[Surgicalcric]

1.) As was stated above you either heard wrong or were told something inaccurate. The fact that there was a former Marine 'Grunt' in my Infantry School class should tell you something. 11B is the Army MOS designation for Infantry.

2.) Regardless of your years in the Marines, you arent going to be promoted past your current grade.

3.) The blue Infantry Cord is awarded to those holding the MOS of 11B.

According to AR670-1, 28-30. Distinctive items authorized for Infantry personnel

a. Cord, shoulder.

(1) Description. The shoulder cord is infantry blue, and it is formed by a series of interlocking square knots around a center cord.

(2) Approval authority. The commanding general of the U.S. Army Infantry Center authorizes the award of the shoulder cord to infantrymen who have successfully completed the appropriate training. For Army National Guard soldiers, commanders of divisions, separate brigades, infantry regiments, the infantry scout group, and state adjutants general for separate infantry battalions and companies are authorized to award the shoulder cord to Army National Guard soldiers who have successfully completed the appropriate training...

...(4) By whom worn.

(a) Officers and enlisted personnel of the infantry, holding an infantry PMOS or specialty, who have been awarded the Combat Infantryman badge, the Expert Infantry badge, or who have successfully completed the basic unit phase of an Army training program or equivalent.

(b) Enlisted personnel who have completed one station unit training (OSUT) resulting in the award of an infantry PMOS.

(c) Infantry officers who have graduated from the resident infantry officer basic or advanced course.

(d) Infantry officers who have graduated from the Infantry Officer Candidate Course (during mobilization).

(e) Infantry officers and enlisted personnel in the Reserve components who hold an infantry PMOS or specialty.

(5) When worn. Infantry personnel (as described above) may wear the infantry cord as follows.

(a) During the period of assignment to an infantry regiment, brigade, separate infantry battalion, infantry company (including the headquarters and headquarters company of an infantry division), infantry platoon, or infantry TDA unit. In addition, infantrymen assigned to infantry sections or squads within units other than infantry units may wear the cord when authorized by battalion or higher-level commanders.

(b) During the period assigned for duty as an Army recruiter or advisor, ROTC instructor, or member of the staff and faculty of the U.S. Military Academy, as long as personnel retain their infantry PMOS.

(c) During the period of assignment at brigade- or lower-level BT or AIT units, or in OSUT infantry units, as long as personnel retain their infantry PMOS.

(d) Infantry OSUT and IOBC graduates may wear the cord en route to their initial follow-on infantry assignment.

(e) Soldiers en route from an assignment where wear of the shoulder cord was authorized are permitted to wear the shoulder cord if they are pending reassignment to another organization authorized wear of the cord, or when assigned to a separation point for discharge purposes.

b. Insignia disk; branch and U.S. insignia.

(1) Description. A plastic disk in infantry blue, 1-1/14 inches in diameter.

(2) Approval authority. The same as in paragraph a(2) , above. The insignia is issued without cost to enlisted personnel.

(3) How worn. The blue infantry disk is worn secured beneath the branch and U.S. insignia disks, with a ?;-inch border around the insignia. infantry personnel wear the insignia on the Army green, blue, and white uniforms (see fig 28-173 ).

(4) By whom worn.

(a) Enlisted infantry personnel, who hold an infantry PMOS; who were awarded the Combat Infantryman badge or the Expert Infantry badge, or who have successfully completed the basic unit phase of an Army training program, or the equivalent.

(b) Enlisted personnel who completed one station unit training (OSUT) and were awarded an infantry PMOS.

(c) Enlisted personnel of the Reserve components holding an infantry PMOS.

Other than the above there isnt a badge or other device awarded for the MOS of Infantryman. If you are speaking of the EIB (Expert Infantryman's Badge), it is only authorized for wear by those who have successfully completed the EIB course. The CIB (Combat Infantryman's Badge) is awarded for actions in combat as an ARMY Infantryman. The CAR doesnt transfer to an EIB or CIB when you enlist in the Army nor does your previous status as a Marine Infatryman authorize you to wear either.

4.) There are former Marines who have become SF; I had one as a TAC. It is more common to see them in the NG coming thru the SFQC than as Active Duty soldiers coming thru the course.

This should clear up all 4 of your questions.

Crip