which is a better unit/division/battalion

[crazyface]

which do ya'll consider to be the most prominent army unit.......the 82nd 101st or 173rd? please elaborate also...thanks

[crazyface]

i personally think the 82nd is the more prominent group.

[SABER 2-3]

The 101st, 82nd and 173rd all are top notch fighting units. The history that they have as individual units is awe inspiring. All of these should hold prominance. The Army in its infinate wisdom though is out to destroy the 101st though...by resdesignating them the 101st Air-Assault they have stolen a huge part of the American warriors history. The Army re-activated the 173rd Abn. why not re-establish the proud Screaming Eagles Airborne status.

[crazyface]

i just joined....enlisted for airborne infantry....probably end up wiht the 82nd, but i would like to live in italy for 4 years.....but 173rd and 82nd and 101st all are some of the first ones that will go anywhere in thr world...so it does not matter to me

[ibstolidude]

CRAZY FACE -

CETAF - Vincenza Italy

it is were it is at!!!

If you'll like dropping on tarmac/runways.

good luck. Take EVERY school they offer you when you are young in rank and body.

[Apogee]

Don't forget about the 172nd up in Alaska. They have the Geranimo (spelling??) Airborne Battalion. Hopefully that'll be where I'm headed after I get out of here.

[Duke]

I'm going to jack this thread.

I'd love to be in this debate on which Army infantry unit is the best or any US infantry with actual experience. But I can't, since I couldn't attend IOC. What I'm going to say is a little blasphemous to the Corps, but many before have said it.

After commissioning an Officer in the Marine Corps attends TBS. During this ~six month school, officers take three important tests which will aid in determining which MOS the officer will be assigned. After the last test, Marines list in order of preference which MOS they desire, the Wish List. There are 23 MOS, and several catches to get a choice MOS.

The selection process is actually in the hands of several officers. They are placed in a room to select who goes where. This is an overview of the Officer selection process.

To prevent the the top slots, such as Infantry and Naval Aviation, to be taken by those who score high in both the three tests and student evaluations, TBS uses a three tiered system. (Don't ask me why the Corps penalizes the best students, but they swear by this method) The entire class is divided into three equal groups based on their performance at TBS, top third of the class, middle third, and lower third.

The Marine who graduates top of the class receives the first pick for MOS selection from his wish list. (Hang on because this is one of the catches.) The second pick DOES NOT go to the Marine who is second in his/her class. The pick goes to the officer who scored highest in the middle third. (Thus screwing over everyone in the top third.) And the third pick goes to the highest student in the lower third. The fourth pick goes to the second officer of the top third, etc etc etc.

So, if you excel at TBS and graduate second overall, a meat head from the lower third can take the MOS you want. (Some MOS may have only three openings when an officer graduates from TBS)

The second catch is an officer may automatically be slated for a MOS (one that could be dead last on his/her Wish List) before the selection process. This is due to the "Needs of the Corps" clause. For example, an officer who majored in biochemistry with a minor in physics and a research background would have a very technical degree, one that is very unique compared to officers with history, poli sci or economics. He will be sent to certain schools associated with his degree. (UGGHHH. Wrong fuc*ing major) Even though he graduated fifth in his class at Basic and requested Infantry and Naval Aviation as his two top spots.

The morale of the story, if you want to be a Marine Infantry Officer tank your scores at Basic and major in basket weaving.

[JiJoMacLE45]

And Duke who would be this disgruntled officer with a degree in biochemistry with a research background who graduated fifth in his class and requested infantry and aviation, I wonder.

[Duke]

If I can get into FR, then I have some hope:
http://ww2.pstripes.osd.mil/01/oct01/ed101701f.html

[HMMcrewchief]

Duke didn't figure you as an officer. My apologies, you seem very down to earth. PLEASE there is no insult embeded here, just you sounded more like a Gunny or other wise men of the enlisted ranks.

[ibstolidude]

Christ, the only more useless than an officer seeking employment...
is an officer with a job. :D


Good Luck.


_________

NCO, the "backbone" by choice