What's it like going back to basic after you've been active duty and deployed?

SPC David Andrew — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 19:52:16 -0500

For you guys who went back into the service after a break and had to attend basic again, whats that like? How are you treated? Same question for the instructors from your point of view. I served four tours, two in Iraq as a solider and two as a civilian contractor still working intel in Afghanistan. I cant imagine being yelled at by a instructor trying to train you when you have more time in theater than they do.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2019 8:05 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 20:05:35 -0500

How long was your break? I had a prior service Soldier who went with me (prior service too) and we were treated as the other new trainees. I had a buddy who was a Marine and went through basic and deployed, but he was treated completely different. He said he was segregated from the rest of the trainees and had privileges. It depends on your DS

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2019 9:09 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 21:09:23 -0500

After red phase, the prior service members were separated and treated as regular soldiers for the most part. They were kind of like interim instructors , allowed to purchase own boots and get hair cuts, exempt from mass punishments and some field training

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Nov 7 at 2019 9:43 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 09:43:58 -0500

It's doable, you'll be alright ;)

https://www.army.mil/article/122708/55_year_old_back_in_basic_training_after_37_years

55-year-old back in basic training after 37 years

Soldiers from Company D, 3rd Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment, look just like any other Soldiers from a Basic Combat Training company -- but one individual has people doing double takes. That's because Sgt. 1st Class John Taffe is 55 years old.

Response by SPC Allen Heredia made Nov 8 at 2019 11:28 AM

SPC Allen Heredia — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 11:28:59 -0500

I served from 1977 to 1983. After 9/11 I went back in, at 46, after being out 23 years. I was not sent back to basic. I was told it was a one time thing. I reported straight to a unit after swearing in and within a couple of months I was sent to AIT to re-class from 11B to 31B

Response by PO3 Tim Jordan made Nov 11 at 2019 4:55 PM

PO3 Tim Jordan — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 16:55:17 -0500

I’ve been to basic twice. Air Force first. Navy second time around. AF ribbons will mess up some Navy POs.