For those who were prior service, how did Army BCT differ from your initial enlistment?

A1C Mathew Wood — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 07:19:11 -0400

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.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2017 8:15 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 08:15:22 -0400

I am not sure you have to go thru the entire BCT program, depends of if they have changed the POI much since 2005. The Army used to have a program for prior enlisted or those switching branches that was a bit shorter. Now that was 10 year ago so I will not guarantee that program is in place today.

Response by 1LT Jose Vazquez made Jun 23 at 2017 9:01 AM

1LT Jose Vazquez — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 09:01:33 -0400

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.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2017 10:27 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 10:27:27 -0400

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.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2017 10:35 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 10:35:13 -0400

Depending on your break in service you may or may not have to do BCT again. They used to have a transition course for prior service personnel with lengthy breaks in service or coming from other services but I don't know if they do that any more. As far as an MOS, you could go for 31 series if you want to continue on the MP/SF route.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2017 4:16 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 16:16:15 -0400

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

Response by A1C Mathew Wood made Jun 27 at 2017 3:48 PM

A1C Mathew Wood — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 15:48:55 -0400

Update:
I was approved for MEPS 6/16
Couldn't get in contact with my recruiter until 6/26
He went on leave, forgot to let me know
Said no email came back about a MEPS date.
Seems strange that it would take them more than 3 days to just set a date now that I'm approved..