Standing watches in the army?

2015-09-19T19:14:02-04:00

If i would to join the army as an infantry soldier what watches would i stand if any.

And i wouldn't stand any watches if i would to join SEAL right?

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Sep 19 at 2015 7:14 PM

2015-09-19T19:14:40-04:00

Watches will never go away, it's kind of what we all signed up for. We guard our brothers and sisters while they sleep. We collectively guard our civilian fellow citizens as they carry on their lives.

We do this in all services, although we may call it different things. The Naval Services may have the strongest tradition of it because of the 24/7 nature of a vessel at sea, but it is intrinsic to the military experience.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2015 7:23 PM

2015-09-19T19:23:15-04:00

You will always stand some sort of watch, no matter what.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Sep 19 at 2015 7:42 PM

2015-09-19T19:42:29-04:00

Everyone stands watch.

It all begins with the "Fire watch" which is a basic safety watch ensuring that "no unsafe conditions" occur while others are sleeping. That's the baseline, 1-4 hour watch. But from there we have longer watches or "Duty" which range from 8-24 Hours, which again vary based on rank, but it starts with Assistant to the "Watchstander" (whoever that may be) to Officer of the Deck, etc. Everyone stands Duty from the lowest rank all the way to the Commander, who is essentially on watch 24/7 (Responsibility of Command).

Now, the type of watches just vary based on what is needed by the command. In an Infantry BN, we typically have a Barracks Duty (24 Hour), and Assistant. The Company and Battalion will each have their own Duties and Assistants, plus drivers (as needed). There is usually a Regimental Duty set as well.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 19 at 2015 8:03 PM

2015-09-19T20:03:58-04:00

If you can find any branch of service to include the Coast Guard where standing a watch isn't required, please let me know. I've done something wrong for a long time. And even retired, I'm still standing watch. My oath never expired.

Response by SGT Joe Sabedra made Sep 19 at 2015 8:28 PM

2015-09-19T20:28:33-04:00

What is an SN?

Response by SN Greg Wright made Sep 19 at 2015 8:42 PM

2015-09-19T20:42:32-04:00

SN Private RallyPoint Member You will stand watch no matter where you go in the military. Even SEALs stand watch.

Response by SN Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2015 10:27 PM

2015-09-19T22:27:07-04:00

Sorry to complain. ....just wish they told you you would get paid just to stand there. ......

Response by CPT Russell Pitre made Sep 19 at 2015 11:00 PM

2015-09-19T23:00:20-04:00

I am a little lost here. You can't join the Army as Infantry. I am sure the Army will follow the Marines in this. So lets not put the cart in front of the horse on this. I would worrying about a few other things.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2015 11:05 PM

2015-09-19T23:05:50-04:00

You are considering Army Infantry or Navy Seals.... Both are two totally different things, but standing watch is something all service members do while coming up through the ranks. Don't worry over the small stuff. It's things like standing watch that builds character.

Response by PO2 Chris Rodriguez made Sep 19 at 2015 11:27 PM

2015-09-19T23:27:59-04:00

What really ya your gonna stand a watch

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Sep 20 at 2015 8:04 AM

2015-09-20T08:04:40-04:00

Everybody stands watches. A division might have a lieutenant colonel as the duty officer.

Walt

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Sep 20 at 2015 1:58 PM

2015-09-20T13:58:01-04:00

Back in the Old Corps we used to stand a watch in three AND turn to.

Oh wait, that was in Starship Troopers.

Walt

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2015 2:17 PM

2015-09-20T14:17:55-04:00

When I was active duty in early 1990s, my unit armorer was exempt from most watch (or guard) duties. He was considered critical personnel, and was required to be available 24/7. But, he was also limited to 50km radius without special approval. This aspect really sucked for him living in Germany. If you are tying to avoid watches, that might be your ticket.

Having said that, if you are the type of person who seeks to avoid standing watch duty, then you are not the right person to join infantry or SEALs. That kind of thinking may indicate a level of selfishness that does not work with strong teams that are needed to be successful in those career fields (or any career).

Response by SSG Buddy Kemper made Sep 20 at 2015 2:23 PM

2015-09-20T14:23:39-04:00

Just get used to NEVER sleeping, eating bad food....and walking till your feet fall off, SN Private RallyPoint Member ...and after your feet fall off you will take a knee, drink water, change socks if you are lucky and walk a whole bunch more. Best wishes tho.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 20 at 2015 2:36 PM

2015-09-20T14:36:15-04:00

All right, I'm just gonna say it. Your career choice should be in the Air Force. (Joke Joke) She wouldn't even have to do anything about the hair.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2015 5:07 PM

2015-09-20T17:07:48-04:00

You will always stand watch and have duty unless you make Master Chief (E-9) in the Navy.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2015 11:05 AM

2015-09-21T11:05:35-04:00

As an infantryman, I can tell you that I knew I would stand watch going in - but I never imagined how often or how long. You stand watch over people, AOs, a fire sector... everyone can be told to do this. Some MOS's just do it more than others.

Response by AN Mark White made Sep 21 at 2015 1:50 PM

2015-09-21T13:50:34-04:00

Standing watch has been in ALL phases of any Military from the beginning of coordinated militaries. My son, who is a MP in the Army National Guard, was kind of frustrated because he had to stand watch duty over an empty field for a week...I laughed and said what if something would have happened in your field..My daughter, a MP in the Army, while standing watch at an armory, said to me, I'd rather be shooting DAd...point is in the Navy I stood MANY watches, many kinds...Part of life in the Military...(Don't fall asleep either)

Response by HN Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2015 9:57 AM

2015-09-22T09:57:44-04:00

I don't want to seem like a douche, but the slim chance the Army would let you be in the Infantry.. you most certainly won't become a SEAL anytime soon. I feel like you did this as a big joke or just to see responses. Military is all about watch.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Sep 24 at 2015 5:01 AM

2015-09-24T05:01:11-04:00

Seriously? Are you going to stand watch? YES. It's the military.

Secondly, women aren't going to be accepted into BUD/S anytime soon. But if that's what you really want, I would suggest you start preparing yourself mentally and physically before you even begin to worry about "standing watch."

Response by CSM Michael Chavaree made Sep 24 at 2015 5:12 AM

2015-09-24T05:12:16-04:00

The kind of folks that volunteer for Infantry dont care about conducting watch. When you are in a patrol base and pulling 33% security, I hope the folks "on watch" are glad to do their duty.

Response by SGT William Howell made Sep 24 at 2015 6:37 AM

2015-09-24T06:37:22-04:00

Always watches in the Army.

Now in the SEALs you have to have a big watch. It has to be able to withstand about 4 times the water pressure of what would kill a normal human being. Everyone knows that a Trident on your chest automatically makes you be able to dive deeper than submarines and whales. You also get issued really cool Oakleys and a stylist.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Sep 24 at 2015 6:39 AM

2015-09-24T06:39:48-04:00

*Insert patriotic cliché about everyone standing watch at the wall of freedom or the palace of democracy or something similarly silly*

Response by SPC David S. made Oct 7 at 2015 1:39 AM

2015-10-07T01:39:33-04:00

The bonus is if you get a clearance and are low ranking you will stand watch for all sorts of things. A safe chained to the floor, you will watch a guy while he's watching secret stuff stack in a hanger. Some time you'll watch stuff you have no idea what it is. You just stare at it until relieved. Army and standing watch are one and the same.