Posted on Apr 2, 2014
Where and when did you attend Basic/boot camp, 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: D10-1983. I did OSUT there so I started in '83 and finished AIT in '84 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.
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 274
I know I'm not the only one who did Basic Training twice... The first time was 19D (Cav Scout) OSUT at Fort Knox, KY in 1991. It was really tough, with the irony being that we stayed in the, "Disney Barracks." Nothing like finishing the first 8 weeks, having a family day on Saturday, then being told on Sunday, "Welcome to AIT!" and being rushed into PTs for a pop APFT. Same drill sergeants for a total of 4 months. It sucked. I did two years active, then finished my remaining commitment in the national guard (Army, then Air Force). When I reentered the Army in 2003 as a 42A (HR Spec), I had been out of the Army for over 5 years, so I had to redo Basic. This time, I was blessed with Fort Benning, GA and enjoyed yet another, "You are all equally worthless" environment. Sand Hill for non-Infantry BCT was looked down upon, but still tough nonetheless. And yes, years later as an Officer stationed at Fort Benning, I got to visit my old stomping grounds.
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Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood, 15 APR 75 to 13 JUN 75. Have not been back in a very long time. I wonder if Waynesville/St. Robert is still as "bad" as it used to be, no place to go at night without running into trouble.
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Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. C5/10 Feb 92 - Apr 92. It was like being at home. I only grew up 85 miles from there. Got on a bus in Springfield, MO to go to KC MEPS, flew on a 737 from KC to STL, got on a bus to go to Ft. Leonard Wood. Nothing like going 900 miles to go 85. LOL My experience was pretty good while attending basic. The Cadre knew that I was married and twice allowed my wife and kids to visit me when we had some down time. I PCS's strait from Ft. LW to Katterbach GE after basic. My civilian training allowed me to skip AIT. The cadre had taken very good care of me to the point that I only had to fill out and sign a couple of forms to get my housing and family shipped over once I arrive at my post in Katterbach. I have only been back once and the place had changed a lot.
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As an ROTC cadet I did my Advanced Camp at Fort Bragg, 1978. Went back there in 2010 to visit my son. Most of the old WWI barracks that we lived in were demolished, though a few still existed. Very fond memories. As a US Naval Sea Cadet I attended Basic at NAS Willow Grove, 1972. I do not have many fond memories of our USMC Drill Sergeants.
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A-2-3 Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for Basic. (July-Sept 1978)
C-6-1 Fort Benning, Georgia for Infantry AIT. (Sept-Oct 1978)
I've never been back to Leonard Wood. Stationed at Fort Benning for Drill Sergeant duty with A-4-2 then re-flagged as 2nd Bn 58th Infantry (1985-1987). Then stay on for assignment to 3rd Ranger Bn. (1987-1993)
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fort sill... may 2000..... i haven't been back but i would like to see what has changed
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Fort Benning Jun-Sept 99 C 1/38, been back twice. First in RTB and now as a Recruiter in Columbus.
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I graduated Basic Training in 1998, Fort Jackson, SC, 2/28 INF D Co "Black Lions". I went back to Fort Jackson as a Drill Sergeant in 2009. 2/28 INF doesn't exit, but it got re-flagged to 3/60 INF. But my life in the military is doing another go around, as I may be PCSing again to Korea, Camp Carroll, where I was there from 01-02. Hopefully my HAP takes me to Fort Riley, where I PCSed to in 2002. Funny how things work.
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Fort Lost in the Woods, Misery...aka Fort Leonardwood, Missouri. Both for Basic and AIT as a 12B, split op. So I got to spend two of the worst summers of my life getting smoked in the back woods of hell. Went back once after iw as married and had kids, but nothing looked familiar and none of the units were in the same places. I reclassed to 15T in 1999 and went to Fort Eustis, VA. Then went back in 2006 for BNCOC, then again as I PCS'd there to become an Instructor in 2009.
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