As a prior service Marine Sgt, what can I expect during AIT as an 11X?

2023-07-19T05:19:34-04:00

I’m a prior service Marine Sgt with three weeks Gap in service before going to AIT as an 11x can anyone fill me In on what to expect or what’s gonna happen cuz nobody really seems to know and I just wanna mentally prepare I was a POG in the corps Jo

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 19 at 2023 6:46 AM

2023-07-19T06:46:23-04:00

You can expect to be treated like every other Soldier, as you should not make the same mistakes recruits make you should have a normal ride. You will be treated with the respect due, but expected to perform at levels above that of a recruit.

You may also be called upon to withe lead an element, or mentor a trainee who has been selected. The fact that you were a Sgt. In the Marines should make this tour seem like daily operations.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jul 19 at 2023 8:15 AM

2023-07-19T08:15:38-04:00

I lateral moved from Infantry to Communications when coming off of MSG duty. I was in a similar situation being a Sgt in an entry level MOS school environment and it certainly has it's Pros/Cons. The best thing to do is be humble and keep your learning hat on. Be who you are but keep in mind you are a student and your #1 priority and obligation is to learn. Do that and you will be just fine. Good Luck.

Response by SFC Marc W. made Jul 19 at 2023 7:33 PM

2023-07-19T19:33:05-04:00

It's always hit and miss when prior service roll through. It'll be up to the commander, 1sg and drills. Sometimes, especially with NCOs, they try to separate you a little bit and give you a little more lee way. But I've also seen douchers that just throw you into rotation with everyone else.

But just heading in with the attitude of being open and ready to learn will help, you'll likely only do the second half of 11 series training.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2023 9:57 PM

2023-07-20T21:57:21-04:00

You can expect to have some fun, and to be humbled.

I was enlisted for about a decade, then switched over to the comissioned side. As I went through school with young cadets in ROTC, I was very humbled. I was just a POG, but I knew a thing or two. Enough to think I was a hot shot. I was quickly humbled by the cadre. My fellow cadets also humbled me, though inadvertently. They thought I knew everything and would often ask for my advice. I quickly realized that I knew jack squat. So, I started being honest about it. "Hey guys, yeah I've been in a while, but really, I know a lot about very little. You can ask me about some things and I can tell you some stuff, and I have some great stories. But, that's just a small part of the big picture and I am switching jobs now. I am learning just like you. Let's figure this out together." That type of thing started happening alot.

My new attitude really helped earn me friendships. I am still close to several people from ROTC to this day, though there is a big age gap and experience gap, simply because I decided at the right time to see myself as no better than any other cadet. If I had something to offer or teach, then I did that. But I was there to learn and shoot the shit like everyone else. I wasn't in charge anymore. I may have still "outperformed" most of them and yes my experience played a big part in that, but I stopped seeing myself as the guy who had an edge on them, and rather, saw myself as an equal. I wasn't entitled to anything from them, or the Army.

When we were in the field this led to a lot of fun. Watching kids try to be Soldiers is hilarious when you're older, I thoroughly enjoyed the stupidity of some of my fellow cadets. And, I was often right there with them, acting stupid, or trying something out that was pretty stupid. But, I also throughly enjoyed their success and became extremely proud of kids who could outdo me in every which way, despite me having years of experience and a tour in Afghanistan. If you can bring that same type of joyful grunt attitude into your time in the Army, I think your transtion will be easier.

Last thing I'll say you can expect is difficulty. Getting this shift in my attitude was not easy. I was almost kicked out of ROTC. Only one cadre member stood up for me and I got a second chance. I saw the same with sevearl prior-service guys who came through. Embrace the Army culture, let the rough times slide off your back.

Response by SGT Aaron Atwood made Jul 21 at 2023 9:54 PM

2023-07-21T21:54:51-04:00

As a prior Marine turned soldier...

Retain what was good about the Corps. Retain the work ethic. Retain what it means being a Sergeant of Marines. The confidence that goes with that will be a positive contagion among both peers and cadre.

Along with that: keep an open mind. I kept my MOS so there have been only a few times that I needed to use my brain matter vs going on autopilot per se.

Response by SGT Ruben Lozada made Jul 23 at 2023 3:38 PM

2023-07-23T15:38:03-04:00

Good afternoon Sgt Connor ORourke. Excellent post. Thanks for sharing this Brother Connor. You can expect to treated like a recruit, rather than a prior service NCO. I recall when I switched from Navy Reserves to active Army I was an E-5 in the Navy Reserves and got started as a SPC at Benning. I had to suck it up and learn what the Army was about. The transition was difficult, but I made it through. It wasn't easy, but can be done. The second week I was at training I was made a platoon guide because the previous Private sucked at it. Our platoon said I did an excellent job at leading them. You'll have good and bad days to come and You'll get to learn to "embrace the suck." But, You'll get to enjoy family day and most of all graduation, when You finally earn and get get to wear that infamous blue cord and being proud of becoming an 11Bravo.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2023 6:19 PM

2023-07-24T18:19:25-04:00

Hey brother, the big difference is you should start at the AIT portion (ITB) of OSUT. Unless they did something weird and got basic on your contract as well. The biggest thing is be humble and try not to talk about the Marine Corps too much while in. Never talk down about how the Army does stuff. However, keep the Marine Corps mentality regarding PT, and always wanting to be the best. How you look after Marines should be similar to the way you look after Soldiers.

Don't sweat any training cycles every job is easy in the Military and so is every school. Also pro tip if you want to deploy go to 10th Mountain, Fort Drum NY. I've been on 2 combat deployments in the past 3 years. If you go anywhere else the likelihood of going on one is almost zero. If you need anyone to talk to or ask for help/tips throughout the transition feel free to DM me anytime. I was also a Sergeant in the USMC that went over to the Army.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2023 1:30 PM

2023-07-26T13:30:15-04:00

I came back in with a few Marine E5s back in 2020, I responded to another similar thread if you can find that one.

Long story short it depends. You'll more than likely hang out at 30th AG on Fort Moore until they get you a class to hop into. Some Drill Sergeants allowed prior service special privileges like phones, separate rooms and weekend passes. Others were treated like brand new privates. I think it really comes down to how the CO and 1SG feel about prior service guys in their formation. Hopefully it all works out, good luck.