In freedom's cause I live, I die. I carry America's faith and honor against her enemies. I spanned the Caribbean in freedom’s cause, Every element of the military supports the infantry. Two masters I served and united them strong… Mechanized Infantry rides in Bradley Fighting Vehicles. Airborne infantry is light infantry, but their method of delivery to the battlefield causes them to train differently than non-airborne. Infantry officers first job is Platoon Leader, so he or she is also in training, which is understood to be an added responsibility of the Platoon Sergeant. I am the Infantry. There is a saying around Fort Bragg, that paratroops have that airborne “swagger”, because that maroon beret looks better on their heads than a black beret on a leg’s, because they have a sense that they earned it. A desire to be the best at what you do. By LTC Stephen H. White, assisted by Col Francis X. Bradley and SP4 Howard Webber. I started Grunts & Co to commemorate and celebrate the Infantry and be the site for those who want to learn and immerse themselves in an infantryman’s perspective, what it means to be in the Infantry, its history, accomplishments, tradition and culture. The infantry is my favorite. pressed my buttons into the beach at Anzio… Where Nothing Can Go Wrong… Go Wrong… by Yankee Papa, Sabot, Our Oldest Four-Legged Friend & What he Taught Me, UNIFORMS: Towards the Practical Part 3. I am the Cavalry, follow me. Normal basic is 10 weeks, but the OSUT companies don’t have to clean and turn in gear and weapons and practice for graduation, At the completion of basic, they have a simple ceremony signifying their becoming soldiers. The bond you make with the guy to the left and right of you is something most people will never know, and when you cement those bonds with the amount of bs and hardship you make something near unbreakable. One-oh-One Screaming Eagles Pick up your chute and follow me Air Assault Infantry. Follow Me! From Concord Bridge to Heartbreak Ridge, Sergeant Major, the highest enlisted rank, usually comes, for those who make it, at close to the 20 year mark. At Berlin’s gates, BCT culminates with a 96 hour field exercise, called “The Forge”, covering over 40 miles, where everything learned in BCT is practiced and graded. So, those Command Sergeants Major (enlisted advisors to commanders), who appear to young privates as walking around with no real job, have all been riflemen, team leaders, squad leaders, platoon sergeants, and first sergeants, to get where they are. Its roots begin with the first cavemen who stood together to protect their tribe and have continued throughout history. When time permits the entire platoon gets to see aerial photographs and mock-ups. At Chateau-Thierry, first over the top, then I stood like a rock on the Marne. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. keeps the peace worldwide. Lo, unbent the Bulge… You can hear it across the sea. There are three Rifle Platoons and a Mortar Section in an infantry company. and tamed the wild frontier. “ Infantry has been the decisive force on every battlefield throughout history. From shop LightfighterDesign. Enjoy! I broke out at St. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. and came of age. UPDATED 24 January 2011. extended freedom’s borders FOLLOW ME!' Where brave men fight there fight I. I can tell you what happens when paratroops are dropped in 35 mile an hour winds. Saw a Nation born. Infantry OSUT is no walk in the park. And despots, falsely garbed in freedom’s mantle, falter…hide. The weapons squad has two machine guns and two anti-tank weapons. moved an empire across the plains… You can study, but you can’t train for “reaction to an ambush”, until you get ambushed (in training). It was I who cracked the Hindenburg Line… The Infantry School at Ft. Benning added music and imagery in an audio visual production played during special ceremonies and events. then I stood like a rock on the Marne. You have to have endurance, and you never quit. ( Log Out /  I trod the streets of Santo Domingo There is a saying that when the President calls 911 the phone is answered at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. 5 out of 5 stars (134) 134 reviews $ 6.00. Refrain. PT until 7:00 to 7:30. Infantry OSUT has been expanded from 14 to 22 weeks. I am the Infantry! More exciting, more challenging, more rewarding, and more pride. It was created in 1959 by two soldiers, Private First Class Manfred Bass, sculptor and designer, and Private First Class Karl H. Van Krog, his assistant. FOLLOW ME! We'll take the fight to the enemy. There are nine soldiers in a squad, led by a Staff Sergeant. In Vietnam, while others turned aside, 4 1/8” X 1 3/4” Infantry Scroll - 11B and 11C - Infantry Blue - Follow Me, I am the Infantry! Made national news that time. That started in World War II and continues today. In closing, the life of the Infantry, the . Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Here are some recent comments from real grunts; “It is the worst, most terrible, difficult, strenuous, testing job there is. Early at night its drizzilin’ rain I am hit and feel no pain But in my heart I have no fear Because my ranger God is here. My bayonet…on the wings of power… keeps the peace worldwide. outflanked the Reds at Inchon… Combat soldiers do not have a “job”, like supply, signal, computer, mechanic, cook, etc. and stalked the Moro in the steaming jungle still… The infantry works harder, the infantry goes to combat, there is more pride in the infantry, and the infantry gets promoted faster. Follow Me is a United States Army memorial located at Fort Benning, Georgia.It was created in 1959 by two soldiers, Private First Class Manfred Bass, sculptor and designer, and Private First Class Karl H. Van Krog, his assistant. If you’ve ever heard the saying “He’s just a lowly grunt”, discard it, there is no such thing. It was written in 1955 by LTC Stephen H. White, former editor of Infantry Magazine. "I Am The Infantry, the Queen of Battle, Follow Me!" Infantry training is conducted in OSUT (One Station Unit Training) companies, meaning both basic combat training and advanced infantry training is in one company – straight through. Those are all MOS 11B. I am what my country expects me to be... the best trained soldier in the world. When the shooting starts, there is chaos and the infantrymen have to very quickly figure out either how to put the bad guy out of business, or how to get out of Dodge, if there are way more of them than you. Enlist for Airborne Infantry, then when you’ve been in the Army long enough to know what those units actually do and their requirements, make your decision. They spend more time in live fire and produce more expert riflemen, more time on land navigation, producing better infantrymen who can navigate in the field with a paper map and compass, they complete the combat lifesaver course, they spend much more time in hand to hand combat training, and the extra two months produces graduates in better physical condition. My arms set a Panamanian dictator to flight I am my country's strength in war. I do not recommend that anyone who is not already very familiar with the Army enlist for Rangers or Special Forces. The first three weeks are “Total Control”, trainees don’t make a move that is not guided by a Drill Sergeant. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The Bradley is a lightly armored, tracked vehicle, with a 25mm cannon, designed to transport an infantry squad, and keep up with Abrams tanks. Big Red One Patch on my shoulder Pick up … Official Lyrics. Westward I pushed with wagon trains… The Future. In fact the “shark attack” of screaming drill sergeants on the first day has been replaced with a five phase event called “The First 100 Yards”. At New Orleans, I fought beyond the hostile hour, In paratrooper language, a “leg” is a sub-human soldier, who is not Airborne. Her deterrent in peace. The infantry works harder, the infantry goes to combat, there is more pride in the infantry, and the infantry gets promoted faster.Regardless of far advanced military technology becomes, there must be soldiers on the ground to hold territory. The infantry unit with the highest morale (happiest) in the military is the 82nd Airborne Division. from the Arctic to the Mekong, I AM THE INFANTRY! It takes between five and seven years to make Staff Sergeant in the infantry. and calm returned. Ten companies of riflemen were authorized by a resolution of the Continental Congress on 14 June 1775. From Bull Run to Appomattox, I fought and bled. I would rather have the muscle aches in the infantry, than the stress level in some of those “good jobs”. by Buckwhite as a Essential T-Shirt Eight to twelve years is normal for making SFC. There are way more 11B’s than 11C’s. meeting the enemy face to face,  will to will. They support they guy who feeling down, razz the guy who screws up, and pull pranks on the guy who is too proud of himself. Buy 'U.S. Hands down. Pick up your weapon and follow me We are the Infantry. An infantry OSUT company commander recently posted on facebook for families not to expect many phone calls, communicate by mail. The National Infantry Association would like to say "Thank You" for trusting us on your orders. I am the heart of the fight... wherever, whenever. For two centuries I have kept our Nation safe, Maybe that’s why I and thousands of other former grunts and current grunts love the infantry, you learn things about yourself and each other that no one else knows, including family. "Follow Me" Commanders; Current commander: BG David Hodne: Insignia; Shoulder sleeve insignia: The United States Army Infantry School is a school located at Fort Benning, Georgia that is dedicated to training infantrymen for service in the United States Army Organization. A modern horse soldier in an APC. In Korea, I gathered my strength around Pusan… There is an infantry OSUT company with an outstanding facebook page, covering most of what the trainees do, that is “Delta Company 2nd Battalion 58th Infantry Regiment”. Duty called, I answered. Eighty-Second All Americans Pick up your chute and follow me Airborne Infantry. I started Grunts & Co to commemorate and celebrate the Infantry and be the site for those who want to learn and immerse themselves in an infantryman’s perspective, what it means to be in the Infantry, its history, accomplishments, tradition and culture. The Mechanized and Stryker grunts get to ride some, but they also have to maintain that steel monster in the motor pool, and they still walk about as much as light infantry. The 82nd is America’s Fire Brigade, it is always fully funded, conducts realistic and exciting training, and has the best leadership the Army has to offer. The infantry is the oldest of the combat arms. Roger sergeant I’ll be ready to move out in ten so bravo company can move into my just built home and I can stay up all night digging another foxhole 2 kilometers to the east. It’ll also teach you a lot about yourself. Where the fighting is thick, there am I...I am the Infantry! The 101st is called an Air Assault Division, because they ride in helicopters, but they are basically light infantry. Some of the smartest soldiers I served with were in the infantry. Jun 10, 2012 - This Pin was discovered by Keith Jones. FOLLOW ME! Comments and suggestions can be posted here. Throughout we hear "I am the Infantry. Then I’ll smile and wonder why I chose a job that the only transferable skill is landscaping. Infantrymen are the combat soldiers’, whose job is to close with and kill or capture the enemy. to protect the innocent. My bleeding feet stained the snow at Valley Forge; Change ), For you who are thinking about the military, NEW HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES – WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BE IN A YEAR. I am my country's strength in war. "Follow Me" Commanders; Current commander: BG David Hodne: Insignia; Shoulder sleeve insignia: The United States Army Infantry School is a school located at Fort Benning, Georgia that is dedicated to training infantrymen for service in the United States Army Organization. I led the charge up San Juan Hill…scaled the walls of old Tientsin…and stalked the Moro in the steaming jungle still…always the vanguard, I am the Infantry! It is the hardest, most demanding, most frustrating, most challenging, greatest badass job in the world. And despots, falsely garbed in freedom's mantle, falter…hide. I am the Infantry, follow me. Stryker is the newest, built around the Stryker vehicle, which is a heavily armored, eight wheeled, fast moving, (62 MPH) vehicle carrying a nine-man infantry squad. motto, “Follow Me.” This requires attention and accountability, and remains critical to instilling the Spirit of the Bayonet and to instilling the will to win within our next generation of Infantry Soldiers and leaders. The first combat parachute jump was in Sicily in July 1943. I am the Cav, most daring of the three. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. Adverse weather or enemy anti-aircraft fire can cause airplanes to drop paratroops not at their planned location. The Infantryman’s Creed. The remainder of the 22 weeks of infantry training is the most physically demanding MOS training in the Army. I am the Infantry, follow me. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. Their “job” is training for combat, “soldiering”. I led the charge up San Juan Hill…scaled the walls of old Tientsin…and stalked the Moro in the steaming jungle still…always the vanguard, I am the Infantry! FOLLOW ME! Any BS a new platoon member brings with him soon dissolves. Every element of the military supports the infantry. vaulted the Rhine… Be the first one to … Purchasing freedom with my blood. You have to be fairly smart – of average intelligence. The poem is an adaptation of a similar poem titled “I am the Guard”, the original manuscript was discovered by LTC White in the archives of the Information Section of the National Guard Bureau in Washington. 4 1/8” X 1 3/4” Infantry Scroll - 11B and 11C - Infantry Blue - Follow Me, I am the Infantry! I am the Infantry, the first of the three. The fighting was done when I ended my march An infantry platoon of 40 soldiers, will spend days, sometimes weeks, and during deployment, months sharing foxholes, MRE’s, water, canteens. answered humanity’s call. If you’re not, you will be soon. Always ready…then, now, and forever. called the tyrant’s bluff I led the charge up San Juan Hill… scaled the walls of old Tientsin… and stalked the Moro in the steaming jungle still… always the vanguard, I am the Infantry! At Yorktown, the sunlight glinted from the sword The Squad is the basic maneuverable unit in the infantry. "I am the Infantry, follow me Not a foot soldier, we're much more you see We'll take the fight to the enemy I am the Infantry, first of THE THREE." ( Log Out /  The infantry moto is “Follow Me”. At Chateau-Thierry, first over the top, then I stood like a rock on the Marne. FOLLOW ME! always the vanguard, At Chateau-Thierry, first over the top, That old tale that all the dumb guys get sent to the infantry, is not true. This is an update of previously published stories about the infantry. Charging straight forward to the enemy. My bayonet…on the wings of power… and proclaimed freedom for all. Around the world, I stand…ever forward. The Army is trying to increase its size, but the current Army leadership has seen, in the past, the bad results of lowering standards to get more recruits. Individual paratroops can become widely scattered during a jump. I kept getting “good jobs”, in the old army, but I kept going back to the infantry. Get up around 5:30, be in PT (Physical Training) formation at 6:00. In the Pacific, from island to island… proved that this nation could right a wrong… Back to your room clean up, get in uniform, and get some breakfast. and scaled the high plateau. "Follow Me" is the official song of the United States Army Infantry. The Basic Combat Training part of infantry OSUT is the first 8 weeks. In the Persian Gulf, I drew the line in the desert, Not a muscle builder body, just a good body, with no weak areas. Eighty-Second All Americans Pick up your chute and follow me Airborne Infantry. I am the Infantry. to the suppressed, the hope for the future. I carry America's faith and honor against her enemies. To live or die, hell I don't know. Addeddate 2006-03-27 23:31:07 Color color Identifier I_AM_THE_INFANTRY_JUN_05 Run time 10:32 Sound sound. The airborne has a term LGOPS (Little Groups of Paratroopers). A person enlisting for the infantry, enlists for MOS 11X, then whether the soldier becomes a 11B or a 11C is determined, by the Army, while that soldier is in training. InfantryI am the Infantry! ROTC, Patch on my shoulder, Pick up your books and follow me, Wanna Lead The Infantry. I patrolled the jungle, There are not many new tasks, but they are spending more time on the basics and producing better trained soldiers. My ally in the paddies and the forest… I teach, I aid, I lead. not a foot soldier, we're much more you see. I was with Scott at Vera Cruz… This was the current version of the epic tale, "I am the Infantry" at the time I was stationed at Ft Benning in 1979 at the Ranger Department. I am the Queen of Battle. A generation older at Bataan, I briefly bowed, but then I vowed to return. Lunch at noon, and off at 5:00 PM. Hail O’ Hail O’ Infantry Queen of battle follow me An airborne rangers life for me O’ nothing in this world is free. CBRN – Enlist and be a SERGEANT in two years. The camaraderie of infantrymen is something I’ve never seen anywhere else; true ‘ride or die’ dudes that will go over the edge for you, no questions asked. It does not have a 100 percent graduation rate. ( Log Out /  I am the Infantry--Lord of Battle! In Grenada, I jumped at Salinas, Pick up your weapon and follow me We are the Infantry. 1917-2017 Camouflage, Conflict, and Chaos by Yankee Papa, MISTAKE: Ditching the M4 for a 7.62 Interim Rifle, UNIFORMS: Towards the Practical Part 2 1914-1975 by Yankee Papa. So, my advice to anyone considering this, man or woman, is to get in shape, pushups, pullups, situps, running, and a lot of walking in boots (army boots if you can get them) carrying a rucksack. scaled the walls of old Tientsin… All Army infantry training is on Sand Hill at Fort Benning, Georgia, the Infantry and Armor Center and School. The infantry version was first published in the July 1956 issue of Infantry Magazine. I am the Infantry! There are three basic types of infantry units. The company is commanded by a Captain and run by a First Sergeant. We'll take the fight to the enemy. I am the Queen of Battle. Assaulted the African shore… FOLLOW ME! Here are my ideas of other aptitudes you should have before enlisting for the infantry. Merchandise in which will be available in the near future are embroidery patches and hats. Non-airborne infantry gets to the battlefield on a vehicle or a helicopter, airborne jumps from an airplane onto the battlefield. razors, socks, ammo, and stories. I am the Infantry! Both Blue and Gray were my colors then. Early at night its drizzilin’ rain I am hit and feel no pain But in my heart I have no fear Because my ranger God is here. There are five airborne Brigade Combat Teams (BCT), three in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the 173rd Airborne Brigade at Vicenza, Italy, and the 4th Brigade (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division at Fort Richardson (Anchorage), Alaska. “I am the Infantry” is a poem chronicling the US Army’s Infantry history from the nation’s founding until today. I scorned the Wall of Shame. There are road marches carrying up to a 60 pound rucksack. Unfortunately the author of the original is unknown. FOLLOW ME! to the Caribbean… Hitler’s dream and the Third Reich Standards are not being lowered and training is being increased. across the Delaware. and didn’t come back ’till is was “over, over there.”. Off to battle we will go. Oh hail, Oh hail, Oh infantry. First you have to have that desire, that inner hunger for something more. My ally in the paddies and the forest… In July 1959, the new version along with its illustrative border was published on the back cover of the July-September issue of Infantry Magazine. Bar none. from the Central Highlands Army Basic Combat Training (BCT) is tougher and more demanding now than it has been since World War II. Army testing driverless vehicles, ten years later, Marine Corps Times prints ridiculous opinion piece, Army eliminates S&W from new handgun competition, Services’ weight measuring discussion ghostly similar to women in combat. my frozen hands pulled Washington At the beginning of the transition from 14 to 22 weeks, the Infantry Training Brigade commander said, “If we do our job right these troops will be able to out PT their team leader and out shoot their squad leader, and be as good or better than their combat life savers.”. It comes with various weapons systems from machine guns to 105mm tank guns, to hellfire missiles. They are the warriors. After that, the control is a little different, but the intensity isn’t. Assaulted the African shore… learned my lesson the hard way in the desert sands… pressed my buttons into the beach at Anzio… and bounced into Rome with determination and resolve. There is also another issue, you have to be honest with yourself and everyone else. I teach, I aid, I lead. and long endure. “I am the Infantry” is a poem chronicling the US Army’s Infantry history from the nation’s founding until today. From shop LightfighterDesign. Big red one, Patch on my shoulder, Mount your track and follow me, Mechanized Infantry. It’s really hard work, but you get through it with your boys and you all form a cohesive bond. The original Follow Me statue sits in the rotunda outside the National Infantry Museum. I have had infantrymen in my platoons who were 5’ 5” and weighed 140 pounds, but they could hump a 65 or 70 pound rucksack all day, every day, and they could run 7 to 8 minute miles all day. That also means that they train the hardest, and as much as the paratroops bitch and complain, they love it. to tyrants, I am the day of reckoning; to the suppressed, the hope for the future. There are three platoons in a company, plus a mortar section. The cry of the US Infantry. I was there from the beginning, plus-circle Add Review. I am what my country expects me to be... the best trained soldier in the world. "I am the Armor, follow me The arm of decision I'll always be FOLLOW ME! Embroidered Scroll with Wax Backing LightfighterDesign. Soldiers who make it to First Sergeant are usually in the 12 to 15 year range. You can hear it in the heat of the jungle. That is when they learn how to march, stand, turn, salute, and act like a soldier. Infantry in Vietnam was often carried into battle by helicopter in Vietnam. Light Infantry, Mechanized Infantry, and Stryker Infantry. In freedom’s cause…I live, I die. swept across the frozen Han… and once more raised democracy’s flag. :I am the Infantry. It was written in 1955 by LTC Stephen H. White, former editor of Infantry Magazine. hardened foot Soldier, is one of both hardship and pride. And despots, falsely garbed in freedom's mantle, falter hide. When you get out you realize how remarkably tame life is back home.”. I am the Infantry! It was later revised to its present form by LTC White, assisted by COL Francis X Bradley and SPC Howard Webber. in the bitter test that belongs to the Infantry. Follow Me is a United States Army memorial located at Fort Benning, Georgia. “I am the Infantry” is an inspiring poem chronicling the US Army’s Infantry history from the nation’s founding until today. Twenty-fifth Patch on my shoulder, Lace up your boots and follow me, Straight-leg Infantry. However, the oldest Regular Army infantry regiment, the 3rd Infantry Regiment, was constituted on 3 June 1784, as the First American Regiment. Follow Me! They are the warriors. "I am the Cavalry, follow me A modern day horse soldier in an APC Charging straight forward to the enemy I am the Cav, most daring of THE THREE." And will put their life on the line to cover your back. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I fought the longest fight, The model for the statue was Eugene Wyles, an officer candidate and ten-year Army veteran. learned my lesson the hard way The infantry soldier is at the top of the heap – the pinnacle of soldiering. Due to winds and enemy fire the paratroops were scattered over many miles in places they didn’t plan to be. I am the Infantry–Queen of Battle! Mount up and follow me, Always ready cavalry. There are three rifle squads and a weapons squad in a Platoon. Because one day when I have to work till six at some dumb civilian job and I’m all butthurt, I can think to myself well at least it’s not the middle of a brigade exercise, day three of straight rain, and I just got done digging a foxhole with overhead protection with proper camouflage, and oh what’s that? Follow Me! were dead. You can cook in the kitchen in your room, or go eat for free, since you live in the barracks, in the DFAC (Dining Facility). Reviews There are no reviews yet. I led the charge up San Juan Hill…