Enlisting in October

[FutureEngineer]

Decided outside sources were more efficient with sources from my Covenant. All in all, I know the paragraph and line I'll be taking, and MOS 11B. If the slot opens up in Oct as planned, I'll be taking up position as a Automatic Rifleman as a dismount within the squad with the rest of my brothers. Going to MEPS Oct. 26th.

Already purchased FM 3-21, and as instructed will be finished with it by the end of this week, and then I'll re-read it again in May, July, and again in August.

I'll be getting back into 10km runs and 100 meter sprints as back in the past, etc.

Would have done 12B, but they will be undergoing "changes" (I will not elaborate) soon, which wouldn't make it a very good idea to join it. The Vertical Engineering Company is going to go through "changes" as well, leaving the same reasoning. So 11B in the particular Company/Platoon/Squad is what I'll be doing.

Anyways, now to the questions:
Has anyone here served 11B and 11C? If so, which did you do first? Second? What were the major differences you noticed? Was it worth the change? Any regrets switching? Do you feel it was more advantagious to do both? (Training/Experiences you can draw back on and utilize)? Or is 11B and 11C so different, that you can't really relate between the two?

Company I'll be joining will have Bravo and Charlie slots left and right, almost as many Charlies as there are Bravos.

I have other questions but I'll be asking them elsewhere. But these are the ones I was wanting to ask here, to get a better rounded picture.

[Hunter]

Good luck, congrats on your decision. Any reason why you're waiting until October to enlist? Also, your tactical position in the squad can change regularly depending on a number of variables, so don't set your heart on being an Automatic Rifleman, Grenadier, or anything else for the time being.

[FutureEngineer]

Good luck, congrats on your decision. Any reason why you're waiting until October to enlist? Also, your tactical position in the squad can change regularly depending on a number of variables, so don't set your heart on being an Automatic Rifleman, Grenadier, or anything else for the time being.

Reason being:
My gaining units physical fitness records.

10 miles in 90 minutes (Run)
120 push-ups in two minutes
160 sit-ups in two minutes
30 pull-ups in two minutes
500 meter swim in 8 minutes

A physical fitness test non-official the Particular Platoon I'll be joining has those established. (Only Platoon in the WAARNG with 100 APFTs across the board). Every three months they get together and perform the test together. I'll need at the minimum 6 months to at least get close to that, and another four months to make it happen. Because those are minimum standards as a platoon they push themselves too, and every one of them exceed it. I'll be the first Private fresh from OSUT their Platoon has had in over two years. (by the time I complete OSUT next year, I will be the only E1-E3 Soldier in the entire Platoon, they are all E4s and above) so obviously, to make it as painless as possible, it only makes sense to get myself to the level of fitness my gaining unit expects the rest to operate at. (I don't want to be the "weak link" and I refuse to be the "weak link") Because of the nature of particular platoon, despite having Bradleys, they don't use them. (They are always broken down, and expect them to be broken down at all times) so the Commander has special tasks for its mission. (Hense the physical fitness requirements, others in the platoon have said the Company Commander removes soldiers who fail to meet the above standards, and I wish to stay in the Platoon once I get into it, which is another reason why I plan to train)

I have already been informed to take what I can at OSUT and do volunteer PT during downtime to maintain fitness. Already have hiking trips planned for this summer, two of which are 30 mile hikes, and one 17 mile hike (mostly 60-70 degree slopes, have climing equipment to supplement the angles of approach). Sometime next week after work going to be joining a couple of them for a "gut check" of what to expect PT wise at a weekend drill.

And also, the biggest reason why october is due to religious nocturnal events/season.

A couple brothers of mine are going to see if they can talk the Platoon Sergeant into being the one to swear me in, too. Which is another reason why October, is because that is when he finishes up a particular school he's going through. ^_^

So all in all, I have lots of reasons on why October... lol

And regarding Automatic Rifleman, they don't want me talking about how the unit works internally regarding assignments inside the unit, but it's pretty safe to bet I'll be running with the biggest and heaviest suppresive fire weapon 11Bs run in the field with outside of working as a Machinegun Crew...

It's the best position for a "New Guy" in the outfit because of the role on a fireteam I'll serve. Eventually I could "branch outside" of being an Automatic Rifleman, but for starters fresh from OSUT, it's safe to say that is going to be my first position in my gaining unit.

[JR7775]

Reason being:
My gaining units physical fitness records.

10 miles in 90 minutes (Run)
120 push-ups in two minutes
160 sit-ups in two minutes
30 pull-ups in two minutes
500 meter swim in 8 minutes

A physical fitness test non-official the Particular Platoon I'll be joining has those established. (Only Platoon in the WAARNG with 100 APFTs across the board). Every three months they get together and perform the test together. I'll need at the minimum 6 months to at least get close to that, and another four months to make it happen. Because those are minimum standards as a platoon they push themselves too, and every one of them exceed it. I'll be the first Private fresh from OSUT their Platoon has had in over two years. (by the time I complete OSUT next year, I will be the only E1-E3 Soldier in the entire Platoon, they are all E4s and above) so obviously, to make it as painless as possible, it only makes sense to get myself to the level of fitness my gaining unit expects the rest to operate at. (I don't want to be the "weak link" and I refuse to be the "weak link") Because of the nature of particular platoon, despite having Bradleys, they don't use them. (They are always broken down, and expect them to be broken down at all times) so the Commander has special tasks for its mission. (Hense the physical fitness requirements, others in the platoon have said the Company Commander removes soldiers who fail to meet the above standards, and I wish to stay in the Platoon once I get into it, which is another reason why I plan to train)

I have already been informed to take what I can at OSUT and do volunteer PT during downtime to maintain fitness. Already have hiking trips planned for this summer, two of which are 30 mile hikes, and one 17 mile hike (mostly 60-70 degree slopes, have climing equipment to supplement the angles of approach). Sometime next week after work going to be joining a couple of them for a "gut check" of what to expect PT wise at a weekend drill.

And also, the biggest reason why october is due to religious nocturnal events/season.

A couple brothers of mine are going to see if they can talk the Platoon Sergeant into being the one to swear me in, too. Which is another reason why October, is because that is when he finishes up a particular school he's going through. ^_^

So all in all, I have lots of reasons on why October... lol

And regarding Automatic Rifleman, they don't want me talking about how the unit works internally regarding assignments inside the unit, but it's pretty safe to bet I'll be running with the biggest and heaviest suppresive fire weapon 11Bs run in the field with outside of working as a Machinegun Crew...

It's the best position for a "New Guy" in the outfit because of the role on a fireteam I'll serve. Eventually I could "branch outside" of being an Automatic Rifleman, but for starters fresh from OSUT, it's safe to say that is going to be my first position in my gaining unit.

WTF?
this post is just weird beyond words

[Mr_Loki]

WTF?
this post is just weird beyond words

He is in for a rude awakening.

[Chief Kemosabe]

He is in for a rude awakening.

I was going to write the same response before I actually read yours. Great minds think alike.

Since he is clueless; he will either be one of those quick flunkers (I remember a guy that wanted to be a Marine so bad and acted so hooah but yet tried to hang himself the second night in boot) or this person will be the next greatest 4 star in 25 years.

LOL@ unit records. You should just worry about passing the minimum standards and focus on that extreme fitness stuff later on. I do not know how he knows the unit PT information (100 percent gets over a 300 APFT??); I think that is better than every active duty unit out there including the RANGERS or even knows what platoon, squad and team he will be assigned to. Also, when you go to war; there are equipment/vehicles in theater (it is called TPE) that should be FMC to fall in on but hey; train as you fight.

Writing that stuff to seasoned vets does not impress whatsoever. It actually brings on criticisim than support responses.

Relax and you do fine.

[Mr_Loki]

10 bucks this guy gets slotted as the Special Troops Bn, Company Commanders driver.

You just have no idea how all this research you're doing will not apply to you. You're going to be the "barracks lawyer" and get a lot of troops in trouble with your "knowledge". Just because you know a lot of acronyms and their definitions, doesn't mean you won't be the "FNG". In fact, if you don't want to be the "FNG" you are heading in the wrong direction. There is nothing better than learning from the Soldiers above you. If you think you know it all, which it seems like you are trying to, then you will get rolled quickly.

Just like cityslicker said, you're not impressing us nor will you be impressing the veterans you will be with. If they are impressed, then it's because they're surprised you know it because it doesn't apply to you directly AT ALL and won't help you unless you're trying to be in a staff position.


Has anyone ever had that brand new 2LT that just showed up, thought he knew every single thing, wanted to take the advice of others but didn't want to apply it to himself, and wanted to run the show? He seems like an example. Difference is he'll be an E3 or something.

Take those times to LEARN.

[Polo08816]

I was going to write the same response before I actually read yours. Great minds think alike.

Since he is clueless; he will either be one of those quick flunkers (I remember a guy that wanted to be a Marine so bad and acted so hooah but yet tried to hang himself the second night in boot) or this person will be the next greatest 4 star in 25 years.

LOL@ unit records. You should just worry about passing the minimum standards and focus on that extreme fitness stuff later on. I do not know how he knows the unit PT information (100 percent gets over a 300 APFT??); I think that is better than every active duty unit out there including the RANGERS or even knows what platoon, squad and team he will be assigned to. Also, when you go to war; there are equipment/vehicles in theater (it is called TPE) that should be FMC to fall in on but hey; train as you fight.

Writing that stuff to seasoned vets does not impress whatsoever. It actually brings on criticisim than support responses.

Relax and you do fine.

He reminds me of this LT back in my IBOLC. He was talking about going SF and then trying to attend BUD/S afterwards.

That guy failed land nav, recycled, and then was a heat casualty the next time around at land nav.

[HR NCO]

A couple brothers of mine are going to see if they can talk the Platoon Sergeant into being the one to swear me in, too.

First off, a Plt Sgt can't swear you in, he is not an officer. Secondly, why would he care about some PVT being sworn in that he doesn't know?

As others have said, you are in for a rude awakening. If you are going to join, then just do it. Don't wait till October, because there will be something else then that will keep you from joining. There will always be reasons not to do something.

[FutureEngineer]

10 bucks this guy gets slotted as the Special Troops Bn, Company Commanders driver.

You just have no idea how all this research you're doing will not apply to you. You're going to be the "barracks lawyer" and get a lot of troops in trouble with your "knowledge". Just because you know a lot of acronyms and their definitions, doesn't mean you won't be the "FNG". In fact, if you don't want to be the "FNG" you are heading in the wrong direction. There is nothing better than learning from the Soldiers above you. If you think you know it all, which it seems like you are trying to, then you will get rolled quickly.

Just like cityslicker said, you're not impressing us nor will you be impressing the veterans you will be with. If they are impressed, then it's because they're surprised you know it because it doesn't apply to you directly AT ALL and won't help you unless you're trying to be in a staff position.


Has anyone ever had that brand new 2LT that just showed up, thought he knew every single thing, wanted to take the advice of others but didn't want to apply it to himself, and wanted to run the show? He seems like an example. Difference is he'll be an E3 or something.

Take those times to LEARN.

It's actually the guys from the Platoon that are telling me to do the studying.
And the PT.

And I could care less to impress anyone on an internet forum. (respectfully)

And I know which Platoon I'll be in, because one of them are going with me to the Recruiting office in Oct and we're going to reserve the slot that will be opened up in it for the Automatic Rifleman.

Based on the units in my geographic area, it would be impossible to get into the special troops battalion, because they have no Infantry (11B). Initially they had a Reconnaissance Section comprised of 11B, but that was recoded for 92A, 91B, and 91D/C. When it was converted to a Field Maintenance Shop and the STB was converted into a BSB.

And the Paragraph and Line will be filled out by the Recruiter, (I already know what it's going to say, because they've talked to me about it and will help me out) to the information of guys in the Platoon I'll be joining. They are already talking with the Platoon Leader in regards to bringing it up with the Company Commander to gain more support in getting me into the slot.

I already know about half the Soldiers in the Platoon already, and they are the ones telling me to get into the level of fitness previously mentioned, and they are the ones telling me to study the FM. As far as LandNav, per instruction I'll be buying maps of hiking area's, and compass, which is what one of the 30 mile hikes are going to be for. (Demo on landnav with a couple of them)

They don't trust OSUT to get me "ready" for the first weekend drill with them outside of the basic movement and weapons evolution's. They are doing the same for me as they are my friend who will hopefully be shipping to OSUT with me.
Edit:
And regarding level of fitness prep, Soldiers in OSUT lose fitness. It's why I'm being told to get to the level of fitness, because during down-time I'll be voluntarily smoking myself. They are not kidding with me, and have told me they expect me to be able to keep up with them from day one, and that OSUT will not be enough to make that happen.

[FutureEngineer]

You can have a civilian school teacher swear you in. Not required to have an Officer do it, just sign off on it, which MEPS will have several to sign the paper.

Plt. Sgt may care because we are both in the same Covenant, and we'll will both be serving under him.

(Regarding Civilian School Teacher, a kid from my English Class was sworn in at MEPS by our English Teacher, said Teacher was a former member of the Peace Corps, and swore him in...)

[Chief Kemosabe]

It's actually the guys from the Platoon that are telling me to do the studying.
And the PT.

Probably the same guys that will be telling you to go get the PRCE7 and the blank adaptor for the MK-19. I guess they all are part of the same Covenant too.

Enjoy.

[SF Hunter]

Well,

I guess you got it all figured out. So you don't need to keep posting on this forum

Good luck to you.