It’s easy to watch movies about the army or play first-person shooter games and think you have some grasp of what soldiers go through. But the reality of being an infantryman in the US Army is far more complex and challenging than any simulation. What is day in the life army infantryman really like? This isn’t just about physical fitness and tactical skills, it goes much deeper.
It’s about mental fortitude, emotional resilience, and the unwavering commitment to your fellow soldiers. I’m going to pull back the curtain and provide an inside perspective on the daily life of an Army infantryman.
Table of Contents:
What Does An Army Infantryman Do?
Basic Requirements to Become an Infantry Soldier
To embark on a career as an Infantry Soldier, there are several fundamental criteria you need to meet. Here’s a straightforward guide to those essential requirements:
- Citizenship Status: You must be a U.S. Citizen or hold a valid Green Card as a permanent resident.
- Age Range: Prospective candidates should be between 17 and 34 years old.
- Educational Qualifications: A high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) certificate is necessary.
- Tattoo Regulations: It’s important to comply with specific tattoo guidelines, which detail permissible locations and types.
- Legal Eligibility: A clean legal record is crucial, meaning no significant legal violations should be on your record.
- Medical Fitness: You must not have any lingering medical issues that could prevent you from carrying out your duties.
By adhering to these foundational requirements, you set the stage for a successful application to become an Infantry Soldier.
Is Basic Training Required to Become a Soldier?
Yes, attending Basic Training is a crucial step in the journey to becoming a Soldier. This initial training phase is mandatory for all enlistees. It equips future Soldiers with the essential skills, knowledge, and discipline necessary for their roles.
Different Paths for Enlistees and Officers
- Enlisted Soldiers: They must complete Basic Combat Training, which focuses on fundamental military skills.
- Officers: Prospective Officers undertake the Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC), which prepares them with leadership skills and responsibilities.
Continuous Training
After completing these initial phases, all Soldiers, whether active-duty or Officers, engage in ongoing training. This ensures they maintain their expertise and are prepared for any situation that arises.
In summary, attending and completing Basic Training is a non-negotiable requirement for anyone aspiring to become a Soldier, setting the foundation for a successful military career.
Testing and Certifications for Infantry Soldiers
Infantry soldiers have the opportunity to earn several certifications and undergo rigorous training to enhance their skills and qualifications. Here’s a breakdown of what is available:
- Nationally Recognized Certifications: Infantry soldiers can obtain up to 10 different certifications that are acknowledged by various industries nationwide. These certifications can provide valuable credentials for future civilian careers.
- Comprehensive Training Program: The training includes 22 weeks of One Station Unit Training (OSUT), combining both Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training. This integrated program ensures soldiers are well-prepared for their roles.
- ASVAB Testing: A minimum Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) score is required, particularly focusing on the Combat (CO) category, which assesses the ability to perform essential military tasks and responsibilities effectively.
For those planning a career as an infantry soldier, these certifications and training programs are critical, providing both military leaders and civilians with the assurance of a soldier’s readiness and capability.
Discover Career Paths in the Army’s Ground Forces
Are you exploring opportunities within the Army’s Ground Forces? Here’s a glimpse into some of the dynamic roles available:
1. Infantry Officer
As an Infantry Officer, you’ll have the crucial responsibility of leading soldiers across various levels of command. Your role involves evaluating situations and orchestrating strategic attack, defense, and other vital operations on the battlefield.
2. Infantryman
This position offers hands-on training with small arms and advanced weapons systems, such as anti-tank weaponry. Infantrymen are key players in capturing, destroying, and repelling enemy ground forces, ensuring mission success.
3. Indirect Fire Infantryman
Serving as a part of a mortar squad, section, or platoon, an Indirect Fire Infantryman operates within one of the most powerful and long-range weapon systems in the infantry arsenal. Your skills will be pivotal in delivering support during missions.
4. Field Artillery Recruit
In this role, you’ll be trained to manage artillery weapons, utilizing cannon, rocket, or missile fire to effectively neutralize or suppress enemy threats. Mastery in these systems is essential to supporting ground forces.
Embrace a career where strategy, leadership, and specialized training define your daily operations. Whether you’re interested in direct combat or support roles, the Ground Forces offer a variety of positions to suit your strengths and aspirations.
What Benefits Will You Receive as a Soldier in the Army?
Joining the Army comes with a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to support both your personal well-being and professional development. Here’s what you can expect:
- Competitive Pay and Bonuses: Whether you’re serving as an enlisted Soldier or an Officer, you will receive a salary that matches your role and responsibilities. Plus, there are numerous opportunities to earn additional bonuses throughout your career.
- Affordable Healthcare: Enjoy access to medical care at little to no cost, ensuring you and your family are covered. This includes dental, vision, and general health services, allowing you to focus on your duties without worrying about medical expenses.
- Educational Support: The Army offers substantial educational benefits, including financial aid for tuition and fees, scholarship opportunities, and access to programs that help repay student loans. This means you can further your education without the burden of hefty loans.
- Training and Certifications: Take advantage of the extensive training facilities and programs available to enhance your skills. You’ll have the chance to earn industry-recognized certifications, broadening your career horizons even after your military service.
- Housing and Living Allowances: You will receive support for your living arrangements, including housing allowances that cover most or all of your housing costs, whether you live on-base or off-base.
- Comprehensive Living Expenses Support: Additional allowances are provided to help with everyday expenses, making it easier to manage your finances and focus on your role.
Through these benefits, the Army ensures you have a strong foundation to pursue both your personal goals and professional ambitions.
Comparing Army Pay to Civilian Salaries
When weighing the Army’s compensation against similar civilian jobs, it’s important to look beyond just the initial salary figures. While some civilian jobs might offer higher starting salaries, the Army provides a comprehensive compensation package that can add significant value.
1. Base Salary vs. Benefits
- Competitive Salary: The starting salary for a soldier is above the federal minimum wage. While some civilian roles may have higher base pay, they might not include the extensive benefits that the Army offers.
- Comprehensive Benefits: For part-time soldiers, health care is affordable, and for full-time soldiers, it’s completely free. In contrast, civilian health insurance can be costly and is often deducted from the paycheck.
2. Additional Financial Perks
- Bonuses and Allowances: Soldiers might receive various bonuses and allowances that cover housing, food, and clothing. These components are tailored to reduce living expenses, further stretching the value of the Army’s compensation package.
- Education Benefits: The Army offers substantial education benefits. This includes the possibility to earn a college degree with minimal debt, something that civilian paths might not match in terms of financial support.
3. Overall Value
When evaluating overall value, it’s crucial to account for these additional financial perks and benefits. With these added into the equation, the Army provides a competitive and appealing package that can rival, and sometimes exceed, what is available in civilian careers.
What Should You Do If You Don’t Meet the Army’s Eligibility Requirements?
If you find that you don’t meet the eligibility criteria to join the Army, don’t lose hope. There are steps you can take to address the situation:
- Consider a Waiver: The Army provides a process to apply for a waiver. This option allows you to present your case and demonstrate how you’ve resolved any disqualifying issues. It’s all about showing growth and readiness.
- Submit Your Waiver: Begin by preparing all necessary documentation and explanation for your waiver application. This is your opportunity to explain why you believe an exception should be made in your case.
- Undergo a Review: Once submitted, your request will undergo a thorough review. The decision process evaluates whether you’re fit to serve despite previous disqualifications.
- Explore Civilian Opportunities: In the event your waiver is denied, consider other avenues. The Army offers numerous civilian roles that allow you to contribute meaningfully without enlisting. These positions can provide valuable experience and still align with the military’s mission.
Taking these steps can open up opportunities, whether within the Army itself or through alternative paths. Stay determined and proactive as you navigate these options.
A Glimpse into a Day in the Life of an Army Infantryman
Remember that every day is different for an infantryman. This is a glimpse into a day during basic training or on deployment, and your mileage may vary.
Physical Training and Drills
The day usually begins before the sun rises. You’re woken up well before dawn, often around 4:00 or 5:00 am, for physical training. This is non-negotiable.
It usually involves rigorous exercise routines designed to push your physical limits, build strength and endurance, and prepare you for the demands of combat. Think running, pushups, pull-ups, and obstacle courses.
After physical training you’ll be given time for hygiene, eating, and personal maintenance. After breakfast comes drills and training exercises. This is where you practice everything from basic combat skills to more specialized training like weapons handling, squad tactics, and battlefield medicine.
Do You Need to Meet Physical Fitness Requirements to Join the Army?
If you’re considering enlisting as a soldier, you might be wondering about physical fitness prerequisites. For those entering directly as enlisted soldiers, there’s no need to pass a fitness test before joining.
However, if you’re entering through officer programs like ROTC or other commissioning paths, specific fitness standards apply. It’s best to consult with your recruiter for the exact details of these requirements.
Regardless of your entry path, once you’re in, you’ll need to pass the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). This rigorous assessment ensures that all service members maintain a level of fitness necessary for their roles. You’ll not only take this test after you’ve joined, but you’ll also need to retake it annually to meet your service obligations.
Weapons Handling and Maintenance
An infantryman is nothing without their weapon. Throughout their training, soldiers receive extensive training in weapons handling, maintenance, and safety.
This involves firing range sessions, where soldiers refine their marksmanship skills with various firearms, including rifles, machine guns, and grenade launchers. Beyond marksmanship, infantrymen learn to assemble, disassemble, clean, and troubleshoot their weapons, ensuring their readiness for any situation.
They understand the importance of proper weapon maintenance to guarantee their effectiveness and reliability when it matters most. Basic training focuses heavily on this and so will a great deal of your day as your proficiency here is vital.
Field Exercises and Simulations
A day in the life of an army infantryman frequently includes field exercises and tactical simulations that test the soldier’s ability to apply classroom knowledge to practical, often high-pressure, scenarios. These simulations mimic real-world combat environments.
It forces infantrymen to work together as a cohesive unit to overcome obstacles, engage with simulated enemies, and complete mission objectives effectively. This not only reinforces essential combat skills but also fosters teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking.
Downtime and Camaraderie
An often overlooked aspect of army life, particularly for infantrymen who spend much of their time in intense and high-stress environments, is the importance of downtime and the camaraderie it fosters.
It may seem contradictory that soldiers who sign up for potentially dangerous and challenging roles would prioritize moments of relaxation and shared laughter. However, for many soldiers in the infantry, the strong bonds formed during their downtime play an immeasurable role in helping them cope with the stresses of training, deployment, and combat.