Favorite Branch Selection

[El Supremo]

I'm an Infantry guy all the way! But what are the rest of ya'alls opinions or favorites as far as branch selection goes to the rest of the Veterans, Military-enthusiasts, (J) ROTCers out there.

[Ben Shotalot]

Infantry - if you plan on being a career Army Officer. Better chance on making General Officer.
Signal has the best training for use outside the military.

[Woody]

Infantry .I get paid to fire a machine gun :D










Unfortunatly I also have to carry it and clean it:mad:

[armysc_25b]

Signal, then again my opinion may be a little skewed for some reason or another... ::hides Signal Corps insignias::

[grunt0311]

Personally, I love the infantry (kinda in the name), but who doesn't love to skate by in an easy job like Marine Security Forces (8152)

[mtnsldr]

Infantry, but I'm also being crosstrained into Logistics, which works itself nicely into lots of outside fields as well.

[Drill for life]

Nobody has anything on Marine MARSOC (0321) oh yeah. I'm just joking, every job has a purpose in the military.

[PhilK]

Nobody has anyhting on Marine MARSOC(0321)oh yeah. I'm jsut joking every job has a purpose in the military.

Considering this is the ARMY section with a question focused toward the branches of the ARMY, it would probably make sense not to see anything about the Marine Corps here.

Situational awareness. It is your friend.

[Buffa1oso1di3r]

Infantry -- Doing all the hard work since 1775. (JK, I respect and love every branch, because, well, we're all on the same team).

Although I do like Intelligence...

[Delta Farce]

Nothin like MPs to brighten up your day :mp:

[C/ZOOMIE]

For some reason I feel as though the only job I would really enjoy in the U.S Army would be Infantry (11b). So yeah, hopefully I'll make it in.....

[63Bravo]

Well, if I were to ascend to the Officers Corps, I would most certainly be in the Ordnance Branch. I have been a grease-monkey for my entire military life and could never imagine doing anything else.

I will echo what some of the others have said, that being the Signal side of the house does have some sway in the civilian world. I kinda get the best of both of my worlds since I am a 63B mechanic in a Signal unit.

[SlightlyCatholic]

Are there any reasons besides a bigger paycheck for an NCO or senior NCO to go "officer" late in their careers? I would imagine that at a certain point, getting a commission as a 2LT would be a demotion. I'm not saying anything against officers, but it seems unlikely for a Master Sergeant to go to OCS just to put on a gold bar and be at the bottom of the ladder again.

[PhoenixCadet]

One of the things I'm exploring for a possible future in the military is the Army National Guard. The area I'll be living in has Infantry, Cavalry, Armor, Artillery and Signal (as well as a few other units).

If I went ARNG, I'd be split between infantry and armor (and possibly cavalry). I've always liked the idea of being the main fighting force (e.g. infantry), but then again, I love tanks.

Oh the decisions...

:D

-PC

[63Bravo]

Are there any reasons besides a bigger paycheck for an NCO or senior NCO to go "officer" late in their careers? I would imagine that at a certain point, getting a commission as a 2LT would be a demotion. I'm not saying anything against officers, but it seems unlikely for a Master Sergeant to go to OCS just to put on a gold bar and be at the bottom of the ladder again.

Well, to be fair, a majority of enlisted who reach the rank of E-8 would not even entertain the idea of trying for OCS just because of the age requirements and the physicality of the training regimen. It would in most cases be considered a waste of their remaining service years, because they would be closer to the age restrictions for service while not being able to go further in rank.

But, and this is growing in my state since we have not only an OCS course but now as well an WOCS course, that some "older" NCO`s are heading back to the Warrant ranks. An E-8 can come out after WOCS and completion of his branch Basic course and be pinned CW2, which is not too bad of a pay cut. He can also set in a CW4/5 slot and after his time requirements are met, ascend to the next rank until he hits his slots ceiling.

The Warrant Officer Corps offers the best of both worlds...technical experience and leader ship coming from the NCO Corps, as well as the authority and respect of a General Officer on a limited scale.

[C/SSGT Seifer]

I like either the Infantry (both my AI and uncle were in it) or Military Police (just because I like to have authority over random people.)

[PhoenixCadet]

I like either the Infantry (both my AI and uncle were in it) or Military Police (just because I like to have authority over random people.)

I wouldn't suggest joining the military, then, especially if you should happen to become an MP. Those are the kinds of attitudes that will land you in some serious crapola.

-PC

[Drill for life]

I like infantry(11b and 11c) I also like armor and special forces. If I was to join the Army I'd be 11b and I would try to be a Ranger(I'd of course have earned the title of U.S. Marine so Ranger school would be nothing to me).

[PhoenixCadet]

I like infantry(11b and 11c) I also like armor and special forces. If I was to join the Army I'd be 11b and I would try to be a Ranger (I'd of course have earned the title of U.S. Marine so Ranger school would be nothing to me).

Don't count it off as "nothing to you", when you've yet to have to even start the process to become either (i.e. MCRD or RIP, etc.). Aside from that, even if you were only to become a Marine - you still wouldn't know what US Army Ranger School was like; so again, you'd be in the wrong by prematurely saying, "It'd be nothing to me."

-PC

[-BuLL-]

(I'd of course have earned the title of U.S. Marine so Ranger school would be nothing to me).

With an attitude like that I'd bet you'd wash out in the first week. What a complete disrespectful comment to those who wear the tab. You may want to hold back your flapper because it won't get you far in the USMC (if you can even make it through bootcamp).
"God gave us two ears and but only one mouth so that we may listen more and talk less."

[Drill for life]

What I said was wrong, what I'm saying is If I can accomplish my dream then nothing, and I mean nothing can stop me because I've passed teh hardest thing in my life. I just didn't put my thought's onto paper very well.

[cscsmp]

Right now I'm transport and would have absolutley no ambition of being transport when I commission, it's just the only unit really close to me right now. When I commission I'm hoping for aviation. The thought of flying multimillion dollar pieces of equipment in order to defend my state and country is absolutely thrilling to me. Of course I'm one of those guys that absolutley loves field training excersises and doesn't mind one bit hauling the SAW around, so infantry wouldn't be half bad either!

[-BuLL-]

Still doesnt mean Ranger School is easier. I bet most of the Corps couldnt hack it. There is also a tool to help your problem. Post Preview

[Bozz]

Medical boys! MEDICAL...for the Grunts - remember who your best friend out there is? the Medic! ...that's me.

But of course I can offer only my incredibly biased opinion on this matter.

As stated...Signal has some of the most applicable training for the civilian world if your in for the "up and out" program...but Medical and Medical Service Corps offer great training if any of you want to be EMT's, Paramedics, Firefighters, Doctors...etc...plus in most cases the Army can and will pay for Med school if you take a commision as an Army Doctor for 8 yrs.

[Bozz]

I like either the Infantry (both my AI and uncle were in it) or Military Police (just because I like to have authority over random people.)


The problem is if you take that attitude to the gates and try and stop a guy like me...I will most definately laugh at you and take away the ehrm...coke...I offered you previously. That mentality will get your a$$ kicked in the most rickety-friggin-tick.

[C./Fields]

No question...Infantry of course, Rangers/SF in particular. Why? Love the challenge, love the PT (esp. push-ups), love the lifestyle...so hey, what's there not to like. Although if for any reason I couldn't select that, Intelligence would be my second choice.

[Bozz]

No question...Infantry of course, Rangers/SF in particular. Why? Love the challenge, love the PT (esp. push-ups), love the lifestyle...so hey, what's there not to like. Although if for any reason I couldn't select that, Intelligence would be my second choice.

Might I ask what you know about the Infantry lifestyle? Considering you haven't lived it...it's a tough lifestyle. The infantry unit I am assigned to currently has many guys who just want out of the infantry. Very few guys stay in the infantry and truly love it. It takes a special kind of character.

[DerRekruit]

Infantry. (75th Rangers ALL THE WAY!)

[DSEddie]

I've been an Infantryman for 10 years and love it. You have to "embrace the suck" rather than hate it, because there are many occassions where you are up to your eyeballs in suck.

To answer another question, I don't understand why a Senior NCO would go Officer myself. For me, I would take a pay cut, but the rank would be a lateral transfer from Platoon Sergeant (SFC rank-wise) to Platoon Leader (2LT). However, I only have two promotions to go before I'm at the top, and a butter bar has a long way to go. The pay doesn't take long to get better than Enlisted pay, but in my humble opinion Officers do not have the same impact on junior Enlisted as NCO's do. Don't get me wrong, I've had some seriously squared away Officers, but the number of O's to NCO's that have impacted my life is seriously slanted toward the NCO side.

[PhilK]

Eddie is correct. Just to give a little more insight on the Infantry NCO side. As a new PVT in the Army, after your OSUT, you will report to your first unit. When you show up you will meet your Team Leader (E-5), then your Squad Leader (E-6), then your Platoon Sergeant (E-7), then your Platoon Leader (O-1/O-2). When you go out to the field, you will see that Team Leader all the time, that Squad Leader nearly all the time, that Platoon Sergeant more then you really want to see, and that Platoon Leader every now and then because he is that guy running to the Company HQ and back all the time.

Those NCOs will form you into the future NCO that you will become.

The few Senior NCOs that decide to move on will usually go into the Warrant Officer Corps. I have known many Admin E-7s who went onto WOC and became Warrants.

Oh and "embracing the suck"...yeah...I am sure each Blue Cord here can tell a story of being in the back woods of Benning sleeping on the ground when those clouds roll in and the rain starts coming down...yeah...good nights...

[DSEddie]

Oh and "embracing the suck"...yeah...I am sure each Blue Cord here can tell a story of being in the back woods of Benning sleeping on the ground when those clouds roll in and the rain starts coming down...yeah...good nights...

I swear they have a way to control climate at Benning and make it rain for Obstacle Course and bivouac days.

[armysc_25b]

Oh and "embracing the suck"...yeah...I am sure each Blue Cord here can tell a story of being in the back woods of Benning sleeping on the ground when those clouds roll in and the rain starts coming down...yeah...good nights...

Don't even need a Blue Cord to confirm that one, Sir. While I was there for WLC, the only training day I remember it raining was the last night we were in the field. Me, not thinking right, forgot to properly secure the bottom of the poncho I was sleeping under, so the rain rolled downhill through my "hooch". Still fared better than the Blue Cord who was sleeping slightly lower than I was; all the water pooled into his AO.

[DSEddie]

Don't even need a Blue Cord to confirm that one, Sir. While I was there for WLC, the only training day I remember it raining was the last night we were in the field. Me, not thinking right, forgot to properly secure the bottom of the poncho I was sleeping under, so the rain rolled downhill through my "hooch". Still fared better than the Blue Cord who was sleeping slightly lower than I was; all the water pooled into his AO.


LMAO! Serves him right. Every Infantryman with any time in the field knows you never set up in the low ground!:D

[armysc_25b]

LMAO! Serves him right. Every Infantryman with any time in the field knows you never set up in the low ground!:D
In his defense, he was set up with an MI Soldier. Still doesn't explain how this Signal Soldier thought of a better location.

[mtnsldr]

My day on the Ob Course was sunny. All the Platoon Trainers were pissed.

[Stryfe]

Gotta be infantry. :MP5:

[USFreak]

I'm going to Benning this summer for rifle camp, hopefully it will be nice outside when I go.

[Cowboy12]

I would probably have to choose Supply or Infantry.

Cowboy12

[DSEddie]

I would probably have to choose Supply or Infantry.

Cowboy12


Those are two vastly difference branches from each other. Out of curiosity, why Infantry or Supply?

[Cowboy12]

I would choose Infantry because you are the guys out front and grandpa was Infantry during World War II.

I would choose Supply for the fact that I think it would be pretty neat to get to issue equipment and uniforms to everyone,part of it is I have always been interested in the way Supply is run, and your Army can not move unless it has the supplies it needs to do its business.

Cowboy12

[DSEddie]

I would choose Infantry because you are the guys out front and grandpa was Infantry during World War II.

I would choose Supply for the fact that I think it would be pretty neat to get to issue equipment and uniforms to everyone,part of it is I have always been interested in the way Supply is run, and your Army can not move unless it has the supplies it needs to do its business.

Cowboy12

Excellent reasons for each. Good luck with your decision. Infantry is a serious way of life. We are a sub-culture within a sub-culture, meaning the Army has it's own ways of doing things, and all people who serve in the Army leave different than they were when they came in. The Infantry is even more life altering. Being a mud roller gives you a sense of accomplishment for sure.

Supply guys work with many different units and MOS's. Supply is a job that is necessary for every unit to operate. My last 1SG on the trail was a supply guy that worked in SOCOM, and he knew every bit of Infantry doctrine.

[PhilK]

Ok...just cause I am all anal about this type of stuff.

There is no "supply" branch. The overarching branch would be "Logistics" and the sub branchs would either be: Quartermaster, Ordnance, or Transportation.

Ok...please continue.

[DSEddie]

Ok...just cause I am all anal about this type of stuff.

There is no "supply" branch. The overarching branch would be "Logistics" and the sub branchs would either be: Quartermaster, Ordnance, or Transportation.

Ok...please continue.

You are 100% right, sir, and no one would not understand you being anal. You are an Officer after all!:D

[PhilK]

You are 100% right, sir, and no one would not understand you being anal. You are an Officer after all!:D


Worse then that...I'm a Field Grade officer...they hand you FM 3-0.A "How to be anal, the Army way." when they pin you.

[DSEddie]

Worse then that...I'm a Field Grade officer...they hand you FM 3-0.A "How to be anal, the Army way." when they pin you.

LMAO, they issue one to Drill Sergeants upon completion of DSS as well!