(Me as an infantryman before a raid in 2004, Mosul, Iraq)
What I did
The cool thing about the infantry is that it isn’t hard to explain what I did. Basically, I can just tell people “What you see in the movies.” It wasn’t as cool, good looking, or as glorious, though. I was willing to do the Infantry because of the respect I had for those in the American Revolution. I’m not one who turns to violence unless it is definitely needed, but when you are young, naive, and told that the Infantry is the only thing available, you stand in line!
Job Highlights
- At the end of Basic Training / AIT (Advanced Individual Training), the Infantry does the “Bayonet.” It’s a 25 mile road march with missions done along the way. When we arrived back to the main base, they had all of the basic training recruits on the roads cheering us on our final leg. That is easily one of the proudest moments of my life. I was hurting at that last leg, but when I encountered all those cheers, I felt like I was born again and that last stretch was nothing.
- I got to fire a live AT-4 Rocket Launcher at a test range. Only those who had deployed got to fire a live rocket. Second coolest thing I’ve done in my life! I also hit a tank target at about 300m, so I’m extra badass.
- Even though the Army and the enlistment process lied to me, I did end up in a unit with the then-new Stryker Armored Personnel Carrier. I didn’t want to be Light Infantry (where you basically walk everywhere). My feet blister pretty easily! In Basic Training, I was assigned to a Light Infantry unit, but I ended up riding around in Strykers!
- I got based at one of the better quality duty stations, Ft. Lewis, WA. Of course, they really started to update the barracks once I got selected for Recruiting.
Positive Takeaways (during my 1st Infantry run)
- I got experience that I almost literally can’t get anywhere else.
- Meeting up with anyone I deployed with feels like no time has passed between us.
- I got the experience of carrying a light machine gun (the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon). If I only got to carry rifles, I would’ve been upset.
- The actual work of every other job is A WHOLE LOT easier after having to carry up to 110lbs worth of gear in +110°F temperatures with only 10 true days off in a year.
- For three weeks, I took Modern Army Combatives, the Army’s hand-to-hand combat training. I don’t even remember how I was selected for this (I think no one else wanted to go). However, it was probably one of the best confidence builders I’ve ever done. Unfortunately, it ruined the excitement out of watching people fight, ha!
- Leadership can be good!
Negative Takeaways (during my 1st Infantry run)
Before you think about joining, you should read this little book.
- Luckily, I came out about the same way I went in. However, many people don’t.
- One of the most annoying things is all of the malingering that happens. I’ve known plenty of soldiers who I am pretty sure fabricated injuries, some even with the goal of obtaining a certain percentage of disability so they can collect money for life.
- I begged and begged and begged to be a driver (like I said, I didn’t want to walk because of my easy-to-blister feet). However, this wish wouldn’t be fulfilled during my first stint. My second stint wasn’t as fun by any means.
- I deployed for 1 year to Iraq, most of which was spent in Mosul, Iraq.
- Sometimes I was treated like trash just because I was a Private. I mean, I get it, but still.
- Infantry experience isn’t something I will apply for the rest of my life.
- Leadership can be bad, and when it’s bad, it’s bad. Bad. I have heard reports that the Army is doing more to get rid of “Toxic Leadership,” and I hope it is working.
- If you end up like I did and you start to question the government, you ask yourself “Why did I do all of that?” See my Joining the Military page for more info on this. See my The Hawk Bawk page on why I despise Chicken Hawks.
Final Words
There is so much more to say about this experience. Feel free to ask away.
Although I am pretty angry about being lied to, ending up in the Infantry wasn’t a totally bad thing (I mean, then again, one can always find the positives in just about any situation). I would’ve been much happier and much more set for the rest of my life if I ended up in something I was actually interested in.
Two of the fields I really wanted to go in was Broadcast Journalist and Military Intelligence (but as I later found out in Recruiting, they could’ve been available). Who knows how I would’ve turned out in those fields, but oh well!
Again, check out my Joining the Military page before you sign up.
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