The infantry is the main land combat force and backbone of the Army. It's equally important in peacetime and in combat. The Infantryman's role is to be ready to defend our country in peacetime and to capture, destroy and repel enemy ground forces during combat.

Out of several million people who live in the United States, there are now less than 49,000 enlisted Infantrymen. An Infantry soldier is special: he must be able to shoot better, perform better under extreme physical duress, and fit into an Infantry squad upon graduation. He must have discipline and high morale and understand the core values that make our Army great and the Infantry the "Queen of Battle." He must have heart and he must not quit. He is not inherently superior, he is not born with these things, he must be taught. The education of a man is more than a piece of paper; we teach lessons in life as well as lessons in combat. We demand that Infantrymen be led to a higher standard. We do not let men join our ranks who are weak or faint of heart.

Infantry is the starting point for many advanced schools such as:

• Special Forces
• Airborne School
• Ranger School
• Sniper School
• Pathfinder School

Infantry enlistees attend Infantry OSUT (One Station Unit Training), which combines Army Basic Training and Infantry AIT (Advanced Individual Training), all in one 13-week course. The training takes place primarily in the field, with some classroom training. The reality is, though, that infantry training never really stops. Whether taking part in squad maneuvers, target practice or war games, Infantrymen are constantly working to keep their skills sharp and are in a constant state of preparedness.

During that training, Infantry enlistees are allowed to list their specific infantry job preferences, but ultimate assignments are determined by the needs of the Army. Upon graduation from OSUT, Infantry enlistees are assigned to one of the following Infantry specialties:

• Infantryman (11B)
• Indirect Fire Infantryman (11C)

Helpful attributes include:

• Ability to work as a team member
• Readiness to accept a challenge and face danger
• Ability to stay in top physical condition
• Interest in light weapons and ground tactics
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations

The job skills you learn as an Infantryman are teamwork, discipline and leadership that will help you with any career you choose. The skills you acquire during your training will most certainly prepare you for a future civilian career in federal, state and local law enforcement. People depend on police officers and detectives to protect and defend their lives and property.