When I go to AIT as a prior service, should I explain the circumstances around my previously being chaptered to every DS/Leader above me?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 21:21:49 -0500

Quick history, i joined the army in 2019, passed basic training and became MOSQ. During AIT i had a female drill sgt that was up to no good (cheating on her husband, etc.) And she would constantly compare herself to me in the weirdest ways because my PT scores were better and some other things she was jealous about- she always wanted to prove herself to be better than me. Which is weird for a DS,
Anyways
After becoming MOSQ, receiving my certificate, and about to go home the first sgt and commander decided to chapter me for the stuff my drill sgt lied about. Yes, I tried fighting it. No, it didnt work. I was a PVT and she was a DS it was her word against mine.
I have 18 months of prior service.
I since then rejoined and am leaving for AIT tomorrow, (iv been waiting at reception for 5 days and I am considered prior service here)

My question is do I need to explain my entire situation to every DS/Leader above me.
Reason being, its a lot to explain and I really want to leave that BS in the past. It sounds bad enough being a chapter. And even worse saying “It WaSnT mY FaULt”
But i dont want to withhold information if it’s important.

Thanks for your advice.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jan 23 at 2023 9:42 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 21:42:39 -0500

Why would you want to explain that to anyone? To what end? If you are shipping out that means that the people that matter and the powers at be are allowing you back in to serve regardless of what happened in the past.

My recommendation is to keep it to yourself. There is no reason to sell your story to anyone at this point. It will only confuse people and poison the proverbial well. You are able to serve and you have been approved/processed to do so. The best thing you can do is put the past behind you and serve honorably.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2023 10:06 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 22:06:20 -0500

I doubt your higher up folks are going to care enough to want to walk into those weeds.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2023 12:24 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 00:24:32 -0500

Do not bring any from your past. It is a small Army. I would just show them who you by performing. I would just act like a PFC that is happy to be there.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2023 1:06 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 01:06:56 -0500

Nobody is going to care about your prior service. You're either with the IET students or with the Prior Service students. The Drill Sergeants absolutely do not care what circumstances brought you to their doorstep, they have a bunch or IET Soldiers to babysit and keep from eating lead paint chips. They just expect you to keep a safe distance from the IETs and stay out of trouble.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2023 4:34 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 04:34:47 -0500

I had prior service guys in, unless you're an NCO they didn't care. They were allowed to wear prior earned ribbons so they looked "cooler" than all the new shiny boots.

Don't volunteer information to make IET worse than living under TRADOC already is.

You're prior service sure, but you're a PFC. Make it through IET and everyone afterward is not really going to care or even know any better. Soon you'll be a SPC and it's in the past.

Response by LTC David Brown made Jan 24 at 2023 7:54 AM

LTC David Brown — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 07:54:43 -0500

I love Rally Point, good caring folks who give great advice.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jan 24 at 2023 8:17 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 08:17:08 -0500

They don’t know, don’t have a need to know and don’t care. Just go Soldier up and leave your past behind. Your gaining unit will likely not know and they won’t care either. Soldier up.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2023 9:28 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 09:28:23 -0500

You are putting way to much thought into this. I'm sure DS asks everyone about prior service, but it is no ones's buisness. You are there to train and get a new MOS. You don't have to talk about the past. Your polite, vague answers are fine - they are not going to dig into your history. Just move forward and pass the course.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Jan 24 at 2023 12:01 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 12:01:30 -0500

Why would you need to explain it to anyone? I doubt the DS are going to ask you. Don't bring it up unless someone does ask you but I doubt they will.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jan 24 at 2023 12:42 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 12:42:26 -0500

Unless asked, let it be/ You have been accepted, so if Recruiting in happy, then it wasn't a problem.

Response by MSG Thomas Currie made Jan 24 at 2023 4:57 PM

MSG Thomas Currie — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 16:57:42 -0500

First let me say that some of the details make the entire story feel questionable -- I don't think you are lying, but the story is what anyone would call "complicated" and that makes it hard to explain and hard for anyone to accept without getting way down in the weeds.

Regardless of the validity of your story, there is simply no reason you should try to explain yourself to anyone UNLESS THEY ASK -- the bottom line is simple enough: If anyone asks, you have two possible answers to choose from (1) That's None Of Your Business; or (2) The Truth. Those are the only two answers to consider, and in both cases they apply only if someone asks specific questions. Yes, "I'd rather not discuss it" is a perfectly acceptable answer to most nosy personal questions, especially from anyone not directly in your chain of command.

There is perhaps a 1% chance that anyone might ask about your chapter or other personal questions unless you bring it up yourself. The most anyone is likely to ask about are things like your previous MOS, your rank, where you were stationed, and what job you actually had. Those all call for simple direct answers that you should be prepared to give without embellishment or additional commentary.

If you are coming back as a 56M, you can (and probably should) explain your whole life story to the Chaplain once you reach your unit, but it's not relevant until then.

Response by MSgt Ray Carlson made Jan 24 at 2023 7:08 PM

MSgt Ray Carlson — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 19:08:31 -0500

I wouldn't volunteer anything. If asked conversationally I would smile and say something like "Anything you can think up is way more interesting than what actually happened." If asked officially I would politely say "I wouldn't want to get the details wrong. it's all in my files"

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jan 29 at 2023 11:59 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Sun, 29 Jan 2023 23:59:22 -0500

No. Just No.
Don't mention it, bring it up or refer to it.
You got a chance for a fresh start, take it and be the best soldier you can be

Response by SSG Elyzabeth Cromer made Mar 15 at 2023 3:11 PM

SSG Elyzabeth Cromer — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 15:11:54 -0400

Anyone who needs to know has access to your file. For Cadre that are making conversation in a one on one situation, (which does sometimes happens with prior service)if asked, "Why only 18 months?" I would suggest, "A personal situation that has completely resolved, I learned a great deal from it and will not effect my training or work." Then prove to them, and yourself that what you said is true; because someone in recruiting thinks it is, or you would not be at AIT.
Good luck, you wanting success and a great career in spite of the past and those who lied is the best motivator, IF you do not allow yourself to become bitter and disillusioned.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2023 1:20 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 13:20:18 -0400

Just keep your head down, do what is expected of you, stay away from the IETers. Just be the best "you". If anyone asks, be honest. but do not try to lie about it, hide it, or minimize it if asked. There is a lot to be said about "keeping things close to the vest". Don't volunteer the information. Just work hard and make the most of this second chance.