The backbone of the Army's combat power. Infantry Soldiers close with and destroy the enemy by means of fire and maneuver — the decisive force on every battlefield since 1775.
The 11-Series is the Army's premier ground combat force. From light infantry to mechanized warfare, Infantry Soldiers own the fight at the point of contact.
Lead Soldiers in infantry units. Plan, direct, and coordinate infantry operations at various levels. As an Infantry Officer, you will lead infantry Soldiers in combat operations and be responsible for tactical missions at the platoon and company level.
The 11B Infantryman is the foundation of the Army's ground combat capability. Every infantry platoon, company, and battalion depends on 11Bs to close with and destroy the enemy through fire and maneuver.
The 11C Indirect Fire Infantryman operates the 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm mortar systems. Mortarmen provide the commander's most responsive indirect fire capability.
Specialists in the employment of anti-tank weapon systems to destroy enemy armored vehicles and fortified positions.
Specialists in mechanized infantry operations, operating from the M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle as drivers, gunners, or squad members.
The entry point for all Infantry Soldiers. Enlist as 11X and earn your specific MOS (11B or 11C) during training.
The pinnacle of enlisted Infantry leadership. 11Zs serve as operations sergeants major and first sergeants at battalion and brigade level.
The 11B Infantryman is the foundation of the Army's ground combat capability. Every infantry platoon, company, and battalion depends on 11Bs to close with and destroy the enemy through fire and maneuver. OSUT at Fort Moore combines Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training into a continuous 22-week course that transforms civilians into lethal, disciplined Infantry Soldiers.
Training progresses from individual warrior tasks through team and squad-level operations, culminating in company-level field training exercises. Graduates are qualified in M4/M249/M240 weapon systems, land navigation, combat patrolling, urban operations, and casualty evacuation.
The 11C Indirect Fire Infantryman operates the 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm mortar systems organic to infantry battalions. Mortarmen provide the commander's most responsive indirect fire capability — steel on target within minutes of a call for fire. 11Cs complete the same 22-week OSUT as 11Bs, with additional specialized mortar training in the final weeks.
11Cs must master fire direction center (FDC) operations, mortar gunnery tables, ballistic computations, and the ability to deliver accurate fire in all conditions. They serve in mortar sections at company and battalion level.
The 11Z Infantry Senior Sergeant is the pinnacle of enlisted Infantry leadership. 11Zs serve as operations sergeants major, first sergeants, and command sergeants major at battalion and brigade level. They are responsible for training management, personnel readiness, and tactical employment of the unit's Infantry force.
Reaching 11Z requires decades of Infantry experience, completion of the Senior Leader Course and Sergeants Major Academy, and a record of combat leadership and proven performance across multiple duty positions.
Junior enlisted Infantry Soldiers begin their career as riflemen in a fire team, learning squad-level tactics, weapons proficiency, and field craft. Promotion to SPC/E-4 typically occurs within 2-3 years and brings increased responsibility as a team member or vehicle driver.
This is the time to pursue additional schools and build the foundation for NCO leadership. Infantry MOS qualifies soldiers for some of the Army's most sought-after training opportunities.
The NCO corps is the backbone of the Infantry. Sergeants (E-5) lead fire teams of 3-4 Soldiers, while Staff Sergeants (E-6) lead squads of 9-12. This is where Infantry leaders are forged — directly responsible for the training, discipline, and tactical employment of soldiers in combat.
Completion of BLC (Basic Leader Course) is required for E-5, and ALC (Advanced Leader Course) for E-6. Ranger School and other advanced training significantly improve promotion potential.
Senior NCOs represent the most experienced and capable leaders in the Infantry. Sergeants First Class (E-7) serve as Platoon Sergeants, Master Sergeants/First Sergeants (E-8) lead at company level, and Sergeants Major/Command Sergeants Major (E-9) serve at battalion, brigade, and higher.
These positions are highly competitive and board-selected. A record of combat leadership, advanced school completion (especially Ranger), and consistent top-block evaluations are essential.
Enlisted Infantry Soldiers with leadership potential and a bachelor's degree (or willingness to earn one) can pursue commissioning through Officer Candidate School (OCS) or the Green-to-Gold program. OCS is a 12-week intensive course at Fort Moore, while Green-to-Gold sends soldiers to college full-time with an ROTC scholarship.
Former enlisted soldiers who commission as Infantry Officers bring invaluable tactical experience that sets them apart from their peers. Many of the Army's best platoon leaders and company commanders came up through the enlisted ranks.
| Installation | Location | Division / Unit | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Moore | GA | Maneuver Center of Excellence / 3rd ID | TRADOC / FORSCOM |
| Fort Liberty | NC | 82nd Airborne / XVIII ABC | Airborne |
| Fort Campbell | KY/TN | 101st Airborne (Air Assault) | Air Assault |
| Fort Drum | NY | 10th Mountain Division | Light Infantry |
| Fort Carson | CO | 4th Infantry Division | Mechanized |
| Fort Stewart | GA | 3rd Infantry Division | Mechanized |
| JBER | AK | 11th Airborne Division | Arctic / Airborne |
| Schofield Barracks | HI | 25th Infantry Division | Light Infantry |
| Fort Wainwright | AK | 11th Airborne Division | Arctic |
| Vicenza / Grafenwoehr | Italy / Germany | 173rd Airborne / 2CR | OCONUS |
| Camp Humphreys | South Korea | 2nd Infantry Division | OCONUS |
Infantry Soldiers serve at nearly every Army installation worldwide. Duty station assignment depends on unit needs, airborne/air assault qualification, and soldier preference (CONUS/OCONUS).
The largest branch in the Army. From the frozen tundra of Alaska to the jungles of the Pacific, Infantry Soldiers are always forward, always ready.
Explore Training CoursesInfantry Soldiers have priority for Airborne School at Fort Moore. Three weeks of ground, tower, and jump training earns you silver wings and opens the door to the 82nd Airborne and Special Operations.
Land navigation is a make-or-break skill in Infantry. Master terrain association, pace count, and night movement. Practice with a compass and protractor until it's second nature.
Physical fitness defines Infantry culture. A strong ACFT score (500+) opens doors to every school in the Army. Focus on deadlift, sprint-drag-carry, and the 2-mile run.
Ranger School is the gold standard for Infantry leaders. Start preparing Day 1 — ruck, patrol, and starve. The Ranger tab is the most respected symbol in the Infantry.
Both share the same OSUT foundation. 11C mortarmen add indirect fire expertise and FDC operations. 11Bs focus on direct-action combat skills. Both are lethal.
Infantry promotion to E-5 averages 3-4 years. BLC completion, a strong NCOER, Ranger tab, and airborne/air assault wings dramatically accelerate the timeline.
Infantry is the most physically demanding and combat-focused MOS in the Army. If you want to close with the enemy, lead from the front, and earn access to the Army's best schools, the 11-Series is the path. Arrive in shape, shoot straight, and never quit.
Start Infantry PrepI am the Infantry.
I am my country's strength in war,
her deterrent in peace.
I am the heart of the fight —
wherever, whenever.
I carry America's faith and honor
against her enemies.
I am the Queen of Battle.I am what my country expects me to be —
the best-trained soldier in the world.
In the race for victory,
I am swift, determined, and courageous,
armed with a fierce will to win.
Never will I fail my country's trust.Follow Me!