What is AIT like for an NCO?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 13:37:32 -0400

So I'm currently active duty 31B looking to change MOS to a 15T for the reserve? Just wondering what AIT is like for NCOs? Do they give separate barracks? How does it work?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2020 1:52 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 13:52:14 -0400

It's been a while but, depending on the school, NCOs who are reclassing usually are not housed with the new recruits. We had an E5 and an E6 in my AIT class and they both had separate quarters. They didn't have to do PT with the rest of us, formations and all that jazz. They simply showed up at the classroom on time and left at the end of the day.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Apr 6 at 2020 1:58 PM

MSG Danny Mathers — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 13:58:13 -0400

They will have you fill a student leadership position. It has been done for years. Don't be surprised if you see other NCOs as students that are reclassing. You might be a student 1SG or lower NCO position. However, you will be paid as a E-5. Be humble and professional. You are there to learn, not to impress the cadre what you already know.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2020 2:51 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 14:51:30 -0400

I recently reclassed as an E5. We were in our separate barracks, were only allowed to talk to the new soldiers during class time. You will be in class with them the entire time, breaks are usually separated, you may have your cell phone on you but may not use it in front of the new soldiers.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2020 2:56 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 14:56:28 -0400

I’ve been a mos-t on two separate occasions, two different experiences. 1st was for 92F ait at Ft Lee, we weren’t housed the pvts, we had our own barracks for mos-ts and the 2nd one was for 14P ait at Ft Sill, we didn’t pt for half the ait (we ptd on our own) we were housed in the same barracks as thr pvts, but we took the entire first floor. You pretty much get left alone, idk how the aviation side of the house does things, but the quartermaster and air defense artillery worlds are like that

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2020 3:03 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 15:03:38 -0400

When I reclassed to 12B, there was a SSG with us. We all stayed in the same barracks as the IETs but down the hall as far away as possible. When I reclassed to 68S, I had a SGT and SSG in my class. All of us stayed in a separate set of barracks from the IETs. It all really depends on the base and the space available, really. What was the same was that we attended POI with the IETs and we did PRT with the IETs. Otherwise, we were to stay away from them.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Apr 6 at 2020 3:26 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 15:26:09 -0400

When I reclassed for my Reserve MOS, it was a dedicated reclass with no AIT soldiers.

No special treatment for NCOs or lower enlisted (customs & courtesies still apply). Everyone had a private room with kitchenette and bathroom. Breakfast and diner at the Defac nearby, and it was on us to walk there and back if we wanted to eat. No PT, morning accountability formation, then we were picked up in three 15 pack vans and driven to where our daily training was at. 30 straight days, with the only full day off due to weather.

That was my experience; however, your mileage may vary.

Response by SFC Michael D. made Apr 7 at 2020 11:31 AM

SFC Michael D. — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 11:31:51 -0400

Depends on the MOS. When I had NCO's they were my squad leaders or platoon guides for the first week so that the younger solders could see how the formation, marching and movements were conducted. After that, the younger soldiers would take turns, changing each week to learn the positions. The NCO's would then be expected to meet us at the class on time.

Response by SFC Michael D. made Apr 7 at 2020 11:37 AM

SFC Michael D. — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 11:37:51 -0400

Just don't be that guy who is a SPC, shows up wearing CPL stripes, jump wings and an 82nd Beret. And then start bossing all the AIT students around. I had that actually happen.

Response by SGT Rick Himel made Apr 7 at 2020 11:56 AM

SGT Rick Himel — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 11:56:49 -0400

I went to DLI for Russian as an E-5 from an airborne unit. There were 4 NCOs from Bragg in that class. The cadre at the school turned the day to day running of the student platoons over to us. We ran PT, did the barracks inspections, formations, etc... In my specific case, being an NCO at DLI and later at the follow up training at Goodfellow AFB was great. Nobody messed with us and we basically took charge of the students. I honestly do not remember seeing the cadre more than once or twice during the 12 months at DLI. I enjoyed it, but your mileage may vary.

+

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2020 1:32 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 13:32:17 -0400

If you are re-classing to 15T, you would go through training at Ft. Eustis. As a prior-service NCO, you would be assigned to Hotel Company and stay in the H Co barracks. You would be treated as an NCO. When attending class, you would be with the AIT students, and subject to the rules that govern class time.

You would not be involved in the AIT "barracks shenanigans", duty taskings/CQ shifts, etc, etc. You may have to pull CQ at H Co barracks from time to time. You would do PT with H Co. You would not ride the bus with the AIT students, but you are responsible for getting to and from class. Most of my prior service students would car-pool, and/or give rides to their buddies that did not have a vehicle.

When I was instructing, and I had prior-service Soldiers in my class, I would split them up into groups with the AIT students for hands-on work, and I would also use them as "mini-SMEs" when the AIT students would ask "what's the Army like?" questions.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 7 at 2020 7:40 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 19:40:28 -0400

When I did AIT at Ft Eustis prior military had their own barracks. It was like college.

Response by SGT Herbert Bollum made Apr 8 at 2020 1:35 PM

SGT Herbert Bollum — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 13:35:44 -0400

I was an E-5 when I applied for additional school on a different type of radar, I stayed off post for my housing. My time before school was mostly spent helping the DS keep the newbies under control
( mess hall / barracks inspection / etc.) very nice way to go back to school.