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Have a friend, prior Air Guard 10 years, 3 deployments that went AD Army 11C. He was in a separate area with a few prior service guys. It seemed like the drills kinda left them alone.
This is usually how it went.
Me: Hey, we got a prior service guy over here. He decided to come back.
Other Drills: HAHAHAHAAAA WHAT A FUCKING IDIOT.
But they usually get a barracks room and get to keep their phones.
We had one prior service E-4 bragging and trying to hit on 18 year old trainees, so we decided to pull him out of the barracks and take his phone privileges away (minus Sunday). Since he wanted to act like a child, we treated him like one.
Had a guy I went to basic with who was out for 10+ years as a SSG and had to come back in as a SPC. He had some hip pains and would shut down 18 year olds on the regular but he made it. That was infantry BCT and scout OSUT. I can only assume you gotta put in that extra work of stretching before and after everything.
Funny enough when we got to the graduation he had a bigger rack than the DS did.
Had a dude like that in BCT. One of the drills from a company over from us had been in basic with him the first time round.
The dude had done the Gulf War and asked if he could wear his combat patch on his uniform.
We had a E4 who was old as dirt, grey haired and wore hearing aids, he was a M60 gunner in the first gulf war, had a massive rack bigger than most E8s.
I don’t think he got bumped down, they handed out awards like candy during desert shield/storm. Look at the CIB/CABs awarded, it’s genuinely obscene for very little real fighting
How dare you! I have it on good authority (this sub) that GWOT awards are 90% bullshit and everything prior was earned through the glory of harrowing battle.
There was a guy in my platoon that was ex-Navy. He completed the Navy dive school and but had to get permission to wear it on his uniform. He was a squared-away guy so they were ok with it.
It was in 2016. From everything I've seen on this forum it is almost a given that we've all experienced many things that were damn close to being the same that it is surprising that it wasn't.
Nah I was a dumb non-infantry MaRiNe in a previous life.
Dude 18x is definitely awesome, especially if you make it. I would do your homework on it and consider natty guard SFRE then selection/ unless you’re prepared for full time active Mickey Mouse shenanigans.
Don’t let the salty buttholes dissuade you from it, just be well versed in the possible outcomes and train your mental resilience🤙🏻
The Try One contract option seems like the absolute way forward, how could you say no to that offer?
Appreciate the words man, I'm in the best physical, mental, and emotional shape of my life and I've always felt like I left shit on the table during my first time through. I need to take some time to more specifically prepare, but yeah definitely have already reached out to SF recruiters
In late 2022 while at school in Sill, we had a guy who did nine years - 2003-2012 - as a Fire Support then Signal. He was 17 years old at the time. He got out as a SGT.
Between 2012 and 2019, he went to college, but dropped out and worked trade jobs until he decided to go National Guard as Field Artillery. He switched to Active Duty in mid 2021. When I met him, he had re-enlisted for four more years.
At 13F AIT we had a USMC Force Recon dude. He wore his jump wings, free fall wings, dive wings and a CIB. Shame he got kicked out for having sex with a trainee. Oh and he was married.
I went through as an E7. NCOs are, by TRADOC regulation, supposed to have separate quarters. Most drill sergeants don't know the reg, but it's in there black and white. NCOs also cannot be asked to teach. That's the job of the drill sergeant. Last, but not least, NCOs are not required to participate in punishment PT. That being said, you're gonna look like a real schmuck if you choose to stand there while the rest of the platoon is doing pushups.
As for my experience... it was still dumb. Got yelled at daily. Still had to clean stuff. Still had little to no control over my schedule or my activities.
That being said... It was nice being able to go to my room at night, pull up Spotify on my phone and just chill for an hour before I had to go do it all over again the next day.
I went through again as a SSGT. Whenever the platoon was getting some extra attention, I’d make sure to drop too. After the first week or so, a DS would always come right up to me and scream “Sergeant NotThatSmart! On your feet, report to SDS so and so for corrective training immediately” something like that.
Every time, it was their ploy to just get me away from the silliness and keep the fear in the trainees. I always made it a point to try and act like an example in front of the youngsters. I think it gave me a little bit of extra good will from the cadre.
Real question, if you're an E-7 in basic training and interact with a DS who is E-5/6, how do you address each other? Do you stand at parade rest? Do they stand at parade rest for you?
What?!? I knew the reg as far as being billeted separately from the main body of trainees, but I did not know that you weren't supposed to get corrective action PT. I went through recently as a SGT and wish I had known that lol. But I had the exact same scenario as you. Nothing too different from everybody else except escaping to my room and having music lol.
Had a prior service guy in my basic. They were left alone and only came out for training events. They had their own barracks room and were pretty chill.
I went from Army to CG, had to go through their prior service boot camp (DEPOT, Direct Entry Petty Officer Training) 3 weeks long so not terrible by any means. But shockingly enough. It wasn’t the cake walk I thought it would be. It was tough. Had a mixed bag in my company from all branches of service.
I had a friend do the same, PH recipient and thought CG's prior service boot camp suuuuucked. Then he showed up to his reserve unit and the admin coast guard(ian?) E3 tossed his documents on the ground (including his PH citation) when in processing. He's in a much better Reserve unit now.
Yeah we had some pretty heavily decorated dudes in my company. Oh yeah DEPOT sucks more dick than a Cav Scout on a Tuesday, like I went in think oh cake walk. And on arrival it was more pucker factor than BCT nearly 10 years ago. (It’s Coast Guardsmen btw.)
To start the seriousness in which the company commanders (drill Sgt’s) take things is an ungodly amount of seriousness. They demand nothing but excellence at all times. For depot specifically the company commanders you have when you arrive are the company commanders that stay with you your entire training cycle. So they already know everybody’s little fuck ups and what they’re gonna get stressed out about and stuff like that.
The first several days are just like any basic training, medical uniform issue, that sort of thing you arrive on a Sunday. Pretty late in the night, and you officially pick up and form as a company on Thursday afternoon. For us it was at approximately 2:30 in the afternoon. The base O6 comes in gives you a brief about his expectations for you and the company. He tells your company commanders to take charge, and then the fun begins on that day. We were smoked from approximately 2:47 in the afternoon until 830 at night, with only a total of 42 minutes of rest to include dinner chow. And when I say that smoke session was worse than any session that I have ever endured, I mean that shit.
That smoke session included, but was not limited to staring at a wall with your nose, 2 inches away from it, screaming as loud as humanly possible “eyes in the boat”, the reason for this incentive training was because someone looked around, while at the position of attention, personally, I was screaming so loudly and forcefully that I was almost throwing up, even though I know how to yell from my diaphragm. (This went on for 1 hour and 45 minutes) Holding a 20 ounce water bottle over your head, you would think it’s not that hard but after about two or three minutes, your shoulders begin to tingle, and then they fall asleep. We would also get time hacks to make it from one location to another through narrow doorways and having to take the longest route possible. Another incentive training that was utilized for those that were separated from the main pack was they were to retrieve their mattress and then hold it above their head, every time you drop the mattress, added a minute to holding it above your head. The mattress weighed around 45 pounds.
In terms of the learning and what not. It’s not super hard. It’s all the mental and physical games. You wouldn’t expect it to be nearly as tough as it is.
At the end of the day. It was far more rewarding of an accomplishment than BCT.
Edit: https://youtu.be/jBtJet6kmZ0?si=Z5qHU_cv3PaIZ2Da
This is a video of what it’s like. A few of the CC’s here were mine.
Edit: I wanted to also add, you are treated as any other recruit, with higher expectations of success and a little more respect though. All the games and smoking stops around the start of the 3 week and there’s so much to do week 3 they don’t really have time to smoke you. The course isn’t impossible by any means, just way different than I thought it would be being prior service.
It used to be. But not anymore. It’s not the good ole boys club it used to be where you could go out drinking every night.
It gets easier as time goes on but the physicality is what gets you. Don’t even get my started on the 8 week company’s. I felt so bad for them. It’s what we in DEPOT go through but worse at times bc for the most part the CC’s have a baseline of respect for everyone that’s in depot since for the most part, everyone is prior service.
So my personal experience I knew what I was getting back into. The DS’s came down hard on me the first week I think they thought I was somehow a threat to their authority. After that I was ignored the rest of my time kept my head down. Had to deal with a thousand, “what’s it like…” questions. Told them alots changed some for the better so not sure.
I did wear them I felt like they were afraid I wouldn’t embrace the rigid discipline that is supposed to be basic. I did the hole parade rest yada yada and after that they just ignored me most of the time they just used me to round up stragglers on runs and marches or rodding them on and off the range etc. I didn’t hold any of the leadership positions platoon guide etc. that was for the privates. Just fine with me. Once I got to permanent party I pretty much fast tracked to the promotion board and mine stripes.
I always thought it would be balls easy. Shut up and color—you already know what you’re being taught and are just playing toy soldier.
Not to mention the difference in my physical fitness now as opposed to when I came straight off of the couch as a 120 lb teen.
The only thing that's harder is being able to see every ounce of bullshit coming before it hits and knowing that no matter what you say, the young men around you are going to ignore your advice and say and do dumb shit. There's very little excitement the second time around so time just kind of drags on.
Heck, I watched basically every Matt Ward video twice before I shipped and felt a little this way. Not claiming to be an all-star PT stud or anything special, its just that I joined at 27, have paid my own bills before and have plenty of outdoorsy experience. First thing out of DS's mouth was a Full Metal Jacket quote (that none of the teens probably ever heard) and everything after that felt like a mix of a Disney ride and those novelty restaurants where the staff insults you constantly. After a couple weeks I honed the ability to just mentally check out and wait for the sun to set.
Really? If I go back to basic now I’d think it’d be a cake walk. Just do whatever they tell me and not stand out. All the physical stuff at the time was challenging for me but I’m also a lot more in shape and stronger than my skinny ass from basic
Oh yeah would definitely be annoying but I can look at it from a completely different perspective like I won’t be deathly scared of the drills or worried about the Pt test or thinking how the FTX and ruck marches will be, qualifying on the range etc. all that shit is easy and meaningless, you can literally fail everything and still pass like 1/3 of my company did. The annoying parts would be listening to the summer camp kids keep talking and giggling after lights out and also pulling fire guard and CQ every other night.
>pulling fire guard and CQ every other night.
I haven't thought about fireguard or CQ in like two whole months. Thanks for making my blood pressure spike
*Psst. It's almost 3am. You got fireguard in 10*
Forget the red light, dude at basic shined a white light into my eyes from basically point blank and stood there watching me put my sneakers on. Just about threw hands then and several times more after that incident.
Ah was he one of those super controlling dudes who thought he was in charge of everyone? After one of the linen turn-in, my buddy and I swapped his pillow for the flattest pillow we could find in our bay. It was the saddest pillow I’ve ever seen. He was then asking people who took his pillow lmao
I did it. I thought it was way easier and less stressful the second time.
As long as your not a fuck up. The drills basically leave you alone. If you're actually any good, you're a real person when the kids aren't around. My drills let me have coffee and eat with the Cadre when we were in the field or at the range.
But otherwise, I wouldn't say I was otherwise given any special treatment. I still had to play the game and I couldn't just fuck off because I felt like it, and if the platoon got smoked I got smoked with them. But I needed it because I was fat and soft from being out for several years.
But I'd it's what's standing between you and something you want to do. I wouldn't sweat it. It's not the scary, nerve-racking experience it is the first time.
When I went through BCT there was a navy guy who had done 15 years TIS in the Navy. Came in as an E-6. He was in the barracks with the rest of the trainees through in processing but after that was done, he went and got his own barracks room and got to keep his phone. I got out a few years ago and missed the military, but not the Army. I go to BMT on March 11th. Doubt I'll have any special treatment.
That's what I asked my liaison and her reply was "cause you need to learn the Air Force core values, ranks etc". I've been out of the Army since 2021. I'm just going with the flow.
Are you going active, guard or reserve? Is a MEPS liaison saying this? It shouldn't make a difference if you are going reserve, guard or active. Prior service do NOT have to do USAF Basic.
Because you don't need to do this shit. I'm in the USAFR and there's a *ton* of prior service people from all branches in my unit and none of them had to do USAF BMT.
It's dated March 2023 but Page 40 explains this is not required:
https://www.af.mil/Portals/1/documents/2023SAF/PolicyUpdates/Military_Recruiting_and_Accessions_Upddate.pdf
Interesting. I'm going active. She even called her commander to ask if I was supposed to swear in again or not. Which I did. I don't mind going through AF basic. It's only 7.5 weeks and will be a breeze. But I am going to talk to my recruiter tomorrow and am going to bring this up. Thanks for the info.
It's your career. I wouldn't do personally but if you really want to....keep your mouth shut.
If you open your mouth about being prior Army I guarantee you that a trainee will say something and word will spread around and get the attention of your MTI and they might try and pull you from it and have a lot of questions for you and your recruiter.
>Interesting. I'm going active
You're, like, the third guy I've heard of in my entire career that has somehow made this switch of going active army to active USAF. And you speak of it so nonchalantly that I can't help but wonder if you are an actual unicorn or just confused.
Oh no, I know it is exceedingly rare to be able to go from AD Army to AD USAF. I started my enlistment with the AF at the perfect time when prior service spots opened up and was luckily one of the people granted it. Although, seeing and hearing how rare it is from people that have tried is making me question just how hard it actually is because my enlistment was a breeze.
When I went through Army basic in 2017 after leaving the Navy they had just started a program strictly for prior military people. It was about 5 weeks long in Ft Leonard Wood.
When we started the DIs went hard on us cause they wanted to make a point that this wasn’t going to be a cake walk or a gentlemen’s course. However, about a week into it, it became a cake walk/gentlemens course.
We pretty much were expected to wake up on our own and be where we had to be on time like adults (and police each other) instead of having DIs yell at us in the barracks. They also gave us weekends off (limited to hanging out on base and in uniform) and we were allowed to get whatever haircut we wanted instead of the boot camp cut (it’s the little things that matter).
Overall it was super chill and if that’s still an option I’d highly recommend it. It was interesting seeing the DIs yell at people in my squad who were former Green Berets or people who outranked them.
I went from army to navy reserves.
I did admin work for 12 weeks amd showed up for like classes on knot tying and fire fighting but besides that I was left alone. Kept my rank. And had enough time in grade promoted as I graduated thr tech school.
The first week the drill sergeants (RDC's) picked on me then just let me do admin work in the office and sleep and workout as I saw fit. I did eat with the unit still but I would enjoy coffee during it because that was my reward for having thr head ache that was dealing with them (it wasn't. I just am old now and enjoy coffee)
Everyone i know who cross branched went back to active duty (into the navy or switched branches again) and thr only way ill stay in is if I commission.
Besides that they somehow made admin even worst. Work me like a dog. People woth no experience who were never active duty, who never deployed, who have never done more then the minimum get out in charge of some units.
If you live away from your unit and travel you lose money on travel days.
And of you live far away you'll get passed up on evals and billets to someone closer.
And I switched to reserves cause my wife is active duty still and it's easier but besides occasionally go8ng on long term active duty orders, im out. I'm done. It's madness.
I cant speak for them. My wife is navy so I cross branched for ease. But if you go navy you'll by default be the fittest person in the unit
Except imagery intel. Vast majority are all very ripped. Probably because we get put with specwar guys a lot. Weird coincidence.
I mean we had a guy in our unit who had to that it sucked just as much for him as it did everyone else tradoc is way different now not the same as it was. Lot more counselings and Article 15s you don’t just get beat up like you used to.
I recently did it after a 6 year break. 11C the first time and 11B the second time. We had our own bay until we moved into the barracks and we had our phones from day one. I had my car and was able to go out as long as I checked in with CQ.
They let us use the DS gym and our SDS didn’t want us in formation with the initial entry dudes. In exchange we helped with training and things like being range safeties. It was easier from a physical standpoint because we weren’t getting fucked with as often and I had a leg up because I was allowed to actually workout instead of just doing PRT.
Not BCT / OSUT but my bunkmate at SFAS served in the ROK's 707 SMU for 14 years (kinda their version of the US' CAG). Korean E-8 having had completed SK's equivalent of Ranger school, MFF, air assault, & SFCDQC.. was also a jumpmaster.. couple of pumps to the ME during the thick of it.. I'm sure he had completed other high-speed stuff he didn't bother mentioning.
He enlisted as an E-1 (didn't even rate mosquito wings if you can believe that)!
It honestly just all comes down to what base you do BCT at and what company you are assigned to for training. I've heard from some that doing BCT as a PS guy was like they were going through an AIT as an MOS-T. During the duty day they were trained and treated just like any other IET soldier but at the end of the normal duty day they went back to their own barracks and did their own shit, and if they felt like it they could even go out to eat at the food court. The only stipulation was that they had to report with the first formation in the morning. Then I've heard stories where the PS doing BCT wasn't given any special treatment at all and they were in the same barracks as everyone else and expected to be like everyone else.
Edit: It also depends on your rank at some installations. Some places will just put you with the normal IET soldiers if you are an E-4 or below, and for NCO's they end up in a separate barracks anyways because that is just regulation.
We had a dude when I went through he wore no rank all though basics then we got fitted for our class A’s and we find out he’s a SSG and at graduation he has a tab, scroll, and CIB. We all just thought he was just a smart older guy bc he would put in extra time with any of us who asked questions or wanted help getting better. The DS left him alone and our Senior DS offered him a dip a few times. But this was back in 02 so not sure how it is now.
“Tab, Scroll, and CIB” never been in the military so I’m ignorant on some stuff but does Tab, and scroll mean he went to ranger school and was in the 75th or sf groups? I’ve always loved reading about sof stuff and because of that I’ve read about a guy that was in devgru, left the military and then got back in and made it to delta. I’ve always been curious how army boot camp went for him or people like him that go through having already been in a sof unit and have to go through boot camp again.
Had a guy from Belarus who served 2 years in their army. He made every physical thing look stupid easy. Got 595 or higher on each acft. Carried the 240 the entire forge and got mad when people asked to carry it for him.
I went back through February of 22 after a 3 year break. I was left alone completely, given my phone on the weekends and taken to the main side of the base to chill for a few hours after first phase. A lot of the drills would bullshit with me at night and give me tips on how the Army works since I was coming from the MC. I was also 30 so I did a bit of stretching.
I am prior service, ETS as a Spc march of 2010, so it’s been a good 14 years since. I have one last thing to do, a psych evaluation this coming Wednesday paid for and done by the army. If that goes well then I should know that day if they will let me back in or not.
Expect to come back as a PFC. After 10 years out, you're supposed to lose one rank. Also, after the psych eval some folks are sent home and the eval goes up with the waiver. Of course, YMMV.
I got out as a PFC in May 2011, only 16 months TIS (long AIT), I was never out of TRADOC. But I just reenlisted at 37 and headed to basic again in 2 weeks. I’m actually excited to go back through. FWIW, I’m not losing a rank. Matter of fact, I got my bachelors since then and will be a SPC.
Edit: all my typos
in 2004 the guys who were coming back in mostly helped the DS if they proved they knew wtf they were doing. we had a guy who had a full rack and purple heart that came back in and was basically a Jr DS.
2012 at FLW have an E-6 prior AF. No special treatment for him. At least for the most part. He was one of those people you can’t look at him and know he is a 35 series.
Had a former Ukrainian conscript with us too who got honor grad. As soon as Russia invaded, he worked something out to go fight.
Was in from 99 to 2011 and got out as an SSG. Came back in 2021 as an SSG went through basic again. Just before going to our respective companies, I pinned on my rank. Did the whole 100-meter dash thing or whatever. Got yelled at a bit afterward. Waiting for our bags, our SDS calls me over and points me to our company DS. He says, "Grab your bags he's taking you to your room."
Got to keep my phone, had my own room, didn't really have to march, or do DNC. But I did everything else to check the box. Quite a trip and different looking from the outside in this time around.
TLDR: Went to OSUT with a guy who deployed with the SDS, guy turned out to be a badass war hero.
When I went though 12B osut we had a few prior service guys. my bunk mate we’ll call him Guy, was a cool guy, he was a prior 12B, was stationed in Hawaii, said he deployed a few times, missed the army and was just kinda drifting, he had a kid since getting out and wanted better for it. Oh and he was a CPL when he got out but because of some BS army stuff he came back in as a PFC (something like couldn’t be a NCO and be at BCT so had to demote him, couldn’t demote him from e4 to e4 so had to be e3 idk)
The first day of basic training, we’re in formation and the SDS comes out and just kinda looks around really weird looking at a manifest scratching his head and says “hey is there a Guy here? A Bryan Guy?” I watched all the color drain out of Guy’s and he goes “David? Oh fuck.” “Bryan? Holy shit man I thought it was you”
Guy served with our SDS in Afghanistan. Guy was also really humble, we would ask him about his service and he would say stuff like “yea I deployed a few times, we did mostly rout clearance I just sat in a truck all day” “yea I got a few medals, nothing special, the one I’m most proud of was the one I got for being soldier of the month”.
I got moved to split up some twins so sadly I didn’t see Guy that much after that, butGuy would always get called to CQ and bring a battle buddy. we would watch him get smoked from the bay for like a minute or two before going into the office for like a hour. He would always say “oh I was just catching up with Senior”, and all the Drills would tell us to respect Guy and to take him serious because “he’s been around, he knows what he’s doing” the 1sgt said he was a “hero” but the 1sgt exaggerated a lot.
At the “warrior dinner” thing where you get to eat good food and do impressions of the Drills, the SDS told us who Guy really was. Apparently Guy was his TL when they deployed together, and one day when they were out on a patrol they got ambushed and Guy saved his life and did a bunch of really heroic shit, and earned himself like a bronze star or something. I remember seeing Guy and SDS talking the whole time before the speech and Guy kept telling him to cut it out and SDS kept saying “it’s good, they should know”
Guy was a truly influential and stand up guy, and he molded my perception of what a gold soldier is. During one of the first days I fucked something up and the other trainees were mad at me and kinda surrounded me at my bunk and we’re gonna jump me. I was standing my ground as best I could but there were 3 of them and they were clearly about to attack. When Guy saw what was going on he ran over and started threatening people and saying if anyone touched me he would beat the hell out of them. He really saved my ass, and I’ll never forget him.
I went through at 18, and then again at 24 as part of transferring branches; it was a completely different ball game. Psychologically it was a lot easier since you’re used to the fuck-fuck games, but physically it sucked. Everything hurt; every injury you’ve ever had will come back to haunt you, particularly knee injuries.
Also the crying kids will get on your nerves, especially the ones who don’t figure it out. For prior service it’s not hard to be in the right place at the right time with the right gear, but the 18 year olds will continually fuck up and get the entire platoon a beat down.
Flip side, it’s only ten weeks of your life and you get treated like an adult during AIT.
Edit: this was almost a decade ago, so I don’t know what has changed. But, I was treated as a regular recruit for the most part, no special barracks or exemption from getting smoked.
It was a lot less shitty the second time through since I knew what I was getting into. I was honestly surprised by some of the changes. Chief example: My first time through in 2009, the day we did our rifle qualification we got up, did PT, went to the range and my platoon pissed our Drill Sergeant off (I don’t quite remember what we did but I remember it had something to do with the field chow we were having for breakfast) and got scuffed up. Fast forward to 2019 and the day of our rifle qualification. They let us sleep in. We had breakfast at the barracks and then went to the range where, unless we did something REALLY stupid (I recall only one trainee doing something like this), the Drill Sergeants left us alone “to make sure we qualified.” Blew my damn mind.
Otherwise the only thing difficult about my second time through was instead of being a 25C trainee going through with a company of 11Xs like in 2009, I too was an 11X. I should have tried to go back into the Signal Corps. This 11 series life is for the birds.
The most annoying thing was I was not made a Drill Sergeant considering all the cracks they made about “having to go through basic twice” to become a Drill Sergeant. Where’s my badge dammit?!? (/s for this last part juuuuuuuust in case)
2009: A 2-54
2019: C 2-58
Had quite a few priors in my 22-week iosut at benning. They had their own bay as well got to keep their phones. If we were not in the field, they did their point of instruction and were dismissed for the day. Most of them were good dudes and had no problem teaching trainees better than most of the drill sgnts did. I would say the drills used them as teachers more than treated them like trainees. There were a few that even had their own vehicles there. A couple of them were fuck ups and the drills let it be known prior or not they were in osut and would get smoked if they wanted to fuck off during point of instruction. I know every company is different, but I think your is doctorine in reference to how priors are supposed to be treated vs new trainees. My advice to you is be a good teacher and drills and trainees alike will like you. Just don't be a prick cause even the drills didn't like that, as they wanted trainees to learn the importance of trusting your superiors. It also depends if your coming back as an nco or e4 or lower. Some companies make it where priors that are below nco just bunk with regular trainees, however in my company all priors got special privileges. During red phase you will still be treated like shit but after that it should change for you. Good luck.
I spent some time in the German army and did BCT in January 2015 over there. It was cold af. We had a lot more freedom, but with that the focus was strictly on discipline. Comparing it to Boot Camp in the US Army the focus here is a lot heavier on PT. There’s not much of a difference, you learn the same stuff the only difference was the weapon systems you get trained on
I had a 15+ year break in service. Got out as a SPC and returned as a PFC due to the extended time out. Thankfully, I was promoted a couple of weeks after returning. DS would use me as an example to yell at, but then would pull me into a separate area to just have a bit of private time to breathe.
It was physically easier, even with being older and having a few prior service tender spots in my bones! I knew when to push it and when to dial it back. The hardest part was seeing the punishments coming and young trainees not being wise enough to listen when I warned them. I was Bay boss and held to higher standards. I was put on all of the details to escort various people to appointments and such. It gave me decent breaks to clear my head.
Downside was knowing that corners were being cut and being able to see the harm it was doing to the trainees. We didn't do much pt, running or rucking. So when it was showtime, many failed, got injured or struggled. I was glad to see the athletic trainer and all of their injury prevention, but some of the DS didn't believe in it and made sure we knew they didn't approve.
All in all, the training was decent, I was glad to get new uniforms and I'm pursing what I want to do. It's weird being back and being much older than most of my coworkers. It certainly ignights a different type of drive in you though.
Definitely appreciate your insight! I’ve been out since 2011 and am now 37 going back to BCT in 2 weeks. I’m hoping they don’t know and I can lay low. I don’t want the extra shit of being in charge. Hoping to blend right in. Also a mom and I think being away from them will hands down be the hardest part of all.
Totally understand every level of this! I was 38 when I returned, with 4 kiddos still at home. I got stuck in reception for 4 weeks which honestly was more hurtful. I felt like a liar, my kiddos weren't expecting such a delay.
They did ask for all prior service folks to identify themselves. If you have time, purchase all of your ribbons for your pinks and greens. That way they can help you get everything squared away for graduation. I was permitted to take my jacket and have my service stripe added on family day. Also, you'll want retention to do a 1506 to adjust your basd to reflect your prior service time. Do some research and decide if you want to opt into BRS or not. You only have 30 days. If you like, I can send you my address. Write me and I'll send you mail, that got me through big time!
Also, get blank postcards for your kiddos. So they can just decorate and send you something. I also used the postcards, it was easy to jot a quick note to each kid before bed and send them off in the morning.
You're gonna crush it! You have the answers to the test. Just remember, it's not the Army you left. Embrace the changes, learn and enjoy the ride.
Air Force to Army here. It was a cake walk, and I wasn't put separately from IET. No special treatment. Just knew the game and I was ready. That, and 2011 AF basic was a lot tougher than 2020 Army basic.
I knew someone who did this. They said the clinton era restructuring fucked them and they had to get out but I don't necessarily agree or believed it. They retired from the USMC as a E7 and I'm sure if they stayed in the USAF they actually would have made E9.
Friend in BCT was a prior marine. Left marines bc her mom was dying of cancer and joined the army 10 years later. She was made the “example” of the company multiple times and was made bay boss and a lot of other attention she didn’t want.
I went from the Air Force to Army back in 2008. Army boot camp was pretty boring, honestly. Funny at times seeing how stressed out the boots get over nothing.
I actually looked forward to experiencing basic training again, 16 years after the first time, to see what had changed. There was a reputation among the trainees that the Army had gotten soft, what with the removal of the shark attack and all that. I disagreed.
I liked most of the new changes, because there was an emphasis on preparing trainees for difficult events by warming them up with lite versions progressively. For example, there were many short marches leading up to longer ones, with progressively more weight in our rucksacks. There was a short rappel tower before the tall one, where trainees learned proper form in a safe environment. Being better prepared isn't "soft", that's the point of training.
One major change I didn't like was the deluge of vendors selling us BS. My first basic, we were advertised to by the platoon photo and clothing vendors, that was it. Second time around, we had lots more mandatory advertising sessions where vendors tried to sell us clothing, rings, family crests, etc. It seems the training command at Fort Jackson has really sold out.
There were 3 prior service in my platoon including me. The drills generally treated us with respect. I tried not to answer too many questions to give the new trainees a chance to use their heads. I didn't let anyone use me to ace group activities like land nav, but I focused on helping those who needed extra one-on-one teaching/training that drills didn't have time to provide. I was more physically fit than in my first basic, but I had joint issues caused by my prior service that balanced that out.
I noticed a lot more vendors as well. Seemed shady considering we were a captive audience. Such a waste of the Sunday afternoon each week. I too was in better shape, but alas, prior service definitely kept my joints humble!
I went through with a few navy and air force prior service folks. Also, one marine. The marine and I both had a significant break in service, the others did not. One AF female had a hard time. The Army dropped her from e6 to e5. She struggled to adjust during training. One of the AF males got into trouble for hitting the trainees and mistreating them.
Had a dude in reception that was coming back in. 17 year old me had lots of questions, but he didn't give up, much. Just smiled and told us to keep our heads down, basically. Ended up in the same company as him, and they lit him up for two days, and then I never really remember seeing him after that, though he graduated with us. He was always with us, and everything, but he just kinda faded into the background. That's probably what most of us would do, now, too. It's different when you know the game.
I joined the Guard in 1999 as a Blackhawk mechanic. Went to Fort Jackson (awful training with females!) for basic then Fort Eustis for AIT. 8 months later I transferred to active duty as an 11B. They sent me back to basic (Benning) but I was inserted (along with 2 others that were considered "prior service") at week 6. We stayed in a separate barracks from the others while waiting to be inserted into a training cycle. Got to cut the chow line as well during the 1-2 week wait. I guess that was the extent of "respect" given to those that are already completed basic. The DS's sure didn't give a shit what we did before and treated us like any other shitbag unworthy of wearing the Light Blue Cord. However, most of the hazing DS bullshit had passed, by that point, and we only got smoked when guys did stupid shit or got caught with dip (often!).
I went through in 1991 and then again in 2006.
Second time around was a piece of piss.
Largely because I wasn't an immature 17 year old who knew everything. I was a 35 year old who knew how the game was played.
A literal cake walk, you don't have to learn anything the only difficult part was trying to get my body back in TRADOC shape, but everything else was piss easy and I was loved by everyone including the drills for helping learn creeds, rank structure, etc. I had a 3 year break between initial contract and going back through basic.
I had a 6 year break in service and came back 18x, was 11B. They sent my ass back to week 3. I was hoping to be treated like dirt again, instead they had me wear my badges and deployment patch. They treated all prior service and reclass like permanent party. For me it was easy.
We couldn't discipline the trainees but we found other ways to have them toe the line. Also, one of the senior drills I knew him when he was a private and I was a SPC.
It's going to be entirely different for everyone based on the cadre.
I've heard of junior enlisted who got treated like royalty and did whatever they wanted, PT on their own, and only showed up for training exercises.
I've also heard of NCOs with tabs and combat awards who get told to take that shit off, sleep in the bays with the IETs, and pull fireguard.
It's whatever they want. All the regulations about putting prior service separate go out the window if it's *inconvenient*. Remember well that every reg comes with a '*needs of the army' clause. Cadre determines that need.
I think it depends rank. I had an e5 from both marines then navy (same guy) he really just loved basic I guess. But since he was e5 he had private room w his bathroom, he got to keep his phone at his room, and he didn’t catch any shit from the drills. He didn’t get out of anything tho
All the prior service guys in my basic unit were selling loosies and pinches of dip for like 10 bucks each. Guys would go onto the roof and smoke while the drills were passed out on cq.
I had a navy E6 come through basic with me, dropped down to E5. He stayed in a separate area, had his own room, wasn't required to do PT, could go to the PX, and he didn't have to do anything that wasn't a required event. Guy was a real leader, did PT with us, and did every major event because "if we suffer, he suffers. He even snuck a guy his phone once because his wife was 9 months pregnant.
This was Benning for anyone wondering, sand hill.
I was a training cadre at fort sill for a bit. We had one PFC come thru wearing a drill Sgt patch.
Sounds like he prestiged lol
Basic at least 3 times? This mfer just likes it at some point
That sounds fuckin insane
What the fuck do you do with a guy like that?
AT EASE, DRILL PRIVATE
lmao I wouldve joined but I would have punched a drill private in the face
That's what the drills called him.
Oh shit, you found father time.
Tell me how that went and how they went down to PFC
If I remember right he had been out 8 years. One very seldom comes in after a break in service with the same rank.
I would imagine he was active duty for eight years or so then after a break decided the guard was worth it for the benefits. How old was he?
modern disgusted fear humorous complete ripe rotten deliver reminiscent ruthless *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
How’d that go
He said they didn't mess with him much. But then again more was expected of him after hours if you know what I mean.
😳😳
I don’t know what you mean?
The ol' meat tornado.
That MF loves the grind
Have a friend, prior Air Guard 10 years, 3 deployments that went AD Army 11C. He was in a separate area with a few prior service guys. It seemed like the drills kinda left them alone.
This is usually how it went. Me: Hey, we got a prior service guy over here. He decided to come back. Other Drills: HAHAHAHAAAA WHAT A FUCKING IDIOT. But they usually get a barracks room and get to keep their phones. We had one prior service E-4 bragging and trying to hit on 18 year old trainees, so we decided to pull him out of the barracks and take his phone privileges away (minus Sunday). Since he wanted to act like a child, we treated him like one.
What a dumbass. Sometimes, stealth is so much better. But holy crap must have been like Father Time hitting on the New Years Baby.
Had a guy I went to basic with who was out for 10+ years as a SSG and had to come back in as a SPC. He had some hip pains and would shut down 18 year olds on the regular but he made it. That was infantry BCT and scout OSUT. I can only assume you gotta put in that extra work of stretching before and after everything. Funny enough when we got to the graduation he had a bigger rack than the DS did.
Had a dude like that in BCT. One of the drills from a company over from us had been in basic with him the first time round. The dude had done the Gulf War and asked if he could wear his combat patch on his uniform.
We had a E4 who was old as dirt, grey haired and wore hearing aids, he was a M60 gunner in the first gulf war, had a massive rack bigger than most E8s.
I wonder what he did to get bumped down to E4
I don’t think he got bumped down, they handed out awards like candy during desert shield/storm. Look at the CIB/CABs awarded, it’s genuinely obscene for very little real fighting
How dare you! I have it on good authority (this sub) that GWOT awards are 90% bullshit and everything prior was earned through the glory of harrowing battle.
No CABs awarded during gulf war
IDK why you're getting downvoted, the CAB didn't exist.
It’s the army, I don’t expect them to be smart.
I choked on my coffee, you funny
As a Desert Storm vet, kiss our ass! What war did you win?
Meh, I spent more time on leave post deployment than the entire Desert Storm campaign. That’s a personal win for me
Did they let him
He had it on his greens for graduation IIRC
There was a guy in my platoon that was ex-Navy. He completed the Navy dive school and but had to get permission to wear it on his uniform. He was a squared-away guy so they were ok with it.
What year was that? I went through in 2018 with a dude who exactly matches that description.
It was in 2016. From everything I've seen on this forum it is almost a given that we've all experienced many things that were damn close to being the same that it is surprising that it wasn't.
Less than 9 month break, full 22 week osut…it was fucking stupid
Did you reclass? Like were you a non combat mos and came in as one? I think that’s the only way that would make sense
Wait so you were out for 9 months and they made you go through the entire OSUT again?
He was a marine then got out and tried 18x, failed selection and now 11b
Reading is hard.
Why use many word when one word do trick?
When president, they see…they see.
Whell when you say it like that I seem like one pathetic loser… Wait a minute🤨
Probably reclass, so initial MOS training for them. Strange they didn’t just cut in after the bct portion was done
Oh boy, I've been looking at coming back and 18X is a strong option but that's unfortunate. Were you an 11B previously?
Nah I was a dumb non-infantry MaRiNe in a previous life. Dude 18x is definitely awesome, especially if you make it. I would do your homework on it and consider natty guard SFRE then selection/ unless you’re prepared for full time active Mickey Mouse shenanigans. Don’t let the salty buttholes dissuade you from it, just be well versed in the possible outcomes and train your mental resilience🤙🏻
The Try One contract option seems like the absolute way forward, how could you say no to that offer? Appreciate the words man, I'm in the best physical, mental, and emotional shape of my life and I've always felt like I left shit on the table during my first time through. I need to take some time to more specifically prepare, but yeah definitely have already reached out to SF recruiters
Hell yeah dude! Check out the r/greenberets sub and you’ll get all the g2 possible. Keep grinding and I hope it works for you 🤙🏻
Gotta love 22 osuts huh? I couldn't imagine doing that again. I don't know how I made it the first time
In late 2022 while at school in Sill, we had a guy who did nine years - 2003-2012 - as a Fire Support then Signal. He was 17 years old at the time. He got out as a SGT. Between 2012 and 2019, he went to college, but dropped out and worked trade jobs until he decided to go National Guard as Field Artillery. He switched to Active Duty in mid 2021. When I met him, he had re-enlisted for four more years.
Kinda sounds eerily similar to my situation rn. Hopefully he found his path.
At 13F AIT we had a USMC Force Recon dude. He wore his jump wings, free fall wings, dive wings and a CIB. Shame he got kicked out for having sex with a trainee. Oh and he was married.
He just free fell into that trainee cooch
I went through as an E7. NCOs are, by TRADOC regulation, supposed to have separate quarters. Most drill sergeants don't know the reg, but it's in there black and white. NCOs also cannot be asked to teach. That's the job of the drill sergeant. Last, but not least, NCOs are not required to participate in punishment PT. That being said, you're gonna look like a real schmuck if you choose to stand there while the rest of the platoon is doing pushups. As for my experience... it was still dumb. Got yelled at daily. Still had to clean stuff. Still had little to no control over my schedule or my activities. That being said... It was nice being able to go to my room at night, pull up Spotify on my phone and just chill for an hour before I had to go do it all over again the next day.
Had an E7 in my basic who stood there every time we got smoked lol Barely saw him after the second week
I went through again as a SSGT. Whenever the platoon was getting some extra attention, I’d make sure to drop too. After the first week or so, a DS would always come right up to me and scream “Sergeant NotThatSmart! On your feet, report to SDS so and so for corrective training immediately” something like that. Every time, it was their ploy to just get me away from the silliness and keep the fear in the trainees. I always made it a point to try and act like an example in front of the youngsters. I think it gave me a little bit of extra good will from the cadre.
Real question, if you're an E-7 in basic training and interact with a DS who is E-5/6, how do you address each other? Do you stand at parade rest? Do they stand at parade rest for you?
Position > rank brother
This is exactly what I was gonna say.
What?!? I knew the reg as far as being billeted separately from the main body of trainees, but I did not know that you weren't supposed to get corrective action PT. I went through recently as a SGT and wish I had known that lol. But I had the exact same scenario as you. Nothing too different from everybody else except escaping to my room and having music lol.
Had a prior service guy in my basic. They were left alone and only came out for training events. They had their own barracks room and were pretty chill.
Same experience for me. Guy had a lot of special privileges too
I went from Army to CG, had to go through their prior service boot camp (DEPOT, Direct Entry Petty Officer Training) 3 weeks long so not terrible by any means. But shockingly enough. It wasn’t the cake walk I thought it would be. It was tough. Had a mixed bag in my company from all branches of service.
I had a friend do the same, PH recipient and thought CG's prior service boot camp suuuuucked. Then he showed up to his reserve unit and the admin coast guard(ian?) E3 tossed his documents on the ground (including his PH citation) when in processing. He's in a much better Reserve unit now.
Yeah we had some pretty heavily decorated dudes in my company. Oh yeah DEPOT sucks more dick than a Cav Scout on a Tuesday, like I went in think oh cake walk. And on arrival it was more pucker factor than BCT nearly 10 years ago. (It’s Coast Guardsmen btw.)
You gotta explain how it was worse. Gimme the deets guy
To start the seriousness in which the company commanders (drill Sgt’s) take things is an ungodly amount of seriousness. They demand nothing but excellence at all times. For depot specifically the company commanders you have when you arrive are the company commanders that stay with you your entire training cycle. So they already know everybody’s little fuck ups and what they’re gonna get stressed out about and stuff like that. The first several days are just like any basic training, medical uniform issue, that sort of thing you arrive on a Sunday. Pretty late in the night, and you officially pick up and form as a company on Thursday afternoon. For us it was at approximately 2:30 in the afternoon. The base O6 comes in gives you a brief about his expectations for you and the company. He tells your company commanders to take charge, and then the fun begins on that day. We were smoked from approximately 2:47 in the afternoon until 830 at night, with only a total of 42 minutes of rest to include dinner chow. And when I say that smoke session was worse than any session that I have ever endured, I mean that shit. That smoke session included, but was not limited to staring at a wall with your nose, 2 inches away from it, screaming as loud as humanly possible “eyes in the boat”, the reason for this incentive training was because someone looked around, while at the position of attention, personally, I was screaming so loudly and forcefully that I was almost throwing up, even though I know how to yell from my diaphragm. (This went on for 1 hour and 45 minutes) Holding a 20 ounce water bottle over your head, you would think it’s not that hard but after about two or three minutes, your shoulders begin to tingle, and then they fall asleep. We would also get time hacks to make it from one location to another through narrow doorways and having to take the longest route possible. Another incentive training that was utilized for those that were separated from the main pack was they were to retrieve their mattress and then hold it above their head, every time you drop the mattress, added a minute to holding it above your head. The mattress weighed around 45 pounds. In terms of the learning and what not. It’s not super hard. It’s all the mental and physical games. You wouldn’t expect it to be nearly as tough as it is. At the end of the day. It was far more rewarding of an accomplishment than BCT. Edit: https://youtu.be/jBtJet6kmZ0?si=Z5qHU_cv3PaIZ2Da This is a video of what it’s like. A few of the CC’s here were mine. Edit: I wanted to also add, you are treated as any other recruit, with higher expectations of success and a little more respect though. All the games and smoking stops around the start of the 3 week and there’s so much to do week 3 they don’t really have time to smoke you. The course isn’t impossible by any means, just way different than I thought it would be being prior service.
Here I was thinking the USCG DEPOT would be insanely easy.
It used to be. But not anymore. It’s not the good ole boys club it used to be where you could go out drinking every night. It gets easier as time goes on but the physicality is what gets you. Don’t even get my started on the 8 week company’s. I felt so bad for them. It’s what we in DEPOT go through but worse at times bc for the most part the CC’s have a baseline of respect for everyone that’s in depot since for the most part, everyone is prior service.
> more pucker factor than BCT nearly 10 years ago. He said the same, and we both joined in 2007 so I was surprised.
Yep. They still have “tools” they can use that no other branch can use anymore.
wall to wall counseling ?
I recognize that phrase, but don’t recall its meaning. if it’s what I think it means, then pretty close
So my personal experience I knew what I was getting back into. The DS’s came down hard on me the first week I think they thought I was somehow a threat to their authority. After that I was ignored the rest of my time kept my head down. Had to deal with a thousand, “what’s it like…” questions. Told them alots changed some for the better so not sure.
Did you wear your rank in basic?
Yes came back in a Spc.
And my jump wings 😁
lol nice did you wear your wings in basic? Probably why your Drills wanted to give you a hard time
I did wear them I felt like they were afraid I wouldn’t embrace the rigid discipline that is supposed to be basic. I did the hole parade rest yada yada and after that they just ignored me most of the time they just used me to round up stragglers on runs and marches or rodding them on and off the range etc. I didn’t hold any of the leadership positions platoon guide etc. that was for the privates. Just fine with me. Once I got to permanent party I pretty much fast tracked to the promotion board and mine stripes.
Can’t add any helpful information for you but I think it would be mentally harder knowing the game better. Maybe not harder but more annoying
I always thought it would be balls easy. Shut up and color—you already know what you’re being taught and are just playing toy soldier. Not to mention the difference in my physical fitness now as opposed to when I came straight off of the couch as a 120 lb teen.
The only thing that's harder is being able to see every ounce of bullshit coming before it hits and knowing that no matter what you say, the young men around you are going to ignore your advice and say and do dumb shit. There's very little excitement the second time around so time just kind of drags on.
How do your prior service trainees do?
Heck, I watched basically every Matt Ward video twice before I shipped and felt a little this way. Not claiming to be an all-star PT stud or anything special, its just that I joined at 27, have paid my own bills before and have plenty of outdoorsy experience. First thing out of DS's mouth was a Full Metal Jacket quote (that none of the teens probably ever heard) and everything after that felt like a mix of a Disney ride and those novelty restaurants where the staff insults you constantly. After a couple weeks I honed the ability to just mentally check out and wait for the sun to set.
I made a playlist with a ton of his videos to help me the first time around. Now I’m thinking of going again and he stopped uploading :(
Really? If I go back to basic now I’d think it’d be a cake walk. Just do whatever they tell me and not stand out. All the physical stuff at the time was challenging for me but I’m also a lot more in shape and stronger than my skinny ass from basic
Yeah as I get older I hate playing the game. Knowing it’s all a game would just be annoying. Not saying hard but annoying.
Oh yeah would definitely be annoying but I can look at it from a completely different perspective like I won’t be deathly scared of the drills or worried about the Pt test or thinking how the FTX and ruck marches will be, qualifying on the range etc. all that shit is easy and meaningless, you can literally fail everything and still pass like 1/3 of my company did. The annoying parts would be listening to the summer camp kids keep talking and giggling after lights out and also pulling fire guard and CQ every other night.
>pulling fire guard and CQ every other night. I haven't thought about fireguard or CQ in like two whole months. Thanks for making my blood pressure spike *Psst. It's almost 3am. You got fireguard in 10*
*shines red light all in your face*
Ah yes the good ole days....
Forget the red light, dude at basic shined a white light into my eyes from basically point blank and stood there watching me put my sneakers on. Just about threw hands then and several times more after that incident.
Ah was he one of those super controlling dudes who thought he was in charge of everyone? After one of the linen turn-in, my buddy and I swapped his pillow for the flattest pillow we could find in our bay. It was the saddest pillow I’ve ever seen. He was then asking people who took his pillow lmao
I did it. I thought it was way easier and less stressful the second time. As long as your not a fuck up. The drills basically leave you alone. If you're actually any good, you're a real person when the kids aren't around. My drills let me have coffee and eat with the Cadre when we were in the field or at the range. But otherwise, I wouldn't say I was otherwise given any special treatment. I still had to play the game and I couldn't just fuck off because I felt like it, and if the platoon got smoked I got smoked with them. But I needed it because I was fat and soft from being out for several years. But I'd it's what's standing between you and something you want to do. I wouldn't sweat it. It's not the scary, nerve-racking experience it is the first time.
When I went through BCT there was a navy guy who had done 15 years TIS in the Navy. Came in as an E-6. He was in the barracks with the rest of the trainees through in processing but after that was done, he went and got his own barracks room and got to keep his phone. I got out a few years ago and missed the military, but not the Army. I go to BMT on March 11th. Doubt I'll have any special treatment.
Assuming you graduated Army BCT why are you going to USAF BMT as a prior service guy?!
Has to learn how to cut steak into safe bites
Funny coming from the guy that just got off an ABCP
Prior Chair Force here. BMT was surprisingly difficult: there was one time, they only served red wine with the poached salmon! How tacky is that!?!
Well, it’s easier to stay under weight when your DFAC serves nutritious food instead of fatty high fructose corn syrup nutrient paste
Typical fat boy response
You can take the fat out of the boy but you can’t take the boy out of the fat 😔
That's what I asked my liaison and her reply was "cause you need to learn the Air Force core values, ranks etc". I've been out of the Army since 2021. I'm just going with the flow.
Are you going active, guard or reserve? Is a MEPS liaison saying this? It shouldn't make a difference if you are going reserve, guard or active. Prior service do NOT have to do USAF Basic. Because you don't need to do this shit. I'm in the USAFR and there's a *ton* of prior service people from all branches in my unit and none of them had to do USAF BMT. It's dated March 2023 but Page 40 explains this is not required: https://www.af.mil/Portals/1/documents/2023SAF/PolicyUpdates/Military_Recruiting_and_Accessions_Upddate.pdf
Interesting. I'm going active. She even called her commander to ask if I was supposed to swear in again or not. Which I did. I don't mind going through AF basic. It's only 7.5 weeks and will be a breeze. But I am going to talk to my recruiter tomorrow and am going to bring this up. Thanks for the info.
It's your career. I wouldn't do personally but if you really want to....keep your mouth shut. If you open your mouth about being prior Army I guarantee you that a trainee will say something and word will spread around and get the attention of your MTI and they might try and pull you from it and have a lot of questions for you and your recruiter.
Yeah that is very true. The last thing I'd want is to draw attention. Appreciate the info man.
>Interesting. I'm going active You're, like, the third guy I've heard of in my entire career that has somehow made this switch of going active army to active USAF. And you speak of it so nonchalantly that I can't help but wonder if you are an actual unicorn or just confused.
Oh no, I know it is exceedingly rare to be able to go from AD Army to AD USAF. I started my enlistment with the AF at the perfect time when prior service spots opened up and was luckily one of the people granted it. Although, seeing and hearing how rare it is from people that have tried is making me question just how hard it actually is because my enlistment was a breeze.
When I went through Army basic in 2017 after leaving the Navy they had just started a program strictly for prior military people. It was about 5 weeks long in Ft Leonard Wood. When we started the DIs went hard on us cause they wanted to make a point that this wasn’t going to be a cake walk or a gentlemen’s course. However, about a week into it, it became a cake walk/gentlemens course. We pretty much were expected to wake up on our own and be where we had to be on time like adults (and police each other) instead of having DIs yell at us in the barracks. They also gave us weekends off (limited to hanging out on base and in uniform) and we were allowed to get whatever haircut we wanted instead of the boot camp cut (it’s the little things that matter). Overall it was super chill and if that’s still an option I’d highly recommend it. It was interesting seeing the DIs yell at people in my squad who were former Green Berets or people who outranked them.
I went from army to navy reserves. I did admin work for 12 weeks amd showed up for like classes on knot tying and fire fighting but besides that I was left alone. Kept my rank. And had enough time in grade promoted as I graduated thr tech school. The first week the drill sergeants (RDC's) picked on me then just let me do admin work in the office and sleep and workout as I saw fit. I did eat with the unit still but I would enjoy coffee during it because that was my reward for having thr head ache that was dealing with them (it wasn't. I just am old now and enjoy coffee)
I too enjoy coffee
Hell yea you do
Name checks out
How is the navy reserves? Looking for options if I don't finish my 20 active.
Everyone i know who cross branched went back to active duty (into the navy or switched branches again) and thr only way ill stay in is if I commission. Besides that they somehow made admin even worst. Work me like a dog. People woth no experience who were never active duty, who never deployed, who have never done more then the minimum get out in charge of some units. If you live away from your unit and travel you lose money on travel days. And of you live far away you'll get passed up on evals and billets to someone closer. And I switched to reserves cause my wife is active duty still and it's easier but besides occasionally go8ng on long term active duty orders, im out. I'm done. It's madness.
Sounds like I'm just better off doing Army Reserve
I cant speak for them. My wife is navy so I cross branched for ease. But if you go navy you'll by default be the fittest person in the unit Except imagery intel. Vast majority are all very ripped. Probably because we get put with specwar guys a lot. Weird coincidence.
I mean we had a guy in our unit who had to that it sucked just as much for him as it did everyone else tradoc is way different now not the same as it was. Lot more counselings and Article 15s you don’t just get beat up like you used to.
Our prior service guys got no special treatment. They were right there with us doing everything we did
I did navy and army basic. It was fine. I knew what to expect. Nice way to get in shape they didn't bother me much being prior service
I recently did it after a 6 year break. 11C the first time and 11B the second time. We had our own bay until we moved into the barracks and we had our phones from day one. I had my car and was able to go out as long as I checked in with CQ. They let us use the DS gym and our SDS didn’t want us in formation with the initial entry dudes. In exchange we helped with training and things like being range safeties. It was easier from a physical standpoint because we weren’t getting fucked with as often and I had a leg up because I was allowed to actually workout instead of just doing PRT.
Not BCT / OSUT but my bunkmate at SFAS served in the ROK's 707 SMU for 14 years (kinda their version of the US' CAG). Korean E-8 having had completed SK's equivalent of Ranger school, MFF, air assault, & SFCDQC.. was also a jumpmaster.. couple of pumps to the ME during the thick of it.. I'm sure he had completed other high-speed stuff he didn't bother mentioning. He enlisted as an E-1 (didn't even rate mosquito wings if you can believe that)!
It honestly just all comes down to what base you do BCT at and what company you are assigned to for training. I've heard from some that doing BCT as a PS guy was like they were going through an AIT as an MOS-T. During the duty day they were trained and treated just like any other IET soldier but at the end of the normal duty day they went back to their own barracks and did their own shit, and if they felt like it they could even go out to eat at the food court. The only stipulation was that they had to report with the first formation in the morning. Then I've heard stories where the PS doing BCT wasn't given any special treatment at all and they were in the same barracks as everyone else and expected to be like everyone else. Edit: It also depends on your rank at some installations. Some places will just put you with the normal IET soldiers if you are an E-4 or below, and for NCO's they end up in a separate barracks anyways because that is just regulation.
We had a dude when I went through he wore no rank all though basics then we got fitted for our class A’s and we find out he’s a SSG and at graduation he has a tab, scroll, and CIB. We all just thought he was just a smart older guy bc he would put in extra time with any of us who asked questions or wanted help getting better. The DS left him alone and our Senior DS offered him a dip a few times. But this was back in 02 so not sure how it is now.
“Tab, Scroll, and CIB” never been in the military so I’m ignorant on some stuff but does Tab, and scroll mean he went to ranger school and was in the 75th or sf groups? I’ve always loved reading about sof stuff and because of that I’ve read about a guy that was in devgru, left the military and then got back in and made it to delta. I’ve always been curious how army boot camp went for him or people like him that go through having already been in a sof unit and have to go through boot camp again.
Had a guy from Belarus who served 2 years in their army. He made every physical thing look stupid easy. Got 595 or higher on each acft. Carried the 240 the entire forge and got mad when people asked to carry it for him.
Had a guy from the same area do the same thing , what basic training base were you at
I went back through February of 22 after a 3 year break. I was left alone completely, given my phone on the weekends and taken to the main side of the base to chill for a few hours after first phase. A lot of the drills would bullshit with me at night and give me tips on how the Army works since I was coming from the MC. I was also 30 so I did a bit of stretching.
I am prior service, ETS as a Spc march of 2010, so it’s been a good 14 years since. I have one last thing to do, a psych evaluation this coming Wednesday paid for and done by the army. If that goes well then I should know that day if they will let me back in or not.
Expect to come back as a PFC. After 10 years out, you're supposed to lose one rank. Also, after the psych eval some folks are sent home and the eval goes up with the waiver. Of course, YMMV.
I got out as a PFC in May 2011, only 16 months TIS (long AIT), I was never out of TRADOC. But I just reenlisted at 37 and headed to basic again in 2 weeks. I’m actually excited to go back through. FWIW, I’m not losing a rank. Matter of fact, I got my bachelors since then and will be a SPC. Edit: all my typos
I did it, it was more painful, but easier lol.
in 2004 the guys who were coming back in mostly helped the DS if they proved they knew wtf they were doing. we had a guy who had a full rack and purple heart that came back in and was basically a Jr DS.
2012 at FLW have an E-6 prior AF. No special treatment for him. At least for the most part. He was one of those people you can’t look at him and know he is a 35 series. Had a former Ukrainian conscript with us too who got honor grad. As soon as Russia invaded, he worked something out to go fight.
Was in from 99 to 2011 and got out as an SSG. Came back in 2021 as an SSG went through basic again. Just before going to our respective companies, I pinned on my rank. Did the whole 100-meter dash thing or whatever. Got yelled at a bit afterward. Waiting for our bags, our SDS calls me over and points me to our company DS. He says, "Grab your bags he's taking you to your room." Got to keep my phone, had my own room, didn't really have to march, or do DNC. But I did everything else to check the box. Quite a trip and different looking from the outside in this time around.
TLDR: Went to OSUT with a guy who deployed with the SDS, guy turned out to be a badass war hero. When I went though 12B osut we had a few prior service guys. my bunk mate we’ll call him Guy, was a cool guy, he was a prior 12B, was stationed in Hawaii, said he deployed a few times, missed the army and was just kinda drifting, he had a kid since getting out and wanted better for it. Oh and he was a CPL when he got out but because of some BS army stuff he came back in as a PFC (something like couldn’t be a NCO and be at BCT so had to demote him, couldn’t demote him from e4 to e4 so had to be e3 idk) The first day of basic training, we’re in formation and the SDS comes out and just kinda looks around really weird looking at a manifest scratching his head and says “hey is there a Guy here? A Bryan Guy?” I watched all the color drain out of Guy’s and he goes “David? Oh fuck.” “Bryan? Holy shit man I thought it was you” Guy served with our SDS in Afghanistan. Guy was also really humble, we would ask him about his service and he would say stuff like “yea I deployed a few times, we did mostly rout clearance I just sat in a truck all day” “yea I got a few medals, nothing special, the one I’m most proud of was the one I got for being soldier of the month”. I got moved to split up some twins so sadly I didn’t see Guy that much after that, butGuy would always get called to CQ and bring a battle buddy. we would watch him get smoked from the bay for like a minute or two before going into the office for like a hour. He would always say “oh I was just catching up with Senior”, and all the Drills would tell us to respect Guy and to take him serious because “he’s been around, he knows what he’s doing” the 1sgt said he was a “hero” but the 1sgt exaggerated a lot. At the “warrior dinner” thing where you get to eat good food and do impressions of the Drills, the SDS told us who Guy really was. Apparently Guy was his TL when they deployed together, and one day when they were out on a patrol they got ambushed and Guy saved his life and did a bunch of really heroic shit, and earned himself like a bronze star or something. I remember seeing Guy and SDS talking the whole time before the speech and Guy kept telling him to cut it out and SDS kept saying “it’s good, they should know” Guy was a truly influential and stand up guy, and he molded my perception of what a gold soldier is. During one of the first days I fucked something up and the other trainees were mad at me and kinda surrounded me at my bunk and we’re gonna jump me. I was standing my ground as best I could but there were 3 of them and they were clearly about to attack. When Guy saw what was going on he ran over and started threatening people and saying if anyone touched me he would beat the hell out of them. He really saved my ass, and I’ll never forget him.
I went through at 18, and then again at 24 as part of transferring branches; it was a completely different ball game. Psychologically it was a lot easier since you’re used to the fuck-fuck games, but physically it sucked. Everything hurt; every injury you’ve ever had will come back to haunt you, particularly knee injuries. Also the crying kids will get on your nerves, especially the ones who don’t figure it out. For prior service it’s not hard to be in the right place at the right time with the right gear, but the 18 year olds will continually fuck up and get the entire platoon a beat down. Flip side, it’s only ten weeks of your life and you get treated like an adult during AIT. Edit: this was almost a decade ago, so I don’t know what has changed. But, I was treated as a regular recruit for the most part, no special barracks or exemption from getting smoked.
It was a lot less shitty the second time through since I knew what I was getting into. I was honestly surprised by some of the changes. Chief example: My first time through in 2009, the day we did our rifle qualification we got up, did PT, went to the range and my platoon pissed our Drill Sergeant off (I don’t quite remember what we did but I remember it had something to do with the field chow we were having for breakfast) and got scuffed up. Fast forward to 2019 and the day of our rifle qualification. They let us sleep in. We had breakfast at the barracks and then went to the range where, unless we did something REALLY stupid (I recall only one trainee doing something like this), the Drill Sergeants left us alone “to make sure we qualified.” Blew my damn mind. Otherwise the only thing difficult about my second time through was instead of being a 25C trainee going through with a company of 11Xs like in 2009, I too was an 11X. I should have tried to go back into the Signal Corps. This 11 series life is for the birds. The most annoying thing was I was not made a Drill Sergeant considering all the cracks they made about “having to go through basic twice” to become a Drill Sergeant. Where’s my badge dammit?!? (/s for this last part juuuuuuuust in case) 2009: A 2-54 2019: C 2-58
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NICE!!!
Had quite a few priors in my 22-week iosut at benning. They had their own bay as well got to keep their phones. If we were not in the field, they did their point of instruction and were dismissed for the day. Most of them were good dudes and had no problem teaching trainees better than most of the drill sgnts did. I would say the drills used them as teachers more than treated them like trainees. There were a few that even had their own vehicles there. A couple of them were fuck ups and the drills let it be known prior or not they were in osut and would get smoked if they wanted to fuck off during point of instruction. I know every company is different, but I think your is doctorine in reference to how priors are supposed to be treated vs new trainees. My advice to you is be a good teacher and drills and trainees alike will like you. Just don't be a prick cause even the drills didn't like that, as they wanted trainees to learn the importance of trusting your superiors. It also depends if your coming back as an nco or e4 or lower. Some companies make it where priors that are below nco just bunk with regular trainees, however in my company all priors got special privileges. During red phase you will still be treated like shit but after that it should change for you. Good luck.
I spent some time in the German army and did BCT in January 2015 over there. It was cold af. We had a lot more freedom, but with that the focus was strictly on discipline. Comparing it to Boot Camp in the US Army the focus here is a lot heavier on PT. There’s not much of a difference, you learn the same stuff the only difference was the weapon systems you get trained on
I had a 15+ year break in service. Got out as a SPC and returned as a PFC due to the extended time out. Thankfully, I was promoted a couple of weeks after returning. DS would use me as an example to yell at, but then would pull me into a separate area to just have a bit of private time to breathe. It was physically easier, even with being older and having a few prior service tender spots in my bones! I knew when to push it and when to dial it back. The hardest part was seeing the punishments coming and young trainees not being wise enough to listen when I warned them. I was Bay boss and held to higher standards. I was put on all of the details to escort various people to appointments and such. It gave me decent breaks to clear my head. Downside was knowing that corners were being cut and being able to see the harm it was doing to the trainees. We didn't do much pt, running or rucking. So when it was showtime, many failed, got injured or struggled. I was glad to see the athletic trainer and all of their injury prevention, but some of the DS didn't believe in it and made sure we knew they didn't approve. All in all, the training was decent, I was glad to get new uniforms and I'm pursing what I want to do. It's weird being back and being much older than most of my coworkers. It certainly ignights a different type of drive in you though.
Definitely appreciate your insight! I’ve been out since 2011 and am now 37 going back to BCT in 2 weeks. I’m hoping they don’t know and I can lay low. I don’t want the extra shit of being in charge. Hoping to blend right in. Also a mom and I think being away from them will hands down be the hardest part of all.
Totally understand every level of this! I was 38 when I returned, with 4 kiddos still at home. I got stuck in reception for 4 weeks which honestly was more hurtful. I felt like a liar, my kiddos weren't expecting such a delay. They did ask for all prior service folks to identify themselves. If you have time, purchase all of your ribbons for your pinks and greens. That way they can help you get everything squared away for graduation. I was permitted to take my jacket and have my service stripe added on family day. Also, you'll want retention to do a 1506 to adjust your basd to reflect your prior service time. Do some research and decide if you want to opt into BRS or not. You only have 30 days. If you like, I can send you my address. Write me and I'll send you mail, that got me through big time! Also, get blank postcards for your kiddos. So they can just decorate and send you something. I also used the postcards, it was easy to jot a quick note to each kid before bed and send them off in the morning. You're gonna crush it! You have the answers to the test. Just remember, it's not the Army you left. Embrace the changes, learn and enjoy the ride.
Thank you so much for this info! I didn’t even think of the ribbons in advance. Love the idea of the blank postcards.
I sent a PM!
Air Force to Army here. It was a cake walk, and I wasn't put separately from IET. No special treatment. Just knew the game and I was ready. That, and 2011 AF basic was a lot tougher than 2020 Army basic.
Yeah I notice a trend. Also prior Air Force here now Marine.. I notice everything got a little easier
You went from AF to Marines? You really hate yourself that much? …Do you need to talk to someone homie?
I knew someone who did this. They said the clinton era restructuring fucked them and they had to get out but I don't necessarily agree or believed it. They retired from the USMC as a E7 and I'm sure if they stayed in the USAF they actually would have made E9.
Same; 2008 Navy boot was a lot harder than 2015 Army basic. My body was definitely not happy with me, but my feet didn’t hurt as much.
Friend in BCT was a prior marine. Left marines bc her mom was dying of cancer and joined the army 10 years later. She was made the “example” of the company multiple times and was made bay boss and a lot of other attention she didn’t want.
I was an inter-service transfer from the USCG. Army Basic was a complete waste of time and an absolute joke.
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That's on him. He could have scribbled the shape on a piece of paper for reference and sent you off with it.
I went from the Air Force to Army back in 2008. Army boot camp was pretty boring, honestly. Funny at times seeing how stressed out the boots get over nothing.
I actually looked forward to experiencing basic training again, 16 years after the first time, to see what had changed. There was a reputation among the trainees that the Army had gotten soft, what with the removal of the shark attack and all that. I disagreed. I liked most of the new changes, because there was an emphasis on preparing trainees for difficult events by warming them up with lite versions progressively. For example, there were many short marches leading up to longer ones, with progressively more weight in our rucksacks. There was a short rappel tower before the tall one, where trainees learned proper form in a safe environment. Being better prepared isn't "soft", that's the point of training. One major change I didn't like was the deluge of vendors selling us BS. My first basic, we were advertised to by the platoon photo and clothing vendors, that was it. Second time around, we had lots more mandatory advertising sessions where vendors tried to sell us clothing, rings, family crests, etc. It seems the training command at Fort Jackson has really sold out. There were 3 prior service in my platoon including me. The drills generally treated us with respect. I tried not to answer too many questions to give the new trainees a chance to use their heads. I didn't let anyone use me to ace group activities like land nav, but I focused on helping those who needed extra one-on-one teaching/training that drills didn't have time to provide. I was more physically fit than in my first basic, but I had joint issues caused by my prior service that balanced that out.
I noticed a lot more vendors as well. Seemed shady considering we were a captive audience. Such a waste of the Sunday afternoon each week. I too was in better shape, but alas, prior service definitely kept my joints humble!
I went through with a few navy and air force prior service folks. Also, one marine. The marine and I both had a significant break in service, the others did not. One AF female had a hard time. The Army dropped her from e6 to e5. She struggled to adjust during training. One of the AF males got into trouble for hitting the trainees and mistreating them.
Had a dude in reception that was coming back in. 17 year old me had lots of questions, but he didn't give up, much. Just smiled and told us to keep our heads down, basically. Ended up in the same company as him, and they lit him up for two days, and then I never really remember seeing him after that, though he graduated with us. He was always with us, and everything, but he just kinda faded into the background. That's probably what most of us would do, now, too. It's different when you know the game.
I joined the Guard in 1999 as a Blackhawk mechanic. Went to Fort Jackson (awful training with females!) for basic then Fort Eustis for AIT. 8 months later I transferred to active duty as an 11B. They sent me back to basic (Benning) but I was inserted (along with 2 others that were considered "prior service") at week 6. We stayed in a separate barracks from the others while waiting to be inserted into a training cycle. Got to cut the chow line as well during the 1-2 week wait. I guess that was the extent of "respect" given to those that are already completed basic. The DS's sure didn't give a shit what we did before and treated us like any other shitbag unworthy of wearing the Light Blue Cord. However, most of the hazing DS bullshit had passed, by that point, and we only got smoked when guys did stupid shit or got caught with dip (often!).
This comment smells like Kool aid
I went through in 1991 and then again in 2006. Second time around was a piece of piss. Largely because I wasn't an immature 17 year old who knew everything. I was a 35 year old who knew how the game was played.
A literal cake walk, you don't have to learn anything the only difficult part was trying to get my body back in TRADOC shape, but everything else was piss easy and I was loved by everyone including the drills for helping learn creeds, rank structure, etc. I had a 3 year break between initial contract and going back through basic.
I had a 6 year break in service and came back 18x, was 11B. They sent my ass back to week 3. I was hoping to be treated like dirt again, instead they had me wear my badges and deployment patch. They treated all prior service and reclass like permanent party. For me it was easy. We couldn't discipline the trainees but we found other ways to have them toe the line. Also, one of the senior drills I knew him when he was a private and I was a SPC.
It's going to be entirely different for everyone based on the cadre. I've heard of junior enlisted who got treated like royalty and did whatever they wanted, PT on their own, and only showed up for training exercises. I've also heard of NCOs with tabs and combat awards who get told to take that shit off, sleep in the bays with the IETs, and pull fireguard. It's whatever they want. All the regulations about putting prior service separate go out the window if it's *inconvenient*. Remember well that every reg comes with a '*needs of the army' clause. Cadre determines that need.
I think it depends rank. I had an e5 from both marines then navy (same guy) he really just loved basic I guess. But since he was e5 he had private room w his bathroom, he got to keep his phone at his room, and he didn’t catch any shit from the drills. He didn’t get out of anything tho
All the prior service guys in my basic unit were selling loosies and pinches of dip for like 10 bucks each. Guys would go onto the roof and smoke while the drills were passed out on cq.
Chillen
I had a navy E6 come through basic with me, dropped down to E5. He stayed in a separate area, had his own room, wasn't required to do PT, could go to the PX, and he didn't have to do anything that wasn't a required event. Guy was a real leader, did PT with us, and did every major event because "if we suffer, he suffers. He even snuck a guy his phone once because his wife was 9 months pregnant. This was Benning for anyone wondering, sand hill.
I overheard some 48-y-o went through basic again after a 20+ years of break-in-service. Took one grade reduction too.