quote:

Originally posted by BIGTALIKILLER:
I have been reading posts here since January. It has been brought to my attention that some, not all, but some WTC higher ranking recruits tend to have an attitude problem when it comes to how the speak to fellow lower ranking WTC recruits. What is the deal? Do you have to show them proper respect for thier rank? Do you have to put up with disrespect or, do you have the freedom to voice your opposition to how they treat you or other recruits? Not only was I a Marine I was a damn good one. The first thing they teach you in marine NCO school is respect is earned not just given to you on a silver platter. Lead by example and make sure it is a good one! We learned how to honor and respect your lower ranking Marines. Do not ask them to do anything that you are not willing to do yourself and be prepared to show them how a Marine does it! So do you just shut up and swallow thier disrespect or explain to them the definition of repect? May sound like a silly question but in WTC we all will be recruits after all. Anyway, just a question and remember once a Marine, always a Marine, until you become a soldier!!

I am here now! To answere your question; NO, higher ranking WTC students CANNOT disrespect or anything of the sort their subordinate counterparts! You do not stand at parade rest for them either. WE ARE ALL STUDENTS HERE! Just dont bluntly disrespect them because they are still NCO's and the Cadre can write you up for it.

quote:

Originally posted by BIGTALIKILLER:
I have been reading posts here since January. It has been brought to my attention that some, not all, but some WTC higher ranking recruits tend to have an attitude problem when it comes to how the speak to fellow lower ranking WTC recruits. What is the deal? Do you have to show them proper respect for thier rank? Do you have to put up with disrespect or, do you have the freedom to voice your opposition to how they treat you or other recruits? Not only was I a Marine I was a damn good one. The first thing they teach you in marine NCO school is respect is earned not just given to you on a silver platter. Lead by example and make sure it is a good one! We learned how to honor and respect your lower ranking Marines. Do not ask them to do anything that you are not willing to do yourself and be prepared to show them how a Marine does it! So do you just shut up and swallow thier disrespect or explain to them the definition of repect? May sound like a silly question but in WTC we all will be recruits after all. Anyway, just a question and remember once a Marine, always a Marine, until you become a soldier!!

Based on my WTC experience, the problem didn't lay with the NCOs, but with some E-1 though E-4's. Some privates disrespected NCO's... then, when the NCO put them in their place, they lectured the NCO about how they should treat other people the way they wanted to be treated... while using language against the NCO they wouldn't want used on them.

These privates miss the point when they talk to an NCO about respect being a two way street. They shouldn't expect the NCO to treat them with respect when they've just disrespected the NCO.

Based on reading your posts, I don't anticipate you having problems with NCO's talking to you "like crap." We had specialists and privates correct other privates about proper protocol when dealing with other WTC students.

quote:

Originally posted by roadtroop:
How long can one expect to be gone for WTC and Infantry AIT all together?

Expect 7 to 10 days at 95th AG for in processing, 4.5 weeks of actual WTC training if you're a private or specialist. Expect an additional 1 week of training if you're an NCO.

As for Infantry AIT, how long you'll be there depends on many factors. Expect to complete a portion of basic training prior to completing Infantry AIT.

quote:

Originally posted by BIGTALIKILLER:
WTC is just over 4 weeks long, immediately after that I am scheduled to attend the last 7 1/2 weeks of infantry OSUT at Ft. Benning. So, all together you will be looking at just over 12 weeks of training.

Your training reservation may have you doing 7 ½ weeks of infantry OSUT, but expect to be there more weeks. Some people arrived expecting to do only 6 weeks, but ended up doing weeks 4 though 14. "Infantry AIT" is actually 3 weeks long, weeks 10, 11 and 12. The last 2 weeks are recovery, checkout and graduation rehearsals.

quote:

Originally posted by BIGTALIKILLER:
Thanks again Erich. Well I submitted the request up the ladder to attend the full 14 week OSUT program rather than attend WTC "IF" I can get an earlier ship date. That was Tuesday, no word yet but we will see. My station commander said it is highly unlikely since they are giving non-prior service new recruits a Feb-2010 ship date but, I have my fingers crossed. Wish me luck, thanks again.

I wouldn't recommend it, especially at your age. Infantry OSUT is more physical than WTC.

What you could do is complete WTC to get the knowledge and experience prior to going to Fort Benning. You'll also get physically conditioned at WTC, something you'll need prior to going to Infantry OSUT. They won't allow you to PT on your own, without cadre present, while at 30th AG.

When you get to 30th AG, ask your processing DS if you could start at week 1, Infantry OSUT. The prior service processing drill sergeants are very approachable, and pretty cool. If they could place WTC graduates in the beginning of white phase, they "could" place you at the beginning of red phase... that is if you could present a good argument.

Wait till after your second day of in processing at 30th AG before making that request though. Get a feel for the place first before deciding if you want to spend more time there than necessary. HINT HINT

quote:

Originally posted by wes01:

quote:

Originally posted by BIGTALIKILLER:
I have been reading posts here since January. It has been brought to my attention that some, not all, but some WTC higher ranking recruits tend to have an attitude problem when it comes to how the speak to fellow lower ranking WTC recruits. What is the deal? Do you have to show them proper respect for thier rank? Do you have to put up with disrespect or, do you have the freedom to voice your opposition to how they treat you or other recruits? Not only was I a Marine I was a damn good one. The first thing they teach you in marine NCO school is respect is earned not just given to you on a silver platter. Lead by example and make sure it is a good one! We learned how to honor and respect your lower ranking Marines. Do not ask them to do anything that you are not willing to do yourself and be prepared to show them how a Marine does it! So do you just shut up and swallow thier disrespect or explain to them the definition of repect? May sound like a silly question but in WTC we all will be recruits after all. Anyway, just a question and remember once a Marine, always a Marine, until you become a soldier!!

I am here now! To answere your question; NO, higher ranking WTC students CANNOT disrespect or anything of the sort their subordinate counterparts! You do not stand at parade rest for them either. WE ARE ALL STUDENTS HERE! Just dont bluntly disrespect them because they are still NCO's and the Cadre can write you up for it.

I didn't observe instances where student NCOs deliberately mistreated, or disrespected, the non NCOs. We treated our privates and specialists as adults and professionals...as long as they acted as such. As for going at parade rest for student NCOs, that's going to be up to the drill sergeants. The ones I had at both Fort Sill and Fort Benning insisted that non NCO students go at parade rest when addressing NCO students.

Thanks for the responses guys!

However still a little confused about the AIT portion. Everyone seems to agree that WTC is about 4 weeks long. However some say 11B AIT is 5 weeks long and others say 7 to 8 weeks long. Which is right??

I've also heard that if your prior service and joining an infantry guard unit, the guard in your in state sends you to their own infantry school, thus no AIT at Benning......

Any answers would be greatly appreciated.

quote:

Originally posted by roadtroop:
Thanks for the responses guys!

However still a little confused about the AIT portion. Everyone seems to agree that WTC is about 4 weeks long. However some say 11B AIT is 5 weeks long and others say 7 to 8 weeks long. Which is right??

I've also heard that if your prior service and joining an infantry guard unit, the guard in your in state sends you to their own infantry school, thus no AIT at Benning......

Any answers would be greatly appreciated.

Infantry OSUT is 14 weeks long. This consists of 12 weeks of infantry related training, and two weeks of out processing, gear recovery and turn in, graduation rehearsals, etc. This doesn't include in processing at 30th AG.

The first 9 weeks are labeled as "basic training." At the end of the 9th week, you may get a mid cycle family pass. You don't really "graduate" basic. When you get to week 10, they'll tell you that you're now doing "AIT." The actual "AIT" training takes place during weeks 10, 11 and 12, this is your "black phase." You'll do your 7 day field exercise during week 12.

No matter what week you get inserted into, you'll be doing infantry related training.

As for prior service guard going to their own infantry training, verify that with your guard unit.

From what I've observed, if you're going active, guard or reserves, and are designated as 11B, you're going to Fort Benning for infantry training. If you're prior service, you'll stay in the prior service bay at 30th AG. Then, you'll ship out to your training unit.

I'm generating a "Q and A" post for WTC students headed to Infantry OSUT. I'm debating about which forum to post it in, this one or the Infantry forum. Any inputs?

quote:

Infantry OSUT is 14 weeks long. This consists of 12 weeks of infantry related training, and two weeks of out processing, gear recovery and turn in, graduation rehearsals, etc. This doesn't include in processing at 30th AG.

The first 9 weeks are labeled as "basic training." At the end of the 9th week, you may get a mid cycle family pass. You don't really "graduate" basic. When you get to week 10, they'll tell you that you're now doing "AIT." The actual "AIT" training takes place during weeks 10, 11 and 12, this is your "black phase." You'll do your 7 day field exercise during week 12.

No matter what week you get inserted into, you'll be doing infantry related training.

As for prior service guard going to their own infantry training, verify that with your guard unit.

From what I've observed, if you're going active, guard or reserves, and are designated as 11B, you're going to Fort Benning for infantry training. If you're prior service, you'll stay in the prior service bay at 30th AG. Then, you'll ship out to your training unit.

You would think they would insert WTC graduates in at week 10 then?
Either way, just would like to know so I can gage how much time I need to take off from my civilian gig.

Figured I'd ask some folks who have "been there done that", and get the full story before I contacted a recruiter. Thanks for all the info so far....

I would suggest the "Q and A" in the Infantry forum, more MOS specific that way....just my 2 cents.

Thanks again!

quote:

Originally posted by roadtroop:

You would think they would insert WTC graduates in at week 10 then?
Either way, just would like to know so I can gage how much time I need to take off from my civilian gig.

Figured I'd ask some folks who have "been there done that", and get the full story before I contacted a recruiter. Thanks for all the info so far....

I would suggest the "Q and A" in the Infantry forum, more MOS specific that way....just my 2 cents.

Thanks again!

That's what I thought while going through in processing at 30th AG. When I was there, the latest they inserted people was prior to week 9. The only people I've seen that happen to were the split option folks. They'd previously attended the first 9 weeks of Infantry OSUT, then came back to complete the rest of OSUT.

I don't know what week they'd insert you into. If you're graduating from WTC, you could be inserted anywhere from week 5 to week 8. It goes by real quick, and you'll have fun going through the training.

I recommend giving your processing DS at 30th AG copies of your weapon qualification cards. You'll receive these when you graduate from WTC. This could help cut the time you'll have to be at Infantry OSUT.

As for the "Q and A" post for WTC to Infantry OSUT, found this in the Infantry Forum, from ErichG2: "There is a WTC Forum located at the below link for Prior Service if you have WTC and/or AIT questions for Prior Service:"

So standby for this "Q and A" post to show up on this forum.

I graduated from WTC on 25 Feb 09 after a 22 year break from the USAF. I was a 44 year old PFC. I'm National Guard, and in my civilian job, I'm a Police Captain. I tried to remember that even though I have a lot of years as a leader and trainer, I was there to learn. Most of the soldiers in my platoon were stand-up guys (and girls). There are always some trolls, in the Army as well as the civilian world. Our cadre had just come off a BCT session before getting our platoon. They were firm, but fair. I saw several instances when cadre went to bat for troops when the First Sergeant or others were getting ready to rip off a chunk of ass. If we had it coming, we got it...but overall, they treated us as adults, not children. It was a benefit to me. We had a couple of guys who had some difficulty transitioning into being Army NCO's, from what they had been in other branches, but overall, we came together as a team and got through it...

There were the stories about other platoons, and other Batteries, being jacked up compared to us. We did see some examples of stupidity from soldiers in others units, but the one time I stepped on my crank, I had it coming, and it was delivered to me in a professional manner, and I learned from it. The senior cadre member (younger than me) was professional and even respectful, but he did what he had to do.

I have nothing bad to say about my WTC experience. Hooah! I'm now a SPC, getting ready for the bump to SGT. As others have posted, it is what you make it. Keep an open mind, and remember...you volunteered.