When I joined the United States Army back in 1981, my military occupational specialty (MOS) was 11 Bravo. Known to many as Grunts, I was proud, as were my fellow soldiers to be the front fight in combat. The Infantryman engages enemies up close and personal. The Infantryman trains hard for any and all battles, and one of the first things a 11 Bravo must learn is the Infantryman’s Creed.
I decided to do a bit of research because I just wanted to make sure that with all the crazy changes they have made in the Army, that they had not changed the Infantryman’s Creed. From all that I see, it has remained unchanged, and that puts a smile on my face.
In today’s post, I am going to print the Infantryman’s Creed and then break it down to provide an understanding why each and every Infantry soldier lives by this creed. This is what you should know about the Infantryman’s Creed:
The Infantryman’s Creed
I am the Infantry.
I am my country’s strength in War,
her deterrent in peace.
I am the heart of the fight –
wherever, whenever.
I carry America’s faith and honor
against her enemies.
I am the queen of Battle.
I am what my country expects me to be –
the best trained soldier in the world.
In the race for victory,
I am swift, determined, and courageous,
armed with a fierce will to win.
Never will I fail my country’s trust.
Always I fought on –
through the foe,
to the objective,
to triumph over all.
If necessary, I fight to my death.
By my steadfast courage,
I have won 200 years of freedom.
I yield not:
to hunger,
to cowardice,
to fatigue,
to superior odds,
for I am mentally tough, physically strong,
and morally straight.
I forsake not –
my country,
my mission,
my comrades,
my sacred duty.
I am relentless
I am always there,
now and forever.
I AM THE INFANTRY!
FOLLOW ME!
(I am the Infantry.) The first sentence tells everyone who this is. There are several forms of infantry in the United States Army:
(I am my country’s strength in War, her deterrent in peace.) Ever since the Revolution, America’s enemies know that we have the strongest Infantry in the world. It would be suicidal for any enemy to dare attack us on our lands, and fear strikes in the hearts of enemies if they know the Army Infantry is going to deploy to their battles.
(I am the heart of the fight – wherever, whenever.) As Infantry soldiers, we will fight in any conditions, in any location and at any time.
(I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies.) The United States Army Infantry carry America’s complete standards of faith in God and honor of justice and righteousness when we enter the battle or war.
(I am the queen of Battle.) While there have been many jokes about this, just consider the game of chess; the Queen can move any way, any distance and destroys those in her way. While artillery is the king of battle, the queen protects that king, and all the other pieces.
(I am what my country expects me to be – the best trained soldier in the world.) Infantry soldiers train hard. They can run for miles, are able to shoot straight and accurate, and also can fight with their hands. They are trained to destroy the enemy.
(In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win.) Infantrymen are determined always to win. The key to it all is winning!
(Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fought on – through the foe, to the objective, to triumph over all.) As citizens of the United States, we can count on our Infantrymen to stand tough and win! There is no quitting in the minds and hearts of infantrymen.
(If necessary, I fight to my death.) This speaks for itself.
(By my steadfast courage, I have won 200 years of freedom.) It is the Infantry that won the Revolution, and it is the Infantry that has been the primary leader in victory for 200 years after.
(I yield not: to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, for I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight.) There is no deterring an Infantryman in his will to win the battle and the war.
(I forsake not – my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty.) It is TRUE! The Infantryman stands tall and invincible!
(I am relentless) As an Army Infantryman, I will go to all lengths to win the battle and the war.
(I am always there, now and forever.) You can always bet that as an infantryman, I will always be where I need to be to win against enemies of the United States and her citizens.
(I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!) If you stay behind the United States Army Infantry, you will be well protected.
Final Words
This creed has been recited by many Infantrymen. Men who have fought and fought for our freedom. They have this creed not only on their lips, but also in their hearts.
If you have any opinions, thoughts or questions, please post them below.
Chuck Holmes
Former Army Major (resigned)
Publisher, Part-Time-Commander.com
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com
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I love this. My son is almost to his Turning Green Ceremony; and then begins AIT for Infantry. I. Miss. Him. But, I am so proud to say to the country, “my son has your back, now and always” <3
I get chills when I watch videos of soldiers saying the Creed, and I can't wait to see him recite those words and the pride on his to have joined the best army in the world!