Lamh Foistenach Abu!
Posted on 06/20/2009 3:36:53 PM PDT by smokingfrog
The National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning has officially opened, with retired Gen. Colin Powell speaking at the grand opening.
The four-star general and former secretary of state joined other dignitaries Friday at the $107 million, 190,000-square-foot museum honoring the 234-year history of the U.S. Army Infantry.
The building contains a 13,000-square-foot hall with six galleries covering battles from the Revolutionary War to Iraq.
Outside, Gen. George Patton's original office and sleeping quarters are found on World War II Street, which also displays 1940s barracks, mess hall and other buildings moved from their original locations on Fort Benning.
Lamh Foistenach Abu!
/johnny
Looking forward to visiting it and reminiscing.
I don’t believe that officers wear the Combat Infantryman’s Badge? Even if they did, I do not believe that Powell would have been eligible. Most of his military history was spent behind a desk.
Wrong on both counts.
” I am the Infantry Follow Me. “
Rings like a long ago bell in my head. Geronimo.
For those of you who are so inclined, please remember him in your prayers. He is in poor health.
Lamh Foistenach Abu!
Does command of an artillery firebase in Viet Nam call for the CIB?
Command of anything doesn’t call for a CIB.
Would you admit then that there can be a substantial difference between an infantryman and an infantry commander? If one were the commander of, say, the First Cav but was never a grounpounder in his career, would he be an infantryman?
Apples and oranges. That’s not the way the system works.
Good find...added to ‘places to go’ list! Sorry to see it’s being hijacked by a less than perfect choice for keynote speaker. Come on GIs, Hackworth, and other ‘perfect choices’ can’t speak any more! Not having been a Benning grad, I’m not one either! just a lowly USASESS joja boy. Amazing....a military museum grand opening in the current era, just wow!
You didn’t answer my question.
Or, if you have seen the statue, "I've had this shit up to here."
Not necessarily, and most likely not the case at Brigade and below commands.
If one were the commander of, say, the First Cav but was never a grounpounder in his career, would he be an infantryman?
Being an infantryman isn't a requirement to be the CG of the 1st Cav Division or any other division, for that matter. He may have started as one or he may have been branched in any one of the other combat or combat support branches. A general officer, by design, is branch immaterial. That's why you don't see branch insignia on their dress uniforms.
Only if they served in combat in an infantry position, i.e., platoon leader, company commnder or battalion commander of an infantry unit.
During the Vietnam conflict it was not uncommon for officers from other branches to serve as infantry platoon leaders. Thus you might occasionally see a field artillery officer with a CIB.
If i recall correctly, General Powell attended the infantry officers advanced course at Ft. Benning; makes me think he was an infantry officer. If he was a platoon leader or company commander of an infantry unit in Vietnam, he would have been awarded the CIB.
Hope this clears the discussion.
Regards,
Powell was an Infantry branched officer. He earned his CIB and Purple Heart as a captain serving as an advisor to the South Vietnamese Army. - and yes, he was, and still is eligible to wear the CIB.
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