1 More Milestone Passed.

I recently completed IOBC. The course was 16 weeks of training to be an Infantry Officer. The course was designed to resemble the pattern of training we should use in leading our troops and modeled to train each individual on how to correctly perform infantry tasks and tactics all while providing opportunities to improve your leadership skills. The focus is on making you a competent Platoon Leader with the necessary skills to train and lead your platoon. (At least, the base skills to train and continue to learn more as you lead and train.)
Overall it was a good course. We had some excellent trainers. The curriculum was a week of classroom tactics followed by a week of tactical field practice. We would learn the theory and then go apply it in the field. I had a good time and learned more fieldcraft.
The end of the course we are awarded an Infantry Blue Cord to wear as we join the ranks of Infantrymen. It is a very symbolic and significant addition to your uniform that only 13% of the Army wears.

Here are the actual narrator's words from the ceremony when we were awarded the cord.

Infantry Blue Cord
Eighteenth Century European armies used cords and aguilettes to distinguish service branches and officers from enlisted. Many Continental Army units adopted this custom. After the American Revolution, cords fell into disuse until the Mexican War. During this war some Mexican military leaders threatened to hang any captured U.S. Officers. Many gallant men defiantly wore short ropes on their shoulders as they pressed home the attack in mocking tribute to their enemy's empty threat. Cords and aguilettes soon officially reappeared to denote various positions and awards and have remained with our Army until this day
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.