Why not allow former Infantrymen (11B's) to wear the blue Infantry cord?

What pert of former don't you understand

I have always wonder about this. When I was infantry I also earned the EIB. But change my MOS to work on the Abrams Tank. Then Retired after 22 years and 3 combat tours. I retired before all these new combat badges and new uniforms. But I always felt a close link to the infantry I served with. Even working with the Mortar men in I rack during live fires. I feel like it is something that has been taken away for the hard work in the school. Just like airborn, or ranger school.

Even as an MP and former Medic (Navy Corpsman), I wondered about the same thing. 11B's wear their brass on a blue disc which is strictly reserved for those serving as 11B's. Seems that the blue cord should be able to be worn by anyone who WAS an 11B for a year or so. The Marines made it more simple - anyone under fire, and who RETURNED fire is eligible for their CAR (Combat Action Ribbon). Personnel aboard ships who sent rounds to the enemy are eligible as well which SORT of waters the CAR down a bit (no pun intended) but the rationale is that EVERYONE aboard a vessel is sharing the same risks as someone on a .50 cal or gun turret.
As for EIB and ECMB, I see no problem with any MOS going for those - they are after all, not easy to get. While I was in the MP Corps, and in hindsight, I wish I'd have gone for the ECMB .. then again, it's probably good that I didn't because it could've landed me back in the Medic MOS which I only had to do for the first 6 months that I was in the Army. Medics had a VRB of 4, and MP's only a VRB-1 making the medics a more critically short MOS at the time even though the MP Corps had more shortages/slots.

Would you allow a divorced spouse to wear your ring, or worse your name?

At least allow them to keep the cord or disks!

You state that you view it similar to earning a badge or tab. Earn your EIB and you can wear that if you switch MOS.

I know this is quite an old discussion, but came across it as I was looking up some material. While I understand the view of keeping the chord, I think this could go along the lines of anyone that changes MOS, but still loved their former. I just changed my PMOS from 19K to 25B. Combat Arms was certainly a young man's game for me. When I didn't have my family to think of, or my kids, I had no issues being in a combat role. Now that I do have my kids and wife, there's more than just myself to consider. So time to switch up from a combat arms position.

With that said, I can't say I'm 100% happy. I'm aligning my civilian and military roles at this point. But there was a lot of pride in going Armor - It was something I had wanted from the moment I saw a tank being loaded at an Air Force base in Turkey during Desert Storm. So it would be nice to be able to retain my Armor disc. But, thus is not the way. I know willingly I am changing MOS', and with that giving up some of what I had.

Back in the 50's and 60's, Armor used to wear the Black Beret, unofficially, as it was designated across foreign militaries to designate Armor. Big Army took it away and gave it to every Soldier as a rite of passage. Then, for a while the Armor Corps had the yellow chord to designate Armor, but then Big Army took that away, designating the chords only for infantry.

Being attached to an infantry unit in Alaska, I was told I had to train for and compete for the EIB. No worries. But then I was advised, since I wasn't 11 series, I wouldn't be authorized to wear it, even if I did earn it. This tells me there is greater emphasis and passion on the EIB than on the chord. With that said, the chord itself shows, that while someone, who could be the biggest dirt bag, and barely know the profession of Infantry, could earn the chord, only a true expert in Infantry can earn the EIB. So, while I respect all in the 11 series, I think the EIB is held in even higher regards than the chord and discs alone.

Soldiers wear Airborne Wings, Ranger Tabs, and other skill identifiers / military recognition type devices on their uniform. A low percentage of those Soldiers serve in a specialized unit that is the pinnacle of their uniform items. We allow them to do so partly because we recognize the hard work and effort required to earn that badge or item. We also identify those special skills acquired to be useful in selecting Soldiers for the rights assignments etc etc.

I think the blue cord should be worn by current and former 11 series Soldiers the disks and rifles on the collar will distinguish those who are current 11 series from those of the past.

I’d stipulate to say that a retiree who completes their career of service as an 11 series soldier should have the full honors of wearing the same items they were authorized when active.

I think you should be able to wear it, if you earned it. I was an 11B for just under 14 year and due to no choice of my own (medical) was reclassed, I can still wear my CIB why not the cord? That's my thought.

In the Navy, you get a rating badge that reflects your training. If you change rates you change your rating badge; you don't get to wear both. Same thing with MOS.