
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If you desperately feel the need to have people you used to be Infantry, then earn an EIB so you can keep it with you before you reclass. Other than that, being prior infantry just means you have a portion of your career in which you weren't working your current career field, meaning your experience is probably less than your non prior infantry peer... Is it really enjoyable to have to explain away every knowledge shortfall with "oh, sorry, I used to be xxyx"? Worry about what your doing NOW.
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CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret)
LOL, kind of like placing all your educational degrees and status behind your name?
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SFC Michael Hasbun
LOL, I did that ironically during a thread discussion a few weeks ago to show how silly post nominals can get.... I really must get rid of them..
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I personally think they (including myself) should. When the cord is awarded after completing infantry training, I don't think it's thought of as a temporary item by anyone receiving it. Given the *justifiable* added prestige given to the infantry MOS's (11A/B/C), you would think there would be something to identify a former infantryman who is still qualified as one but is no longer actively serving in the billet (for whatever reason, I know several guys that were forced to switch MOS's from infantry after over a decade simply because of medical reasons, but not enough to force them out completely). In any case, the cord could acknowledge that history and sacrifice that is unique to the infantry. Instead, like any other MOS, the only way to tell the person was prior infantry (unless they have a CIB or EIB) is to view their records.
I don't know. Just my two cents, but I agree that I see absolutely no harm in letting Soldiers who have earned the blue cord, and served a significant time in an infantry MOS to be able to wear it on their dress uniform for the remainder of their career regardless of the billet they are currently serving in.
I don't know. Just my two cents, but I agree that I see absolutely no harm in letting Soldiers who have earned the blue cord, and served a significant time in an infantry MOS to be able to wear it on their dress uniform for the remainder of their career regardless of the billet they are currently serving in.
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CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret)
That's how I feel - frankly I had no idea I couldn't wear it until I ETS'd, joined the Reserves and someone in my new MI unit pointed it out. I was pretty unhappy about that - I completed the school, was given the cord and thought it was mine. Not to be...
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CW3 (Join to see)
CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret) - I know that when I earned the cord I didn't realize I wouldn't be able to wear it the rest of my career either. I think most infantry Soldiers are unaware of that fact at first. I actually have a CIB, but there are many infantrymen who serve for years in the infantry (and even deploy, just maybe not under an infantry billet, or attached to a non-infantry unit), and never earn a CIB or EIB for whatever reason.
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CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret)
CW3 (Join to see) - I'd much rather have the CIB! I got cheated out of my EIB - I was in PNCOC when my unit did EIB testing, I was later tossed in with the nogo's and it was assumed I was a previous nogo so no EIB. I was beyond caring at that point and decided to ETS and take termnal leave. My PSG hated me for some reason.
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