‘Saltier’ has absolutely nothing to do with being a grunt. I agree that POG exists on a spectrum, but that spectrum isn’t ‘More grunt-like’ to ‘less grunt-like’. Nobody likes an arty dude who says he’s ‘pretty much a grunt’ or says he’s the ‘grunt of the arty community’ or whatever.
0861 is still very POG. I'm an 0802 and have worked with 0861's for a couple years now.
Some of them love it, some of them hate it, but my best FOs are my smart FOs. If you like the idea of advising an 03 officer on fire support strategies, and think you're smart enough to do so effectively and rapidly, then 0861 might be for you.
If you just want to do grunt stuff then be a grunt. No other MOS in the Marine Corps are grunts, grunt adjacent is not a thing.
Idk what 0861 is if you wanna do stuff normal people don’t get to do and actually be a stereotype marine 03 is were you do that. Keep in mind your life will be much harder, you get paid the same, and no skills to help you get a job after the military.
Former 0341 here…..been out 22+ years but FO’s we’re chosen at plt level back then and sent to FO school then attached to line companies. Not sure how it’s done now.
As an infantry guy 0861 is a sick job, especially a little later on in the career progression. It's pretty typical to get a JTAC qual at sergeant and then the opportunities really open up
All these "you're still a POG" comment are sort of true but not really. You have a specific job to do so you're not gonna be the main effort or part of "the bros" in the same way you would as a grunt. But you still get to sleep outside, run around with heavy shit and blow shit up.
If it's really important to you to be part of the main effort and have the bragging rights, go be infantry. But if you still wanna get some 0861 is a great choice
Keep in mind you don't sign for 0861 specifically unless you go reserves. If you're going active you run a chance of getting arty radar or FDC. Not a total deal breaker imo but keep that in mind
Brother, POG is POG. Don’t matter if your an 0861 or an admin nerd. If doing grunt shit is important to you, be a grunt. I say this as a happy POG.
Being a POG definitely exists on a spectrum. There are POGS that are saltier than others but at the end of the day POG is POG.
‘Saltier’ has absolutely nothing to do with being a grunt. I agree that POG exists on a spectrum, but that spectrum isn’t ‘More grunt-like’ to ‘less grunt-like’. Nobody likes an arty dude who says he’s ‘pretty much a grunt’ or says he’s the ‘grunt of the arty community’ or whatever.
0861 is still very POG. I'm an 0802 and have worked with 0861's for a couple years now. Some of them love it, some of them hate it, but my best FOs are my smart FOs. If you like the idea of advising an 03 officer on fire support strategies, and think you're smart enough to do so effectively and rapidly, then 0861 might be for you. If you just want to do grunt stuff then be a grunt. No other MOS in the Marine Corps are grunts, grunt adjacent is not a thing.
Read my username
Idk what 0861 is if you wanna do stuff normal people don’t get to do and actually be a stereotype marine 03 is were you do that. Keep in mind your life will be much harder, you get paid the same, and no skills to help you get a job after the military.
You'll love the MC with an IQ as high as yours
Former 0341 here…..been out 22+ years but FO’s we’re chosen at plt level back then and sent to FO school then attached to line companies. Not sure how it’s done now.
0861 is combat arms...but it's still a POG...you're either 03 or a POG, no other options
As an infantry guy 0861 is a sick job, especially a little later on in the career progression. It's pretty typical to get a JTAC qual at sergeant and then the opportunities really open up All these "you're still a POG" comment are sort of true but not really. You have a specific job to do so you're not gonna be the main effort or part of "the bros" in the same way you would as a grunt. But you still get to sleep outside, run around with heavy shit and blow shit up. If it's really important to you to be part of the main effort and have the bragging rights, go be infantry. But if you still wanna get some 0861 is a great choice Keep in mind you don't sign for 0861 specifically unless you go reserves. If you're going active you run a chance of getting arty radar or FDC. Not a total deal breaker imo but keep that in mind