Posted on Feb 3, 2018
What will I get out of going into the Infantry? And, what makes it a better MOS than others?
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Posted in these groups: 11B: Infantryman
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 26
Edited 7 y ago
Posted 7 y ago
Ignore all the bravado and chest thumping just for a second. These questions are what you and you alone have to answer and consequently live with:
1. Will you derive personal satisfaction from successfully serving in that MOS?
2. Can you physically handle the on and off the books demands of said MOS?
3. Are you willing to endure the on and off the books demands of that MOS?
4. Can you see through your enlistment commitment for that MOS?
Some thoughts:
- the rest of the Army supports the Infantry
- whether Airborne, air assault, light, or mechanized Infantry walks, a lot.
- there is no,other branch that is "like Infantry" with the possible exception of Combat Engineer as it is part of their official mission to fight as Infantry, especially in the defense.
- there is no other branch like any other branch. That is why they are separate branches of the Army.
- no branch functions in a vacuum. If you look at the Modified Table of Organization and Equipment, there are people from other branches in an Infantry Unit. Supply, Maintenance, Transportation, Cooks, mortuary affairs, intelligence, communications, personnel etc.
- the Army tactically and operationally is designed to work as a combined arms team. All battlefield operating systems fires, maneuver, mobility, sustainment, Intel, etc get it done together.
- suck doesn't isolate itself to any branch, it is equal opportunity.
- the yin and yang of the Army suck vs good stuff. There is a separate laundry list of each.
- even if you choose Infantry you will still maintain weapons, vehicles, and equipment. You will also inventory said items. It's right there in the Soldier's Creed.
1. Will you derive personal satisfaction from successfully serving in that MOS?
2. Can you physically handle the on and off the books demands of said MOS?
3. Are you willing to endure the on and off the books demands of that MOS?
4. Can you see through your enlistment commitment for that MOS?
Some thoughts:
- the rest of the Army supports the Infantry
- whether Airborne, air assault, light, or mechanized Infantry walks, a lot.
- there is no,other branch that is "like Infantry" with the possible exception of Combat Engineer as it is part of their official mission to fight as Infantry, especially in the defense.
- there is no other branch like any other branch. That is why they are separate branches of the Army.
- no branch functions in a vacuum. If you look at the Modified Table of Organization and Equipment, there are people from other branches in an Infantry Unit. Supply, Maintenance, Transportation, Cooks, mortuary affairs, intelligence, communications, personnel etc.
- the Army tactically and operationally is designed to work as a combined arms team. All battlefield operating systems fires, maneuver, mobility, sustainment, Intel, etc get it done together.
- suck doesn't isolate itself to any branch, it is equal opportunity.
- the yin and yang of the Army suck vs good stuff. There is a separate laundry list of each.
- even if you choose Infantry you will still maintain weapons, vehicles, and equipment. You will also inventory said items. It's right there in the Soldier's Creed.
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LTC Jason Mackay
7 y
William Hay - not trying to trash your choices. Just trying to lay some things out that might not be obvious to an outsider.
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SFC Steven Saenz
>1 y
William, LTC Mackey makes a lot of valid and good points. Understand if you go back to whenbthe army was first formed all there really were was infantrymen and outside supporters. These outside supporters are now the other branches which support the “Queen of Battle”
Some naysayers will tell you that opportunities are less in the infantry, that is not true! You will have many opportunities for higher education while in uniform through various means. Take those opportunities when afforded to you! On a four year enlistment you can easily leave service with a college degree or certified trade, you just need to apply yourself in that area as you would to your MOS specific jobs.
If during your first term you decide you like the army army to re-enlist you can apply for OCS or WOCS and enhance your career so that when you retire your pension will be that much better and job opportunities will be virtually limitless.
I wish you the best while in uniform, stay safe and make the most of your career!!
Some naysayers will tell you that opportunities are less in the infantry, that is not true! You will have many opportunities for higher education while in uniform through various means. Take those opportunities when afforded to you! On a four year enlistment you can easily leave service with a college degree or certified trade, you just need to apply yourself in that area as you would to your MOS specific jobs.
If during your first term you decide you like the army army to re-enlist you can apply for OCS or WOCS and enhance your career so that when you retire your pension will be that much better and job opportunities will be virtually limitless.
I wish you the best while in uniform, stay safe and make the most of your career!!
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Posted 7 y ago
William Hay it is great to take pride in your MOS, but one MOS is not necessarily better than another MOS. For any MOS, you will get out what you put in. For many of us, service to our country and serving with our fellow brothers and sisters is what counts.
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