If it weren’t for every man and woman competently doing their jobs, our country’s military wouldn’t be as badass as it is today. However, the military is unofficially divided into two distinct sections: those who serve in the infantry (grunts) and people other than grunts (POGs).
Although everyone works hard at the same mission — eliminating the bad guys — their roles are distinctly different.
On most military bases, the infantry and the other guys are usually separated by distance or by commands. For instance, if you’re at Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, the division side (infantry) is separated from the “mainside” (POGs and pilots) by a 25-minute drive down Basilone Road.
Once a grunt leaves the division side of the base, they’ll encounter Marines from another distinct culture on mainside. Sure, they’re “good-to-go,” but they’re not grunts.
Related: 6 of the most common infantry training injuries
1. The former infantryman
Infantry life is tough, and many grunts who proudly served decide their time is over and make a lateral move to a different job. It’s all good. Just be sure to take the knowledge you learned in the infantry and keep it to yourself.
We wouldn’t want anyone knowing our secrets.
2. The “buster”
There’s a guy or gal like this everywhere you go, to be honest. This person is looking to bust other service members for random reasons, like uniform issues or a lack of military bearing.
3. The one who should have been a grunt
There’s always someone that you run into on the mainside who looks, talks, and walks like they should have earned the infantry MOS. Some say it’s because “the job wasn’t available during recruitment.” *cough* Sure, buddy.
Regardless, every hard charger who thinks they can handle the pressure of being a grunt should at least look into it.
4. The bodybuilder
Some military occupations have more time to go to the gym since they don’t spend five days a week eating MREs in the field — just sayin’.
Also Read: 6 different types of machine-gunners you’ll meet in the infantry
5. The NCO with three ribbons
In most branches, you have to do some incredible things to earn a ribbon. Some troops just don’t do enough to earn a few rows.
6. The storytellers
You’ll find them talking about combat-related events while they were deployed on a ship that they never left — or a large FOB where they couldn’t see the outside world from behind Hesco barriers.
