I am the Infantry
I am the Infantry–Queen of Battle! For two centuries I have kept our Nation safe, purchasing freedom with my blood. To tyrants, I am the day of reckoning; to the oppressed, the hope for the future. Where the fighting is thick, there am I…I am the Infantry! FOLLOW ME!
I was there from the beginning, meeting the enemy face to face, will to will. My bleeding feet stained the snow at Valley Forge; my frozen hands pulled Washington across the Delaware. At Yorktown, the sunlight glinted from the sword and I, begrimed…Saw a Nation born. Hardship…And glory I have known. At New Orleans, I fought beyond the hostile hour, showed the fury of my long rifle…and came of age. I am the Infantry! FOLLOW ME!
Westward I pushed with wagon trains…moved an empire across the plains…extended freedom’s borders and tamed the wild frontier. I am the Infantry! FOLLOW ME!
I was with Scott at Vera Cruz…hunted the guerilla in the mountain passes…and scaled the high plateau. The fighting was done when I ended my march many miles from the old Alamo. From Bull Run to Appomattox, I fought and bled. Both Blue and Gray were my colors then. Two masters I served and united them strong…proved that this nation could right a wrong…and long endure. I am the Infantry! FOLLOW ME!
I led the charge up San Juan Hill…scaled the walls of old Tientsin…and stalked the Moro in the steaming jungle still…always the vanguard, I am the Infantry! FOLLOW ME!
At Chateau-Thierry, first over the top, then I stood like a rock on the Marne. It was I who cracked the Hindenburg Line…in the Argonne, I broke the Kaiser’s spine…and didn’t come back ’till it was “over, over there.” I am the Infantry! FOLLOW ME!
A generation older at Bataan, I briefly bowed, but then I vowed to return. Assaulted the African shore…learned my lesson the hard way in the desert sands…pressed my buttons into the beach at Anzio…and bounced into Rome with determination and resolve. I am the Infantry! FOLLOW ME!
The English channel, stout beach defenses and the hedgerows could not hold me…I broke out at St. Lo, unbent the Bulge…vaulted the Rhine…and swarmed the Heartland. Hitler’s dream and the Third Reich were dead. In the Pacific, from island to island…hit the beaches and chopped through swamp and jungle…I set the Rising Sun. I am the Infantry!
In Korea, I gathered my strength around Pusan…swept across the frozen Han…outflanked the Reds at Inchon…and marched to the Yalu. I am the Infantry! FOLLOW ME!
In Vietnam, while others turned aside, I fought the longest fight, from the Central Highlands to the South China Sea I patrolled the jungle, the paddies and the sky in the bitter test that belongs to the Infantry. I am the Infantry! FOLLOW ME!
Around the world, I stand…ever forward. Over Lebanon’s sands, my rifle steady aimed…and calm returned. At Berlin’s gates, I scorned the Wall of Shame. I spanned the Caribbean in freedom’s cause, answered humanity’s call. I trod the streets of Santo Domingo to protect the innocent. In Grenada, I jumped at Salinas, and proclaimed freedom for all. My arms set a Panamanian dictator to flight and once more raised democracy’s flag. In the Persian Gulf, I drew the line in the desert, called the tyrant’s bluff and restored right and freedom in 100 hours. Duty called, I answered. I am the Infantry! FOLLOW ME!
My bayonet…on the wings of power… keeps the peace worldwide. And despots, falsely garbed in freedom’s mantle, falter…hide. My ally in the paddies and the forest…I teach, I aid, I lead. I am the Infantry! FOLLOW ME!
Where brave men fight…there fight I. In freedom’s cause…I live, I die. From Concord Bridge to Heartbreak Ridge, from the Arctic to the Mekong, to the Caribbean…the Queen of Battle! Always ready…then, now, and forever. I am the Infantry! FOLLOW ME!
OCS Alma Mater
Far across the Chattahoochee, to the Upatoi, stands our loyal alma mater, Benning’s School for boys.
Forward ever, backward never, faithfully we strive, to the ports of embarkation, Follow Me with pride!
When It’s time and we are called to guard our country’s might, we’ll be there with heads held high, to lead in freedom’s fight.
Yearning ever, failing never, to keep our country free; the call is clear we must meet the task for We are the Infantry!!
OCS PRAYER
Almighty God, we who soon will become leader’s of men, come to You for guidance in this awesome responsibility. We pray for humility, O Lord, that any existing selfishness, arrogance, and vanity will be removed from our lives.
Grant us patience in dealing with the mistakes of our fellow man. Let us never forget that no one is perfect, but that perfection for fragile humans is trying each day to be better than the day before.
Keep ever before us our goal, which is not to perpetuate war but to safeguard your greatest gift to man – freedom.
Let us never forget our duty to the men whom we will lead. May we instill in them the qualities of honor, integrity, and duty.
Remind us that wisdom is not gained in an hour, a day, or a year but that it is a process that continues all the days of our lives.
Give us courage, O Lord, in the face of danger. Keep us pure in heart, clean of mind, and strong of purpose.
May You always be near, to guide us in our decisions, comfort us in our failure, and keep us humble in our successes.
We ask your divine blessings as we continue to prepare for the great honor of serving our country. Walk close to us always, our Father, that we may not fail.
Amen
The OCS Prayer, was written in May, 1964 by candidates of the 4th Platoon, 51st Company, 5th Student Battalion, The School Brigade. The prayer was three months in preparation and calls for courage and humility. It was first read by The School Brigade Chaplain, LTC Arthur J. Estes.