Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 11/24/2011

Question
ok i just enlisted in the army as a 89b which is ammunition specialist i have been told this is a very safe job in the army cause ur not out on the front lines but anyway my basic training is in fort benning georgia and my ait is at fort lee my friend has the same job we are both active duty and he got sent to basic someplace else and his ait is at fort lee also so i thought fort benning was for infatry? why would i be sent their for basic? do i have to worry about being attached to a infantry group since iam being sent their? whats the risk of this job combat wise? is this a safe job? is their a special way they choose who goes where for basic? is fort benning a good location for basic training? i have been told iam lucky to go their for basic thats why i ask any info would be great ty.

Answer
Keith,
Stop and think about it.  Where does the front line soldier get his ammo?  Definitely not from the rear.  Yeah, you're not really not on the "front line shooting people, but you may work in an ammo dump close to the front.

Don't worry about your basic training, but rather your AIT.  Ft. Lee is the home of Army Logistics.  He may well be going to the Combined Arms Support Command while you're going to supply or QM Center and School.


There's always the chance of being attached to a infantry group, but that's highly unlikely.

Combat risk-wise, a logistics job is relatively safe.

You should not worry, just because Ft. Benning is primarily an infantry school.  If you're in logistics, you have to learn the infantry job so you know how to resupply them.  Also, Ft. Benning is now a school for armor also, since they took over Ft. Knox's mission also, so don't worry.

You're in a great location for learning the Army's job, enjoy it.
Thanks for your patriotism.
Colonel H