What is it like being a 19D US Army?

Travis Leutbecher — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 23:48:41 -0400

What is the tempo like? How does it differ from 11B other than “job description?”

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2020 12:36 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 00:36:48 -0400

A 19D is an infantryman recon wanna be. Don’t do it!!! You really want to do something cool go to the 82nd and be a battalion scout. Then branch off from there.

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made Aug 7 at 2020 12:46 AM

Capt Gregory Prickett — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 00:46:24 -0400

Go infantry.

Response by SFC James Cameron made Aug 7 at 2020 12:56 AM

SFC James Cameron — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 00:56:22 -0400

There was once a time when the 19 Series and 11 Series were vastly separated by specific mission and equipment. Those days are long gone and the specific reconnaissance job that the 19 Series once held exclusively is performed by organic HHC Scout elements in Infantry Battalions. While there will always be a pissing contest between Infantry, Cav, and Tankers; if you’re going to be assigned to perform the same tasks and type of work you may as well get the CIB, Blue Discs, and Blue Cord to go along with it.

Response by SPC David S. made Aug 7 at 2020 9:46 AM

SPC David S. — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 09:46:40 -0400

The main difference between CAV and Infantry operations is CAV commanders proactively engage the enemy while Infantry commanders look for the columns of smoke from the burning CAV vehicles to orient on the enemy force.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 7 at 2020 12:03 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 12:03:01 -0400

Kid- Apple to Oranges- different descriptions because different jobs- 11B seldom worries about what weight can a bridge hold, how deep a ford is, can a track make it thru the mud. The is what the 19D does, along with being vehicle equipped, which seldom lite 11B is.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 7 at 2020 1:24 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 13:24:13 -0400

It's kinda like being the lifeguard at the Olympics swimming events. Yeah, you technically have a job, but no real purpose...

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2020 9:30 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 09:30:44 -0400

You want to know what being a scout is like? Put it into context first. Light cav or armored cav. Tempo is fast paced and you never have enough time to properly plan mission because you operate in ambiguity in order to fill the gaps in everybody else’s operations order. That’s what scouts do. They are the ones who answer questions the commander has through recon or security tasks. It’s a good job and typically scouts are smarter than infantry. Anybody can be a bullet sponge.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Aug 8 at 2020 12:52 PM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 12:52:22 -0400

It's sort of like being an Infantryman, but you get a CAB instead of a CIB. And also, you're not one. Also, I love the salty Cav Scout reply in here lol

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2020 8:52 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Aug 2020 20:52:53 -0400

I was a Recon Scout in Vietnam. Lived in the Bush 24/7 on an a cav as gunner and driver, when needed was a scout and set up my OP/LP alone. When we were on the move in the jungle on tanks and came upon a tunnel hole, since I am of a small stature I had to be the one to be a tunnel rat, ojt! Always a line trooper on front lines. Also a sniper. Needless to say I was never F_ _ ked with. Also set up AA's and night time ambush patrols. Would take nothing for my experiences, but was a very dangerous job. Life expectancie was the first 5 seconds with enemy contact determines who puts out the most firepower in that minute time wins. This was a very accurate rule to live by.

Response by SPC Steve Bryant made Sep 16 at 2020 9:04 PM

SPC Steve Bryant — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 21:04:29 -0400

Depends entirely on your mission. As heavy CAV ay Ft. Bliss, we got to conduct gunnery in Bradley's, sent a bunch of 25mm down range, and tow missiles. My first summer was spent as OPFOR in the desert, wrecking other units training. I got to land on Tiefort Mountain in a UH-60 at night with my squad and set up an OP, which was pretty cool, Kevlar and vest off while the rest of my squadron was sucking dust and throwing track in the desert valley. Also, I got to perform joint training exercises with African forces as a dismount 240L gunner.

We had more space in the back of our M3s than a comparable infantry Bradley variant. Also, while infantry was being jealous of everyone else for having everything better, we were authorized to wear Stetsons in uniform on Post on Fridays. All inquiries were directed to our CSM and LTC. Scouts are trained on recon. You're still going to sweep sand off the line, but you'll have a better chance of doing cooler things in a smaller unit (sniper school, C4 training, LRASSS). It's easier to shine when the pile of shit isn't as big.

Response by CPL Jesse Elliott made Oct 31 at 2020 3:10 PM

CPL Jesse Elliott — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 15:10:50 -0400

19D has gradually been sliding into similar duties as 11B although, scouts remain as vehicle crewmembers and armor support. 19D over the years appear to have expanded eligibility for selections for airborne, air assault, and other special training schools.

Response by SP5 Eric Acuff made Nov 21 at 2020 11:15 AM

SP5 Eric Acuff — Sat, 21 Nov 2020 11:15:37 -0500

Faster horses cheaper beer better woman

Response by SGT Kent Carter made Sep 1 at 2021 10:10 PM

SGT Kent Carter — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 22:10:44 -0400

Been both: Armored Cavalry moves swiftly for ambush where Infantry moves slow and steady for ever and ever...