Am I allowed to have my laptop for AIT?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 19:26:06 -0500

I will be shipping this Feb 18 to BCT to ft Lwood, I’ll also have my AIT there right after. I’m currently doing my Master’s Degree online. I took the spring semester off (because of BCT). I was told that I need to enroll for summer semester. Which after counting the weeks it’ll be right around when I’m doing my AIT. I was just wondering if I can have my mom bring my laptop after BCT, so I can continue my course for the summer semester.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2020 7:33 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 19:33:25 -0500

I don't think it's an ideal situation starting grad school and AIT at the same time. But to answer your question I would recommend talking to your drills closer to BCT graduation to find out if it's allowed.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2020 7:34 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 19:34:32 -0500

Depends on the cadre. Usually students are allowed electronics at AIT. I don’t see why it would be an issue, but I would reconsider taking courses during AIT. That’s a huge commitment and it’s not likely you’ll have the time to do those classes. The environment is still pretty controlled. Best of luck.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Jan 28 at 2020 8:12 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 20:12:36 -0500

Although my AIT ay Fort “Lost in the Woods” was eons ago (1990), I still think college and initial training are a recipe for disaster. I could be wrong.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2020 8:38 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 20:38:22 -0500

I wouldn’t recommend trying to take college classes while in training. From the Army prospective Until you are MOS Qualified, your priority will be the Army. Typically the will not make adjustments to accommodate an online class because they are paying you to receive training in a specific MOS to serve as a Soldier, everything else is secondary. If you have to go to the field, they will not make adjustments, if lights out is at 2100, they will not make adjustments. They want you to be fully functional to receive the training they are paying for you to complete.

Once you’re done with AIT, you’ll have more flexibility that’s not structured like training. Don’t put yourself in a position which could lead to you not completing your course and having to pay for it later.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2020 9:12 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 21:12:48 -0500

I am a masters student online right now... I had my chemical engineering degree going into BCT and AIT, believe me, you won’t have time to do it. You will use all your free time in AIT to study for the exams you will have every week... the hazardous materials course that’s two weeks alone is pretty challenging. I put school off until you graduate Army training so you don’t hurt your GPA. I attended BCT/AIT only 3 yrs ago I imagine it hasn’t changed. It’s very fast pace.

Response by Sgt John Steinmeier made Jan 28 at 2020 10:17 PM

Sgt John Steinmeier — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 22:17:40 -0500

You are at AIT to learn your MOS, and only at AIT to learn your MOS. Focus on being the best 74D and once you are then back to your Masters.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2020 11:45 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 23:45:27 -0500

when you enter AIT there will be phases. The first phase you will not have a personal laptop and you'll have to hand it over to be locked similarly like at BCT. How long it will take to get out of that phase is determined by your cadre. I was in that first phase for 3 months, however other company were able to get out of it after weeks.
They should have public computers though at your barracks you can use, but it is common for you to do FTX's while in AIT and those you will again be without a computer.

Because this is for something bigger than "Im watching netflix and surfing Rallypoint" you could probably speak to your Drill Sergeant at AIT and im sure they'd be more than willing to work something out with you.

Response by SSG Shauna Holmes made Jan 29 at 2020 7:05 AM

SSG Shauna Holmes — Wed, 29 Jan 2020 07:05:50 -0500

When I saw you'll be at FLW and are working on your degree, I just KNEW someone lied to you at the recruiter's office.
While I wasn't in the chemical brigade, as a former drill who was at FLW, if I'm not mistaken, you'll be going into an OSUT (One Station Unit Training) unit. That means basic and AIT roll right into each other.
Your training day for AIT will be something like this:
0430 wakeup
0530 PT
0630 personal hygiene
0630-0730 breakfast (varies according to rotation)
0800 get on trans or march to training
1700 return from training
1700-1830 dinner (varies according to rotation)
1900 personal time
2100 lights out
You'll also have fire guard once in the night and that's a ROAMING guard.

All in all, I'd say it's best to table college until the fall/winter semester.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2020 8:49 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 08:49:47 -0500

the better question is: Since you're working on a master's degree you obviously have a bachelor's degree, so why didn't you apply for OCS instead of enlisting?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 31 at 2020 9:43 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 21:43:34 -0500

Can you call the AIT?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2020 7:55 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 19:55:28 -0500

I was allowed my laptop, but not until about the fourth week. Then it was just weekends for about 2 weeks. Then they all go confiscated cause so idiot was smoking in his barracks. My suggestions study the HAZWOPPER stuff the moment they give it to you until the test. Roughly a third to half fail the first time. It’s no joke

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2020 2:13 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 14:13:18 -0500

I also would not recommend taking courses while in AIT. I was in CRBN AIT about 4 years ago and the workload is pretty significant. I’d suggest waiting until you graduate to continue your classes. Additionally, if you get a serious injury in BCT or fail to many tests in AIT you might have to wait until a new BCT or AIT cycle and you would not be allowed access to electronics while you wait in BCT.