Do any 0311s or 11Bs really believe that "all Marines or Soldiers are Riflemen first?"?

Question

I mean, its great that you serve your country, but infantrymen are a different animal all together. Isn't this something the services have made up to make support troops feel better about themselves? While the Infantry certainly couldn't perform without every 11 troops that support a single infantryman, if you were really a bad @$$ in the first place, you would have volunteered to be a grunt. If you close with the enemy to destroy them, you deserve the equivalent recognition of a CIB. I know that there are non infantry troops doing infantry jobs. But if you are not CLOSING WITH the enemy, meaning bringing the fight and not just getting shot at on your way to BIAP, do you really need a badge?

And if you aren't 0311 or 11B, I don't care what you think.

Everytime I saw a female in the chow hall I would yell across the room "Hey, PFC Lynch, don't forget to clean your rifle!" That chick didn't deserve what she got, but she didn't deserve to become a poster child hero either.

I don't got a problem POP D, I've just seen a lot of silly **** happen in the military. Everyone getting ranger berets, CABs being passed out like candy, and medals of valor for doing your job. Yeah I know what I did and what I didn't, but I hate the PC attitude that is infecting the military today. It may seem trite, but it is having an effect on morale and ability.

And BIAP is Baghdad International Airport

Answer 1

There is a provision to allow non-infantry soldiers to be awarded the CIB. If a soldier meet's the guidelines then he can recieve it.

Then people started to try and bend the rules.
Then a female officer attempted to award the CIB to a female soldier. Due to the threat of the CIB losing all its integrity as an award the army created the Combat Action Badge.

Kept us Infantry happy and it satisfied everyone else that was apparently too dumb to realize they wore a combat patch on thier right shoulder anyhow.

The theory of every soldier is a Rifleman first is about as correct as it is incorrect. Every soldier needs to know how to defend himself against an enemy assault. That gives a little truth to the theory I will admit. That truth is wiped off the drawing board when it comes to leading an assault. Regardless of terrain or any other condition the Infanty will chase down the enemy with such professionalism that can only be found within the Infantry. It is the Infantry that traditionaly face's more casualties then anyone else. It is the Infantry that will carry the flag of victory home.

Regardless of wether your a Marine or in the Army there is absolutely no substitute for an Infantry soldier.

11B,11C and 19D.


To the 19K above your a tanker, not an infantryman. Congrats on being within CA but your not an Infantryman. I took my Blue Chord and Disc's off when I went with the Cavalry as a scout.
You never wore them at all.

Apologize for the wife's SN.

Answer 2

From an old 11 Bravo. You have a problem buddy. What difference does it make about who gets a Badge or not? By the way, what is a BIAP. The only Badge I remember is a CIB (Combat Infantrymans Badge). As long as you know what you did does it really matter what other people did or are doing? Life is too short to worry about what you are worrying about.

Answer 3

I cannot speak for the US Army. I was in the USMC and a 0311, and 0313.

In the USMC there is a clear difference in the capabilities of the 0311 and 03xx in general in comparison with non-infantry MOS's.

In the USMC 0311's are experts with non-crew served weapons and the employment of those weapons in different situations (rifles, pistols, grenades, AT-4's, M203's, hand to hand, fighting knives). They get alot more training and practical application of using those weapons.

You also mentioned tactics. You are correct in that the employment of someone in the USMC who is Infantry is different than a non-infantry MOS.

The mission of the USMC rifle squad is to "locate, close with, and destroy the enemy by fire and manuver, and to repel enemy assualt by fire and close combat."

In the Marines its true that every Marine is a rifleman. However as a 0311 I was a much better rifleman than someone who didnt have that MOS I am absolutely sure about that.

Answer 4

That's right all you POGs(Personnel Other than Grunts) out there just keep my pay check straight and get some water and MRE's, yeah know what don't worry about the MRE's get me more ammo, and leave the real stuff to the Operators on the teams (the SOCOM trigger pullers) and the GRUNTS BABY!!! If I hurt some POG feelings I don't give a sh!t, go reload your stapler, and enjoy your air conditioning, you couldn't hack it as a GRUNT any way, other wise you would have chosen that job when you had the chance pu$$y.

Answer 5

Numerous times during WWII technicians had to put down their tools and pick up a rifle because the enemy was CLOSING with THEM. By everyone having a rifle and knowing how to use it, you have changed the dynamics. Instead of being in need of defense, they are part of the common defense.
The technician needs to be competent and comfortable with the weapon, since his life might depend upon it. If he is going to have to learn to shoot it, why not give him a badge?

Answer 6

Only USMC Grunts 0311's can carry the fight and expect to get nothing. The 11B's of the Army Have to have their Go fast Badges to prove to the world they tried it once. Marines hold the title United States Marine which tell the whole story

Answer 7

LOL cmon i was 19K, combat arms brother, and yeah i concur w ya, if ya aint CA ya aintshit. those remfs cant shoot, i sued to run ranges for the cav and soem of those people couldnt hit squat, nothing funner then chewing an officers butt cuz hes stupid ( i was a PSG). i was lazy, so i was smarter and chose to ride to kill, same same
rock on crunchie

Answer 8

The Marines give you an MOS.

You can select what you want to be, but if they decide they need another MOS, that's what you become. A lot has to do with aptitude.

Answer 9

Four words for you:

Don't forget Jessica Lynch.