What should a prior service marine E5 expect going through OSUT at ft benning?

SSG Greg Smith — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 16:51:03 -0500

I’m heading to OSUT in late Jan with an 11x contract. I’m wondering if I’ll be at day zero or if they will insert me into the AIT portion of OSUT. Any recent info on what to expect would be great. Thank you in advance.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2019 5:01 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 17:01:50 -0500

To my understanding they should have you as an MOS-T but I would assume you will be in a OSUT class when they begin black phase of OSUT aka the official start of the AIT portion.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Dec 7 at 2019 5:15 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 17:15:36 -0500

Hopefully you won’t do the whole thing but it all depends on how the school house feels that day. It sucks I know but that’s a fact!

Besides that, just play smart thru training.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Dec 7 at 2019 7:40 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 19:40:57 -0500

Start training on the ACFT NOW.... see YouTube....

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2019 8:42 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 20:42:33 -0500

Prior Service here.
Are you for sure going? I didn’t have to go, another Marine I’m stationed with went and he said it was cake, pretty much you show up when they need you and that’s about it

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2019 9:24 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 21:24:34 -0500

Im here now as a prior service insert. Let me break it down to you. You'll show up...do processing and then you'll go to HHC at 30th AG, if you're infantry qualified already you'll just get your orders on where you'll be stationed, if not you'll be an insert. All of us will get put into whatever company is taking people in january, depending on the company you may get freedom you may not. As hold overs we literally eat, workout, sleep and chill in the squad bay everyday. Pretty much how it goes right now.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Dec 8 at 2019 1:58 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 13:58:36 -0500

I have never been infantry so I cannot speak to that piece but I can help prepare you for the culture shock between Marines and Army. I have known several that have come from the Marines and we are not as tight and missioned focused as the Marines. Not a drag on my service, Marines are smaller and can focus more on what is important and as a company grows larger, we lose that. I could never cut it as a Marine officer and I accept that as you and every other service member expect me to keep you alive when blown up. I like to thing I am pretty good at what you expect me to be good at.

Response by SPC Casey Ashfield made Dec 8 at 2019 7:17 PM

SPC Casey Ashfield — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 19:17:16 -0500

Back when I went through Infantry school, we had 2 E-5 prior service Marines doing reclass. They were inserted in our platoon a few days after we started AIT. They ate, PT, trained with us. They got quite a bit more slack from the drill sergeants being prior service. Often they were put in charge over the privates and specialists of the cycle, but of course underneath the DS. I also went through awhile ago so, grain of salt as always. The Marines whom reclassed in my platoon were both 0311 Marines. So the hardest parts for them was doing things the "Army" way. Like formations, patrolling, different PT forms and events etc.

Response by SFC James L. Woodling made Aug 17 at 2020 8:09 AM

SFC James L. Woodling — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 08:09:50 -0400

As a Sgt E/5 marine with 6 yrs and combat service I left the Corps 2yrs later I joined the army ,what a culture shock.
Not near the same attatude nor the same push for proficiency. It took me several months to fully understand the diffrence but you will here an old phrase many times.ONCE A MARINE ALWAYS A MARINE. Use what you learn there with your knowledge you gained from the corps and build from there. Semper Fi Brother.