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

5th and 6th Marine Regiments were awarded a fourragere for wearing on the uniform blouse on the left shoulder. It was awarded for distinguished service in WW I by the French government. All members of these units wear this uniform accouterment anytime they wear a uniform blouse. When they depart the unit, they take it off, and don't put it on again until they might return.

This seems to me to be the same thing that happens with the Infantry cord. You're not there doing it any more then you lose the uniform accouterment.

It's not your mos anymore. That's all it is is a accessory that shows you're infantry.

Again, "This is a "what if" discussion - I know what they regs say. The post is meant to stimulate discussion and opinions."

Think of it this way: Soldiers leave an airborne unit, they keep their jump wings. Soldiers leave SF and Ranger units - they keep their tabs. Again, if there was enough support for this it may happen. Look at the new badges being created like a CAB for people who aren't anywhere near a battlefield. I was infantry for four years active duty and I get the infantry are special. Just a thought, times are changing. And for all you infantry guys who fight this, I completely understand, the blue cord is special.

The cord isn't an award.
Making it an award could resolve that. Earning the EIB or CIB provides same recognition of 11- series background.

The Blue Cord is for those with an Infantry MOS in an Infantry Unit or an Infantryman detailed to Recruiting Command. When the individual reclassifies to a different Career Field the cord/discs go away. When SF was "Unassigned" but retained the primary EM MOS for positions, ie Inf, Medic, Eng, Commo or the officers MOS, Finance, Transport, Armor, etc the 11s wore the blue cord/disc. SF Qualification was the "Full Flash" worn on the organizational green beret If reassigned to another unit the green beret w/full flash went away. Nothing showed SF qualification was retained. The MOS qualification stayed When SF became it's own branch 18 CMF and qualification was shown by award of the SF Tab but, by regulation, the qualification of Infantry also required for wear of the blue cord/discs that the soldier be assigned to an Infantry unit. SF is not an Infantry unit and 18 series is not 11 series. If you want a great show piece qualify for the Expert Infantryman's Badge.. It is far more difficult to obtain than a Combat Infantry Badge and I know many proud grunts that wear the EIB instead of their CIB. The comment usually sounds like "I worked my ass off to get that damned EIB". I just had to get shot at to get the CIB. Now even 11s are awarded the "Participation Badge", the one with the bayonet. Please do not confuse how things used to be and why without knowing the why with today's requirements sine in the case of what if it becomes a bit of stolen valor or just plain wrong.

I agree. I still have my Blue Braid. My thoughts on the topic are in a response to a previous response below.

I was 11b to start cross trained 19d ended my career as 93c which is funny couldn't find army air traffic control. Any way if you went to Fort Benning Georgia and completed basic and ait honorably you deserve that blue cord it's a staple of American Infantry

I couldn’t wear my EIB as a scout .

I think you should be able to. "Once blue...blue forever" It was earned. I feel like it should be a Permanent award.

I have been out 44 years. A Little late to worry about it.