Im leaving June fifth and Im heading to Benning for basic. I know that my wife cant come there, obviously. My question is for my ait will she be able to relocate with me? Will she live off base an me on in barracks? Or can I go offbase to be with my wife at the end of the day? Thank you all for your help. hoorah!!!
When I was there it was a completely different place. No drill sergeants. Married folks could live offpost. It's different now.
Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it's a phased approach now. The first phase is very strict, almost like Basic. I would bet that after a couple of months things would ease up and you could live off post.
Someone else who has been there more recently should confirm.
Assuming you pass AIT, Welcome to SATCOM. It's a small, tight knit community.
Thank you for your help Satcom. I am very excited about starting my military carreer, June fifth is coming very fast. Anybody else with any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
No. Unless it's changed in the last few months, you will be considered an initial entry (IET) soldier until you graduate from AIT, and live in the barracks with other IET soldiers. Your amount of free time as you progress through the phases of your training will be dictated by your cadre.
Originally posted by jtmccabe: No. Unless it's changed in the last few months, you will be considered an initial entry (IET) soldier until you graduate from AIT, and live in the barracks with other IET soldiers. Your amount of free time as you progress through the phases of your training will be dictated by your cadre.
But SATCOM training is so long, more or less a year depending on your ASI's, so I would think they ease up after some time. Even in today's environment, I don't see them treating the SATCOM soldiers like BCT trainees for a year. It wouldn't be conducive to learning the challenging curriculum.
How are the surrounding areas of Ft. Gordon? Are they "nice" nieghborhoods, or are they just "hoods"? Would it be possible to move my wife into a apartment or a pay by the week motel? And how challenging is the curriculum? Maybe I would be better off focusing on my school work. Thanks for the info guys, and keep it coming.
The curriculum has changed dramatically, with the course more or less taking 6 months (depending on the ASI). It is also definitely not the rigid training program of old.. platoon sergeants have replaced drill sergeants in AIT, with an emphasis, for better or worse, on mentorship instead of rigid discipline. As to having your wife live off-post, I think you will find it costly on a private's pay.. the nicer off-post housing is generally occupied by officers and senior NCOs and is priced accordingly. The hotels are generally filled by non-IET soldiers there paid for by the government, so the rates again reflect that.
The curriculum can be challenging, but like all things in the Army, you get out of it what you put into it. Doing well in your studies and asking questions will allow you to gain better confidence in the equipment you are using and be a better asset to your future assignments. Those that simply 'get by' and don't learn often are a burden to their next units and will find themselves mowing grass instead of learning more about their specialty.
Hello, 25 Sierra Wife here. First I'd like to thank you all for your service
I have some personal experience in this topic, so here goes. Hope it helps! My DH is mid way through his 26+ week AIT. There are phases...first being phase 4 (no off post priveledges), then phase 5 (weekend off post priveleges and possible overnight pass on weekend depending on SGT), then the final phase is phase 5+, which is when you can move off post and live with your family. My DH just got phased to 5+ 3 weeks ago and is living at home now. (yay!) You have to pass the EOC (End of Cycle PT Test) before you can phase up to 5+, so make sure you do well on your PT tests. There is a lot of paperwork, appointments, meetings, budget class, etc. you have to do to get your off post packet approved, just make sure you start working on it sooner the better and it should go smoothly. Your SGT also has to do a 'home inspection' and POV inspection before they will approve you. But she will have to live off post unless she can get into base housing, which I had no luck with due to availability. I moved here and got an off post apartment 6.5 miles from base. It's very nice here, and everyone is friendly. The schools are great too, if you have children! Hope this helps, and good luck to you!
