Posted on Jan 21, 2018
Is anyone familiar with the Abbreviated Basic Training being offered to prior-service members with more than a 3-year break from active duty?
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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?
Does anyone have any more information regarding if this is accurate?
Prior Service
Recruiter
Drill Sergeant
Basic Training
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 14
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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.
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.
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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.
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No, but now I am wondering if the Navy has a similar program.
PFC Frank Hernandez
PO2 Kocher, My wife and I briefly discussed the possibilities of joining the Navy instead of Army. I haven't made my way into the recruiting office yet, but I am going to consider them as a back up plan in case the Army denies me for some reason. We've got Army blood running deep in our blood, and joining any other branch would be almost like sacrilege.
As for the commission goes. . . I have been entertaining the thought pretty heavily as well! I'll be finished with my degree in September of this year though. I have considered waiting to sign up until then, or enlisting now and dropping a packet for Officer Candidate School once I finish up. The only thing holding me back is becoming more physically fit in order to meet their requirements.
As for the commission goes. . . I have been entertaining the thought pretty heavily as well! I'll be finished with my degree in September of this year though. I have considered waiting to sign up until then, or enlisting now and dropping a packet for Officer Candidate School once I finish up. The only thing holding me back is becoming more physically fit in order to meet their requirements.
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Oh boy, I get that! My dad was Navy. Moved around as a Navy brat all through childhood and then joined at 24.
I have tinkered with idea of reenlisting, but I just couldnt deal after dealing with 18-22 yr olds to get my bachelors degree (I went to a brick/mortar institution). But there is a significant amount of resistance to reenlist oldheads, so I remain a civilian...for the time being(?)
On the plus side, Navy has done away with the over-zealous fitness standards (they were too lazy to do anymore than measure your neck and waist to determine one's "fitness"....E-6s up and Officers were often excused from standards, btw), so hard-working, focused individuals (that knew how to do their jobs because they focused on training and competence rather than 6-pack abs and ego) now have a genuine shot at having a career in the Navy once again (albeit without the beer and cigarette vending machines of the 70s and 80s in the barracks - bummer).
PFC Frank Hernandez I hope you make the right decision for you and your wife. I would only add that each branch - like a corporate environment - is only good as the quality of the personnel. Choose wisely, but I genuinely do wish you and the family all the best. Men in uniform don't always get as much respect as they deserve, so accept my sincere congratulations, whichever branch you choose (hint: Navy be the shiz-nit!)
I have tinkered with idea of reenlisting, but I just couldnt deal after dealing with 18-22 yr olds to get my bachelors degree (I went to a brick/mortar institution). But there is a significant amount of resistance to reenlist oldheads, so I remain a civilian...for the time being(?)
On the plus side, Navy has done away with the over-zealous fitness standards (they were too lazy to do anymore than measure your neck and waist to determine one's "fitness"....E-6s up and Officers were often excused from standards, btw), so hard-working, focused individuals (that knew how to do their jobs because they focused on training and competence rather than 6-pack abs and ego) now have a genuine shot at having a career in the Navy once again (albeit without the beer and cigarette vending machines of the 70s and 80s in the barracks - bummer).
PFC Frank Hernandez I hope you make the right decision for you and your wife. I would only add that each branch - like a corporate environment - is only good as the quality of the personnel. Choose wisely, but I genuinely do wish you and the family all the best. Men in uniform don't always get as much respect as they deserve, so accept my sincere congratulations, whichever branch you choose (hint: Navy be the shiz-nit!)
PFC Frank Hernandez
PO2 Eric Kocher I didn't know the Navy brought there standards down? I'll have to look into it. This has been the bane of my previous enlistment. I was a great technical soldier, but I was never able to bring my weight within standards.
The divide between these "kids" who are joining and oldheads who have gone through the process already is very tangible. Yesterday I went to my recruiting station to do some PT with them. Literally everyone there with the exception of two others were still in high school :/ Talk about feeling old! Also since I was prior service, they made me lead PT as acting Platoon Sergeant. Boy, that was interesting! Fortunately I remembered most of my commands and PT stretches, I just need to remember some more cadences and I'll be set!
I'll definitely keep you updated on where my path takes me, and feel free to reach out to me as well!
The divide between these "kids" who are joining and oldheads who have gone through the process already is very tangible. Yesterday I went to my recruiting station to do some PT with them. Literally everyone there with the exception of two others were still in high school :/ Talk about feeling old! Also since I was prior service, they made me lead PT as acting Platoon Sergeant. Boy, that was interesting! Fortunately I remembered most of my commands and PT stretches, I just need to remember some more cadences and I'll be set!
I'll definitely keep you updated on where my path takes me, and feel free to reach out to me as well!
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Hehehe....I'm 36 and I remember what it was like to be selected for leadership positions simply bc you are the older guy (I was always the oldest, it seemed). Yeah, keep in touch....connected with you.
As prior service -no matter the branch - you are expected to know everything from the get-go.....this can make you shine or make a dick out of you, depending on how seriously you take it. They do that to make sure EVERYONE is in line with fitness and knowledge standards. In other words, it will either amplify or destroy your reenlistment experience depending on your personal perseverence and attitude.
Regarding fitness, before I sep'd they were axing dudes that didn't have the right waistline....even if they were great sailors. The P90X and X-fit fads turned the Navy into one big gay porno....thankfully they realized their mistake and the Navy sounds like they are coming back down to earth. Look into it to ensure you get a rate you enjoy and can advance with. Keep me posted. Message me if you wanna keep in touch long-term. Just make sure they give you a decent cross-rate if they won't honor your most recent paygrade. Btw, Army is paying $50k-90k for linguists (I was a CTI last half of my approx. 8 year tour.) Def keep me posted....or hit me uo for a beer if you make it to Philadelphia.
As prior service -no matter the branch - you are expected to know everything from the get-go.....this can make you shine or make a dick out of you, depending on how seriously you take it. They do that to make sure EVERYONE is in line with fitness and knowledge standards. In other words, it will either amplify or destroy your reenlistment experience depending on your personal perseverence and attitude.
Regarding fitness, before I sep'd they were axing dudes that didn't have the right waistline....even if they were great sailors. The P90X and X-fit fads turned the Navy into one big gay porno....thankfully they realized their mistake and the Navy sounds like they are coming back down to earth. Look into it to ensure you get a rate you enjoy and can advance with. Keep me posted. Message me if you wanna keep in touch long-term. Just make sure they give you a decent cross-rate if they won't honor your most recent paygrade. Btw, Army is paying $50k-90k for linguists (I was a CTI last half of my approx. 8 year tour.) Def keep me posted....or hit me uo for a beer if you make it to Philadelphia.
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