11C Indirect Fire Infantryman
About the role
As an Army National Guard Indirect Fire Infantryman, you’ll be in charge of the Infantry’s most powerful weapon – the mortar. You’ll operate as part of a mortar squad, section, or platoon, performing challenging activities that may include parachuting from a troop transport airplane to access locations where you will construct mortars and camouflage their positions, as well as locating and neutralizing enemy mines. As your skills increase, so will your responsibilities, including supervising and training other Soldiers, leading mortar squads, providing tactical and technical guidance, and directing the construction of mortar positions.
Responsibilities
- Set up, load, and fire three types of mortars
- Employ crew and weapons in offensive, defensive, and retrograde ground combat
- Operate, clean, and store automatic weapons
- Employ, fire, and recover anti-personnel and anti-tank mines
- Carry out scouting missions to spot enemy troops and gun locations
Helpful Skills
- Interest in ammunition and weaponry
- Readiness to accept a challenge and face danger
- Physically and mentally in shape
Training
In the Army National Guard, you will earn while you learn. After 10 weeks of Basic Training, where you will learn fundamental Soldiering skills, you will attend 14 weeks of Advanced Individual Training (AIT), which will include a combination of hands-on simulated combat and classroom training where you will keep your skills sharp through frequent squad maneuvers, target practice, and war games.
Benefits
- Paid training
- A monthly paycheck
- Montgomery GI Bill
- Federal and State tuition assistance
- Retirement benefits for part-time service
- Low-cost life insurance (up to $400,000 in coverage)
- 401(k)-type savings plan
- Student Loan Repayment Program (up to $50,000, for existing loans)
- Health care benefits available
- VA home loans
- Bonuses, if applicable
Requirements
- Military enlistment in the Army National Guard
- Must be at least a junior in high school, or have a high school diploma or a GED certificate
- Must be between the ages of 17 and 35
- Must be able to pass a physical exam and meet legal and moral standards
- Must meet citizenship requirements