Prior service Marine Infantry Enlisting as an Army 18X candidate after being out for five years. What to expect?

SPC Paul Byler — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 20:12:15 -0500

Gentlemen, I’m prior service Marine 0311 Rifleman
E-4, I was active for 5 years. I left active duty in 2013, I am 28 and re-enlisting in the army on an 18X contract. I started the paperwork with the recruter this week and waiting on it all to be submitted so I can go to MEPS. I was told that some regulation had changed and now a full basic is required for prior service guys and I have now read something about the army changing AIT for infantry extending it an additional two months. The recruiter literally had to look it up in front of me and seemed confused as to what exactly had changed with regards to prior service. So my question is what to expect by way of boot camp, the length is it different for prior service guys ect.? I’ve skimmed forums and seen conflicting information. I’m perfectly happy starting over at day one of basic I’m just wanting to know what to expect specifically by way of time periods to know how to set up my personal obligations finances ect while I’m gone. I’ll be leaving for basic sometime the beginning of May. I appreciate any up to date insight as it seems allot of changes have been made over the past year or so. Thanks again gentlemen.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2019 8:28 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 20:28:51 -0500

All the 03 series guys I've been in with that joined late last year just skipped all of osut. It's if you were another most that you have to go through.

Response by PFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2019 9:16 PM

PFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 21:16:48 -0500

It depends on the slot that your recruiter reserves for you. He can either reserve a 14 week OSUT or a 22 week OSUT. There are slots for both. The government is simply testing out a new way of doing infantry training and hasn't implemented 22 weeks across the board.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2019 9:30 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 21:30:22 -0500

Feel free to message me for specifics if this isn’t everything you need:

Basic and AIT are not separate for Infantry in the Army, if you go, it’s called One Station Unit Training, or OSUT. There is not a big delta between Army and Marine Infantry concept, you’ll have an advantage at having done rifle training at 500M, Army does 50-300M pop-up ranges; your fundamentals will serve you well. Road marching is road marching, be ready for 15 minute mile pace, they will progress from 2 miles to 25 over the length of the course. It’s an achievable course of training for high school kids, as a proper prior grunt, it will be easy, you already know what you’re made of.
All other training is what you’d expect; for specifics, look up “Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad” and “The Ranger Handbook”, I recommend The Army Publishing Directorate (APD) for most current updates.
18X comes and goes as a program, they have a super high wash-out rate when it’s on because most non-prior service kids just plain aren’t ready. Be phenomenal at land-nav, be physically and mentally prepared for whole days on the March with a heavy ruck. Know the stuff well in those two pubs, they will no-kidding expect you to already be an expert. When 18X isn’t on, most dudes are already experienced SGT, SSGs, the best from their units, passing selection.
There is a LOT out there about that, I have my favorites, but I won’t weigh in too heavy on that.
For fun video, Surviving the Cut is like 1.99 on YouTube for a couple hours about SFAS, it’s a little dated, but it’s pretty good as an overall content.
This is pretty general, I know. Again, feel free to reach out if you want some specific stuff.
Barring that, good luck, good for you for stepping up!

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2019 5:30 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Mar 2019 17:30:36 -0500

I would have your recruiter double check his/her stuff USMC is not required to attend Army basic, and likely the Infantry portion of OSUT after either.
Typically for OSUT, the "inserts" as you would be, are inserted into the OSUT course after the initial 9 weeks, as if you were skipping basic training.
But again, you should probably be skipping all of it and going straight to jump school, SFPC, and SFAS.

Response by LTC Jason Bartlett made Mar 2 at 2019 10:52 PM

LTC Jason Bartlett — Sat, 02 Mar 2019 22:52:07 -0500

Don’t Quit.

Response by SGT Taylor Rector made Mar 3 at 2019 1:09 AM

SGT Taylor Rector — Sun, 03 Mar 2019 01:09:48 -0500

When I went through basic in 2014 we had two prior service Marines coming in as 18X's. They honestly didn't do too much during basic and the Drill Sergeants didn't mess with them too much. They'd go to the range's with us, but more like a glorified baby sitter, rather than trainees. I guess it'll just depend on the leadership and Drill Sergeant's you get.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2019 6:33 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 Mar 2019 18:33:37 -0500

In 2017 the rules were if you had a break in service of 3 or more years (prior Army) or you were transitioning from another branch (no minimum break) you had to go to PSBCT. You fit the bill for both. I had one soldier, 18X candidate that had to do both, the PSBCT and then the full OSUT and AIT. He was an odd case. Ensure you have all the answers before getting in. I found out the recruiters had zero idea what was going on at the time. Keep in mind this was summer of 2017. Message me if you want more details.

Response by SPC Bradly Martin made Mar 3 at 2019 8:18 PM

SPC Bradly Martin — Sun, 03 Mar 2019 20:18:20 -0500

I hope you’re in good shape lol.

Response by Sgt Matt Sharp made May 28 at 2020 7:16 PM

Sgt Matt Sharp — Thu, 28 May 2020 19:16:16 -0400

Are you able to give any updates on how things went for you? I'm prior Marines myself and have been out of the game for a little over 5 years, but having the same itch you had to get back in. My plan is to also go 18x route. I'm prior 0321 (not sure if previous MOS has any impact on OSUT situation). My recruiter is telling me that I'll attend a 2 week integration course and head to selection from there, but all the information that I've been finding online points to that information being incorrect. Appreciate any feedback

Response by SPC David C. made Mar 31 at 2024 11:15 PM

SPC David C. — Sun, 31 Mar 2024 23:15:09 -0400

Former 03 here that made the switch after a few years out. Dude, even after being out for a few years, if you did well in PT in the Corps, you'll be fine. Discipline and leadership are night and day and it takes some adjusting. Whereas in the grunts, they'll take you to the tree line if you screw up or smoke you, the army won't hesitate to paper-fuck you for anything. Don't throw it around you're a prior Marine, there are a LOT of Marines in the army and people get tired of hearing "when I was in the Corps...". Keep your eyes and ears open, your mouth shut and you'll be just fine. Whatever pre -SFAS training you go through, be it basic training or SOF prep, push yourself and make the most of PT and land nav. Physically, you'll be okay. It's the mental portion that will require some shifting. You got this devil dog.