Why is it that my AIT is a year long but I can't smoke or dip?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 01:47:06 -0400

ait on ft sill

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Oct 6 at 2015 2:44 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 02:44:04 -0400

They want to see how you react when you're crazy.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2015 5:20 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 05:20:50 -0400

Command policy. If this answer doesn't work, try walking up to your instructors/DS's and ask them why.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2015 8:43 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 08:43:13 -0400

Because TRADOC said so.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2015 8:47 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 20:47:09 -0400

It is bad for you.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2015 10:54 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 10:54:04 -0500

Because the Army thinks that, even though you can be expected to have the judgment to learn to drive a $6.2 million tank, you don't have the judgment to determine whether or not you should smoke or dip. ;)

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2017 6:08 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 18:08:00 -0400

Probably because anything that's going to cost the taxpayers more money, such as the cancer/dental problems you'll likely (I didn't say definitely) have to deal with later in life, probably shouldn't be allowed. We tear people apart for breaking a wrench owned by the government, but yeah, smoke up, we got $100,000 to spend on your chemo, bro.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2017 6:12 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 18:12:36 -0400

Because the fact that you are a trainee apparently makes you irresponsible in the Army's eyes. You are expected to act like an adult & face adult consequences, but get treated like a child instead.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2017 6:33 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 18:33:22 -0400

Every AIT Unit Command is different, PFC. When I was down at Fort Jackson for AIT (42A AIT at the Adjutant General School), the Soldiers that did smoke and dip were allowed to do so, just not drink.

Response by CPL Mark Andersen made Jul 3 at 2017 7:40 PM

CPL Mark Andersen — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 19:40:41 -0400

As a former dipper, a habit I picked up in the Army, you will thank them later. It is a bitch to quit.

Response by Sgt David Hesser made Jul 3 at 2017 8:17 PM

Sgt David Hesser — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 20:17:59 -0400

I guess there not putting cig,s in the sea rations anymore.

Response by SSG Joseph VanDyck made Jul 3 at 2017 8:28 PM

SSG Joseph VanDyck — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 20:28:31 -0400

Smoking and dipping contributes to over all poorer health, pt and readiness. This is what Leaders in BIG ARMY say. It also increases medical costs is what Congress says. The VA will try to deny claims due to tobacco use. These are all the reasons.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2017 8:51 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 20:51:26 -0400

why do you want to smoke or dip? The Army is trying to make you healthy so you can take the fight forward. Don't worry about things you are unable to change and know its for your betterment. Charge forward!!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2017 9:58 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 21:58:06 -0400

Because rules...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2017 11:42 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 23:42:47 -0400

Maybe depending on your AIT and if it comes with a security clearance or certain potential scenarios when in actual battle, they want to make sure you can work well under pressure! And cigarettes and dip have addictive reactions and irritable withdrawals for a lot of people.

I know from experience with my mom if she runs out of smokes you make yourself as scarce as possible! Shit ain't no joke! She's like the Female version of Jackle and Hyde!...

Response by PV2 Timothy Anderson made Jul 4 at 2017 8:19 PM

PV2 Timothy Anderson — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 20:19:24 -0400

The army is tired of the low pt scores and medical costs that smoking and doping diping causes

Response by MSG Johnathan Mathes made Jul 6 at 2017 12:55 PM

MSG Johnathan Mathes — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 12:55:28 -0400

Stop worrying about what you can't do !!! Start taking advantage of the things you can..... not only is it a command policy... but there are many upsides to not doing it... mostly health reasons.... you don't have to like army policies.... but you got to abide by them... otherwise tell your instructors so he can go ahead and chapter you on out ...

Response by SSgt Holden M. made Jul 6 at 2017 1:01 PM

SSgt Holden M. — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 13:01:07 -0400

It could also be that they want you to remember that your @$$ belongs to them. I remember when I went through tech school quite a while ago they said that the school house and everything associated with the training was a non smoking area. Plus if people smoke and dip then they would have to give you smoke/dip breaks, and why give smoke/dip breaks when it would end up to time that they are paying you but not teaching you.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2019 3:15 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Sep 2019 15:15:31 -0400

Why cant we put our hands in our pockets? Why cant we smoke weed? Why cant we grow beards? Rules and regulations young buck. You're In AIT which means you're what 18 19? Take this as an opportunity to quit... I've been smoking for 14 years and have tried to quit countless times. Trust me, quit crying that you cant smoke or dip, use it to quit, and move on.

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Sep 17 at 2019 4:14 PM

LCDR Joshua Gillespie — Tue, 17 Sep 2019 16:14:32 -0400

It's a PITA, but believe me...it's for the best. I picked up a pack and half a day habit while afloat that took me over a decade to kick. Took a near miss with what was most likely a heart attack to get my act together and quit. Now, I'm fitter than I was at twenty-five, and can't imagine why I every put that s#$t in my body! Still, that poison is in there...and might get me ten, fifteen, even twenty years after the fact. Trust me brother...the ladies hate it, your heart/lungs hate it, and one day, you'll hate it. If you can kick 'em on Uncle Sam's time and dime...do yourself the favor. Best of luck.