In AIT, do the instructors know of your prior service status and treat you any specific way?

LCpl Branden Thompson — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 13:50:36 -0400

Rah gents so I’m a prior service Marine I got out as a Lance. I’m going active army. My questions are in AIT do the instructors know of your prior service status and treat you any specific way? I’m reclassing from being a 0811 to something new,I haven’t chosen my MOS yet I’m still weighing my options. Do you still maintain liberty privelages like when you were in the fleet? Also when transitioning to my first unit what is the overall lifestyle like as compared to the Corps?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 7 at 2018 2:03 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 14:03:45 -0400

They may treat you differently, and they may not.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2018 2:10 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 14:10:46 -0400

They will treat like a trainee however, once you display your maturity and have better discipline than the rest, well you will be treated differently. At the end of the day, you are an E3, and that's all they see. Worry about passing the new AIT, and you will be rewarded in different ways.

Response by Matt Moon made Sep 7 at 2018 2:32 PM

Matt Moon — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 14:32:06 -0400

No i was a Young Marine & Civil Air Patrol Air Force Auxiliary. Before i went over to the ARMY State Guard . I was with the State Guard Maritime Regiment for a short time before switching over to the ARMY Component of the State Guard to become a (68W ) Healthcare Specialist. They just give you a hard time in a jokeing matter. Everyone said so you were attached to the Chair Force huh ? Would you like to take a seat ? Are you sure you don't want to sit down and stay for awhile? You won't get to have that opportunity anymore welcome to the ARMY. You got the right idea we stand all day you're allready off to a good start. As for being a Young Marine. They said we forgive you so you finally decided to make the right decision huh ? I went to the Latrine because i had to take a dump a ARMY Staff Sergeant walked in . O Boy this is my lucky hey sweetie whose in there ? Don't let me catch you with your pants down . O it's the new guy who used to be a Young Marine ! You know it's about time another branch bent over for us thanks for helping now i can finally get some work done around here. I'm so happy now i can finally retire. I told him i hate to break you're heart. I've never really been good at Dear Jhon Letters but I'm sure you will find someone else. He busted up luaghing and almost spilled his drink all over his desk.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2018 2:34 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 14:34:27 -0400

I just reclassed with a handful of prior service Marines and they all were treated as MOS-Ts. Meaning we all lived in separate barracks. No restrictions other than being at class with the trainees.

I found some AIT instructors aren't aware of how the situation should be handled so it'd be good to look into prior service/reclasses in AIT. There is a army regulation pertaining to it. I had to physically pull the AR out and show it to them but in the end it worked out.

Response by Matt Moon made Sep 7 at 2018 2:38 PM

Matt Moon — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 14:38:50 -0400

The ARMY will just give you a hard time for being a MARINE. They will pick on you for a couple of months than it will ware itself out . You will get a few good luaghs out of it .

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 7 at 2018 2:47 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 14:47:34 -0400

It was 25 some years ago I went to AIT as prior service. We had no Drill SGTs and it was like college. I am just illuminating my experience, and will not proclaim to know what you will experience.

Response by Matt Moon made Sep 7 at 2018 2:49 PM

Matt Moon — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 14:49:30 -0400

Well in the Civil Air Patrol Air Force Auxiliary i left as a 1st Lieutenant Senior Member. Young Marines i left as a Lance Corporal and went over to the State Guard Maritime Regiment they made me a Seman . Than i switched over to the ARMY Component of the State Guard and became a Private First Class. There was more paper than you had to learn another job . I went form (0400) to (0621) With the Marine Corps Auxiliary as a Civillan. To The Civil Air Patrol Air Force Auxiliary keeping my Specialty as a Radio Operator than being switched over to a Cadet Programs Officer. Than going over to the ARMY Component of the State Guard to become a (68W ) Healthcare Specialist. I can personally tell you switching is a pain the ass working you're way from the bottom to the top only to be knocked down and have to start all over again.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2018 4:32 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 16:32:56 -0400

It depends on your circumstances and the MOS you choose. If you choose an MOS that has OSUT (one station unit training), they may require you to live like a new recruit, or they may let you fall in when the training transitions from the Basic phase to the AIT phase. If you choose an MOS that has Basic at one location and AIT at another, you'll likely be placed in a Company within the training battalion that has nothing but prior service. Your freedoms will depend on the installation and the unit.

When I reclassed to Aviation, I was put in a company with all the other prior service reclasses. We had all the freedoms and restrictions of regular active duty soldiers and didn't ever have to deal with the Platoon SGTs from the IET companies.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Sep 7 at 2018 4:56 PM

SGT Tony Clifford — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 16:56:38 -0400

Hard to say. I remember that the reclass guys treated a little better than the new troops. They might not know that you're a reclass since it's not uncommon for a PFC to come from basic. If you're going combat arms they'll know as combat arms soldiers have OSUT. They have the same drill sergeants until they finish training, so someone showing up in week 9 should at least be noticed. When I was in 12B training, we had 3 SPCs reclassing. They were allowed weekend passes, so long as there was no scheduled weekend training. I'm not sure how they treat things now, as my training was in 2004.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2018 5:01 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 17:01:46 -0400

Yeah they will give you more respect, but won't bend over backwards for you. I doubt they will give you liberty privileges right away but you will earn your life back really quickly. Trust me you will not outgrow your marine service, your friends will always say you eat crayons. Good luck!

Response by LCpl Donald Faucett made Sep 7 at 2018 5:21 PM

LCpl Donald Faucett — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 17:21:23 -0400

We don’t know, and don’t care. So you are a dog face now lol

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Sep 7 at 2018 5:43 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 17:43:25 -0400

Prior service will show! You can be a instant success just by letting your skill and experience display themselves. And by being the quiet man!

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Sep 7 at 2018 7:48 PM

SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 19:48:13 -0400

I did this and survived. Lots of interesting duty stations. You will bring something to the Army and it can make you shine. As we take experience, we learn and look good.

Response by LCpl Steve Smith made Sep 7 at 2018 9:21 PM

LCpl Steve Smith — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 21:21:48 -0400

I've know people that have joined every Branch those are Lifers they Love the life. Some people Love being in the Military they just either have a hard time finding a home or they feel it make them more well rounded...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2018 10:24 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 22:24:30 -0400

There are a LOT of prior service jarheads in the Army including myself. We tend to find each other. I came back in as an E6 so my experience was a little different from a lower ranked enlisted's. However, I am reclassing again as I am coming from the Army reserves into active duty. There are lots of prior service junior enlistes coming through my school house now and we are seperated from the privates after hours. We all do pt together and class together but when class is over, we go to our part of the barracks and they go to theirs. Not allowed to mix after hours. Normal liberty rules apply. Now I have also talked to other prior Marine E3s that are at a different school house and they got bunched in with the privates all the way around. So im guessing it will depend on the individual school and your rank coming in. Either way, its all temporary and its not difficult. You should be used to the "f f games" and the other mental aspects of things.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2018 8:01 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Sep 2018 08:01:20 -0400

I am currently in AIT and we have prior service marines here. Same company, barracks, and standards as everyone else. But they have priveledges. By that I mean they don't ever get yelled at or even spoken to by NCOs. They just kind of do their own thing. They don't need battle buddies and they have had Phase V/Gold Phase priveledges since Phase III

Response by SFC Robert Walton made Sep 8 at 2018 8:16 AM

SFC Robert Walton — Sat, 08 Sep 2018 08:16:49 -0400

As a former Instructor I can assure that you will be treated as a Soldier. Assuming your going as an E-3 either way some one in the know usually tells your Instructor that your prior service but it your the quiet man and keep a can, will, and do, mentality you should do just fine if you come of as special, you will be special I assure you but not in a way you like. The people we had that reclassed were great they had a mind set to get an Education. Then off to free time. Most were billeted with AIT Students but in separate rooms. Good Luck

Response by CPL Audrey Selking made Sep 8 at 2018 7:27 PM

CPL Audrey Selking — Sat, 08 Sep 2018 19:27:45 -0400

You are going to miss the Marines lol. Be prepared for a difference in discipline. It really depends on your AIT, but usually you will have some advantages. Some places more than others.

Response by PFC Elijah Rose made Sep 8 at 2018 10:16 PM

PFC Elijah Rose — Sat, 08 Sep 2018 22:16:41 -0400

Yes, tell them and you'll get put into a regular barracks and won't have to go through all that silly AIT pseudo-basic stuff.

Response by PFC John Curry made Sep 9 at 2018 11:57 AM

PFC John Curry — Sun, 09 Sep 2018 11:57:05 -0400

... time travelling back to the end of the 80s...
Yes, they did treat two fellow soldiers differently: one was an actual member of the Liechtenstein Royalty (equivalent of a Duke) who had dual citizenship and had been an officer in the military of that tiny country and the other was a Marine who had made E4 (in the Marines) and then re-upped but into the Army.
Our AIT was at the Defense Language Institute at Monterey, CA (Military Intelligence/Oxymoron) language-learning school. As for the Marine, he was only "given" his E4 rank after basic training (he had been out of the Marines long enough that he had to go through Army Basic), and therefore was treated as an E4 when most soldiers/sailors/zoomies at the DLI entered as E2 on average. The Royalty member of my platoon (he was with me in Basic and AIT) insisted he be treated as any other recruit, not as a member of foreign royalty or even that he was an officer in Lichtenstein... but he still got treated well, even though he literally insisted he not be given any special consideration (to make up for it, he volunteered to give up his weekend for special cleaning/repair details at the Presidio or volunteer for KP... the weird thing about it was he LIKED doing "servant style" duties. He said it made him feel "normal".
He was not given an officer's rank due to his foreign citizenship, but was allowed to be MI for some reason. I am certain that some of the reasons/details of his situation were not entirely told to us accurately, but the fact he was former military in a foreign nation AND currently a member of the Royal leadership of Lichtenstein, that part was verified.
The "special treatment" both of them got came down to more courtesy than any special treatment such as less time doing manual work or time off/passes and things like that - that didn't happen, but there was a level of respect given to them that others of the same rank didn't receive... BUT, it was so slight that it was possible the special consideration toward them was just in OUR minds and not really happening.
(yeah... I can rant and go on-and-on, nerding out while telling a brief story... I was MI after all)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2018 12:58 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Sep 2018 12:58:21 -0400

It depends on which MOS you are going to. Every school house is different. However, prior service are kept separate from Initial Entry (IET - a term you'll hear a lot in AIT).
Basically, don't look at them, talk to them, interact with them, and absolutely do not have any type of relationship with them.
What the lifestyle is like will depend on your MOS. Infantry is pretty much the same across the services. The Army is such a broad organization, it's more like 15 different large organizations with the same name.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2018 9:18 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 09:18:43 -0400

Yes. You will be considered an "MOS Q" soldier and will have all the freedoms that a soldier in the force would.

Response by PFC Rory Prazak made Sep 10 at 2018 10:44 PM

PFC Rory Prazak — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 22:44:58 -0400

They respect it a lot , but will give you shit that’s the way it was Infantry any other mos will probably adore your military bearing. The air force will probably say chill out dude this ain’t the Marines

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2018 2:11 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 14:11:06 -0400

You will probably be treated as a reclass. Much better treatment

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2018 11:29 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 11:29:12 -0400

The will when the read you as mos-q or mos-t. You might have to tell them about various other accolades.

Response by LCpl Jeff Moore made Nov 4 at 2018 6:19 PM

LCpl Jeff Moore — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 18:19:31 -0500

your awards and notes in your SRB might give it away

Response by LCpl Michaelk Pierce made Nov 14 at 2018 1:18 AM

LCpl Michaelk Pierce — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 01:18:45 -0500

Brother your supposed to be climbing up not down! LOL Just kidding (kinda) from talking to another Marine you will have it easier than when in the CORPS. Good luck!

Response by SSgt Gerald Sapaugh made May 8 at 2019 11:06 PM

SSgt Gerald Sapaugh — Wed, 08 May 2019 23:06:00 -0400

At AIT the instructors treat everyone the same, SCUM is what your called and treated accordingly. If you came from the Marine Corps, they make you an instructor.

Response by LCpl Alton White made Jan 2 at 2020 8:47 AM

LCpl Alton White — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 08:47:16 -0500

You got a whole new world I. Front of you. The Army has they own way of doing things. Just keep squared away and keep your ribbons and badges you earned em. They run their pie hole till they see you in you new army dress uniform. With your colorful chest plate....lol

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2021 2:18 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 May 2021 02:18:53 -0400

I am sure the DS/DI scrub all records. They will know. Like CSM Charles Hayden said, do not have the entitlement attitude. You know its a game. Play the game. I went in as a new E-4 at age 31. No prior service. You may be made the 'platoon guide'. Follow army rules, flank and maneuver. Not frontal assaults ( we had a Marine in OCS do a frontal assault on react to a near ambush with an enemy/cadre M-60 MG ) just my honest opinion. You will do well. Just do not say 'attention on deck' and refrain from saying the head, the hatch and aye, aye.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2021 11:08 AM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 May 2021 11:08:06 -0400

Yes. You are what's called an MOS-T. You have a lot more freedoms then regular tradoc soldiers. I do know none of our psg's liked the mos-t's because they never showed up for pt.