approaching a village and a firefight starts). These included cold beer, which was provided by American brewers, mandated by war regulations. I lost my cherry very early. Joe Medicine Crow escaped the law of . During combat, soldiers need to request, observe, and adjust direct supporting fire. What was the average life expectancy for soldiers during - Answers Joining the U.S. Army has an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Indeed.com, which is about as good as you will find on the career website. We used to provide cover for these guys. At age 55, World War 2 Veterans were estimated to live 21.4 and 26.1 life-years, 1.4 and 0.3 more life-years for Korean Conflict Veterans, and 3 and 1.5 more life-years for Vietnam Era Veterans for male and female, respectively. Even during the period of rest, the possibility of a sudden attack was always present. An infantry platoon commander in combat had an average of 6 weeks life expectancy. Its just (bad) luck, fate, randomness theres no right or wrong, no justice or fairness, no reasoning. NFS. We observed the rules of the Geneva Convention while the bad guys had no interest in doing so. Different strokes for different folks in war fer sure. The key may be the word initial since we became more savvy with successive combats and had improved survivability. The Army considered its use as an embarkation point a secret, and so warned the young soldiers when they arrived. Access to the field kitchens provided the men not engaged in combat with hot meals, though complaining about the food in all situations was a time-honored tradition, as in all armies. EIB - A day in the life of an infantryman - United States Army They were marched or trucked to holding areas, where they encamped in accordance with their division procedures to await the arrival of their heavy equipment and logistics facilities. I saw killed and wounded everywhere in our combat operations. I never understood why they didnt put M60s on Medevacs (once the VC shot them down) but then, we now know they never intended to win that war in the first place. Over 600 Navy FMF Hospital Corpsmen were killed in Vietnam. The average infantryman in Vietnam saw about 240 days of combat in one year thanks to the mobility of the helicopter. Here are ten examples of what life was like for the combat infantryman of the Second World War. Instead, they were soon engulfed in the biggest battle of US Army history. The basics for every soldier, shown here, including hard tack. He decided to stay even though he had a deep feeling he wasnt going to make it. It means, IF (!) 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. I was an Artillery Forward Observer 13F20 E-5 at that 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. The rule of thumb was , any new guys would get the radio and keep it until another new guy came in. Usually, these transfers led to the men being ordered to remove the insignia identifying their division from their uniforms, to deny the information to the Germans. I carried the PRC-25 Radio most of that time. U.S. Army Infantryman overwhelming have positive things to say about the military career choice. Interesting, I carried a Prick 25, for 2 months. I was with HHC and 1st Platoon C Company in 70-71. The TOTAL number of CIB and CMB awarded would give you the answer !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I also was 2/327 B company. Because if only 1 RTO fought for say only 10 or 15 minutes before being killed, that would up the AVG for the total war! 15 May he was killed by friendly fire, and a host of us were WIA, myself included. I couldnt disagree. While the platoon was commanded by a commissioned officer, usually a Second Lieutenant, the squad was led by a non-commissioned officer, usually, a Staff Sergeant serving as squad leader, assisted by a corporal. Then we all, loaded on C-147 cargo planes. 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. is sharing facts, thats truly good, keep up writing. Squad leaders were given limited objectives, leaving them to speculate for the most part on aspects of an operation outside of those in which they and their men were participating. Thats my experience. There were two different groups that flew aeromedical evacuations. The BAR man carried a weapon which weighed over 20 pounds loaded, and he carried another 20 pounds in ammunition. An American infantryman inspects the body of a dead German in July 1944, near St. 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. Boot camp for an Army Infantryman consists of two sections: Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training. Thats why they called us GRUNTS ! By February 1944 the US Army discontinued purchasing the Thompson, after approximately 1.5 million units had been obtained by the Army and Marine Corps. There is no civilian occupations that are the direct equivalent of an Army Infantryman MOS 11B. There is no guarantee that recruits going through 11X Infantry Enlistment Option will become MOS 11B. EIB - A day in the life of an infantryman. Both served in A 2/18 1st Infantry Division For some reason, the written word of this article was somehow deleted and lost. My bud, Price took over as RTO. I never thought of it that way before but have many times since. Great reading. As a member of a fire team, you can expect to test your skills handling day and night shooting with several Army stables including M4 rifles, M230 machine guns, and M249 automatic weapons. What were the life expectancies of soldiers during the Vietnam War? A documentary about our company and our 1st Sgt was made. The higher the score on the ASVAB, the better your odds at becoming MOS 11B. The article was interesting. They were a great bunch. Soldiers also act in the mobilization of vehicles, weaponry, troops, and more. Tony told me that either he or I would greet all incoming troops and we did- and here is the speech we gave to them. I know this is a standard cliche, but it is so true, All gave some. If it was your day to get hit or die, it happened. (Petty Officer 2nd Class. The infantrymen would have just enough time to wet down, lather up using GI soap, and rinse off. As an Infantryman, you may be listed as an MOS 11X. Motorized elements of the division and the supporting logistics facilities traveled by road. 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. When elements of the 276th Infantry Division were moved from their consolidation camp to the front it took a journey of four days, in freezing conditions, with many unplanned stops due to conditions on the railroad and at the front. Remember he wanted to reenlist for one more year in Vietnam. Some wounded received convalescent leave far behind the lines. Total fantasy. RT @starsandstripes: New York Army National Guard soldiers from the Syracuse-based 27th Infantry Brigade Combat team are on their way home after overseeing the training of 9,600 Ukrainian troops. As I made it back to the road I remember seeing the They did not carry weapons. 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. Interesting reading. Was a door gunner and crew chief for just shy of 18 months (I extended to get out early). means: 1 gets killed the 1st second, another one after 9 seconds avg. AS LEADERS IN AMERICAS SERVICES WE MUST BE PROFICIENT AND READY TO ACCOMPLISH OUR MISSIONS- I was one of the many others I rode river boats in the Mekong Jan 68 to 69. Spent my year in a Recon platoon 2/35th 4th ID. Food: Allowance for the on-base dining hall and access to tax-free department and grocery stores. The infantrymen of World War 2 slogged across Europe from the spring of 1944 through the early spring of 1945. At age 55, World War 2 Veterans 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. I was wounded 3 times during the 10 1/2 months I was in-country before being medevacd out in Apr of 68. ARMY COMBAT ENGINEERS | What Life in the Army is really like. The need for special training for BAR operators, including the proper method of cleaning it, also contributed to its being carried by only one squad member. Thank You General Vessey for the almost 53 years I have lived since that day. Bad apples were dealt with first at the squad level, and if that didnt correct the perceived deficiency the problem was presented to more senior personnel by the squad sergeant. During the winter sleeping bags were issued. The American lines in the Ardennes were thin when the Germans attacked there in 1944 in part because the troops stationed there were there to rest. HOOAH!!! The special military bonus is reserved for particular in-demand, or highly-dangerous positions. Army Giving Robotic Combat Vehicles More Firepower Helicopters, F4 fighters. Replacement infantrymen were often treated as an outsider, and no doubt already somewhat fearful of what they were getting into, they bore an additional burden of being considered to be little more than a casualty waiting to happen. Men in the field soon learned to carry as many extras as they could, frequently stuffing them under their shirts and in empty pockets. Others were encampments such as Camp Myles Standish, outside of Boston, Massachusetts. Thus they were deployed without artillery of their own. He said fighting was especially deadly in the war-torn city of Bakhmut, dubbed "the meat. During times of combat, it is not uncommon to mobilize troops, vehicles, and weaponry. Like all military branches, the Army pays soldiers according to rank and time in service. 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. 1ST MAW 66-68. Most of us have memories of these kind of experiences. The basic unit for any infantryman in the United States Army was his squad. We were all in our Bunkers, and at the ready with our weapons. The infantryman of World War II had a much better chance of surviving some wounds which would have been fatal during previous wars. When men were transferred out of their unit to join another division they were placed under the command of a different squad leader. I carried the PRC-25 for most of a year. Got hit inside 15 minutes, first ambush we walked up too. Some embarkation ports were near major military installations, such as Norfolk, Virginia. Treatment of wounds using sulfa drugs and powder and the growing use of penicillin to prevent and treat infections were on his side. 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. I got shot on a mission with 45 days left. ASVAB Scores For Air Force Jobs: All 130+ For 2022, How To Choose The Right Military Branch For You, Marine Machine Gunner (MOS 0331): Job Description And Summary, strength requirement and physical profile, Correctable vision must be 20/20 in one eye, Air Force Combat Controller (CCT) (1C2X1): Career Details, Marine Corps Infantry Assault (MOS 0351): Career Details, Army Combat Engineer (MOS 12B): Career Details, Marine Corps Tow Gunner (MOS 0352): Career Details, Marine Corps Scout Sniper (MOS 0317): Career Details, https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/combat/infantryman-11b.html, https://www.indeed.com/cmp/U.S.-Army/reviews?fjobtitle=Infantryman, Gas Turbine Systems Technician (GSM and GSE): Career Details, Good Conduct Medal & Ribbon Explained For All 5 Branches, Sea Service Ribbon: All 5 Military Branches Explained, Overseas Service Ribbon Explained For All 6 Military Branches. Learned a lot from him. Point was the safest place to be,they knew to wait for key elements, RTO, Medica, M60 Gunners. 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. located on the South End of, the Post. The one number that is really important is 56,220 and we all know what that number represents. Well he didnt make it. LUCK pure LUCK. Prayers for all. Although a partially discharged clip could be ejected from the rifle it was common practice not to do so. I flew Dustoff and our unit did not have M60s for protection, nor did any other Dustoff unit that Im aware of. Regardless, several civilian jobs are comparable such as: Soldiers should consider enrolling in the Army PaYS program following retirement. 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. 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. 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. I sure feel for all you guys that went outside the wire. Related Article Marine Corps Scout Sniper (MOS 0317): Career Details. Very Good , I was a radio operator up in I corps in 68 & to me the worst thing was the walking . In some instances, American troops received a type of chocolate which had been made for use in the tropical climate of the South Pacific, and which due to a typical Army error in administration ended up in Europe. The 276th was not going into combat as a division, but as a task force, meaning that it was used to plug gaps in the line in response to fluid conditions during the German attack in Belgium. American troops disembarked in ports in England and Scotland, Iceland, and North Africa, and as the war went on, directly on the continent in Marseille and Toulon in the Mediterranean, and Cherbourg and other Channel ports. 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. We had 5 kias and roughly 50 wounded in our company so about one in three got hit. News about the war was disseminated in newspapers such as Stars and Stripes, but few found their way to the front, and when they did they were often several weeks old. Hats off to them. We were very, lucky. It was an honor indeed to serve with some of the finest soldiers I have ever met. 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. Many of the skills you learn while in the U.S. Army are universal to just about every type of job. The cars were antiquated, dating back to before World War I, and were unheated. Life of the Civil War Soldier in the Army - American Battlefield Trust In some conditions, infantrymen would change their socks at any opportunity. The Browning Automatic Rifle, of which each infantry rifle squad had one (and which was incidentally a favored weapon of Clyde Barrow of Bonnie and Clyde fame) was also a .30 caliber weapon. Comments were more interesting than the article it self. Boot camp for an Army Infantryman consists of two sections: Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training. They didnt know it, but they were about 60 miles from the Rhine River, which lay to the North, and less than one hundred miles east of Stuttgart, Germany. 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. U.S. Army Infantrymen MOS 11B have many duties and responsibilities. I assisted Vessey and Capt Cartwright by helping prepare the Bee Hive Rounds (first time they were ever used), firing 4 rounds at proximity 0 range into a human wave attack on or weak side after 5 hours of relentless attacks on the opposite side of the perimeter Those 4 rounds killed @ 400 enemy soldiers, of the 881 total enemy losss John Vessey later became a 4 Star general and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs appointed by Reagan 1983, and at retirement became Chair of the POW MIA Commission for 14 years, Passing away in August 2016 just 6 months before our 50th Reunion. Altogether his burden was over eighty pounds. Army Infantryman (MOS 11B): 2022 Career Profile - Operation Military Kids The names of the towns and villages were meaningless to the men, most of whom had no knowledge of French geography nor what their destination was. It was on the Job Training ! Our 5th night there, the AMMO area started burning / blowing up. Photography by James Salzano. Life in the Infantry | The War | Ken Burns | PBS 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. It was up to the squad leaders to keep them fighting in brutal weather, without asking why. The squad became the infantrymans family, social system, and workgroup. Soldier Life Expectancy in Ukraine 'Meat Grinder' Is 4 Hours: Marine Of the American combat troops which served on the continent of Europe during the Second World War about 15% were frontline infantry. Roger Loves you too, Im sure. My dog and I walked point my whole tour in Vietnam. Other severely wounded men and those recovering from surgery were sent, if necessary, to hospitals operated by the Army, the International Red Cross, or the medical services of the nation in which they were located. Great story!!! Les Scates U.S. Army (Ret.) 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. My good friend who was a RTO was killed. A Day in the Life of an Infantry-Man in World War II

1 Million Pesetas In Pounds Only Fools And Horses, Department Of Transportation Org Chart, Chuck And Tami Lucius Net Worth, Articles L