Infantry

CMF 11 is the Army’s ground combat force. Infantry soldiers close with and destroy enemy forces through direct action, patrols, ambushes, and fire and maneuver. Every other branch exists to support what they do. Both MOSs in this family start with the same 22-week One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Moore, Georgia, and require an OPAT score at the Heavy (Black) level, the most demanding physical standard in the Army. Where they differ is in role: the 11B fights with rifles at close range, while the 11C operates mortars from concealed positions to destroy targets the rifle platoon cannot reach. Both require a minimum Combat (CO) line score of 87 on the ASVAB.

At a Glance

Both MOSs in CMF 11 share the same entry requirements and training pipeline. The table below captures the key differences at a glance.

Both require the OPAT Heavy (Black) standard before shipping. Neither requires a security clearance at entry. Training for both happens at the same location under the same cadre, with the split occurring at week 7 when 11C trainees branch off into mortar-specific instruction. The CO line score formula on the 11B page uses VE + AS + MC; the 11C page records it as AR + CS + AS + MC. Both are valid Army composite calculations that roll up under the CO label, and both require a minimum score of 87.

Who This Career Field Is For

Infantry attracts people who want to be at the front of the fight and aren’t interested in spending their service behind a desk. That means thriving on physical challenge, functioning in a team when conditions are bad, and staying sharp when the environment is anything but controlled.

You don’t need a background in the military to succeed here. What does predict success: prior competitive athletics, experience working in teams under pressure, and a high tolerance for discomfort and unpredictability. People who need a fixed schedule and a stable home life tend to struggle with the deployment tempo and the field rotation cycle that define infantry life.

Both MOSs lean heavily on mental toughness alongside physical fitness. The 11C adds a technical dimension: mortar gunnery requires manual ballistics calculations, precision under noise and stress, and teamwork within a 3 to 5 person crew. If you want a combat job where math matters as much as muscle, the 11C is worth a hard look.

Common Entry Requirements

Both infantry MOSs share the same gateway. You need a minimum Combat (CO) line score of 87 on the ASVAB, which is one of the lower thresholds in the Army , most candidates who pass the overall AFQT qualify on the composite. More important is the Occupational Physical Assessment Test: CMF 11 sits in the Heavy (Black) category, the most demanding OPAT tier. Before you ship to OSUT, you have to hit minimum marks on the standing long jump, seated power throw, strength deadlift, and interval aerobic run. You must be a U.S. citizen (permanent residents do not qualify for 11-series contracts), hold at least a high school diploma or GED, and meet standard age and medical requirements. No security clearance is required for either MOS at entry. Both MOSs use the 11X enlistment option , the Army determines your assignment as 11B or 11C based on its needs at the time you complete training. See each role’s profile below for specific requirements.

Career Field Directory

11B Infantryman is the backbone of ground combat. You engage enemy forces at close range, execute patrols and ambushes, operate as part of a fire team, and secure terrain. The 11B is the most common combat arms assignment and feeds into specialized roles through airborne, air assault, Ranger, and sniper training. It’s the most physically demanding job in the Army and has the clearest path to special operations for those who pursue it.

11C Indirect Fire Infantryman operates the battalion’s mortar systems, from the 60mm man-portable mortar up to the 120mm heavy mortar mounted on carriers. You deliver fire on targets the rifle platoon can’t see, compute ballistics data, and displace before counter-fire arrives. The 11C rewards technical precision and works well for people who want a combat role that requires both physical toughness and analytical thinking.

Both MOS profiles include full details on ASVAB line scores, pay, training pipeline, career progression, deployment patterns, Reserve and National Guard options, and post-service opportunities.

Related Resources

Qualifying for either MOS starts with the ASVAB. Our ASVAB study guide covers the Combat (CO) composite in detail: what subtests it draws from, how to target your preparation, and what a competitive score looks like for combat arms. If you’re taking the ASVAB for the first time, the PiCAT lets you test from home before your official MEPS appointment.

Explore more Army combat arms careers by comparing the infantry path to armor and engineer options.