Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/marine infantry

Advertisement

Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 4/21/2009


Question
what would be a good infantry job to do in the marines as someone thats just about to go into bootcamp? i dont know what type of infantry i should pick!

Answer
Eric,
There's no such thing as a bad job in the USMC Infantry.  It's mostly just personal preference.  I assume you know your choices of Infantry:  Machine gunner, mortar man, Infantry Rifleman, Anti Tank Missile operator.  Any of these are going to put you where the action is.  Personally I just love the feel and sound of a heavy machine gun.  A friend of mine was a mortar man because he loved to "blow up stuff."  Depending upon whether you joined on the east coast or the west coast you'll either attend the School of Infantry located at Camp Geiger, NC or at the Camp San Onofre area of Camp Pendleton in CA.  I would think the job of a sapper is probably the least desirable and has the shortest life expectancy during war.  Other than that you'll hear a hundred different opinions.

Have you seen the new video that the School of Infantry has produced?
If not, check it out at
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6847859873956469266
It's well done and very informative.
Best of luck in whatever you choose and thanks for serving!
Colonel H

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

MARK A. HOWELL

Expertise

All military questions, any Service. 30 years experience & two Ph.D.'s. 4 times Base Commander. Worked with Army, Navy, USMC, USCG and several foreign military units. Veteran of Kosovo, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, and 10 civil wars in Africa.

Experience

Air Force Colonel with 30 years experience. Air Force Base Commander 4 times. Highly decorated.

Organizations
Org of Am Historians, Wild West History Assoc., Disabled American Veterans - Life Member, Am Motorcyclist Assoc. - Life Member, North Am Hunt Club - Life Member, NWTF - Life Member

Publications
Numerous book reviews published in the Journal of American History. Two books submitted for publication.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in military history, Columbus University (Summa Cum Laude) Ph.D. in history, Northfield University, London, England (Summa Cum Laude) Master of Arts degree in history, Marshall University, WV Bachelors degree, double-major in history and mathematics, Salem College, WV Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL

Awards and Honors
Legion of Merit Defense MSM MSM x 5 Joint Commendation Mdl AF Commendation Medal Army Commendation Mdl Joint Achievement Mdl AF Achievement Medal Outstanding Volunteer Mdl

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.