When are you officially a US Army soldier, after taking the oath or after basic training/AIT?

John Mo — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 01:12:16 -0400

I was just wondering. Also can I get like military benefits now or do I have to wait, like applying for online stuff that offers military discounts.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2017 1:14 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 01:14:04 -0400

Well you can’t claim the title of solider till after BCT (AD), reserves/guard is different I believe I could be wrong.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Oct 10 at 2017 1:34 AM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 01:34:24 -0400

That really depends on how you would like to define it. After taking the oath you are subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice. However, that being said, you are not really a Soldier in the traditional sense of the word, and the understanding of the title as accepted by your peers, until after completion of Basic Training.

Now, in regards to you question, you cannot receive any kinds of benefits until after completing Basic Training. Discounts, benefits, programs, what have you. These are for people who have EARNED the title of being a member of the armed forces. In addition, be forewarned, if you attempt to receive any benefits that have any dollar amount attached to them (ie any discounts) you are subject to punishment under Stolen Valor.

Now, THAT all being said, you should not be enlisting to get discounts. That is a stupid reason to enlist and you will not be successful in any sense of the word. You may want to rethink this decision if this is your motive for enlisting.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2017 1:53 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 01:53:28 -0400

From experience, you will not be considered a Soldier until you complete BCT.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2017 4:01 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 04:01:37 -0400

In the NG you get you can get your CAC after 3 days. No turning back after you sign and give the oath. You do get a few benefits, like shopping on base and other military discounts. You also get paid for your drill weekend, (RSP). Reserves and army components, you are in DEP program, you do not get benefits until BCT

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2017 9:40 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 09:40:45 -0400

Taking the Oath starts you on the path. But, depending on who you talk to, it's either going to be after Basic or after AIT. All depends on the individual. For me, IMHO, you are a Soldier about 2 seconds after you graduate from AIT.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Oct 10 at 2017 10:04 AM

SGT Philip Roncari — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 10:04:17 -0400

In my case it was after ten months of training at Ft Lewis, ten months and fourteen days in Vietnam with my Infantry company and being told by my platoon Sergeant who was with me the whole time (SFC Aubrey Smith)" Roncari they are sending you back to train troops you are a soldier do it !" Oh and good luck with the benefits you'll need it.

Response by PFC Robert Rice made Oct 10 at 2017 1:55 PM

PFC Robert Rice — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 13:55:12 -0400

I would say after you complete your Basic Training/AIT.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Oct 10 at 2017 1:56 PM

SGT Tony Clifford — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 13:56:00 -0400

The standard is after basic. I typically don't consider someone a soldier until they complete AIT, but that's because the can receive an Entry Level Separation. Taking advantage of benefits isn't something that should be on your mind yet. You haven't yet earned any. The benefits you speak of, are either a business thanking you service ( military discounts) or benefits connected with service which will be unavailable until the VA recognizes you as a veteran. Any way you want to look at it, you have not yet earned them.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2017 2:10 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 14:10:56 -0400

I worked with trainees for years, and until they graduate with a MOS they were not considered soldiers. Even in the reserves or guards, you could drill for pay before attending BCT/AIT but you were limited as to what you could do.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2017 7:12 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 19:12:44 -0400

John Mo As other have mentioned, you are not a soldier until you complete BCT/AIT. Military discounts will have to wait. Good luck.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2017 7:26 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 19:26:42 -0400

After basic training, you technically are a soldier, but you have no job qualifications, hence the Army has virtually no use for you except for menial details. After successful completion of AIT, you are a MOS-Qualified soldier, hence being a legitimate soldier. It's different for National Guard recruits because our time in service starts the day we enlist, and we attend monthly drills up until we ship out for Initial Entry Training. Active duty recruits start their time in service later than ARNG guys do, I'm not sure when exactly. So to answer your question, yes, after Basic and AIT.

Response by SGT Alejandro Benavides made Oct 11 at 2017 4:15 PM

SGT Alejandro Benavides — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 16:15:21 -0400

The moment you step foot into your first unit, you’re no longer a recruit, you’re a soldier. That being said, if you manage to explore the world while in basic and AIT, you’ll get to benefit from said benefits and discounts.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2017 6:13 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 18:13:41 -0400

Never because you're only going to get treated like one if you're being fucked by the big green weenie.

Response by SCPO William Akin made Oct 11 at 2017 8:12 PM

SCPO William Akin — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 20:12:04 -0400

"If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated, don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream -- and not make dreams your master; If you can think -- and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build them up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with kings -- nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds worth of distance run -- Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And -- which is more -- you'll be a Man, my son!"

My bad, I thought you were asking about being a Man.....

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 11 at 2017 8:28 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 20:28:49 -0400

When you sign your contract. I know we tend to "mystify" the who Basic/AIT thing, but in the end the US Government/Military/ insert branch here is an employer, and when you sign that contract, you are officially an employee for that employer. Soldier/Sailor/Marine/Airmen etc... are simply titles used by each branch for their respective employees..

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Oct 11 at 2017 10:02 PM

SFC Christopher Taggart — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 22:02:36 -0400

I would say, once you've successfully completed Basic Training.

Response by MSG Steve Wiersgalla made Nov 6 at 2017 9:06 PM

MSG Steve Wiersgalla — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 21:06:20 -0500

Hmmm potential recruit asking about military benefits like discounts. Wow is this for real or some clown just trolling?

Just incase it is for real........ I think you should really reevaluate your reasons for joining the military.

Response by CPL Bob Bursek made Jan 12 at 2020 11:28 AM

CPL Bob Bursek — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 11:28:32 -0500

Graduation from basic, of course

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2020 12:53 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 12:53:34 -0500

I actually wrote the policy on this a few years ago. Completion of BOLC-A (pre-commissioning ROTC or USMA), completion of basic training. You will get a certificate welcoming you to the profession of arms and authorizing you the title Soldier.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2020 8:29 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 08:29:30 -0500

That would be after you complete basic training.

Response by SGT Walter Lester made Jan 3 at 2021 8:24 PM

SGT Walter Lester — Sun, 03 Jan 2021 20:24:17 -0500

When your in basic/ait your a trainee. The way I see it your not a soldier until your first assignment.