If you're reading this, you've had training reserved for WTC and Infantry OSUT, or you're about to graduate WTC. I've prepared this "Question and Answer" post to help lift some of the "uncertainty" of what you're about to experience.

Even though I address the WTC graduates here, this information is also applicable to prior service coming straight to "Infantry AIT."

Part I, in processing at Fort Benning.

Q: I've completed WTC, I'm at the airport, ready to fly to Atlanta/Columbus, GA. Should I change into my civilian cloths?

NO!

Check in uniform at 30th AG, for those coming from training at other Army bases, is ACUs.

Q: I've arrived at the airport in Atlanta/Columbus, now what?

Collect your baggage, then look for the 30th AG liaison. If you flew into Columbus, cabs aren't authorized to get close to 30th AG reception. If you pick a cab at random, then tell them where you're going, then expect to walk, with your luggage, to 30th AG.

The liaison will put you on a cab, usually a van, then ride with you so that the cab can go right up to 30th AG. This'd save you the walk.

You'll find the liaison near the cab area. If they're not there, ask an employee where you could find the Fort Benning liaison.

If you've landed at Atlanta, there's a liaison near the atrium area. You'll see a bunch of service members in that area. Ask for directions to where you could catch the bus to Fort Benning.

Q: I've just stepped into Johnston Hall, 30th AG BN (Reception), what do I do?

Do you have the graduation packet that your WTC DS gave you? Hand it to the staff duty officer. He/she will be at the duty desk, you won't miss it.

Place your bags on the benches, and take a seat. If you've arrived before, or during, meal hours, the duty officer will see to it that you eat. Since you're prior service, you'll eat in the prior service section of the DFAC. It'll be to your left as you exit the salad bar room.

If you've arrived after meal hours, ask the duty officer if you could get something to eat.

Unless things have changed, you'll go through an amnesty brief at 2000 or 2100. You'll check into the prior service squad bay after the amnesty brief.

The staff duty officer should return your WTC graduation packet to you prior to this amnesty brief. They'll also hand you a folder with some paperwork from your graduation folder and their own paperwork. The folder will have your alpha numeric roster number on it.

See if you could get checked into the prior service squad bay, to include claiming a bunk and a locker, before you go to the amnesty brief. Some soldiers were able to do this. This way, you could go straight to sleep after this brief.

REMINDER: Put your beret away prior to starting day 1 in-processing. You'll be using your patrol cap while in-processing, and while in a training status, at Fort Benning.

Q: I've just read your last question and it got me thinking. I already did "in-processing" at 95th AG BN (Reception) at Fort Sill. Do I have to do this all over again?

Yes!

You'll go through an amnesty brief, then be given an opportunity to dump items that you're not supposed to have.

Then, starting the next work day, you'll begin Day 1 of four days of in-processing. You'll go through the same stations you went though while at 95th AG at Fort Sill. But, since 95th took care of the bulk of your issues, many in processing stations will simply initial your check in sheet.

But, don't be surprised if you need more injections; expect to get your blood drawn.

There's a bright side to doing this process again. You'll receive more ACU name tapes, more "US Army" ACU tapes, and a couple more name tags. You'll also have the opportunity to trade some of your uniform and uniform items for newer ones.

Q: What kind of schedule should I expect while at 30th AG?

Wakeup is at 0400, with first formation being at 0445. Now, you've learned at 95th AG that if you're on time, you're late. This concept applies after you leave WTC and arrive for Infantry OSUT.

Expect to meet with your in processing Drill Sergeants at 0430. They'll give you the "rules" you're expected to follow, your uniform inventory sheet, as well as your check in sheet.

Your check in sheet will have each day broken down. Once you've completed the check in items for that day, you're pretty much "free" until the next formation, they need a detail, or you have to stand duty.

"Free time" starts sometime after dinner, where you'd be put on pass until 2000 or 2100. I don't remember which time it expired. You'll get more free time, and pass opportunities, during Saturday and Sunday.

Enjoy this free time. If you're not an NCO, this is going to be the best pass arrangement you'll have until your Infantry class gets Family Day pass (mid cycle weekend pass).

Q: Can I drink alcohol during pass?

NO!

Like WTC, this is an IET environment. You're not authorized alcohol consumption while in IET training status.

Q: Do I get my TA 50 issued while at 30th AG?

Yes.

This is a requirement prior to shipping out to Infantry OSUT. Receiving your TA 50 during in-processing allows you to start training after you've shipped to your training unit.

The TA 50 you'll receive is better and more user friendly than what you've received at Fort Sill. They have the same digital pattern and colors as your ACU's.

Remember the 2 quart canteen you had to wear while at WTC?

Well, you don't have to worry about that at Fort Benning, you'll be issued a camel back hydration system. It'll also have the ACU digital pattern. It's more user friendly and works with your TA 50 better than the 2 quart does.

You'll still receive two "1 quart" canteens. You'll need them as supplemental water supplies when you go into the field.

Q: I read that I'll have to do a portion of basic training again at infantry OSUT, is this true?

YES

Your contract will state that you may be required to complete a portion, or all, of Basic Combat Training. This gets applied at Infantry OSUT.

As a WTC graduate, chances are strong that you'll get inserted during their blue or white phase.

IMPORTANT!

Your WTC graduation packet should have your original weapons qualification cards. If you're still at WTC, try to get a qual card that states what your BRM score was, and when you qualified.

When you meet your 30th AG processing DS, give him a copy of your weapons qual cards, and ask him to enter your qualification in the Fort Benning data base (For BCT students). See if he could also enter your Combat Life Saver and Combatics qualification dates in their Fort Benning data base for BCT students.

Why?

What week they insert you in partly depends on where your qualifications stand.

Q: So, what week will they insert me in?

This depends on a few factors like your qualifications, your age, your rank, how long you've been in, and how long you've been out of the service.

The day before you ship to your training unit, they're going to have the shippers do a formation. Then they'll break you down into groups. These groups will go to different training units, and will have different graduation dates. Some will graduate in 7 weeks, others will graduate in 2 months. A few will graduate 3 months after the shipping date.

Your training reservation say's "6 week infantry OSUT"? That's no guarantee that you'll only do 6 weeks of OSUT.

As a WTC graduate, the chances are good that you'll be inserted during white or blue phase.

Q: Do I still need my entire uniform issue?

Yes. You might do another uniform inventory while at 30th AG. You can't ship to your training unit with an incomplete uniform inventory. As a WTC graduate, you could simply write "WTC" on your inventory sheet. You might get exempted from a uniform inventory.

Q: Am I authorized POV at 30th AG?

Yes, since you're prior service. Depending on the OSUT training unit you end up at, you might lose POV privilege if you're not an NCO.

Q: I'm prior service, but didn't attend WTC, what could I expect that's different?

You'll report in your civilian cloths. Check the WTC forums for the WTC packing list...this list is also applicable to those going to Infantry OSUT straight from MEPS, or from the streets. You'll wear your civilian cloths during in processing until you get your uniform issued to you. Then you'll be expected to wear your uniform.

You'll do the full in processing, and will have a different in processing "code" than those who had just came from WTC.

Expect your pay to take a while to "kick in." Those who arrive from WTC will already be getting paid.

You're not going to have a "graduation packet" like those coming from WTC.

If you're reclassifying, and you have no break in active service prior to getting to 30th AG, bring your current weapon qualification card. If you're certified in combatics and with the combat life saver course, bring copies of those certifications.

If you have a long break in service prior to reporting to 30th AG, and you haven't attended WTC, there's a good chance that you'll complete a large segment of Infantry OSUT.

Part II, Infantry OSUT

Q: Once we're at our training unit, will we be treated differently?

That depends on factors like your unit's thoughts on priors, your rank, how much active duty time you have, what branch you were in, etc.

Some units will treat every prior service soldiers like privates. Other units give the prior service soldiers privileges they won't extend to other privates. In these units, you'd be able to keep your cell phone and cell phone charger, your lap top, tobacco products, etc. Other units go beyond this and let their prior service make trips to the PX or to eating establishments.

Q: I heard that NCOs get their own rooms, and just show up for training. Is this true?

Again, this depends on the training unit you get placed into. In some companies, NCOs stay in the bay along with the privates and specialists. They sleep in a bunk and place their items in a locker right next to the bunk. They don't get treated differently from the other privates.

In other units, the NCO still lives in the squad bay area; but bunks in one of the big rooms reserved for the drill sergeants.

Yet in other units, the NCOs are checked into the BEQ, where they live in 2 man rooms. If you're a staff sergeant, you could get roomed by yourself. In these units, these NCOs show up for PT in the morning, and leave around dinner time. They get most or all the weekends off. NCOs lucky enough to get these units have some semblance of a normal life... this includes being able to wear civilian cloths on pass.

Q: What kind of pass will I expect to get?

This depends on the unit, and company, that you end up at. If you're treated just like the other privates, you may not get pass until you reach blue phase. Here, you'll get a 4 to 6 hour pass on either Saturday or Sunday.

In other training units, prior service soldiers are allowed to make runs to the PX, or places to eat. When their platoon goes on pass, and are restricted to the Sand Hill area, many priors are allowed to go to the main post.

Depending on company and drill sergeant, NCOs are given both main post and Columbus area passes.

Which arrangement you get will depend on which unit you end up at.

Q: What can I expect to learn at Infantry OSUT?

Fort Benning's website has a link to infantry training, this link lists what kind of training you'll get. Depending on where you get inserted, you'll learn combatics, combat life saver, weapons familiarization, obstacle negotiation, Basic Riffle Marksmanship, Individual tactics, fire team tactics, squad tactics, woods warfare, urban warfare, etc.

Q: While at Warrior Transition Course, we rode cattle trucks, is it the same at Infantry OSUT?

Yes. You'll ride in a bus, or in one of the long "cattle truck" transports. While I was there, we didn't see the short, standing only, cattle truck.

Q: Will Warrior Transition Course attendance help me prepare for Infantry OSUT?

YES!

You'll do many of the same things at Infantry OSUT that you did at Warrior Transition Course. You'll ride to the field every day to do field training. You'll see "hot A" meals again, except they call it "Field Feed." You won't see the "boxed" lunches... you'll eat the new MRE.

Starting Week 9, you'll build on what you learned at WTC. Week's 10, 11 and 12, you'll learn the advanced version of what you learned in WTC.

The road march at the end of week 6 is longer than the last road march that you did at WTC. You'll do longer road marches until you do a 12 mile road march at the end of the 7 day field exercise.

You won't see much of the "Porta Johns," or the open stalled bathrooms you saw at Fort Sill's ranges and training fields. Most the time, you'll urinate in the tree lines. Those nights you stay out in the field, you'll sleep under the stars. No tents, and no latrines, you'll use your entrenching tool to dig holes for your droppings.

Q: We did an FTX at the end of WTC, will I be doing the same thing for the FTX at the end of Infantry OSUT?

Well, yes and no.

The things that you did at WTC's FTX, you'll learn and do in the weeks leading to week 12's FTX. Depending on the training unit you're with, you could do urban warfare during the FTX, or you could do "woods" warfare. You could also do a combination of both.

Unlike WTC, you're not going to sleep in a tent. You're going to sleep on the ground, under the trees and stars. Depending on what unit you're in, you could alleviate that by using your poncho, some branches, and the right length cords. Your battles and you have 360 perimeter security, you'll "camp" at your "patrol base."

You get more learning out of this. Since you have four platoons, you could go on night raids to "attack" one or more of the other platoons.

The field training is 7 days long. You're going to hear rumors about how it'll get cut short. Don't believe those rumors.

Thanks, this was needed and will help folks a lot.

Here are the links to the updated Ft. Benning website....now moved onto army.mil (shocker to me but that just happened):

http://forums.military.com/eve...4461/m/2030063581001

Looks like they are starting to call the Infantry Regiments "Task Forces" as well on Ft. Benning.......also a recent change.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ErichG2,

In WTC, you'll get an Eagle Cash Card. Don't get rid of it when you spend all the money. I think I saw them using this at Fort Benning. So, if you still have a balance on your Eagle Cash Card by the end of WTC, you'd be able to use it during OSUT.

But the Eagle Cash Card doesn't lose it's usefulness after OSUT. You'll need your Eagle Cash Card when you deploy. Your finance will set your card up so that you could put money into it once you run low. It it expired, they'd be able to reactivate it. It's convenient for when you make purchases at the PX in Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan.