Any advice regarding basic, AIT, and life beyond as a 15T?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 15:06:41 -0500

Leaving for basic training on January 20th. Selected 15T as my MOS. Went to The Citadel for undergrad (now going in 30 years old/leaving the medical sales industry). I figured I should learn some things about an aircraft/army before I try to get selected for flight school. Any information regarding basic, AIT, and your experiences with the MOS would be much appreciated!

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2019 4:48 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 16:48:39 -0500

SPC Johnston,

I have a Warrant 1 I recently graduated with that was in that MOS who would be a better bet to answer your questions. I could ask her in regards to the MOS. As for basic and AIT, even at your current age you’ll be just fine so long as you’ve kept up with your health; just remember a lot of basic has to deal with teamwork and mind games so just remember why you enlisted! I’ll get some AIT info for you.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2019 4:58 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 16:58:13 -0500

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Do you know what the age limit is for the WOFT program? I thought it used to be 32, anyway if that’s what you want make sure there’s no delay when you get settled in at your first assignment.

Response by SPC Stewart Smith made Dec 28 at 2019 5:31 PM

SPC Stewart Smith — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 17:31:54 -0500

You're 30 years old so I doubt you'll have trouble in basic. Basic is just meant to break you down and build you up physically and mentally. Start working out now(plenty of cardio) and you'll be just fine.
AIT was the easiest thing. Ever. As long as you know how to read the technical manuals and spend the time needed to pass tests you'll be fine.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2019 10:42 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 22:42:11 -0500

I’ve been a 15T for almost 10 years. It’s a very rewarding job. I just hit my 1000 hours of flight time as a crew chief. Best job in the Army in my opinion.

Response by LTC Lee Bouchard made Dec 29 at 2019 8:18 AM

LTC Lee Bouchard — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 08:18:55 -0500

Once upon a time I was a basic trainee. Also a training officer in a basic training company and went through 10 basic training cycles. Drill Sgt.'s are very well trained in what they do and set high standard's for everyone.
Basic can be very stressful for a few and a cake walk for others. To begin with, your age. Your age should be a plus as you will be more mature and wiser than most. Learn to relax and keep your emotions in check. As in.....don't show any emotion at all. The "Drills" will focus on those who need
more physical and mental development. If you look like you can handle things thrown at you with ease they will spend less time with you and treat you accordingly. Drill Sgt's can tell if a person is under stress and often use humor to relive the pressor.
If you are asked to do something and do not understand the question don't be afraid to get the question clarified. For example. I would ask a trainee to bring me a cup of coffee. Hot, black and in "right handed" cup. Then watch to see what he would do. He would go through 25 to 40 cups looking for one that had a handle on the right side. Yes, he did. I gave him an A for effort and a D-
for not coming back to me saying there no is such thing Sir as a right handed cup. So listen carefully
at all times and question anything that you have doubts about. For the first few days the best response's you can give are: Yes Drill Sgt,, No Drill Sgt, and No excuse Drill Sgt.
It's about team building and having a good buddy to work with. Learn from the mistakes others will make and don't repeat them.
Have fun. It can be fun at times if you keep a positive attitude and stay alert. You will find good friends along the way and will likely stay in touch with them in the months ahead.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 29 at 2019 12:10 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 12:10:08 -0500

Why do 99% of the posters think their MOS is universally known? I was a 44E, 67U, 19K, 44A in my lifetime.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Dec 29 at 2019 2:52 PM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 14:52:21 -0500

You wrote, "before I try to get selected for flight school". At 30 years old, you may be pushing the age limit for acceptance into flight school. If so, try to get your packet in ASAP.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2019 6:34 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 18:34:53 -0500

I was in your shoes around 3.5 years ago. I joined at 30 and selected an Aviation MOS (15Y) with the intention on learning something about Rotary-wing Aircraft prior to dropping my packet.

You probably won't enjoy BCT as much as the young bloods since you're joining up with a lot of civilian life and work experience under your belt. Nothing will make sense and you'll probably get frustrated by the lack of common sense from everyone around you. "Hurry up and wait" is a popular saying that is very true when it comes to training in the Army. The best advice I can give you for BCT is do NOT volunteer for anything, keep your mouth shut and don't give the Drill Sargeants a reason to call you out. Right time, right place, right uniform.

Your AIT will take place at Fort Useles-err, Eustis. I don't know how long 15T AIT is, I want to say between 12-18 weeks. Don't believe anything anyone says about AIT being relaxed, because it is not. Drill Sargeants were brought back to Eustis about 3 years ago due to the BS the students kept getting in trouble with, so it's a lot like a BCT environment. You can "phase up" by meeting certain criteria that will grant you additional freedom such as sleeping in, wearing civilian clothes, not having to march to the dfac in a formation and leaving post to get some R&R (weekends only). It is well worth the effort if you value your sanity. Do not rely on anyone to do the right thing for you. Take care of yourself before anyone else. It sounds selfish, but trust me you'll save yourself a headache later on.

As far as the training goes, you'll spend a lot of time in a classroom environment learning about all of the major systems such as Hydro, electronics, navigation, etc which will be accompanied by hands on training inside of the hangar. You'll have a very basic understanding of how things works, but it honestly will not translate to practical application once you get to your first unit. It's only meant to familiarize you with the airframe.

When you eventually leave AIT and head for your first unit, you'll probably jump right into maintenance and spend most of your time working with other soldiers who have decent experience and know what they are doing. This is where you will gain most of your experience and become familiar with the Blackhawk. I can't say much beyond that because I wasn't a Tango.

Personally, I waited about 6-8 months after arriving to my unit to start working on my WOFT packet, but there is no reason to wait. Start putting it together as soon as you can. It'll probably take you a while to piece everything together and you'll still be a Tango working on Blackhawks in the meantime. In any case, you'll have a lot more experience than 90% of the candidates that come through WOCS for Flight since they come from all over the Army and not just Aviation.

The first things you'll want to do is schedule a SIFT test with your local education center (only need to pass once and the score is good for life) and get a flight physical started at your local clinic. That way if anything medically comes up that can keep you from flying, you'll know sooner than later and save yourself wasted effort. After that it's all about filling out paperwork, getting LOR's, having your packet signed off and then finding out when the next board is to submit your packet. Realistically you're at least 9 months out before you graduate AIT and head to your first unit (assuming Active Duty).

- The age cutoff for flight has recently changed from 33 back down to 32. Which means your packet needs to be submitted to the board prior to your 32nd birthday. This however, only saves you from having to submit an age waiver when it is all said and done. So don't fret it too much.
- Don't feel bad about joining with specific goals in mind. Like I said before, take care of yourself first and foremost because no one cares about your career as much as you do.

I've only briefly touched on the things you're going to expect in BCT, AIT and beyond. Any further or more specific questions don't hesitate to reach out.

Response by SPC Adam Margeson made Jan 3 at 2020 9:57 PM

SPC Adam Margeson — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 21:57:06 -0500

Its a life experience i think most hit the nail on the head basic and AIT were different for me i went to basic twice once in 99 when i was in the NG then i got out in 2001 i went in active in 2008 and did basic again. Second time i was 27 when i went to basic. Just use common sense. AIT i was a reclass so i wasn't in Charli company. Most of are guys said it wasn't to bad. Pay attention in class don't worry about barrick drama.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Jan 3 at 2020 10:03 PM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 22:03:56 -0500

I know a retired colonel who is one of the first female officers to go thru flight school back in '84. We went thru flight school about the same time. She went thru flight school as a WOC and was commissioned later. We have both been retired for a long time, but her perspective may be helpful to you. Anyway, I can try to put you in contact with her if you would like me to.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2020 12:25 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 12:25:49 -0500

My suggestion is go straight to flight ASAP. Get a 1-1520-237-10 for the Blackhawk and memorize the system descriptions and 1-1520-237-CL. And memorize the emergency procedures. Those are the basics for the whole process.

Response by SSG Hugh G. Rection made Apr 13 at 2020 9:55 PM

SSG Hugh G. Rection — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 21:55:26 -0400

apply directly to flight school!

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2021 6:18 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 18:18:41 -0400

Hi there, I leave for basic in a few months then AIT as a 15t. Came across your thread and was hoping you could update how everything has gone?

Response by 1LT Voyle Smith made Jun 22 at 2021 4:57 PM

1LT Voyle Smith — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 16:57:54 -0400

Is your goal MOS 153D?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2021 8:39 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 20:39:28 -0400

Thank you to everyone that responded! I have been in almost a year and a half and have also successfully submitted my application to WOCS. I will find out shortly after the board convenes in July!

Response by SPC Donald Moore made Jun 22 at 2021 9:19 PM

SPC Donald Moore — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 21:19:27 -0400

I realize that your original post was in December and you were supposed to go for basic in January 2020. You should be well on your way now. What's the update?