Do you think ill fit in the Army.......?

Question

Infantry? I scored in the 99th % on the ASVAB. I got a 32 on the ACT and yes I guess that would make me smart?! I want to enlist active duty instead of going to college at this time. I want to be down there.


Anyways, I've been talking to my Army recruiter and he keeps pulling for me to go intel, I have no desire for that I want to be a grunt, I want to fight for my country, I wouldn't feel right sitting at a desk all day.

He told me that someone of my *smarts* wouldn't fit in, and he says I'd do much better as intel.


I thought they were desperate for grunts so why does he keep pressuring me to do intel when I'm a willing grunt?

Answer 1

If you want to go infantry go infantry. It is your life not his. I am like you a smarter individual (I was on the schools academic team as well as a 28 on the ACT) and I did not want a desk job I did not want to where a suite and tie or go to school I wanted a little fun and adventure before collage. That was 10 years ago I LOVE what I do. (I am a scout) Coming from a combat job I can assure you that you will also not be alone as a intelligent infantryman, there are MENY out there and I am sure a few will be in your unit. However there will also be the immature childlike ones as well, I am sure you can deal with them just fine. Do a little research and pick a few jobs that you may like if you want action and adventure look into infantry, scout and engineer all of those involve the outdoors as well as hard work and adventure. I used to recruit as well and I know a recruiter doesn’t want to see a recruit sell themselves short but more importantly we want them to be happy and enjoy there time in the Army and not curse the day they joined for the rest of there life.

Answer 2

They are not desperate for grunts, most people make good grunts, and its not that there arent many smart people in teh infantry etc. When i enlisted most of the infantry people were scoring 80's and 90's on the ASVAB.

"I have no desire for that I want to be a grunt, I want to fight for my country, I wouldn't feel right sitting at a desk all day."

I think you MAY want to consider intel just because it can land youa god job at a 3 letter agency when you get out (CIA, FBI, NSA etc.) and you will definately NOT be behind a desk. Lol. If you did I think its a 19E or something like that which is a HUMINT intel collector youw ill be going in with an infantry unit, grab bad guys and interogate them, get intel etc. You will be a grunt, with the grunts, but just like my MOS 13F, the only job of the inafntry men yuo are with is to play bodyguard and make sure you get your job done.

Answer 3

Go Infantry for your initial enlistment at least. 3-4 years of Infantry will provide you with a valuable, warfighter base, from which to build on. Afterwards...should you choose to reenlist...pick a new MOS if so inclined. You will always carry that warfighter knowledge with you.

My opinon is that every soldier should spend 2 years in the Infantry. Females could populate the CTC Infantry units.

Everyone needs to have the basics ingrained in them...Basic and AIT just don't cut it.

Oh yea. Regarding the "smarts" comment. Tell your recruiter that there are alot of very smart Infantry Privates, NCO's, and Officers that might argue with him.

Answer 4

Think about how you will feel if you had to take orders from a Sargent or Lieutenant that has a much lower IQ than you.

The most important part of fitting in is your ability to shut off the higher brain functions and completely trust and follow the orders you are given, even if you know a much better way. The more intelligent you are, the harder that is.

Why don't you give intel a try? If you don't like it, you can always transfer to infantry.

Answer 5

Being a "grunt" may not be as glamourous as you think it will be. Oddly enough, perhaps your recruiter is trying to give you decent advice that may help you find a career after the military. Its not fair to stereotype infantry as idiots, but i have met quite a few of them that are plain and simple. The thing is, youll have that everywhere in the army. Theyve lowered the standards to get in, so youre not going to escape the morons no matter what MOS you choose. If you really want infantry that bad, go for it, but i think your recruiter is right. Think about your future instead of the glory.

Answer 6

Because you would be an asset to the Intel group. Try Intel first then become a grunt. Every job in the military is important and works for the success of the mission. Just because you are not on the front lines, does not mean you are not part of the success.

Answer 7

If you want to go infantry, go infantry. In my 17 years in the Army, I have met many, many smart infantry types, both on the enlisted and officer side. The best man at my wedding enlisted into the infantry after being on a full-ride military scholarship to VMI in order to help out with Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He is extremely intelligent, ended up getting out after his 2 year hitch, going National Guard, OCS, flight school, and is now a Captain in the Aviation branch as his 'weekend warrior' job, while working as a political analyist for the state department. He definatlely stood out amongst his peers in the Infantry, but he loved it none the less and always got good jobs (such as gunner in his Bradley).

If you think you like the Army, you can change MOS's upon reenlistment if you want to try something else, or you can look into going WOCS or OCS.

As far as Intel goes, those guys are pretty smart and do a lot of different things. I work with an Intel officer in my civilian job who knows more about military tactics than anyone I have met in my life. Another Intel friend of mine I met in WOCS works as a military liason to the NSA and loves it.

The main thing about the Army is that you have to remember to keep your options open, and always keep in mind that YOU and your performance will ultimately decide your destiny.

Answer 8

I can tell you from personal experence I am in Intel. And I am in and will always be in an Infantry unit. Do not look at all Intel MOS's as being desk jockeys. You are sadly mistaken. Alot of the Intel jobs are always in the field and always with the Infantry right there on the front line. Do not assume anything unless you have the facts.

Answer 9

the reason he's pressuring you to go intel is because of your line scores. Few people have your good scores. I won't say "everyone" can go infantry, because, sad to say, not everyone has the line scores and can only enlist in a few jobs (88M, 92R)

If you want to go infantry, tell the guidance counselor that is what you want. I knew plenty of "smart" guys in the infantry, many with degrees, all of whom wanted something "different."

Infantry is the most "different" thing you'll ever experience.

Answer 10

think of your future, if you don't get killed over there you will one day get out and want to start a regular life, in Intel you will have so many more job options and at a higher pay rate if you go into the trench's and come out, your job options are much fewer and at a lower pay scale, I mean on the streets there is not much use for a killer, you can become a cop or some sort of security. and as far as helping the cause, wars are won and lost on good or bad Intel.