Posted on Dec 31, 2018
What does Army Basic Training look like for a prior service E-7? What is the TRADOC 350-6 not telling me?
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Prior Air Force Master Sergeant (E-7) heading to Army BCT (Ft. Benning) as a Sergeant First Class (E-7) in 3 weeks. What does basic look like as an E-7?
Posted in these groups: 
Drill Sergeant
Basic Combat Training (BCT)
Prior Service
Fort Moore
Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS)
Drill Sergeant Basic Combat Training (BCT) Prior Service Fort Moore Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS)
Edited 7 y ago
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 97
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***UPDATE***
I was (administratively) pinned as W.O.C. today after my Federal Recognition Board. I leave for WOCS in a couple weeks.
I was (administratively) pinned as W.O.C. today after my Federal Recognition Board. I leave for WOCS in a couple weeks.
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CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
Nice to hear! Many questioners never provide feedback to RP!!
CW2 (Join to see)
CW2 (Join to see)
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When I was a DS in the 80' I had a prior AF E7 in my platoon. On day one we talked, I told him the standards expected and what was expected. He was the best troop on the battery and was well respected by the other DS's and by the soldiers.
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I'm surprised they allowed you to enlist as a SFC who required Basic Training. Army Basic is not going to teach you what an SFC needs to know to operate daily as an Army Senior NCO. As a former Air Force MSGT you are going to be a fish out of water and dont have the knowledge of an Army 10+ year SFC. Honestly you dont have much to bring to the table. Nothing against you personally I can appreciate you returning to service but you dont have the knowledge and skills to be an SFC. Army and Air Force Senior NCOs are night and day to say the least. I wish you luck. This is a good place to get advice from fellow SFC's, 1SGs and CSMs.
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CW2 (Join to see)
I absolutely appreciate that perspective, CSM. I just had my first drill with my new command (JFHQ) and meshed very well with the Cyber soldiers. I come from a cyber security, database administration and of course military background, so naturally as a 255a Warrant Officer, I will bring quite a bit to the table.
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Here are a couple pictures from my time at Ft. Benning. I'm heading to WOCS in August and I'm really happy that I made the switch from blue to Green.
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Work hard, listen to the NCOs and drill sergeants, and never, ever give up and you will do fine! Do not rest on your laurels, be humble, and realize you have a lot to learn. COL L
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CW2 (Join to see)
Much appreciated, sir! I graduated a few weeks ago and it was a great experience. Now I'm headed to WOCS.
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COL Jon Lopey
SFC: Congratulations! Thank you for your distinguished service to this great nation and to the Army. I was a former Viet Nam Era Marine and a retired Army colonel so I salute you for a job well done! My mother worked for the USAF for 43-years - A great outfit as well. I wish you the best in all future endeavors. You will have fun and a lot of rewarding experiences in the Army. Semper Fi, COL L
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When I was at basic in feb 2018 we had a prior service E7 from the navy going through it too and the drills treated him and all other prior service with respect and told us that we had to listen to him. He was a jerk with a stick up his ass from the moment he got there but we still had to listen to him.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
I mean we’re already getting yelled at for existing, he just added to the already shitty situation just because he could.
You’ll do great and I can’t imagine it will be anything like your first go around. Good luck.
You’ll do great and I can’t imagine it will be anything like your first go around. Good luck.
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PO3 Jake Lucid
CW2 (Join to see) indeed...those anchors dont always keep their heads out of the clouds.
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SPC Stephen Kraft
Prior service Navy E-7, what is that, a Master Chief? What naval “rate” could he have had that would translate to SFC/platoon sergeant in the Army? I mean, doesn’t rank/rate relate to actual expertise? I could see Marine grunt to Army 11b. Same same.
Oh, and no “drills” worth their rocker, or the second one they’re expecting upon wrapping up drill sergeant duty, would ever undermine their own authority by saying a trainee outranked them. And doing so runs so counter to their job, which is turning civilians into barely credible basic soldiers, that it makes absolutely no sense to further destroy budding unit morale the way you’re suggesting. We all misremember things from BCT, AIT, or OSUT. This must be that.
Oh, and no “drills” worth their rocker, or the second one they’re expecting upon wrapping up drill sergeant duty, would ever undermine their own authority by saying a trainee outranked them. And doing so runs so counter to their job, which is turning civilians into barely credible basic soldiers, that it makes absolutely no sense to further destroy budding unit morale the way you’re suggesting. We all misremember things from BCT, AIT, or OSUT. This must be that.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
This may be an old reply but this was not misremembered. He said it to myself and 4 others while in the office doing detail and not in front of the actual soldier in training. Say what you will. SPC Stephen Kraft
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As a First Sergeant, I was assigned to attend a 13B MOS School at Ft McCoy ... immediately after signing in, the SM of the academy pull me to the side and express the following “don’t F*** with the cadre!”.
I told the SM I had no desire to disrupt the training and I’m here to learn! I was successful ... Hooah!
I told the SM I had no desire to disrupt the training and I’m here to learn! I was successful ... Hooah!
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In a training environment the only rank that matters is that of the instructors and cadre. The trainees rank is only relevenlvent in matters of military courtesy and has nothing to do with requrements or duty.
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COL Jon Lopey
SSG: I agree with you because in reality, your way is the best course of action. I knew a captain once that was kicked out of Airborne School as a 1LT because he questioned a "Black Hat's" disciplinary methods and later "failed" his PLF test. Bottom line, he was humbled by the experience because everyone in the chain supported the "Black Hat." He miraculously got another chance due to a fellow OCS graduate assigned to the school but on try #2 he maintained a low profile, kept his mouth shut, worked hard, forgot about his rank, and did whatever he was asked to do - He graduated! Thank you, COL L
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I was reclassified as an E7 from Artillery to Communications. I was in a training company full of E-2s and E-3. I was given a lot of latitude about what I could and should do. As a result I would attend PT with the young students, and get them in formation for the drill sergeant to pick them up after class to march back to the company. I was single and lived off post. I was able to drive to and from class. As someone else commented, be humble, create a favorable impression for the cadre and the troops, learn as they learn, and everything will be hunky-dory. Good luck in you future endeavors.
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I re-uped after 3 years separation. re-do Basic Training was a breeze. I was a squad leader from jump... and essentially those weeks were more about re-acquainting myself with military life, while I waited for my clearance, and duty station orders.
You will enjoy it... the dread of your first Basic Training will fall like the enemy under withering fire from an M-60 ;)
You will enjoy it... the dread of your first Basic Training will fall like the enemy under withering fire from an M-60 ;)
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SSG(P) Danielle Birtha
heheh... THAT statement was for Army re-enlisting into the Army.
Now that the question has popped up... what about enlisting into the Army from the Air Force. Air Force re-enlisting... into Army Basic Training... might not be so easy. ;)
No Dis... just Fact. Army and Marine Basic Combat Training is much more intense than Air Force ;)
I still had to take all the tests of those taking Basic for the first time... the easy part: I knew what to expect, and was already trained and physically fit enough for it to be just another day in the Army ;)
Now that the question has popped up... what about enlisting into the Army from the Air Force. Air Force re-enlisting... into Army Basic Training... might not be so easy. ;)
No Dis... just Fact. Army and Marine Basic Combat Training is much more intense than Air Force ;)
I still had to take all the tests of those taking Basic for the first time... the easy part: I knew what to expect, and was already trained and physically fit enough for it to be just another day in the Army ;)
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