What to expect in AIT as a reclassing NCO.

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 17:36:55 -0400

I'm a forced reclass, going from 19D (Cavalry Scout) to 14E (Patriot Missile Operator), and will be in AIT from the beginning of May to the end of September. Aside from knowing I'll have weekends off, I have no idea what to expect during AIT, and coming from a combat arms MOS, I only know of intense, zero tolerance for BS-type cadre. As an NCO, will I be looked to by the cadre to assist with the discipline and maintaining standards, or I'm there purely and strictly for training?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2014 5:45 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 17:45:31 -0400

I've never personally done it but judging from what I saw in osut, we had 2 NCOs reclassing to Infantry that showed up during our AIT portion of osut. They were treated like equals to our DSs. They didn't really have to do many of the things we had to do. They got to keep their phones they just couldn't use then around us and they were allowed to have tobacco also not around us. I'm not sure exactly what the difference will be with the MOS you're going into. I'm sure you will be more involved with what they're learning because of the job qualifications but I highly doubt you'll be treated like a private. At least they weren't at mine.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2014 5:48 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 17:48:16 -0400

All I can offer is my own experience from when I went through combat medic AIT back in 2006. At the time, prior service soldiers were in their own training platoon. We saw them at most company formations, but it was rare that the new soldiers and the "old geezers" interacted. By my understanding they did not have any authority other than general military authority, and honestly even that was questionable. They were never once smoked in front of us, were released significantly earlier than we ever were, and generally seemed to have a much more pleasant time there than us.

TL;DR, I wouldn't expect to assist with discipline and maintaining standards.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2014 5:55 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 17:55:27 -0400

I expect the atmosphere to be far more relaxed than it was during 19D OSUT at Ft. Knox. From what I hear, these new soldiers are even allowed to have their cell phones on weekends and the PT isn't nearly as difficult as what it would be for 11, 13 or 19-series. But, we shall see.