Hey guys. I am planning on joining the National Guard. There is a Cavalry Company(4 platoons) about 3 hours from my location and 2 battalions of light infantry that are spread out from my hometown to about 1 1/2 away I'd say. Can anyone compare these two types of units and give me their choice of which to branch(Armor/Infantry).
You would have to find someone thats done both jobs to really get a good answer to this question.
I've only ever been light Infantry. A long time ago but in my view it's the better of the two choices because:
1. Infantry uniform adornments are authorized by the Department of the Army and can be worn in public and off post without anyone chuckling.
2. When you use the word "Infantry" in a conversation, it's usually instantly recognized versus the "What does Cav do....I thought they got rid of horses?" response.
3. While entry to advanced schools can be had from either 19D or 11B MOS, my take on the MOS differences is you will have an easier time moving into specialty areas as a 11B.
I'll tell you up front that I am biased and of course the above points were from my service in the 1980's, so it's a ways back.
I don't think there is anything wrong with Scouts I served with Infantry Scouts in my National Guard unit (used to be a Section of Scouts to each Light Infantry Company in the NG). Other then their uppty attitudes sometimes (yes, even back then..lol).....generally they were cool, professional, knew their job and OK to work with. We had Cavalry Scouts at 2nd AD as well but again they were off in their own unit but attached at the Infantry BN level. Same deal there.
Infantry - Cavalry Scout pretty similar in Esprit De Corps, bonding, etc. So difficult call in other areas.
From way back here in the Field Arty, Infantry and Cav both look like a bunch of loonies running around in the mud screaming things like 'Airborne'... But from my understanding, you could end up in a Cav unit as an Infantryman, and in an Infantry unit as a Cav scout...so I'm not sure it would make a big difference in the long run...except for the uniform stuff of course.
Artillery brings dignity to what would otherwise be just a brawl
I have done both. There is a certain level of overlap in the skills you can acquire in either MOS. However the two jobs are fundamentally different.
I spent most of my career as a light Infantryman. But I am currently in a Cav scout team leader position.
As a light Infantryman you will walk everywhere you go. You will carry everything you need on your back. Life in the field will be hard and taxing. However all you will have to care for is yourself, your personal equipment, and your buddies. You will learn the art of the ambush, fire and maneuver, and small unit tactics. Your mantra will be "Attack attack attack".
As a cav scout you will drive wherever you go when possible, and walk when necessary. You will have the option of carrying much more into the field since you will have vehicles at your disposal. You may spend long hours in the motorpool servicing said vehicles, but life in the field will be more tolerable (that par is arguable). You will learn the principles of reconnaissance, camouflage, and screening. Your mantra will be "Hide with pride".
These are very simple descriptions but I hope it helps.
My Cousin was MLRS in 1985-86. Man that system is old. And if memory serves me correctly, MLRS is way back out of unassisted eyesight view.
yes ErichG2, MLRS is fairly old, however there have been so many upgrades to the system that it is once again bright and shiny! In fact it's so upgraded that the nomenclature has aquired an A1 Also there is the new HIMARS version, just came out in '05, it's a wheeled version that only carries half the payload but also half the weight. M270A1 MLRS
I Googled HIMARS, and saw the pictures. Thats probably better and more Mobile. Personally, I'd rather be on a truck then a tracked vehicle because it eliminates a lot of maintence headaches.
yes, plus the HIMARS is on an FMTV platform, so most of the parts for the chassis are inter-changeable, which makes ordering and installing parts, not to meention finding the NSN, a lot easier. HIMARS is also C-130 transportable, which means it can be used to support special forces, airborne and light missions. The HIMARS battalion at Bragg pretty much exists for that.
