Combat in the Military?

Question

Does an Army Infantry Officer, would you be stuck w/ paperwork and a desk job 24/7? Or would you be out in the feild fighting alongside the enlisted?

Answer 1

Except in very, very extraordinary cases, the Army will put junior combat arms (which includes Infantry, Armor, Artillery, Air Defense, and Combat Engineer) officers - LTs and Captains - in combat units. Officers in these units are expected to lead from the front - in other words, to be out in the field leading enlisted Soldiers by example. There would be a certain amount of planning and coordination required - for example, the officers develop plans for operations, then coordinate support (both fire support and logistical support) that is needed to make those operations successful. While that planning and coordination is going on, the sergeants will be working with the privates and specialists, doing training and preparation (drawing supplies, rehearsing plans, going over combat drills, etc.) When the operation actually happens, the officer will definitely be there. Officers who figure a way to get out of combat operations are not thought of very highly, are rated low, and are the first ones shuffled off to staff jobs.

As an infantry officer, you can expect to stay in combat units for your first assignment - 3 to 4 years. There's about an 80% chance you'll also be in a combat unit for your second assignment. By this time you'll be a senior captain. That percentage drops quite a bit by the third assignment.

At sometime between 10-12 years, infantry officers are promoted to major. There are a LOT of staff jobs - pushing paper - for majors. But the good majors get to go back to combat units, either as a battalion executive officer or the operations and training officer, known as the S-3. These officers have more staff responsibilities, but are also very involved in combat operations. And the best of those majors are selected for lieutenant colonel and battalion command - the best role for senior officers to get away from those desk jobs.

Infantry officers who can get assigned to Ranger or Special Forces battalions will spend a LOT more time in the field.

Since the Army is a real big organization, there are lots of exceptions and variations to the above. One good move in the Army right now is that they are civilianizing and privatizing - contracting out - more and more of the admin functions that officers used to do. So more and more officers are able to be used in what we train them for - defending our country.

Or the simple answer is - for junior Infantry officers - expect a lot of field time. As you progress through your career, expect more desk time, but the best officers will spend the most time in combat units in the field.

Answer 2

It would definitely depend upon your rank. As a 1st or 2nd Lieutenant, you'd probably be leading a platoon of about 25-40 men.
As a Captain, you'd be a Company (5 platoons) commander. As a Major or Lieutenant Colonel, you'd most likely be a battalion commander (4-5 companies). As a full Colonel or a Brigadier General, you'd be in charge of a brigade (4-5 battalions). Once you get up into the General Ranks, there probably isn't much actual, "on-the-ground-in-the-mud" type of duty. This is usually reserved for the Captains and Lieutenants (called "Junior" grade officers) and the Majors & above ("Field" grade offices) are more the administrative/command variety.

Answer 3

As a new 2nd Lt you be in the field.
Now pay attention to the Sarg they give you. He will be your best help. Don't think since you are an officer and he is enlisted that you are better than him.

70% of the 2nd Lts in Vietnam were shot in the back.

As Navy Corpsman I knew the value of a good gunny.

Answer 4

General rule of thumb in the military, regardless of branch or occupation: Officers think, Enlisted do.

US Army, Retired.

Answer 5

all of them have hand-to-hand wrestle. no rely what branch you connect, none of them will concentration reachable-to-hand wrestle for terribly long. you will study it for some weeks and then pass directly to a minimum of something else. protection rigidity hand-to-hand wrestle is purely meant to defend your self from the opponent till a pal arrives with a gun (optimistically). you would be better off studying a wrestle martial paintings outdoors of the protection rigidity. Many infantrymen (military SEALs, green Berets, Marines, and others) do greater training outdoors of the protection rigidity in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu. certainly one of Hatsumi's (Bujinkan grandmaster) own scholars is a military SEAL. additionally, wanting to check hand-to-hand wrestle isn't an somewhat solid reason to connect the protection rigidity. fantastically considering that they only coach it to you for some weeks.

Answer 6

Infantry - out in the field, however there are paperwork times.

Only rank above Lt Col would you be a strickly indoor person.

Answer 7

With your fresh "Butter Bar", you will by covered with dirt in Infantry.

Answer 8

You must be diluted, an officer commands troops. He wouldn't be shooting a gun, but talking with higher, and telling the NCO's where to aim the guns. Although it would be nothing like military intel.

Answer 9

Depends on MOS....although it would be a mix.
Depend on your enlisted people...they will keep your butt safe

Answer 10

you would probably being doing both