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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SSG (Join to see)
Not a good comparison because of you were in the unit during the specified period that the unit earned its award, then you are authorized to wear that unit award permanently.
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Everyone knows it is not an individual award. Just like jump boots, berets and ovals. Don't we have enough "i'm special" stuff? It seems fitting to proudly wear the accouterments of your current profession and leave the infantry decoration for the infantry branch.
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SGT Chester Beedle
Until the ACUs and tan suede boots replaced the woodland BDUs and black boots anyone could wear jump boots in any unit. They weren't specific to just airborne units. Hell, they were being issued at Benning to people who had too big of feet because there weren't enough of the standard combat boots for people who had size 14 or larger feet. Yes they did kind of look like clown shoes.
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CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
SGT Chester Beedle 1953, I was issued Size 14 Boots.
The bottoms were of l ‘rough-out’ leather, the tops were smooth leather with two buckles.
The rough-outs would take a spit-shine, if you were determined! I was!
I would hand carry them to Guard Mount at Ft Knox, the spit shine only lasted until they were worn.
Being selected as Supernumerary at Guard Mount earned a nite in your own cot and duty as Colonel’s Orderly, (5 times), it was a drag, Col. Lawrence Smith never noticed my boots or my appearance.
The bottoms were of l ‘rough-out’ leather, the tops were smooth leather with two buckles.
The rough-outs would take a spit-shine, if you were determined! I was!
I would hand carry them to Guard Mount at Ft Knox, the spit shine only lasted until they were worn.
Being selected as Supernumerary at Guard Mount earned a nite in your own cot and duty as Colonel’s Orderly, (5 times), it was a drag, Col. Lawrence Smith never noticed my boots or my appearance.
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I was a medic. Other than the collar tab, there was no other indicator that went with the MOS (91B). If I had chosen to change my MOS, I would wear that designator. Why does any MOS have a separate designator?
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SP5 Peter Keane
SPC John Decker - you were told wrong, you need 11 for CIB and (back then) 91 and actually serving with an Infantry Unit in combat for CMB
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SPC John Decker
SP5 Peter Keane - Why would I need to serve with an infantry unit to earn CMB? The requirements should apply regardless of what kind of unit I was with. Combat is Combat.
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SP5 Peter Keane
SPC John Decker - Because that is what the regulations stated while you were active. It has since been changed to include all combat arms, but you still must be assigned or attached to the unit while they are actively engaged.
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SGT Chester Beedle
SP5 Peter Keane - That's changed a couple times over the decades. At one point it was acting as an infantryman in an infantry unit for 90 (45?) consecutive days.
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I mean.....you still retain 11b as your secondary mos. So i don't see why you shouldn't be able to wear it.
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The blue cord is awarded to the Infantry not the individual. As the SGM stated there are many cords out there they are simply for the Branch. Thank you for your service.
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21 years in the Army as 11B54. I wore the Cord only when I was in an Infantry slot. I spent 4 years of my career as an Infantry Liaison Officer to an Artillery Battalion... I did not wear the Cord there. Of course I also had a CIB that was always on my chest. I didn't always wear my Rack but the CIB was always there. I understand both sides..... and am conscious of the pride that goes with the Cord. Life Sucks Then You Die....... LOL
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