I have one little question about Infantry. I plan on joining the reserves so that I can still pursue my education. i'm just want to know if reserve Infantry battalions are trained to the same standard as AD and do they get the same quality equipment? I would like to hear frome those who served in a reserve Infantry battalion. I'm from wisconsin so I would be serving in 2/24 Marines if I join. are any Marines from 2/24 on here?

anyone? thanks in advance.

Well, technically speaking, every infantry Marine is trained to very similar standards. Each unit may vary in their interpretation of the T&R manual or what they deem important. Realistically speaking, reservists will never have as much time to train and hone their skills as their AD counterparts. Can they get the job done? Yes. Can they get the job done as well as or as efficiently as AD 03XX Marines? No.

quote:

Originally posted by reese07:
i'm just want to know if reserve Infantry battalions are trained to the same standard as AD

This is a common misinterpretation. The purpose of the reserve component is NOT to maintain you in the "same standard" as an equivalent AD Marine. With the limited training time/facilities this is clearly not feasible during a regular drilling schedule. The purpose of the reserve is to maintain your proficiency at a sufficient state of readiness where, upon mobilization, you can immediately enter the regular predeployment training pipeline, perform the same workups, CAX's, etc, as an AD grunt unit, and upon getting into country, execute at those same standards. Quality of training depends primarily on quality of I&I staff, company level leadership, and NCO's.

As far as things like knowledge and physical fitness, that's all on you. It's not AD where your team/squad leader can if necessary be hovering around every day to instruct/crush you in that regard. Most are disciplined enough to handle that on their own time while balancing it with school/work/family, some are not and they show it.

quote:

Originally posted by reese07:and do they get the same quality equipment?

Yes.

quote:

Originally posted by reese07: I'm from wisconsin so I would be serving in 2/24 Marines if I join

2/24 just got back from Iraq a few months ago. Most likely if you join the unit within the next year or so you will be augmenting whatever is the next battalion from 24th Marines to mobilize if one does so.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Funkymustafa,

thanks for clearing that up funkymustafa. By the way what reserve unit you serve in? If I join i will be apart of 2/24 Marines(I'm from wisconsin) I'm just trying to see if anyones close to where i'm at.

1/25

I have one question for AD Grunts, I know for certain I wouldn't be able to take up any college classes during my first term as a grunt but if I decide to re-enlist would I get more down time to pursue off-duty education? Also, what are the roles of staff NCO's in infantry?

bump.

quote:

Originally posted by reese07:
I have one question for AD Grunts, I know for certain I wouldn't be able to take up any college classes during my first term as a grunt but if I decide to re-enlist would I get more down time to pursue off-duty education?

No. You still wont have the time as a Grunt.

quote:

Also, what are the roles of staff NCO's in infantry?

Can you elborate on SNCO's? We have SSgt's, GySgt's, and (1) Company 1stSgt in a Line Company.


As SSgt. (platoon sergeant, MOS 0369) in the rifle, scout sniper, weapons, heavy machinegun, LAR, or anti-armor platoons, he advises the platoon commander on all issues of discipline, morale and welfare. They supervise and coordinate the preparation of personnel, weapons and equipment for movement and combat, the establishment and operation of unit command posts, the fire and movement between tactical units, the fire of supporting arms, and the unit resupply and casualty evacuation effort.

A Gunnery Sergeant in the infantry is typically in charge of coordinating logistics for a company-sized group of Marines, (about one hundred twenty personnel) or serve as platoon sergeant for weapons platoons.

A First Sergeant have command responsibility of a Rifle or Weapons Company.

I was with E co 2/24, but that was a lifetime ago. They are still located in Des Moines though....

back in the late 80's reserve Bn's were not trained nearly as well as the AD ones, but I think from what I've heard is that Reserves units are trained pretty good.

And their work ups prior to deployment are on par with AD Bn's.

Bump. Always an excellent read for Wannabes interested in Infantry.

BUMP

In reading from the beginning to the end it appears that very little has changed in the life of the grunt. As a Pfc. my first duty station was Middle Camp Fuji in Jan. 1956. We trained every day of the week and a half day on Saturday. We stayed busy with USMC business. The liberty was fantastic. Age did not make a difference on base or off base. We worked hard, and we partied hard, but we knew what time we had to be in formation etc. etc. The next infantry assignment was with the Fourth Marines in Hawaii in 1964 as a Sgt. as a Plt. Guide, Plt. Sgt. In Vietnam as a Sgt, SSgt. Plt. Sgt, Plt. Commander.
Following that as a Company Gunny at Basic Infantry Training. Next as a Company XO and Company Commander in the 27th Marines.
Never stopped learning, looking out for the welfare of the troops.
I loved every day of it in the Infantry, Recon and as an Aerial Observer and especially the combat part. That is what all the training is for and about, that is our job. It is the epitome of being a Marine. To search for, find and close with the enemy and kill the M.F.
The more you learn the more you earn.
The experience, feeling of being a Marine has to rate right up at top. I would not trade it for anything and would do it again without a thought about some of the most miserable, wet, muddy, below zero cold freezing weather.
Learned a lot and have kept in mind that it is the troops that are the USMC. AAARUUUUGAAAA. Semper Fidelis. Blackcoat.

About off-time on AD as infantry; are you allowed to have personal things such as a computer, tv, video game console-or anything of the like?

Yes

Here is what being a Marine Grunt is all about. Battle of Fallujah.

thanks for sharing that video HollywoodMarine.
it was really good.

Bump as this is one of the best definitive threads on Infantry.