What should I expect from my second BCT, 22 years after my first?

SPC Rick Seelbinder — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 07:34:25 -0400

I am Prior Service and re-enlisting Active Army as an E3. Due to time out of service, I have to go back to BCT, at Ft Sill, as a 39 year old E3, 40 this December. Do I stay in the barracks with my fellow BCT brothers or do I stay in separate quarters? 8 years as Army Reservist and 1 as Army National Guard, both honorable discharges?

Response by SSG Dennis Mendoza made Oct 28 at 2020 7:41 AM

SSG Dennis Mendoza — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 07:41:46 -0400

While in BCT you will stay in the barracks, but if you have to go through AIT you don't have to cause you already have a previous MOS. Make sure you take your documentation with you stating your a prior service for AIT so you stay with prior service/re-class. What MOS did they give you?

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Oct 28 at 2020 1:09 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 13:09:40 -0400

22 year break in service?! That's a first for me.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2020 3:19 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 15:19:32 -0400

I took a 15 year break and went back through in 2016. You will be in the same barracks that the others are because of your rank (NCO's and up get seperate housing). I was 34, a PFC, hanging out with all the other trainees. However, I was treated much better than the rest, as they knew I was prior service and they knew I was old. You should be fine, just don't try and train them. The new Army is nothing like it was in the late 90's when you went through, a lot has changed, a lot has stayed the same.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Oct 28 at 2020 4:16 PM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 16:16:24 -0400

Wow, I guarantee I never felt like re-enlisting at 39. God bless, hope it works out well for you.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2020 8:20 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 20:20:11 -0400

The prior service in my bct class at fort sill that was junior enlisted stayed with everyone else and did not have extra privileges. However, we had a SGT that was prior service and he did get the special treatment (cell phone entire time, weekend passes, separate barracks, didn't have to report to certain formations etc). As far as how was it, I've heard reports that it was softer and a little easier. I went pre covid so my experience will be different than someone that is going through now.