I have a relative in the 101st Airborne who just completed basic training in December. He’s in Iraq right now.
Does the fact that he’s so new mean he’s likely doing work behind the lines? Or does the Army not really worry about how much experience guys have when assigning them to duties?
I’m hoping he’s not out there being shot at right now but I have no idea how the Army works.
kpm:
Once a Soldier has completed Basic Combat Training (BCT, aka “Basic Training”) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT), that Soldier is no longer a new recruit. BCT provides the basic skills for survival in a combat situation; AIT provides the basic skills for the Soldier’s Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). If your relative enlisted into one of the combat arms MOS, then that relative very likely will be employed on the front lines. Even those Soldier’s with combat support or combat service support MOS get sent to the front lines. Even if the Soldier is employed in one of the rear echelons, that area can still come under fire by an enemy.
I’m not even sure he got a chance to do his advanced training. Does that come directly after basic training? I haven’t found out what his speciality is yet.
I’m sure he can handle himself OK I was just hoping maybe he could avoid some of the actual combat. I realize that even guys in the rear can get shot at so there is no area that’s 100% safe.
If he is in Iraq, he has finished his schooling, most likely. Congratulations on him making such an elite unit, by the way. Depending on his job, he is likely to be assigned to a line company. If he is infantry, excellent chance. If he is a cook, he’ll be slightly behind the front, but in the 101st, that is still very close.
On the plus side, as a rookie, they are going to look after him and make sure he doesn’t run off and get hurt.