The 11X recruiting program is designed to pipeline Army Basic Training to the Army Infantry training program. I spent my year in Vietnam with the 1/22nd infantry part of the 4th division. Some wounded received convalescent leave far behind the lines. Infantrymen used undisturbed snow as the source for the water to brush their teeth, as well as for drinking water and for mixing the powdered drinks from their rations. We killed a lot of the enemy but we took few serious casualties. I was a cmbt engr demolition specialist carried a 45 auto and an M70 grenade launcher in addition to the C-4 and Det Cord. I was wounded 3 times during the 10 1/2 months I was in-country before being medevacd out in Apr of 68. Related Article Air Force Combat Controller (CCT) (1C2X1): Career Details. Basic training and advanced job training are combined into a single course. Infantrymen also carried a sidearm. Thank You General Vessey for the almost 53 years I have lived since that day. I look over to I was never formally trained as an RTO. While waiting for their orders for deployment the food was at least usually hot and plentiful, opportunities to fraternize with the welcoming French were frequent, and the mail arrived regularly bringing news from home. well I wonder how long your going to last lieutenant? Since U.S. Army Infantrymen are the primary land defense for the branch of the military they regularly participate in shooting drills. For example, infantry units directed to disrupt German lines in Les Vosges in January 1945 had no idea they were preventing the reinforcement of troops involved in the Battle of the Bulge. As a result, Army Infantrymen 11B are trained to conduct mobilization in a variety of settings on land. Some very close calls but I am alive at age 74. They were glad to see me as it had been a while for replacements with the unit. I was with HHC and 1st Platoon C Company in 70-71. The Army considered its use as an embarkation point a secret, and so warned the young soldiers when they arrived. RTO, John Scheur. I remember hearing a Lieutenant (Kennedy) say to one of his two platoon RTOs My RTO is Foxtrot Uniform. Additionally, you must complete a Combat (CO) ASVAB score of 87. These included cold beer, which was provided by American brewers, mandated by war regulations. Whenever and wherever possible, infantrymen in France traded with the civilians for food such as eggs and vegetables. Where do we find this stuff? There is a higher demand for MOS 11B, and reports indicate the position makes up 15-17% of the U.S. Army. A documentary about our company and our 1st Sgt was made. In some conditions, infantrymen would change their socks at any opportunity. Well he didnt make it. They served in squads, led by a junior officer and experienced sergeants, slogged through and slept in mud and snow, maintaining contact with the enemy, taking and holding ground. The incredibly important role in the U.S. Army is responsible for defending the country through real-life combat. Thank You Roger!!! During combat, soldiers need to request, observe, and adjust direct supporting fire. I was an O5C-20 in Vietnam. As I carried a PRC25 radio for over seven-months in the > Nam, I was curious to find out what I did RIGHT to surv >, One MOS I figured was a sure short timer was POL{Fuel} Truck Driver. I was lucky too but VN never left me. A typical United States infantry division contained about 15,000 officers and men, divided into three infantry regiments, with supporting companies and battalions. This is excellent! 1st Platoon, C Company, 2nd Battalion 327th Infantry. 5 seconds. Soldier,this is a wardont forget that, and anytime we are in a fight we will be toughest SOBs in the fight!! When men were transferred out of their unit to join another division they were placed under the command of a different squad leader. Aboard ship, the troops, most of whom had never been on a ship before, endured crowded conditions, jammed mess halls with waiting lines of up to an hour, seasickness, and boredom. And us the living that served, who suffer from PTSD ,that figure or percent-aged would be about the greatest of all. I was a medic on one for two yrs and the only weapon I was issue was a six-shot .38. I carried the PRC-25 for most of a year. Nobody attacked, where we were. A typical Patrol Boat River (PBR) was about 31 feet long and had twin 50s forward an M 60 midships and a 50 aft. The British lost 704,208 dead in the Great War, and if they were to form up in three ranks and march at the standard British army speed of 120 thirty-inch paces to the minute, they would pass in one day, fifteen hours and seven minutes. Im laying behind a rice paddie dike.I put my whole body as far down in the muck while the bullets were over my head. I always was told that the life expectancy of a LT was 14 seconds in INITIAL combat versus 9 seconds for an RTO. When in close proximity to the enemy smoking at night was forbidden, as were cooking fires or open flames. I kept the radio because I understood the power of having the first communication with the support mechanisms of the military. The first thing my platoon sgt. In that time 4 us kia and 4 wounded. C Co, 1st-12th 66-67. A regiment contained an artillery company, an anti-tank company, and three battalions of infantry. I sure feel for all you guys that went outside the wire. Dont know why, but generally, their aircraft were not armed (door gunners, etc.). No combat assignments for another year of service in Vietnam or get out in about a month. I always felt that Infantry units were in more danger because of ambush issues and no permanent defensive structures. When they first arrived in Europe the squads had often been together since their basic infantry training, but casualties and replacements inevitably changed their composition. Troops were moved to the front to prepare for another offensive in the autumn of 1944, and then redeployed in response to the surprise German counteroffensive. The shortfall, on the other hand, is over 7.9 and 3.3 life-years for male and female in U. S. population, respectively. I was shot down on my very first mission in July 1968. Required fields are marked *. It was on the Job Training ! The infantrymen would have just enough time to wet down, lather up using GI soap, and rinse off. For his actions, he was awarded the Congressional Medal if Honor. As I remember it the life expectancy was based on after the ambush was sprung or the fire fight started. Required fields are marked *. Additionally, you will learn to handle a large volume of weapons, military vehicles, as well as Prisoners of War (POWs). When US troops encountered German units with multiple automatic weapons, the US Army changed its approach, and authorized two BARs per squad, though in practice this was difficult to achieve due to the weight of additional ammunition which had to be carried by other squad members, and which led to some non-coms favoring the Thompson to counter the German automatic fire. He was wounded and suffered permanent disability shortly before his tour was up. S-91: Survey of Combat Troops in England S-100: Attitudes of Combat Infantrymen S-101: Attitudes of Combat Infantry Officers S-106: Post-War Army Plans (Officers and EM) What the Soldier Thinks, no. You were a Great RTO. There is also training provided on advanced land navigation (day and night) as well as opportunities for leadership positions that are extremely beneficial both in the Army, and with future civilian opportunities. All the members of the squad carried additional weapons, including a sidearm and bayonet, and when deployed in the field carried both smoke and shrapnel grenades. Food: Allowance for the on-base dining hall and access to tax-free department and grocery stores. Also, it would mean the killed RTOs died within seconds of the fight (it doesnt distinguish between ambush or regular fight, eg. Hats off to them. We had one RTO killed because he was too close to a 2ND Lt, same thing happened to another RTO. While remaining at the camp, soldiers were told that they would be allowed to leave the facility and visit Boston, or Providence and other locations. Also, Infantry like the culture of the military job as well as management opportunities. He said fighting was especially deadly in the war-torn city of Bakhmut, dubbed "the meat. During the Second World War in all theaters, it was the infantry which bore the brunt of combat, be it ground units of the US Army or the Marines. Got hit inside 15 minutes, first ambush we walked up too. Fifteen percent of all American beer production was set aside for the American military, and it was brought near to the front for resting troops to consume. At this time- senior Army leadership ordered us all to read the Geneva Convention to our troops because of the My Lai debachle. The average infantryman in Vietnam saw about 240 days of combat in one year thanks to the mobility of the helicopter. It is still an impressive statistic but utterly meaningless. Wow I was 31.8 Gun shot Carried model 1200 Winchester shot gun WIA May 68 Article was great. Because the BAR had such a high rate of fire both the BAR man and another member of the squad carried extra ammunition for the weapon. The extra socks they needed to carry to protect their feet was one example. July 68 to July 69. The Bronze Star was awarded to ALL that were awarded the CIB in WWII because the Infantry accounted for over 70% of the casualties in WWLL BUT NOT 70% )F ALL THE INFANTRY !!! Depending on the season in which they arrived, the camps could be pleasant or miserable; for example, Mediterranean fall sunshine or the bitter Mistral winds of winter. The job training for 11B requires 14 weeks of One Station Unit Training (OSUT) which is a combination of time spent in the classroom and in the field. Thats my experience. 11 c mos , meaning I was also cross trained for mortars . They were a great bunch. As usual, the average infantryman had little knowledge of the overall situation and why such transfers were necessary. That was the reason for two dog tags. 67-67 11B 4th Id. Different jobs have different life expectancy. Most infantrymen did not carry additional ammunition for the .45, which was considered a defensive weapon of last resort, and those that did typically carried only one or two preloaded magazines. Both served in A 2/18 1st Infantry Division. Joe Medicine Crow escaped the law of . means: 1 gets killed the 1st second, another one after 9 seconds avg. I am 81 now and survived the encounter by terminated the sniper. They were great patriots fighting for their families and their homeland. He also carried an equipment bag, ammunition bandolier, backpack, entrenching tool, grenades, rations, canteen, spare socks, a blanket, a half shelter (to sleep under), and whatever personal items he wished. Both my tours were in the Delta (IV Corps) where the only ground troops were regular ARVNs and RUFF/PUFFS. Me, a vehicle mechanic with Btry E, 41st Arty Quads 1970. I had scary thoughts about myself humping the bush as a RTO, I was a real puny guy back then. Army Infantrymen (MOS 11B) are the main land combat force, known as Eleven Bravo. These personnel are responsible for defending the country through real-life combat. EACH OF US CARRIES OUR OWN MEMORIES AND THEY RUN THE GAMUT. Regardless, several civilian jobs are comparable such as: Soldiers should consider enrolling in the Army PaYS program following retirement. He was not the type to hump a radio. The infantryman ate, slept, marched, fought, and died with his squad. Quickly learned to control rate of fire. Some unfortunately also came home with physical scars. We all have opinions, this is mine. The minimum education needed to become a U.S. Army Infantryman (11B) is a high school diploma or GED. My 31-months in-country was in three Direct Support US Army aviation units, 15TC BN, First Cav, 335TH, Americal and 17TH Cav 101ST ABD65-71In the last battle I was directly involved, LAM SON 719, into Laos, cost army aviation units over 600-helicopters shot down or battle damagedthe NVA were waiting for our SECRET mission in early 71I was glad to go home at battles end, in March 71 , almost unscathed, I was TDY for my absurd third tourTo the point, many ARVN Rangers, airborne and their other best died in Lam Son 719US Army Infantry were forbidden entry to Laos in 71.. the ARVN were massacredand many US Army pilots and crew mambers were KIA & WIAeven MIA. But I made it back in one piece. SS America, renamed USS West Point, could carry nearly eight thousand troops and its speed meant it could sail without escorts, capable of outrunning German U-boats. Some were in action later the same day. Just published my book The Last Goodbye by John Fratangelo, available on line on Barnes and Noble and Amazon Prime Books, Getting great reviews. The men couldnt eat them anyway, so they made excellent trade items with the candy-starved French. I will always think/say, we had absolutely no reason for being in that place. Infantry OSUT is 22 weeks. There are a number of standards and qualifications you need to meet to become MOS 11B, especially since the Army expanded its OSUT training in 2019. The Life Expectancy of Roman Soldiers. Gotta say I think you hit it on the nose. It was just north of Saigon. I was never hit by enemy fire even though they had multiple opportunities after that I was an rto for the company commander and I have to say both jobs were not fun. located on the South End of, the Post. We went out typically in two boat patrols one lead one cover . The theory is the longer you serve in the U.S. Army the more you will make. Boot camp for an Army Infantryman consists of two sections: Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training. Much smaller income differentials in life expectancy, 0.2 to 3.6 life-years smaller for Veterans in 2010-17 are estimated. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Elie Piha served as a paratrooper in the US Army from 2008 to 2012. We then took all Trucks and equipment to the Port Of Saigon. It was also shipped to both the UK and the Soviets as part of a lend-lease. I was sitting on the ground one day trying to dry out my gear and better configure my ruck when my squad leader came walking over to me and said, Gow, youve got the radio. As he turned and walked away! I told by RTO that i could carry my own radio, When he agreed he was humping ammo. To cut the Ho Chi Minh Traila week after the mission endedthe trail was booming with business from the north.. In your rucksack . Sure but so was everyone else who went 12 months without getting killed or wounded. What were the life expectancies of soldiers during the Vietnam War. Both served in A 2/18 1st Infantry Division For some reason, the written word of this article was somehow deleted and lost. Thanks. I was an M-60 machine gunner for a battalion recon platoon in 1967, for the First Infantry Division, Known as The Black Scarf Battalion. For example, life expectancy of male and female Veterans with household incomes less than $20,000, at age 25, are estimated to be 3.9 and 2.2 less life-years than those of $50,000+ income, respectively. It had a crew of 4 (forward gunner, the coxswain (steering and driving) and the two aft gunners. My second tour was as the S3 for LTC Anthony Herbertone of Americas greatest leaders and WARRIORS OF ALL TIME. It was capable of processing an entire division for embarkation in a single day, but it seldom did due to the nature of shipping schedules from the Port of Boston. Had multiple Ks and Ws. I was a 2LT on Hamburger Hill and had 4 RTOs over a 7 day period (excluding the times I ended up carrying my own radio). For all the men given a brief respite from the fighting, the possibility of the period being abruptly cut short was ever-present, as activities at the front demanded their immediate return to the battle line. approaching a village and a firefight starts). Your Dad and I had the same job. How they got there depended on the condition of the roads and railroads between their consolidation point and where they were needed. I DISAGREETHE ENEMY WOULD SHOOT THE GUY NEXT TO THE RTO-KNOWING HE WAS THE COMMANDER. Every mission, I had the same thought. Officers and sergeants frequently carried the M1 carbine, which used the same ammunition as the M1 rifle but was lighter and easier to handle in the field. Pararescue U.S. Air Force pararescuemen and a simulated 'survivor' watch as an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter comes in for a landing. Learned a lot from him. It was an HONOR and a privilege to serve with these brave men for my 11 month tour. For the infantryman, the war was limited to how it affected his squad, and the need to protect and defend it. National Archives. In combat they treated the wounded in the field, wearing helmets which were clearly marked with a Red Cross. I was an Artillery Forward Observer 13F20 E-5 at that time. happened. I packed my own radio and got a Thank you from his Mom. As far as I knew that was done in the whole battalion in 1968 . Prayers for all. The young Americans soon learned the essential words in French to address their immediate concerns, such as mademoiselle, vin, biere, and other useful phrases and terms. Just to show that its hard to get an accurate number, note my typo of 56,220. Each rifle squad had one man assigned to carry a Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) while the rest of them carried rifles, usually the Garand M1 rifle. Many of the skills you learn while in the U.S. Army are universal to just about every type of job. Joe Medicine Crow, the last war chief of the Crow Tribe of Montana is profiled in The War, a film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. I served in A Company 3/22 of the 3rd Brigade 4th Infantry 12/66, then Hq Co 2/12 of the 3rd Brigade 25th Inf until the night of the TET offensive end of January 1968 and returned home July 18 1968. RIP KOOKIE forever young, Thank god you are still alive, I am age 77. Land navigation is also a point of emphasis for U.S. Army Infantrymen. Thanks for posting! The US Army Combat Lifesaver Course is an official medical training course conducted by the US Army. Cluster F, SNAFU and FUBAR fer sur. The Luftwaffe was still a potent threat during the summer of 1944 as the Allies pushed across France. BS but ia a way you are correct. There were also wounded. So was the need to stay nourished, and despite the idea of eating unappetizing rations cold, due to the necessity of avoiding using cooking fires, it was better than nothing. Infantrymen are universal and fearless soldiers who must be ready for any operation, which means that they can be sent to a hot spot at any time. Anyway I was wondering about the RTOs in a grunt platoon, was that their MOS or were they 11B that carried a PRC ? At times in Italy and later in France, infantrymen learned to sleep as they marched, stumbling forward as if they were sleepwalking, which in a way they were. Those who were killed in combat were identified by their dog tags, and buried by special details for the most part, although it was not uncommon for infantrymen to bury the dead of their units while on patrol, marking the location with a dog tag. I felt the same way jumping off the chopper with my m-60, 300. rounds of ammo,grenades,sandbags and six canteens of water. A sled laden with ammunition is dragged by US infantrymen towards the fighting during the Battle of the Bulge in 1944. US Army. Love this analysis. 82nd 2/505th. After consolidating the division and its equipment infantrymen were moved to the front, which by December 1944 was nearing the Siegfried Line, defensive fortifications protecting Germany from invasion from the west. Rest and recovery could be at the level of any of the units of command, or as little as the squad level. Comments were more interesting than the article it self. Our Aussie Dust off choppers had door gunners, we worked on the theory if the Noggies would shot at Red Cross choppers, we would return fire, Aussie grunt, 60000 00 Aussies fought in Vietnam, Up the Old Red Rooster and more beer. I was stationed on 2 FSBs (8 & 175mm guns) west of Tay Ninh on the Cambodian boarder in the Ho Chi Minh trail and was wounded but nothing as bad as he was. Shaving could be accomplished in the field during lulls in the fighting, often with water heated inside a helmet, using a camp stove or the heat canister from a rations pack as the heating source. The rule of thumb was , any new guys would get the radio and keep it until another new guy came in. You can follow the pay table below to figure out what you can expect to make based on U.S. Army rank for Infantryman MOS 11B: The U.S. Army has several benefits included with a monthly salary: It is also worth noting that you could earn up to $41,000 in cash bonuses for enlisting under certain Military Occupational Specialties. Training to become MOS 11B is open to both men and women. In the case of a night attack, the men could not exit the bags quickly, and most infantrymen quit sleeping in them, preferring to stay on top of the bag and cover themselves with their overcoat or blanket. OSUT training takes place at Fort Benning in Georgia. We were very, lucky. my left and saw this rice paddie farmer and his ox and I was trying to motion him to get down he just looks at me and starts The infantrymans first encounter with the French or Italians usually took place near these camps. He also carried a weapon. by John A. Haymond 2/7/2023. You will become a member of a fire team which could result in deployment to one or more dangerous settings involving direct combat. But, once the enemy lays down his weapon, I want YOU TO REMEMBER THREE THINGS: 1, HE IS A SOLDIER, JUST LIKE YOU.2, HE IS AWAY FROM HOME And family, just like you. Units would send a thorough report of their KIA and WIA, battle action coordinates, estimated enemy troop strength, enemy unit KIA/captured and any known direction heading. LUCK pure LUCK. Great reading. For an infantryman, the Expert Infantry Badge is the gold-medal standard. The shower usually occurred at the same time as an opportunity to obtain fresh clothing, and the soldier would run from the shower to the clothing distribution center to receive an issue of clean clothes. I think what is missing is the fact that the life expectancy of those firing at us was much shorter than those that they were firing at. Some reported not having the ability to shower for as long as several weeks. I had a 20% death rate in my Hospital Corpsman Class. Survival led them to shed those items which were not essential to their remaining alive. Infantrymen must protect the country against any threat by land. Id love to see the casualties listed by Corps ? A system for the treatment and evacuation of wounded was developed in the Mediterranean theater before the Americans landed in France, and by the end of 1944, it worked smoothly and efficiently, applying the knowledge gained by experience. We were like sitting Ducks. It means, IF (!) Related Article Marine Corps Scout Sniper (MOS 0317): Career Details. US Army. I applaud the courage and difficult and all so dangerous job of Roger Herforth when he served as an RTO for the Hawk Recon Platoon of the 101st airborne division in Vietnam.. It was rugged, reliable, and in the hands of a marksman deadly. The cars were antiquated, dating back to before World War I, and were unheated. Bravo, 3/187th Inf, 101st Airborne Div, 2nd Plt, 2nd Sq, Hamburger Hill, May 69. Infantry soldiers are trained at Fort Benning, Georgia. Carried the prc25 for about 7 months. then youd carry an extra 200 rounds of M60 ammo for the machine gunner , plus drag grenades , one smoke grenade plus etc. Very memorable comments. did the 85 to 65 law passed in oklahoma, jehue middle school shooting,

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