I need help choosing between Infantry Armor and Field Artillery in the Army. Please Help!!?

Question

11C Indirect fire infantryman
19D Calvary Scout
13F Fire support specalist

Also do you know if I could add option 40 to any of these?

I scored in the 97th percentile on the ASVAB. but I really want to do a combat MOS instead of intel like my recruiter is pressuring me to do. I just feel like I should be there serving my country in iraq. but before I sign on as one of these I'd like peoples opinions on these jobs and any input would be helpful.



thank you in advance.

Answer 1

You've been given some terrible answers so far ... and some commendable ones, the one right above is definitely not one of them.

If you enter as an 11X, depending on the FA score of your ASVAB, you will be tapped to be an 11C instead of an 11B. It just means your training is a couple of weeks longer at Benning. Once you get downrange to your unit, depending on manning levels and conditions, you can switch to 11B. You're qualified for both 11B and 11C as a mortarman, so you do have more career options. If you specifically enlist for 11B or 11C, that is what you get, hands down.

13F (and I love these guys, most of the ones in my Battalion are close friends) is no longer specifically assigned to a Field Artillery Battalion since the changes in BCT structure from 9/11 on. They're assigned directly to Infantry Battalions and fall under HHC as a platoon (and then are assigned to individual companies). It is an awesome career set, with valuable tasks you will learn. These guys perform infantry tasks and then some.

19Ks are massed in the 3rd Battalion of every Infantry Brigade - another post 9/11 change in the BCTs. When we came back from OIF-1, they decided todisband our 3rd BN, send the survivors to round out 1st and 2nd BNs, and brought in a bunch of ... 19Ks. They're a breed apart, keep to themselves, and in all honesty, are overworked. They simply don't have the numbers to sustain themselves well (ask about their survivability in JRTC rotations) or find themselves pulling convoy escort tasks constantly thanks to their vehicles.

As for the infantry having "stupid blue cords" ... anyone who can mouth off that sort of meaningless garbage is obviously a failure of the Solderization process. Disregard such nonsense. If you want to do infantry, by all means do infantry wth pride.

Your career choice? What do you see yourself doing 6 years from now? Do you want to be a Ranger? Do you want to try out for SF? Do you want marketable skills as a civilian for when you get out? What do you want to do with yourself? You have some good notions, but in the end, it comes down to the sacrifices you are willing to make.

And you've stated you have a 97th percentile in the ASVAB, but a good indication of the level of physical fitness you're at would be helpful. Do you score 300s and above on your APFT? Success in combat arms career choices are greatly dictated by physical fitness.

Whatever you decide, good luck to you. Drop me an email if you need to hear more about those specific MOS fields. I have friends in all of them (and I'll see them at work on Monday).

Answer 2

Here's a thought for you... if you're in the Infantry (11 Series) and you're in combat... you get a CIB. Anything else, and you don't! You'll still be in a lot of the exact same places, doing the same things (for example: MP's are going house to house, just like light infantry) but you don't get the recognition. I've been on both sides... as an enlisted MP and then as an Infantry Officer. I was light infantry, but to each his own. As the other fellow said, there's more rank to be had in the Infantry.

My only other piece of advice would be to consider what you want to do when you get out of the military... or have to get out for medical reasons, like me. Infantry and Artillery are great for leadership and management, but they lack some technical skills that certain employers look for. There's not a whole lot of call, outside of governmental agencies, for snipers and artillerymen. Gotta look at the big picture. At your local State Employment Office, there is a person called a Local Veterans Employment Representative, they can help you look at how the different MOS's would translate into civilian work.

Good luck with whatever you choose! Feel free to email me, if you have any other questions.

Answer 3

I am a 19K in a 11B company, and never been on a tank but still labeled a tanker. From what I am told from all the 11B's in my company, being an 11C isnt something you sign up for, they kind of randomly choose you during your OSUT. The infantry guys are really proud of those stupid blue cords they wear on their class A uniform. But remember, the spurs and stetson look soo much better! I dont really have any 13F buddies so I cant help ya on that one.

Answer 4

It doesn't really matter cause either on you choose you'll still be spending long time dirty, in the field, the first to do to war, the last to come home, and not to include forget a family life. The military has the highest divorce rate in the world. Good Luck I've been there and see it for myself.

Answer 5

I would recommend armor because I am a retired tanker myself. But (IMO) the next best choice Will be Cav Scout.

My fondest memories are of my time in the Cavalry.

Answer 6

I was in the Corps but the arty guys attached to us were used as infantry. So if you're going to be used as a grunt you might as well get all the training you can.

Answer 7

I would say the ARMOR is the way to go!!
US ARMY(RET)21 years!! More rank and PRIDE.

Answer 8

If i was you I would choose something like a mechainc or something that puts you in a combat mos but not in combat right off the bat catch my drift

Answer 9

Stay in armor, you never walk.