Posted on Mar 7, 2021
What will infantry school be like as a prior service SGT from the marines that already has a combat deployment under their belt goin army ?
46.2K
837
195
129
129
0
I’m still active in the Marines I am during the conditional release program to go over to the army without getting out and going back in I just don’t wanna be treated like some dude when I’m going through the infantry school and I want to know how long it will be for me being prior service because the recruiters don’t have much of an answer for me
11B: Infantryman
Marines
Sgt
Prior Service
Posted 3 y ago
Responses: 106
5
5
0
Keep quiet, watch, listen, and do all you can. Knowing how to do something multiple ways is a strength. They will show you how the army does infantry. it will be similar but different.
(5)
(0)
4
4
0
You are a new guy in training, Your advantage is some things others have to learn will be second nature to you, while other trainees will be starting from square one. You're committing to the Army, learn their way according to the course and, if you see something that can be tweaked, wait until you've worked into a leadership role where you're working with contemporaries and you can discuss your tweak and its impact on the standard procedures and expectations.
(4)
(0)
4
4
0
The only cool thing is you will get to wear whatever unit you were with in the marines patch as a combat patch. Alot of soldiers in the NG who previously served and deployed with the marines all wear the 1st Marines Combat patch for example.
(4)
(0)
4
4
0
The first question is are you currently in the infantry in the Marines (0300 I think)? if the answer is yes the transition will go easily. What I mean is you already know the battle drills. The same battle drills we have in the Army are the same in the Marines. You may then have to attend some training to understand the Army side of the house. Meaning some basic training this will be dependent on your rank as well. If you are keeping your SGT rank it will be much more laxed. The drills won't ride you as hard but they will expect you to know your stuff more than a fresh boot. If the answer is no then you will be placed into an already formed basic/AIT class where you will learn all the infantry tasks and battle drills. You will be in the platoon but be separate if that makes sense. More than likely you will have a barracks room away from the privates and you will get your weekends to yourself after
training. Don't sweat it too much you will find that you will be more of an asset to the drills and they will know this when they see you. This should make for an easier experience. The Army did this in 07, I remember seeing guys from the Navy, Airforce and Marines transition into Army infantry training because in their former service it was hard to move up in rank, all of them did well and went through training without any issues. The only exception was the guys in the Navy and Airforce had a little issue with PT. The Marine cats didn't have that issue. Hope this helps.
training. Don't sweat it too much you will find that you will be more of an asset to the drills and they will know this when they see you. This should make for an easier experience. The Army did this in 07, I remember seeing guys from the Navy, Airforce and Marines transition into Army infantry training because in their former service it was hard to move up in rank, all of them did well and went through training without any issues. The only exception was the guys in the Navy and Airforce had a little issue with PT. The Marine cats didn't have that issue. Hope this helps.
(4)
(0)
SSG Bill McCoy
I already posted my "opinion" which was based on my experience when I jumped over to the Army - but that was 1971. SSG Ybarra's post made me recall the following:
More recently, one of my sons joined the USAR when he was in high school. He went to Basic at Ft. Jackson the summer between his Junior & Senior year at high school. During his time in the Reserves then, he was awarded an MOS - clerical I think. When he graduated from high school, he went Regular Army he opted to go Infantry; and was "guaranteed" Airborne School and what was then known as RIP (Ranger Indoctrination Program).
In his case, and perhaps the Marine's case, he was put into an Infantry Basic Training Company (Ft. Benning) that was already more than halfway through - BCT finished and they were doing the Infantry stuff. What was "funny," was that ALL the training he was then being given, he'd already had at Ft. Jackson. The DS' all treated him fairly, and yes - they expected his performance to be commensurate with his rank - PFC I think.
After finishing the Infantry stuff, he completed his AB course. The AB Company Commander kept him in the training unit, pending the RIP events. He didn't get in the Ranger Course - the rater didn't like his push-ups but he nonetheless did well in the Infantry, leaving as a SSG after three combat tours.
More recently, one of my sons joined the USAR when he was in high school. He went to Basic at Ft. Jackson the summer between his Junior & Senior year at high school. During his time in the Reserves then, he was awarded an MOS - clerical I think. When he graduated from high school, he went Regular Army he opted to go Infantry; and was "guaranteed" Airborne School and what was then known as RIP (Ranger Indoctrination Program).
In his case, and perhaps the Marine's case, he was put into an Infantry Basic Training Company (Ft. Benning) that was already more than halfway through - BCT finished and they were doing the Infantry stuff. What was "funny," was that ALL the training he was then being given, he'd already had at Ft. Jackson. The DS' all treated him fairly, and yes - they expected his performance to be commensurate with his rank - PFC I think.
After finishing the Infantry stuff, he completed his AB course. The AB Company Commander kept him in the training unit, pending the RIP events. He didn't get in the Ranger Course - the rater didn't like his push-ups but he nonetheless did well in the Infantry, leaving as a SSG after three combat tours.
(2)
(0)
4
4
0
Keep your mouth shut, lead by example and soon enough the Drills will ease off of you or 'promote' you to a leadership position.
(4)
(0)
4
4
0
You’ll be fine, play the game. Stand tall and do your best, you’ll come out on top. Wishing you the best!
(4)
(0)
3
3
0
Free advice from another former Marine.
Prior Marines generally either do exceptionally well, or exceptionally poorly. The best thing you can do is immediately remove any chips that remain on your shoulders, forget all of the Marines "we're better than everyone" brainwashing nonsense, and get ready to adapt to your new environment. Listen a lot. Learn a lot. Talk very little. At least at first.
Start reading Army Regulations. Start with uniforms, awards, customs and courtesies, NCO guides, etc...
It's gonna take you time to get your records straight, so be prepared to be patient. Most S1's aren't used to prior Marines, so you getting your awards, military education, NCOES, etc... straight will be an adventure. Stay patient.
Don't rush towards promotion because you think all of your Marine experience makes you ready to be an Army NCO. It doesn't. Before you rush to the board, make sure you truly understand Army basics, counseling, awards, evaluations, promotions, your MOS, service and programs, uniforms, leaves and passes, all those thousands of things NCO's are expected to know. Remember, it's better to be a high speed E4 than a POS E5. Make sure you're ready to be an Army NCO.
This might seem negative in tone. It's not. I made the same transition and it was the best thing I ever did. In the Army, you'll have a better quality of life, better programs, more education, more training, more varied responsibilities and assignments, more diverse bases and units, and a real opportunity to shine. But remember, you joined the Army. You must adapt. If you don't succeed, the Army will replace you faster than you can walk out the door. Make sure you set yourself up for success. Find another prior Marine, preferably a Senior NCO or Officer for mentorship, guidance and advice. They'll understand the transition. Don't latch on to a junior prior Marine. It remains to be seen whether they'll sink or float.
Prior Marines generally either do exceptionally well, or exceptionally poorly. The best thing you can do is immediately remove any chips that remain on your shoulders, forget all of the Marines "we're better than everyone" brainwashing nonsense, and get ready to adapt to your new environment. Listen a lot. Learn a lot. Talk very little. At least at first.
Start reading Army Regulations. Start with uniforms, awards, customs and courtesies, NCO guides, etc...
It's gonna take you time to get your records straight, so be prepared to be patient. Most S1's aren't used to prior Marines, so you getting your awards, military education, NCOES, etc... straight will be an adventure. Stay patient.
Don't rush towards promotion because you think all of your Marine experience makes you ready to be an Army NCO. It doesn't. Before you rush to the board, make sure you truly understand Army basics, counseling, awards, evaluations, promotions, your MOS, service and programs, uniforms, leaves and passes, all those thousands of things NCO's are expected to know. Remember, it's better to be a high speed E4 than a POS E5. Make sure you're ready to be an Army NCO.
This might seem negative in tone. It's not. I made the same transition and it was the best thing I ever did. In the Army, you'll have a better quality of life, better programs, more education, more training, more varied responsibilities and assignments, more diverse bases and units, and a real opportunity to shine. But remember, you joined the Army. You must adapt. If you don't succeed, the Army will replace you faster than you can walk out the door. Make sure you set yourself up for success. Find another prior Marine, preferably a Senior NCO or Officer for mentorship, guidance and advice. They'll understand the transition. Don't latch on to a junior prior Marine. It remains to be seen whether they'll sink or float.
(3)
(0)
3
3
0
Well, first off, welcome to the Army. It'll be different. I certainly hope that you are treated with the respect and courtesy you deserve, not only as an NCO and former Marine, but as an American fighting man. Keep you head up high and love what you do. Expect a little ribbing, take it with a grain of salt. I have no doubt you'll assimilate well. Good Luck, young man.
(3)
(0)
3
3
0
My best advice, since I’ve been this route before; no one gives a shit and you could piss someone off that will make your life a living hell. I had a “E-5” that tried to give and lead a combat patrol ( practice) I never saw such a cluster fuck in my life. This guy had NO f’ing clue as to what he was saying or doing. It took all my strength not to chew this f’er out. I was one rank below him. We went out and he decided he and another E-5 were going to do a box recon. The other E-5 returned, not “Recon Ricky” He showed up 5 hours later after he found a gut truck to give him a ride back to base. He never gave another combat mission again. Just keep quiet and learn. Just like in 0311 school. Learn but learn how to pivot. There is no way anyone can teach you everything in school. Do as they say, and don’t let on that you know. You will rise up in leadership that way.
(3)
(0)
3
3
0
I’m a DS at Infantry OSUT. You will be treated as the rest of the students for most of the training, but may afforded certain privileges due to being an NCO. You will more than likely attend the marksmanship training weeks in one Company and then be moved to attend the actual MOS training in another Company or Battalion. Do not act like you know better or display an unwillingness to learn and you’ll be fine.
(3)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google