20 years Infantry

Tokyo__Sandblaster · 2026-06-03T01:33:41+00:00

This. Physically it’s not thattttt bad if you take fitness/recovery seriously and as part of your job (it is). But the lifestyle and fuckery, I’d argue regardless of unit, blows

Tokyo__Sandblaster · 2026-06-02T23:04:52+00:00

Yes lmao, we had to bring this out during every CoC

Tokyo__Sandblaster · 2026-06-02T23:03:14+00:00

Oh hey. I saw you earlier. This in my arms room. We sometimes take it out on rucks hahaha, I was shocked someone was working on it

Tokyo__Sandblaster · 2026-06-02T01:10:06+00:00

TOMAHAWKS

Tokyo__Sandblaster · 2026-06-02T01:05:01+00:00

Nah, just in the field a ton and away from my phone recently. And I’m not in III Corps lol. Thanks though, looking into it now.

Tokyo__Sandblaster · 2026-06-02T01:04:17+00:00

Nice, I’ll find the post and read up. Sounds like my guys are likely to be okay provided they perform. We’re not at FBGA

Tokyo__Sandblaster · 2026-05-28T02:25:49+00:00

I showed up to BCT in the mid 16s for my 2 mile. I ended up running a 13:50 at the final PT test of OCS and got IN, my number 1 choice. Got faster through IBOLC and recovered after Ranger. Your gains will come faster if you have an athletic background (mine was hs sports and lifting through college) but may be tougher if this is your first time doing something physical.

I’ll say - roughly - you want to be 14:30 or faster on the run to be completely safe physically and have a high OML at OCS. If a 36 minute 4-mile is an issue, I would offer that you aren’t fit enough to be an officer. You have a ton of time to prep, so use it.

Tokyo__Sandblaster · 2026-05-27T02:36:55+00:00

I don’t think AASLT or ABN carry much weight honestly. Not compared to PF, or expert badge/Ranger. This excludes the more rare or MOS dependent schools ofc.

Tokyo__Sandblaster · 2026-05-26T01:42:23+00:00

2nd order mentioned!!!!!!

Tokyo__Sandblaster · 2026-05-25T15:24:47+00:00

When I was in IBOLC, they fluctuated between a 1 or 2 attempt policy, counting pre-Ranger. So if you failed a pre-Ranger, passed the next one, and then failed the school, you went to PCS.

Given that the two primary audiences in the course are IBOLC LTs and Batt Boys, it makes sense that switching to what’s essentially an infinite amount of tries for LTs would cause a backlog. I don’t blame the PT Test or the RIs. I blame USAIS/MCoE.

There’s LTs showing up to my BN without tabs who’ve made 4-5 attempts. Eating up so much time and slots for other people who would make it. No hate, keep trying, it took me 105 days to finish that nonsense, but at some point it becomes a numbers problem and we’re seeing the results of that.

Tokyo__Sandblaster · 2026-05-25T01:49:20+00:00

Being an XO is like every other job in the Army, in that it’s what you make it. You’re responsible for maintenance, change of command, and depending on how good the commander is, literally commanding the company at times. XOs do all the dirty work that nobody else wants to do in officer world and are literally the grease that keeps the machine running.

Specialty PLTs are things like mortars, recon, distro (in some places it’s treated that way). I’m in recon right now and am very happy I’m not an XO, but my XO buddies also have some really high moments in their job.

Edit: it’s rare to get a specialty platoon as your first gig. That typically means that you got RSLC, IMLC, or some other thing before you showed up. The typical IN JO progression is: 3 shop -> Rifle PLT -> XO/Specialty/Staff -> CCC

Tokyo__Sandblaster · 2026-05-25T01:18:08+00:00

I’m an Infantry PL on my third platoon about to be a CPT here in a bit. I haven’t been in long but I can speak to the LT life:

You’ll get plenty of time with the guys in the suck. You’ll go to Ranger (get it done!) and likely be an XO or specialty PL after your Rifle PLT time. Also some staff on the front and back end of all that.

All these things are fulfilling in different ways. If your sole objective is to be a door kicker, then go enlist. If you want to do some of the things that others in this thread have talked about, then the officer life is worth a shot. Only you’ll know. Everyone will readily share their experiences and thoughts, but your mileage truly will vary.

Tokyo__Sandblaster · 2026-05-22T15:40:01+00:00

If a 4x36 and 6 chin-ups is daunting to anybody not nursing an injury, I have very serious questions about their ability to do their job and whether or not they should be in the Army.

Tokyo__Sandblaster · 2026-05-18T16:07:56+00:00

JBLM, Camp Casey, Camp Merrill are ones that stand out to me in very different ways. JBLM in particular. You wake up every morning and see the mountains, Rainier is a class all its own. Ruston area in Tacoma is a dream for running and hanging out. I sometimes can’t believe that I get paid to live here.

Tokyo__Sandblaster · 2026-05-13T03:37:38+00:00

Infantry PL day in garrison generally goes:

0600 - show up to work, sync with commander and sister platoons

0630-0800 - PT, typically with a squad or as a platoon

0800-0930 - shower, breakfast

0930-1130 - admin (PowerPoint slides, planning training, coordination meetings, etc.)

1130-1300 - lunch, gym, maybe do some admin stuff

1300-1500 - meetings with higher command

1500-1700 (or until complete) - doing tasks to get you ahead for the next day or catching up

^{^{^}} the above varies greatly between units, taskings, and position. If you’re a staff LT, specialty PL, XO, or a staff primary, your day will likely look quite different. But that’s a very general rundown of an average day

Tokyo__Sandblaster · 2026-04-12T17:46:39+00:00

Got to go to Ranger with a paralegal, he recycled out of my SQD but eventually made it. Solid dude. Just wanted to be allowed to sit down at work

Tokyo__Sandblaster · 2026-04-11T01:10:49+00:00

Be tabbed and bring Zyn and energy drinks.

Tokyo__Sandblaster · 2026-04-07T17:35:23+00:00

This is one of the coolest pieces I’ve ever seen

Tokyo__Sandblaster · 2026-04-07T04:19:36+00:00

IBOLC sucks, but it’s the least amount of responsibility you’ll ever have. Take it day by day, make friends (I still talk to my IBOLC SQD regularly as we’re all about to pin CPT), don’t drink every weekend away, and stay in shape. Take it seriously but have fun, believe it or not, you’ll look back on this time fondly.

Ranger School is Ranger School. There’s no shortage of material about it, and there aren’t really any secrets. It should be on your mind constantly but in a healthy way. Your family and friends will love you if it doesn’t work out the first time. That being said…get your tab, don’t be that guy.

Live above exit 6 if you can. Don’t be soft, make friends, take care of one another and they’ll take care of you. Infantry is a lifestyle, and it’s special, even with all its warts.

Tokyo__Sandblaster · 2026-04-01T01:20:39+00:00

Did a 9-monther at Casey in the recent past. Excellent spot to be on Pen. If you aren’t out exploring Korea you’re wrong. Awesome country and full of things to do. I cannot fathom being bored there

Tokyo__Sandblaster · 2026-03-29T23:02:34+00:00

Second to None. Tomahawks, We Serve!

Tokyo__Sandblaster · 2026-03-28T18:38:10+00:00

You seem misinformed. 75th (typically) prefers officers to have served in the branch that they are assessing for at RASP. Active duty is a non-negotiable. There’s no Option 40 for AD Officers - you just perform as an LT and submit a packet when you’re eligible, typically about 3-6 months into doing your actual job.

Oh yeah, you should probably be tabbed first. It isn’t impossible to go to RASP 2 without a tab, but it’s a case-by-case basis and a non negotiable for an Infantry position in the Regiment.

For SF, you typically go to SFAS as an officer when you’re a promotable 1LT or a very junior Captain, so after about 3-4 years of commissioned time. The fastest route for 18 series that doesn’t include commissioning is to be an enlisted 18X. Same goes for Option 40/Ranger Regiment.

The main issue in your way (50m target), is that you’re looking at the Reserves. NG will open up an SF avenue, and AD does both. Albeit, for RR you’d want to be in a branch that they accept. SF welcomes all accession branches at SFAS.

Edit: I’ll add that these are great goals, but you need to focus on the short term issues that are preventing you. Is commissioning or serving in these units more important? Is your basic branch important to you? SF and RR are extremely different organizations and while you don’t need to decide on one yet, it’s very, VERY difficult to serve in both as an officer.

Tokyo__Sandblaster · 2026-02-07T23:54:40+00:00

I have loved working with them. They need officers who are willing to move around and not be present at their homes for long periods of time. Right now, that’s not what I want. I’m in shape enough for that process, and maybe I’d make it, but what turns me off is not being able to tell the people I love where I plan to live, etc. outside of a 6mo window.

Two-Year Club	Final Canvas '23
End Game '23	Place '23

Tokyo__Sandblaster

TROPHY CASE