Is anyone familiar with the Abbreviated Basic Training being offered to prior-service members with more than a 3-year break from active duty?

PFC Frank Hernandez — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 11:47:16 -0500

Spoke to a recruiter the other day about possible options of reenlisting into the Army. He briefly mentioned that If I were to wait until my 3 years after my ETS date that I'd need to enter into a new contract, as well as attend Basic Training again. This Basic Training would be abbreviated however, since I was prior service it would focus more on Leadership Skills and would only be 6 weeks long. The only information I have found on the topic was from an article by NCOSupport.com (http://www.ncosupport.com/military-news/prior-service-soldiers-in-basic-training.html)

Does anyone have any more information regarding if this is accurate?

prior-service-soldiers-in-basic-training.html)

Response by SSG James McClain made Jan 21 at 2018 12:18 PM

SSG James McClain — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 12:18:55 -0500

This is accurate

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2018 5:20 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 17:20:00 -0500

I am a current DS and our C Company is exclusively conducting the 6 week prior service cycles. They are basically abbreviated versions of BCT here at Fort Leonard Wood. They definitely see a different version of BCT than the brand new Trainees with expanded privileges and whatnot.

Response by CA Delete D. made Jan 22 at 2018 10:29 AM

CA Delete D. — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 10:29:54 -0500

No, but now I am wondering if the Navy has a similar program.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2018 7:55 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 19:55:30 -0500

if you have more than 2 yrs break you have to take the whole thing all over

Response by SPC Jovani Daviu made Jan 31 at 2018 2:02 PM

SPC Jovani Daviu — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 14:02:18 -0500

I served in the U.S Army National Guard for 3 years(still IRR)and I sat down with a U.S Army AD recruiter last week(1/23/2018) to discuss re-enlistment after a 5 year break in service. I was told that I will not be sent back to basic or AIT. He told me to come back in 90 days 30 pounds lighter because once I sign I will be shipping off to DS within 30 days. It kinda sucks because I was actually looking forward to matbe repeating basic or some sort of school.

Response by SGT Marc Riordan made Feb 9 at 2018 2:16 PM

SGT Marc Riordan — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 14:16:53 -0500

I was told today that this program is finished, as of next month. The people in the pipeline already will still do the abreviated course, but then it goes back to the old system.

Response by Cpl Jason Berry made Feb 13 at 2018 7:00 AM

Cpl Jason Berry — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 07:00:07 -0500

I am also prior service reenlisting in the NG, met with my recruiter yesterday, Feb. 12th, infor.ed the prior service basic training will end on March 1st. So any Army or Marine basic training grad WILL NOT have to attend BCT.

Response by CPO Mark Robinson made Feb 15 at 2018 10:06 PM

CPO Mark Robinson — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 22:06:47 -0500

When I was in the Navy other than navy prior service members had to do the full meal deal if they were out greater than 2 years. I worked over at the Bootcamp in San Diego and we had a misinformed soldier show up in his car thinking he was just going to go through a three week orientation program. They did let him keep his car parked behind the barracks but his drill instructor kept the keys until he graduated 9 weeks later.

Response by SGT Jamarl Jones made Feb 26 at 2018 2:07 PM

SGT Jamarl Jones — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 14:07:35 -0500

Are they using your Active Duty ETS date? Or your end of IRR ETS date?

Response by SSG Mark Lawless made Mar 5 at 2018 10:41 AM

SSG Mark Lawless — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 10:41:45 -0500

I took just short of three years break in service from '85 to '88 and was told that if I had gone over three years I would have had to take an abbreviated basic again. I was fortunate I did not stay out any longer than I did.

Response by 1SG Randy Book made Mar 11 at 2018 8:53 PM

1SG Randy Book — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 20:53:52 -0400

I ETS's in '70 as a
SSG E6 from VN, enlisted in ;ate '73 as an E1, didn't have to go back whru basic or AIT as I enlisted as 11b again. When I was a DS in Ft Jackson, SC and Ft Gordon,GA, inb '77-79, the army was sending "retreads" thru OSUT, but these guys were give open privileges and and squad leader/platoon guide status.

Response by SPC Dustin S. made May 18 at 2018 5:38 PM

SPC Dustin S. — Fri, 18 May 2018 17:38:09 -0400

Any of you have any feedback on prior service veterans who have went back through under the new requirement to attend the full BCT? I'm seriously considering re-joining and am just trying to get an idea of what to expect.

Response by LCpl Mike Burkhart made Jun 2 at 2018 7:23 AM

LCpl Mike Burkhart — Sat, 02 Jun 2018 07:23:14 -0400

A refresher course should be mandatory. Who knows what cheap civilian slime someone has picked up along the way!

Response by SGT Ruben Lozada made Oct 4 at 2022 8:23 PM

SGT Ruben Lozada — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 20:23:06 -0400

Excellent question. I believe that Ft. Sill should've kept the WTC course. Unfortunately, it ended in 2011.