At 68W school, how do they treat prior-service? Do they treat you like new recruits?

SPC Jared G — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 03:35:27 -0500

So I am thinking of reenlisting but I plan on changing my MOS from 11B to 68W, I was told I would be going to Texas for this 68W school. While there does anyone know how how they treat prior service as in do they treat you like new recruits?

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2018 5:17 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 05:17:30 -0500

In Alpha232, all prior service lived in separate barracks. They had the same main formations as us, but not all the small petty ones. They were generally treated as adults and not trainees

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2018 7:27 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 07:27:20 -0500

You get to have your car with you,only come to first and final formation unless otherwise said by senior NCO

Response by MSG Les Amaya made Feb 13 at 2018 8:33 AM

MSG Les Amaya — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 08:33:12 -0500

You are going to be in charge of the newbies! Higher expectations and show some leadership.

Response by SPC Jared G made Feb 13 at 2018 9:08 AM

SPC Jared G — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 09:08:17 -0500

Hey I wanted to say thank you to everyone I did not expect this type of response I really appreciate all the responses.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2018 9:36 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 09:36:32 -0500

The PS folks also wear a patch that simply says "Prior Service", instead of the phase of training like other IET Soldiers. They seem to have a lot more free reign than then new kids.

Response by PFC Kelli Davis made Feb 13 at 2018 10:06 AM

PFC Kelli Davis — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 10:06:13 -0500

When i was in AIT, at Fort Sam Houston, the prior service members were treated the same as us.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2018 11:31 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 11:31:46 -0500

As prior service you’ll be fine. I would recommend spending a lot of your time studying though. I do not know if it was just my company, but majority of the prior service struggled with the academics. It might be due to the mindset of a trainee vs. someone who has seen the “actual” Army that contributes to that factor. Good luck if you do decide to make the switch. 68W is a good job if it’s something you actually want to do.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2018 3:03 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 15:03:02 -0500

You get the freedoms of the later phases earlier.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2018 6:21 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 18:21:51 -0500

When I was there in 2011 they treated us essentially as permanent party. We had the normal morning PT and evening release formations but we were also released for lunch and didn't have to march to the DFAC and stuff like that. We didn't have any bed checks or anything that they did it was essentially a gentlemens course of make sure you make formations and go to class. However that is just enough rope to hang yourself. 68W AIT is very challenging in the first 8 weeks. I would highly recommend spending your free time studying EMT. As far as daily life and weekends go though we were not subject to a lot of the stupidity that the IET soldiers were. Hope this helps

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2018 8:01 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 20:01:56 -0500

I went in 2006. When I showed up to the reception that was specifically for 68W I was greeted by the most unprofessional days sergeants I've ever seen in my career. They treated us like crap. Most of us were combat vets at that time and most of the drills were not. About half the prior service were natural guard, NCOs, adults in their 30s with full time jobs managing people but being talked down to.
Once we got to a training company each one had a completely different flavor. We were required to do PT and March to and from class. Another company made all their prior service live in the bays with the IET and were in lock down, playing silly games.
It was, hands down, the dingle most unprofessional school I have attended and more than half the instructors were horrible and absolutely did not know their craft. Worse, they all thought they were incredible. However, there were a few civilian instructors who were not only knowledgeable, but incredibly good teachers and I absolutely loved being a medic.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2018 10:44 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 22:44:31 -0500

I rarely ever saw prior enlisted. Like people have said, they went to first and final formation then were free to go. Weekends where off for them and they basically had free reign. The sergeants treated them like adults and with respect. Not a bad idea honestly to go. However it is a good idea to study. The EMT phase is very fast paced and can be hard to pass.

Response by SPC Jared G made Feb 13 at 2018 10:47 PM

SPC Jared G — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 22:47:35 -0500

Thank you so much.. I Seem to be getting the same response from everyone I think this is great I appreciate it

Response by SSG James Bulington made Feb 15 at 2018 12:02 PM

SSG James Bulington — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 12:02:40 -0500

It's been year's but when I was in prior service was put in charge as class leader to make sure they don't lose their military bearing

Response by SGT Nick V made Feb 15 at 2018 7:08 PM

SGT Nick V — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 19:08:59 -0500

When I switched to medic and went to Ft. Sam Houston it was 2004. You still had to do formations with the recruits and pt and chow. But the drill sergeants pretty much left you alone. Unless it was formation and everyone was getting smoked. But we had four man rooms and were allowed to go off base. I don’t know how that compares to todag but that was my experience.

Response by SSG Patrick Sloan made Feb 16 at 2018 7:30 AM

SSG Patrick Sloan — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 07:30:17 -0500

Does it really matter? This is the path you want, so get after it! There will always be some bit of retraining ;) but it will be worth it. 25 years ago, I reclassed. All prior service was treated better but we were still trainees. If you got a combat patch, your path should be pretty smooth sailing.

The best 13 years of my career was being a medic! "Best job I ever had!" Go for it and be the best damn medic you can be for your patients!

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2018 9:00 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 21:00:20 -0500

Currently in 68W AIT, prior service shows up to first formation and does pt with the company. Then are released to go to breakfast on their own. They show up at the schoolhouse, get released for lunch chow and then after school is out at 1730 they are released until the next days formation. They don’t have to show up on weekends unless we have a mandatory fun day. All the prior service guys I talk to like it here.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2018 1:16 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 13:16:14 -0500

Im in 68W AIT right now, Prior service shows up to first formation and to class, they do not show up to final formation or weekend formations, they are treated like adults and you rarely notice when they are around.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2018 9:00 PM

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 21:00:33 -0500

You’re free except during school hours, they really don’t care tbh

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2018 11:02 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 23:02:45 -0500

You get more privileges because you already know the standards. After POI you’ll get released, just do what you gotta do

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2018 10:03 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 10:03:39 -0500

I jus graduated from that mos no they dont treat yall like recruits at all u got ur own places 9n base dont have to live in our barracks....honestly its a nice gigg along with the training

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2018 4:05 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 16:05:34 -0500

Went through about a year ago and they are not treated the same. They stay in different barracks, are allowed povs and are released at the end of the day.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2018 7:41 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 19:41:59 -0500

In a sense, yes they do but you also will have many extra freedoms. You are permitted to have a vehicle, you are put into "Prior Service Barracks", which from what I've heard, aren't too bad, and you will be treated with a little more respect and privilege than the "fresh out of basic" AIT soldier medics. I was in Bravo Company and recycled after a medical issue to Echo Company. If you get put into Echo Company (232), you will love it. Awesome Platoon Sgts, 1SG, and company Commander.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2018 10:11 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 10:11:18 -0500

No they dont

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2018 8:30 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 20:30:29 -0500

Not at all.. you can have a car, you'll live in separate barracks than all the IET soldiers. But school is school. You can't really affiliate with the IET soldiers the PSG's shut that shi* down.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2018 3:58 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 15:58:05 -0500

Not a bad route to go honestly. You’re treated with a lot more respect and not restricted like recruits.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2018 5:28 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 17:28:30 -0500

Prior service get treated differently than new recruits. you do not have to go to any of the formations on the weekend and after school/training you go about your day.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2018 9:01 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 21:01:37 -0500

You will love life. That simple man. But, bye bye, blue cord.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2018 10:54 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 22:54:25 -0500

There was prior service there when I went. It’s like any duty station. You have your car, Housing and freedoms unlike new soldiers. You do however have more responsibilities of helping to guide and teach the new soldiers when your around them.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2018 10:18 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 10:18:30 -0500

Prior service definitely had a lot of leeway, but as stated they expected you to act like adults too. You'll also be something of a mentor for the IET soldiers since you'll have a lot more military experience and can share hard learned lessons with them.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2018 10:40 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 10:40:43 -0500

I recently graduated 68W AIT, and the prior service were treated better than the trainees right out of basic. They weren't included in mass punishment, they weren't included in manditory fun, they had free reign for the most part. On occasion they got released from the schoolhouse earlier than we did, as we could be reviewing the MODs before we took the exam.
They had to show up to PT on the week days and then just be at the school house at the right time. PT was their only formation and they had the weekends off, could drive, stayed in separate barracks, the way they made it sound, it was quite good. Although we had a few prior service not pass the course. So keep your head in the right place I suppose. A few prior service would show up still intoxicated from the previous night's endevour. It is a tough school. I got more sleep in Basic than I did in AIT.

Response by SSG Anthony Ges made Mar 5 at 2018 1:59 PM

SSG Anthony Ges — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 13:59:25 -0500

I didn't have a combat patch, but I got to go thru 91B school, after being in a non promotable medical MOS. Becuase i was prior medical mos, I also had earned my EFMB. So there i was, a student in 91B (now designated to 68W) school, being the only one in class w the EFMB. Plus I made cut off for my E-5 while in school. But over all, yeah, prior service just needs to be careful about what you say to the trainees. The trainees are "sheltered" from "real" Army. At least they were in the mid 90s. I also have experience as being a reclass from combat arms (scout) into the previous medical mos. The hardest part with the 1st re class, was adjusting to females in leadership and team functions.

Response by CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2018 5:27 PM

CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 17:27:22 -0400

So I just graduated from there. Prior service have their own barracks and don’t fall too much under tradoc. You basically come to first formation, do pt with us. Then you’re free till class. In class with us then free for lunch. Back in class again till dinner and you’re released from the school for rest of the day until next formation in the morning. If they need you guys they will call or text y’all. The encourage prior service to not to intermingle with everyone else, but they still do though. But prior service has it better than the regular trainees.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2018 6:49 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 18:49:15 -0400

You get your own rooms and stuff you’ll get to go off post. It’s pretty dope

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2018 1:10 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 01:10:40 -0400

When I was at Fort Sam our prior service were housed at G Co and they were situated just like SPC Hayes explained and he is dead right about the EMT training. It is fast paced and they only allow you to double tap the NREMT then you get to reclassified or you get sent back.