MOS 11B refers to the Military Occupational Specialty for an Infantryman in the U.S. Army. Soldiers in this role are trained in various combat tactics, weapons use, and infantry operations, serving as part of the ground combat forces. Their responsibilities include engaging the enemy, conducting reconnaissance, and performing various tasks related to ground warfare. Infantrymen are fundamental to the Army's mission, often operating in diverse and challenging environments.
He had the MOS of 11B (infantryman)
To be able to wear it, you must hold an 11 series, and currently be serving in that MOS. If, for example, you were 11B, then you reclassed to a non-infantry MOS, you wouldn't be authorised to wear the shoulder cord anymore.
11B is for Infantry. 30 is for skill level of Staff Sergeant (E-6). G is an Additional Skill Identifier (ASI) meaning Ranger qualified. You probably would not want to mess with a soldier with MOS 11B30G.
Wait two more days, and then you can.
As of my last knowledge update in October 2023, it's difficult to provide an exact number of living 11B MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) Vietnam veterans, as such statistics can fluctuate and are not always readily available. Estimates suggest that there are around 600,000 to 700,000 Vietnam War veterans still alive, but the specific number of those who served as infantrymen (11B) is not clearly defined. For the most accurate and current information, it’s best to refer to veterans' organizations or official government sources.
11B is a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) code, which identifies that individual's occupation in the military. 11 is the Career Management Field (CMF) for Infantry, and the "B" indicates the service member is an enlisted soldier serving as an infantryman (there used to be separate MOS codes for light, mechanised, and anti-tank infantry soldiers, but they've all since been folded into 11B).
11B - infantry. Prior to the reorganization which occurred towards the end of 2001/beginning of 2002, the 11 series Career Management Field consisted of the following infantry MOSs - 11A (Infantry Officer - commissioned officer only), 11B (light infantryman - enlisted), 11C (mortar crewman - enlisted), 11H (anti-armor crewman - enlisted), 11M (mechanized infantryman - enlisted), and 11X (basic trainee/not MOS qualified - enlisted). After the reorganization, the MOS of 11H and 11M were folded into 11B. 11A remains Infantry Officer, and 11C remained in place for mortar team members.
11b + 6b = 17b
11B denotes infantry rifleman. 2 is his rank sergeant. and the V signifies he's in a Ranger Batt. so he's an E-5 infantryman in a Ranger Battalion.
No. Unless he was later assigned to an INFANTRY unit and that unit (his unit) was directly involved with combat operations with a hostile enemy. "Only" during the Vietnam War could a GI with an artillery, armor, MP, engineer, etc. MOS obtain a CIB if he was assigned to a 11B (MOS) job in the US Infantry and engaged in combat with the enemy. A artilleryman, armor crewman (tank crewman), MP, etc. could be transfered to a grunt unit and end up in contact w/the enemy; WITHOUT his primary MOS being changed. Thus qualifying him to wear the CIB. The 11B (nicknamed 11Bullet Stopper in Vietnam) would or could be awarded as his secondary MOS. Regardless of the MOS change or not, if he was in a grunt outfit and he was in "enemy contact" with that outfit, he's awarded the CIB (on orders). After Vietnam the US Army took the MOS far more seriously and awarded it to only 11B men. But during the war men were needed everywhere all the time! Consequently the needs of the service came first and awards came after those needs were served. Another words after Vietnam "it took an act of congress" to pull a tanker off his machine and put him in another MOS, especially if he didn't like it. But during the war a man went where he was ordered...like it or not.
It is an algebraic expression that can be simplified to: 11b-7
I'll break it down for you 11B - infantryman, enlisted. This part is the actual MOS. 1 - lower enlisted, ranks Private through Specialist. This is the skill level identifier. P - Airbourne qualification. This is an additional skill identifier. 2C - qualified to operate the Javelin anti-armour weapons system. This is another additional skill identifier.