Posted on Apr 2, 2014
Where and when did you attend AIT, and have you ever been back there?
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Would be an interesting thing to see not only the locations, but a generational perspective on how changes to those locations may be for each and if it even exists anymore. Also have you ever returned to the location either as a duty station or just to see what is was like for memories and changes that may have taken place. I will lead off, Ft McClellan, AL: D10-1984. I went back in 1992 for another school but haven't been back since it shuttered it's doors to AIT in '99, have been to Leonardwood for few other schools and checked out their facilities, big difference to what we had at McClellan back in the day though. Would love to go back to McClellan today and see what the base looks like and what bldgs. still exist, or training areas are there.
Memories
Training
Edited 11 mo ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 77
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I went to Delta CO 447th Sig. Bn at Ft Gordon, GA during the spring time which wasn't fun. I kinda enjoyed it, after hitting Phase 5 and going out on the town. But I think my best time was when we were doing a very long run, damn near the entire post. I hit that point where the pain in my legs vanished and I sprinted towards the finish line, beating our Drill Sergeant. That and doing our phase 5 PT test, I finished my run and then went back to motivate the others who were having a hard time. Nothing like marching back, covered in sweat and wanting to puke. Good times. But I loved it when I left to go back to Minnesota when I was in the Guard.
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I went to AIT at Ft. McClellan, AL. I did end up going back in 2009 for FEMA training for my current job. A lot of the base is closed down. The parts that I did explore are old, beaten up, and just plain POS. It was interesting seeing it like that though.
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My AIT was at Fort Gordon from Jun-Sep 1997. I was in E Co 447 Sig Bn. I came back a few years later for ALC but had to leave early due to a family emergency. I am currently an AIT Instructor back at Fort Gordon. I am not in B co 447 Sig Bn.
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McClellan, OSUT 1997
Don't go back, ever. It's thoroughly contaminated. http://www.epa.gov/region4/superfund/sites/fedfacs/anarmydptal.html
Just up the road... Recently discovered at Redstone was a slew of chemical munitions from WWII that were buried in the lowland areas as it was believed nobody would ever disturb them. http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-chemical-weapons-20140322,0,2033901.story#axzz2xpSL7PnH
Don't go back, ever. It's thoroughly contaminated. http://www.epa.gov/region4/superfund/sites/fedfacs/anarmydptal.html
Just up the road... Recently discovered at Redstone was a slew of chemical munitions from WWII that were buried in the lowland areas as it was believed nobody would ever disturb them. http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-chemical-weapons-20140322,0,2033901.story#axzz2xpSL7PnH
Serving Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky,
Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and 6 Tribes
Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and 6 Tribes
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SPC Michelle Daves
Fort McClellan Free Speech Group for Veterans and Supporters of HR 411, The Ft. McClellan Agent Orange Connection, Ft. McClellan Toxic Service - you may already know, but these are just a few of the groups on Facebook regarding this. Wanted to post these in case you didn't know about them or in case someone else may need info regarding this.
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As an Infantryman, we went to OSUT at Ft. Benning, GA from July-Oct 2000. I had family living not far to there, so a couple years after graduating I went back to reminisce about the good 'ol days of basic training! Not much had changed though, lol. It was interesting to see it again though.
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SFC Casey O'Mally
Went through Benning for OSUT.
Not sure if it was planned or something fell through or what, but about a week before graduation, we all had detail for about three days. It was like an hour or two in the classroom and then sent out all over the post for police call, lawn mowing, moving stuff in warehouse, etc. One of mine was basically a runner for staff duty. A battle buddy and I were sent down the road to 30th AG (unsupervised!) to pick up something or other. It was AMAZING to see 30th AG through a "seasoned" perspective rather than a "just off the bus" perspective. What a difference 13 weeks makes! I can only imagine how different things must have been three years later.
Not sure if it was planned or something fell through or what, but about a week before graduation, we all had detail for about three days. It was like an hour or two in the classroom and then sent out all over the post for police call, lawn mowing, moving stuff in warehouse, etc. One of mine was basically a runner for staff duty. A battle buddy and I were sent down the road to 30th AG (unsupervised!) to pick up something or other. It was AMAZING to see 30th AG through a "seasoned" perspective rather than a "just off the bus" perspective. What a difference 13 weeks makes! I can only imagine how different things must have been three years later.
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Attended 95B/C AIT at Ft Gordon, Ga. (Now, I think it’s held at Ft McClellan.)
Back then, you traveled from BCT to AIT in your Uni’s, and was proud to be seen at all the Airport's.
I thoroughly enjoyed the training, the more relaxed atmosphere, & the cadre who supervised. The classroom training, unlike BCT, was much more fast-paced & interesting. But I couldn’t wait to get back to my fiancé’, awaiting my arrival back in NY at the time.
Living arrangements were the very old WW2 barracks, and the “fire-guard” responsibility was a nightly tradition...
Back then, you traveled from BCT to AIT in your Uni’s, and was proud to be seen at all the Airport's.
I thoroughly enjoyed the training, the more relaxed atmosphere, & the cadre who supervised. The classroom training, unlike BCT, was much more fast-paced & interesting. But I couldn’t wait to get back to my fiancé’, awaiting my arrival back in NY at the time.
Living arrangements were the very old WW2 barracks, and the “fire-guard” responsibility was a nightly tradition...
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AIT at Ft. Lee, March '85 to May '85. Tango Company had basically brand new barracks. We were across a parking lot from the Enlisted Club. Great location. Went back to Ft. Lee in Oct. 1986 for 76PM6 training before heading to Germany. Delta Co. was the TDY school co. Had no barracks. All of the students stayed in off-post hotels, and shuttle-bused to the post every morning. I had a two double-bed hotel room to myself for seven weeks. Drew separate rations the whole time. Ate the free buffet in the hotel bar every night. Only time I went back.
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Basic and ait ft Polk la. 1964 summer, OCS Ft Bennington Ga 1965. Officer basic course. 1966 ft belvoir va. No returns to any of those posts.
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AIT? WOW haven't thought of that in years. Lenard Wood, 88M in 1996. Never returned.
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Attended Infantry AIT at Fort Benning, Georgia in 1977. The Harmony Church area had dozens of WWII wooden barracks, mess halls, a small PX, and the church its named for. The Ranger School was also there. Went back for mobilization in 2003 and the buildings were all gone and the area overgrown with pine trees and scrub.
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CPL Larry Garrett
I was in B-4-2 which, at the time (1987) was right next to the Ranger school at the Church. One of the guys in that class of Rangers actually graduated with me a year b3fire from a little town in Texas. We spoke at the PX for 5 minutes and haven't seen him since.
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