"Got my blue cord" Topic

Sorry for the late update. My Battalion Commander presented me with my blue cord during drill a couple of weekends ago. It is the symbol of an infantryman in the US Army. It looks like this:
picture

It means this:
General Washington selected the color blue to distinguish his tough and resolute infantry in the Continental Army from other types of soldiers. General LaFayette chose a light blue color to outfit his American Infantry Corps. For the next 120 years, the official Infantry color alternated between blue and white until 1904 when the Army officially adopted what we now know as "Infantry Blue."

In 1951, the Army leadership sought to encourage and recognize foot soldiers who were bravely fighting intense battles in Korea. They soon adopted the Infantry Blue Cord. This cord would only be worn by fully qualified Infantrymen and would announce for all to see that these men would be on the front line when our nation was at war.

Today, enlisted graduates of Infantry Basic Training receive their blue cord at the end of their final FTX. Graduates of the Infantry Officer Basic Course complete their weeklong final FTX and after road marching back to building 76 have their blue cords pinned on them by their platoon trainer NCOs. The SSG or SFC who pins on the blue cord then renders an honorary salute in symbolic recognition of their welcoming the Lieutenant into the ranks of the Infantry.

I was awarded the 11B military occupational skill after completing a two-week reclassification course. See also: TMP link

Congrats!!!

I got my blue cord in '84 @ Ft Benning – our C.O. handed them out at the top of the tallest sturcture on the obstacle course – you had to climb to get it – a very memorable experience and one of my prize possessions 20+ yrs later

Got mine back in '87.

At least you're leaning a trade……

Don't give it to anyone named Gord, or he'll tie it up in knots! Congratulations and take care.

Congratulations and thank you!

Well Done Jay! My congratulations to you and my thanks for your service.

Follow me!

Welcome to the grunts brother : )

Congratulations, and thanks for the explanation — I've seen those before on servicemen and never knew what they meant.

Congratulations from a Signal weenie. That is a great accomplishment!

Well we can't all be Cav. But any combat MOS is something to be proud of.

Got mine in '62 at Fort Gordon and went to the 1st Cav in Korea. Showing my age. Thanks for your service and congratulations. Wear it with pride.

Congrats. I got mine at Benning in '88.

Got mine in 81 Ft Benning Gaga.

D-3-1

Got mine '80 Ft Benning E-5-1 Jump wings 3 weeks later

I'm a Tread-Head so I received a Yellow Cord as is appropriate for Armour, but the symbolism is the same. Congratulations.

Congratulations on getting your blue cord. I was awarded mine after the completion of my Infantry Officer course. I remember the day proudly. 10 years later I changed branchs to Civil Affairs and 3 of us Infantry guys on graduation held a party to pay respect to our blue cords that we could no longer wear as Civil Affairs Officers.

My cord and what it represented will always be a proud part of my military career.

Mine at Ft Polk "The birthplace of the Combat Infantryman for Viet Nam" 1971.

Congratulations! Certainly, that must of been a proud day for you.

I also received mine at Ft. Benning in 1988. Mine was a nearly all reserve class – only two active army 2LT's in the cycle and about that many days of rain too!

- George

The Blue cord, my CIB, and my Jump Wings are the only things that adorn my I love me wall. To me they re the greatest honors ever bestowed upon me. Wear it well.

Good luck,
Brent