What is AIT like in Ft. Leonard Wood?

2019-12-28T15:17:47-05:00

I'm going to Ft. Leonardwood for 91L, and coming from "'Laxin Jackson" I'm kinda worried about what to expect from Fort "Lost in the Woods", and was wondering if anyone had any experience with my MOS as well. I understand I'm going for training and not necessarily to enjoy myself, but I have no insight on what to bring or really what to expect except that I have heard it's really bad. I think I have only heard 2 good ish reviews. I know Fort Bragg has a whole website that tells incoming soldiers what to bring and what to expect, as in electronic use and stuff like that. Do I need to bring civilian clothes with me? I literally can't hardly find anything online about Ft. Leonardwood and I leave in 5 days upon the conclusion of VBL. Is it like basic or more chill? Will we still write letters and receive mail? Do we stay in bays with 50+ people and do we have phases like in basic? I know everything is different depending on where you go, and I was told that the weather is pretty bad, but when it gets to a certain point PT is done inside. Where I went to basic we got phone calls upon the completion of each phase, and I was told because I'm going to Ft. Leonardwood, with it being a BCT station as well, it wont be much different than basic training was.

Response by SSG William Jones made Dec 28 at 2019 4:16 PM

2019-12-28T16:16:22-05:00

You'll get an answer soon. I went to Ft. Polk for Basic and AIT.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2019 6:46 PM

2019-12-28T18:46:41-05:00

You will do short inprocess to 43rd ag and from there I do not know. Weather is bi polar as f%&&. Idk how your privileges will be but when I was there their was a lot of prior marine MOS-T's going in as 91L's.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2019 1:54 AM

2019-12-29T01:54:04-05:00

I went through military police basic training and advanced individual training back in 1994. I do remember my Advanced individual training being a little more relaxed.

https://www.army.mil/article/204736/91l_course_teaching_skills_that_reach_beyond_the_military
not sure if you looked up this specific course already and have already seen this link. From the looks of it, maybe the drill sergeants may give you some crap getting up and getting to class but I think your instructors will be more relaxed once you get there. The classroom instruction looks intense and very interesting. I'm sure you will have two or three days of downtime every couple of weeks and I am not sure if you will get a one or two-day pass off post or if they will make you do odd jobs and put you on detail? Be prepared for open Bay and be prepared for doing Fire Guard watch. most likely you all have cell phones and they may let you get use of them if your drill sergeants are happy with your conduct and School progress. most drill sergeants, deep down inside, don't like to be psycho and they get very exhausted yelling at privates. You may find out that you're most crazy drill sergeant is actually a very funny individual. Time will tell and the personalities there will dictate how tough or how flexible they are with you. In my case, because I was the second fastest runner and the oldest person in my training battalion, I was pretty much left alone by the drill sergeant or they made me do the Army physical fitness test score cards instead of mopping the latrine. You don't have to worry about polishing boots or brass as much as back then so you will have more time to get your bunk in order and Keep everything in your locker organized. I am sure we can ask some people here to help you with the packing list. I will put a request out on this post. don't worry about the dirtbags, they will get kicked out if they don't Shape Up. I was made fun of in basic training because I was the oldest person in my training company. I was more intellectual than many people in my unit and I did not get along very well with everyone. Just do your best and hang in there! I went in as an e-4 and now I am a lieutenant colonel. I know what you are going through. I think the headgame part is over and now the academic and attention to detail part is beginning so just be ready to be like a sponge and absorb everything they give you and keep your handouts. not sure if they allow a laptop but I would suggest you bring rewritable DVD RW this with you since some drives are not allowed. If you are overwhelmed with the information they give you, ask the instructor to put the PowerPoint lessons he has taught in class on a disk so you can look at it later when you are at your duty station or when you are studying.

91l_course_teaching_skills_that_reach_beyond_the_military

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2019 2:15 AM

2019-12-29T02:15:01-05:00

I just spoke to a Vietnam veteran who was a second Lieutenant at Fort Leonard Wood and he said that it is extremely cold and wet there at this time of year. I'm sure you will be issued your extreme cold weather gear because I know you will spend some time out in the field. Just make sure you are in good health and go to sick call even if you have a small cold because those Winters can easily Foster pneumonia. I got pneumonia when I was in Iraq in 2004 and I was working in a brigade headquarters. I was in a Dusty Barracks with a bunch of other lieutenants and I got pneumonia. Do some PT and run before you go Back to Advanced individual training.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2019 8:02 AM

2019-12-29T08:02:52-05:00

Generally cold. I started my basic just after Christmas in 83. Get in shape, stay in shape and you will do alright. During my shake down basically everything we brought was put back in our bags, locked up, and put in storage until after we were done. The Army gave us everything we needed from underwear to toothbrush’s. When I was a Drill in the early 90’s we allowed a few personnal possessions, but not much. I doubt it is still like that. I am disappointed some young bloods haven’t helped any. Oh well. :) Be ready for anything, have a good time, live the adventure! Good luck.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Dec 29 at 2019 6:37 PM

2019-12-29T18:37:39-05:00

Great question AIT is school so the format is based on your MOS while maintaining all Soldier skills. Weather conditions will fluctuate and you will understand the Lost interest woods vernacular.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2019 10:19 AM

2019-12-30T10:19:16-05:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Winter hasn't really hit here in MO yet (I'm located in Columbia, about 2 hours north of FLW). Was in the 60s last week. Wind is kicking something fierce today and temps dropped to the 30s this morning. Winter will get her, most likely mid-January/early February. You will be close enough to the Lake of the Ozarks to find yourself in trouble if you don't keep your head on your shoulders once you get liberty to leave base.