Can I wear my Airborne and Air-Assault badges while in basic training?

My trip to Basic was in 1983, we had the one guy with us who had been drafted, gone to Vietnam and gotten out. Much later (obviously) he volunteered. He wore what he had earned and not a soul said anything about it because, like your case, he EARNED them.

I was a Reserve member and went back to active duty with Airborne and Assault. My experience was great to be able and guide many others who will depend on your experience and mentor their career. Feel proud yet be Prepare to teach others and guy others believe it or not it is an honor.

When I went to Basic in 1984 we had a Vietnam vet go through with us. It was a bit awkward when we had a Class A inspection and he had a way bigger fruit salad than our DI's. The DI's definitely treated him with more respect after that. He had a Silver star with "V" and two Bronze stars, with a "V".

As you should know from your prior service, if anything can go wrong, or be misconstrued, be misunderstood or basically turn into a cluster fu$$,,, it will. You might made some enlightened D.I.s or you might have jealous window lickers. Just cruise through boot, put on your credentials upon graduation and move on.

Wear them. Be professional. I had people tell me not to wear my jump wings to Air Assault School because it would draw attention. I wore them anyway and never had an issue.

Probably won't be allowed to wear them. I went back through basic prior service a few years ago with another prior service guy that had all sorts of uniform decor. He wasn't allowed to wear any of it until graduation. Going back through as an E4 will put you in the same lot as all the other basic trainees. There was a prior service Navy E4 in my platoon. He was treated just like the non prior service troops

I served in the US Army twice. from 84 to 87 Then had a 20-year break in service and went back in 2007. They did not make me go back through Basic Training. Instead, they sent me to what they call WTC (Warrior transition Course) at Ft Sill and White Sands Missile Range that lasted 30 days. Basically, it was a shortened version Basic training where you do everything in 4 weeks that you would normally do in 13 weeks or however long basic is these days.
It was designed for Prior Service Army or military from other branches of service transitioning into the Army. They put me back in as an E-2 and fast tracked my rank back to E-5 after finishing WTC and AIT. The Military is constantly changing so perhaps they don't have the WTC path for prior service anymore.
Anyway, in the WTC course you were authorized to wear your patches or anything else you earned, But the situation was different than going to BCT and being put in with a bunch of new recruits. I would probably try to avoid any extra attention in that scenario.

If I were you, I would wear my badges, along with all awards and decorations. It would serve two purposes. First the Drill Sergeants will know you had the requisite discipline to complete those two schools. Secondly, it give your classmates something to aim for in their individual careers. You will jave instant credibility with the young recruits and would be able to diffuse negative situations. Welcome back to Active Duty, and good luck!

Keep a low profile! Wearing such awards maybe an intimidations to others and on the other hand may give privileges over others that others may look down on you. We all go into basic with nothing and leave basic with earned accomplishments. After basic and reporting to your command you can done your awards as long as you have documents/paper work to back them up. Don't talk or brag on your past military experience. Your a equal to others and others are equal to you.

If you are going back into the Army, wouldn't it be just the refresher basic. If so, it doesn't really matter.