Posted on Jun 23, 2017
For those who were prior service, how did Army BCT differ from your initial enlistment?
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I have been over the past 8 months in the process of re-enlisting through the Army, being prior service Air Force.
I was in the Air Force from Nov 2011 to May 2013. Save a long story short, Force reduction.
I'd like to hear any experiences about prior service re-enlisting.
How did it differ from initial enlistment?
Any Advice?
I'm also struggling picking an MOS based on interest or security.
I was in the Air Force from Nov 2011 to May 2013. Save a long story short, Force reduction.
I'd like to hear any experiences about prior service re-enlisting.
How did it differ from initial enlistment?
Any Advice?
I'm also struggling picking an MOS based on interest or security.
Posted in these groups: 
Re-enlistment
Prior Service
Re-enlistment Prior Service
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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I was prior service air force when I joined the Army and due to break in service forced to go through BCT again. I'm glad I did. Being in the Army is different and has a different structure and mentality. BCT taught me to become a soldier and learned how to handle different weapons. The Army has more discipline than the air force, I know because I have been there on both sides. Make sure you pick an MOS that you will be happy with. Also, you will be in the field a lot. If you don't like the outdoors or going without a shower for awhile, then the Army or marines are not for you. Formations are a daily thing unlike the air force that just shows up to work. Hope that helps.
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SPC John Parmenter
At my BCT unit (1st ID, 1961), a prior-service U.S.A.F. Recruit was my battery's "Trainee of the Cycle" which carried a promotion to PFC (E-3). He was a sharp guy with leadership ability gained from his Air Force service.
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1LT Jose Vazquez
In my 25 years I also had the great opportunity of reclassifying into different MOS(s). I was an environmental health tech 91S, Food Inspector 91R, Combat Medic 91B, Fuel Tech 77F, Recruiter 79R and RN 66H. Loved every minute of it and I would do it again!
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A1C Mathew Wood
1LT Jose Vazquez Yes the Army is a different animal. I'm not going to pretend to know if what I went through was equal to what I'm going to go through.
When I went through BMT in 2011, the Air Force had made some changes based on the steady deployments. They mentioned that they were transitioning to a "war fighting airman". BMT was 8.5 weeks when I went through and they had upped the physical standards from the 6 week BMT era.
I can say that my MTI was an absolute professional. By the books and did not take anything easy. I'll have to find out where they differ.
As far as just showing up to work, I know the Air Force is like that but I was security forces. We had guard mount. I was armed every day. Not the typical USAF afsc.
I appreciate the advice, really looking forward to my next steps.
When I went through BMT in 2011, the Air Force had made some changes based on the steady deployments. They mentioned that they were transitioning to a "war fighting airman". BMT was 8.5 weeks when I went through and they had upped the physical standards from the 6 week BMT era.
I can say that my MTI was an absolute professional. By the books and did not take anything easy. I'll have to find out where they differ.
As far as just showing up to work, I know the Air Force is like that but I was security forces. We had guard mount. I was armed every day. Not the typical USAF afsc.
I appreciate the advice, really looking forward to my next steps.
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1LT Jose Vazquez
Being an SP (security Police as it was called in my time) will give you an edge. Best thing you can do is learn and know your regulations and field manuals, take care of your soldiers, and always be firm but fair. Never let anyone question your integrity! Always do the right thing, even when nobody is watching! Finally, always be at the right place, at the right time and in the right uniform. Good luck to you!
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Unless you know you have a good reason for it taking over 8 months, I would seek an alternative recruiter. I just went through the process in a little over a month- including waiver. For PS coming from air force, you'll go through a 6 week BCT plus AIT. if you do a Reddit search for prior service BCT, you can find some info. The first class just graduated from this new version, I believe. Army has tons of jobs, surely you can narrow down to 5 that you would want. Good luck, brother! Hope it all falls into place soon for you
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A1C Mathew Wood
Not sure where to start with the story behind 8 months and just now being cleared to go to meps without a date.
As of the end of last week, 6/16 I was approved. This whole week I haven't been able to get ahold of my recruiter. He didn't mention anything about being on leave or something else.
It's been a nightmare process but it's hard to find a recruiter willing to work with prior service. So I've been reluctant to start over with someone else. Besides I'm almost at the finish line?
The recruiter seems to not know what he is doing, and the senior career recruiter over him makes very simple spelling errors. I appreciate the work they are doing but they really seem clueless.
I believe because of my rank and TIS I would still have to do the full 10 weeks, but this recruiter has been wrong before. Thanks for the support.
As of the end of last week, 6/16 I was approved. This whole week I haven't been able to get ahold of my recruiter. He didn't mention anything about being on leave or something else.
It's been a nightmare process but it's hard to find a recruiter willing to work with prior service. So I've been reluctant to start over with someone else. Besides I'm almost at the finish line?
The recruiter seems to not know what he is doing, and the senior career recruiter over him makes very simple spelling errors. I appreciate the work they are doing but they really seem clueless.
I believe because of my rank and TIS I would still have to do the full 10 weeks, but this recruiter has been wrong before. Thanks for the support.
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SPC (Join to see)
Are you in Hawaii or Los Angeles area?
The first recruiter I called was not too helpful as prior service, second recruiter I contacted has been awesome. Has updated me on everything before I could even ask, around every 3 days he made some form of contact. I never had to question where I was in the process.
As you stated though, since you are cleared for MEPS, you should probably stay where you are.... Unless, you keep running into more delays. When I got cleared for MEPS, I went 3 days later.
As far as your comment about finding one that's reluctant to work PS, I don't know if this is actually a thing, or if it's a misconception. Mine was more than happy and told me most of the people he enlists are PS. Like I said though, the 1st one was the opposite.
As far as all the guidelines on BCT, idk. From what I've seen it is a 6 week course (this started relatively recently) but I could be as wrong as anyone. Keep in mind, the people at MEPS that build your contract will absolutely know the rules 100% and are the authority in deciding this. I'm not going tmback too BCT but I almost wish I could. I've been out nearly 3 years, a refresher would be great lol.
The first recruiter I called was not too helpful as prior service, second recruiter I contacted has been awesome. Has updated me on everything before I could even ask, around every 3 days he made some form of contact. I never had to question where I was in the process.
As you stated though, since you are cleared for MEPS, you should probably stay where you are.... Unless, you keep running into more delays. When I got cleared for MEPS, I went 3 days later.
As far as your comment about finding one that's reluctant to work PS, I don't know if this is actually a thing, or if it's a misconception. Mine was more than happy and told me most of the people he enlists are PS. Like I said though, the 1st one was the opposite.
As far as all the guidelines on BCT, idk. From what I've seen it is a 6 week course (this started relatively recently) but I could be as wrong as anyone. Keep in mind, the people at MEPS that build your contract will absolutely know the rules 100% and are the authority in deciding this. I'm not going tmback too BCT but I almost wish I could. I've been out nearly 3 years, a refresher would be great lol.
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A1C Mathew Wood
SPC (Join to see) Yeah after this much waiting I don't want to poke the bear.
My recruiter is a SFC. He may be getting ready to retire.
He blamed a lot of the delay on MEPS because I had to send up paperwork due to my appendectomy.
Situation went something like this..
Send document requested by recruiter to MEPS.
Wait two weeks
Recruiter:They said that wasn't the right document
(repeat 5 times)
I'll be at the recruiters office Monday. No returned contact for a week doesn't sound right.
I've been out for just at 4 years, I feel the same way. I want to have the freshly developed disciplined mind you need for AIT.
I looked into the PSBCT a little more and found some info.
GOARMY forum
https://forums.goarmy.com/thread/315171?tstart=0
MEMORANDUM
http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant/Prior_Service_Basic_Training_Course.pdf
Facebook of the training company for PSBCT
https://www.facebook.com/Charlie-Company-2-10-Infantry-Regiment [login to see] 03122/
My recruiter is a SFC. He may be getting ready to retire.
He blamed a lot of the delay on MEPS because I had to send up paperwork due to my appendectomy.
Situation went something like this..
Send document requested by recruiter to MEPS.
Wait two weeks
Recruiter:They said that wasn't the right document
(repeat 5 times)
I'll be at the recruiters office Monday. No returned contact for a week doesn't sound right.
I've been out for just at 4 years, I feel the same way. I want to have the freshly developed disciplined mind you need for AIT.
I looked into the PSBCT a little more and found some info.
GOARMY forum
https://forums.goarmy.com/thread/315171?tstart=0
MEMORANDUM
http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant/Prior_Service_Basic_Training_Course.pdf
Facebook of the training company for PSBCT
https://www.facebook.com/Charlie-Company-2-10-Infantry-Regiment [login to see] 03122/
prior service, 5weeks bct, ft. Leonard Wood inq... | Ask a Soldier
i I have looked through discussions and posted question where fit, but I thought maybe it best to start my own discussion to inquire about the new PSBCT.
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A1C Mathew Wood when i tried to reenlist w/ the Army Nat'l Guard, I was told that I would not have to take BCT due to being Security Forces, but would have to go to AIT.
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1LT Jose Vazquez
USAR and NG is all about training dollars. Their training dollars come from a different pot of federal or state money. Sometimes their requirements may be a little different than active duty. When I was a recruiter, those I could not place in AD I would refer to the NG or USAR and it was easier for the applicant to join those components than AD.
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SSgt (Join to see)
1LT Jose Vazquez - Roger that, sir. I know the recruiter was excited to see that I was Security Forces since that meant he could file me straight to AIT. Unfortunately for me, the waiver process took too long & I "aged out" for the Army Guard here in MO.
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A1C Mathew Wood
SSgt (Join to see) The rules and regs change almost daily. That was the case in 2011-2012 IIRC.
To be honest, I'd be disappointed if I don't get to experience round two of basic. lol
To be honest, I'd be disappointed if I don't get to experience round two of basic. lol
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