Infantry, water/land

Question

Is it true that Army infantry is sent on primarily land-based objectives and the Marines handle most water-based objectives?

Are Army Rangers and Green Berets also sent on a lot of water-based objectives?

I'm asking because I'm trying to decide where to enlist and I want to be an infantryman, but I'm not the best swimmer. Thanks.

Answer 1

There aren't many real combat missions in the water anymore. Marines are more trained to handle amphibious assaults, but they aren't practical or used anymore. I've been in the Army 4 years and I haven't done a single water-based combat mission, nor have I even done any training besides once or twice in basic training that even required water, and most was only up to my waist or so...

Answer 2

The capabilities of our modern day military allow Marines to conduct land operations just about as easily as Army units can conduct amphibious operations.

Army Rangers are trained in all environments but are geared mainly for quick, direct-action missions such as airfield seizures, raids, and providing muscle for the super secret squirrel guys.

Army Special Forces will have some ODAs (A-Teams) who are scuba-qualified and conduct underwater missions if needed. Some ODAs are HALO-qualified. You get the point...

But if you are enlisting as an 11B, keep your eyes on the 50 meter target (short-term): Get through Basic/AIT, be the best Soldier you can be, and if you get a shot at Ranger/SF...then focus on that. All you have to do is be able to pass the CWST (Combat Water Survival Test) as a regular infantryman. Regardless of your MOS in the Army, you've got to pass the CWST.

Answer 3

Not really. Marine can be used to land and capture a large place and let infantry get in.

Marine : open gates

Infantry: walk thru