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INF
INFANTRY

11C Indirect Fire Infantryman (Mortarman)

U.S. Army
Equivalent: 0341 (USMC Mortarman)
Formerly: 11C Indirect Fire Infantryman (unchanged), Mortarman
The 11C operates 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm mortar systems providing indirect fire support to infantry units. Combines infantry dismounted operations with the blast exposure of artillery. Carries all infantry combat loads plus mortar components (baseplate: 29 lbs, tube: 35 lbs, bipod: 26 lbs for 81mm system).
OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS
-All infantry physical demands (dismounted patrol, combat load carriage 60-120+ lbs)
-Additional carry of mortar system components (baseplate 29 lbs, tube 35 lbs, bipod 26 lbs)
-Repeated lifting and dropping of mortar rounds into tube (3-5 lbs per round, hundreds per mission)
-Extreme muzzle blast overpressure from mortar firing (160+ dB)
-Kneeling and crouching at mortar pit for extended fire missions
-Burn pit and propellant fume exposure
SERVICE-CONNECTED CONDITIONS (8 MAPPED)
Tap a condition to expand. Use the links inside to learn more, check your rating, or prep for your exam.
TinnitusDC 6260
VERY HIGH
Typical Ratings: 10%
Mortar muzzle blast is among the loudest exposures in the military (160+ dB). Every fire mission is a hearing damage event.
38 C.F.R. 4.87, DC 6260
Hearing Loss (Bilateral)DC 6100
VERY HIGH
Typical Ratings: 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%
Same blast exposure. Cumulative damage from hundreds of rounds per deployment.
38 C.F.R. 4.85-4.86, DC 6100
PTSDDC 9411
VERY HIGH
Typical Ratings: 30%, 50%, 70%, 100%
Combat infantry with additional stress of providing fire support. Combat stressor conceded.
38 C.F.R. 3.304(f)(2); 38 U.S.C. 1154(b)
Lumbar Spine (DDD/Strain)DC 5237-5243
VERY HIGH
Typical Ratings: 10%, 20%, 40%
Infantry load carriage PLUS mortar system components. Among the heaviest loads carried by any MOS.
38 C.F.R. 4.71a, DC 5237-5243
Knee Condition (Bilateral)DC 5003/5256-5263
VERY HIGH
Typical Ratings: 10%, 20%
Extended kneeling at mortar pit, infantry patrol loads, jumping from vehicles. Bilateral factor applies.
38 C.F.R. 4.71a; VAOPGCPREC 23-97
Shoulder ConditionDC 5200-5203
HIGH
Typical Ratings: 10%, 20%
Overhead handling of mortar rounds, assembling/disassembling mortar system, carrying tube and baseplate.
38 C.F.R. 4.71a, DC 5200-5203
TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury)DC 8045
MODERATE
Typical Ratings: 10%, 40%
Repeated blast overpressure from own-weapon fire plus IED/combat exposure.
38 C.F.R. 4.124a, DC 8045
Cervical SpineDC 5237-5243
HIGH
Typical Ratings: 10%, 20%
Helmet weight, NVGs, looking up to observe rounds during fire missions, load carriage.
38 C.F.R. 4.71a, DC 5237-5243
TYPICAL RATING CONSTELLATION
An 11C with combat deployment commonly has: tinnitus (10%), hearing loss (10-20%), PTSD (50-70%), lumbar spine (20-40%), bilateral knee (10% each), shoulder (10-20%), cervical spine (10%). Combined: 80-100%.
KEY CLAIM TIP
11C mortarmen have some of the highest blast exposure in the military. Document the number of fire missions and rounds fired if possible. Buddy statements from FDC or section chiefs describing the firing tempo are powerful evidence for hearing and TBI claims.
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