What is Ait like for Prior Service soldiers as 88Ms?

2018-09-28T14:30:22-04:00

Looking for information about what AIT for 88M is like for Prior Service soldiers. Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 28 at 2018 2:44 PM

2018-09-28T14:44:13-04:00

When I went through AIT in '77 it was great. We drove 1/4 ton jeeps up to 5 ton trucks.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Sep 28 at 2018 4:06 PM

2018-09-28T16:06:47-04:00

Are they dropping you directly into AIT or as prior service, into a reclass? I reclassed from my prior Active Duty (Army) MOS, so I'm not sure exactly how it would work for you.

As for myself, it was nice; just under 1 month at Ft. Knox, got private on-post hotel room, meals, and we would simply do MOS training and be free for the rest of the day. No PT. No drill sergeants (most of us were E4s and up anyway). No silly games. Just being in the right place at the right time in the right uniform.

If its AIT, it will be more structured, longer, and you likely won't have as much downtime/free time, based on 88M AIT alums I know, but experiences vary; particularly as a prior service I would think our experience would vary from people fresh out of basic, but I don't claim to know.

Either way, you get to drive stuff, which is fun more often than not. Good luck.

Response by CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2018 9:21 PM

2018-09-28T21:21:28-04:00

It was pretty relaxed for us when I reclassed in 2005. You'll get up around 5, go do PT with the IET soldiers, go back to your barracks for a shower and change out to your duty uniform. I can't remember if you form up to eat chow with the company, but you'll go to training and then have final formation in which they'll release prior service to their barracks, and then the night is yours to do whatever.

Response by PV2 Jack Andrew made Sep 28 at 2018 11:24 PM

2018-09-28T23:24:19-04:00

Mos-t’s In 88m ait is easy. They go to all the hit times and do training like all the other trainees, but after everyone returns from the pad they talk with the drill about upcoming hr times then go to a separate barracks (depending on rank) and have personal time, up to and including pass’s. Whether they are on post pass’s or off post will probably depend on the chain of command

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Sep 30 at 2018 9:52 PM

2018-09-30T21:52:09-04:00

Prepare to be be bored to tears. The army has a way taking one hours worth of training and “compressing” it into eight.

Response by SSG Ronald Cogan made Oct 1 at 2018 8:48 AM

2018-10-01T08:48:38-04:00

I was Navy and then Admin, and transitioned to 88M with no trouble

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2018 11:34 AM

2018-10-02T11:34:03-04:00

Same as it was the first AIT but with less being yelled and you get the opportunity to lead the mlrni g runs if you get in Bravo Buildings group

Response by CPL Shayne Sanchez made Oct 2 at 2018 4:18 PM

2018-10-02T16:18:05-04:00

We had several prior service and a few reclass soldiers with us in AIT. The reclass were pretty much left alone. They just showed up for training and formations. The prior service were just like us.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2020 7:33 PM

2020-06-19T19:33:05-04:00

You will be bored you will be able to get weekend passes and be off before the private’s, ima 88M and I love the life,

Response by SPC(P) Donald B. made Jan 11 at 2021 12:37 AM

2021-01-11T00:37:44-05:00

Hopefully 88M AIT went well!
As a fellow Veteran and Owner/Operator of a company I am definitely curious, are you by chance Guard / Reserve and open to Civilian employment to put those 88M skills to use or know anyone who is?
Same question for CPL Private RallyPoint Member, SGT Dave Tracy, CPL Shayne Sanchez, PV2 Jack Andrew, SGT Private RallyPoint Member, SSG Ronald Cogan, CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member as I would really prefer to hire someone from here before the outside world!

Response by CPL Shayne Sanchez made Jan 11 at 2021 12:58 AM

2021-01-11T00:58:19-05:00

I did not have any prior service members in my AIT company. We did have 2 re-class GI's and they were treated a bit different. I did have a prior service guy in my BCT company. He was treated like we all were.