Question about the Marines/Soldiers?I?

Question

No matter what MOS a Marine/Soldier has, do they all fight in the front lines? Or is it only the ones who pick a Combat job?

For example, if their MOS is mechanic, will they just go to Iraq to just be a mechanic, or will they also get involved in the fighting like Infantry?

Most people say Marines are all about fighting and then the MOS, then why is there an Infantry unit if they are all fighting in the front lines?

Salah: what do you mean money?
What in the hell are u talking about???

Answer 1

During the 90's when I was enlisted in the Army it used to be that many of us (not all) in service MOSs did not take the "soldiering" part seriously because we felt we were worth more to the Army doing our MOS instead of pounding ground. While we were doing this, the Marines kept on their tradition that every Marine is first a rifleman.

If you compare the Army I served with, with the Army that is in service now, you will notice they are trying to get rid of that mentality, because that is the kind of thing that gets support soldiers killed.

On your mechanic example. Say you are a truck mechanic for the Army. Who fixes the trucks used in the front lines? Army mechanics or civilian contractors. Who rides shotgun in every truck in case it breaks in the middle of a hostile zone? A mechanic. If the truck breaks down and shooting starts, is it reasonable to expect that this mechanic will both know how to try to fix the truck, while still being reasonably trained to shoot back and help defend the people in his convoy plus its cargo?

The same applies for every job in the Army. I was a satellite communications controller. In theory there were less than a dozen sites in the world where I could use my ASI (less than 300 of us worldwide). Our stations were at strategic sites, not mobile. Yet we were capable to pack up and go and make another of those stations anywhere in the world. And we assumed people would be shooting at us.

Regular satcom guys (29y and then later 31s) could be deployed anywhere a unit BN or higher was needed.

Answer 2

Combat MOS positions will be involved in high-risk activities. Most admin positions at Battalion level or higher will never leave secure installations. Most technical support MOS positions will not be expected to perform functions ordinarily reserved for the infantry (I leave out a big list for OPSEC reasons). Some will venture beyond the wire (for instance, mechanics come out to do vehicle recovery).

Marines are a special case because their primary raison d'etre is amphibious assault under hostile conditions. When you're taking serious fire on a contested beach, everyone - and I mean absolutely everyone - must be prepared, willing, and equipped to fight. That's the Marine rationale for teaching their personnel to be riflemen first, as the saying goes (not infantry first - there is a difference).

The term "frontline" is fairly open for discussion, as modern warfare (especially that which is conducted by a mechanized army) isn't static enough to define frontlines, as in the Second World War. Trying to find a "frontline" in Iraq or Afghanistan at the moment is a lost cause.

Very, very few in technology-heavy modern military organizations actually do the killing and the dying, contrary to myth. It's just not flashy or romantic enough to show movies about an electrician or plumber in the military, so the general public sees just too much of one side of the military. Reality can be hard to accomodate through mass media entertainment these days.

Answer 3

Not always, but all Marines and Soldiers are trained with some basic Infantry skills so they will be ready when needed. Some might go to Iraq and just do whatever their MOS is, some might be patrolling the city and never even come close to doing whatever their MOS is.

So to your question, do they ALL fight in the front lines? The answer is no, but its not uncommon.

Answer 4

The short and direct answer to your question is that EVERY soldier and marine is a rifleman first and their MOS designation second. Everyone in the military is excpected to be a capable infantryman deployable to the front lines. That's way everyone goes through Basic Combat Training.

I was an artillery officer in the army but still went through the infantry school at Ft. Benning for specific combat training.

Answer 5

As a Soldier or Marine (Sailor or Airman for that matter...), you swear to protect and defend. That means that you are in the military first, and that your MOS is secondary.

A mechanic is required to qualify with their rifle, just as anyone else is. You are expected to be proficient as a soldier/marine/etc., and also your MOS specific tasks.

When you join the military, you must have an expectation of performing in combat. Whether or not it happens is a separate issue. But the job of the military is not to repair vehicles, etc. It is to defend your nation against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

Answer 6

No, that's not how it works exactly,my husband is in the Marines and his MOS is communications and he's in Iraq now, he make sure that communication is set-up, and their are time that they go out on patrol, an of course if they were engaged in some sort of treat they will by all means protect their selfs. I hope this answers your question, it's a little difficult to explain

Answer 7

MOst Marines do go to the front lines, but the higher rank you are, the less of a chance you have of fighting. If you have a rare or very usefull skill they tend to keep you away from the front lines.

Answer 8

you might get some action but if your a mechanic (depending on what type of mechanic) youll probably stay away from the action

Answer 9

No one fight they are all obliged to get involved... and they are all prepared to run away frome there lines.

they are just working for money so they should stay alive to enjoy that money :)